Table Runner Tutorial

This is the first creation from my own head.  After making this crooked little table-runner, I felt like I had achieved my 2010 resolution: to learn how to sew.

This is kind of a skinny table-runner, so if you have a wide table, I would not recommend using just fat quarters. You would need more fabric than that. You can adjust the length of the runner by adding or taking away fabric.

So here's what I did:
I used all but two of the fat quarters in the Peacock Berkley bundle. Using my NEW and AWESOME rotary cutter, I cut strips, making sure to match each side. In retrospect - there will be a lot these statements, btw - I would have used less strips. I folded the strips in half (b/c that's how wide the end result will be) and laid them all out how I wanted them. (I had some idea of this as I was cutting the strips.)

Next, I started with one end and worked my way to the top. I took a two strips and pinned, right sides together.

Then I sewed all the way down, using the edge of my all-purpose pressure foot as the seam guide. 

Here's what I got:

 

                                           Back                                                           Front

Press/iron seam down, away from what will be the center. (The photo is after I've attached a third strip.)

Keep doing this, working your way up "the ladder." Pin, sew, press. Pin, sew, press. Pin, sew, press.

Half-way there! This is why I would use less strips next time. Whew.

(No photos for the following directions. Camera is out of batteries, and I've lost the charger. :( )

After you've attached all of your strips, fold the entire thing in half long-ways (hotdog style), right sides together. Iron the fold and pin the open side as you go. Make sure you're matching strip end to strip end or your final result will be crooked (like mine was). Do this a foot or two at a time.

Sew the long end together, leaving a few inches open so you can turn it inside out.  If you want to add trim, fringe, beading, etc. to the short ends, do that at this point. Otherwise, sew the short ends together too.

Turn it right side out. Iron/press entire thing again. Top stitch about 1/4-1/2" around the entire thing, taking care to close the few inches you left open to turn it right side out. For added detail and durability, I also sewed along each individual seam. 

The End

This will not end up on my Etsy shop as it took FOREVER and used A LOT of fabric. But, I liked doing it for my own home and plan to do another one for Christmas to match the entire house. Actually, I plan on doing all of the Citrus Holiday ideas for Christmas. Christmas...Why am I talking Christmas? It's flippin' May!

The Turner Family Gift Exchange

I'm crafty. Amanda Turner is crafty. And our craftiness had to be shared this week! :)

She made and sent me this gorgeous necklace for my birthday/Mother's Day! Since my regular camera is out of commission, I had to use my iPhone, which made for a bad photo. This necklace is perfect for summer. She sent this along with two adorable outfits, a bracelet, & cool sing-a-long book for Presley. Yay for snail-mail gifts!

Her bday is coming up, too, so I sent her a Little Black Book of Cocktails. (I figured she needed a drink after all that she's been through lately.) Skylar and Dylan, her FABULOUS kiddos, have been in my thoughts a lot lately too. As they're dad goes through chemo, I'm guessing the kids are going through some stress as well. So, they each got a gift.

I made a bow holder for Skyler. It matches her bedspread.

And I never know what to make for boys, especially tween boys. (I grew up in a house full of girls: Even our dog and cat were girls. And now, even though there's a husband who's a boy, I have a daughter and girl dog.) Anyway, I asked Amanda what he was into. I got baseball, especially the Yankees. Well, I can't support that as I am a Rangers fan. (Stayin' true to Texas!) I got Star Wars. That would be easy to buy for, but I always have Star Wars on the brain because of the hubby. And I got music. So where's where I went with the music idea.

Basically, I took some fabric from the Play Day line, and lined acrylic frames with it. Then, I purchased a vinyl stick-on guitar from Etsy (I really want my own Cricut machine), cut it in thirds, and applied it to the front of the frames. Easy, breezy room decor. I have no idea what his room looks like, but I hope this can match it.

Upcycled PJ Dress

For Christmas, Oma (Grant's mom) bought Presley a pair of really cute pajamas from baby Gap. P is small for her size, but, as always, Baby Gap is smaller. She grew out of the 12 mo pjs by 13 months. Boo.

Alas! The Sienna dress pattern! I used it to turn Presley's pajamas into a fun summer dress.

 

It's His Loss

Occasionally, it will come up in conversation that my dad was not really involved in my life. A common response to this is, "That's too bad. It's his loss." I've probably heard this no less an 40 times in my life.

I completely understand what this comment is supposed to mean. It is a compliment, and I appreciate a person trying to be kind and positive. Someone said this to me yesterday, and, unlike ever before, it's irked me since. I'm not irritated by the comment or the person, but something about that comment - "It's his loss" - has been a thorn in my side for the last 24 hours. 

As I was brushing my teeth this morning, often my most two thoughtful minutes of the day, I realized why this sentence bothered me so. It's because it's not just his loss. When a father is not involved in his kids' lives, when he fails to pick them up every other weekend, when he doesn't come to dance recitals, when it's known that his wages had to be garnished because he didn't willingly pay the $150/kid child support, he is not the only one who has lost something. 

The mother of those kids has lost the function of being simply "mom." She now has to play Dad, too, which is way different than Mom. She assumes an edge that's less than maternal, partly for survival and partly because that what she has to do to mimic that dad-like role. She also has lost time and the privilege of sharing the joys and pains of raising children with someone else. Presley was a giggle-monster last night, and Grant and I marveled over it after she went to bed. A single mom has no one to share that with.

