~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY~More Bubbles

Calling all Bloggers...PLEASE HELP!

As I fall deeper into this Blog Hobby :) I find myself with some technical questions. If anyone can offer some HELP I would be so gratefull!

What happened to the spellcheck? Was it ever there to begin with? I wanna say that I had a spellcheck option as I composed my first Blog or two?!

Formatting? My former post "Fun Halloween Pillowcase" has some major glitches in the published post. When I attempt to correct the spacing and view it in my composition widow it appears perfect. However, it will not save or publish or preview the same. AAAUUGGHHHHH!


Thoughts, Comments and Answers WELCOME!!!

thnx:)

Easy Pillowcase Tutorial (with no exposed seams)

I mentioned in my Blog Debut (There's POOP in the bathtub!) that I would be revisiting high school home economics as I attempted to master the art of sewing thru a Beginner's Sewing Class.

I am presently enrolled in the Sewing 101 course at Bella Fabrics (http://www.bellafabricsonline.com/), a fabric boutique near my neighborhood. I cannot rave enough about this little shop, (far from that home economics class in high school).
First the staff....what a phenominal group of ladies. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and OH SO TALENTED!
I am discovering that sewining really is an art! And Bella Fabrics has art galore. The beautiful masterpieces are inspirational to my new found love for this craft. 'ART' adorns every corner and is proudly displayed for everyone to enjoy.
And the fabrics....gorgeous, high thread count cottons in striking patterns. 'Artists' can choose from classic patterns to modern, whimsy styles. Oh so much to choose from!

Our first project was to sew a Pillowcase With No Exposed Seams.

The following is a tutorial of my first home-alone sewing project!

I selected Halloween themed fabrics purchased at Bella Fabrics and the Princesses "CAN'T WAIT FOR HALLOWEEN" to sleep on their new Fun Halloween Pillowcases ;)

Supplies:
3/4 Yard Fabric for the Pillowcase Body
2" Strip for the Pillowcase Accent
11" Strip for the Pillowcase Cuff
Rotary Mat/Cutter/Ruler
Cotton Thread
Scissors/Pins
Iron/Ironing Board
Sewing Machine

• FIRST fold the 2" strip in half with the wrong sides together and iron flat.
• Place the 11" Pillowcase Cuff strip right side up on your work space
• Place the 2" Accent Strip on top of the Pillowcase Cuff, raw edges together on the top side.
• 
  
  Put in a few pins to help hold the pieces in place.
  
  
  

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  Place the Pillowcase Body piece on top, right side down, matching the raw edges.
  
  
  
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  Add more pins.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Loosely fold the Pillowcase body fabric, accordian style in approx. 2-3 inch creases.
  
  
  

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  Reach underneath the Pillowcase Body fabric to get the bottom raw edge of the Pillowcase Cuff fabric. Place that bottom raw edge on top with the other raw edges. (You should have the wrong side of the Pillowcase Cuff fabric on the outside, with the Pillowcase Accent Strip and Pillowcase Body fabric stuffed inside.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Add a few more pins.
  
  
  

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  Sew a 1/4" seam through all the layers.
  
  
  

• 
  
  Now pull the Pillowcase Body fabric out the Pillowcase Cuff, turning the Pillowcase Cuff "tube" right side out.
  
  
  

• 
  
  Iron the Pillowcase Cuff and Accent flat.
  
  
  
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  Trim the selvage edges of Pillowcase Body and Pillowcase Cuff.
  
  
  

• 
  
  With the wrong sides together, sew a SCANT 1/4" seam on the bottom and end of the Pillowcase, (1/4" backstitch the Pillowcase Cuff for reinforcement).
  
  
  
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  Iron the seam and trim any loose threads.
  
  
  
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  Turn Pillowcase wrong side out and sew a GENEROUS 1/4" seam on bottom and end so that the first seam is enclosed. Turn Pillowcase right side out.
  
  
  

VOILA!!

***Hobby Mommy Tip***

For a King size Pillowcase:

Use 1 yard for Pillowcase Body fabric.

For a Travel size Pillowcase:

15"x26" Pillowcase Body

2"x26" Pillowcase Accent

8"x26" Pillowcase Cuff

Wash before using!

Interview with a Kindergartner

I stumbled across this interview on the net and thought I would have some fun with my 5 year old daughter.

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?

I Love You! Oh and clean my room and that I have to use my own money to buy gum.

2. What makes Mommy happy?

Cleaning my room...that REALLLLY makes her happy!

3. What makes Mom sad?

Making my room unclean...that makes her sad and MAD!

(I'm sensing a theme here.)

4. How does your Mommy make you laugh?

Tickling me.

5. What was your Mommy like as a child?

A Baby?

6. How old is your Mommy?

Thirty-seven

(Wait, I tell my kids I'm 29?!)

7. How tall is your Mommy?

Really tall!

(Well how tall is really tall?)

A thousand feets!

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Sewing.

9. What does your Mommy do when you're not around?

Watches REAL HOUSEWIVES....

10. What is your Mommy very good at?

Sewing and organizing!

11. If Mommy became famous what would it be for?

Waving!

(Waving? Waving at who?)

Me, on the school bus.

12. What is your Mommy not very good at?

Let me try to guess....hmmmmm not good at finding stuff.

(What stuff?)

Like appleseeds, beads, you know...tiny stuff.

