Birthday Banner Tutorial

Birthday Banners are a specialty of mine. They're fun and you can whip it up in no time!

Not into sewing? No problem! There's a new kid in town and its name is "Glue!"

If you sew, you most likely have a lot of fabric scraps jammed into a basket or stuffed in a drawer (stop looking at me like that!).

If you don't sew, consider yourself fortunate you don't have an out-of-control textile addiction.

Collect your supplies...if you have Joann's coupons, you can make this project for under $14. Without a coupon, about $20. But the banner will be used year after year and because it was made with love, it'll be a keepsake forever.

Oops, the tiers are in the wrong order.
The first (or bottom) tier is the larger measurement.
The second tier is the smaller measurement.

Go grab some stuff to get started:

Duck Cloth (white): 1 1/8 yard (you can just get a yard, it'll be a few inches shorter)
Cute Fabric: 1/4 yard each of two coordinating prints
Fabric for "frosting": 1/8 yd (or you can just use fabric paint)
*Option* 1/4 yard of fabric for cake stand (or you can paint this on the canvas)
Heat 'n Bond: 1 yard
Embellishments: ric rac, ball fringe, tulle, ruffles, ribbon, etc
Fabric paint
Yellow or Gold felt
Velcro

I'll be working on this over the next couple of days. At the end, you'll need a dowel or a decorative rod. But you can figure that out later. I think I have all the supplies listed, but don't hold me to it. There's usually a little "something else" I've remembered at the end of the project.

Here we go!

This is my first tutorial, so hang in there with me. If you have any questions, give me a shout, 'k?

farmyard fun!

Introducing...Riley Blake Designs and their new line, Farm Fresh.

I know you think it's cute...only Cruella De Ville would think it not!

Sometimes, Most of the time, Always, I manage to come across a fabric that captures my imagination. Last night, this happy little collection ran across my computer monitor. Later, when I went to bed, I found myself dreaming of sheep! Seriously, I can't get it out of my head!

The fabric really is just too cute for words. Three sheep, a cow, pig, chicken, ducks and happy flowers are so criminally cute.. if I buy some of this fabric, should I make a quilt? An apron? A purse, potholders, toddler dress?

Plaid...plaid. Plaid is so reassuring, practical, calming. The perfect accompaniment to a gaggle of barnyard animals!

And then...the flowers. Every farm has its flowers and these have lovely, happy little faces.

There are more patterns to this line, other color segways.There's Root Cellar, Gingham, Polka Dot, Haybale, and Farm. Then, the myriad of colors!  Not only is there cream, but green and teal as well. And I'm having a difficult time deciding which of the colors I like. Cream is neutral, but the green is bright and the teal is lusciously cool.

 I'm considering making a lap-size quilt for winter. Yes, I'm thinking winter and it's 100-humid degrees outside!

Call me a Rebel!

Even though I can piece a quilt lickety-split, it'd probably take me 3 to 4 months to get it to the quilter sew her magic. "Procrastination" is my middle name.

So whadaya think? Is the design too immature for me?

...... I didn't think so, either! Thanks.

signs of son.

I have to admit that Jason and I have a much happier weekend when the son shines on our home.

And the boats?

He parks them under the table and I love it!

Green Purse

Green Purse. Pfffffft. Don't let the uninspired name fool you. It's so much more than green!

*Note to self: "Use the correct color information, it does make a difference!"

The color palette is "Citron and Grey," a hot color combination in the world of textiles.

There's an outside back pocket, but I didn't think to take a photo of it. It's not that I'm lazy, I just didn't think to snap it until just now. I've been dusting and cleaning toilets...perhaps the bleach addled my brain.

I thought the purse needed a little oomph, so I rolled this flower, put a little tulle behind it and attached a pin. The flower is removable...it can be attached somewhere else on the purse, on your clothing or in your hair...though I think it'd hurt if you try stabbing the pin portion in your skull.

I don't know, maybe I'm over-thinking things. I think I'll get back to my cleaning, now.

Housework is sooooo stupid overrated!

I'll be putting this purse in my etsy shop within the week!

creation in pink and green!

This is a happy and bright sunsuit for a little girl...which I don't have, but still, I thought it might be fun to make a sweet little summer outfit.

This is a view of the fun rhumba ruffles. Coochi-coochi! Name that entertainer!

I should have taken a photo of the front, dontcha think?

Details, details!

4th of July weekend.

Our 4th of July weekend was lovely. It was a perfect weekend to go out on the boat, anchor in the river and gaze at the beautiful sky.

And spy on gorgeous homes with well-manicured lawns...

 ...complete with to-die-for docks and boat houses!

Ending with a ride past HOOTERS...

...then back home, to clean and unpack the boat. A refreshing dip in the pool, a little T.V. and off to bed!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

God bless America!

Ribbon Retreat Giveaway.

Are you in the mood for a delicious bowl of fabric?

I am! Who wouldn't love 6 fat quarters and some lovely jumbo ric-rac?!

Click on over to The Ribbon Retreat + Fabric for a chance to win some very cute fabric and trim...it's a great blog and I do believe you'll love it! They have the best ribbon and fabric and their customer service is stellar. While you're there, visit the ribbon web site, The Ribbon Retreat. Beautiful ribbons, fantastic projects.

Please don't win...I want to win.

Real bad...that ric-rac is awfully cute!