Jenny Garland

Let the Voting Begin!! Choose the Best Design

Thank you SO much to everyone who participated in our very first Crafter's Challenge! The point of the challenge was for contestants to create an original summer accessory pattern. Vote for your favorite design (one vote per person, please) June 1st- June 5th. The winner will be announced Monday, June 8th and she will receive $100!!!

Check out these links for fun information about each contestant and more project pictures:

Alison Treadaway | Intaly Karlheim | Jessica Fediw | Kathryn Sprowl | Kristi Kelly

Crafter's Challenge Submission Deadline - Met!

Thank you all for the submissions, they are soooo cute! I will feature the entries and put up a voting poll on Monday, so be sure to come back and vote for your favorite summer design :) I can't wait till you all can see these! Squeal!!!!!

Have a great weekend,

There's still time!

There's still time to participate in the Crafter's Challenge, peeps! The deadline is this Friday at 12pm CST. The entries thus far are super cute! I'd love to get a few more before the cut off time :) Voting will take place next week!

... On another note, the other night I spent hours sewing a project only to realize in the final stages that I cut the pattern out wrong. ERGH!! A pattern piece was folded behind itself and I wasn't paying close enough attention to catch it. So annoying. I realized said mistake at midnight and knew I had to stop sewing that night because I would just make it worse. Yesterday I did manage to fix my error, but only after a lot of huffing and puffing and what might have been excessive profanity.

Despite the best of intentions...

here's now most every morning goes...

• Baby cries at 2am.
• Walk upstairs to feed baby.
• Go back to bed.
• Baby cries at 6am.
• Walk upstairs to feed baby.
• Put baby in swing so she will fall back asleep.
• Feel guilty about putting baby in swing but not guilty enough to play.
• Fall asleep in bed for an hour.
• Hear toddler say "Mommy, I'm awake" over monitor.
• Pretend I don't hear toddler.
• Hear toddler scream "Mommy, I SAY I'm awake."
• Really think about getting out of bed.
• Avoid getting out of bed because I know husband will get up with her and he does.
• Feel happy.
• Fall asleep for 20 minutes.
• Hear Mickey Mouse on the tv and baby starting to stir.
• Realize I am going to have to actually get out of bed and entertain rascals today.
• Get out of bed.
• Vow I'll go to bed earlier tonight.
• Think about showering.
• Ehhh, I'll do it later.
• Brush teeth and join the living.
• Think about drinking water and making egg beaters.
• Grab a Diet Coke and Special K bar instead.
• Start talking to toddler who is rambling a thousand miles a minute.
• Nod head as if I am listening but all I'm thinking is "Caffeine. Kick in, now!"
• Start to feel awake.
• Think about going to gym.
• Ehhh, I'll do it later.
• Watch Yo Gabba Gabba.
• Have "Keep trying, keep trying, don't give up, don't give up" in my head all day.
• Have a tea party.
• Tweet.
• Feed baby.
• Pretend cook in toddler's kitchen.
• Check feeds.
• Start laundry.
• Think it's got to be close to nap time, right?
• It's only 9am.
• Crap.
• Color.
• Sing.
• Play outside.
• Check email.
• Think of something crafty I want to do during nap time.
• Watch another Mickey Mouse.
• Now have "Meeska Mouska Mickey Mouse" in my head along with aforementioned Yo Gabba Gabba song.
• Think it's really got to be close to lunch time now.
• 10:45am.
• Shoot. Good enough.
• Make lunch.
• Feed baby.
• Flip laundry.
• Know clean laundry will not make it's way to my closet today.
• Check time.
• 11:30.
• Have a dance off.
• Nap time for toddler.
• Toddler cries "Mommy, I don't want to take a nappy."
• Mommy says "It's okay, we'll play after nap time. Sleep tight."
• Mommy thinks "Kid, I couldn't care less if you don't want to."
• Think about that crafty project I intended to do.
• Decide to take a nap instead.

Anyone else's mornings go like this?

A Mirror, Vintage Fabric, Meatloaf, and a Contest!

How's that for a title? Apparently I have a lot swimming around in my brain today.

Let's start with the mirror. Remember the mirror from this thrift store find? Well, I finally got around to spiffing it up. I refinished it yesterday with the help of my almost three year old (who painted herself more than the mirror). I hung it in the downstair's hallway:

Moving on the the vintage fabric... My sister's friend had a premature baby this week. The sweet girl, Emmaline (HOW stinking cute is that name??) will have to stay in the hospital quite a while so she wanted to have a special quilt for her. I found this to die for vintage fabric at an Antique Mall this morning. It's in great condition and I can't wait to use it for baby Emmaline's quilt.

Next up... meatloaf. Hannah posted this recipe for stuffed turkey meatloaf a few days ago. I love meatloaf. I mean, I really love meatloaf. Her recipe looked so good, I gave it a whirl. Ladies, you gotta try it. I know it's turkey meatloaf and some of you may feel funny about that but push your turkey loaf fears aside and whip up this bad boy. YUMMY. I used almonds instead of pine nuts because that's what I had. And I didn't bother making the spicy tomato sauce because around here, Heinz Ketchup is King. It made a ton of meatloaf and we're having it again tonight.

Last up .... the Crafter's Challenge. Um, anyone else out there planning to participate?! (crickets). There's been one submission (very cute) so far and I hope we'll get at least five by the deadline, Friday May 29th. I've talked to some of you who are hesitant to enter because you're "pattern dependent." Don't be skurd, friends! This is a great chance to play around with fabric and have some fun. And maybe win the $100 prize.

