Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Ultimate DIY Bundle - Showing Off Some Doodle Art

Yay! Its finally here! The Ultimate DIY Bundle is now available for purchase! Since I'm helping to promote the bundle I was able to purchase mine a little early...Yes, that's right I didn't get it for free...but this post does contain affiliate links*. 

There is something for everyone is this bundle and the first thing I did was print out some coloring sheets from Doodle Art Alley (available in the bundle). I knew I could get at least 15-30 minutes to get a few things done around the house, and if I was really lucky I would have time to look at the other goodies that are featured in this packed bundel. There's a combined total of 76 e-books and e-courses included in the Ultimate DIY Bundle.


So I sat Amelia down and she chose to color the doodle koala...


The images are so fun and creative, and so much color can be used to make it pretty, as Amelia would say. I can print them over and over again for her because there now mine!

Ok a little bit of sulking because she wants the wood pencils now...



We have a happy artist again! 



Even I couldn't resist the mandalas...
But with more urgent matters, like dicovering Make Believe and Gift it from Scratch, other e-books featured in the bundle, I didn't finish.




With JubeJube in school and Amelia playing artist I had a little extra time to get stuff done so tomorrow I'll be showing you another project in that I made using another e-book from the bundle.





Until next time, xx.

*Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.



Monday, January 19, 2015

Clara Dress by Blaverry

Remember Ansley, a pattern design by Blaverry? Well after the blog tour in November 2014, Christie made a few changes for the better and  released the pattern, she also worked on a brand new design, Clara. I love her designs, there always something fun and original with every pattern. There's also a brand new website for Blaverry where you can purchase all her patterns.



Yes, I'm showing off a summer dress in the cold of winter, but this is how I shake my winter blues. Thinking warm thoughts and sewing pretty dresses getting ready for that lovely warm sun.

I just love the shape of the pockets. and they're just big enough to store those tiny treasures.




The collar in a contrast fabric and the buttons down the front gives the dress a little of a retro look that I adore.




This dress was made in an evening, so I would say its an easy sew and I used about 1.25 meters of main fabric and less than .5 meters of the contrast fabric in a size 4. The siaze range for this pattern is from 9 months to 16 years...this is one we'll be using for a long time!




The instructions are really easy to follow and each step has a clear tech drawing. This PDF also features layers so that you can print out only the pattern sizes you want.




I'll keep on thinking those warm thoughts and sewing up more pretty dresses and looking forward to the warmer weather. I've got a few more to show you!

Until next time, xx.

P.S. If your looking for a way to get your creativity mojo back there's a free e-course, all you have to do is sign up for it.


Saturday, January 17, 2015

Ultimate Wallet by So Sew Easy

I've been looking high a low for the perfect wallet. I know my wallet never seems to have enough space for all those cards I need to carry. I think I may have just found what I needed in the Ultimate Wallet a pattern by So Sew Easy.


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With this wallet I have space to put identification cards for JubeJube and Amelia, my identification, credit cards/ bank cards and gift cards (I love those!) and I still have a couple of spaces left open.





There's an ever practicle change pouch and other little pockets on either side.


The next time I make this pattern I will make this pocket a little deeper so that papers and cash are not so close to the top, but everything does stay nicely in place when the outside flap is snapped tight.


I spent more time ironing than sewing, but so worth putting in that extra time to make sure everything is well pressed. I did some topstitching for all the little card pockets, that step was not included in the tutorial. I used two snaps instead of one, I just felt that it would help keep that flap closed.




Just to let you know, I did get this pattern for free in exchange for the review, but all opinions are my own! I'm going to need one for every season to match my purse now...so you better believe I'm going to get use out of this pattern.

If you like this pattern go visit DIY Crush, the perfect place to shop patterns for sewing, cross stitching, kniting and crocheting.


Until next time, xx. 

Friday, January 16, 2015

There Always Time to be Creative

Have you ever been in a creative slump? If so I have just the thing for you! Its a FREE 4-step e-course on how to rediscover you inner creativity. All you have to do is sign up.




You'll want to sign up today because its only offered for a limited time. (Contains Affiliate link)

Enjoy!

