Sponsored Giveaway.... eWillow.com

Hey there! I've got a great giveaway for you guys today! (it is Friday after all!!)....

Charlene runs eWillow.com. A few months ago she emailed me about advertising on my site and we started getting to know each other over email... Turns out that it is INDEED a very small world! She is friends with my brother in law's (the one from the radio) sister...


She's hosting an AWESOME GIVEAWAY!! Go ENTER HERE!!

Something crossed off the list...

Thanks for all the questions and ideas for my blogger "about me"... please keep 'em coming!!
I've been sewing a lot the last few days and I've gotten some stuff done! I've got my next 2 Tuesday Tutorials ready to go *yippee*, and a few other things started! Which is good because it's time to shift gears and start getting my house organized.. it's gotten pretty disorganized over the winter.
I'm still making bags for the shop... but thought I'd share with you one I finished today. It was a custom order for a local person..
It's the Sunday Bag Pattern...

It's made from Basic Grey's Sultry fabric line. I still prefer heavier weight fabric for this bag, but to "beef it up" I added a layer of canvas in between the bag outside & lining.  It came out nicely, and is a good sturdy bag.

I also used brown pinwhale corduroy for the bottom stripe on the bag, then added ribbon instead of a 2nd fabric to the top of the stripe.

Now just to make one for me... remember how I told you I kept the last one?? Well I ended up giving it away after all... Someday I will make something and keep it... someday ....

Oh, don't forget to upload your creations to the Polkadot Chair flickr group!

Need a bit of help...

I'm trying to write an "about me" page for my blog.
I am stuck.. I don't know what anyone would want to know about me...
so how about you guys ask me some questions... I'll answer them, then that will give me a good start..
-k-
anything goes, but I reserve the right not to answer *wink*

Tutorial Tuesday: Laminated Kids Wallet

I'm so excited to share with you my first "tutorial tuesday".   I am going to try my best to give you a new tutorial each week... Just because I've started my little shop does not mean that there will still not be  ideas here on my blog!  I'm sure I'll miss a week or two here or there, but I'm going to try my hardest to get them for you each week. 

I will be doing tutorials for all kinds of things sewing, scrapbooking, crafts, mini books, home decor etc. I will list the products I used for each item with measurements, details and tips... *note: if your a company with a product that you would like me to feature in a tutorial,  contact me I'd be glad to work with you. If I am ever asked by a company to feature a specific project, I'll be sure to tell you upfornt in the tutorial.*

So for today's tutorial.... Laminated Kids Wallet

My son got some money for Valentine's day from his very sweet Grandma. He promptly put it on his dresser.  We  operate on the "bank of Mom" at our house.. we have a "ledger" listing the money that the kids earn and spend... Mom usually does the spending, then it gets subtracted from the list ... they only have cash when we "cash out" for things like tithing, movies with friends, special shopping trips,  etc... I know others have different systems, but after 14 years, this is what works for us.

Anyway, my point is... Andrew does not usually have much cash on him.  So when I saw the $ sitting on the dresser I knew it was going to get lost.   I decided that he needed a wallet.. I was worried about a little one that fit in his pocket (it would get washed or lost) so I decided to make him a checkbook sized one. 

He had fun picking out the fabric ...

I was very excited with how it turned out... until my husband told me it looked like a girls wallet... I was a bit crushed... but the next morning Andrew woke up and saw it and LOVED it! I still think it makes a good wallet for a boy... we will just have to disagree :)

Okay to begin:

You will need:

-Heat N Bond Iron on Vinyl. You buy it in a package on a roll. I got mine at Joann's... it was hanging on the wall by the other interfacings (like wonder under)

- scraps of fabric

-package of 1/2" double fold bias tape & matching thread

- 7" zipper

-magnetic snap

Step 1:

Cut from your fabric

2 pieces 8"x8"

1 piece 3" x 8"

1 piece 2" x 8"

1 piece 1.5" x 8"

Cut the same pieces from your iron on vinyl.

Peel the vinyl off the sheet and place sticky side down onto the right side of the fabric. Lay the protective sheet over the vinyl and press.  *tip: If you ever use a big piece of vinyl, save the protective layer.. it's much easier to iron if you have a big sheet to lay over it*

Do this will all your fabric pieces.

