Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway!r

 Welcome to the "Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses" blog tour, featuring finished projects and giveaways from Sweet Seams' latest book. The designers over at NYC-based Sweet Seams wanted to create a collection of fast, fun, and inexpensive dresses to make for their daughters, granddaughters, nieces and god-daughters. The dresses, which all start with a simple T-shirt, were inspired by all the little girls in their lives who feel special in projects that were made especially for them. Crafters can upcycle any T-shirt, maybe even an old favorite that doesn't quite have the same fit anymore or one that's stained near the hem. With 28 very different styles to choose from, anyone can find a design that fits the little girl in their own life.  

I am thrilled to be able to take part in the Sew Pretty blog tour. 

When I rec'd the email asking if I would do a book review of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses, my first thought was making dresses for all 4 of my granddaughters.

When I rec'd a second email asking if I would take part in the blog tour, of course I said yes.

I love this book! I have made one dress so far. This is the Patchwork of Art design. The first photo is the dress. The second photo is my granddaughter, Willo, wearing the dress. She wore it to church and showed it off. I had her take it off after church, at which time she informed me that I was to make sure to get it washed. She wanted to wear it the following Sunday as well.

I have built a squidoo lens with my full review as well as the press release of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses.....and photos featuring some of the other designs in the book.  I hope you will click HERE and check it out.

Here is the complete schedule for the blog tour. I do hope you will check them all out. Come back day by day until tour end!

May 5  

The New York Mom will feature a finished project  

Nouveau Stitch will feature a finished project, “Flirty Shirt”  

Just Pure Lovely will host a giveaway  

The Crafty Princess Diaries  will host a giveaway

May 6

Craft Knife will feature a finished project, “Cool Water”  

Stitched by Crystal  will feature a project for her 9-month-old  

BlogHer DIY will feature a project

May 7

Prudent Baby will review and host a giveaway

House of 34 will host a giveaway

May 8

Smashed Peas and Carrots will feature a finished project, “Bubble Tea”  

Simply Modern Mom will review and might do a project

May 9

Marsha’s Spot will feature a finished project, “Patchwork of Art” and host a giveaway

Sew Spoiled will review the book  

Maya Made  will feature a finished project  

May 10

Dollar Store Crafts will review the book

Only From Scratch will feature a project

May 11

A Few Shortcuts will review and host a giveaway

Wild Olive will feature a finished project  

Positively Splendid will feature a finished project   

May 12

On the Laundry Line  will feature a  finished project  

Elegance and Elephants will feature a finished project

May 13

Luvinthemommyhood will review and host a giveaway

My Little Gems  will host a giveaway

Now for the fun part! How would you like to win your own copy of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses? Just enter using the rafflecopter form below.

 

Disclosure: Sixth&Spring Books gave me the information and I received the book from Soho Publishing Co. for the purpose of this blog tour/review/giveaway. I was not compensated in any other way, and any opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Frugal Friday With Marsha--linky included

Happy Holidays!   How are you doing getting prepared for Christmas?   I should be done by the time the day is over.
However, I find myself feeling guilty that I don't plan on baking this year.  Everyone, I'm sure, expects me to give each family the usual box of goodies.  I'm just thinking.......I don't have time!  It's not fun without the kids in the kitchen with me helping and keeping me company.   I may change my mind over the weekend, depending on if I get my sewing and crochet crafts completed.

I'm very pleased with the gifts we've gotten.  I didn't buy anything that wasn't on sale, clearance, or used a coupon for.  I didn't buy anything that wasn't combined with both a sale and a coupon.  I had hoped for an almost completely hand made Christmas.   I procrastinated when I should have started in January on my gifts.

The hand made Christmas sacks are done.  They are all almost completely filled once I get these last few crafts completed.
Here is a picture of the bags my daughter and I made before filling them:

If you have any posts anywhere (not just blog posts) that are about homemade/handmade gifts, please share them on my Handmade 2012 Linky page here on my blog.  I have the linky set to close Dec. 31st.  There are lots there, but I want to see more and more and more added.   I want lots of inspiration!     Thanks!

This week from the 99 Cent Solutions book, I am sharing 5 uses for petroleum jelly.

1.  Petroleum jelly spells relief.  You know that it relieves chapped lips, but did you know that if you put it under your nose it will relieve alleriges?  It traps the pollen before it gets a chance to enter your nostrils.

2.  Paint perfectly.  Coast your door hinges and handles with petroleum jelly when you paint that door.  The paint won't stick to it so you won't have to take the time to remove the fixtures before painting.  Just wipe it clean once you are done painting.

