Saturday, November 23, 2013

Pocket pj's

I tested a new pattern last week for Miss Lily. It was the pocket pj's from Blank Slate. 
I have sewn Melissas patterns before an absolutely love them. They are fabulous!  These are great if you have special fabric you are hoarding and want to use but don't want to use a lot of it. 
I used a flannel I got from Joanna's. I had 3/4 a yard of the coordinate and 3yds of the print. I had extra left over from the print for a size 8. 


These pjs have cute coordinating cuffs at the sleeves and pants. 


Great large pockets for bed time treasures. 
I love that these are a pullover too, the placket makes that possible. 



There is a version for shorts as well. If using a nice light cotton these would make awesome summer pjs. 


The pattern can be found here. 
http://www.blankslatepatterns.com/products/pocket-pjs

Give them a try! Blank slate is amazing. 

Mybonlybatwration swrte using interfacing on the placket. 

Have a great day.
Kristen 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Halloween, gifts and fall coats

I am a little late to share my Halloween costumes. 
I made the girls, lilys is a Snow White . I use the precious dress from scientific seamstress and the Avry as tink I used SIG delaney. 

I been thought to prepare for cool weather. 
 
The weather has gotten a little chilli so I made some fall coats for the girls. 
I used the downtown duffle from peek a boo 



I made my own buttons and toggles for this. I also have one cut for jack. I love this pattern. Her instructions are clear and easy to read. She arranges her patterns in a way to save in printing and ink. 

Recent bday gift I did from my childhood grease area on FF&L


Definitely planning on making some for my girls. 
Avry is in need of some winter dresses and lily needs shirts. After I finish jacks coat, get some Christmas sewing done as well as stuff do the shop. 

Hope you have a great day

Kristen 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kids clothes week day 3,4 and 5!

PMy days are crazy with juggling library story hour, gymnastics, work and my mama duties. 
I managed to finish the girls Lacy and Lane Slope Hoodie. I love them, they love them and I can't wait to make mine, ya know after kids clothes week. Lol. 

For this version is used interlock with rib knit cuffs. 


We added a rhinestone design to the front. 


Now for my diva, I used a gradient rainbow jersey knit from Girl Charlee. 


I took the time to line all those stripes up and I am very glad that I did.  


My 3 love their hoodies as do I. This may be my go to. At sine point I want to make a front zip coat with the thumb holes as well. 




Now yesterday my husband took my van to get new tires and left me his truck as a just in case of an emergency. It was my first day I didn't need to be somewhere so I spent the day sewing. 
I has been eyeing the Primrose from Create Kids Couture for some time but didn't want the halter neck. I wanted a peasant top, long sleeve with fall coming. Lucky for me the Jewel was on sale yesterday. 
I lengthened the bodice of the Jewel by making sure the sides measured the same, under the arm hole. 
I also choose to do a rolled hem and shirred the neck and arms and added Shirring at the wrist. I only did 3 layers to the skirt bc I only wanted it to be knee length. 
I am very pleased with the results!


I love that the faux corset can be worn in front or back and it pulls the bodice in nicely. I was even able to make a perfectly matched necklace. 

That's all for now. 
Hope you have a great day. 
Next up maybe Halloween costumes.
~Kristen. 

Just a little bit of personality here. 


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Kids clothes day 2

Yesterday I spent the morning tracing and cutting a tester pattern out. Well 3 actually, it is such an awesome pattern I wanted each of the kids to have one. 
Due to the detail and gymnastics I was only able to finish sewing one. 

I have to say that this came out amazing. My son absolutely and positively love how it can out. 
As you can see the pajama wearing small boy gives his approval. 

Now die the pattern.  This is from greensborough creations and is the kids version of the Lacy Slope Hoodie. 

As soon as I finished this one I had to buy the adult version and plan on making one as soon as I finish the kids 3. 

