link luv roundup

image by rita lino

how are you feeling today? got the giggles? mackenzie and i had our fair share of laugh attacks yesterday. don't you think if we all had a good giggle fit a day the world would be a much happier place?

i am in luv with this embroidery project from the lovely alicia from posie gets cozy over on sew mama sew. this is definitely on my to do list for the winter!

aren't these fab? these would look so darling in a little girls room or playroom. you can find the how to on how to make your own from egg cartons on esprit cabane. {via ohdeedoh}

i love that this mom took her daughter's drawings of the outfits she would love to wear and turned them into her fall wardrobe! you can see the process here on the blog "in my shoes". {via craftzine}


i am coveting these from west elm...oh, little birdies, come live on my mantle.

here's a great list of 20 adorable amigurumi critters compiled over on "meet me at mikes".


i went to old navy recently to try these on, didn't like them but i ended up going home with this in black instead! c'mon evening chill, bring it on - i'm ready.....well, almost.

yummmmm, i'll take a double serving of these potates tonight for dinner! the cooking blog "fresh 365" is a great resource for some yummy recipes.

another cute take on the men's shirt to dress fad from the blog "lili ash". {via craft gossip}

we attended our close friends chris & jill's lovely wedding a few weeks ago and i couldn't resist mentioning the wonderful work their photographer does! check out kennedy photografik to see some lovely, lovley photos and if you're anywhere on vancouver island or the mainland, don't hesitate to get in touch with jennifer for your photography needs - she's wonderful and super sweet!

i swooned when i saw this post on betz white's blog on how to take a random hum drum tote bag and recover it using the original bag as a liner!!! what a fab idea!!

the new knitting patterns over on pickles make me actually a bit excited for the fall and chilly weather.

make sure to get your entry in over on sfgirlbybay for your chance to win some new amy butler bedding that i have been dreaming about!!!

what a great idea for using up some old tshirts - why not turn them into a quilt?

a new cute little book out called "creature crochet" by kristen rask.

is it already that time of year? i couldn't resist posting about this pattern for a quilted tree skirt. i don't have one and i plan on getting one of these bad boys done in time for xmas.

this is for sure the next thing i am going to find time to sew for mackenzie. i drooled when i saw dana's version of this top! you can find the tute from candace for this adorable tutorial on one of my fave blogs - sparkle power!

things i'm luving this week:

- love this tutorial for dressing up a plain jane shirt with some posies!
- a great roundup of "crafting for good" links over on 30 days.
- i'm all over weardrobe and what i wore lately - so fun to see what everyone is donning these days!
- a great diy for natural air freshener.
- the blog chez larsson now has a new shop as well as my fave quilter rachel over on ps. i quilt.
- some tips on how to make a comfortable nursing area over on ohdeedoh.
- samster's mommy shows you how to make your own "don't wake the baby sign".

what are you luving this week? any fun projects on the go?

link luv roundup

isn't this fabulous! i never would have thought of doing this and i have a knife rack exactly like this that i stare at daily! what a great way to add some color to the kitchen! make one for yourself with the how to over on the farm chicks.

i'm swooning over all the lovely goodies on ninainvorm's shop!

lovely, lovely, lovely photo. i've been feeling like this lately - have you?

i just picked up some of this fabric from ikea and swooned when i saw this project made from it over on revoluzza! there are goodies galore on this blog! {via whipup}

i adored these flip dolls when i was a kid! i was so happy to see we wilsons do an easy tute to make one for my daughter to play with!

i wish i could spend a few hours in this shop! so gorgeous!

ohhh, another knitting book to add to my wish list! i love the title of this book "pints and purls - portable projects for the social knitter" and the projects are hilarious! a must read for any social knitter!

get your kids ready for school/preschool with this tute for sewing your own school bags over on make it do.

ummm, if i could ever get the courage up to actually learn how to surf instead of just dreaming of one day doing it, i would want one of these!

oh joy! has released the loveliest home office collection through chronicle books! oh how i wished my budget allowed for me to go nuts over on the chronicle books website. i find it hard to control the drool factor when perusing their latest goodies.

learn how to make your own pottery barn looking decorative balls with the fabulously talented vanessa over on v&co!

this is for you dana! hope the move goes well ya cowgirl you!!! yee-haw!! make sure to make up your own batch of cowgirl cookies from bakerella in honor of dana from the blog made!

