{DIY] Flag Rag Wreath

Hey! I know it's been a really long time, but don't worry, I didn't fall into Mt. Fuji or anything ;)  I've been enjoying our new little one and sightseeing with visiting family members, so making anything as been low on the totem pole.  BUT I did squeeze in some time to make this little wreath for our front door - with Memorial Day this weekend and the 4th of July around the corner, I thought I'd share.  So in case you only have 30 minutes and desperately need something up on your bare front door, this project's for you!

Supplies:

Scraps of red, white, and blue fabric

a wreath form (or in my case a ring cut out of cardboard - #imissmichaels)

scissors, ruler, hot glue gun

the ability to tie a knot

hello. SO easy.  

Here's what you do:

Using a marker, mark your wreath form at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, then draw a line half way between 12 and 3, 3 and 6, 6 and 9.

Cut or tear your fabric into approximately 8" strips - tie one on your wreath form first to make sure it is the length you want, because depending on the width of your wreath form you may need the strips to be longer/shorter.

Start tying the strips on - not a full knot, but just the first step of tying a knot.

Continue around the wreath alternating red and white, then on the last quarter tie on the blue strips.

I tried to get one red section and one white section in each quarter, but I didn't exactly space it right and ended up with another red section.  It really doesn't matter - just do whatever fits on your wreath form, except for the last quarter, make it all blue.

Lastly fire up that glue gun, tie a few small white scraps into knots, and glue them onto the blue section.

  

Ta. Da. 

A few less scraps in your stash and a snazzy patriotic wreath for your door!

p.s. I used one of my hubs old white dress shirts for the white scraps :)

and here it is on my not-so-glamorous military housing front door

I'll catch you up on the Japanese adventures next week - we've done a lot of stuff considering Lila's only 8 weeks old...

xoxo

jessica

Colorful, Whimsical Nursery

Both times I've decorated our nursery I've avoided the typical pink.  Nothing wrong with that, but I'm of the persuasion that the nursery should really be more for Mommy than for baby.  After all, you're the one who is stumbling in with one eye open at 2am - might as well make it a happy place to stumble into right?  Charlotte's nursery was green and cantaloupe - don't laugh at my old photography skills..... 

but be thankful I've improved ;)

 

So this time I chose yellow and berry as the main colors, but more and more colors kept adding themselves...and I kind of love it.  It's really cheerful and baby appropriate, but also Guest-Bedroom-worthy.  Here's the tour - enjoy!

My sister created this artwork based on a print we had seen in Urban Outfitters.  She made sure Japan is in the picture, but Florida is so far away it didn't make it :(

 

She certainly is the center of our little world right now!  I'll be going on blogger maternity leave now, not sure how long I'll be gone but be sure to enjoy my archives - look at the top of the site for the categories.  Happy homemaking!

xoxo

jessica

Our very own little blossom...

I'd love to introduce you to little miss Lila Marian, who arrived 1 week ago today!

March 27th, 2012 

8:22pm

8lbs 6oz

21"

We are enjoying every moment with this sweet, healthy baby.  

I'm sure there will be more pics to come.

xoxo

jessica

A more literal form of nesting...

 In an attempt to make myself sit down more during these last few days of pregnancy, I started making these little amigurumi Easter Eggs.  For some reason I can sit down if I think - "oh I'm going to sit and crochet" instead of "oh I need to sit down and rest"...what that says about me I don't know, but it's obvious I'm not going to be a master at meditation anytime soon.

They are super addicting and very simple - I've made 6, but am pretty sure I'm going to go for the full dozen before delivery.  I love using that variegated yarn, I think it kind of makes them look like dyed eggs.

We think they'll be the perfect squishy soft addition to Lila's first Easter basket :)

  You can find the free pattern here.

Happy crocheting!

xoxo

jessica

It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day...

This was the scene on my kitchen counter this morning as I prepared breakfast and worked on my very first amigurumi project - Easter Eggs!  The weather has turned all bright and sunshiney, and we're ready to welcome spring just about as much as we're ready to welcome this baby.  I've been doing a lot of nesting getting ready for baby and for my parents arrival - which is in one week!!!!

I may or may not have a new tutorial for you before baby comes - but just wanted to say hi! I'll post pics of my finished eggs and a link to the pattern soon.

xoxo

jessica

How to Close a Pillow Using Your Sewing Machine

All of the pillows I've been making for the guest bed are knife-edge pillows.

Simple clean lines, and super easy to sew, but I thought I would demonstrate how to close one of these suckers once you have it stuffed.  You could, of course, close it by hand - but every time I do that it seems to come undone at some point.  

Here's how you can create pretty professional-looking pillows!

Step 1:  Before you stuff the pillow, press the open edges under about 1/2" - 

when it's stuffed it will look like this:

Step 2: Then use a straight pin and pin the center of the opening closed - be sure the head of your pin is facing left(the point will be facing your machine) to ensure easy removal while sewing.

Then pin it closed to the right and left of the center pin.

Step 3:  Lift your presser foot as high as it will go and wedge the pillow underneath it - about 1/4" ahead of the opening, and far enough in that you will get a 3/8" seam.  

Here's the trick.  Keep your left hand on the pillow and apply pressure towards the machine while your right hand guides the pillow through the presser foot.  Go slowly and keep the edge of the pillow lined up with the edge of the presser foot (an easy way to make a 3/8" seam).  

Continue this until you sew about 1/4" past the edge of the opening.  

Then cut your threads and you're done!  

This may take a little practice, because the pillow will want to shoot out towards the left - but that's what your left hand is there for.  

Be firm and count it as your upper body workout for the day.  

Once you master this technique you will love it.  Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to email me: jessica(at)sewhomegrown(dot)com.!!

Happy Sewing!

xoxo

jessica

Grain Free Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins

This week I am attempting organization by baking and cooking lots of things to stick in the freezer for after the baby comes.  Last week I made these grain free muffins, which turned out pretty good, but I wanted to tweak the recipe a bit.  They are packed with protein and fiber from the coconut flour, eggs, and pumpkin.  This recipe will yield 24 muffins - I froze 12 to eat at a later date.  If you want the more healthy version omit the glaze...but it sure does taste yummy.  

Hope you enjoy them!!

Ingredients:

paper cupcake liners

olive oil non-stick spray

muffin pan

 

Wet:

12 eggs

1/2 cup of butter

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp maple flavoring

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup raw sugar

1 cup pumpkin purée

Dry:

1 cup coconut flour

1 tsp baking powder

3 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup frozen blueberries (coated in flour)

Glaze:

2 T. melted butter

1/2 lb powdered sugar

1/8 c. of milk

splash of coffee

1 tsp of maple flavoring

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Place the liners in the muffin tin and spray them with the non-stick spray.  If you don't do this you will only get about 1/2 a muffin because the other half will be stuck to the paper liner.

Mix the wet ingredients well using a whisk.

  

Then place all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, whisk together, then sift into the wet ingredients.  Mix well.

  

Place frozen blueberries in a Ziploc bag and add 1 T of coconut flour.  Close the bag and shake to coat the blueberries in the flour - this keeps them from turning the batter a yucky color and from becoming squishy.

  

Add the blueberries to the batter and mix very gently.  

Fill each paper liner to about 1/8" from the top - they don't rise very much.  Put them in the oven to bake for 15-18 minutes - just until the top feels firm when you touch it.  

While they are cooking, make the glaze, and right when you pull them out of the oven pour some glaze onto each muffin.  Let them cool for about 3 minutes in the pan - then gently transfer to a cooling rack for about 10 more minutes.  Then enjoy!!

happy baking!

xoxo

jessica