Plumtickled

I sew....

 

Therefore I keep my make-up in a Ziploc baggie.

Huh?

 

Not anymore! 

 

I whipped this baby up in about 15 minutes the other day.

I used the basic idea from "Bend the Rules Sewing" since it's such an quick and easy bag to make.  I made one for my Mom for her Birthday in April for her medication, I like her's way better!  Mine was more of a spur of the moment thing........... after looking down at that horrible bag it dawned on me that I should actually make myself something pretty. 

Just a question.... anyone out there that sews or creates pretty things to sell but never or rarely makes things for yourself, like me?  Why oh why do we do that?

Well, not me anymore!  I now put my face on with that pretty bag with pretty colors with a pretty embroidered flower by my side.  I suggest ya'll do the same.... TODAY!

It's washable too!

What do you make

a person who has no more room for stuff? 

That's right, something useful and if it just so happens to be something pretty....... it's even better.

 

For my Mom's 70th birthday I made her a fold over bag to hold all of her medications..... mostly for when she travels or goes on little trips to Daytona.

 

I chose a pretty table runner than was in great shape.  I trimmed the sides to make it more even, cut it in half and then sewed it right sides together and along the bottom.  I "paper bagged" the bottom and made a lining out of a sweet reproduction print in pinks and blues. 

 

I sewed in a white pony-tail holder in the center of the bag between the linen and the lining.

 

Then made a button to match the lining.

(I am presently taking donations for a manicure....)

 

Then sewed it to the bag being certain to mark the correct spot first with a mark-b-gone marker.  I love those things!

 

I added a copy of "Dozen's of ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase" to the bag too.  I fit perfectly!

 

I also added a "gift certificate" for a cheesecake made with Splenda for her trip to Daytona with my Aunt Rosemary.

 

I think she liked it!

A Rosette Tutorial

Wow..... I've been MIA for a while haven't I?  I totally didn't notice the time ........ being a new Mom for the fourth time makesdaysruntogether.  It really does.

I thought I'd throw together a quick tutorial on how I make my rosettes as I've been getting questions about them here and there.  They are super quick, easy and cheap to make!  Perfect for a teachers gift or even a gift swap with friends!  

Here goes.... please read this part first, boring I know but sooo necessary!

1. Please don't take this tutorial too seriously!  It's easy, so please for the love of all that is holy, don't make it harder than it is!  (Best advice I've ever, ever, ever given!)
2. You don't have to have a sewing machine for these..... it can be made by hand while watching Magnum P.I..... don't be hatin'!  During the gathering part... just make running stitches with your needle and thread and POOF..... you got gathers!
3.  If I leave something out..... please let me know.  I'm doing this with no time to spare as I have to take my girls to the doctor this morning.... shots for my shmoozy wittle luvvy baby!  WAhhhhh!
4. You also don't have to have a button cover...... any old button will do and shoot dang....... it looks good without a button too!
5. Please..... do not look too closely at my fingers.  I wash my hands eleventy million times a day and don't bother slathering them with lotion ..... again, don't be hatin'!

Here we go youngins, the directions will be given under the pictures so be on the lookie out!

 

Measure your fabric of choice..... I cut mine 2 1/2" by the width of the fabric .... which is usually about 44" wide.  This should make your rosette fabric 2 1/2" by 44".   Fold it in half as you see in the photo above..... iron it to keep the crease. 

 

Making it gather:  Set your machine to the longest stitch, mine is 4.0....... your-ins own might be different, just make it loooonnngg and stitch down the center of the fabric...... it doesn't have to be right on the dot..... I've traveled way out of the canal while reaching for my Wal Mart Brand Strawberry Crystal Light and it turned out splendidly!  Don't forget to leave plenty of thread to use to pull the gathers.

 

If'n you've never ever gathered anything in your entire life...... here's how it's done:  Goto the end of the fabric.....  you'll find your thread...... the thread you left to pull with remember?  Take only one of the threads and pull....... do you see how it's beginning to pucker and gather a bit?  Continue to do this while spreading out the jammed up area.... you'll know what I speaks of when you sees it!  I  promise!