i was so excited to stumble upon the new online gallery "lovely clusters". rachel already has a blog under the same name and this is an extension of it that is a wonderful and gorgeous collection of beautiful handmade goods by designers and artists linking to their shops. the icing on the cake is that you can shop by color cluster! yes, dreamy shoppers rejoice! pick your fave colour and then get clicking. she's teamed up with vicki from "simply hue" and together they have made what is sure to be one of my fave places to shop!

i'm going to be knitting these as soon as the warm weather is gone.

you all know i am a fan of the blog heart of light and i was ecstatic when catching up on my reader that she has launched an etsy store under the same name! go pick up a cute headband!

diy canvas frame inspiration board over on creature comforts

eye candy for you quilters out there! check out this beauty from jaybirdquilts over on moda bake shop! great job hun!

one of my fave knitting blogs pickles has launched a new store! plus i'm all over this shawl for the early fall!

thank you oliver and s, for another great free pattern!

kate's at it again! check out her latest diy - headboard turned coat rack!

i don't have anything to say about this link except it's friggin wonderful!!!!! go check it out! who's your girl crush?

things i'm luving this week:

- the new vintage clothing store 13 bees on etsy
- all the clothes in the new fall line from mishalulu {via cakies} and olive juice kids.
- super excited by the rumour that american apparel is opening up here in victoria!!!
- the office administrator in me secretly drooled when i spotted this post over on bakery today. fear not those looking for spreadsheets, this is a must favorite for any home or business.
- have you redecorated your bedroom and think it kicks ass? make sure to enter this contest over on coco + kelly to win some super prizes!
- i'm hearting the creativity over on the blog "color me katie"! {via a little sussy}
- make sure to download your copy of parasol's newest zine "parasol craft"!
- creative kismet has a great how to on making your own recycled bag art journals!
- keep those baby legs warm with this super easy baby legs tutorial from calico! i love this!
- are you a font lover like me? check out this roundup of free fonts galore!
- check out indie fixx's annual back to school guide for 2009.
- take a peek at this shirt refashion done two ways on "homemade by jill"! i'm all over the pillowcase! great idea!

what are you link luving this week? any new faves?

mommyhood radar - b.poetic

ohhh, lovely, lovely! i came across kaitlin from b.poetic recently and just had to share a bit about her. you all know how i love a great repurpose and boy do i adore these! b.poetic takes vintage fabrics and turns them into the most gorgeous accessories! everything from shoe clips to corsages, and hair pieces to fabric banners, they are all drool worthy!

here's a bit about b.poetic:

Life is short. B. happy. Wear flowers.

"It all started with a little seedling of an idea about some blooms. Grown from a deep love of accessorizing with the good looking stuff from nature, blooms add a pop of color to any outfit, because we know you’re no wallflower."

"Each bloom is handmade from vintage fabrics, sewn together with love, so they each have their own unique little personality. We weed out the rascally ones before we put them in the store, of course. The organic texture of vintage fabrics makes them perfectly imperfect. Each piece comes with its own little poem tag and is hand-cut, constructed and stitched together by me, for you, with love. "

to find more lovely inspiration or pick up a goodie of your own visit kaitlyn on her website, her pretty blog and her store. thanks kaitlin!

what do you guys think?

{all images b.poetic}

link luv roundup

{image via}

i'm starting to get the feeling that scary feeling that summer is almost over.......

i love the simpleness of this print. (via oh, hello friend)

hurry over to the etsy blog "the storque" for your free copy of the smocked sundress from one of my fave books "weekend sewing" by heather ross.

i can't wait to get my hands on something wooden to give this a shot!

refashion a dish towel into this handy kids art apron.

isn't this smocking gorgeous? so fun & retro!!!

these would be perfect for any baby shower or new mom.

i luv anything betz white does but these little felted balls just brightened up my day! so cheerful! while you're over there make sure to check out her new fabric line - i seriously drool over my entire keyboard every time i see it.

i am planning on crocheting up some of these lovelies to brighten up my place with some hawaiian color.

i really need to work on my quilting skills, one day i will, i will, i will attempt to accomplish these....emphasis on the "attempt"......a newbie sewer can dream right? get the how to for each of these blocks here, here and here.

this refashion over on "thimbly things" is to die for! seriously, i can't get over the before & after! love it!

i'm drooling (yep, i've been drooling a lot these days) over the prints in this lovely, fresh summer quilt. (via sew, mamma, sew!)

i want these pillows from sfgirlbybay's favorite things post over on decor8!

i would like to try having a go at this cute dress, what fabric would you guys make it in?

make it and love it has a super sized refashion on how to turn two shirts into an adorable leggings/skirt combo! fabulous!

