Alphabet Nursery Wall Art

Little by little I am adding onto the nursery.  I’ve had some alphabet printables from the Handmade Home pinned for a while, but didn’t know how to print them (don’t have a color printer) or make them photos (they are square), and even then, how to display them. Well, I finally got a Photoshop program again (my last one disappeared with my crashed hard drive) and decided to tinker my way through it to see if I could create something 8x10 worthy.

I came up with two collages, and yes, it is far from perfect.  But I was pretty proud of figuring out how to get to this point, so I’m ok with imperfection :)  I love these prints; they are different words than you would normally associate with the alphabet letters, like A for Adventure,

or H for Heels. I love how they have such a vintage flavor without being over-the-top. 

You can see how I forgot that once you frame an 8x10, a little bit of the edge is covered by the frame.  You have to peek to see what letter it is, but that will be a simple enough fix… if I ever get around to fixing it.

Some Walmart frames painted pink and hung stair-step style, and the dresser suddenly isn’t so lonely over in the corner.

Hooray for cheap art!  And hooray again to Handmade Home, who provides my absolute favorite free printables once a month. 

Hope you all have a great weekend!

In the Land of the Living

Ugh.

Well, after 3 days of being laid out with the flu, I am mostly back from the dead.  I’m still coughing and sneezing (my ribs are in a constant state of pain from the sneezing!!) but I’m slowing getting back.

Let’s take care of business!  Yesterday morning I crawled out of bed to pick a winner for the Laurie Wisbrun/Robert Kaufman fabric giveaway.  Unfortunately, the first three winners I picked had no contact information… so I picked a fourth winner and it was Monsters33!  Congrats!  I’ll be contacting you for mailing info.

Before I was stricken with the plague, I was working feverishly (at a stable 98.6 degrees) on getting a quilt done because I have a tutorial (actually, two!) to share with you!  Alas, you must wait a few more days.  Maybe into next week.  I don’t have the energy to actually quilt the thing quite yet, it nearly killed me just to iron it.

But I do promise it is a fun one, and more of a new method on a classic design. And it centers around one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, so I’ve had more fun than is probably allowed :)

A few weekends ago, the Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild met up.  It was really fun, and I made a lot of headway on the abovementioned quilt. Lots of ladies worked on their needle books, for future meetings where sitting and stitching is involved.

I did like seeing so many other quilty ladies in one place.  And projects!

But the best part of last week was EVMCO Choral Boot Camp.  I must confess, if given the option of never sewing again or never singing again, I’d drop the sewing in a heartbeat.  As much as I love it, I love singing more. If you follow me on Instagram (@melcollette), you probably saw this group of uber talented first sopranos (of which, notice, I am not part of ;)):

 

So, while things have been quiet on the blog front, I promise I’m not always laying in bed with a bottle of Nyquil tucked snugly in the blankets with me.  :)

DIY Notepad

I’ve been working on this idea for a while, and when Kitchen month rolled around on Curbly, I thought it would be a fun tutorial to make up for everyone to try.  I especially enjoy the little pen holder!  Pens always get lost in the abyss of my home, so this keeps it close and handy.

I always know a project is a great one when Mike is shocked I actually made it myself, and then he actually uses it. 

There are two lists available- one grocery and one task-, each with 4 color options.  Check it out!

Create Kids Couture Giveaway Winner!

It is about time I chose the winner for the Create Kids Couture giveaway, eh?

According to Random.org, #10…

was the lucky winner!!!  Yay!! 

Whitney, I hope you enjoy your pattern pack, I know your girls will look SO STINKIN ADORABLE in the clothes.

Laundry calls.  Have a good day, everyone!

Lined Drawstring Bags with Olive the Ostrich- Plus, a Giveaway!

When I was contacted by Laurie Wisbrun about trying out some of her new fabric line, you had better believe I was super excited.  YES!!!

This new line features pairs of loveable ostrich, valentine-y heart prints, and a great coordinating pattern that may be my favorite of the whole line.  I wanted to make something for my girls, so the lined drawstring bag tutorial from In Color Order was the perfect choice.  Looks like someone else thought so too…

Ah!  An ostrich friend.  Definitely popular with the ostrich friends.

This gray heart print is the perfect gray, just so you know.  I loved it.

My girls have been using their bag as a holder of their pretend pixie-dust, which is really just all their sparkly necklaces, headbands, and bracelets.  They grab the imaginary dust and say “Pixie Dust away!!” It is really cute :)

These bags are really great to use as gift bags too.  A little 6-year-old friend got this one as her gift bag last week at her birthday party.

