Dress Auction for Nie

As you may have heard, Stephanie and Christian Nielson (from the popular blog The NieNie Dialogues) were recently in a tragic plane crash in Arizona. Stephanie grew up in my current neighborhood, and her parents live a few houses down from me so as you can imagine, it's been quite a shock for our neighborhood. We're all praying for their family and for a speedy recovery.

I have been very impressed by the efforts organized to help this couple and their four small children. Family and friends have started a donation fund to aid in their medical bills (estimated to be well into the millions) as well as the household expenses while they recover. In addition, the popular blog DesignMom has encouraged other bloggers to hold silent auctions and donate the proceeds to this recovery fund. So far, over 90 bloggers have risen to the call. Although I don't have much with which to bid, I do have something I can auction, so here is my donation:


I am auctioning off this dress and skirt that I've been working on. They can be worn together or separately. They are about a size 4, but the skirt (and possibly the dress) could easily go up to a size 5. (Auction instructions below.)

In order to bid on this dress/skirt combo, just leave a comment on this post with your bid and a way to contact you. You are welcome to bid again if you are outbid. The comment with the highest amount at the end of the auction on Monday September 1st, at 11:59pm EST will receive the dress and skirt. Postage will be provided by me.

Once the winner is identified, they'll send the money directly to the Stephanie and Christian fund by clicking on the button-link below (courtesy of cjanerun.com, Stephanie's sister Jane's blog), then they'll email me the confirmation number at refugeecrafter@gmail.com, and I'll send the prize.

Let the bidding begin.

Wandering Waif Collection GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Wandering Waif Collection GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

I love an old fashioned cape on a little girl. I've been eye-ing a Simplicity pattern for one for a while. I think I may just have to got out and get it...if I don't win this one.

Trash to Treasure Dresser

I am no longer a complete refugee crafter! For months all of my current projects have been cluttering my kitchen floor. I finally decided that enough was enough and I needed to find a better place to put them other than their previous home in my son's closet where they were unreachable during that glorious time of day when I get everything done called "naptime."

I found this $30 dresser at a thrift store in poor but sturdy condition and made it over by first painting it with a high adhesion primer and then with latex paint. Some of my supplies were left over from previous projects. I used painters tape to help in creating the stripes.

HANDY TIP: I highly recommend using a small cabinet roller for a project like this. I got one from Lowes. I think the brand was "Whizz." I loved it because it was a sponge with rounded edges so I didn't have to worry about corners or streaks. I wish I'd had it for previous projects, particularly the one where I decided to paint all the kitchen cabinets.

Here are the results:

(Before)

Here's how it looks in my eat-in kitchen:

Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

These overalls are cute. I love the white trim around the edges. I also love the fact that they can be worn by either a girl or a boy.

I've been trying hard to find cute, creative clothes for boys. There aren't very many patterns out there so I've had to get creative.

A Three Hour Chore

Here's the little petticoat skirt I made to go beneath the dress I just finished. From start to finish, it took three hours and was simple as far as sewing goes. ALL of the instructions are below! (It's taken me a while to post it because I dropped my camera a couple of weeks ago. These pictures actually came from my phone because that's all I've got at the moment; though I must say...it's much better quality than I expected. If you've got any suggestions for a new snapshot digital camera, let me know.)

Try as I might, I couldn't find red eyelet lace, so I improvised and added another shorter ruffle of red fabric.

I thought about it afterward, and realized that making it this way rather than just attaching the ruffle to the dress adds not only dimension but a whole 'nether wardrobe option using just the skirt by itself. Plus, there's no worry about the red bleeding onto the gray because they can be washed separately.

Here are the instructions for this skirt size 3T to 5ish:

Supplies:
20" of 3/4 inch elastic
1 1/4 yds of 45" width fabric (This leaves only about 2 inches extra, so you might want to buy a little more if you're worried.)

Instructions:

(Unless otherwise specified, 1/2" seam allowances are used throughout.)