yummy! peach cupcakes with brown sugar frosting! oh smitten kitchen how i adore you!

i think this belt is pretty much fabulous! get the how to here. (via one pretty thing)

things i'm luving this week:

- so friggin' excited this album is coming out!!!!!
- wonderful, wonderful, wool skirt refashion perfect for the fall over on the sewing dork.
- check out another great diy from "censational girl" on how to make your own cement candle holders!
- turn a hippie skirt into a hippie shirt over on "stop staring and start sewing".
- find a new and inexpensive way to hang painted plates by "the shabby chic cottage".
- i am definitely giving this a whirl! another great xmas gift to add to the list - gorgeous handmade embroidered sachets! find the tute here! (via craft gossip)
- make sure to pop by the new flickr group "crocheted interiors" for some fun inspiration.
- have you signed up for the newest round of "craft hope" yet? it's sock monkey making time and it's all for a good cause!
- have any of you been using the site "freecycle" yet? how do you like it? good or bad experiences?
- in the mood for some craft swaps? head over to "made by petchy" for a bag swap or to "my mamma made it" for a little giving and receiving.
- get making your own ruffly, tank top refashion with this great tute and then make this comfy skirt for your little one in 20 minutes!
- i'm entering this giveaway.

what are you drooling over this week?

link luv roundup

i am loving the new guest column "color me pretty" on decor 8 from "a creative mint" blogger leslie shewring! her photos are fantastic and i want to just pop into each of them, grab all the items and cover my apartment with them. so lovely!

hannah over on "while they sleep" has a new pattern out in her etsy shop for a pod swaddler! interested? swing by her blog and enter her giveaway to win one of your very own or pick up a copy of the pattern to sew one for yourself! either way this is a great project :)

i'm thinking of growing out my hair just so i can wear this pretty hairstyle.

can't get enough of the idea of using cake molds for wall display - the colours are so fresh!

this was definitely me last week - it was so friggin hot where we live!!!

a new e-book out from the object project called "sew expecting" is sure to be filled with some yummy projects for all you moms to be out there!

p.s. - i heart rachel from "p.s. i quilt" for making this easy, and gorgeous quilting tute over on moda bake shop! so summery and sweet!

ummmm, i want this trailer. bad. doesn't it make you just want to hop on inside and have a cup of tea? go check out the full pic here. i luv her little curtains and the fabric lined cabinet! {via a beautiful mess}

learn how to make the perfect add on fabric flower over on v&co.

i am a self confessed hat addict and i seriously get my hat wearing party on during most of the seasons of the year, but truly, my favorite time is the fall. i get to knitting and whip up way too many hats that i even have time to wear. i can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book - "hat heads"...it's time to feed my addiction, the wool monsters are hungry! {via craft}

things i'm luving this week:

- a great little roundup of boys tutorials over on thirty handmade days!
- an easy peasy hooded towel tutorial from obsessively stitching.
- love this diy art table with a faux bois wood finish. perfect for any play room.
- we are on a bit of a carb free thing in our house this week and i can't wait to try this cantaloupe salsa and roasted carrot and avocado salad from smitten kitchen.

what are you luving this week?

link luv roundup

kate from "censational girl" emailed me the link to this super fabulous diy project for your very own drying rack! i am over the moon about this project and only wish i had a more room in my apartment so i could make one. i swear i heard my bras/panties begging to be hung to dry on this lovely rack.

i am all over this photo today, so peaceful.

i am swooning, and i mean swooning over this pattern from classic elite yarns and have decided this is going to be my go to cardi for the fall. i just need to find the right wool and save my pennies to buy the pattern. why oh why can't this be one of the freebies? (via a friend to knit with)

pretty up your office by making your very own framed bulletin board. learn how here. (via craft gossip)

i so want to be soaking in this bath tub right now.....i was busy ogling the pages of this month's "house beautiful" while we were camping this weekend. lots of lovelies in this month's issue.

darling dexter - i so badly want your skirt or to find out what pattern you used to make it.

