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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Fabric Wreath

Hope your thanksgiving was full of F words!  Friends, family, food & fun!  ;)  

How cool is this wreath?!?!  I saw a bunch of these on Pinterest and decided to make one. 


I bought a metal wire wreath from Michael's.  You can get them at Joann's too.   They cost around $5 and just for reference, this one is 24" wide. 

I used almost all my green scraps up!  I cut my strips in varying widths & lengths.  Width - .75" - 1.25". Lengths -
5" - 8". 


I looped them around the metal wire part and jammed in as much as I could in each section.  I noticed the more fabric you use, the better it looks at the end. 



A couple hours later, I was done!  And I'm loving it!!!  :D  

Hope you make one too!  Have a wonderful weekend. 

Oxoxox,
Sunny 






Friday, November 8, 2013

Best Lemon Bars Ever!




Best Lemon Bars Ever!!! Totally self proclaimed but I think many people will agree!  

Disclaimer - Please consider yourself warned. These lemon bars are highly addictive and can cause serious weight gain. Do not blame me. Ok?

Ok!  Let's get started. 

Ingredients

Crust 
1 cup of butter softened at room temp
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 cups of flour 

Lemon part 

1 1/2 cups of Sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup of flour
1 cup of lemon juice (maybe 2-3 lemons)
1 tbsp of powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar.  Mix until it's gets like play doh. 

Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Or something the same size. 

Bake for 30 minutes, or until firm and golden. If it isn't, bake for another 5 mins. 

In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.

Bake for an additional 20 minutes. 

The bars will firm up as they cool.  Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Slice into squares and enjoy!!!  

That's it!!  :)

Oxox,
Sunny 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Wonky Braid Tutorial

Happy Halloween!!! 
It's been a while!!!  Sorry about that, peeps!!  I thought I'd make it up by doing a tutorial!  Sound good?  Okay!  Let's let started. 

I call this a Wonky Braid Block. If you know me, you'll know that strings are "my thing". I also love a scrappy look so this block is pretty much screams..  ME. 


Grab some strips.
I cut mine around 1.75" - 2.25" wide. 
You'll need a few small triangle pieces too. 


We'll be foundation piecing and using paper as a guide.
I use market flyers or wrapping paper because they're easy to tear off at the end. 


Cut your paper about an inch wider - around 13.5" and leave about 1/4" on the bottom.
So your paper should be 12.75" x 13.5". It doesn't have to be accurate. 


Now cut a slant like I did. 


Place triangle scraps on the wider end of each piece. 


Use a pin to keep it in place. 


Grab a strip and sew it together. Make sure it covers the paper part.


Finger press it open. 


Grab another strip of the same color, and sew it together. 


You'll have edges that are not straight so fold your paper back and trim off the excess. 


Finger press open. 


Repeat....


Until you've covered the paper. 


Flip over, trim it using your paper as a guide. 
 
 
Then, tear off the paper and give it a good press.
Using starch is a good idea but not necessary.
 
Do the same for the other piece. 

 
Here's what your block should look like so far. 


Now sew the 2 pieces together.  Give it a good press and trim the block down to 12.5".  


That's it!  You're done!!!  


Have fun!!!  :)

Oxoxox,
Sunny

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Travel Series

Thank you so much for all the bag love. I'm seriously floored & so flattered by how many of you want my pattern.   I had no intention of ever writing a pattern, but now all that's changed.   I'm slowly but surely writing a pattern for what I'm calling my 'Travel Series'.   

This pattern will consist of 3 sizes.  A large travel bag. 


A purse sized...


And a small zipper pouch - perfect for make up!  


I'll be sure to let all of you know when it's finished and available for purchase. 

Oxox,
Sunny

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Winner Winner! Chicken Dinner!

452 Comments! Well one of them was mine so it doesnt count! I'm floored! It was so fun reading all your comments. Lots of babies, kids stuff, trips and lots of sewing too! All of it sounds awesome!

Without further delay...

The winner is Sherry! Have a great time on your vacation. All 29 of you! :)

Congrats, Sherry. I will email you for your address.

Oxox,
Sunny



Monday, May 6, 2013

Sew Mama Sew - Giveaway Day AGAIN!

 
It's that time again. Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!   If you are new to my blog - Welcome!  I'm so thrilled to have you!  I love paying it forward to all of you wonderful peeps. I'm so glad to be in a position to participate again. I'm giving away a Fat Eighth set of Sugar Creek by DS Quilts.  I haven't made a quilt yet, but hopefully I will this year. I believe this line was sold at Joann's but is discontinued and no longer in print. 


 
Here's how to enter this awesome giveaway:

1. Leave a comment.... totally non related to sewing but...  What are you doing this summer? 
2. Bonus entry: New followers and peeps already following....Leave a comments letting me know if you're a new follower or are already following. If you've been following, thanks! :) And your comment counts as 2 entries! :)

That's it! Easy Peasy! This is giveaway is open to international peeps too!  No way I'd ever forget you guys!  This giveaway closes Friday, May 10th. Winner will be announced Saturday, May 11th. Good Luck!
 
 
Are you following me on Instagram?
 
  I'm also going to give away another Fat Eighth set on Instagram because that's how I roll!
If you're not on Instagram, you need to be. You are definitely missing out on lots of fun! 
I'm sunnyincal on Instagram and in order to win, you need to be a follower. 
 
