Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Baby Onesie Dress and Headband {Tutorial}



Another baby girl is on her way--a friend is expecting her little one in less than 2 weeks now! Unfortunately I was unable to attend her baby shower and missed the fun and games, but still gave her a few handmade gifts for baby Fayelyn. Using the same tutorial from Running With Scissors as I did for the onesies in this post I made a custom dress and matching headband from some girly vintage fabric.


The headband was a first-time creation and it turned out better than planned! Since I had no 'baby headbands' on had, I created a cloth casing from the matching pink & white fabric and inserted a piece of elastic. After googling I came to a common measurement of 12-13" for the headband with it being able to stretch to approximately 16" for a 6-9 month baby size.I made a simple fabric rosette and centered it with a pearl button and attached it to the headband using a felt backing and hot glue. One of the easiest projects to date and it turned out darling!

 

Along with her onesie, I made a picture frame to match her nursery.
HOW TO make frame: I painted a wooden frame with 2 layers of pink acrylic paint, sealed it with a layer of Mod Podge, glued on ribbon, a matching handmade bow, a few pearl and crystal embellishments along with matching epoxy letter stickers.






We can't wait to meet baby Fayelyn!

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

A Very Simple Strapless Dress {Mini Tutorial}

One of my latest tutorial finds was this super cute ‘Simple Skirt’ from Katy at Sweet Verbena. I stumbled across her blog via Pinterest and though she is fairly new to the blog world she has some adorable and amazing tutorials. Her style is awesome and her projects are simple and fun. In addition to making a ‘Simple Skirt’ I also used the same idea from her tutorial to create my most recent dress--meet the Simple Strapless Dress! 

This was a learn-as-I-go sewing project for myself. I’ll try to explain as best I can the steps I took and adjustments I made to the skirt tutorial. Once you review and understand Katy's skirt, this should be a breeze for you to make!


Here is what I used:
1 and 2/3 yard of 45” wide fabric
1” wide elastic
Sewing Essentials

((Please bare with me as it may get a little wordy since I don't have photos of the steps I took; for reference please visit Katy's tutorial as she took very helpful photos of each step!))

For the first step, rather than folding your fabric completely in half lengthwise to create a 2-layer skirt as Katy did, fold down your top edge roughly between ¼ -½ way down your fabric. To get a more accurate measurement of how far you should fold your fabric, measure the height of your bust. Do this by measuring from the top of your chest (or the bottom of your armpit--where the dress will sit) to directly under your bust. Add about 2 inches to that measurement and fold your fabric.

Since your bust measurement is longer than what the equivalent measurement of your back would be, cut your folded fabric with a slight curved edge working from the center to the ends. This will help eliminate any excess fabric or poofiness on your back.

Here is my pitiful attempt at creating a diagram to describe this:
The faint gray line is where your fabric is folded over to and the black curved line is what you will cut out from your flap
Create your casing at the top of the fold just as Katy did. Do this by laying down your elastic across the top of the fold and pin directly underneath it. Sew a straight line where you just pinned. Here is your first casing!

This is when Katy slides in her elastic, gathers the skirt and sews up the two sides to finish her skirt--super simple!! To create my dress, we will add one more step so that we can create the casing for the second elastic around your waist.

Leaving about an inch seam allowance, sew a line along the bottom of your curved fabric flap. Lay your elastic as best you can around the curve and pin on top of the elastic (same idea as the first casing) and sew along that pinned line. Your two slightly curved sewn lines create the casing for your second elastic.

Here is another lame attempt at a diagram:
The two grey dashed lines are where you sew to form your casing
Measure your elastic to where one piece fits comfortably around your upper chest and another piece around your waist. Be sure to have enough slack to stretch over your head but enough tightness to hold up your dress. Insert your pieces of elastic through the casings using a safety pin (or whatever works best for you!) and pin the elastic to each open end. Stretch both of your elastics and play with the fabric to get a nice even gather. Hem the bottom of your dress (if needed). Pin the two edges together, right sides facing each other, and try on your dress if you’d like. Make any adjustments to your elastic at this time. Once fitted, sew straight down the edges to form your dress and you’re all done! **You'll notice that one key difference from the skirt was that my one seam is worn at the back of my dress, rather than at the sides.

Add a belt for a little more shape if you'd like!





If you have ANY questions at all in regards to making a dress of your own, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Thank you Katie from Sew Woodsy, Danielle from Blissful & Domestic and Kelly from Running with Glitter for featuring my dress!!

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Friday, July 1, 2011

Cookie Dough Brownies {Recipe}

We celebrated my good friend Sarah's birthday at the restaurant Cafe Tu Tu Tango.We had a blast! Lots of good laughs and fun times with great friends. I decided to make a dessert that everyone could enjoy. Hello fabulous Cookie Dough Brownies, recipe courtesy of Chef In Training.


I asked Sarah's boyfriend out of 5 different amazing recipes I found on Pinterest which one he thought she'd like best. He picked this one, and knowing that she LOVES cookie dough, I thought it was a good choice too! Without further ado, here is the delicious recipe!


COOKIE DOUGH BROWNIES
Brownie:
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1-1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 1-1/3 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Filling:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Glaze:
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 3/4 cups walnuts, optional

Step 1. Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and blend well.  Add vanilla, salt, cocoa, and flour. Don't over-beat.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until done.  Cool completely.
 
Brownies all done and cooling

Step 2. For filling, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light & fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Spread over brownies (works best to just press out with clean hands.); chill until firm.


The filling tasted AMAZING

Waiting patiently for the brownies to cool down

Step 3. For glaze, in a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening in 30 second intervals, stirring after each time, until smooth. Spread over filling. Immediately sprinkle with nuts, pressing down slightly.


Ready to chill the brownies and cookie dough!

The chocolate glaze--this was a different icing than I have ever done, but it turned out perfectly!

Step 4. Let glaze harden before cutting in.
 
 
Now, being that I am no pro baker (and usually have the assistance of Betty Crocker!) this was such a simple recipe and turned out DELISH. Everyone at dinner loved it and Sarah MAY have had more than one piece. :) The directions were straight forward and simple enough to follow. The only "flaw" I encountered was that the brownie and cookie dough filling weren't evenly proportioned. There was a lot more brownie than cookie dough, but no biggie--it still tasted amazing! :)
 
The birthday girl enjoying her dessert :)

The birthday girl and I!

Some of the gang at the end of dinner!



If you ever need a twist on a simple brownie, here you go! ENJOY!












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