This is what it should look like when you have it all gathered up.  Kinda cute isn't it?  (Please ignore the fact that I'm a slacker in the camera skillz department)

 

I use a piece of felted wool...... to be honest...... it's all I had to grab at the moment.  I'm kinda lazy that way..... shocking I know!  Anyhoo, take a piece of felt or felted wool or whatever you've got handy that is somewhat thicker than regular fabric........ and cut a circle.  I'm quite impressed with my circle since it's totally free hand...... I rock the freehand!  (It's approximately the size of the opening of a drinking glass)

 

Take your gathered up piece of fabric and tie a knot on the end you're going to start with.  NO biggy, just a simple little knot to keep it from un-gathering.  See above!

 

Now, lay the gathered piece of fabric on top of the wool, it should be folded in half again ....... remember to use the end that has the knot...... and start sewing it to the wool circle thingy.  It's not supposed to be perfect so no worries if you didn't get it perfecto.... trust me, in the end you won't be able to tell where it started!  Just sew it close to the edge and when you get to where you started....... well, just bypass it and make a new row.  Kinda like when you peel an apple and try to keep the peel in one piece....... does that make a bit of sense?

 

See how it looks..... I just keep on sewing it round and round till I get to the center and/or run out of room for my machine foot.  Go ahead and backstitch a bit to keep it in line and take it off of the machine.

 

See how I have a tiny bit left?  I'm gonna take a needle and thread and tack it down the best I can.  No neatness here folks....... it's downright messy and downright cute!

 

See my needle and thread!  I'm just tacking the tail end down.  Now, here is the part I didn't take a picture of...... because I am a dork, totally normal for me, maybe not for you BUT..... there's really no need as it's simple.  You can now sew a button to the center of the rosette if'n you wish.   I like to use button covers and make mine the same as the fabric I'm using....... but sometimes, I like to throw caution to the wind and really go wild by adding a regular old fashioned button ...... sometimes, just sometimes I get a bee in my bonnet and make it a different color!  Wild, I know!

 

This one doesn't have a center but the next one does........ you do what you're little voice tells you to do...... like Magnum.  His little voice talks to him allll the time!

 

Happy tutorial to you!  I hope you enjoyed it and can get some use from it!  I know it's totally not like the fancy PDF versions out there but ......... hey, it's free, fun and super cute!  Make a ton and show me what you've got!

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I'll be rosetting the crud out of stuff this week for a shop update so be tuned in!

Flickr Group Finally!

HOotie HOotie HOoooo!

I just wanted to take a minute to announce that I've finally stared a Flickr Group for everyone to post pictures of their sweet tutu's that have been made using my Tutu Tutorial! 

I get wonderful photo's from ya'll form time to time showing me how much fun they've had making tutu's for their girls, gifts and sometimes even themselves!

Here is the link:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/plumtickledtutus/

When I get better and stuff......... and by stuff I mean sidebar thingies & graphics....... I'll add a link to the side for ya'll to take lookie see! 

I can't wait............ I'm tingling all over! 

As promised

A few months ago I received an email from a very sweet gal from Lark Books regarding a few projects that I have made in the past from vintage pillowcases. 

 

She told me that they were putting together a craft book with 30 little projects that could be made with pillowcases and was wondering if I would be interested in entering a project or two to be looked at by their committee for commission.

Um..... yeah!  So, off I went to search out the prettiest vintage pillowcases I could find.  It wasn't easy that's for sure.  For  some reason, they were no where to be found.......... the type that I like anyhow.  Luckily, my sister Jerri Lynn who lives in New York found some for me and sent them and saved me!

I was given a suggestion as to what to make as a purse caught their eye, so that's exactly what I did.  I have to admit......... although it was a bit nerve wracking thinking it would/might/could just be put in a book for all to see........ it was fun to design it and sew it. 

It was pretty much lots of guessing as to how to even start since I had to write the directions as well.  Even though for years I designed dolls, wrote their instructions and sold their patterns...... it was rough on me........ this was something totally different!

I had two of the three ideas accepted........ and then I received the news that they upped the publishing date and needed the projects, instructions and templates in much sooner than first asked!  Panic!

I made it by the skin of my teeth! 

I've had to revise a couple of things for the instructions since turning them in and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will still make it into the book.  There's always that chance I guess that they will decide not to use them.