1) teach your wee ones the alphabet and spelling with this pretty little tute from "lil blue boo".
2) my ipod arm band looks shabby in comparison to this one from "make it and love it". i will definitely be making one and loving it...sorry, couldn't resist =)
3) i have been on the lookout for a great wallet tutorial when this pretty one popped up in my radar. (via craft gossip)

the purl bee has a quick, warm knit baby blanket pattern up that's just perfect for all those baby showers coming up. i love the color combos!

dana - move to victoria so we can hang out, i beg you.....no? maybe a visit? ok, i guess i will have to get me some cowboy boots and come out your way lady and no, i'm not stalking you, i just wonder what it would be like to have a face to face conversation while our kids play together. that's not stalkerish is it? in the meantime i will be making mackenzie one of your super fabulous market skirts. so fun!

things i'm luving this week:

- this fresh blueberry syrup for coffees, teas and any other yummy thing you want to add it to.
- make sure to sign up for scoutie girls new newsletter "throw me a bone".
- learn how to refashion a men's dress shirt into a stylish strapless cami.
- i have been needing a pin cushion and this one from one of my fave bloggers julie from jaybird quilts is definitely on the top of my list. make sure to check out her other fabulous tutes over on moda bake shop. (i seriously am hiding in your suitcase so i can come to houston with you and rachel..lol)

link luv roundup

1) my absolute favorite new crochet pattern - how adorable and refreshing is this hat!!!!!
2) spud and chloe's got a great new free cupcake pincushion pattern up along with their new line of luxe yarns in mod colors - so fresh!

luv this flickr roundup of afghans over on "desire to inspire".

i'd like to have breakfast in this kitchen.

i'm making these margarita cupcakes for the next bbq i go to - yum yum!!! cupcakes and booze, sounds like my kind of combination.

learn how to make these fabulous recycled magazine coasters on "how about orange".

i've been in quite the pillow making groove lately and swooned when i spotted this tutorial from "mermag" over on "kelly + olive"

nifty little clock transformation from censational girl.

don't you just love this dress? flutter, flutter......

things i'm luving this week:

- antler magazine and modern seamster both have new issues out.

- anything from madison belle

- super handy sewing tips part over on make it and love it.

- indie fixx's new summertime galleria up!

the placemat to bib tutorial!

i've been on the hunt for new and safe bibs for mackenzie and kept finding myself reluctant to spend over $10/Cdn for one bib. I spotted some great tropical placemats (PEVA & eco-friendly) at walmart a few weeks ago and bought them for about $1 each not knowing what i was going to do with them. after my search for a new bib replacement ended up fruitless, i remembered my new placemats and the bib idea was born.

this is a super easy repurposing craft that can be hand stitched with an upholstery needle or sewn on the machine like i did. have some fun with it. go wild with the placemat patterns, add a pocket or fancy trim, you're sure to get a lot of wear out of these handy little placemat bibs and all for a great price - you can't go wrong with that!


click below for the pdf tutorial:


and you can also download the pattern pieces here. we've been having lots of fun with our bibs at home and i have to say these things repel food! it's been great - no fussy clean up, running dye, stinky odour and they wipe down easily. happy bib making :)

***Copyright 2009 www.luvinthemommyhood.com
All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.


please add any pics of bibs you make to our flickr group! we love seeing what you are making!

link luv roundup

gorgeous photos on a blog i never get sick of staring at - concrete and honey

i fell instantly in love with "life in the fun lane" and haven't looked back since! the reno's of this couples new home along with their adorable little girl is lovely to the eye. you won't be disappointed, go take a peek. (via a room somewhere)

{image: noema (left) and my kitchen addiction (right)}

yummy! i love rhubarb and have been on the hunt for some new recipes to broaden my rhubarb collection. i'm going to try this rhubarb soda {via soulemama} and a cherry rhubarb crisp {via jenloveskev}.

{image via restart my heart}

i'm in the mood to do some serious bubble blowing with mackenzie! we love bubbles in our house.

lovely, lovely, free knitting patterns on petite purls - summer 2009. how cute is that lobster?

fun little scrapeeps for sale at skinnylaminx.
learn how to make this great little tin can flower pot (via one pretty thing).
this flip hexagon topper is going to be a great project for me to practice my blooming quilting skills. (via p.s. i quilt)
dress up any little ones lamp with this project from make it and love it.

how cool are these crayon rings? (via twig and thistle)

things i'm luving this week:
- 20 minute simple skirt tutorial and giveaway over on grosgrain!!!!
- diy your own birch table . (via craftzine)
- the new kindred summer wallpapers.
- this post on getting familiar with forward shoulder seams - so handy!
- this lovely desk makeover on "made by girl".
- makezine's father's day diy roundup.
- anything on the blog "pretty good", so lovely.
- make your own shampoo recipes for all hair types. (via craftzine)

happy linking!

pillowcase to drawstring bag

i quickly sewed up these pillowcase drawstring bags the other day to try to contain some of mackenzie's huge pile of doll clothes. my mom saved all of my sister's and mines handmade doll clothes that my she and my nana painstakingly sewed and knitted over the years. they bring back such fond memories for me and i cherish the fact that now my little one gets to play with them, but what excites me even more is that i get to play with them again!

the bags were super easy to make. i took my dollar store find pillowcases and folded it in half cutting along the line. all you have to do then is simply sew up the seams and make a casing for your drawstring on the top (i have yarn in mine because i didn't have anything to use for the string, but i will be replacing it when i get to the store). voila! a pillowcase to a drawstring bag.

