IMAGINE

Easter Dress and Skirt

2011-05-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun this year with the girls Easter outfits. Kennidy wanted a skirt with flowers lining the bottom and Makinley wanted a dress. This is what we came up with.

Makinley's dress was especially fun. I put some ruffles on the bodice and absolutely love them. I love all the bright colors.

Kennidy's skirt was fun to make, too. The flower boarder took awhile but when I finally got it how I wanted it...I couldn't be happier. We also bought 2 green t-shirts and made a green cardigan with ruffled. I used 2 flower pins to accent on the cardigan. Kennidy looked really nice on Easter. I need to take pictures of the girls in their outfits...soon.

A-Line Skirt Tutorial for Tween Girls

2010-03-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hurray for a-line skirts. These are my favorite thing to make right now! This skirt was for my 12 year old daughter. And so the measurements for this tutorial will be different than yours. However, you can make this skirt for any size by just knowing 3 measurements. So here goes my first attempt at a tutorial. Hope you understand it.

Supplies

3/4 yd. Main Fabric

1/4 yd. Contrast Fabric

Ribbon

Elastic

Thread

Rotary Cutter

Cutting Matte

Omnigrid Rectangular Straight Edge

Measurements:

Waist - 29”

Hips - 30”

Length - 22” (completed skirt length)

Here we go...

Cut 2 pieces from the main fabric measuring 16” x 22”. Skirt Front and Skirt Back.

Cut 2 pieces of contrast fabric measuring 8” x 22”.

Cut 2 pieces of main fabric measuring 5” x 15” for the waistband.

We’re going to cut the ‘Skirt Back’ piece first. The bottom should measure 22”. I want the top of my 'Skirt Back' to measure 15". So you’re going to make a diagonal cut starting from the top left corner. Measure 3” in and mark (use a straight pin or sewing marker). Do the same on the top right corner. Using your Omnigrid, make a diagonal cut from the 3” mark to the bottom of the fabric. Do the same on the right side.

NOTE: I used a 3" difference between the top length of the skirt (15") and the bottom length of the skirt (22"). This makes the 'A-Line'. I did make a skirt with 1" difference and it came out looking like a straight skirt. Still cute but not a true A-line.

Now we’re going to cut the ‘Skirt Front’. Place the ‘Skirt Back’ on top of the ‘Skirt Front’. This time we’re going to measure 2” in and make a diagonal cut to the bottom. So when you’re finished with both sides...the ‘Skirt Front’ should hang out 1” on either side at the top left and right corners and meet up at the bottom.

Finished measurements: Skirt Front 17” x 22” and Skirt Back 15” x 22”.

Find the middle in the top of your ‘Skirt Front’. Make your first pleat by folding the fabric over about 1mm and hold in place with a straight pin.

Make a total of 5 pleats. Pleats should be spaced 3/4” - 1” apart. Press with an iron.

Sew 5 1/2” down.

The hard part is done.

With right sides together, sew the ‘Skirt Front’ and ‘Skirt Back’ together at the sides.

Press seams open, serge, or zig zag the raw edges.

With right sides together, sew contrast fabric together at the sides. Press seams open, serge, or zig zag the raw edges. Fold fabric in half length wise so you now have a 4” x 44” circle.

Pin the contrasting fabric to the bottom right side of your skirt. Remember to line up your side seams. Sew and press seams towards the top of your skirt. Top stitch on the right side of your skirt to keep the seams in place.

You're almost done! I'm getting excited!

With right sides together, sew the waistband at the sides. Press seams open, serge, or zig zag the raw edges.

Make a casing for your ribbon and/or elastic by folding down 1/4” and press with iron. Then fold another 1” down and press with iron. Sew, leaving an 1 1/2” opening.

Pin waistband to the right side of your skirt lining up the side seams. Sew and press seams toward the top of your skirt. Top stitch, again, on the right side to keep seams in place.