1. With fabric still folded lengthwise (like what you get straight from the store), cut a 6" wide strip perpendicular to the fold line. (See illustration below.)

2. Next, cut five 5" strips in the same manner. (See above.)
3. Then, cut three 4" strips in the same manner. (See above.)
4. With right sides together, sew the ends of the 6" strip together to form a ring.
5. To form the casing for the elastic, press down 1/4" toward the inside of the skirt along the top edge. Then, fold down an additional 1". Sew along bottom folded edge leaving a 2" space unstitched so that you can insert the elastic.
6. Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic and thread through the casing making sure that the elastic is not twisting.
7. Sew the ends of the elastic together.

The top tier is now finished!

8. With right sides together, sew the ends of two 5" strips together to form a ring.
9. Using a LONG stitch length, sew around the ring 3/8" from the top edge.
10. Still using a long stitch length, sew around the ring again 1/4" from the top edge.
11. Use these two rows of stitching to gather the top edge by pulling on the top threads. I like to first pin the piece to be gathered evenly around the piece it is to be sewn to, and then gather in sections because it keeps the thread from breaking. (See illustration below.)

12. Adjust the gathers evenly. With right sides together, sew gathered edge to the bottom edge of the top tier.

The middle tier is now finished!

13. With right sides together, sew the ends of three 5" strips together to form a ring.
14. With right sides together, sew the ends of the three 4" strips together to form a ring.
15. Place the 4" ring inside the 5" ring keeping the wrong side up on both pieces.
16. Using a LONG stitch length, sew through both rings 3/8" from the top edge.
17. Still using a long stitch length, sew around the rings again 1/4" from the top edge.
18. Use these two rows of stitching to gather the top edge by pulling on the top threads. (See illustration above.)
19. Adjust the gathers evenly to fit the middle tier. With right sides together, sew gathered edge to the bottom edge of the middle tier.
20. Finish both lower edges of skirt by pressing 1/4" to the inside and then folding the edge over 1/4" again and sewing along the top pressed edge.

Your amazingly twirly skirt is now finished!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I WANT this dress! Oh, I want it. That green color, that crocheted lace detail. I hear it calling to me. If I were Gollum, this would totally be "my precious;" only, I'm sure a dress as beautiful as this could only make me do gloriously good things.

Did I mention I was reading The Lord of the Rings series?

Jack and Lily Shoe Giveaway!

You could win a pair of adorable Jack & Lily shoes!! Get details for how to win here:

http://nowenteringmomville.blogspot.com/2008/08/giveaway-jack

Even if I don't win, when my next child is old enough, I'm going back and buying some of these!

Hair Clip Holder

Have any bits of ribbon from old projects or gifts lying around? Here's a great project that is both useful and cute!

This brilliant hair clip holder was created by my sister in law, Aubrey, and you can find the instructions for it on her blog aubreypettit.blogspot.com.

It's because of Aubrey that I started this blog, and I check hers everyday to see all the new, creative, in-expensive things she's up to. As the wife of a dental student, she can make a dollar stretch farther than anyone I know while still making everything she touches look good.

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another great giveaway from Grosgrain. I love this retro swimming suit. I wish they made them in my size...maybe in yellow polka dot! Maybe not.
Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Red Flower Clip

The color scheme of this one totally reminds me of the Twilight books by Stephanie Meyer.

Skill Level: Another EASY project.

Supplies:
Red Felt
Black Felt
White Felt
Black Embroidery Floss
White Embroidery Floss
1 7/8" double pronged alligator clip or something similar (I got mine from Minor Details.)
Glue gun

Instructions:
1. Use the pattern below to cut each pattern piece from it's corresponding piece of felt. You will need Adobe Reader to see and print it. It's free, and you can download it here.

