IT'S A TUTU TUESDAY!

I have finally gotten around to working on some Ultimate Walking Vests/Tutus! I have been making and selling them here in TX for over 4 years and I think I will try listing a few in my Etsy shop soon. Here are a few pictures of some parts of the "process".

Here are a the X-Smalls that I have partially completed with the pink tulle gathered and ready to apply.




I now have them to the stage where I add the tulle to vest:




As you can see by the pictures below, I sort of went crazy with the pink tulle!















Do you think I should add tulle to any of these? If so, what color of tulle? I'd love to have your input!

MY YUDU ARRIVED AND LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!

Late Wednesday the UPS driver dropped off this huge box containing my latest acquisition via HSN (and their dreaded FLEX PAY and FREE SHIPPING--still just under $300 with tax!). My only "saving grace" is that I have 30 days to try it or return it for a full refund!













I also ordered extra paints and they arrived on Thursday. So with Hubby's help I got it out of the box late yesterday, fully planning to get "rolling" first thing on Saturday (today). Well, after several delays I finally got started.
















Step 1: Create design and make transparency--very easy, went well!
Steps 2 & 3:Prepare Screen and Apply Emulsion to Screen--sort of scary, I hate to waste any of these expensive supplies--but all went well EXCEPT THAT I FORGOT TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC FILM prior to the next steps!!!
Steps 4-6: Adhere transparency to Yudu, Expose Screen--I had to repeat step 6 after I had forgotten to remove the plastic film, but the exposure WORKED!
































Step 7: Wash and dry screen--easy peasey--let's screen print!
Step 8: Print screen--other than having ink all over ME, this step was relatively easy considering I was working on small sized pet tees!
Here's my results (still drying) of my VERY FIRST ATTEMPT AT SCREEN PRINTING WITH THE YUDU!!

OUR TWO "OTHER CHILDREN"--BUGS AND CHA CHA

My husband and I are empty-nesters EXCEPT for our two "other children", Bugs and Cha Cha. They are our soon-to-be 5 years old Maltese "puppies". They will always be puppies to us, mainly due to their small size, each weighing around 5 pounds. We keep them confined to the tiled kitchen and utility room areas of our home where they have access to the outside via a doggie door. They can usually be found napping on their beds. I just recently moved the beds out to the kitchen area near a huge picture window. During the cold months I keep their beds in the utility room, as it is warmer and cozier for them. Notice the beds? I loved my homemade pattern so much that I actually compiled an eBook tutorial a couple of years ago and have been selling it ever since on Etsy. The "bed" is actually a standard sized "people" pillow that I have encased in a zippered waterproof cover (in case of mishaps), then it is covered with the "OH SEW SIMPLE--EASY CARE PET BED" that can easily be removed for washing.

WAKE UP YOU GUYS!



BUGS LOOKS UP FOR ME:



CHA CHA OPENS HER EYES FOR ME--BUT THAT'S ALL I GET!

READY FOR A LITTLE RED, WHITE , AND BLUE???

Yesterday I finally got some patriotic collars listed in my "Crazy For Collars" Etsy shop! These red, white, and blue with bows are some of my favorites. I think any fashionable pet would love such neckwear!






It feels like the Fourth of July here today! Check out the picture I took this afternoon of my clock that shows both indoor and outdoor temperatures:

ONE PAIR OF “MOMMY” JEANS: 4 NEW APRONS: PART 2

PART 2: The Waist/Half Apron

Supplies needed:
One pair of high waisted jeans—the larger the size, the larger the aprons
Double Fold Extra Wide Bias Tape—2-3 packages or make your own
Any extra trims, buttons, fabric or tulle that you desire to use for embellishments
































Step 1:
Cut the jeans into 4 sections: Front, Back, and 2 Legs
Save the leg portions for PART 1 and the back for Apron #2





Step 2:

In this example, I am using the front portion of the jeans. If you notice, the front seam does not lie flat near the crotch area. In order to alleviate this issue, open the front seam 1.5”-2”, so that you can “flap” one side over the other, making the front flat. Sew the “flap” in place and trim off the excess denim underneath.































Step 3:
If the bottom of the front is uneven, using care, cut across the front making it as straight as possible. I went ahead and curved both lower corners, my personal preference for this project.







