Sew Homegrown Etsy Shop Grand Opening AND *Winner of the Spooky Bunting giveaway!!

What a big day!  A winner AND an Etsy shop - I am seriously taking a nap after this.

The winner, chosen by Random.org is... hannah!

List Randomizer

There were 85 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. hannah

 Congratulations Hannah!  Send me your info in an email, and I will send you your spooky bunting!

Now...for the rest of you who didn't win this time -you can still own one of these little lovely buntings.  

 Head on over to my Etsy shop !!  

This is how I have decided to run the shop.  I will make a few buntings a week and put them up for sale - you can either buy one that is already made, or you can send me a message on the shop (there's a section to request a custom item) and let me know exactly the type of bunting you would like.  For the custom orders the pricing will be as follows - $18 for a bunting of 6 characters or less.  For every letter after that, add $2 per letter up to a total of 12 characters.  Does that make sense?  Thanks so much to everyone who entered this giveaway!!  I love my readers - you are the best!

jessica

Bach Flower Essences

Today I would like to share with you some information about the healing power of Bach Flower Essences.  Why is this important or relevant to you?  Because most of the flower essences are safe to use not only on adults, but also on young children.

I know that as a mom you can feel a bit powerless when  your child is ill - many of the adult remedies are not suitable for young children.  PLUS most western medications only address the physical symptoms rather than the emotional or mental causes.  The flower essences, discovered by Dr. Edward Bach, relieve "stress and emotional imbalance".  There are 38 flower essences:

I have just begun my journey with the flower essences, but here are two I have recently learned of:

Honeysuckle - "helps you put the memories of the past into proper perspective if you are feeling homesick or overly nostalgic".
Mustard - "brings back joy and cheerfulness when gloom descends for no reason".

Here is how you take a flower essence - they come in liquid form and are in a vial with a dropper.  You can put four drops under your tongue four times a day, or you can put four drops in a glass of water and sip that 4 times a day(recommended for little ones).  They don't have much taste at all, but I would stick with putting it in water or juice - I have found it alters the taste of my coffee.  SO the Honeysuckle flower essence can be useful in situations where a child has Separation Anxiety, or in my case, helpful for someone who has just moved.  The great thing is that they have no negative side-affects.  If you don't need the essence, your body simply will not use it.  You have nothing to lose!  If you would like more information, a great introductory book to natural healing is
Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How: Useful Practices, Recipes, and Formulas for a Lifetime of Health

**And remember today is the last day to leave a comment for a chance to win the "Spooky Bunting".   

I will announce the winner tomorrow**

Have a healthy day!
jessica

Candy Corn + Peanuts = Snacking Bliss

Even people who don't care for candy corn can't resist when it is combined with delicious salty peanuts.  The mixture of sweet and salty is so yummy - not to mention, it makes a lovely fall-ish decoration!

Simply buy a bag of candy corn and a can of SALTY peanuts - pour into your favorite bowl and start snacking!  What are your favorite fall snack foods?
jessica

The Smocked Dress

You may remember a few weeks ago my mom was here as a guest, and she gave a tutorial on how to prepare a dress for smocking.  Well, this dress is the finished product.

Isn't it gorgeous?  The smocking and dress pattern came from the book Sew Cute Couture.
Hope you are inspired to give it a try!

Charlotte and the Amazing Technicolor DreamRug

 The idea for this rug was first conceived when mom and I found a foam Floor Mat at Ross for $12.  I have been wanting to make a rug for Charlotte's room for sometime now, but making rugs is really hard - what do you use for the base?  Well, this playmat was the perfect solution.

Browsing around online I found this rug at Anthropologie:

It was the perfect inspiration!  This rug costs $198.  

The one I made cost $30.  

So when your hubby comes home and you haven't done the laundry and there's a frozen pizza in the oven...just show him the beautiful rug you made and tell him you SAVED him $168......of course that never happened here.....Anyway, this is a very simple project.  All you need to know how to do is use scissors, sew a straight line, and use a staple gun.
(these instructions are for a 4'x4' square rug, but you could buy as many of those little playmats as you like
and interlock them together to make whatever size you want.)