That's all for now. 
Hope you have a great one! 
Kristen 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Kids clothes day 1

Long time no chat! I appologize, I have been so busy, not sewing you much. 
This week gives me a great excuse to challenge myself. You see it's kids sewing week. The items I made just happen to be sample but they are for my children. 
For both of them I modified the Ava from signature creations. (Link soon, I am mobile)
The first is for my little diva. I love it and I am sure when she sees this she will too. 


Next up is for a sporty gal, 


I love these sets! 
I am offering them in my shop, it will include a girls skirt, doll skirt, bow and necklace for the low price of $50. 

Well that's all for now, I just got home from work and beed to get my behind in bed. Tomorrow l have a pattern to test in a few sizes!
Have a great one. 

Kristen 

Monday, September 30, 2013

Just what I need...

Rehashing a forgotten craft.  That's right I brought the beads back out! But with the beads also came clay to make pendants. What can I say I am addicted...



First there was this little bracelet (which I noticed I lost :()




Then came some playing with clay,


 
I think these will become earrings.
 
 

 
Girly skull, book, lady bug, cupcake and a bead, well 2.
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
 
 
Then I got to bead playing.  
 

 

 

 

And finally:

 
 
 
 
I am going to offer Breast Cancer Awareness pieces on my facebook page.  For the month of October 15% of all proceeds are going to be donated to Pink Heals. Why 15% you ask? October 15, 2006 my MIL lost her second battle with Breast Cancer. 
 
Hope you have a Great Day,
 
Kristen
 
 
 
Here is my page KristenKreates
 
 

 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Clean Pumpkin muffins!

As clean as clean can be that is.

For me fall is a season for baking, apples, pumpkins and all things yummy.  This weekend I began some fall baking.

Twice now I have made these mini pumpkin muffins. The kids and I LOVE them, and I do not feel guilty about eating them one bit.





The recipe:
*dry ingredients

1 1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c sucanat
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 baking powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground clove
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin spice

*wet ingredients
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1/4 cup softened coconut oil
1 cup of pumpkin puree ( I used organic)

*makes approximately 30 mini muffins.


Preheat your oven to 350. 

In one bowl mix all of your dry ingredients and set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, add all of your wet ingredients and mix till blended.

Add your dry ingredients to your wet and mix till all ingredients are blended.

Spray your muffin tins with olive oil cooking spray.

Drop approximately 1 tbs of mix into each tin.

Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until a tooth pick come clean when inserted into the center of your muffins.

If making a pumpkin bread I would bake approximately 45-60 minutes, testing the center after 45 minutes. Approximately 25-32 minutes for bigger muffins.
*Please note , bread and larger muffin times have NOT been tested.

Hope you enjoy, we sure do.
Kristen



Friday, September 20, 2013

Pippa Tunic

I have to be honest, when the Pippa first came out I wasn't overly impressed.  On a CKC facebook group someone mentioned making it with corduroy and pairing it with leggings and boots so I went and had another look, especially on the other photos from testers who completed the garment. Once seeing those I was sold.
Nine times out of ten it is the fabric that makes the pattern what it is. Yes we can sew from any fabric we have to make things but it is the fabric that makes a pattern most desirable in my opinion.
The Pippa is a circle dress made from woven fabric with a shirred empire belt line from Create Kids Couture. It is offered in sizes 6 months to an 8.

It is recommended for the intermediate sewer so it may have lacked a few things for a beginner (*which I am not) This is a personal preference from few patterns I have written, I like to provide information so even a beginner wouldn't be afraid to try it. Just simple things like a pattern lay out or notes on assembling the pattern, again my personal preference. As you can see I did figure it out just fine.

I did alter my version for Lily, I did a tunic version so I cut the length of a 5t with the 7/8 width.  I also topstitched my front placket since I didn't have fusible web and used light weight interfacing instead.  My first line of shirring started 1/2 inch lower than recommended because I didn't like the idea of it so high up and into the placket area. My personal preference. That is the beauty of sewing you change things to make them more suitable for your needs.


When I did decide to make this I envisioned it going with anything and everything. Colored skinny
jeans, her boots and when its colder layered over a long sleeve shirt. When its warmer, perfect over a bathing suit for playing, fine for getting wet and quick to dry.