Okay, thanks for hanging in there with me and my poor, scattered brain. Hopefully, a less random post is in the near future!

Allow me to leave you with this image of Kate. Clearly the girl's excited about summer:

xoxo

Super Target's New Carts

We have a new Super Target in the area and holy, moly... check out their carts:

I don't know if you can really tell because I took the pic with my phone, but the new carts are really heavy duty, bigger, and turn on a dime. After I finished shopping, I headed to the parking lot. Fifteen minutes later I found Brad's car. Erggh!! How do I always forget where I park? Good thing I had that Diet A&W Cream Soda to keep me company in the heat.

This is me happy to be back in the air conditioning:

 

More Info About the Crafter's Challenge!

Hola, guys! There have been some questions about the Crafter's Challenge. Let me help clarify and if you have more questions, please let me know!

* The prize is $100 cash. I will mail a money order to you within 48 hours after the competition ends.

* I have created a submission form that can fill out directly on my blog when you're ready. On the submission form, there is a place to upload the following:

        1. A Word document or pdf describing how you made your pattern (tutorial).

        2. Pictures of your project.

* I'm going to keep all photos private until the deadline, Fri May 29 at 12pm CST. This will help people from copying ideas and add to the suspense!

* Over the weekend (May 30-31), I will create a montage of all the applicants' photos. I will post the photos (not patterns) to my blog on Monday, June 1.

* I will embed a voting poll on my blog so you can vote for the best overall design. Voting will take place between Monday June 1 and Friday June 5. Anyone can vote (you do not need to have submitted a project). One vote per person, please.

* After the winner (person with the most votes for best overall design) is declared, you can vote on ideal fabric choices for her design. I will offer three combinations to select from. The fabric combo that receives the most votes will be the fabric I will produce the winner's design from. I will sell the winner's design in limited quantities so you can purchase your favorite summer accessory! 

* So, that's the winner's portion. After the winner is declared and fabric is decided upon, we will start the "critiquing round." If you just want to submit your design but do not want it critiqued by others, that is perfectly fine! For those who want constructive feedback, I will repost your pictures in a new post. The community can offer feedback regarding what they like and how they would improve the appearance of your product. The community does not actually MAKE your project, as the pattern will not be available to them. They may offer suggestions about the appearance of pockets, size, construction, utility, etc. 

* There is no prize for critiquing, except the knowledge that you are helping other crafters improve their skills!

I hope this makes things a little more clear! I'm trying to make it as easy as possible :) Let me know how I can further help.

Crafter's Challenge!!

I am so excited to tell you guys about our first Crafter's Challenge! I got this idea after thinking about Threadless and their design community. Crafters are always wanting to try something new and improve skills.

Here's how the Challenge will work:

(a) Come up with a fabulous, original sewing pattern that fits within the theme: Summer Accessories.

(b) Submit your pattern and pictures of the finished product.

(c) The community will vote for their favorite original design and offer creative comments for submitted designs. This is going to be super useful for everyone to get feedback from others and suggestions for design elements.

(d) If your pattern is chosen as best overall design, you win $100! And a feature. And lots of linky love.

(e) After your pattern is chosen, the community will vote on fabric for production. I will make limited quantities available for purchase. It'll be the hottest summer accessory!

Sounds like fun, huh? This challenge is open to newbie and advanced sewers. No design is too simple, so don't be afraid to jump right in! If you have been wanting to draft your own design, here's your chance to get some great feedback. 

Remember, the only two requirements are that your sewing pattern fits within a Summer Accessories Theme and that the pattern is originally designed by you!

If you're stuck on ideas, here are just a few to consider: wristlet, clutch, fabric bookmark, wallet, tote, or wrist cuff.

SUBMIT YOUR DESIGN!

So go get started! I'm dying to see what you come up with :) All submissions must be received by Friday, May 29 at 12pm CST. Feel free to submit as many patterns as you want.

**Edited to add further details and info about contest here!**

Happy designing,

Video Tutorial: How to Make a Quilter's Knot

I prefer to do all sewing on the machine. It's fast and efficient. However, there are some instances when I simply have to sew by hand (bleh, I know).

Anyway, before you sew specific stitches, you need to know how to make a sturdy knot that will stay put. I know, you're thinking "a knot?" I totally know how to make a knot. If you do, awesome! If you don't, I'll show ya in this super quick video tutorial. Please excuse the slight blurriness and ridiculously short nails. Um, I still bite my nails. Been trying to stop for like 27 years. Nervous habit. Don't even realize I'm doing it.

Moving on... this knot is really easy once you practice it once or twice. It's great if you have to sew on a button, or slip-stitch something closed. It will keep your stitches really secure and you can bury it in the fabric so it won't be seen.

PS - Be sure to check back tomorrow for my new post. I have an awesome challenge for you DIY crafters and there's a big honking prize!!!

Do You Have This Sewing Tool? If Not, You Need It!!

If you're a newbie seamstress or crafty gal, you might not be aware of one of the best, most fabulous inventions around ... the turning tool. No more cursing at those little, teeny tubes of fabric you have to turn right side out. No more safety pins! Take a look at how to use this baby ... it saves sooo much time!

In case you're wondering how I set up my oh so professional video camera to make sure I'm in the shot, here's how...

So what's one of your favorite sewing or craft tools?