Almost done! I used ribbon for my skirt. Not elastic. If you are using elastic continue reading. If you are using ribbon skip down to the *. Thread your elastic through the casing with a safety pin. Sew the ends of the elastic together and sew the opening closed. You are done!

Admire your work and say, ‘I am amazing!’ Because you are!

*Ribbon. Using your seam ripper...rip the seam you made for your elastic casing on the waistband. Only rip down about 1 1/2”.

Thread your ribbon through the casing with a safety pin.

With desired amount hanging out of casing, stitch down one side of opening and half way up the other. Do not stitch over the second opening. You want your back ribbon to be adjustable. Sewing this way will secure the ribbon at one end while the other end can be pulled to fit waist.

Now you are done. Hurry! Look how cute your skirt is!

Admire your work and say, ‘I am amazing!’ Because you are!

Spring has Sprung Skirts

2010-03-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for spring to come! Enough of the cold weather. This is what I've been doing this week. I am taking a reprieve from everything else. And this is just what I needed. I need to create! Kennidy and Makinley are so excited.

Smarty Messenger Bag

2010-01-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

I really like this type of messenger bag and will have to make me one! With a few alterations. This one is for Kennidy. I can't believe she'll be 12 next week!

Tooth Fairy Pillow

2010-01-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

I love how this came out. But I am afraid the lower lip will be stretched. We'll see.
The tutorial and free pattern are found at mmmcrafts.blogspot.com

Holey Jeans

2010-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

It must be that time of the year when all the jeans you buy for the beginning of the school year have taken a beating and need some tender loving care. These are Makinley's. I knew they'd be showing up on my sewing table soon. I think my kids favor their right knees. She wanted a patch like Kennidy's but this time I was smart and added a stem. Now there's no question about what it is.

Cutsie Patches

2010-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, Makinley brought me a pair of her jeans that had a hole in the knee. I thought it was about time to try my hand at making patches. A friend of mine made some really cute flower patches for her daughter's jeans. They were way cute. So on Makinley's I made a star.

Then Kennidy brought me some of her holey jeans yesterday and asked, 'Can you make a star patch for me?' There was only one problem. Her hole was twice the size of Makinley's. So I got out my scrapbook patterns and found a cute 'Lazy Susan' flower. I copied it large enough to fit over the hole and then found some scrap fabric. Jenni let me borrow some really pink thread and this is how it turned out. I love it. And so does Kennidy.

I thought briefly about putting a stem all the way to the bottom so there would be no mistake about what it was but decided against it. Then Kennidy said, 'It looks like a really funky space ship!' Whatever.

Star Wars Christmas

2009-12-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember the Star Wars Lego poster I made for my oldest son last Christmas. Well this year, it's a Star Wars Magnet Board. I purchased Star Wars Lego magnets and made this board. I like it. I wish I had more black paint but didn't and really had to get it done. Brandon told me to paint it red to match the colors in his room. So okay...I painted it red.

Christmas Skirts

2009-11-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

Love these twirly skirts. I have to make more. I think I am addicted. I bought the boys matching red with black and white polka dot ties. I also made the girls black beanie caps and plan on making huge red flower clips. I can't wait to see them all put together for Christmas!

MacArt

2009-08-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

I love vinyl.

Baby Shower 3 Tiered Diaper Cake...Nonedible

2009-06-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

I saw this on the internet...Little Birdie Secrets, I think, and just had to make it. Oh I love it. Hope you enjoy using those diapers, Connie!

Baby Shower Invites

2009-06-02T09:36:00.001-07:00

For this one I used the 'Bird' and 'Square' designs. I can't get enough of this bird. It's just so cute.

Customized T-shirts...

2009-05-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

So by now everyone knows how much I love my silhouette. Seriously this thing can cut so many different kinds of textiles. And today I got my Siser Iron On material. And this is what I made for F.
Love it. Thanks, Lynette for the info. on this cool material. I am having so much fun! I LOVE my silhouette!