Here are the supplies you will need

3 yds of 72"wide felt 

(I bought mine at Joanns.  It was on sale and cost a total of $9.) 

I bought six colors, a half yard each.

Scissors
Glue Gun
Staple Gun
Sewing Machine/Thread
Yardstick
Foam interlocking Floor Mat

Optional: Some cute trim - such as ribbon or this extra-large rick-rack.

**Several of you asked where I bought that rick-rack I used on the snuggle quilt.  

I bought it at this store in TN.  I spoke with one of the owners today, 

and she said that if you would like some, just give them a call and they will ship it to you.  

It only costs about $1.10 a yard and they have EVERY color!**

Okay - back to the rug.  Once you have selected your felt colors, cut each half yard into 3 1/2" strips - using the entire width of the fabric.  If you bought half yards, you will get 5 strips of each color.

Now it is time to do the fun part!  Design your rug!
Assemble the playmat.

Lay the strips on top of each other - overlapping so that they make 2 1/2" wide strips. Play around with the order of colors.  I kept the repeat random.

When you are happy with you design, pin the strips together, making the strips 2 1/2" wide.

Isn't it pretty??!!

Carefully lift it over to your machine.  Starting at one end, topstitch the first strip to second strip.  Sew about 1/8" away from the edge of the strip on top.

Once you have sewn one, you will notice that underneath on the "wrong side" of the rug, there will be about 1/2" overlap.  Be sure you have that, because that is how you will attach it to the playmat.  Continue sewing the strips together until they are all one piece.  Enjoy this process - don't rush!  It's kind of like sewing a rainbow.

I found it helpful to use that little ruler to make sure they stayed 2 1/2" wide.  As you go, roll up the rug so it will fit under your machine.

When you are finished sewing, lay the first strip you sewed, onto the playmat -right side up.  Staple it along the top of the rug.

Flip the rug top over so that you can see the wrong side and the 1/2" overlaps.  Take the 1/2" overlap from that first strip and staple it to the mat.  Be sure to pull it taut so that you don't get any unsightly wrinkles.  

Staple every other strip.  Lay two strips down - keeping the rug "flipped" up so that you can see the overlap of the strip.  Staple gun that to the mat.  Continue stapling  until they are all secure.

I used about 8 staples per strip.
Now that the strips are all attached,

trim the rug top to exactly the same size as the mat.  Staple along the two sides and bottom edge.  You will hide these staples with the trim.  Heat up your hot glue gun.  Pin the trim to the edge of the rug.  The last step is to glue the trim around the edge.  Use lots of glue since it is a rug and will be played on.

Once the glue has dried you are ready to play!  This should brighten up any child's room or playroom.  Of course, if you used a more sophisticated color palate and trim, you could really put it in any room of your home....or in the middle of a field.  Seems practical right? 

Remember to leave a comment this week if you wish to win that Spooky wordy bunting up there!  Happy weekend!
jessica

*Inspired Homemaking*

Hello - it's another day of Inspired Homemaking!  

Let's see what we can learn:

Be brave and finally reupholster your furniture by learning to make this 

double welt cording on Prudent Baby. 

Really nice tutorial.

Repurpose cardboard water bottle cases into cupcake holders with Sew Many Ways.

 

Check out this adorable party favor idea on Hostess with the Mostess.  

I think it would be amazing in little worms and spiders for Halloween!

Finally check this gorgeous pillow tutorial out on Cluck Cluck Sew.  

She made hers in summer colors, but don't you think it would be gorgeous in fall colors too?

Go and find the joy in keeping your home lovely!

jessica

"Wordy Bunting" Giveaway!

Hello friends, I have another giveaway for you!  

 

I am giving away one of my new "wordy buntings" that will be for sale next week on my Etsy shop.  

This one is Halloween specific, but I will be making and selling 

Thanksgiving and Christmas ones-

AND you will also be able to request any word and color combination you like!  

It would be great for a family name or a child's name, sports teams, parties...

- the possibilities are endless! 

