I heart Knitty Bitties

Meet Andrea.  A magician with a sewing machine, owner of a covet worthy fabric stash, generous giver, endlessly creative and genuine encourager.
She finds beauty and hope in trials.  Shares her talents and passions generously.  Can pair fabrics like no other.
When I grow up I want to have 1% of her sewing skills.  She came up with the sweetest little project for one of the sweetest days of the year. Who doesn't just love Valentine's Day?  I can see this happy runner adorning my table as we celebrate LOVE.
I am so excited to make one!  Aren't you?
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Hello Every-bod-eeee!! I am so tickled to be guest posting on this blog. I know I *hearted* Julie long before she ever knew of me.  Julie, you're one of my oldies-but-goodies-most-favorite blogs I subscribe to ... your posts bring much happy to my days. My two favorite, laugh-out-loud ... spit iced tea on the computer ..."Freakcycle" & "If I didn't have a blog". Serious. Save them up for one of those really doozies of days ... this will put your smile back on. So, I'm Andrea from Knitty Bitties {my shop, my blog}. I'm a girl, doing my best to live each day intentionally, with joy even in the midst of heartache and making sure I have iced tea and a bit of peanut butter everyday! I have the great privilege of being a wife and mama first and a handmade business owner second.
And today I'm going to share a tutorial for my 'hearts on a string' table runner which was thought up just for Julie and her Joy's hope readers ... YOU guys. I hope it is easiest enough for the most novice of sewers with enough options to keep it fun for the sewing masters. It took me about 2 hours so I'd say it would take the average sewer about 2-4 hours. A fun afternoon project ;).
 Supplies::
  • Scraps (if you've got them) or fabric in various red/pink prints. The largest size you'll need is 3"x3".
  • 1/2 YD fabric (front) - I used white Kona cotton
  • 1/2 YD fabric (back) - I used a red/white floral by Anna Griffin
  • Heat-n-Bond
  • Warm-n-White batting (approx. 14"x45")
  • Thread
  • Optional tools to make it easier - rotary cutter & cutting mat
  Step 1 - Gather your scraps and start cutting them into 3"/2"/1.5" strips. Then cut again to make squares (i.e. 3"x3"/2"x2"/1.5"x1/5").
Step 2 - Cut a 3", 2" and 1.5" strip of heat-n-bond. Iron your fabric squares to each heat-n-bond strip according to instructions on the packaging. Then cut them into into individual squares and make yourself some hearts. You know, fold in half and cut (it'll take you back to your grade school cut-n-paste days). Step 3 - Cut your front fabric to 14" x width of your fabric (approx. 45"). Cut your back fabric 16" x width of your fabric. Cut batting to 14" x 45".
Step 4 - Arrange your hearts on your front fabric piece so that they make (2) 'strings of hearts' that cross about 1/3 from one side. Picture an invisible string running between them as you place them on the fabric. {Refer to finished table runner for a 'visual' of what this should look like.} Move them around until you're happy with the placement and then iron them in place. Step 5 - Make your 'layer cake' for quilting. Back fabric (right side down), then batting and then front fabric (right side up). Center the front fabric/batting on the back piece so that you have a pretty even border of back fabric all the way around.
Step 6 - Draw a line about 2" in from each short end. Do not quilt in this small 2" section as you'll be cutting it away when you get ready to do your binding.
Step 7 - Using a walking foot 'quilt' a curved line along the first string of hearts. When you get to the end, pivot your work and quilt that line again, but not in the exact same line as the first time. We're going for a natural/organic look. Repeat a 3rd & 4th time if you'd like. Do the same for the other string of hearts. I used a natural thread and a pale pink for my lines, but if you wanted them to be more noticeable, you could use hot pink or red (oh-la-la). Now, pat yourself on the back!! **Now if you don't want to do any free motion quilting, skip the next step. No one will judge you ... but if you want a little spice in your life ... try it!! **
Step 8 - Using a darning foot for free motion quilting, quilt around the large 3" hearts. I went around 2 times. Don't worry about it looking perfect. Just go with it ...
Step 9 - Carefully fold back your back fabric from one short end and trim along the line you drew earlier MAKING SURE TO ONLY CUT OFF THE FRONT FABRIC & BATTING NOT THE BACK FABRIC (sorry I'm not really shouting, just want to get your attention on that one ;). Repeat on the other side. Now lay everything flat again and go around and trim your back fabric so that you have a 1" border on all sides. Now click over to "Made by Rae's" cheater binding tutorial which I followed to finish my table runner.
**Note, you can bind this table runner traditionally if you'd like. I was simply going for speed (... name that Cake song ... oh wait, I digress). ** Now, go ahead, lay that table runner out and admire it! I'll wait ...
Doesn't it make your heart happy? I sure hope so. ::MWAH:: Happy Valentine's Day from me to you!!