{image: jek in the box}

as much as we love these doll clothes we have tons of them and they simply were not working being stored in a plastic bin so i thought i would try out these little bags and see how they go. i originally intended to hang these from this nifty ikea hook wall mount thingie i have, but then realized that due to the sheer amount of doll clothes that were laid all out and folded on the floor, there was no way that these bags were going to hang at all. so right now the bags are in the plastic bin until i brainstorm another place for them, or another way to get the doll clothes off the floor (my daughter's room does not have a lot of space for more storage). we live in a 2 bedroom apartment so there is no play room and we try to keep her toy area to a minimum in the living room, even though it seems to grow more and more everyday like a large consumer monster. sometimes i wonder where it all comes from. surely we didn't buy all that?


do any of you have tips or solutions for doll clothes storage? i had thought of a cute vintage suitcase, etc, but i really need to keep it off the floor for now. i would love some tips! make sure to stay tuned in the next week or so, we have a new "remake, repurpose, refashion" coming up, a new tutorial for the "newbie sewing series" and a new "moms in the mommyhood" - lots of good things to look forward to!

p.s. - sorry the pics are not the greatest, my house was covered in doll clothes and all the cute ones had mackenzie in them, but she was only in a diaper and i didn't feel comfy posting those at her age on the net.

link luv roundup

longing for the days i could do this and not fret about breaking my bed.

you know i can't resist a yummy recipe to post and this one for carrot cakey cookie doesn't look like it will disappoint. yum, yum in my tum, tum as my daughter would say. {via lovely morning}

one of my everyday reads "heart of light" shows us how to make a pretty ruffle headband.

kate has a great tute for a reversible water bottle holder over on curiositys.

the hairdresser in me is loving the flickr group braid wednesdays - stunning! {image: simple moth}

my new fave tea towel line! so adorable and fresh, made with environmentally friendly inks, recycled paper, and natural and organic fabrics! check out slidesideways on etsy & their blog "united we slide" - love it!

have you seen this bedroom makeover yet? oh yeah, wait a second, it was on design sponge...of course you have :) i couldn't resist posting it though, so check it out again, so fabulous. jen did this with a drawing projected onto the wall in a weekend when her hubby was away. while you are ooohing and ahhhing over her creative wall makeover make sure to check out her blog which is equally as fabulous "jenlovesken".

learn how to make a pillow from your fave sweater from "my mama made it" who was featured here this week :)

i've been enjoying the book "sweet booties", it's filled with some great little patterns! yep, patterns, that's right, more patterns for me to try to figure out...arggghh..it will be worth it in the end. thanks for all of your guy's help! i will be trying all your tips and emailing for help i'm sure :P

i've been looking for a tute to make myself some of these totes made out of t-shirts. so fun and way more original than all the generic cloth bags out there. click over to leethal for the tute.

i'm thinking this sweater "anhinga" by norah gaughan is going to be just perfect for those chilly summer nights and even better for the fall. don't you think this would be a great maternity convert? berroco has been releasing some great patterns lately! remember the juliana wrap - it's still on my ever growing to knit list.

enjoy your weekend and don't forget to brighten your day with the bright side project. they've got a fancy new look, go take a peek and add some sunshine to your day, then check out this twirly skirt pattern that i'm adding to my "to sew" list and finally, i've been toying with the idea of playing around with elastic thread and almost feel brave enough to do it after reading this post from craftzine - i figure it's time to start living dangerously!

link luv roundup

{images: honer akrawi}

feeling inspired by the softness of the images in the rita saardi "private garden" collection (via luphia loves).

dieters beware! creature comforts has a tummy growling cupcake roundup and also a tutorial to repurpose your paper to deck out your cupcake and your room!

ohhh, paris, i hear you calling my name. check out the gorgeous pics from lobster and swan.

i might actually go out in public in a bathing suit in one of these beauties! retro swimsuits fever over on country living

softie alert! i got a kick out of these little mammal finger puppets from sotosofties and who could resist this snake tie!

i was wowed by this diy on censational girl. see how she changed this lonesome old footboard into a pretty message center!