Teacher Appreciation

2009-05-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Okay...I have to give credit to Kelly White, a Heartland Paper designer in Bountiful, Utah for this idea. She is so talented and while we've only met while she is at work (everytime I went into the store...SHE was the one helping me. Seriously. It was the weirdest thing but she's so cute and creative.) I had to copy her mini album.

Also, credit goes to my Silhouette. Have I mentioned how much I love this machine? Well I heart my Silhouette.

I love the look of layers in this album. She made her's out of chipboard and after searching high and low in the Carson valley and not being able to find ANY chipboard...I had to use what I had at home. Needless to say...it turned out rather cute. I will be giving this to F's preschool teacher...who also happens to be one of my good friends. Thanks, Jenni for all your hard work.

Easter Skirts

2009-04-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

So I love these twirl skirts I made for the girls. I am not one to buy such bright fun colors but I saw this fabric and couldn't help myself. It was expensive too but very worth it. I am going to make one small change to M's (the first one) because I thought the red ruffle would work but I really don't like it so she will just have a plain white one. I can't wait for them to open these on Easter Sunday!

a new one

2009-03-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Amy Walton's 'Playlist'...

(I used White Vinyl for the title. I am so tired of gluing little letters.)

Easter Gifts

2009-03-30T12:50:00.001-07:00

There are Easter gift for the women I visit teach. Happy Easter!

4 new ones

2009-03-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

While the husband is away...

2009-03-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

I don't get any sleep. But I do get scrapbooking pages done. I am really behind...notice the birthday days...seven and six...only 3 years behind. Whatever.

K's seventh birthday. I took pictures with my video camera and they all came out orange. So these were from my MIL. I'll take what I can get.

A's six birthday page was fun but I think I went to far towards the upper left hand corner? Oops

This one's not complete. I am still trying to find one more pic. I copied this layout from Lisa J. I love it.

This one I really like. It's simple...and I love how it draws black, red, and white from my photos. Check out the cute boys in the center right. They are adorable, Heather!

Silhouette

2009-03-12T16:00:00.001-07:00

I love using my Silhouette. I downloaded these flower designs, cut them out, painted a box, and cut out vinyl. Then gave it away. I am so ready for spring.

Stash and Dash

2009-03-08T16:25:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Cheryl, a couple of ladies got together and made these adorable Stash and Dash bags yesterday morning. They are so cute and I just love them. I went to a quilt store in Reno and got my fabric, Amy Butler. I love my new bag! Thanks, Cheryl.

Valentine's Mailbox 101

2009-02-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love to use Mod Podge! This stuff is the best! So I purchased a plain white paper mache mailbox at Wal-Mart (super cheap) and 4 pieces of 12x12 patterned paper. I mod podged the mailbox and applied the paper. Then I mod podged over the paper. I then used my Silhouette for our family name in white vinyl. I love this new, fun decoration. I told my husband that all valentine gifts need to fit in this mailbox. Unless they are flowers.

May The Force Be With You

2009-01-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Oh I love my Silhouette and cardstock. This year for Christmas, I made my son...who is crazy in love with Star Wars Lego...some artwork for his room. This is what I came up with. I love it. And more importantly...so does he.

Card Swap

2009-01-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

So I haven't been to Card Swap in a couple of months. But this month it's at my house. So here is my card. I got my idea off a Quickutz designer's scrapbook page. I just love this owl. He's so cute. Our theme is Valentines.

CREEPY

2008-09-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

This is my first vinyl project. I am so excited at how well it turned out. And I love halloween so it is perfect. Now I have to decide how to display it. Should I tie a ribbon to it so it can hang in my house OR just set it on an easle? Decisions, decisions.

Card Swap

2008-09-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

This month I procrastinated to the very end. Our theme this month was BLANK cards and that is always hard for me. So as I was looking for ideas...Mary's Mother's Day cards popped into my head. They are so adorabled and I have been wanting to make them forever...so I thought, 'Now's my chance.' I asked Mary if she would share her photos and after a frustrating Costco site...I was able to print them from her emailed photos. I love these photos. I'll have to find out when Washington does their Tulip Festival so I can make a trip up there. Here are the finished products. Yes, they look exactly like Mary's. Why mess with a good thing? And I wasn't kidding about my struggle with BLANK cards...I had to print 'for You' on them. Oh well. I love them. And I am totally going to run with this idea. Thanks so much, Mary. You are genius!