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I heart Lipstick and Laundry.

When I think of Fall, I think of Jen from Lipstick and Laundry.  She is the mama to five boys, and if we ever have one, she will be the first one I go to for advice.  Next time I risk my life on Sketchy Air, I look forward to sitting down over coffee and chocolate with her.  Not only does she have a festive and easy project to share, but even a sweet and easy snack.  Does it get much better?
I heart her and I know you will heart her too.

Hi there... I'm Jen for Lipstick and Laundry and I am happy to be here today. I have been a Joy's hope and Julie fan for a few years now. I always look forward to her bright, colorful, happy posts. Not to mention the fact that she has introduced me to some pretty amazing snacks...
Salted Caramel Cupcakes, Toffee Crack, and my latest ♥ Caramel Bugles to name a few... {grin}
I, unlike my friend absolutely positively adore decorating for FALL...
Today I am sharing my Pottery Barn {knock off} Leaf Garland...
You will need:
*Medium width ribbon
{I used brown with cream stitching in the by the yard ribbon at Walmart}
*Tiny ric rac {I used green}
*Various sheets of felt in what ever colors make you smile
{I purchase my felt from Joann's}
*Coordinating embroidery floss
Simply cut out your leaves as many as you want I have included my pattern below. Hand Stitch your veins and tack on ribbon with your embroidery floss...
Now reward yourself with a FALL snack...
Yummy Acorns
You will need...
*Mini Nilla Wafers
*Nutella {you can also use chocolate frosting}
*Hershey Kisses
Spread a little bit of Nutella on your Nilla wafer {it's the glue}
Cap your kiss and add a little bit on top {stem}

Download your Leaf Patterns here.



******
I have to be honest,  I fell in love with this leaf garland.  This VERY, VERY, Fall-ish leaf garland.  Love.  
I even begged Jen to make me one.
But, she, being the adorable person she is, said yes, but also added...
"Or you could make one.  You have the pattern.  I bet you already have the supplies."
Touche.
So, I printed out a few extra sets of the leaves, got out the watercolors, sat the bigs down to paint leaves, let Janey run loose and wreak havoc upon the house (her favorite past time), while I scrounged for supplies.
I only came up with orange felt.  Boo.  Joann's is twenty minutes away, and on a weekend... a holiday weekend no less, it is CRAZYTOWN in there.  I didn't have it in me to brave that adventure, so I improvised.  I choose some fall-esque fabrics, attached them to the orange felt with Heat-n-Bond and leafed it up.
Halley made a beautiful set of watercolored leaves, Lucy cut hers into confetti, and Janey destroyed my piles of folded laundry. Together we made a big, messy, messy, mess.  But it was a really fun messy, mess sort of night.  Most of all, it felt so great to actually start and finish something.  I needed that.  Badly. 
For the first time it is beginning to look a bit like Fall (even though it was 100ยบ this weekend) and part of me had forgotten how excited the little ones get when their house is decorated not only for special occasions, but for the seasons.  It looks like I am going to learn to like Fall after all.  
Now I cannot wait to make my squirrel loving girl the sweet little acorn treats.  The only problem?  Sharing the precious, that is my Nutella.  Right now it is my sneaky little secret, hidden in a corner of the pantry.  
