TOO cute, right?

Would you like a fat quarter pack of this fabric??  Robert Kaufman and Laurie Wisbrun have this lovely stack for you!! Leave a comment and I’ll pick a winner on Sunday!

A Visit to the ol’ Business Card Holder

Now that Mike is in school for his MBA, I feel a sense of urgency to get my Etsy shop full of stuff.  That may probably never happen, but little by little it gets more stocked.  Quilts take a bit of time (and money!) so I can’t crank those out as fast as I’d like to put in there.  So, Business Card Holders it is!

I had to look at my tutorial to get a quick reminder of cut sizes, but after a bit I had 6 little business card holders to show for it.  I have lots more cut out, but after 6 I was kinda needing a break and to move on to something else, ya know?

Anyway, I love these little things.  I’m still using mine on a daily basis (now for gift cards, value cards, etc.) and have washed it a few times.  It is still going strong.  I sometimes just put my debit and license in it and stick it in my pocket instead of carrying my purse.  I hate purses.  I know, don’t leave me for it.

If you want to make one, here’s the tutorial!  It is a great scrap project.  If you don’t want to make one, I have 6 in the shop :)

 

p.s. I have been going back and forth in my head as to how to explain where I’m going with my blog while Mike is in school, but here’s the hard truth.  If you get more Etsy update posts, or see a few more ads, I’m sorry, but I can’t justify taking out more student loans than absolutely necessary just so I can buy fabric or hot glue every now and then! I need to be supporting myself.  I promise it won’t be much more than normal.  I hope you understand! 

Pinterest and other things

One of my favorite lines to read in pin descriptions, which I now think every time I put an actual pin in something.

You can follow me on Pinterest here.

I also have a Facebook page, which I don’t flood your news feed with.

Also, I just got a phone that is more intelligent than I, and can do Instagram.  My handle is… uh, melcollette (I had to look that up… do they even call it a handle?) if you want to follow me; so far, I have a picture of a hairball pulled from my vacuum, a fabric clearance rack, and my popsicle-covered baby.  Impressive, right?  Right…

I’m too hot here to do anything productive besides feed my babies popsicles.  I hope your summer is cooling down! 

Create Kids Couture Paper Pattern Giveaway

One of my favorite PDF pattern shops. Create Kids Couture, is now carrying paper patterns!  I love getting patterns in the mail, colorful and wrapped in that cute plastic, just waiting for me to crack it open.  It is the simple things, people. ;)
Today, to celebrate their new paper pattern line, we are having a giveaway!  One winner will walk away with all 4 of their paper patterns!!




To make things more exciting, Create Kids Couture is having a giveaway of their own starting today to celebrate 8,000 Facebook fans!  Check out their Facebook page later today for another chance to win.
To enter the giveaway here, just leave a comment telling me who you would use these patterns for!  Leave a way for me to contact you- either in the comment, or on your profile- if you win!  Good luck!

Pow Wow

When Allison came out with her new patterns recently, I was immediately smitten with her Pow Wow pattern.  Simple, modern, not quite a chevron, and totally boy.  I knew right away I needed it, and needed to make it ASAP!

Well, I had the blocks pieced in no time (and I got a little cut-happy and ended up with enough to make a crib size instead of a baby size!) but waited for a while before I got the backing and then finished it all up.  Things are taking me longer to do now that I don’t have a dedicated sewing room.  No surprise there, I guess!

 

It was a bit of a challenge having white top thread and red bobbin thread while quilting it.  It took several tries to get the tension perfect, and if my speed got to slow a little red would pop through.  But the deep colored backing is perfect, so I am glad I went through the extra effort to get what I wanted.

The binding is from Sweetwater’s Reunion line and is PERFECT for this pattern.  And it was lusciously soft, so I’m kicking myself for not buying more while I had the bolt in my hands. 

This Pow Wow is ready to go, and measures 47” x 51 1/2'”.  In the Shop!

Simple Knit Skirt

My sister bought some knit fabric and had enough to share with me, so I made a skirt!  Actually we made two, but I cut hers too small… it happens.  Mine turned out great though :)  I even busted out my twin needle to finish off the hem.

I love navy (I love all blues, let’s just get it out there for good) and when my sister-in-law convinced me to buy an orange shirt… match made in heaven.  Really, since they are complimentary and all.