The child's future spouse also loses out. Usually, a girl whose father is not involved will end up marrying someone to quickly fill a void, which usually ends up being the wrong person. But let's assume the best and say she ended up marrying an awesome husband like I did. Well, this poor fellow has to deal with the brunt end of my "daddy-issues," as Grey's Anatomy calls it. And just when I think these issues are sorted out, a new one will pop up from no where. Sometimes these daddy-issues end up being mommy-issues because, like I mentioned before, the mommy wasn't able to be the kind of mommy God designed because she had to find the time to be the daddy, too. 

Obviously, the children of this absent father has lost something as well. As I'm writing this, the ways in which these children (me) have lost out sting too much to list and discuss. Even though I'm totally used to it - that not having a regular dad is the norm to me and I seriously don't think about it much - it still bites when I stop to think about it. When I see Grant and Presley and imagine what her life will be like with her dad, it is a bittersweet emotion for me. I never knew, at least I never had witness to, what it would be like to have an involved dad in the household. It's God's design for a child to have both parents. They both mold the child in different ways, play a different part, model Christ in differenly. A child loses out, among many other things, on proper spiritual guidance and examples. Not that this can't be made up for in other ways or in adulthood, but it just makes for a more difficult journey to put into practice.

So, while I still accept it as a compliment when someone says it, I have come to terms that is not just "his loss." Entire family units, both present and future, lose something when a child's father is absent.

New Fabric!

I'm on a roll today! One would think that I don't have a 16 month old to chase after. Pretty sure she just swallowed a flower. Anyway, as soon as I posted my Craft Fail blog, the UPS guy dropped off  my new fabric from The Fat Quarter Shop! I was first excited to see that this company is based out of Buda, TX (near San Antonio). Love supporting local and/or Texas owned businesses!

$200 worth of fat quarters

  

I'm trying to decide between Botanica and First Bloom Modern Meadow to use for Presley's new big girl room. 

I have some projects in the living room where I'll use this Gray Poppy.

I wanted to use this Peacock Berkley for recovering the chairs in the dining room, but it's a lot brighter in person that I thought. Not sure what I'll do with it now.

  

And I didn't forget the boys. I bought Playday and American Vintage. 

So excited to try some new stuff with these fabrics! Don't forget that you can choose any of these fabric choices on your Custom Nap Mat.

Presley is now juggling knives. Need to get back to Motherhood.

If you have an opinion on which fabric I should use for P's new room, please let me know! :)

Craft Fail

I promised a Craft Fail, so here it is:

 

A simple, envelope-style diaper wipes case! I used this pattern and tried it no less than 6 times. The suckers came out bunchy & puckered each time.

I was on a diaper wipes case pattern/tutorial finding spree that would be consistent - and not consistently bad -- for a week after this one didn't work out and finally found one. I'll be making a batch and posting them on Etsy throughout this week when I'm not helping my mom move and organize for a garage sale. Pictures to come of the not-so-sloppy diaper cases soon.

Another Craft Fail:

Isabel's Birthday Present:

Bath Paints

This was great idea at first and even looked adorable when finished. I made three batches of this recipe and packaged it it with sponge brushes. 

I even Photoshopped and used Mod Podge to personalize it.

 

She loved it when she opened it, especially the pink. But the cornstarch had sifted to the bottom in 24 hours, so it didn't look as cool. And, worse, Izzy's mom said that it got in her eyes during bath time. Ouch! So technically, the craft was cute, but if it makes the kid cry, I would consider that a fail. Bummer.

Here are a few photos of Presley at Isabel's 3rd birthday party, themed Tea Time in Adventures in Wonderland. (I can't believe I didn't take pictures of the homemade whimsical birthday decor! My friend, Haley, really needs to start a blog.)

I feel weird posting photos of other people's kids, but you can't see Ellie's pretty face, so privacy is still in tact. I'll only extort my own child.

New Blog

I swear I won't make a habit of this, but since starting my blog a couple of months ago, I have since opened an Etsy store. I thought it best that my store name, email, & blog title matched. Soooo, this is my new blog spot. I'll still post new project adventures, both good and bad, but I'll also use this as a forum for my store versus keeping up with two blogs. (I have trouble keeping up with one!)

So, as promised, here's a good one:

The Toddler Nap Mat
Love this thing! I used Jenny Garland's tutorial to make it. I still don't know how the preschool will get Presley to sleep on it since she's used to her crib. She's been trying to carry the attached blanket around the house with her like she does her other blankets and gets frustrated when the rest of the mat follows. Anyway, $50 and 5 hours later, this is what I ended up with:

You can make it yourself using the link above, or I'll make one for you. You can choose any fabric from this store, and I'll coordinate the cozy blanket material.

I have a bad one to share later, after uploading photos.

New Owl Painting

It's been a loooong time since I've posted. I hate that. But w/ G in Kurdistan, I've had a hard time finding "free time." HE GETS BACK TOMORROW!!!! I'm so excited!

In the meantime, here's what I've been working on. No, it's not sewing.

Painted canvas Midnight mixed w/ glossy heavy gel medium

Used Martha Stewart's Woodland Creatures paper to decoupage the tree branch & leaves

Learning how to draw an owl in elementary school came in handy.

Finished owl. I became attached to this little guy.

All done, minus the glossy sealant on top.

I'm also in the middle of simple spray-painting bins for P's toys in the living room. I'm a little bummed b/c I forgot to take a before photo. Those and a few diaper wipes cases should be finished by tonight. I bought the material for P's nap mat for preschool (starts in June). This will be my biggest sewing project yet!