But, to me it's as when a famous actor says it's just nice being nominated for an award that they don't necessarily have to win........ I think I understand what they mean.

I still hope they make it though!  I can't wait for the Spring to see the whole book, whether I make it in there or not!  I think it's going to be full of fun little projects that are simple enough for everyone to make!

I have been dying to post about this for months now, I'm just worried that I'll jinx myself........ which would be soooo my luck! 

So, be on the look out for a sweet little book that's coming in the spring that may or may not have a couple of designs by Judi Music!

Cool huh?

It's all good in my Hood!

I've just noticed how long I've been away!  Woops...... so much for getting back into the swing of things!

Around our home, it's relaxing.  Amelia has taken to her Legos and chalkboard.  It's amazing what a three year old knows!

Darren is wrapping up a $500,000.00 remodel of a condo on Amelia Island for a couple that live part of the year in England and the other in the States.   Poor things..... they must suffer!  (Oh, he was just Superintendant of the job......... not the owner of the business....... if he were,  I'd be booking the first opening after Avonlea is born for my much needed tummy tuck!).

My boys are wrapping up another school year and will leave me here and there this summer to spend time with their Dad.  He's the Fire Chief in Cairo Georiga since last Fall.  Let's just say they have lots and lots of plans for the summer!  I guess it's just a tad more exciting that hanging out with their "getting fatter by the second preggo Mom"!

I've been working on new designs as well.  Still waiting on the hopefully good news that I can share with you.  Keep those fingers crossed!

New dresses for stylish girls!  And lots of great orders for my good ole Amelia Halters........... for girls and grown ups too!

***********************************

Oh and some business.....

I've just ordered some wonderful new fabric for my Plumtickled Fabrics shop!  I can't wait to get it in and to share it with you all!  Firstly, I ordered Joel Dewberry's new line....... it's fabulous!  Also, Amy Butlers new Midwest Modern and a great new line from Anna Maria Horner called "Drawing Room"........ I'm totally stoked about this line.  Here's a taste:

I have this particular print coming in green, blue, rose and the above color of Ivory!  I'm so excited to see something so colorful and modern, with birds to boot!

This is a blurry for some reason sneak at the Joel Dewberry coming our way soon!

Anyhoo......... I'm wanting to clear out my older inventory to make room for the new stuff and am again offering a 15% discount to all orders placed between today the 29th and Sunday May 4th!  This includes all patterns and sale fabrics too!

** YOU MUST CONVO OR EMAIL ME FIRST TO GET THE DISCOUNT! **

I'd like to see lots of it go, go, go!  To help it along....... how about a giveaway?  I'll give away 8 fat quarters to one lucky person who gets in on this sale.  When you convo or email or even leave a comment ASKING FOR A LISTING, I'll enter your name into a drawing for 8 fat quarters of YOUR CHOOSING! 

If'n you advertise on your blog....... your name goes in twice!

So....... shop and blog away and pick out those 8 free fat quarters!  That's two free yards of high quality fabric to add to your stash!  WOooo HOoooo!

I hope to hear from ya'll! 

Monday's "to-do" list

Where to begin?

Cut.

Measure.

Wipe down iron.  How in the world?

Stitch, stitch, stitch.

Look for favorite safety pin...... again.

Enjoy the goodness of pink & white together.

And best of all........ tickle, snuggle & watch Sleeping Doody with a silly little girl I call "Mia".

Off to my next project(s)

I felt so accomplished yesterday.  After finishing up on the last details of some purses and dresses........ I loaded them up onto Etsy and now.......... I'm off to my next project.

I received a very exciting email last week and I'm just bursting with ideas.  I'm not sure if I'm able to share it as of yet but will as soon as I can.  I promise!

In the meantime....... I'm still growing this little baby.  I've been feeling her little kicks and nudges from time to time and it gives me so much joy.  I'm halfway there........ and it's going super fast.  We're having a tough time thinking up names that we both like.  So far, we know we want to name her Avonlea....... just stuck on her other name, be it a first or middle.  Any ideas?

