Friday, December 19, 2014

let's bake 30 recipes today....

You've got the energy right?
Me too!
I  think.

Growing up my mom started making holiday treats weeks before Christmas and would store them in shoeboxes in the freezer.
I guess I'm a few weeks behind.
And I don't have any shoeboxes.
But I have some fantastic, easy, tried-and-true recipes for you and me!

So if you're baking this weekend too, let's do this thing....
Remember two years ago when I did a Sweets and Treats Christmas countdown?

Together with some blogging friends, we shared a tasty recipe each day in December.
And there are still a few recipes I've been dying to try...like Maple Walnut Chocolates by Smashed Peas and Carrots)....or home-baked sweet granola by Delia Creates??....
YUM.
Gimme, gimme. I need! I need! 

And you probably need my amped-up Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Softies.
Or Chocolate Tangerine Bars?  Mmmm.
Both are all-time faves!

Okay, here you go....30 recipes to get you baking this week!
Just click a button below to go straight to the recipe:




And thank you for entering the Baby Doll Basket Pattern giveaway.
Here are the four winners (winners will be emailed with the pdf pattern):
#208 - Liesbet Rombaut, who said:  Oh, I would like to win one! 
#268 - Andrea, who said: How cute!
#204 - Jacqui Kennedy, who said: My little girl is just getting into dolls, I know she’d love a doll basket! I love the lining of your “ice princess” basket, such a great colour. 
#61 - Linda, who said: What a fantastic giveaway!  I would love to make some for our local toy drive.  Thank you Dana!  Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

Don't forget that all MADE patterns are on sale for only 6 DOLLARS!...from now until Christmas night.

Have a great weekend!




Thursday, December 18, 2014

When I created the Baby Doll Basket pattern last year....before we all entered a new space time continuum in which phrases like, "Olaf! you're melting" or "Let's go kiss Hans!  Who IS this Hans?" became common phrases in any household....
I mean, has it only been ONE year since Frozen came out??....and my kids made their own ornaments....and kids started wearing Elsa dresses to the grocery store?
It feels like a decade.

And who knew when I made this basket last year that it would be the perfect color and size to hold an ice princess??  Or two.
Or FOUR??
Haah.
Have you seen these dolls?
They're maybe a little....creepy....But my kids love them.
Anna on one side, Elsa underneath; and vice versa.  So you can flip the dress over and decide which princess you want to be.  I guess it keeps kids from fighting over toys!  They can be either one.
And the medium size basket fits these dolls perfectly.
So.
Have you made a baby doll basket?
Do you have some last-minute Christmas sewing to do?
Let me help you out!
(or give you more work??)
From now till Christmas, the Baby Doll Basket pattern is on sale!
Baby Doll Basket Pattern - $6
  Add to Cart

AND....
I'm also giving away FOUR free copies!....one for each of your crazy flip-flop princess dolls. 
Four winners will receive an email copy of the PDF pattern by Saturday morning, so you have plenty of time to sew (heh heh)

GIVEAWAY RULES:
• Leave a comment, that’s it.
• Only one entry per person.
• Open to ANYONE!
• FOUR winners will be picked via random.org
• Giveaway ends Friday 12/19/14 at 10pm Central time.

Friday, December 12, 2014

DIY Oilcloth Chains - NO Sew!

Today is the last day of Don't Fear the Fabric: Oilcloth + Leather.But don't worry...we'll back in a few months with another fun fabric to explore.
I hope you stopped by See Kate Sew today to see the adorable NO-sew wall hanging she made with canvas and leather.  Perfect for the holidays!

And here's something else that's fun for the holidays, or any time of the year....

It's a modern twist on an old classic--the chain.
And it's so easy to make!
Use one for decor!
Use it to countdown to your favorite holiday or vacation.
It's good old fashioned fun.

What I love about using Oilcloth for this project....
• You can reuse the links again to make another chain when the countdown is done.
• Some fabrics are a bit two-tone from front to back...so it gives you twice as many options for your chain.
• The fabric is waterproof....so if you're using your chain to decorate for an outdoor party, or on a tree in your yard, you're set! 
So grab your favorite oilcloth prints and cut strips of fabric 1.5 x 9 inches.
Then follow the same steps you've always done....
You just need to decide if you're going to STAPLE or TAPE your links of fabric together.