Baptism

2008-09-05T14:09:00.001-07:00

This page was super simple. I still need to work on my journaling. Not a talent I posses.

Lagoon

2008-07-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is another Amy W. layout. I love her clean look and maximum use of pictures. Just the kind of layout you need when you come home from vacation with TONS of photos.

Homemade Ice Cream

2008-07-26T20:47:00.001-07:00

This was last years churning experience. I love the ribbon! Forgot I even had it!

Girlfriends

2008-07-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

If you know Amy W. and visit her Quickutz site you will recognize this layout. Thanks, Amy! You are genius!

This might be it for the week

2008-04-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

I love this one. K took Jazz Dance and loved it so much. She was so cute in her recital. She did everything fast. Didn't care about the beat, she was just excited to dance. Love that girl.

Scrapbooking the Past

2008-04-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

I have actually come to like scrapbooking the past. It reminds me of lots of fun times we share as a family. The Grand Canyon page, I wanted to keep everything subtle because I love the view pic. Thus the black text at the bottom of the page.

This Park City one was copied from Amy W. I just love her Thanksgiving page and had to do one just like it. Different colors, of course but loved her brackets and title. So here's my version. I didn't journal because this is one of 3 scrapbook pages in Park City. I will use this as the first you see in the album and the other 2 tell of our adventures.

I can't seem to get away from these 3 colors for A's pages. I just love them. I love preschoolers.

This is getting harder.

2008-04-14T14:38:00.001-07:00

I have not given up entirely on my goal for this year...however I am definitely slowing down. And I am weeding out all the pictures that are just random. Don't know why I took them and really don't have a desire to scrap them. Love that feeling of decluttering.

Do you see how behind I am? And I can't bring myself do scrapbook any of this year because I still haven't decided on whether or not to switch to 12x12. Because that would mean switching to 12x12 albums and they won't fit on my shelf. I hate decisions.

Finally Done

2008-03-21T17:58:00.001-07:00

Well thanks to Amy and Geneva, I have finally finished this layout. Thanks for the help, girls!

Crayon Rolls

2008-03-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

Well I have finished. Thanks to Jamie...a friend of Mary's...I made some really cute Crayon Rolls for Easter gifts to the kids. I can't stand when crayons break or when the paper is torn off so I used twistables and I love them. This way the kids can keep track of their own crayons, in their own Sunday bags. Yeah! And these were so fast to make. I think it took me more time to decide on the fabric than it took to actually put them together. I love them!

Card Swap

2008-03-21T13:12:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Lisa J's design this was my card for Card Swap. I really like it but am really glad I only had to make 12. Those little letters can be a nightmare.

Finding Time

2008-03-06T08:36:00.001-08:00

I got this craft from Lynette and have been waiting for 2 seconds to get it done. Today the kids have late start at school and since we all got up at 6:00, had breakfast, and got ready for the day...this left 2 hours for me to shower. Well I love my long showers but 2 hours is a little extreme. So this is what I did. Love it so much. Thanks, Lynette. I really want a Silhouette now. I keep saying that.

Someone Please Help!

2008-03-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

This layout has been sitting on my desk for 3 weeks. I can't figure out what to do with it. If any of you have any ideas please let me know. It's killing me to look at it when it clearly needs accents.

More Scrapbook Pages

2008-02-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

What do you do with the only picture you have of a child at a given point that has been sliced in half by a curious and naughty almost 3 year old?

Scrapbook it. You have no other choice.

Oh how I am loving to scrapbook. While the kids are in school and F takes a nap, mainly because he's bored with me, I scrapbook. He played on the computer for awhile then I asked him to get me a diaper and wipes while I used it for a moment and he hasn't returned. And it's really quiet. And not that 'getting into trouble' quiet. Love it. So here are the latest...from last year and beyond.