1. happy together shows us how to make your own vintage clutch.
2. check out this newspaper basket on how about orange!
3. make some of these fun bean bag rocks from salt and chocolate (via one crafty place).

there has been so many wonderful and exciting refashioning tutes floating around lately and this one on thimbly things is one to add to your list. i know we all have worn one of these old denim jumpers in our lifetimes so go take a peek at her tutorial on how to revive and refashion it into one cute dress!

i've been sitting here listening to "heavenly day" by patty griffin and staring at these gorgeous, gorgeous drops and drooling over sfgirl's inspiration board roundup, finding father's day gift ideas over on photojojo, entering to win a fat quarter bundle giveaway and hoping to try this "grilled lemon oregano tofu"!

make sure you take a look at this great site - www.morecloth.com {via tiny decor}to help make buying fabric on etsy that much easier. they help you shop by the color of the fabric you are looking for and there are some great free quilt patterns up at michael miller fabrics to inspire you as well. the lovely rachel of "p.s. i quilt" has a super tute up on how to make your own sewing labels - so handy! there's also a fun post on making bean bag letters for your little ones here and learn how to make your own golden goddess gown in 2 hours with no patterns - wow!

happy link luvin!

link luv roundup

loving this table, oh, so much. {via wide open spaces}

deck out that boring old planter with some bling - learn how over on censational girl.

i can only dream of having my house be as neat and organized as chez larsson's. go pop over and see how she used up some leftover wallpaper to revamp a tin can and an organizer.

ok, seriously, like cupcakes aren't irresistible enough, now there are cupcakes in an ice cream cone??? oh, my hips are growing as i type this. click here for the recipe if you dare!

check out all the great styles and even better prices at ruche! {via for me, for you}

i think i need to put a regular spot on here for any work that the fabulous katie makes over on "katie did". i could gush and gush for hours, if you haven't been to her blog yet, be warned, it's drool worthy. here's her newest outfits for those lucky little girls of hers.

i love this pretty, fresh cabled travel pillow! knit up your own copy from missknitta here or here.

last month's "mom in the mommyhood" jane richmond has a new pattern available in her shop! this cute, little, cozy bolero could easily take you from summer through winter. fyi - jane's shop "alterknits" has moved and has a new etsy address at www.janerichmond.etsy.com.

ok, i am seriously kicking myself for not thinking of this! what a great idea! tote bags as throw pillows - genius!!!

easy and all natural foot scrub - get those heels beach & flip flop ready! {via craft gossip} after scrubbing those heels go download some adorable and free stationary from creature comforts, i love the calm and airy feeling i get whenever i visit this site - it's one of my faves. then make some fun cozy cone motels for your little ones race cars. get the how to here. end off your day by knitting up a great pair of fingerless mitts from "a black pepper"

wishing you all a weekend filled with this................

{image: sundsbo solve, via definitely golden}

shirt sleeves to yoga capris - the tutorial

i'm really excited about the newest tutorial in the "newbie sewing series" called "shirt sleeve to yoga capris". yes, that's right, i made pants from a pair of sleeves. nuts? nope. fun? you betcha! i got so many comments about the first tutorial in this series (click here for the tute) stating that they wished they could make pants in an adult size, that i couldn't stop thinking about it. i remembered one day a week or so ago that my hubby had thrown this soft, blue cotton polo in his donation to my sewing pile and a light bulb went off in my head. the sleeves stretch! they could fit around my thighs, ok, possibly fit, so i tried them on. mackenzie had a great laugh, jer thought i was nuts, but i persevered. i love how they turned out.


this tutorial requires you to think outside of the norm. we usually wear pants with a seam that goes from front to back in the middle of our bodies, well not these pants. they go from side to side from the inseam outwards. i find it super comfortable and kind of like a pantie line you are allowed to see! during the process i realized that having the seam go on an angle upwards was a leg lengthening trick that is used on bathing suits and with the low rise waist, they could be great for yoga or just lounging in. the best surprise is that they turned out be a great maternity pant as well. no, i'm not pregnant, but i can easily see someone who is being able to wear these around the house during the whole 9 months and after. they are easily adjustable due to a drawstring hidden in the inner waistband and no constricting or tight fabric. i swear i lived in a pair of jammie bottoms that fit almost like this during my whole pregnancy.

so raid your closets, hit up the thrift stores and try a pair. go wild with it. open up your imagination and make yourself your own pair of comfy, fat day, bloat day, live on the couch and eat ice cream, meditate and do sun salutation day pants.

for those of you new to the "newbie sewing series" we provide a tutorial geared towards anyone who sews, but mostly for those who are learning, like me. you get a pdf download of the tutorial and also a handmade video of lil'ol me making them. there may not always be the correct terminology, or the best process, but that's what it's all about when you are learning to sew, it's not always perfect, but it's sure fun.

