diy photo backdrop. . .

I worked on a super quick and easy project last week! I've been using white foam core board for multiple purposes when taking photos. I like it best as a reflector and as a vertical backdrop but wasn't really loving it as a flat surface since it lacks texture and often isn't a true white. To keep things inexpensive and portable, I bought a piece of oak wood at the hardware store - it's 2 ft x 2 ft and slightly less than 1/4 inch thick and was under $5. I then painted a single coat on one side of it with white acrylic craft paint using a sponge brush. Now I've got a reversible backdrop with a bit of texture which I really like. 

Aren't the bowls the cutest? I spotted them at Anthropologie while shopping with my mom and had to grab a few. At $2.50 a piece and a ton of colors to choose from, it was hard not to buy them all!

michelle patterns | $5 Friday . . .

*This post contains affiliate links*

Michelle Patterns has a another great offer up for grabs this weekend! The Basic Wallet pattern is being retired and is available for $5 (with bonus pattern pieces for a larger size included) through this weekend only. This pattern is quick to make and does not take a lot of material to produce. The instructions include tips on strategic cutting to ease bulk in the corners, how to sew better corners, how to keep pockets from gaping open, and seam grading. It's also a great pattern for customizing! 

I used this pattern a few years ago (excuse the old photos!) to create a few pieced iPhone pouches by simply adding a bit of width to the pattern pieces and adding a wrist strap. You'll find a tutorial here on how to make the simple strap pictured below. The wallet includes two pockets and is a good size for carrying cards + cash or small gadgets like phones.

Happy sewing!

have it all wallet pattern. . .

I made my first wallet way back in 2009 and used it for almost 2 years. I liked it so much that when it came time to make a new wallet, I made the same one again with a few tweaks (I replaced the change pocket with more card pockets). Lately, I noticed that my current wallet was looking rather dingy but wasn't sure if I wanted to make another one or just buy one. Luckily, I came across the Have it All Wallet pattern by Straight Stitch Society either while browsing blogs or Pinterest and thought I'd give it a try. I finished it up yesterday and it is now officially residing in my bag.

pattern | have it all wallet  fabric | main: coordinates in saffron  lining: carolina black chambray  pocket: washi triangles

This thing has a TON of pockets which means it has plenty of space to carry stuff. It really is more of a wallet/clutch hybrid - you can stash a phone in it plus a lip balm or two in addition to your usual wallet stuff. I really love the accordion style pocket + zipper pouch - so fun! Overall it was easy to make. It took me forever to pick fabrics but that's how it usually goes for me. The only change I made was adding more interfacing - I used Craft Fuse for the outer part of the wallet as well as the lining piece and used Pellon SF101 for everything else. I added a jumbo metal snap for the closure.

the weekend...

My parents flew in this weekend for their yearly visit from Germany. I love getting to spend time with them and I really love how excited the kiddo gets about hanging out with Oma and Opa. She spent a good bit of time hanging out by the window on Saturday; waiting and watching for them to arrive. While sitting with her, I noticed how pretty the light was and how sweet she was being so I decided to try to get a few shots with the camera. I haven't tried much lately since Syd is not a fan of cameras or being spontaneous in front of one. She doesn't mind posing for blog post photos because she gets "paid" in mini chocolate chips but will run away from cameras otherwise. I managed to get a few keepers this time and it makes me want to try harder to get more of those casual, everyday type photos - nothing staged or pre-planned. We'll see... 

I also signed up for two different online Adobe Illustrator classes over the weekend! As much as I love Photoshop there are just some things that I think will work better in Illustrator  - digital pattern drafting, for example - and look forward to learning as much as I can. I'll share more about the classes soon for anyone that might be interested.

vintage may...

This post is a part of the Vintage May series hosted by Craftiness is not Optional and skirt as top...

How awesome has this series been so far?! Seriously, if you haven't been keeping up with the posts, make sure to check out the series on both Craftiness is not Optional and skirt as top and be prepared to be blown away! Below is my contribution...I decided to sew up a little dress for the kiddo using a vintage Vogue sewing pattern from 1950. Thank you, Jess and Kristin, for inviting me to be part of Vintage May.

Using a vintage sewing pattern was quite the departure for me. I've pretty much always sewn things using printable pdf patterns and am so used to the detailed instructions, step by step photos, etc that go along with them. Totally not the case with vintage patterns. While I really enjoyed the adorable cover drawings, the historical aspect of working with something that was 60+ years old, and the finished product; I did find the vague instructions and unfamiliar sewing terminology a bit challenging. For example, the raw edges of the collar and sleeve cuffs are covered in bias tape but no measurements/dimensions were given. That said, I think everyone should give it a try! You might just learn a new thing or two. 

Overall, I really like the finished dress - the fit was pretty spot on (Syd wears a 4T in tops/dresses and the pattern is a size 4) though I do think I should have used a fabric with a bit more drape so that the gathered front isn't quite so full. I did not originally plan to shirr the waist of the dress since I really liked the look of the swingy dresses on the pattern cover. Unfortunately, my dress just didn't look like the cover dress - it was muumuu-esque rather than swingy and that wasn't the look I was going for! Elastic thread to the rescue.

I found the pattern I used at this shop. It was in pretty good physical condition - especially the tissue pattern pieces. Both Etsy and Ebay have a ton of vintage sewing patterns if your local thrift shops don't carry a good selection.  It is pricer to order them online but I found myself browsing for hours since I just love the cover art - especially on the children's patterns. I'd much rather pay a bit more and shop from home than have to dig through the pattern/fabric bin at my local thrift shop - it's located right next to the underwear bin. No thanks!

I paired the pattern with a yellow and white dot print - Scatter Dot from Alice Kennedy's Taxi collection. 

A few other patterns that caught my eye (not only do I love the outfits but I also adore the sassy hair styles!)... 

clockwise 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

in the works...

So, I'm finally getting another pattern put together! This is the first sample I've finished so I've still got a bit of work to do. It's a largish hobo style bag with an outer zippered pocket, magnetic snap closure, and an inner single welt pocket. It has a spacious bottom and opens wide so it's easy to find your stuff. For this particular bag, I used Glimma Stripe in Jade and Essex Linen Blend in Steel with a fun yellow zip for contrast.

giveaway: fabric labels by ananemone (closed)

I've got a great giveaway for you today! Sara, from Ananemone; contacted me recently and asked if I'd like to try out some of her fabric labels. She also generously offered up a set of labels to give to one of my readers. Ananemone offers custom fabric labels, including color logo labels, fabric care and content labels, and personalized name tages for clothing, using a variety of organic cottons. I chose to use a custom text logo and received both iron on labels and sewn on labels to try out. The labels are really well made, are washable, and don't fray. I like that they are made with organic materials and non-toxic inks which is especially important when sewing labels into children's clothing. The iron on labels come in handy if you're like me and forget to sew labels in at the right time! 

I think these labels are a great option for sewists of all types and help make the things you sew a little more special. Head over to Ananemone, take a look around, and leave a comment below letting me know what you'd choose!

Giveaway Info: CLOSED! Winner is comment #97 Cathy!!

• winner receives one sheet of labels of their choice
• one entry per person, please
• please include an email address in your comment below unless it is linked to your profile
• giveaway is open to all readers
• giveaway ends Sunday, May 19th, 2013 at 10 pm CST
• winner will be chosen randomly 

Thanks and good luck!