I will be taking a trip this summer.  Not sure where, but we always do. 
I'll also be doing lots of sewing and finishing up tons on projects. 
I'm also working on a few patterns, so keep your eye out for those.  :)
 
Oxox,
Sunny

PS. Head over to Sew Mama Sew for more great giveaways!

PPS.  Why yes, my little blog DID get a lovely makeover! 
A BIG FAT THANK YOU to Maria for your makeover magic.  YOU ROCK!  :)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fabric Folding Tutorial

I'm thrilled to finally have my fabric stashed organized.  
It's a New Year.... so let's get organized!
 
I recently bought some storage shelves and boxes from Ikea


 
I ended up separating my stash by color. 
 
Oh, did I mention each box fits about 90 yards?!?!
 
You'll see.....




My stash was pretty masssive, so I made this.  I used cardboard and drew a  12" mark.

 
This is a yard of apple fabric. 
Open up your yard (length = 22" because it's already folded, width = 36")
 
 
Place your cardboard in the middle.

 
Bring one end up to the 12" line. 
 

 
Fold the other side.  You will end up folding a yard into 1/3's.
 


Then fold over...  your piece should measure 11" x 12".


 
Place your folded fabric in your box with the selvage ends at the bottom (like this).


 
Now start stacking...




add more....


 
I'm almost done, but there's still room for more. 
Leave about an 1inch or so of space at the top.
 
Otherwise, it will be too hard to pull out your fabric later. 

 
All done!  My box is full! This is roughly 90 yards... 
(Most of these are 1 yard cuts, but others are more than that.) 
 
How many did I fill up?  Oh, I think I'll plead the 5th....  : /


 
Now get some boxes and get organized!!!
 
Have fun and Happy Sewing!  :)
 
oxox,
Sunny

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Round Draw String Pouch Tutorial



Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were awesome.  Mine were wonderful!  Full of family, friends and some fabric too.  :) 

I decided to start this year off with a quick Tutorial! I think it's only fair since I've been MIA!  Sorry!  : /

My kiddo asked for a new purse.  She's 7 so I wanted to make it fun, so I came up with this round drawstring pouch.  She loves it and I think you will too.  It's fast and really easy....so let's get started! 

Here's what you'll need:  2 Fat Quarters (or (2) 18" squares), scissors, a rotary cutter, a seam ripper, a marking pen, pins (not pictured), safety pins (not pictured), a buttonhole foot (That's right!  We're making buttonholes, peeps!), and some ribbon (or whatever you want to use as your drawstring!)
 
 
 
When choosing fabric for this pouch, pick 2 good onesThis is a reversible pouch! 
 
If you have a bowl or some other circle that measures roughly 18" across, by all means, use that and draw a perfect circle! 
 
If not, no worries! Do what I did. 
 
Cut your Fat Quarter into and 18" square and fold into twice to make a 9" square. 
Then, draw a curve / quarter circle with a marking pen.  It doesn't have to be perfect!


 
Carefully, cut on the line that you marked,  Go slowly! You're cutting a few layers.... 
 
Oh and please, watch your fingers!!!


 
It should look something like this. 
It's not a perfect circle?  Who cares!  It's not a big deal. 
Really!

 
Grab your other Fat Quarter and cut it into an 18" square. 
Place your circle with the right sides together and pin like so.

 
Sew a 1/4" seam all around, but leave a few inches so you can turn it out. 

 
Use your scissors or rotarty cutter and trim off the corners so it ends up looking like this.
 
 
It's now time to turn your pouch through the small opening.  Flatten it out your and press. 
 
You can either top stitch to close the opening or do a quick hand stitch. 
 
I hand stitched mine.
 
 
Now, let's make our buttonholes. I fold my circle into a quarter to make even marks for the holes.  
 
I made a total of 16 buttonholes (8 on each side.) 
Make sure you have an even number of buttonholes on each side.  Otherwise, your drawstring will end up lopsided.  Attached your buttonhole foot and make sure you adjust the size to accomodate your ribbon or whatever you're using as your drawstring. 
 
Make sure your holes are evenly space. 
 
 
 
My holes ended up about 1/2" from the edge. 
 
 
Now grab your seam ripper and make your holes. 
 
Go slowly and don't push too hard.
Otherwise; you're going to rip your pouch!

 
After you've made your holes, get your ribbon and cut 2 pieces measuring 32". 
 
 
Fold your circle in half and place a safetly pin on each end.

 
Your safety pin should be between 2 buttonholes.


Now, we can start weaving our ribbon through the holes. 
I put a safety pin at the end of my ribbon only because it makes it easier to weave.

 
Start weaving!


 
Go all the way around. 


 
Pin the ends together when you're done with one side.

 
Now go to the opposite side.  Find the other safety pin and start weaving the other side.   


 
 
When you're done, knot the ends together like this. 
 

 
Your pouch should now look like this.


Now, PULL!  :)
 
Isn't that cute?!?!

 
They look even cuter when there's a bunch!


 
Oh,  remember?  They're reversible too!


 
They're great for crayons, small toys and English Piecing Projects!
They make great gift bags too. :)


 
So have fun and enjoy your new pouch! 
 
Let me know if you have any questions or if anything is unclear.
 
But don't forget to play nice! 
This is for personal use only.  No selling and no using any of my photos without my permission,  blah blah blah - you know!
 
oxox,
Sunny