Bridal Shower Gift!

I am EXTREMELY excited to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friend's weddings.  I have known the couple since they first started dating and it's been amazing to watch them grow as a couple!

Tonight is the first of many bridal showers.  My gift wasn't anything big because I plan on doing a lot of little things for her.  This was my first "big" project using Modge Podge and had a lot of issues with the Modge Podge bubbling up.

Supplies:
Tiles (I got 4 of them from Lowes for $1.54 all together!)
Coordinating Scrapbook Paper (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for 30 cents apiece)
Modge Podge
Felt (for the bottom so it doesn't scratch up the table

 A close-up of the patterned paper I used.  The colors look a little off because of my camera.








 1. Clean off your tiles to get off all the dust.  My tiles were about 4x4.













 2. Cut the letter or shape for your coasters.  I chose an "M" for the soon-to-be married couple (last name of course :)  I used Plantin Schoolbook on my cricket.  It was the "Tallball" cut at I believe 3 1/4 inches.






 3. I applied one layer of Modge Podge to the tiles and let it dry.  Then I attached the paper.  The picture is me using a gift card to smooth out the creases and bubbles.  (Yes it is a Christmas gift card...I told you I loved Christmas!  Don't judge!!)

The finished product!!  I didn't measure to center the "M"'s which I probably should have done, but I still really like the way it turned out!!

AND THAT'S IT!  I am definitely excited that ths project is SO easy.  I'll definitely make more in the years to come!

The tag I made to attach to the gift.  The plan is to tie the coasters together with raffa.  I used "Joys of the Season for this tag and used the same paper that I used on the coasters.  Very excited!!  The bride-to-be's name is Mandy as well.

School Calendar!

I am starting my first year teaching in August and I can't wait!  (Hence why I am making school stuff in June : )  

I received my Cricut for Christmas this last year (Thanks Mom and Dad!!) and have been DYING to start my first big project.  I chose to do a homemade calendar for my classroom.  I will be laminating all the pieces so I can reuse them every year.  The PLAN is to make a calendar grid using vinyl and magnets on all the pieces.  

I hope to post some more pictures once I get more pieces done, but here is a little taste of what I've done so far :)  I used the Designer Calendar cartridge (which I got on Ebay for $20!!)

I have been WAITING for paper to go on sale at Hobby Lobby because I've had my eye on the Paper Studios "All Seasons" pack.  This Saturday, my mom and I decided to randomly stop there and paper was 40% off!!  So I picked up some multi-colored card stock as well. : )

November kinda blends into the table here :)  I really like December and January.  Maybe because I'm a Christmas FREAK!

I also like March.  The Cricut does amazing things :)  I showed my boyfriend while I was cutting one of the months and he was shocked that the machine did all that!

I hope to add more pictures as I finish the different parts!  I hope to add little details to every month.  (Shamrocks for March, Schoolbooks for August, etc...)

My First Dress!!

I FINALLY MADE SOMETHING!!

I have been seeing these ADORABLE pillowcase dresses and have always wanted to try one.  I decided to make a couple for my cousin's step-daughter and my best friend's baby.  I searched for directions and found one that suited us.  I say "us" because I got a HUGE amount of help from my mom.  I've never sewed before so she was a big help.  Thanks mom!!

The fabric that inspired this dress was found at a garage sale yesterday.  I thought it was the perfect fabric for a Fourth of July outfit.


Supplies:

•      2- 36" x 17" pieces of fabric. We chose the Fourth of July pattern and got some red and white polka dot at Hobby Lobby
• Ribbon for your sleeves
• Navy blue thread (Anything that will blend in with your fabric
• White pretty stuff to go at the bottom :)

1.  Cut your fabric.  36" represents the width of your dress.  This makes a VERY wide dress.  Measure the child you would like to make the dress for.  I used 16" for a one year old.  It touched her toes :)  Obviously make sure all sides are straight.

2.  Sew a 5/8" seam on each rectangle with right sides together.  This will form a large "tube" of fabric.  Press seams together using an iron.


3.  After sewing, pin the rectangles together at the top; again right sides together.  Make sure the seams match up.  This will be the back of the dress.








                     
4.  Draw a pattern on cardstock or thick paper for the arm holes.  Ours was 3 inches wide, with the longest point being 3.75. Trace the pattern onto the dress using pen.  It's ok to use pen because your tracing on the inside of the dress and no one will see it :)







5.  Mark an inch down on both sides of the pattern.  This will allow room for the ribbon.  Sew around the arc you have created.  Don't stitch the inch you marked!!  Trim the excess fabric and be sure to clip the curves so you don't end up with bubbly fabric.

6.  Using a very narrow seam allowance (around 6/8"), stitch from armhole to armhole across the top of the dress.  Be sure to leave room to put the ribbon through.  Do this for the front and back of the dress.  Trim excess fabric and flip right side out.

7.  Press the dress.  This allows for seams to flatten.

8.  Cut your ribbon at least 26".  Longer ribbon will allow for longer bows.  Remember you will be "scrunching" your fabric so the ribbon will be longer than you think.

9.  Pin the end of each ribbon and feed through ribbon holes at the top of the dress.  Be sure ribbon does not become twisted inside the dress and is even on both sides.


10.  Find the "center" of the dress.  "Scrunch" fabric until it is three inches from the center.  Pin through ribbon and fabric so ribbon doesn't slip out.









11.  Stitch again through ribbon and along the armholes of the dress.  This allows for a nicer finish to the dress.  Tie the ribbon at the shoulders.

12.  This next step was one we had to figure out ourselves :)  We wanted to have a cute ruffle at the bottom.  Steam press the bottom of both the lining and dress.

13.  Slide the frill in between the lining and dress and stitch.











14.  Find a cute model and show off your new dress!!  Unfortunately, I couldn't find one on short notice so here are some close up's in my sun room :)

Close up of the pretty frill ribbon we used at the bottom.

Close up of the adorable red ribbon that matches the lining PERFECTLY!

My dress :)

DISCLAIMER: I apologize for any crazy formatting : )  I'm still getting the hang of this!