See You Later Alligator - bag toppers - so cute!!

I came across this blog, Anything But Perfect, with these bag toppers a few days ago and thought they were too adorable to pass up.  I thought they would be perfect for Em, who is in middle school, to give to her friends.  So tonight, we made these bags of goodies for her friends as tomorrow is the last day of school.

Albertson's was having a a "crazy 8" sale with tons of stuff just 88 cents.  One of the things was their store brand bags of candy as well as Haribo gummi bears.  So, we used about 1/2 a bag a candy each.  These were made with regular sandwich bags.  I printed the toppers on cardstock, then folded the sandwich bags over at the top and stapled.  Em's excited about giving them out tomorrow. 


{Free Printable} End of School Year Treat Bag Toppers

FYI, if you live in the DFW area and have an Albertson's, they have all kinds of goodies for 88 cents. I got 3 containers of fresh blackberries, a few Rock Star energy drinks, and a few Honest Tea all for just 88 cents each.  The sale started today and goes through next Tuesday.

Review: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Good, not great. I thought I would like this book. I tried to, but I think I just didn't like the main character. Wow, if she was like that in real life, what an annoying self centered person. As I got further and further into the book, I just disliked her even more. She was all about self promotion, even marrying her husband for self promotion and nothing more. What a horrible life to keep even your husband at arm's length. It was an interesting tale, but one I really had to force myself to read, which is not like me at all.



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I'm totally famous, y'all!

Every time I go to Walmart, Miss Em and I run over to the bakery to take pictures from the plethora of cake wrecks.  There are just so many that we try to be rather covert about taking the pictures so no one figures out what we're doing.  I'm not sure who they have decorating cakes, but there is a very high chance you'll find some crazy stuff over at my local Walmart bakery.

I was just checking the blogs I read every day and what do I see?  This picture I sent into Cake Wrecks a few months ago.  I'm like totally famous now ;)

I thought maybe they didn't like my pictures or maybe my idea of a cake wreck wasn't the same as theirs or maybe I wasn't cool enough.  Cuz, I've sent in quite a few and have never seen a single one of mine posted, and I read their blog every day.  Then, I find this today!  Now, I've been validated for all my hard work in search of hideous cake wrecks.  (And, I think at any moment now I'm going to end up writing a huge run-on sentence.)

Subway Art Teacher Gift & A Creepy Piano

I saw this absolutely adorable subway art sign for a teacher's gift over at My Sister's Suitcase. They have several really great ideas for teachers, so head on over there and check them out. I think they originally got the idea from eighteen25, which is where you can print the awesome sign, among other cool stuff too!

 I decided the subway art was the perfect gift for my son's teacher, so I made one today for him to bring to school tomorrow.  I really like how it came out.  I used the idea of gluing a pencil to the top and tied it off with ribbon.  I also picked up a neat little plate holder from Goodwill that I'm sending along with the sign.

I had two purposes for going to Goodwill.  The first one was that plate holder you can see holding the sign above.  The second was I saw bikes there for $15.95/each earlier this week.  So, hubby and I got two really nice bikes.  However....if we could have gotten our rears up earlier in the day, we could have gotten them for 50% off of that price  We are such losers.  I thought the email said the sale was all day, but unfortunately the 50% off everything at Goodwill sale ended at noon.  We finally made it at 2 pm. 

Oh yes, I just remembered the rest of the title is "a creepy piano."  So, here it is in all its former glory.  An orange dreamsicle colored child's piano.  Think of all the creepy music in a horror movie, especially one that could possible involve possessed dolls...yep, that's what it sounds like.  Awesome, huh? My 2 year old LOVES it!

I'm definitely refinishing it.  Already have the sand paper ready.  But, I'm debating on selling it at The TipToe Fairy boutique or keeping it for my two year old and my husband, the lover of all things musical no matter how creepy.  I made him drive up to Goodwill to take the bikes home in his car, and when I showed him the piano, he literally could not keep his hands off it.  What a weirdo, lol. 

On a side note to all the Texans, who the heck are you voting for in the primary?  I can't stand anybody. I'm not even sure if I'm going to the Democratic or Republican primary tomorrow.

Little Girl Skirt Measurements from Crafterhours

I don't know about you, but I always need measurement sizes handy for all my projects.  Many times I'm making something for a child who is not readily available.  I was reading Craft Gossip and saw Crafterhours posted a couple of measurement charts for girls skirts and thought I would share.

And, I see Crafterhours is having this awesome Skirt Week contest through June 8.  I have a few skirts up my sleeve I'm going to enter this week.  Click on the banner to learn more. 