I copied this Aruba one from Amy Walton, Professional Scrapbooker for Quickutz.

Love her pages. So clean cut and uncluttered.

I thought I was really going to like this one but when I put the last touches on I noticed that the 2 greens on the bottom totally clash...and I honestly don't know what I was thinking. But I am just going to leave it. Sometimes you just have to do that.

Maui 2004

2008-02-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

I finally scrapbooked this quick work trip. I love Hawaii.

Valentine's 2006

2008-02-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Kennidy's 2nd grade class had a great time at their

Valentine's Party and it's about it I scrapbooked it.

What? More Scrapbook Pages!

2008-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some recent pages, old photos. I didn't do them all in one day. My goal right now is to do at least one a day and if i can...do two. The weekends are the exception. And of course those busy days mom's have every once in awhile. (LOL)

Scrapbook Pages

2008-01-20T23:09:00.000-08:00

I feel really good about myself because I have finished summer 2007! That one was huge. Wait...I finished Tahoe 2007. Not the entire summer. But I am well on my way. I have done some older pics too, like K's baptism and 2nd grade field trip. It's been 2 years. Oh how I needed to get those done.

High School Musical Party . August 17th, 2007

Scrapbook Pages

2008-01-17T22:10:00.001-08:00

Here are some older pages.

let the holiday crafting begin

2007-12-03T20:09:00.001-08:00

holiday magnets! love them. i think they turned out so cute.

christmas pillowcases! super simple to make and i just love them so much.

these are for my niece and nephews. i'll post the ones for my kids later.

thanks again, jenn. you're the sweetest!

cards for marriott

2007-10-30T20:54:00.001-07:00

okay so b's boss wants to hire me to make 12 cards a month to give to different associates inviting them to brunch. so here are my two options. gender friendly, has to be the kind of card when opened you know immediately what it is and for, simple yet creative. nothing over the top because...well men are boring and don't like a whole lot of...fluff! i like them both. can't decide which one is better. i'll let the men decide that one.

conference weekend project

2007-10-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

this is what i am spending my conference weekend doing.

b asked me to make a invite card for his manager's outing in november. he said that i needs to be done by sunday so he can get it to his boss for next week. and since he will be in utah next week...he has given me 3 days to make 30 cards. no problem, i thought.

so i sat him down with a binder with sample cards and my cards box that i keep all my card swap cards in...that's a lot of 'cards' in one sentence....anyway....and he chose...i think it's ashley's 'pull' card with all the flaps. great. so i went out yesterday to find some paper...i wasn't sold on that card yet so i played with other options. i mean come on...30 of those flap cards? anyway i chose a piece of paper at michael's, $0.25 sale on all paper, and went home to play. i ended up doing that card...because b really liked that one...and really there's not a whole lot i won't do for my cute husband...

after typing all the info into computer,

printing it in the right dimensions,

a TON of custom cutting, thanks b,

stamping and antiquing around the edges...

i created an assembly line for production.

step ONE

step TWO

step THREE

and here is the FINISHED product. only 25 more to go. hurray for me.

christmas/winter card swap

2007-09-25T16:15:00.001-07:00

i love these cards!

FREEDOM

2007-06-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

here are my FREEDOM blocks from heartland. i love them. they only took me a week and a half to complete because of time and schedules. i love them. i wanted to hang them above my americana frames but because we're trying to move i can't put anymore holes in the walls. so they will sit in my window sill. i love them.

SUNFLOWER

2007-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

so last night i attempted to make a paper flower on my own. i had an idea for a sunflower. and when i slide all the paper i cut out into the styrofoam ball this is what i ended up with. sure i could have made more petals but i kind of like it this was. using the styrofoam ball was so much easier and faster than not. i love it and put it in my family room. i can't wait to make more.