I also want to finish the girls' room before she gets here.  ( I just typed girls'!)  I've decided to not worry about the "finger destroying quilt" that I started for Amelia as I think the colors are too strong for a new baby.  So, I've decided to use some other fabric that I have been hoarding for a while now.  It's Moda's Seaside Rose and it's just so sweet and girlie.  My sister Jerri Lynn will be here soon.......... I'm sure there will be quilting involved during her visit!

So, off to take a shower...... my new resolution, to try and look halfway decent for my husband everyday.  Phew....... what a chore!  Amelia's bedding needs to be washed.......... and I'm out of Dreft!  She suffers from Excema like crazy and shouldn't be touched with anything but........ poor thing.  I guess I need to call her Daddy to see if he'll stop at Wal-Mart/Target to pick some up.  He's so great....... he also checks the shoe aisles for her..... he knows his girl so well!

Reunited and it feels so good!

Ahhhh......... my sewing.  Real, creative,  full of thinking & excitement kind of sewing.  It does feel good!

After sending off orders, trying to reorganize my sewing room and getting little ones healthier.......... I get some fun time for myself.  I gathered up tons of vintage linens, pillowcases, fabrics & interfacing and threw them all on my cutting table.  (of course it's not the cutting table that is to be intended for crafting, but the one that is only for cutting fabric for Plumtickled Fabric orders, whose gonna tell?)

I love matching up colors and textures to create something fun and loved.  The coming together of something vintage with something new excites me to no end. 

I soooo need to get a life!

I truly love the thought of a vintage linen, lovingly stitched by a mom or new bride that is now hosting a few light stains or holes........ re purposed into something that brings it back to the purpose the stitcher had in mind.......... to be admired & cared for.

My favorite linens have birds or animals on them.  These are getting harder and harder to find........... and harder and harder for me to give up!  I tend to pretend/daydream of me walking into a shop or browsing online and coming across a sweet bag made with a great piece of linen with birds or cats on them and getting that, "Oh" feeling.  I hope my bags give others that feeling too.  Someone should flick me on the head....... it's goofy but so true.

You know, shopping for these linens is kinda fun too!  Lots and lots of hunting and scouring and even some frustration........... and then KABOOM........  you find a nice little stash and the payoff begins as does the planning.  I have had the great luck of buying a very pretty  lot off of Ebay and also have been given some by my great Mom last week......... these all have plans for me for the next few days.  I already have two bags made and will have one or two more finished this afternoon.

I'll be restocking my Etsy shop this afternoon around 4:00 Eastern.  I'll have some bags, Amelia Halters and the long awaited adult sized Amelia Halters as well.  It's been a long time coming and I can't wait.  It's very satisfying.

So, today this is where my Hooney Hiney will be sitting.  Naturally, I'll be ignoring the empty Dr. Pepper cans, the fabric falling from my stash shelves and the "Dog of Guilt" scratching at the door to come in. 

Pheobe just doesn't understand that when I say "from a pet & smoke free studio"....... I kinda mean it.  Sorry Phoebe girl....... those eyes aren't doing a thing to me, nope not a thing. 

**Hopefully later this month......... I'll be able to tell you some really cool news that happened to me last week.......... until then, pretty please keep your fingers crossed for me**

Pay it Forward..... handmade style!

*Thanks to the three who signed up!  I'll be working on them soon...... be sure to "Pay it Forward" as well!

Judi

I've seen this fabulous concept here and there during my unexpected/unwanted blogging hiatus and well......... it has struck a deep sweet spot in my heart.  After checking in on my girl Meredith this morning and seeing how she has decided to join the fun....... I'm jumping in too!

(She found it here)

Pay it forward with something handmade.  Isn't this a lovely idea?  How warm and snoogly does it make you feel?  The movie was excellent and moving....... horrible ending if'n you ask me, but still......... very thought producing to say the very least. 

Here's the concept.  Be one of the first three to comment and I will promise to make you something...... anything, be it big or small and send it to you.  There is no time limit or expectation really...... just an act of kindness & thoughtfulness.  In return you must add this idea to your blog and promise to make something for the first three who comment on your blog.

Easy peasy.

So, to you out there....... leave a comment and I'll start dreaming up something I'll make just for you.......  I promise to make it with good intentions and send it out timely.  And leave your blog address if you plan to "Pay it Forward" on your blog so we may join or send others  your way!

Ya'll have a great day, I'll be back tomorrow!