Waldorf Doll Tutorial

I know my waldorf doll tutorial is much loved, and I often get emails about it.  I've spent the last few hours updating it to a printable PDF. I've also updated it in the side bar of tutorials. 

You can download it here.

If you are new to my blog, I have a jointed waldorf doll sew along tutorial that is fairly easy.  It has lots of pictures for each step, and it includes a printable pattern for the body, arms, and legs as well.  I will warn you that these are time consuming little creatures, but it's such a satisfying feeling to finish one. 

I'm in the midsts of making a couple waldorf dolls for my microboutique, and in doing so, I will soon have a waldorf doll wig tutorial as well available for download in the very near future.

I'll keep you posted!

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Review: The Witch's Daughter

The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is the story of Elizabeth who is turned into a witch by a strange man in her village. It is the only way to save her from her mother's fate of being hanged for being a witch. Her mother was a local midwife/healer. After she becomes a witch, she becomes immortal and hides throughout history from the man, Gideon, who wants to claim her for himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I love fantasy and magic in stories. Who wants to read about real life -- how boring? Of course this story gets a bit predictable because we know the evil warlock, Gideon, has to follow her through time. It's just trying to figure out "who" he is at different historical times in the story that was the fun mystery.

I'm one who is usually deconstructing the mystery as I read a story as fast as possible, and I usually guess endings quit quickly. I do have to say that when Elizabeth discovered who Gideon was trying to be in the 19th century story, I was pleasantly surprised I didn't guess it ahead of time. And, how she figured out who he was left me playing word games with every person's name in the book thereafter.

I found myself wishing the story went on further through other time periods.





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And another sneak peek of a new bag design

I was very excited at how the design of this bag has come out, that I wanted to share.  I'm not completely finished with the design, but this is the gist of it. 

I have a couple more hurtles to overcome -- mainly the strap design. But, I love these pleats with a different color popping out and the folded corners.  Years ago, I made a tote bag with folded corners and I always wanted to put that into a bag design.  


I'm not sure what I will call this one.  Something with pleats....Oh I know! If you would like to help me name it, post in the comments, and if I choose your suggestion, I'll send you a free copy of the pattern once it's complete.

Review: A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What I thought was going to be quick and easy chick lit, ended up being a heartwarming story with some depth. It's nice when a story is not completely wrapped up in a big red bow, and there is still some heartache, like real life.

The story within the story really is a page turner as you wonder if she can find out what happened to a girl from long ago.

I do have to say, I loved the vintage descriptions in the story. And though I've always wanted to go to French flea markets, this story has greatly increased those desires.

This story has intrigued me and made me want to check out the author's other novels.





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Sewing Pattern Sale

I'm having a sewing pattern sale!  They are PDF downloadable, so you get instant gratification with the click of a button.  Just enter the code below in the checkout for 15% off.  All the patterns can be found here.

Use Code YTE120514010452 to get 15% off your order. Exp. 6/12

Decoupaging My Head!

I decoupaged my head!  Hilarious, I know ;)

Actually, I was trying to figure out some way to display my baby headbands at the boutique. I was having quite a fit trying to figure a good way of hanging them up or laying against stuff, and it was not going my way.  Then, after we added new stock to the boutique and ate lunch, my wonderful mother took me to this junkie antique store (the junkier, the better!), where she bought me a child size shabby chic dress form in green in celebration of Mother's Day.  (I love dress forms; they decorate my whole house.)  Isn't she awesome? 

While we were there, I saw someone's booth had glued a styrofoam ball to an empty ribbon spool and spray painted and then used it to display baby head things.  I thought it was a great idea and was going to make a similar thing my self. 

Then, at Hobby Lobby, I saw they had these styrofoam heads, and they were fairly small.  However, I wanted to alter it a bit, so I got some scrapbook paper and ripped it up and decoupaged with glossy Modge Podge. 

I don't think the front view photographed well because you can't really make out the intricacies of it's eyes and nose and mouth.  But, I wanted to share. I do like how it came out.  I think I'm going to embellish it with flowers and/or ribbon to "frou frou" it up a bit in a mixed media/altered art kinda way. 

Sneak Peak - SunKissed Sun Dress & Bloomers Sewing Pattern

I just finished up a new pattern. It's the SunKissed Dress & Bloomer Set. Here is the sneak peak. It will be available in 0-24 months sizes. I'll be digitizing it in the next week, and it should be available by June 1st.

