(tutorial) The Summer Essentials Kit

Hello! 

Last year we posted this as a guest post, but never had a chance to show it here.

In case you missed it:

Both Autie and I live close to the beach, and every summer we literally spend most of our time either on the sand, or at the pool.  So, we tried to brainstorm something you could use this summer on your vacations and beach/pool visits!

We give you: 

This is a stinkin' cheap project that will come in so handy this summer!  

This is the place to put all of your things that swim around in the bottom of your beach/pool bag, that you are always digging to find.  

This is the place to stash a wet swim suit so it doesn't sog the rest of your stuff.  

This is the place to stash your phone, keys and cash so it doesn't get sogged by the nasty wet swim-suit...

Literally, the only thing we purchased to make this little humdinger was a outdoor place-mat on clearance for $2.88.  Everything else we had, and I'm sure you do, too!  Fill this kit with your swim diapers, sunscreen and baby powder (you know that trick, right?  baby powder gets sand off of little bodies before you get back in the car...we buy it in bulk around here!) and they'll always be right where you need them!

Have I sold you on making one yet?  

(guest blogging) Ucreate's Simple Fat Quarter Series

We are excited to be a part of a fabulous line-up of guest bloggers on Ucreate this month in their new summer series:

Here's a schedule of who to see and when...we're sure to deplete your fat quarter stash in a matter of weeks!  I can't wait to see what all these seamstresses have up their sleeves!

{click here to check it out!}

 

6/17 - Jill @ Create.Craft.Love

6/18 - Liz & Elizabeth @ Simple Simon & Co

          Christie @ Lemon Squeezy Home

6/19 - Nancy @ owen's olivia

          Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts

6/20 - Delia @ Delia Creates

          Kimbo @ A Girl and a Glue Gun

6/21 - Melissa @ Polka Dot Chair

          Autie @ iCandy Handmade

6/22 - Kelly @ Sewing in No Man's Land

          Megan @ Brassy Apple

6/24 - Amy @ Diary of a Quilter

          Rachel @ Family Ever After

6/25 - Bev @ Flamingo Toes

          Sarah @ Craft Snob

6/26 - Abby @ Sew Much Ado

          Sachiko @ Tea Rose Home

6/27 - Amber @ Crazy Little Projects

          Ashley @ Mommy by Day Crafter by Night

6/28 - Angelina @ JoJo and Eloise

          Jessica @ Craftiness is not Optional

6/29 - Crystal @ A Pumpkin and a Princess

          Jessica @ The Sewing Rabbit

(mini-tut) Chalkboard 'Days Until' Sign

With Summer just a mere 4 days away (the official first day of summer is June 21st, and it also happens to be my kids last day of school), we've been counting it down in style...

Perfect for a countdown to an upcoming birthday, anniversary, or an upcoming vacation.
This is such an easy project, I thought I'd just share the easy steps:

Cut Your board down to size:
-(I used a piece of scrap wood of my neighbors (isn't she nice!?!)  It measured 9.25" x 0.75".  I cut it to be 36 inches long.
Sand it down with super fine sandpaper.
 (after you've sanded it, wipe it down with a damp paper towl or cloth to remove all the dust, and then allow to dry.
Give it a coat of Primer
(Spray Paint is best)
Spray Paint evenly with Chalkboard Spray Paint
(2 coats, just to make sure you have good even coverage)
Cut white vinyl using your Cricut
( I used my newest cartridge called Type Candy Font...oh my gosh, I love it)
Attach saw-tooth picture hangers on the back (I used 1 on either side to keep it from tipping while I'm erasing and re-writing)
Adhere your vinyl, and start counting down the days!

Best of Summer Series: Isabella Dress Review

Happy Friday, everyone!

Today I am over at Caila Made for her 

pattern review series with an oldie but goodie.

Go on over to Caila Made 

and get some summer sewing inspiration!

Zippered Throw Pillows & Giveaway!

Since my move, I have had throw pillows on my to-do list.  This recent trip to the L.A. Fabric district was the perfect time to buy some home-dec fabric.

I found this great Anna Maria Horner print at Michael Levine's Home Dec Fabric store, along with three other amazing geometric patterned fabrics that are on my sewing table right now.  They are all available in their online store- lowpricefabrics.com

The Anna Maria Horner fabric (pictured) is great for decorating on a budget.  It is a medium weight fabric- heavier than quilting cotton but not as thick as most home-dec fabrics.  The price? Can't be beat for less than $6.00 a yard!  

The pillows I made added just the right touch to my new formal living room that I have gradually been working on.  It took a while to get everything together, but finally I am satisfied with the room.

The zippered throw pillows came together so quickly and easily, thanks to this fabulous tutorial by Prudent Baby.

Couldn't have finished them without my local JoAnn Fabric Store- ran over there yesterday to pick up the zippers.  Can't really sew much without JoAnn.  :)

Before I run off to finish the rest of those throw pillows- I want to leave you with the best giveaway ever:

One GRAND PRIZE winner!

Brother 1034D serger! (donated by GoToPatterns.com)

Four lucky winners will receive $150 in prizes!

$50 to GoToPatterns.com

$50 to LowPriceFabric.com

$50 for a class at Craftsy.com

Contest Rules:
Giveaway open internationally to contestants 18 years or older. Contestants must enter their email address to be added to the LowPriceFabric.com and GoToPatterns.com email newsletters to win. All prizes are awarded in the form of gift certificates. Winners responsible for paying shipping. Gift certificate value of serger is $210. Contest open from June 11, 2013 through June 20, 2013 EST. Winners will be notified within 24 hours of winning. Winners have 48 hours to claim their reward. New winners will be chosen if prizes are unclaimed. Winners will be emailed their rewards within 7 days of claiming their prize. ONE ENTRY per person. This contest is being held on multiple blogs. Please enter only once. You will be counted only once.

(iCandy and tutorial) Sand Dollar Specimen Art

Aren't Sand dollars just magic?

They are so rare, at least around here, that when you find one, it's so exciting!

I've had a collection of sand dollars given to me by my MIL sitting in a box to make a specimen art for a long time.  

All I needed was a cheap shadowbox to get started, and I finally found one this week at Goodwill.  Woo hoo!

Such a fun easy project, you could do it with scallop shells, or whatever you find at the beach this summer!

Here's what I did!

More Knit Skirts

Before I can start making myself some fun things with my new fabric...I have to tackle my existing to-do list.  These skirts were at the top, because they were all cut out and ready to go.  And my daughter needs them, as most of her skirts are old and WAY too short.

Thanks, JCrew for inspiring me to make these.  They are the perfect summer skirt- comfy and cute.  And I probably could make around ten for the price of one of yours.  :)

Actually four is enough.  Now onto my next project... 

One of these days I will make a dent in that new fabric.