Backstitch

Bring the needle and thread from the back to the front of the fabric.  Put the needle down through the fabric about 1/8-inch away from where you started (For right-handers, it may feel more natural to move to the left; left-handers may prefer the right).
Bring the needle up approximately 1/8-inch away from where you went down.  Pull the thread through.  Put the needle back down in the same spot you did before, taking a backstitch. 






 
source: http://www.purlbee.com/embroidery-tutorial/2007/2/12/backstitch.html

Tutorial: Latitude and longitude vintage inspired throw pillow

Before I do anymore introducing, I want to give you a sneak peek of my project for today!

 

I am a new graduate who is so SO so enjoying new found free time CRAFTING like CRAZY!  I am willing to try ANYTHING but love the basics!  I love anything that is meaningful or special...I try to live by this when I decorate and create.

But enough about me and on to the fun part, the crafty part!

But first let me explain!  If you can't tell from some of my above pictures of past projects, my house currently has a bit of a beach-y cottage-y feel that I am SO enjoying this summer!

I am undoubtedly inspired by the lake right down the road from my new home---lakes are SO my kind of heaven!

SO, I decided to make a pillow with the latitude and longitude of my new lake---that is so special to me!

Special and it matches my beach-y themed house...that is my kind of project!

Step 1. Find an old pillow to up-cycle

Step 2. **Here is where I must caution, I am by no means a sewing pro like Miss Maggie, I like to do the easy version...which literally took me about 20 min. tops to complete...so read with caution!  

I sewed two "layers" of my pillow:

The first layer to ensure the bright orange was covered up and because I wanted the same material to show through at the ends where I tied the sides together with ribbon.  

The second "layer" I just sewed the 3 sides together and finally the 4th side over to create a clean appearing edge.

{I think this picture should help you better understand the "layer" thing!}

{See that inside layer tucked in there??  And the outside layer with the folded over edge??}

Step 3. I used the "citra solv method" (I use this one about once a week on my blog it feels like).... to transfer the lake name and coordinates (which I found on yahoo) from a printed page straight to the fabric.

Step 4. I sewed the ribbon onto the edges by pinning them and then sewing.

{This is the finished look!}

Thank you again for letting me hang out with you guys at wonderful Midwest Sewing Girl and again, I would LOVE it if you wanted to come and visit when you have a chance!

 

Tutorial | Quick Homemade Cards

I love giving homemade cards. Come to think of it I like giving homemade... everything! I especially like cards though, they are a simple way to add a nice thoughtful touch. Recently I found myself needing to make 8 cards for 8 lovely ladies but I was a little pressed for time. I thought of just using this pack of cards I found at the dollar section of Jo-ann but then I wondered if there was a quick and easy way to spice them up a little bit.

Yes, yes there was :)

I used this tutorial to make the flowers. Believe me when I say that these are easy. Just a bit of cutting, rolling, a dab of hot glue to secure and you have yourself a lovely little rosette.

I made a bunch of these pretty flowers (I especially like the book page ones) and cut out some leaves.

Then just glued them to the cards, done! Now my dollar pack of cards had a nice homemade touch and they only took a little time to make.

Here are some other dollar pack cards that I added a few simple elements to to make them pop. It is a nice solution/shortcut if you don't have much time to spare.

 

Aid Breast Cancer Care & Knit a Libby Tomey Tea Cosy

This pattern for a gorgeous strawberry tea cosy has been created by Libby Tomey to highlight the fact that she holds a Strawberry Tea event every year to raise money for Breast Cancer Care to show support for her aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Feel free to make use of the pattern but please do make a donation to Breast Cancer Care as a thank you, and perhaps think about holding your own strawberry tea event!
 The charity’s Strawberry Tea campaign runs throughout June, July and August and raises vital funds to support the 50,000 people who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK. The are encouraging you to host garden parties, picnics, cake sales and even themed fancy office tea breaks – and a Florence tea cosy will be just the accessory to set the tone!