3.  Keep the glue from gluing the lid.  Isn't it frustrating when the glue works a little too well and you can't remove the glue cap when you need to?  Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the cap's threads to prevent this.

4.  Protect cuts and scrapes.  Apply a thin layer to your cut.  It will soften the scab, which will stop you from wanting to pick at it.  It also protects the scraped skin.

5.  Plunger help.  If your plunger isn't working up to it's normal standard, just cover the rim with a thick coating of petroleum jelly.  It will give you a tighter seal and better suction.


Your turn to share!

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Squidoo Hopping--Hand Made/Home Made

This week I am choosing Hand Made to be the theme for many reasons:
1.  I'm in the middle of making gifts myself.
2.  I want more ideas.
3.  I have a linky page here on my blog that is just for handmade posts. (I would love it if you would click over to the Handmade 2012 page and check it out and add to it!)

Don't worry, if you don't have any lenses about home made gifts and such, you are still welcome to choose 1 or 2 of your other lenses to link up.  And, as always, please link up any blog posts where you talk about squidoo as well.

 

Embroider Everything Workshop--The Beginner's Guide Book Review

Embroider Everything Workshop--The Beginner's Guide to Embroidery, Cross-Stitch, Needlepoint, Beadwork, Applique, and More by Diana Rupp.


ISBN 978-0-7611-5700-7  Workman Publishing, New York


Part 1 includes 4 chapters and is called The Basics.  Chapters include:  Gearing Up, Get Ready, Get Set, Start Stitching, and Getting Designs onto Fabric and Canvas.


Part 2 is the projects.  40 projects are included, and also includes 48 original iron-on transfer patterns.  These are neatly in an envelope attached to the inside front cover as seen in the photo below.

I am very pleased with how this book is put together.  The introduction, prior to Chapter 1, is fantastic!  It includes a lot of interesting history, 10 reasons why embroider and the different types of embroidery.
Chapter 1 tells you what should be in your embroidery kit.  It even includes photos of all the items as well and detailed descriptions.
This is truly a step-by-step book for the beginner.  Every step and all stitches are explained and have illustrations.  There is even a stitch practice card included in the book.

I've not ever considered myself to be an embroiderer (is that a word?)  I have done it before and have a renewed interest in my quilt making.   I'm so glad that the book includes not just embroidery, but also beadwork,  cross-stitch, needlepoint, applique, and even plastic canvas.   I have referred to the book several times on how to do things in the past couple of weeks.

Let's move on to the 40 projects included.  There are projects for wearing.  Here is a fun one--Daily Panties---underwear with the day of the week embroidered on them.
There are projects for kids.  My daughter spotted the Bejeweled Blossoms right away.  She's been wanting me to make her flower hair accessories for awhile now.
There are projects for the home.  One that I want to make is the Color Theory Coasters.  They are plastic canvas and I enjoy working with it.
There are projects for giving.  I see lots of great projects in this section.  What stands out for me right now are the Old-Meet-New Gadget Cozies.

Appendix A is all about finishing your work.   Appendix B is a font library.  Appendix C is a listing of further resources.

I am excited about this book.  If you have a crafter on your gift list, whether a beginner or seasoned, I highly recommend this book.  I highly recommend it for you too.

I have a goal to either make, or buy all homemade gifts and this book holds many projects that will be made for those gifts.

About the author:  Diana Rupp founded and runs Make Workshop in New York City, the hip craft school that teaches everything from how to use a sewing machine to spinning your own yarn.  She lives in Brooklyn, New York.  She is also the author of Sew Everything Workshop.

Disclaimer:  I was sent a copy of Embroider Everything Workshop by Workman Publishing for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

Starting on My Frugal Christmas

I am getting started on my frugal Christmas and wanted to share.

First of all.....welcome to my sewing room, also known as the kitchen.   Some day, maybe someday I will have a room where my crafts, sewing machine, etc can stay out.

