DIY Mustache

Are you longing for a change? Need a new look, but afraid of commitment? Wait no more! Make yourself a mustache, perfect for any occasion! All you need is a piece of scotch tape (the clear stuff) and a sharpie marker. Draw the mustache of your dreams, peel the tape off and apply. Voila! Instant makeover.

Birthday Bows

I don't stash wrapping paper or bows in my house because extra storage space is in high demand in my apartment. As a result, I try to go a bit green by using things like paper bags and newspaper, etc. A while ago I ran across this awesome bow tutorial that uses a single magazine page to create the bow. I decided to use it for my sister's birthday presents this year and I LOVE how they turned out. I only have food magazines so everything is made of pictures of arugula pizza or kiwi or bacon which makes me smile. If you have a big pile of old magazines lying around, I highly recommend this tutorial as an easy way to make the most of them!

Never Say Never

I used to hate those 'kid leashes.' My husband thinks they are hilarious. He got one from his sister and couldn't wait to use it with our kids. Something about a Saturday Night Live skit where a hyperactive, overgrown kid runs through the streets dragging a set of monkey bars behind him on his leash. I pretty much made the leash 'disappear.' Then, oh...then, I gave birth to this:That kid you see there is 22 months old. Before he could walk, he could climb. When he was 10 months old, he figured out that he could climb on the kitchen table and swing the chandelier back and forth. He has become incredible proficient at wiggling his way out of various harnesses. While he still appreciates a good ride in the stroller or the backpack, it is clear that my stroller/backpack days are numbered. This poses a problem, because the kid in question is lacking that pesky little thing called 'fear.' Without some sort of restraint, a simple trip to Walmart could end with me curling up in the fetal position in the tire aisle while he climbs the 10 foot tall pyramid of Turtle Wax. That would not be good. Something had to be done, and I hate to say it, but the leash seemed appropriate. I found an awesome tutorial for a leash, which also doubles as a shopping cart/highchair harness. This harness is very easy to put together. I only wish that I had left a little more strap for myself at the top seams, because I already have to pick it out due to fraying. It is very easy to use, and fits perfect. He's not too sure about the whole thing, but I am hoping he'll get used to it. Here are the pro's and con's of using a kid leash, as I see it:

Pros

• Knowing that your kid can only go so far from you is nice
• While I haven't tried it out yet, I think that it will render the shopping cart inescapable for him, which will be nice for me.
• Watching your kid run full blast, only to realize that the leash only goes so far

Cons

• Despite being on the leash, a kid can still get into a lot of trouble, and grab at a lot of merchandise, while on the leash
• The feelings of guilt after laughing when your kid just clothes-lined himself (Like...should I really think that's funny?)
• Same concept as walking a dog: if the kid runs in circles around your legs, you are rendered pretty much useless until you untangle yourself

What's that you say? Oh...yes. I will stop rambling and show you actual pictures of the thing. I'll try to get some action shots and post those later.

Clutch

I made this clutch for a friend who was graduating from college last week. I used Noodlehead's tutorial. The outside is denim from a pair of jeans. The band is a scrap of quilter's cotton. The inside is lined with a fabric that our friend brought back from Africa. She really loves Africa so I just had to use a piece of that fabric. The butterfly was made a while ago, in my jewelry making class. It has been waiting for just the right project. And guess what? I actually finished two projects over the weekend! Tomorrow, I'll post pictures of the kid harness I made. Yes, I have stooped to using a leash for my kid....

Easy Summer Purse

I came across the pattern and tutorial (it's free!) for this purse from the blog "Prudent Baby" which you can get here. It's a great beginner project and it finishes quickly. I just used some scraps that I had lying around and I made the bias tape which I love doing. I plan on making a few more of these for the summer because I like to have a lot of random bags lying around to change things up. Plus it's a good project to get some scraps used up.

Food

Since I haven't done a whole lot of sewing lately, I'll show you pictures of my latest 'project.' I got a whole passel of rhubarb, and after freezing a bunch of it, I got out my canner. So far, I have made Rhubarb BBQ Sauce, and Bluebarb Jam. Here is the recipe for Bluebarb Jam, using Pomona's Universal Pectin (you can use honey or sugar, and a lot less of it than commercial pectins)

Bluebarb Jam

4 C. blueberries
4 C. rhubarb
1/4 C. lemon juice
2 to 3 C. honey or sugar
5 tsp. pectin powder
4 tsp. calcium water

Cook rhubarb in a small amount of water till soft. Add blueberries, lemon juice and calcium water. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. In the meantime, combine sweetener and pectin powder in a small bowl til thoroughly combined. When fruit comes to a boil, add sugar/pectin and stir vigorously for 1-2 minutes. Return to a boil and remove from heat. Pour into hot canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Add lids and process in a boiling water canner, 5 minutes for half pints, 10 minutes for pints. (Recipe makes 9 half pints)

Butterick - Muse Dress

I stalked this dress pattern for about a year before I finally bought it. It has princess seams, it's fully lined and has pleats on the skirt. I actually finished the dress a couple of months ago but haven't gotten around to posting it. You can't see the top stitching in the pictures but it's on the waistband and neckline. I was really nervous about this project because I'd never successfully gotten the hang of princess seams but once I figured it out, it was actually easier than I thought. I'm happy with how it turned out as a first attempt and will probably make one in black or gray eventually. I still need to get some taylors chalk off of it but it's ready to wear other than that! P.S. I've taken a lot of pictures in this dress and none of them have really turned out. If I ever get a good picture in this dress I'll post it because the ones here don't really do it justice.

Quick Project

Here is a zippered pouch I made last week. I used scraps from my stash, and a zipper and lace from Grandma's awesome thrift store. I used french seams so that no raw edges are showing. I haven't had much sewing time lately, as I have been working on getting my garden up and running. I am, however, working on a quilt for my oldest son, and it is coming along nicely. I'll post pictures soon of the progress.

Just In Case You Forgot...

Just in case you forgot, here is the link to Grograin's free pattern month that's going on right now!