They are made from both cotton and decorator fabrics,

and are strung together with elegant velvet ribbon.  

The "wordy buntings" will be for sale next week on the day after this give away closes.

(Wed Sept. 29th at midnight) 

So here's the deal:  leave a comment this post or any post for the next week 

and you will be entered to win this SPOOKY wordy bunting.

  The more comments you leave, the more times you are entered.  

Good luck to you all and thanks for reading!

 jessica

Feminine Essential Oils

As women, we have our own special set of physical discomforts and emotional fluctuations.  Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite essential oils that aid in womanly discomfort.

Clary Sage - has a calming effect on the nervous system, lifts minor depression, and, as an anti-inflammatory, it eases the discomfort of premenstrual cramps.  You can add a few drops to a warm bath, or mix with a carrier oil and massage into your lower abdomen.

Rose Geranium - relieves mild depression and anxiety, and balances hormones.  It is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.  This is the first oil I turn to when I am having PMS.  I usually put a drop on the inside of my wrist, rub my wrists together and inhale deeply.  This fragrance of rose geranium is quite strong, but the more you use it the more you will love it.

Rose Geranium and Lavender at the Keys Creek Lavender Farm which I visited in CA.

Lavender -  of course.  Lavender heals all.  If you never know what to use or if you have never used essential oils before, start with lavender.  It is safe for all ages and produces feelings of peace and calm - aiding in balancing those dreadful mood swings.  I like to put a drop on the outside of my eye mask, pull it down over my eyes and go to sleep.

So those are my top 3 essential oils for women.  Just a note - if you have never smelled essential oils before, they can seem very strong and some people think they are downright stinky.  Unfortunately we are used to more synthetic fragrances (dish soaps, lotions, shower gels, shampoos).  Essential oils are in their pure state and can be very overwhelming.  I want to encourage you to keep trying them anyway.  The more you use them, the more you will come to appreciate the potency - and certain oils will become your favorites.  If you have any questions about this post, or about essential oils in general, check the Contact Me section for my email or leave a comment on this post.  Have an aromatic day!
jessica

p.s. A good place to purchase quality essential oils is Floracopeia.

Fancy Football Food - Figs!

This is a simple and elegant appetizer that really compliments any party - we just happened to be having a football party yesterday.  It is delicious, quick to make and BONUS - very healthy (lots of iron) AND gluten free.  AND figs are in season right now so they should be affordable.  Wow.  You have no excuse not to make this. 
Here's how to do it-
You will need:
Figs
Goat Cheese (or your favorite cheese)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

(yes I am in FL right now and I got to buy groceries at Publix.  I love you Publix.  

I miss you when I am in TN...doesn't everyone just love Publix?!?)

Preheat the oven to 350.

Cut the stems off of the figs.  

Then cut them in half - laying them cut side up in a pan.

Aren't they pretty?

Next, drizzle Olive Oil over the figs, then sprinkle salt and pepper over them.

Next, put the cheese on top.  Kind of snuggle it into the center of the figs.

Bake them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350.  

Easy, right?  Try them this week and let me know what you think!

jessica

Winner of the Fall Bag giveaway!

I am happy to announce that the winner of the fall bag is Follower JHB!!! The winner was chosen by Random.org. The winner has a week to contact me by email to send me their info before their prize is given to another lovely follower. Thanks so much to all who entered!
Jessica

*Guest Post Thursday* Worn Out Blue Jean Blues

Welcome to another Guest Post Thursday!  Before I introduce my guest, I wanted to thank everyone who entered in the Fall Bag Giveaway!  I will announce the winner tomorrow morning.

Today, my dear friend Shannon (who is one of the craftiest people I know) is here to share with us a very cute way to extend the life of some blue jeans.

Take it away Shannon!

Hi there! I am Jessica's friend, Shannon, and I have the blues when it comes to my daughter's jeans. 

Look at them. They are your standard little girl's jeans but they have holes in the knees and she has grown taller in the three months we have had them, so now they are too short. I can't buy new jeans every three months for her, I have two other little girls to clothe. Whats a momma to do?