Step 4:

Cover the raw edges with the bias tape. I actually made my own in Part 1 and had enough left over to use for this apron. Optional: detach the lower part of the side belt loops, attach the bias tape, and reattach the belt loops. This allows for a more finished appearance.































Step 5:
Decide what you would like to use for the tie/waistband and how long you need it to be. I used the same fabric as the bias tape, cutting a piece 9” X 72”. With right sides together fold it in half and sew across one end and along the length of the piece. Turn the “tube” inside out and stitch the open end closed. Press and insert it through the belt loops. You just made the tie/waistband! I felt like my new apron needed a “little more” so I cut out a floral shape from a scrap of denim and my printed fabric , attaching them to the apron with a fancy zigzag stitch. My apron is complete—what do you think?





























































Here’s the apron I fashioned from the back portion of the jeans:





To summarize:
Take ONE pair of “old jeans” and make FOUR “new aprons”:

TREASURE HUNTING IN EASTLAND, TEXAS

Recently, I have been making stops in Eastland, TX when traveling to and from the DFW area. What, besides Sonic, Dairy Queen, and Starbucks, lures me to take the exit off I-20 you ask? It is the wonderful Goodwill Resale Store that is located near the end of the exit. Just look at their "Treasure Hunt" sign--what could be more magnetic to a person addicted to thrift shops/garage sales/estate sales? It truly is an addiction!
This happy shop is run by some very friendly and helpful ladies who always meet your entrance with a "smile and hello". This past Saturday I found wonderful vintage skinny silk ties for 99¢ each and a wonderful enamel flower brooch for a mere $1.49. Unfortunately, I failed to get pictures of the ties before I sent them to Lubbock for my son AND I also forgot to get my brooch from the bag of ties so Andrew now has it!
I usually take a quick "potty" break and just had to include a picture of the WORLD'S SMALLEST HOT WATER HEATER, that is located in their restroom--which is kept very clean, by the way!
Be sure to include a stop in Eastland, TX, the next time you are near!

ONE PAIR OF “MOMMY” JEANS: 4 NEW APRONS: PART 1

PART 1: The Bib Apron
Here's Part 1 of the tutorial I promised in my post from 3/31/09. I hope to have Part 2 for you soon!
Supplies needed:
One pair of high waisted jeans—the larger the size, the larger the aprons
Double Fold Extra Wide Bias Tape—2-3 packages or make your own
Any extra trims, buttons, or tulle that you desire to use for embellishments












Step 1:
Cut the jeans into 4 sections: Front, Back, and 2 Legs
Save the front and back for PART 2 and one leg for Apron #2





Step 2:
Using one leg portion, open one of the seams the full length of the leg. I usually leave the topstitched seam intact and open the other seam. I use a seam ripper and/or small scissors.





Step 3:
The hemmed edge (cuff) will become the bib/top portion of the apron. Cut off the hem and fold in half with the intact seam as the center of the fold. Cut out the curve portion for the “arm” area. Shorten the leg to the length you desire and cut the bottom of the apron to your desired shape. In my example, I made this apron 24” in length and “curved” the hem.




















Step 4:
Apply bias tape to the top and around the bottom portion of the apron. I decided to make my own bias tape using instructions I found on the web.
























Step 5:
Cut 2 pieces of bias tape to serve as the ties for the apron. The length is based on your own preference of whether you want the ties long enough for making bows. I like long ties at both the neck and the waist. My bias tape strips are each 60” long. I measured the “arm” curve (10”) and added 20” for the neck section of the tie and added 30” for the waist section, hence 10” + 20” + 30” = 60”.
Pin the strips in place, and attach by sewing. I just turn the ends inward and stitch them down to finish.





















Step 6:
Now you are ready to add embellishments. I fashioned a pocket from the portion of the leg that I cut off in Step 3. I added bias tape around its perimeter, and then attached it to the apron. Note: I try to allow a little “hand room” when attaching.


















I then covered some buttons and added to the top! Here’s the finished apron!





















Here's a look at what I made from the other leg part of the jeans! Now go search for those old jeans and make some aprons! Part 2: half/waist aprons coming soon!