Until next time, xx.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Meet Holly

This is one of those very exciting days! The follow up to the Secret Garden dress in now officially in testing! First let me introduce you to Audrey & Tiffany PDF Patterns.  Allison and I would really love for you to visit our facebook page. You'll also be able to purchase our patterns in our brand new Etsy shop. You'll still see new stuff from E+M Patterns, and I will still continue my own thing under the name of Sprouting JubeJube, but we thought that since these patterns are a collaboration they should have their own name...with some late night (well late for me since I'm in the East and Allison is in the West) brainstorming Audrey & Tiffany was born.

Here's a peek at Holly, you'll see more next week as testing moves along.




Until next time, xx.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Boxy Bag by So Sew Easy

I think I may have just found my new go-to gift for this year. The Boxy Bag Pattern by So Sew Easy is a fun sew and as soon as I was finished my first one Amelia asked me if it was for her to put her toys in. Ha, no! This one's for me!





These little bags don't take up a lot of fabric, I was able to use left overs from another project.



I decided to really use what I have on hand and not purchase anything for this little project. I didn't have any fusible fleece on had so the next best thing was to use quilters batting and do some top stitching to to keep the batting in place. Quilting the fabric did take some time but I love how it turned out. I also added some zipper tabs to the bag.




The approximate finished measurements are 7.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall (not including the length of the straps). The size makes this bag perfect for lunch boxes simply line the bag with PUL fabric or insulated lining to keep things cool, cosmetics, a small hobby bag or anything else you can think of. 



I love that the zipper goes part way down the sides, it really allows for a big opening and it really makes getting things in and out of the bag easy.



Just so you know, I did get this pattern for free in exchange for the review, but all opinions are my own.

Will I make more of these, you better believe it!

Until next time, xx.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

2014 in Review

There's no easy way to just blurb about the past year. As I looked back to prepare this blog post I realized how much the girls have changed. I also noticed a trend in the styles I most love to sew and how the most popular posts were also my favorite. I thought that I should just round up the most viewed post every month for the year.

January 2014: Adjustable Waistband on Skirt No.1 by E+M Patterns

Almost a year ago today Allison posted her first tester call for the Twirly skirt (it was later renamed Skirt Pattern No.1) and I fell in love with her design! Many more patterns have been created by E+M Patterns since then, all as adorable and fun to sew.




February 2014: Pansy Dress by Ruby Jean's Closet

This one is a classic right from the get go! Ruby Jean's Closet patterns all have special details, you'll want to sew them up over and over again!



March 2014: Spring Line 2014 by My Little Plumcake

In March My Little Plumcake released 4 patterns. Michelle designed these patterns for all types of fabrics including silks and satins. The end result was just beautiful! I think my favorite has to be the Maddalie Dress that I made with an embroidered light weight cotton.



April 2014: Skirt Pattern No.5 by E+M Patterns

In April another post featuring a pattern by E+M Patterns had the top views, skirt Pattern No.5. This blog post also managed to get 103 pins on Pinterest! Ok so we love our skirts!



May 2014: Vintage Baby Romper by Whimsy Couture

This romper by Whimsy Couture is just the cutest thing, and I was so sad when Amelia grew out of it. Let's just hope that this summer she'll want another one, fingers crossed.



June 2014: Sweet Jane by My Little Plumcake


Oh Sweet Jane! The perfect summer time dress!





July 2014: Name That Dress

The name that won Allison and I over was The Secret Garden Dress.



August 2014: Sew Sweet Bear by Ruby Jean's Closet

You may recall Pansy from Februrary, in August I made the Sew Sweet Bear to match the dress. Amelia still loves her little bear made from the pattern created by Ruby Jean's Closet.





September 2014: Adding Pockets to Pattern No.13 by E+M Patterns


This was the most viewed post for September, and it was also the most worn dress in JubeJube's wardrobe. Adding pockets to kids clothing is always a good thing!




October 2014: Another pattern hack No.15 by E+M Patterns

Last year we saw a lot of hi-lo hems, well with the help of Pattern No.15 by E+M I created a tunic with a slight hi-lo for Amelia...and this fabric was just perfect for it!



November 2014: Iggy Learning Doll by Ruby Jean's Closet

Love this doll, and so does Amelia. Learning to zip zippers, button buttons, and tie laces has never been this fun since Iggy came to be.





December 2014: Weekend Dress by Amelie & Henri

My most viewed post in December was the newest pattern by Amelie & Henri, the Weekend Dress. This was also the dress JubeJube chose to wear Christmas Day.



So there you have the top posts of 2014,  so much more to come this year.
Until next time, xx.