***Copyright 2010 www.luvinthemommyhood.com
All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.


click here for the pdf download

(please let me know if you have a problem downloading, we were having technical difficulties last night. that's why there is no preview here.)

and here for the video tutorial.

so come along for the ride, use your creativity and remake, repurpose or refashion something into these comfy capris and then lounge, meditate, stretch and pose your little heart out! these pants are made to be custom fit to you!

send us your pics! we would love to see if you make any of the projects in the "newbie sewing series" - please email your creations to luvinthemommyhood@yahoo.ca it's inspiring to see what all of you have been making!

TUTORIAL || DAD'S TIE TO GADGET CASE

father's day is coming up right around the corner and who need another cheesy father's day gift? nevertheless another tie? why not make your hubby a father's day gift this year he can use. 

let's admit it; most men nowadays have a cell phone, camera, iPod that they are using. they may also have a lot of ties kicking around. so instead of buying yet another tie for father's day this year, why not refashion one he doesn't wear anymore?

what's great is this project involves only a little bit of sewing, some fun seam ripping (the kids love this) and dad can use it as a functioning gift. you're helping the environment by reusing and refashioning an article of clothing in your home and also being easy on your wallet.


remember to let your little one's pick out the tie and be part of the fun. they love to help hold the thread, watch you use your scissors, and be part of the overall magic when making gifts that are handmade for ones they love. so go raid the closets, dig through your donation pile, or head on down to your local thrift store, find a fun and funky patterned tie - this is one project that is sure to be lots of fun.

some crafts make use of craft supplies most households have lying around, but we are going to present you with crafts that use things you have lying around but have not thought of for creating new items from. get ready to raid the donation pile before taking it to the thrift store (or even your husband's closet while he is at work - but don't tell him we put you up to it) and start showing some creativity.

***Copyright 2009 www.luvinthemommyhood.com

All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.

click here for the dad's tie to gadget case tutorial in downloadable pdf format.

have fun and make sure to add your pics to our flickr group! we love to see what you are making!

link luv roundup

i'm adoring this refashion over on grosgrain

i can't wait to try this project out! learn how to turn those old paint cans into a planter! what great idea! you can find the how to over on censational girl.


check out the new fabric line "au.then.tic" from sweetwater. {via craftgossip}

i am a font addict. these beauties were rounded up over at how about orange. you can find these fonts and much more over on dafont.
my birthday is coming up next month - ahhhh! it sure would make it a lot easier to bear if my hubby surprised me with one of these handy pin cushion rings from artnest.

i have a love affair with pine cones. i have them hidden in all sorts of decorative manners all throughout my home. we love them in our household, so when i saw this bird feeder tute over on make and takes i had to post it.

i've got another tutorial from amazing mae this week. she's keeping me busy with all her goodies lately. this one is for a comfy, summer linen skirt. i luv the ruffles!

brit from cucumbersome featured a lovely tute for the corsage shirt from curiousitys that was a finalist in the spring top week over on made by rae.

need to knit a cover for that plastic deck chair you have? why the heck not? this was too fun and funky not to post about. you can find the pattern here or here.

Cinder & Smoke from karmaticoma on Vimeo.

a fave song of mine caught my attention over on one of my daily reads "for me, for you". isn't it always fun when you discover a talent that you never knew someone had? love that she sings, and love that she shares her singing even more.

there has been a lot of goodness floating around the blogging world this week and i can't contain it all in this one post. if you have room for more goodies in your to make pile, check out how to turn a men's shirt into a child's smock here and how to turn that onesie into a shirt for your toddler here.

what are you loving this week?

how to make your own underwear - ban the wedgie!

{image: kimmiepivet}

i caught cal patch over on craftstylish showing how to whip up some comfy undies all on your own today. the best part of these panties - they are made from an old t-shirt! yes, these would be some damn comfy undies. at this rate my hubby is not going to have any clothes left in his closet.