Take the 1.5" x 8" piece of fabric and pin right side down to one side of the zipper (right side of the zipper is up).  Sew.

Place the 2" x 8" piece of fabric on the other side of the zipper (also right side to right side) and sew. You will have to move the zipper pull as you sew to get "around" it...

Turn to the right side and using a protective sheet press.  (you never want ANY part of your iron to touch the laminated surface of the fabric).

Cut 2 pieces of bias tape 8" long.  Place over one side of the 3" x 8" fabric and the 1.5" x 8" piece of fabric. Sew, using same color thread.

Lay your zipper piece and your pocket piece on top of one of your 8x8 pieces.  You want the right side of the 8x8 piece to face the wrong side of your zipper/pocket pieces.

Sew around all 4 sides, close to the edge (so that the stitching will not show after you apply your bias tape).

On the section with the zipper. Also stitch across the top of the bias tape to make an enclosed space for your coins.

Place your other 8x8 piece of fabric behind the piece you just sewed.  Wrongs sides together. Pin well

Place bias tape around the edge.  Stitch in place. When you get 1/4" away from a corner, stop sewing and cut your thread.

At the corner fold over your bias tape to make a neat corner. Pin in place. Continue sewing down next side. Repeat for other corners.  When you get to the end, cut your bias tape and fold under 1/4".  Sew down.

Attach magnetic snaps to the inside of the wallet. Make sure you ONLY go though the top layer of fabric!  Attach according to the directions on the package.

You are done!

Shey*[B] Winner!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:42Powered by RANDOM.ORc
Congrats to 

 diplofam said...

I love the New York! It would look great around my neck!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Carin

I've got your email. I'll get you in touch with Shealynn. And Thanks again to Shey*[B] for offering this great giveaway!!! Go share show her some love! Visit her blog and tell her I said "hi!"

Sponsored Giveaway... Shey* [B]

*giveaway is closed... watch for a winner to be announced!!**

I am very excited to announce my latest giveaway!! I hope you like the giveaways here, I'm rounding them up for you guys as a way of saying "thanks" for spending some of your time here on my blog!

I'm changing the way I do them a bit.. I'm going to list the giveaways on Fridays then give you all weekend to enter, with winner announced on Monday!  I am also starting "tutorial Tuesday's"  so stay keep an eye out for fun, free tutorials every (ok. most)  tuesdays... again, my way of saying "thanks" for reading...

So onto our giveaway!!

Many of you know I'm an avid shutterbug!  I've loved photography since I was in high school.  I took a big vacation with my husbands family a few years ago and got "teased" a bit that I lugged my giant camera all over with me! I don't care... I got some awesome pictures!!

I also LOVE a good accessory....  GO HERE to enter to win this one!!

When Men Scrapbook...

My Brother in Law, Ethan Millard (he's married to my sister, Emily who guests blogs here occasionaly)... works for KSL radio...

Studio 5 (a local t.v. show in Salt Lake City)... sent him and his co-host Alex to Heartland Paper to learn to scrapbook...

It's pretty funny if you ask me... My favorite part was when Ethan (he's the one with the hair) referred to scrapbooking as "monotonous gluing"... thanks buddy *wink*

Oh and just to add to the  "it's a small world front"... the host of that show Darin Adams, used to live here in Louiville for a while...

So Ethan, you gonna learn to sew next month???

and for the record, my sister is NOT fond of the beard..

New things & heart strings...

So, I went to make a new tutorial for the laminated pouch last night and I'm out of laminated vinyl!  (thought I had quite a stash!) So watch for a tutorial early next week. (after I have time to hit the store, I'll take a photo of the package so you know what to buy!).

In the meantime...

I've got a new pattern at fourteenmay!  It's the March bag, because I am REALLY wanting Spring to be here and the bright colors and fun shape of this bag remind me of Spring.
The pattern includes printable pattern pieces, and instructions for a choice of 3 handles/straps.

View A features store bought handles. (flower instructions included in the pattern)

View B includes one long handle to make a shoulder bag

View C features 2 shorter handles so you can carry it or use it as a shoulder bag.

There is one large pocket on the front & back of the bag... Perfect for having somewhere to throw your keys, grocery list or your phone, while keeping your wallet more secure inside.

