Retro Headband

My daughters got invited to a Birthday party for a friend over the summer. We went shopping for her present from the girls but I just had to make her something a little more personal and from the heart. It took me a while to figure out what it was that I wanted to do. Either something crocheted or something sewn. Around that same time, I got a newsletter from Create Kids Couture with a cute little free pattern in it…. a Retro Headband! I knew that it would be the perfect little thing for her!

After getting some color preferences from her Mom, I decided to make it double sided so that it would be a little more versatile. I also wanted to make two bows to go with it so that there would even more ways to wear it!

This pattern was the first one that I have ever done in this style. I am used to doing the Tissue Paper patterns that I was taught on. To be honest I was a little worried about it since you have to print it out with your printer. But as long as  you make sure that you print the file at 100% and not fitted to the page you are fine. That’s the way that I always print anyways so I didn’t really have anything to worry about.

Once I had all the pieces cut the assembly was really easy. CKC writes out their patterns perfectly and in great detail.

Needless to say it was a big hit and she looked adorable in her new headband! I can’t wait to make more and it totally got me hooked on Create Kids Couture patterns! I have a few things waiting in the works as we speak. So, be sure to come back and check for more items sewn using their patterns!

Here are a few pictures of my finished piece!

 

 

 

Make sure you check out their website as well as their facebook! They have some great patterns for all sizes and genders!

Website: http://www.createkidscouture.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createkidscouture

 

Sweet Potato 3’s Pattern Membership

Christine, the designer behind Sweet Potato 3, creates awesome/adorable crochet patterns for you to purchase, and she has an awesome 3 Month Pattern Membership!

With this membership you get every, yes EVERY, new pattern that she creates for 3 months after you sign up! Christine guarantees that you will get a minimum of 3 patterns every month! The price to join this membership is only $30 which makes the patterns (if you only get 3 a month) less then $3.35 each. Her patterns usually run between $3.75 and $5.50, that’s a great deal!

I know that you have seen a lot of her patterns on here since I do a lot of pattern testing for her! But I wanted to share two more projects that I have done using some of her patterns. The first is the Criss-Cross Applesauce Hat and the second is the Textured Scarf & Hat Set.

 

To join this pattern please check out the link below!

Sweet Potato 3 – 3 Month Pattern Membership

Don’t forget to follow her on facebook too!

Facebook – Sweet Potato 3 Patterns

October Guest Blogger – Shannon Mulligan-Mayernik

This months Guest Blogger has been my friend for many years. We have crafted, scrapbooked and had a community fair table together! I have always admired her amateur photos of the landscapes that she saw and events that she went to. She decided to take those photography skills to the professional level almost two years ago. She puts together the cutest mini sessions using all sorts of things including things that she has handmade! Today she is sharing one of those things with us! With that I would like to introduce you all to Shannon of Shannon Mulligan Photography!

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As a photographer, I get to be creative in many ways. Not only does my creative eye show while I’m creating amazing memories for my clients but I also get to be creative when it comes time to make homemade props, that will be one-of-a-kind for each individual session. I like to offer my clients this specialized service so they know that their pictures will be like no others. Whenever I know a prop will be involved, or a backdrop is needed, I set out to design and create something so my clients vision becomes a reality.

For my fall mini sessions this year, which were just held a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to make a bunting banner for one set up. My first step is to always write out exactly how I want the scenes to look to I don’t get overwhelmed; or purchase products I won’t need. I am going to share with you exactly what I used to make the fall themed bunting banner along with the steps I took to create it.

Tools:

1/4 yard of each fabric choice (I choose 4 patterns and still had plenty left over with each pattern)

Pinking Fabric Scissors (http://www2.fiskars.com/Sewing-Quilting/Products/Scissors-and-Sharpeners/Pinking-Shears-9#.VD_f9vldWQM)

Bunting Template (you can make this any size, and as you can see in the pictures below, I make mine out of cardboard)

Straight Pins

Double Fold Bias Tape Quilt Binding; 3 yards (color of your choice) (http://www.joann.com/wrights-double-fold-quilt-binding-7-8inw-x-3yds/prd34298.html#start=2)

Frixion Ball Erasable Pen (http://www.staples.com/Pilot-FriXion-Erasable-Gel-Ink-Pens-Fine-Point-Assorted-3-Pack/product_722395)

Measuring Tape

Sewing Machine

Instructions:

1. Lay our fabric on flat, large surface. With template, I start to trace my template onto the back side of the fabric with my erasable pen.