Fortunately, Boutique style is in and my daughter LOVES when I make her something new. I thought that I could extend the length of her jean's legs (and therefore the longevity of wear) by adding some cute little cuffs of fabric to the hem. So I scrounged around in my piles of fabric for a cute print. This was a fairly easy project that took me about an hour to complete, start to finish. I didn't do a lot of measuring as it is a pretty forgiving sewing project, but I tried to provide some numbers to give the general idea of where I was headed in this venture.

This is the fabric I chose. A simple cotton print that was 23 1/2 inches long and about 9 1/ 2 inches wide. I cut the fabric straight down the middle and created 2 lengths that were about 4 and 3/4 wide. These two pieces would be the cuffs of my daughter's jeans. Perhaps they will last another 3 months?

I ironed my fabric and then folded a bit of one cut side under, pressed the fold, and then folded it again and pressed. This made my first hem.



I stitched this hem with a straight stitch and repeated the same thing on the other side.

Look, there is a measurement, AHA! The two hems reduced my cuff to three inches wide. I wasn't too persnickety about how big either hem was, as only one will actually show when you are through.

**So now that both sides are hemmed, don't forget to repeat this same process for the other piece of fabric. Two pant legs, two cuffs. **

 

Next,  I ran a basting stitch down one side of each cuff so that I could create gathers and my cuff took form. **Make sure to tie off one end of your basting stitch so you don't lose your gathers and also so you can adjust them as you see fit. **

Isn't it cute? Now, the gathers of the cuff is what makes this such a forgiving project. I started at the inside seam of the jeans leg hem and pinned the cuff along the edge of the hem all the way around to get a proper fit of the cuff to the hem of the jeans. **This is where the forgiveness comes in. If the cuff isn't long enough, let out some gathers. If the cuff is too long, gather more or cut off your excess. You choose. **

So the cuff is properly fit to the hem of the jeans. The two raw edges of the cuff were together at the inside seam of the jeans. I brought them together and pinned them where I would seam them together. **Make sure you line them up where you want them now. You will be removing the cuff to stitch that seam in place before you stitch the cuff to the jeans. This may seam like a bit of work, but you get a better fit and finished look to the jeans if you fit and pin BEFORE you stitch (measure twice and cut once as my grandfather always used to say). DON"T FORGET to do this to both jean legs.**

 

Look at that cute little cuff. Just like a little petticoat for my daughter's doll.
Hmmmm. . . . Another day perhaps.
Now, again, I pinned the cuff to the jean hem,
making sure I lined up my seam with the inside seam of the jean leg.
**Do this for both legs, remember.**

I lined up my cuff with the worn line just above the hem. It provided a great guide that was straight and I just stitched the cuff into place. I used a straight stitch, but you could use a zig zag or blanket stitch if you and your machine are so inclined. I also thought of this, after the fact, that you could embellish the seam by top stitching ric rack or ribbon on top of the cuff to hide the seam, but I left the cuff as it was. 

As for the holes in the knees, I patched them underneath with some denim patches I had left over from a repair years and years ago. Nice to save little things like that, if you can. But I didn't stop there. I took some colorful bits of fabric and ironed Wonder Under to them (I LOVE that stuff) to make decorative "patches".
I then ironed the "patches" on top of the holes and embellished those "patches" with a little embroidery floss. Just plain stitches, nothing fancy.

**Hind sight being 20/20 though, I reccomend that if you are going to add decorative patches and a utilitarian patch underneath, stitch your decorative patches on first and then iron on the denim patch after the fact. It is much easier stitching through the jeans alone, rather than through the patch and the jeans.**
I also added a few "patches" to one back pocket to keep the theme of the jeans uniform in look.



 So there you have it. No more Blue Jean Blues. An hour of your time, a bit of fabric and some flair for the creative (and frugal), and you have jeans that will keep your kiddo in style and you in budget.

  

Thanks Shannon!  If you would like to be a guest on Sew Homegrown, please send me an email at the address in the contacts section.  Everybody have a happy Thursday!

jessica