Yes, I WILL be listing already made bags!  I am going to sew and sew and list them all at once, I'll have a post with a "shop update announcement" when I'm ready.  

Also, Traci is listing Spring/Easter/Initial charms. The Valentines ones all sold out so grab your Spring ones!

Okay, for the "New Things"... now onto "Heart Strings"

For Valentines we do a fancy "family dinner" we eat in the dining room. We send the kids upstairs and Jeff and I decorate the table then call the kids down to see their "surprise" with the room all decked out a small gift for each of them.  (always includes a box of chocolates!)

This year was very nice.  Andrew insisted on keeping his church clothes on, and even said "Mom, this is a very nice dinner!" It really did pull at my heart strings... Here are a few photos from the day...

Got the other pouches done at the 11th hour

Sydney made this card for Jeff, I love what it says "I love Jeff, AKA Dad"

Andrew covered in chocolate from the strawberries

Sydney eating  cupcake. To save time I bought cupcakes from our local cupcake shop this year. The kids loved guessing which one was theirs.

and because I always take a picture of the food, our yummy dinner. Chicken Parmesan with homemade marinara sauce and fettuccine alfredo with fresh noodles... 

"Mom I need a pencil bag NOW!!"

edited to add: I'm getting alot of questions about working with the vinyl and the zippers.. I'll post a more detailed tutorial this week***

Sydney last week need a new pencil bag NOW!! I don't know quite what the urgency was but I was not in the mood to make a trip to Target...  I talked her into letting me make one for her.

I'd post a tutorial, but there is an excellent one here, at Skip to my Lou...

Before I sewed the pouch I applied iron on vinyl to all 4 pieces, I figured that would help with keeping it clean since it will be full of pens/pencils... I also added her name with my embroidery machine.

(back, inside is just the same)

I've been making these a lot lately, and have quite the stash of colored zippers, they are a cute, quick and easy gift.  The best part is they can be made in any size just alter the tutorial to what you need.

You can make,

diaper/wipes cases

make up bags

sketch book carriers

pencil pouches

travel pouches

coin pouch (I made one with a 4" zipper for my oldest, laminated it too... made a perfect coin pouch).

Sew a ribbon into the side seam and make a cute little clutch!

Or what about using some cute boy fabric and making them for hot wheels, legos or baukugans?

We got 8" of snow today with more expected over night!!! We are stuck... I am trying really hard to sew and not let the "blahs" get to me... but the icky, sunless, gloomy weather is definitely zapping a bit of my creative juices...

It's killing me not to show you a photo of my new purse pattern... it's my favorite by FAR! 2 friends saw it and are buying fabric to make one... I also talked to Traci last weekend and she has the CUTEST thing planned to list in the shop..

Watch for a shop update soon! 

My crafty "to do" list...

So like most of the country we have had our fair share of snow this week.  I live in Louisville, and we don't get too much snow in the winter, so the 8" we got this week managed to shut down school for two days. I can't imagine those of you under FEET of snow...I hope you are all holding up well!

The kids and I (and some "extra" kids... a.k.a. neighborhood kids that seem to be able to make it over no matter the weather) have been shut in for the last few days.

So instead of "dejunking" or organizing my house like I should be, I'm sewing... I never get this much time at home, so I've been trying to make the most of it. (even if there is a kid walking in every 5 minutes telling me something that their sibling did or didn't do..) I have also been blogging (which accounts for all the posts this week..)

Looks like more snow this week... so I'll share with you my crafty "to do" list for this and next week...

Start working on one of these for Spring... you can get the tut here... It might take me a while but I need to at least start...  btw, April is the owner of Second Sister, one of my new blog sponsors (yummy one of a kind jewelry... )

Make one of these for Andrew to carry his ipod in.  That way he can listen to music and clean at the same time (hopefully improving his cleaning speed... we will see)... Craft genius Traci at Amazing Mae dreamt these up for Celebrate the Boy month..

Speaking of Celebrate the Boy month....
Anna at Noodlehead  made these... & hey I already own that fabric...

Andrew needs a new church bag... The last one disappeared into thin air! (otherwise known as the garage that will not be cleaned until it is above 60 degrees outside).... Perfect size for a notebook and some crayons and pencils for church.

I also want to finish a "mini" scrapbook that I'm making of our trip to San Diego last summer and a few other things that I have already started...