Hop on over to Lipstick and Laundry and leave Jen some comment love.
Then make your house happy and full of Fall goodness.

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peeps.

Peeps are cheerful.
Cute.
Happy colored.
Whores.

What?

Just one of the random thoughts that pass through my weird brain, and occasionally escape from my mouth in the presence of high school and college students, who may or may not let me live them down.

But Flag Peeps?
Seriously.
Flag?

But then again if Cadbury decides to make whores out of their Mini Eggs...
I will be first in line to buy Mini Arbor Day Eggs.

Just saying.


Can you handle the cuteness of this printable topper?

I hear that these guys make great S'mores.
Add in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
Done.


This banner makes my heart beat faster.
Why am I not hosting Easter this year?
Would it be an appropriate year round decoration?
Adore.

Last year I made miss Janey a super fast applique tee using a Peeps coloring page, some buttons and Heat N Bond.

It could even be no-sew if you use the ultra hold.

So sorry if I offended you Peeps.
I think you are adorable.
Plus you make some great crafts.

Bring on the Cadbury Mini Pumpkin Eggs.

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A tutu! A t-shirt!


Happy February!
I had to dig into the archives to find this so I could make Miss Janey one and figured I would re-post while I was there.


I am so honored that Fave Crafts included it in their Valentine's Day Blogger Ebook which is chock full of heart day goodness.
I certainly found my fair share of things that I plan on making in the next few weeks.


So go craft some lovely.


Halley went through a major tutu phase and didn't understand why she couldn't wear one to school.  I got a little creative and satisfied her need for a tutu and the school's need for kids to wear normal clothes.
If you have been sewing for a while this will be crazy easy.
If you are new to sewing, it might look scary.  When I figured out how to do it I was new to sewing too.  You will learn a few new skills, like sewing on tulle (surprisingly easy), gathering (much easier to gather tulle than fabric) and sewing on knits (I have a trick to make it easier.)
I promise that when you are finished, you will not only be proud of what you have made, look really fancy, but you will be smitten and addicted to the Tutu T-shirt!



Here is what you will need:


2 1/2 yards each of two different colors of tulle
A t-shirt (I love the Cherokee perfect t's from Target.)
Coordinating thread
A rotary cutter, ruler and self healing mat, or scissors and a really steady hand.

{There will be enough tulle left over to make two more t's.}



On this Tutu T-shirt I am using red for the top shorter layer and pink underneath.

Cut the top, shorter layer 12 inches wide by 90 inches long. 
(The 90 inches is why you need 2 1/2 yards.)



Cut the bottom, longer layer 14 inches by 90 inches.



Fold each layer in half, separately.
Stack them on top of each other with the raw edges lining up.  The folded edges will be staggered on the bottom.  Pin the two layers together near the raw edges.



Using a basting stitch 
(the longest stitch on your machine and the least amount of tension) 
sew the entire length of the tulle near the raw edges.  
Do not backstitch on either end and leave lots of thread hanging on each side.



Pull one of the  threads and begin gathering the tulle.  
It will start to look like a tutu.  
When it seems about the right width to go around the t-shirt move on to the next step.



Starting in the middle of the back of the t-shirt start pinning the tulle.  
The shorter top layer of tulle should be the one laying on top of the t-shirt.



Continue pinning it as close to the bottom of the shirt, all of the way around.



Overlap it when you return to the middle of the back of the shirt. 



Place the shirt under your needle and foot.  
Return the stitch length and tension to normal.  
I like to use a medium size zig zag stitch.  
It makes it easier to catch the layers of tulle, as well as helps the t-shirt stretch.  
Backstitch at the beginning and end.



This is what mines looks like.  
Don't worry that it is a little messy.  
It will be covered by the rest of the skirt.