{image: cal patch}

i started thinking that there just might be other people out there making their own panties and low and behold - wowsa! there are some panty making lovelies out there. here's a roundup:

{image: amy karol}

amy karol of angry chicken and the fab book "bend the rules sewing" shows how she made her new fave pantie sets here and here.

intimate guide shows how to sew your own pretty knickers here.

make something shows how she created these homemade underwear with ruffle trim and all.

another creative use of your fave t-shirt turned panty over on supernaturale.

diy: how to make your own underwear video tute from threadbanger!

you can also find a fun, flirty, free pattern for cheeky panties on burdastyle and another video tutorial showing how to make a panty (bikini bottom) here.

so go take a second look at those t-shirts in your closet and instead of wearing another pair of tight, wedgie giving undies, why not make yourself a pair to fit your measurements?

what's your favorite pair of panties? would you make your own undies? we want to hear your thoughts :)

t-shirt necklace tutorial

remember that fab anthropologie inspired table that was revamped by cucumbersome a few months ago (see post here)? well she's got a great new tute out for making one of those fab t-shirt necklaces floating around. i here there's a big 50% off sale coming up at value village and all i have to say is "you better watch out t-shirts, mommas comin' for ya"! click here for the tute.

{images: cucmbersome}

link luv roundup

1. dress up your outfit with this flower headband tutorial from curiositys
2. i love this idea of making your own recycled stationary over on geek+nerd

i am so in luv with this photograph by whatmegsaid

3. i will definitely be making one of these for my glasses - great tute from amazing mae!
4. i am sure we are all in need of a mouse pad makeover! learn how at the long thread
5. i am on the hunt for how to sewing tutorials to help sharpen up my newbie skills. little girl pearl shows us how to insert piping into a collar.

yummy! spring always reminds me of broccoli slaw! smitten kitchen has a great recipe here.

learn how to make a wet bag here and revamp an old tshirt with some sass over at ecoteametsy's fab blog here. then, head on over to photojojo for a great post listing the top 10 online photography mags, whip up a fun french press cozy (luv this) at one of my favorite blogs to drool over - the house on hill road.

we are revamping our deck and i am collecting tin cans for this great summer tute showing you how to turn tin cans into great summer garden lanterns and last, but not least, nesting shows you how to revamp that jean skirt into the perfect summertime maternity skirt.

there's no such thing as leftovers - the pants

when repurposing or refashioning an item, there is no such thing as leftovers in my house. after having so much fun making dresses from men's shirt's, (see previous post) i created these pants from the sleeves to utilize all the pieces of the shirt.


i decided to try my hand at making a tutorial for all of you as part of the "newbie sewing series". this is my first tute, so please be kind with me, i am still learning as well, and don't worry, the dress "in bloom" is coming next. i decided to use the pants as my trial run.


during the process of making this tutorial i decided to have a little fun with it. what you are getting is the actual step by step of the very first time i tried these pants. that is how things work when we really sew - some things fail, some things succeed, and sometimes we make errors. these pants started out in my mind as being capris, they aren't. they were also supposed to have more of a flat waistband, they don't - but i love em' anyways! this is what i find to be the most addicting part of making clothes from a whim, i just go with where the process takes me.


since i am a newbie sewer and have to admit, i don't know a lot of fancy terminology, i decided to add a new feature to your average tutorial. i tend to be a very visual learner, the more pictures the better, but sometimes that isn't enough for me, i need to see it being done, not just explained. in pondering this during my daily strolls with mackenzie, i decided hey, why not add in a video of me humiliating myself to go with my equally embarrassing attempt at a tutorial? so i did, i decided to give it a shot and see how you all like it. it's not a blockbuster hit, it's just me and my camera (no tripod, i couldn't find it), the tv in the background (some kid's show to keep mackenzie quiet), i have bronchitis - so i sound funny, and of course, i thought they were going to be capris - until i tried them on her..haha.

you will be able to:

1. download the tutorial in a PDF and print it out

PDF DOWNLOAD - there's no such thing as leftovers - the pants

2. watch a video of me talking about the process on you tube or view them in this post.

VIDEO ADDITION TO THE TUTORIAL

***Copyright 2010 www.luvinthemommyhood.com
All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial unless permission has been given.


so have fun with it - experiment, create and let your imagination go wild, but most importantly, trust your instincts, you don't need to be an expert sewer to create a great garment.

please remember to take that much needed second look at items we already have in our homes and rethink their purpose. it truly is a creative journey that we can all share, learn from, and inspire each other with, as a newbie sewer or as an experienced sewer.

so share with me - your thoughts & your pictures, i can't wait to hear from you all! happy sewing!