My 14 yr old daughter, Kari was about to die of boredom (according to her)... so I gave her my scrap bucket and a rotary cutter and told her to go to town! She in one day, finished a 70 block scrap quilt. Her first ever. She did a dang good job for her first quilt too... I told her I would quilt it for her. I think I'll try again to free motion quilt on my machine... It's a good project for that...

A new purse pattern for the shop! Needs to be written, I just keep thinking of fun variations for it.... and a few ALREADY MADE bags to list there too! I finally cut my Jennifer Paganelli fabric... been saving it... had to cut it eventually... 

Finish the Love Pouches I started for my other 2 kids!  They should only take me 30 min to sew, I just keep working on them a tiny bit at a time...

Speaking of Love Pouches, 

Rachel of the Dartt Board bought my pattern, but instead of making Valentines day pouches, made a pouch to hang on a crib to hold extra baby things... like binki's etc....

GENIUS!!!!!

I LOVE her idea, I might have to make one for my daughter to hang on her bed to hold her Polly Pockets...

Oh, and this large pile of fabric on my floor are bags... can't you tell? *wink*

Not shown, my next Moda Bake Shop project and another big project that I keep procrastinating (it's stressing me out... needs to be good!)

btw... my house is a wreck....and I have no motivation to clean it up... yeah not good...


So what are you guys up to next week???

Valentine Banner Winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

20

Timestamp: 2010-02-10 21:23:28 UTC

The winner of the Valentine Banner is....

 Marla said...

You know I'm not going to make this myself........

And I love you're Sunday bag on your etsy shop. Love it!

February 8, 2010 2:53 PM

Marla!!
okay send me your address girlie!!! I'll mail it as soon as it stops snowing here!!!

If you didn't win, don't despair, we got lots of GOOD giveaways coming up!! Stay tuned...

Oh, don't forget to upload photos of your creations to the flickr group!!

I guess today was "giveaway day!" Don't worry I'll be back to "craftiness" soon! I've got a bunch of tutorials in my sketch book to share!

Playhouse Giveaway

Okay...
how cool is this????

You know what is EVEN more cool???
Someone built this and it giving one away!!!
It's the Miss Pretty Pretty etsy shop... As a new etsy seller myself, I figure you've gotta "share the love"!! Right?

I saw these and was seriously impressed...

oh, she didn't forget about the boys..

my nephews would seriously flip over this.

To enter to win one, just visit Mary Janes & Galoshes ... she's got all the details on her site (you can't enter here)...

Spotlight Swap...

I was honored to be asked to participate in a Spotlight Swap with 

They did a really nice spotlight on me this week... you can read about it 

here...

Thanks guys! I'm seriously blushing!!

Today' s Give Away is a site dedicated to amazing giveaways and fun finds! It's a one stop shop for finding product reviews and giveaways.

Giveaways, Reviews, Family Fun & Life with me! 

Some of the giveaways that they are running now (they change DAILY!! so there is always something fun and new!)

A blog Makeover

Some "super" cute dress-ups for your little ones

or, maybe a gift certificate to buy some handmade gorgeousness??? (is that even a word???)

I want one of these, and I don't even have a baby! How cute?!

Thanks for the Spotlight!!! 

New Flickr Group

I get emails all the time with photos from people who have made things with my tutorials here or on Moda Bake Shop.

I LOVE to see how everyone interprets my patterns/tutorials, the fabrics they use, the colors and all the fun variations they come up with.

I thought you guys might like to see them too, (maybe you are making a June Bag and want fabric ideas?? etc)...
 so I created a Flickr Group ...


Polkadot Chair Patterns

I'd love to see all of your creations! Upload them to the Flickr Group (link on the sidebar) anything you have made from one of my tutorials (from here or Moda Bake Shop) or one of my new patterns for sale on etsy.
Can't wait to see them! Share away!

I'll be featuring photos from the group regularly here on the Polkadot Chair, so make sure you include a link to your blog! (so I can send some people your way).


*if you have emailed me photos in the past, I have not uploaded them, I figure they are yours, not mine, so I should not upload them.*

How to "Be Mine" ....