2. Once I have all my triangles traced onto my fabric, I use my pinking scissors to cut them out.

3. Now that the triangles are all cut out, I lay them down against my measuring tape I have lying on the floor. (the sizing per banner will vary-for this one I wanted a 9 foot banner so I made sure I had 18 triangles that are 6 inches across)

4. Once they are all laid out and I know I have enough, I open the Bias Tape and fit the fabric into the fold. I straight pin them so they all stay together before I bring it over to the sewing machine.

5. Last step is to sew the fabric and bias tape together. Make sure nothing is loose because you do not want the fabric to tear away from bias tape.

Once all the sewing is done, your banner is complete. How easy was that?! You can now use it as a back drop, homemade prop, holiday decoration, or home decor. Now that I have made this fall banner for my mini session, I plan on selling it so it’s never used again. All banners I make will never be used for another session. By doing this, I know that none of my sessions will ever be the same. This also helps me keep my creative juices flowing because I know I can’t just use an old banner/bunting.

Here is another little set up I did for my fall mini. Super simple! I had everything for this set up at home. The only thing I purchased were 3 pounds of apples to fill the baskets with. Being creative with DIY Props and things you already have around your house is the best way to go.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. And a huge THANK YOU to Robin for asking me to guest blog on your site! I love how much activity and engagement you have created on your page! And may I say (even though it’s still a little early…) I wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Pattern Test for Melody’s Makings – 01

I am happy to share this pattern test with you all. It’s for a designer that I know that I have mentioned before but haven’t I haven’t shared a pattern test with you all yet. So, here is the first one for my friend Melody and Melody’s Makings! I have done pattern tests for her before and I have also done a couple of her Create-a-Longs that she hosts. She is a designer that does both crochet and knit. She has an awesome How-to-Knitting series on her blog that I have been following and plan on sharing my creation with with you soon so, keep your eyes out for this soon!

Anyways when she posted that she needed some testers for this little hat, I just had to do it! It’s so adorable with it’s puff balls and the diamond pattern going around the crown of the hat. I don’t usually do pieces that have that kind of detail on them, so this was a fun thing for me.

One thing that I love about her patterns is that she does a crochet and a knit version for a lot of her patterns! When I was first introduced to her work she had a larger portion of knitted patterns then crochet. At that time I hadn’t even picked up a set of knitting needles but it didn’t stop me from getting some of her knitting patterns.

Then when she revamped her website and added her How-to Knit series on her blog I was really excited! I have been working with that series and can’t wait to test/work on one of her knitted patterns!

Make sure to check out all of her awesome stuff on the following sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodysMakings

Website: http://melodys-makings.com/

Website – Crochet: http://melodys-makings.com/shop/double-puff-earflap-hat-crochet-pattern/
Website – Knit: http://melodys-makings.com/shop/double-puff-earflap-hat-knit-pattern/

Ravelry – Crochet: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-puff-earflap-hat-crochet-pattern
Ravelry – Knit: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-puff-earflap-hat-knit-pattern

Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter if you haven’t already! As a bonus to getting her awesome emails you will also get some pretty fun patterns for Free!

 

Get Any One Pattern Free from Melody’s Makings!

My friend Melody is generously giving everyone One Free Pattern of their choice for the next 36-ish hours in her Ravelry shop! She has some adorable Knit and Crochet items in her shop too! I will tell you… it was hard for me to pick just one!

 

After flipping through her Ravelry shop a few times I finally decided to pick the Entrelac Basket Knitting Pattern. I mean who wouldn’t choose this pattern? It looks so fun/cute with that little baby on it! Belly Beautiful Portraits took the most perfect picture for this piece! Please be sure to check out their website as well (link below)!

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Melody’s Makings:

Website: http://melodys-makings.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodysMakings
Ravelry Shop: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/melody-rogers

Belly Beautiful Portraits:

Website: www.bellybeautifulportraits.com