Ribbon Flower Baby Headband Tutorial

I created this little tutorial when I was making a ribbon pin/brooch to complete a little outfit for The TipToe Fairy.  This tutorial shows you how to attach it to a baby headband as well.  You can find the baby headbands at craft stores like Hobby Lobby super cheap.  These ribbon flowers are fun little accents to dress up anything from heads, bags, and clothing.  You can add them to headbands and clothing or even attach them directly to hair clips.  So cute!!

Materials: 

1-4 yds of 1 to 1.5 inch wide ribbon (I prefer grograin, but any will be fine)

needle and thread

sewing machine

small piece of felt

pin back, headband, alligator clip, etc. 

Tutorial:

** For this tutorial I used just 1 yd of ribbon. 

1.  First sew a gathering stitch along the entire length of ribbon, about 1/4 inch from the edge.

2.  Pull the threads to create a gathered ribbon.  It will flip all over it self until you start the flower. 

3.  Prepare your needle and thread. This is a little tricky...while holding the threads taut to keep the gather, fold the raw edge of the ribbon over two times then with a needle and thread sew together those edges near the gathering stitches.  Then, you will slowly wrap the gathered edge if the ribbon into a tight spiral.  Sewing the gathered edge together all around the flower as you go.  

4.   Just as you began folding the raw edge over twice, do the same with the end of the ribbon as well.  Then, when the ribbon is completely wrapped, sew back and forth around the gathered edges to make sure the ribbon flower stays nice and tight.

Here is the finished flower:

5.  Next, cut a circle of felt to cover the gathered edges and whipstitch around the edges.


6.  Optional:  To attach to a baby head band, cut two small slits and slide a length of 1/4 inch elastic through.  Then insert the elastic into the baby headband and tie off.  Cut the loose ends short.
 

And you're done! 

Review: The Weight of Silence

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I have really enjoyed Heather Gudenkauf's books. This one is a fast read. I couldn't put it down for 2 days straight. The anticipation of what happens to these two little girls was driving me to want to skip to the end, but I fought the urge.

I wish Petra's story would have been told a little more. While there were little bits and pieces in the book to give you clues to what happens to her, I just wished it had been explored more in the story. With everything else in the story being "real time," it just seems odd that you find out what happens to her after the fact.

Antonia drove me crazy. Her relationship with Louis drove me insane, too. Why dump your childhood sweetheart for a nasty drunken idiot just because he goes to better himself at college for a few years? They had this unbreakable bond since 2nd or 3rd grade and then you hate him because he is going off to college? And another thing about her was the whole relationship with Griff. For Toni to be this amazing girl with big brothers who would and could not deter her as she grew up, and then she ends up a battered wife just doesn't seem realistic to me. Who would not run from someone who threatens you on your "first date?" I just find it hard to believe her mother dying just drove her to stupidity.

I did enjoy the epilogue from Calli. I always hate when a book just ends after a huge ordeal, and you end up wondering what happened to the characters.



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The TipToe Fairy Micro Boutique is Open!

My mom and I have a "microboutique," as she calls it, which is called The TipToe Fairy.  It is at this really awesome "etsy-esque" place known as the Creative Collective in Fort Worth. They opened for business on May 1st.  I had heard that the official Grand Opening was scheduled for May 12th, but I'm not sure if that has been pushed back.  However, they are indeed open for business now Wed-Sun. 

We've created a Facebook page for The TipToe Fairy.  I think if you "like" it, you'll get our updates, which will be about once a week about the new stuff up at the microboutique. 

Also, I created a blog where we will show pic of the latest things going up for sale.  You can find it here, The TipToe Fairy Blog. We were in such a rush to get things to the store, we forgot to take pictures of it all.  So, this picture shows a bunch of our wares.  Quilts, lots of applique baby things such as upcycled clothing and tiedyed onesies, freshly made one of a kind boutique outfits, and lots of baby things like yummy organic bamboo wipes. 

If you're local and interested in being a vendor at the Creative Collective, I think there are still spots open.  Their Facebook page is Creative Collective Fort Worth .

I'm so excited!  I heard through my mom that I've had some sales in the last day or so.  Woohoo! 

I've just spent the last day cleaning my sewing pit.  Boxes were EVERYWHERE!  I'm getting back to the sewing and will have lots more stuff coming soon (i.e. before the grand opening this weekend)...diaper bags, tote bags, one of a kind clothing, and more!

Our first garden!

Our veggies are finally coming along. Here's our first cucumber and sweet peppers.

I have a crafty booth at an etsy place in Fort Worth, TX, if you're in the area. They are still looking for vendors. Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/CreativeCollectiveFTW Check it out!!

I'll update more later with pics.