Okay,
FIRST... you guys SERIOUSLY ROCK!!!!!!! and I am NOT even exaggerating one bit!
I went to dinner Friday night with my hubby (gotta love having a live in babysitter aka 14 yr old daughter :)... and I checked my email on my phone and saw all the comments coming in from my Paris post!  We had the BEST time at dinner reading everyone's comments and talking about what we want to do in Paris.  My hubby was very flattered you all thought he was "cool"... and even more than that, so interested that you all gave us such great advice!

I wasn't sure if I was going to blog about the trip here but after the great response I'll have to make sure I give you guys a great recap when we get back!  Besides, I totally think it "fits" as Paris seems like a very creative and inspiring place!

Now, onto todays craft!!

I've still got a bit o'Valentines goodness to share with you all!

Do you want one of these??? If so, keep reading I'm giving it away!!

I LOVED the believe banner that I made for Christmas this year, and thought that it would be fun to make one for Valentines day! It was quick and easy and I'm happy to share a tutorial with you of how to make it.

For this banner I used a cricut. If you don't have one, it's okay. You will need to go to the craft store and buy an Alphabet, and find a heart to trace. In the place of the silhouettes, you could use vintage images, or more hearts etc...

You will also need to "destroy" a book.. I know I know... don't freak out.. I love books and the first time I tore a page out of one, I felt more than a little guilty. 

Just find a book you can dismantle.  Look in your closet, thrift store, Half Price Books, etc. I found an old dictionary at a thrift store and that is what I have been using.

I found out the hard way that a cricut does not cut this thin of paper. It STUCK to the mat (ruined the mat, could never get it off).  I, being lazy, did not want to hand cut all of the hearts.  So what I did was 1st adhere the book pages to a sheet of 12x12 cardstock.  To do this, cover the back of the book page with UHU glue stick, then attach to you cardstock. You want to "think" about where the hearts will be cut, so that you don't get  a heart cut with  a seam of paper down the middle.  

We cut 4 6x6 book pages to cover the 12x12 cardstock sheet. After you glue it, roll a brayer (or a rolling pin) over it to make sure your glue is evenly distributed.  Set aside and let dry (we had a bit of trouble, because we didn't let the glue dry all the way).

** btw... I must thank Vicki for helping me with this, she's the hands you see in all the photos, and kept telling me "Melissa, don't you need to take a picture of this???"  She should come over for all of my tutorial photo sessions... she totally kept me on track!**

After the glue has dried, run the paper through your cricut and cut out your hearts. Mine were from the George and Basic shapes cartridge, but there are lots of hearts on different cartridges. 

Next, we used Walnut Distress ink and lightly inked the edges of each heart.

Then take Modge Podge for paper and spread a little bead around all the edges.  Then dip the edges in glitter. I used Martha Stewart glitter that I WON from her website !!! (very cool huh!!).

This step will also help you if your hearts tore at all during the cutting process. You can cover up any tears with glitter.

Cut "Be Mine" out onto red cardstock (Simply Sweet cartridge). Adhere to your hearts.

The silhouettes are from the Child's Year cartridge.

Next to hang..

You know those ornament hangers that DRIVE YOU CRAZY at Christmas????? Well break 'em out, because they are perfect for this!

Punch a small hole in the center of each heart.  

Get a piece of tinsel (like you hang on your Christmas tree, mine came from IKEA)... 

Use the ornament hooks to attach the hearts to the tinsel (or ric rac would be super cute if you can't find any tinsel).

You're done!

*** another note, I was not compensated in any way by any of the companies mentioned to write this post, I simply shared the brand names of things I used to help you out if you want to make a similar banner***

Okay... NOW for the giveaway!!!

You can win THIS banner! (I mean I already have one upstairs and I don't need TWO!)...

To enter:

Do one, or all of the following, for each thing you do leave a separate comment so that it counts!

-Visit my etsy shop, May and Mae and let me know what your favorite item is.

-Let me know what kind of pattern or other item, you would like to see for sale in the shop! (i.e., I'd love a backpack pattern, etc...) 

-Leave a suggestion for an image to use on one of the Soldered Pendants (Traci makes those, and does an AMAZING job!)

-If you don't already, subscribe, or follow this blog.

-Mention this giveaway somewhere else in cyberspace (blog, facebook, twitter)!

The giveaway  will ONLY be open until Tuesday 9th at midnight Eastern time! (I've got to get it mailed to you before the big day!)...