Here’s an easy tutorial you can use.  I just chopped and sewed, hence one skirt being too small. :)

I hope you enjoyed my white legs and t-shirt tan lines.  And my starburst mirror that my husband made me dust before he took my picture.  Dusting is overrated.

How To: Make an Awning

One of the key design elements in the baby’s nursery was an indoor awning hanging over her crib.  Usually, awnings are over windows, but not today! 

Here’s the tutorial!

Materials:

1/2” plywood

10-ft 1x4 pine board

fabric lining- 2 1/2 – 3 yards

drill and drill bits, screwdriver and screws, pencil, measuring tape, staple gun/stapler, L-brackets

2 1/2 yds fabric,or more

sewing machine (serger optional- I finished all my edges)

Let’s Begin!

Figure out what dimensions you want your awning!  I wanted mine to extend halfway over the crib, and a good 18” down the wall.  Connect those lines to make your hypotenuse.

You will be cutting off the top point and the front point to make room for the 1x4. 

It is a good idea to first make a cardboard mock-up, and then use it as a template.  Keep the template for later.

Using a jig saw, cut out your plywood pieces.  Ok, I let my husband do it, but you can too!

While you are in the cutting mood, cut your 1x4 into two lengths, each 58” long. 

You will want to cover all these cut wood pieces with lining fabric and your staple gun/stapler.  The side plywood pieces require some creative wrapping, but it isn’t very difficult.  (**you’ll see I have three wood pieces; only two are necessary and we ended up taking the third one out later, so just ignore it.)

When all your pieces are wrapped, it is a good idea to pre-drill your holes where your screws go so the fabric doesn’t get all twisted or go crazy.  We cut slits in the fabric with an x-acto knife too, just to be on the safe side.  We opted to do two screws per wood board.

Then, screw the pieces together!  Ignore that back piece- it was nice keeping the frame sturdy while working with it, but we didn’t want to see it when it was hung on the wall, so we removed it

When the frame is put together, cover that big gaping hole with lining.  Pull the lining nice and taut so the patterned fabric will lay nice and flat against it.

It looked so awesome at this point, I was squealing.  I knew it would be perfect for the nursery!

Ok, you’ll have three pieces to cut from your fabric.  First, the big rectangle- the super easy part.  Measure the width of your awning and add 1” for seam allowances.  Then, measure the height, or in this case the angled side, and add the top width and the scallop drop, plus 1”.  I wanted the scallops to hang 5”, so I added 6” to the height and top measurement.  You’ll have a big rectangle when you are done.

Next, pull out that cardboard template you used to cut the wood pieces.  Put it on your fabric to trace out your two side pieces.  Add 1/2” seam allowance on all sides, and add that 6” scallop length to the bottom. 

I did a trial run where I just basted the side pieces to the rectangle starting at the bottom (just pin well when the rectangle has to turn around the side angles,and make small clips in the fabric if you have to and you’ll be fine), and it fit like a glove.  PERFECTLY.  Awesome!!  Then I sewed the pieces all together.

From the remaining fabric, cut long pieces that are longer than your scallop (I cut 8”) and the same width as your three main awning pieces.  I pieced my strips together to get the right measurement.

On this long strip, trace your scallops.  I did lots of math and figured my scallops at 5” wide apiece. 

Next, line up your scallop strip right sides together along the bottom of the awning fabric. 

I matched up my seams to make them less noticeable, but it was bulky.  I worked with it and you can’t even tell from looking at it.

Sew along the scallop lines you traced. To get a nice scallop, stop right before you get to the inside point of your scallop, put your needle down and your presser foot up, and pivot your fabric.

Stitch ONE stitch, and stop and pivot again.  Continue sewing along your drawn line.

After you have sewn along each scallop, trim closely to each scallop.  Use pinking shears if you have them, or just have fun cutting all those v’s!  It will be worth it when you turn it inside out.  When you get to the inside points, cut a small “Y”, careful not to cut into your stitching.

Turn inside out and iron.

Fit the fabric over your awning frame again, and staple the fabric to the frame along the top and back, wherever it won’t be seen easily.

Hang with some L-brackets securely on the wall (or above a window), and you’re done!

I hope someone out there uses this and makes an awesome awning too!  I love it; it is probably the best thing I’ve made in a long time. 

Yay! 

I’m sharing this with some of my friends, at

Today’s Creative Blog

Sew Much Ado

Somewhat Simple

Lil’ Luna