13. What does your Mommy do for her job?

Job? Like when you go to work with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.

14. What is your Mommy's favorite food?

Broccoli

15. What makes you proud of your Mommy?

Buying me a new toy!
16. If your Mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?

Sandy from Spongebob

(I think to myself....ugh I can't stand Spongebob....)

I was afraid to say that cuz you don't like Spongebob.

(Did she just read my mind?)

17. What do you and your Mommy do together?

Cuddle and eat with each other.

18. How are you and your Mommy the same?

We like to do each others hair sometimes.
19. How are you and your Mommy different?

I'm not big like her.

20. How do you know your Mommy loves you?

Cuz she always gives me hugs and kisses.

Alright Mommies, conduct your own interview. Share your funny and amusing answers.

***HOBBY MOMMY TIP***

Print your interview on pretty paper and frame it for a unique and PRECIOUS Mother's Day gift! Change the questions to suit the occasion, i.e., Father's Day, Grandparents Day, etc.

FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN! 2009

~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY~New Friends

Bus Stop Banter

The following is a small sampling of actual conversations I like to call BUS STOP BANTER.

Free Lollipops?!
Boy 1 (3rd grade) "Did you go to the P.T.A. meeting last night?
Boy 2 (3rd grade) "No"
Boy 1 "Augh...Come on, they sold lollipops for FREE!"

The Great Bus Stop Debate
Three boys were deep in discussion as we arrived at the bus stop. I soon realize that the debate is about whether or not  local, and infamous NFL football player Michael Vick should be allowed in the Football Hall of Fame....
Boy 1 (3rd grde) "Is Michael Vick still in the Hall of Fame?"
Boy 2 (4th grade) "No, I think they took him out. Ummm, it's those dog-fighting charges. I think they got them to stick."
Boy 3 (3rd grade, wears green, high-top Chuck Taylors everyday!) I don't even like basketball!

~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY~ Toadstool Touch

Semi-Homemade Butterfly Fairy Halloween Costume

Well I finally did it! I finished my first project since my blog conception.

We were fortunate over the labor day weekend to have a visit from from the Conductor's mother, A.K.A. Nana . Although breif, her visit was mission focused....School Shopping!
While browsing the picked over, nearly empty school supply aisle of Target my daughters noticed the strategically placed Halloween Costume section. I say strategic because I'm sure it was not random that the marketing/placement geniouses from Target placed the two themed areas next to each other.

I'm not a big fan of the mass produced, packaged Halloween Costumes. However, in the past I have added embellishments and my own personal touch to such costumes, creating a somewhat unique and semi-homemade garment. A concept derived from Food Network famed Sandra Lee and her Semi-Homemade techniques and tips.
In fact, when Brittney Spears launched her perfume line in 2005, a local retailer held a costume contest based on the theme of the new scent. I created a semi-homemade costume for my daughter who was 1 1/2 at the time. She won 1st place in her age group. I also entered a photo of her wearing the costume to PANHANDLE FAMILY MAGAZINE when they advertised a "Cute Kid" contest. My daughter made the finalist list and participated in a photo shoot. Her photo was pulished in the Spring Issue in 2006.

So, it's fair to say that our semi-homemade costume concept has been popular for us in the past.

Back to Target....we selected a cute Monarch Butterfly, tutu, fairy type costume and my creative juices started to flow!

Disappointment set in quickly when we opened the package and realized that the costume pieces provided did not exactly make the costume on the packaging.

We went outside and took our BEFORE pictures.

FRONT

BACK

I've mentioned before that I have a mild obsession with tulle so of course, I had to make this costume TuTuLicious! I added a matching tutu of varying tiered layers and scalloped the ends of the tulle. I added tons of ribbon and flowers. In all, I invested less than $25 for the add ons.

We went back outside and took our AFTER pictures :)

FRONT

BACK

HEADPIECE

TUTU

THANKS NANA!

Who's the Fairest of Them All? Contest

The following is our entry for the WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? CONTEST http://www.disneyfamily.com/ 

This website is GREAT! I had a blast setting up my profile and designing my Family Portrait.

My Princess Story


HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Allow me to intoduce you to PRINCESS RAEGAN.

PRINCESS RAEGAN is the next generation Princess in Training. Her 2 1/2 year old imagination allows her to see everything 'Princess' in the world around her.

Every pencil becomes a magic wand as she swirls and twirls casting spells on her royal subjects, (dolls and toys). Her bath towels become royal ball gowns as she drapes them around her tiny self, fresh from her bubble baths, pronouncing "I'M A PRINCESS!"

PRINCESS RAEGAN also spies 'Royalty' in the everyday architecture of our community. She sees Cinderella's Castle in the details of a well built gazebo or in the construction of a local church building. Rarely a day passes that PRINCESS RAEGAN does not discover something 'Princess' in the clouds above.

Like all 'Princesses in Training' PRINCESS RAEGAN rarely leaves her castle without wearing her favorite Princess Gown. Why just today she adorned herself with Pink Princess jewels and dressed in her newest Pink Princess Ball Gown. She hopped on her Pink Princess Bike, (wearing her Pink Princess Helmet) and pedaled the neighborhood in search of Cinderella's Castle.

Follow the link to vote for PRINCESS RAEGAN!
http://family.go.com/princess-picture-contest/who-is-the-fairest/princess-in-training--wheels--15038/

~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY~Bubbles