If you're using this as a countdown down chain---use tape, so you can easily take a link off each day.
If you're using this outdoors---staple them together, to give it a stronger hold.
And if you live in the desert, embrace what Mother Nature's given you!
All those prickles make nice little "nails" to hold your party decor.
The chains would also be cute wrapped around a Christmas Tree, strung across a window, outside by your mailbox, anyplace you want to feel happy. 
Have fun chaining.
And have a good weekend!
 And don't forget to see what Kate is up to.....it's super Merry + Leather-y + Bright!

Don’t Fear the Fabric is an ongoing series on MADE and See Kate Sew.
We want to arm you with the info and confidence to try to fabrics and see where they take you!

Check out our other posts from this series:
How to Sew with Oilcloth  ••  How to Sew with Leather
Geo Garland
Simple Handmade Gift: Oilcloth Coasters  ••  Smashed fabric and Leather Pouches
Oilcloth Starter Kits Giveaway  ••  Win a free Leather Hide
Oilcloth Chairs and tips for recovering your own  ••  Pleather Circle Skirt tutorial
Oilcloth Planters--NO Sew! •• Leather and Fringe Cuff Bracelets
Sewing with Oilcloth Book + Fabric Giveaway •• Two-tone Leather Cosmetics Case 
Oilcloth Chains--NO sew! ••  Canvas and Leather Wall Hanging--NO Sew!


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

DIY Oicloth Planters




Today for Don't Fear the FabricKate and I have two simple projects for you.
Just some little ideas to give as gifts (or keep for yourself. You like Christmas gifts too)

And my project involves NO SEWING!
You only need scraps of oilcloth.
And some pretty plants.

Because how gorgeous are succulents?!
Oh I love these plants.


They're kind of mysterious....part plant, part flower-like, part prickly, partially filled with water.  I almost want to eat them like a cucumber!  
But I won't.
Instead I'll use recycled cans from food that I did eat...and turn them into little pots for my plants.


Because I also love tin can projects!
It's like canning companies from the past could forsee the DIY future, and knew that moms everywhere would need simple little cans for a variety of projects.  And they'd like them for free. Yay!
Thank you canning companies.



Okay. These little planters are super easy to make.
And they're not just for holding plants.  Use them to hold art supplies, pencils, whatever!---and check out my Tin-Can Caddy and Tin Can Christmas Trees projects for more recycled can ideas.

The nice thing about using oilcloth here is that the fabric is waterproof, so it's okay for the planter to get wet when you're watering plants or if you leave them outside.
(For detailed info on Oilcloth fabric read my post How to Sew with Oilcloth)

Here's what you need:

The concept is basic here.
• Remove the wrapper from a recycled food can. Rinse and dry the can
• Use a butter knife to press down any sharp edges
• Measure the distance from the top to bottom of the can, then measure around the can and add 1/2 inch for overlapping the fabric (for a large pumpkin can or large peaches or tomatoes, that's 4 3/8 x 13 inches)
• Wrap the fabric around the can and glue one side in place with a hot glue gun.  You don't need much glue....and it's best to use something (other than your finger) to press the fabric in place (like the end of a pen or pencil)
• Overlap the other end of the fabric and glue that in place. 
• If you're using this as a planter---rather than a pencil holder---use a hammer and nail to pound a few holes in the bottom of the can for water drainage.

And you're done!


Then make more....in different fabrics and different sizes.
And try some color-blocking.

When you're done, grab your favorite plants and flowers.
And the good news is...you don't have to pick ONE favorite.  Use them all!


Then plant them in your cans and enjoy your little garden.
I love how cute they look inside the house, on a nightstand.
Or outside, in the deck sunshine.



And wouldn't they make such a fun gift to take over to a friend?
Happy planting!




Now go make a leather cuff with See Kate Sew!

Don’t Fear the Fabric is an ongoing series on MADE and See Kate Sew.
We want to arm you with the info and confidence to try to fabrics and see where they take you!