I had decided I wanted to make potholders/hotpads for Christmas gifts for the women on my list this year.  A recent trip to Wal Mart I found some of the insulbright in the remnant bin!  2/3 of a yard marked 20% off for $3.72.
I need to make for my mother, Steve's mother, Steve's sister, my sister-in-law, my 2 oldest daughters and my oldest daughters boyfriend (he just bought his first house).  I need to make at least 14 then for gifts and by looking and figuring in my head, I should have enough of the insulbright to make all of them.
The little squares are leftover material from all the quilts I made last Christmas.  (If you want to see those, you can visit my squidoo lens Blankets for Christmas)   I was throwing away the little bits of material but Steve mentioned I should cut little squares and not waste  (hhmmm  pretty good idea  LOL)
Now where do you think I got the black that I am using for the backs??  You would never guess.  We bought a futon at a yard sale for $15 a few months ago.  Well, it didn't take long with my daughter sleeping on it every night for the metal to bend in the middle and end up on the floor.  We recently went and bought a brand new futon.  Again, I was going to throw away the covering when Steve mentioned he thought I might want to use some of the material in my quilting and stuff.  Oh boy......he is learning my frugal ways (isn't it great?!)  It hit me then that the black lining type part would be good for the back of the pot holders, so there you have it.
I'm not picky on the thread and will use whatever I have in my sewing box.
How is that for some nifty and very frugal gifts??   Here is a photo of the one I have done so far.  I do still have to put the ring on the back, but again, I got a package of those in with some other craft things I bought, so no extra money going out.

 
The other gift that I have completed is the baby blanket that I am giving to my middle daughter and her boyfriend for Christmas.
I spent $2 on the green material with animals.  The back is a set of yellow pillow cases that I bought for $1.  
The batting in the middle I was trying to buy at a yard sale that was marked $1.  I was informed I had to take a whole box of craft things because they had too much and wanted to get rid of it, so to just throw the batting into any box.  Ok.....so for the same $1 I got a whole crate of things, and trust me, there were a lot of things in that tote that I will be using (and the rest will go into my next yard sale).
I did buy the thread for this new at Wal Mart as I wanted it to match.  This was $1.94, with lots of left over to sew other things.
The yellow thread that I tied it with was given to me by my oldest daughter.  She got quite a bit of it in a big box of yarn she got at an auction for $1.
I'm going to say I spent under $4 total to make her this quilt.

I hope you have enjoyed my post, and I will continue to post as I get Christmas gifts ready to go.  Not all are crafts as I do a lot of bargain shopping all year long on health and beauty aids, toys, school supplies etc. that will be made into gift packages as well.

 

Win a Handmade Hot Pad and Coaster Set!!

Win this set of 2 hot pads and 4 coasters.  Hot pads are crocheted.  The coasters are made with plastic canvas.  Handmade by me.

I sell a set like this for $12, which includes shipping.  The set to be won is pictured above.  I can make them to order in the color, or colors of your choice.

How to enter: (right click to open in new tab or window, so that you don't lose this page)
***Be sure you leave in at least one comment how to contact you!***

*********Contest ends August 30, 2010 9 PM CST.   I will choose the winner using Random.org.
Contest is open to residents of the United States.   Winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing details, once I contact them.    In the event they don't, another winner will be drawn.





1.  **Mandatory entry**  Visit my website Gifts Galore and More and then come back and comment with a product that you like there.

Additional ways to earn entries:

2.  Visit My Blujay Store and come back and tell me something you see there that you like.

3. Follow my blog---if you already do, just comment that you do.

4.  Follow me on twitter (marsha32)--if you already do, just comment that you do.


5.  Join my blogfrog community.

6.  Subscribe to my blog by email.

7.  Add my button to your blog or website.  Please leave URL where I can find it.

8.  Connect with me on facebook (marsha32)--if we are aleady connected, just comment that we are.

9.  Subscribe to me via networked blogs on facebook.


10.  Blog or post about this giveaway.  This can be done on twitter, facebook, gather, sidetick, your own blog, or any other website where it's allowed.  I will allow up to 5 entries for each one throughout the duration of the contest.  Please leave separate comments for each one, with URL where I can find the post.




Have fun, and good luck to all! 

Birthday Bags Completed for My Three Granddaughters

II completed the birthday bags for my 3 granddaughters yesterday.  I think they came out cute.

They are pictured below, along with the items going in to each one.  Very frugal gifts.  I got most of the items you see in the photo with my points on listia.  Some of them are won through mycoolcontests.  Some were bought at yard sales.  In total I only spent $2.10 out of pocket for it all.

To see full details, I hope you will visit my gather post  Birthday Bags Completed for My Three Granddaughters

If you aren't a member of mycoolcontests yet, please check it out.  It's free and lots of fun to do each day!!  I win often and I use the items for gifts.  


 

I Finished Another Quilt!

I finished another quilt!  It's a light blue with some peach and a lighter shade of purple in the mix.  It has a peach colored binding.

I have it up for sale now in my blujay store at http://www.blujay.com/item/Quilt-10050300-3402578&keywords= 

It's pictured below.  Three different angles including a close up.  I am still just a beginning quilter, but I love the colors in this one.  My next quilt will just be a simple baby quilt that I hope to have made by tomorrow.

(the white lines you see in the photos is the sun coming in my bedroom window...the photo is taken on our king size bed)