Here is the underneath of the finished product.  
You can carefully trim any wayward tulle if it is driving you crazy.



Hooray!!!  Look what you made!!! It wasn't so bad was it?



I couldn't leave Janey out right?
I made a few changes to make her a little onesie.
I cut just one piece of tulle 8 inches by 90 inches.
I gathered it a bit more than the bigger girls' shirts.
Then I pinned it starting in the back of the onesie.



Continue pinning it all of the way around.  Overlapping at the beginning.



Same zig zag stitch, trying my best to keep it straight without the benefit of a t-shirt seam.



She is going to be so dang cute come Valentine's Day!!!!



Lulu, who will only agree to model for me if there are smarties involved, 
looks pretty cute herself.



Showing off the back of the Tutu T-shirt and Messy Flower Headband.
I would love to see your Tutu T-shirt creations!!!
What else can you sew that is girly, yet so versatile, practical and under $10?
Happy tutu-ing!
(Feel like doing a little applique on your tutu t-shirt?  
Here is a great tutorial to get you started.)


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one word canvas tutorial


Those who are wise will shine as bright as
the sky, and those who turn many to
righteousness will shine like stars forever.
Daniel 12:3


The fabulous Amy Butler showcased some lovely canvases (seen here) and ever since I saw them I have been eager to make some for our home.

This project would be perfect for your
your last name,
your child's name...

Plus it can be totally no-sew if you so choose.
Yay.
Let's go.



Supplies:
12x24 canvas (grabbed at Michael's with a coup for $6.)
Staple gun
One simple background fabric bigger than the canvas
Large fabric scraps
Heat N Bond UltraHold for no-sew version
Heat N Bond Lite for Iheartto-sew version
(Got both at the Walmarts)
Printed letters from you word.

I used Pharmacy in 700pt. and printed it with the most ghetto printer in the entire world. As I was printing I wondered how long it would take for me to start hating Pharmacy. It is inevitable. Every font that I love soon turns into my nemesis. Hoping this one hangs on for at least a year...



Roughly cut around each letter.
Lay each letter on top of HeatNBond.
Cut out the same size piece of HeatNBond for each letter.


Here are your letters with the HeatNBond underneath.



Arrange your fabric pieces in a way that doesn't make you crazy.



Using the wool, no steam setting, iron HeatNBond shiny side down on each piece of fabric in the proper non-crazy order.



Pin each letter to the front of the fabric.
We don't want backwards letters.
Grab smallish sharp scissors and turn on some brainless TV.
Then cut out each letter carefully.
Boring.
Time consuming.
ADD.
Thus the TV.



Lay your fabric wrong side down on the table.
Lay the canvas on top of it.
Cut around the canvas leaving enough room on each side to staple it evenly.



Loosely wrap the fabric.
Flip over the canvas.
Lay out your letters so they are straight and even.
Gingerly bring the whole canvas to your ironing board.
Carefully transfer fabric and letters to said ironing board.



Using the wool setting again, carefully iron down your letters one at a time, keeping them straight and evenly spaced.

When this step is done and you are a total overachiever (me.) you can topstitch each letter with a fun contrasting thread. It only took me around 20 minutes. Fussy, but worth it if you have the skillz.

But if you don't sew, the Ultra HeatNBond will work wonders and your cuteness level will still be at like a 9.78.

Or, if you are a super overachiever, you could hand stitch it with embroidery thread. Oh the cuteness. But then I would promptly come over and steal it. Just saying. The hand stitched cuteness level would rise to like 1,495,282.




Put your finished word masterpiece on top of the canvas.
Check that it is still straight and even.
Carefully staple each side down and gift wrap the corners.
(more detailed directions here.)



Done and done.
Hang it up in your girlie's room above their sweet name canvases and then try to think of your own personal word for the year.

Can mine be COFFEE?
Because I sure would like it to be.

Can't really think of a problem it can't solve,
or a scenario it couldn't improve.

Coffee for me.
Shine for my girls.
What is yours going to be?

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