CARD SWAP

2007-06-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

there is no theme for this months card swap. so i went to heartland paper and my girl was not there to help me. lucky for her i found a cute one off the shelf and...here it is. love it. it's completely simple. i inked the edges, glued the paper on, and embossed my signature mark on the back. i love them. i can't wait to see what everyone else has created too.

ARUBA SCRAPBOOK

2007-06-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

i bought this mini coffee table book of aruba...in aruba and loved all the pictures. many where of places we had visited so i thought...why don't i use this book as a base and add my own photos where i want. then i can be a personalized scrapbook for b and i to look at over and over. love it. now i just have to get all the pics in it. and call it good!

so i am finished. i have added all the pics i wanted and used staples and paperclips along with some fun colored ribbons. i also journaled in places about the places and things we did. so from now on whenever we go on vacation...i will try to find a book like this and insert my own pics...and walah...instant scrapbook.

love it, love it, love it.

No More Crafting...For Awhile

2007-05-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

this is sad. i have to keep my house clean for realtors to show it so there will be no crafting for a long while. i am so sad.

Theme: WEDDING

2007-04-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

well since i have missed the last...card swap i thought i would get ready for the next one. i went to heartland right after i dropped m off at a friends and when i got there f was sound asleep. i carried him on my shoulder and boy is he heavy. when i got inside i started making circles...i always do this because there is so much to see and i love all their projects. they have wood letters that spell TOGETHER and i love them so i was looking for the kit and they don't have one. they just have the letters. bummer. anyway one of the employees, kelly, asked me if i needed help with anything in particular. i told her why i came to heartland in the first place and she was super nice. she drew me a sketch of what she would do with wedding theme and took into account my simplistic desires and came up with this.

she didn't stop there. she asked me if i had any colors in mind. then she took me to some paper, which i loved instantly, and matched colors. she told me how much i would need of each paper and showed me some rub-ons that i could print up myself if i wanted. i was so impressed. f woke up and i was able buy the paper, take mental note of a saying, and find some ribbon. i was at the counter and spent under $4 for everything. and i love my card. isn't it pretty.

Curtains

2007-04-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

these are my curtains. i love them. i went to home fabrics on 7200S. and found a beautiful gold material. i don't really like gold but it looks really pretty next to my DEEP brown almost purple wall. i love them. and they were, of course, super easy to make. a couple of hours was all it took. i think one day i will change the curtains in my kitchen. but anyway...i am way excited to have curtains in my bedroom. b and i have never done anything with our bedroom and now we have a painted wall and curtains. next is to find some lanterns to hang above our heads on the wall. i am looking forward to that part a lot.

For Everything Else...There's VISA

2007-04-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

okay i will admit this right off the bat. i am NOT the crafty person you all believe i am. i am the BIGGEST copycat there is. all my ideas come from other people, pottery barn magazines, scrapbookers, etc. i love to copy. so when i was finishing up the last of my family room i called my good friend and work out buddy, danielle to help. she gave me the idea for the vases on the entertainment center and hanging the lanterns, with help from lynette too, and how to arrange my frames on the wall. thanks to my friends and pottery barn, i love my family room. i finally have pics of my family in my house. it's wonderful. i love danielle's idea for the vases. she said you can fill one with sticks, one with fabric balls, and one with pebbles and a big candle. i took her advise about all but the candle and pebbles. and only because i found the cutest rustic american flag. i still want the idea of candle in the hurricane because i think it would look totally stunning in the big on i bought. i just love how everything flows and i couldn't have done it without help. thanks friends.

styrofoam balls $2.49.

twigs found at a local park.

one flag at half price $6.00.

3 vases half price at michaels with the coupon $20.00, thanks missy!

white frames 2 for $5 at micheals any size.

3 lanterns $2.00.

bringing a family room together...

so our family can spend quality time there....PRICELESS.

Crafting

2007-04-09T15:53:00.001-07:00

this is where it all happens. and this is where i will be posting it. pics of my latest projects so i can post more pics of my kids on my home blog. i need to do that. so visit me often and find out all the new and exciting things i am creating.