 


My little lady LOVES it and so do I.




We paired this with a shabby chiq headband that I made her.

 
 
Despite my personal preferences I had with the pattern I still really like. The pictures and pattern where clear and I had no trouble understanding the directions. Pattern lined up nicely when taping together. It was a very fast sew. Great job CKC for offering a fresh new pattern. I give it an A.
 
Next I have my eye on Coco's petti skirt. But we shall see.
 
Hope you have a great day.
 
Kristen
 
 
 
 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Selfish Sewing!

I took some time last week and sewed for ME! Oh yes I did.
Last week Melissa over at Blank Slate did a testing call out for The Rose Tee. Of course I couldn't say no so I signed up and was chosen as a tester.


Like all of Melissa's patterns this is fabulous. The pieces line up beautifully. The instruction are clear and make sense.

 
 
The pattern is true to size.


I am simply in love with Blank Slate patterns are reasonably priced and fit beautifully. Her instructions are all easy to read and follow. She is super nice. I need to own more and she needs to offer sizes bigger than 8. :)

Short and sweet for today!

Hope you have a great day.
Kristen




Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Pattern testing





Last week I was fortunate enough to test a pattern for Tie Dye Diva. I was able to test the Everyday Top.
 
 
 
Normally I sew a size 8 for Lily because that is what she wears in RTW clothing. This was no different.

The pattern pieces fit together nicely and everything lined up just as it should. I used a cotton fabric I have had in my stash for a little while, I had just enough. I choose pink piping accents around the sleeve and empire bodice.



 

The back has a button closure making for easy on and off, once a parent does the button. The instructions were clear and easy to read.



I can picture this as a dress as well, its not really Lily's style, but she sure does rock the skulls.

 
I sleeve length is perfect! I prefer my shirts a little longer for growing purposes, but this is very cute.

 
 
Little man and I have some school to take care of and I cut out a few things to tackle today. Hope you have a great one.
 
Kristen
 
Again thank you for the Google +1, I like when I see someone else enjoying my sewing and sharing.


Friday, September 13, 2013

Small Boy sewing

Poor Little Man is feeling so left out when it comes to some Mama Made digs. As he puts it I always sew for the girls and NEVER so for him.
Cant let that happen!

I think from now on it would be best to alternate who I sew for each time so everyone gets a fair share of mama made.
With our cool weather coming I made LJ a few long sleeve tops. First up is The Recess Raglan from SeeKateSew.


 
 
I love everything about this pattern! The sleeve has length options for elbow length and long sleeve. The main body is longer which is a favorite of mine. There is nothing worse than a too short shirt!
 



I chose a chocolate brown striped knit and a muted teal for this top and LOVE the combo. Not to mention the stripe is dreamy soft. I am not sure where I got it from but its amazing. I wish I had more. The solid is from Joann Fabrics.



The fit, the instructions, the options. It is all part of the perfect package!! A+ Kate!
I already have another cut out for my daughter to make into a dress!!


Next up I went with The HangOut Hoodie from Peek a Boo pattern shop.




It comes in sizes 6monthes up to a 10. Finally something bigger than an 8. I can see myself getting lots of use out of this one. This particular pattern has a dress and shirt option so its great for girl and boy.


Her instructions are clear and easy to read!  I went with a thinner blue stripe and black interlock. Perfect for layering!



I chose to add the bottom band as a personal preference, it is not part of the pattern. I simply cut a piece the width of the hood band and a few inches shorter than the body giving it extra length. My opinion is it would have been a smidge short if I hadn't added the band, and would have seemed it was missing something. I think the black hem band brings it all together.

 
This small boy loves the pocket and hood! Love the pattern and actually have a dress cut out for my daughter as well. Another great pattern Amy. I give this an A- (only gave a - from personal preference of the hem band)
 
The Small boy is thrilled if you couldn't tell! I really should sew for him more often.
 
That's all for now!
Have a great day.
Kristen
 

 
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