2. Embroider around the black circle using a blanket stitch and white embroidery floss.
3. Embroider around each red flower using a blanket stitch and black embroidery floss.
4. Stitch around the edge and down the center of each white leaf using a running stitch and black embroidery floss.
5. Place the small red flower on top of the large red flower, and then place both on top of the black circle. Center the little white circle on the small red flower and secure it by stitching an "x" through all layers.
6. Sew the leaves to the black circle hiding the leaf-bases beneath the red flowers.
7. Glue the black circle to the hair clip. (You may want to add a little glue to more fully secure the flower to the circle too.)

Which Austen heroine are you?

Take the Quiz here!

I just took one of those silly internet quizzes, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was this test to see which Austen Heroine you are most like. I probably liked it because I turned out to be Elizabeth Bennet rather than Fanny Price. Click the picture above to take it yourself. I think you'll enjoy it, if only for the wording of the questions.

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love this outfit, and someday I'm going to win one from Grosgrain. Then, someday, I'll have a little girl to wear it!

The ruffled collar is darling. Don't be surprised if it shows up on a future project of mine.

And the winner (drawn from a hat) is...

Lyssa of Stuff Lyssa Makes! Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures of these clips in little Kate's hair. What a doll!

Thank you all so much for your kind words! I read every single one. In appreciation, I'd like to send each of you this card featured on my blog in June:

Your card may not be this exact color depending on what paper I have lying around, but it will be the same layout and will be cute, I promise!

Let me know where to send it by emailing me at thisandthattabicat@gmail.com. If you want a thank-you card rather than a birthday card, let me know that in the email too. Please sign your email with the name/ID used on your comment, so that I know I've got everyone.

P.S. Be sure to check out Lyssa's blog, she makes the cutest things! I can't get over how darling the pages she made for Kate's first birthday are...the striped leg-warmers and pink tutu may have had something to do with it.

P.P.S. In case you missed it, the instructions for the clips can be found HERE.

Hospital Scrapbook Page

I'm not sure I really want to post this page. Seriously, who wants to be seen in a hospital gown after having a baby!? Still, I know all you mothers have a picture like this. Here's what I did with mine:

Variation on Crocheted Flower Clip

Here's a variation on the crocheted hair clip I made last week. This one is made exactly the same except with not just one but TWO large flowers and one small one. I like the added volume. The instructions can still be found at HERE.

Watermelon Clip

Here's a little watermelon clip modeled by your's truly.

Skill Level: It's another EASY project, perfect for beginners learning to embroider.

Supplies:
Red Felt
Green Felt
Red Embroidery Floss
Green Embroidery Floss
Black Embroidery Floss
3/8" Ribbon (I prefer grosgrain.)
1 7/8" double pronged alligator clip or something similar (I got mine from Minor Details.)
Glue gun

Instructions:
1. Use the pattern below to cut out one green circle and one red circle. You will need Adobe Reader to see and print it. It's free, and you can download it here. (The dimensions are about 1.25" in diameter for the green and 1" for the red.)
2. Cut each circle in half to form four semi-circles.
3. Embroider around each red semi-circle using a blanket stitch and red embroidery floss.
4. Embroider around the curved edge of each green semi-circle using a blanket stitch and green embroidery floss.
5. Place one red semi-circle on each green semi-circle. Use black embroidery floss and a french knot stitch to create the watermelon "seeds." I stitched four seeds through both the green and the red felt.
6. Cut 3" of ribbon. On each end of the ribbon, fold about 1/4" to the backside and secure with a dab of hot glue.
7. Glue ribbon to clip as shown in the picture. (Picture is a side view.)

8. Glue watermelon to clip.

Paperdoll Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love the simple, clean, modern lines of this dress. The waistline hits at just the right spot!
Paperdoll Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dress Update

I finished the dress I've been working on this week. I still want to add a cute red petticoat with eyelet lace to it, but I had to celebrate the successes along the way by posting a picture of it modeled by my neice.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

Usually, I keep my book reviews (aside from children's books) separate from my blog posts as part of my Goodreads account. That way you only have to be subjected to my thoughts and opinions on books if you are really interested, but this book was too enlightening for me not to blog about it.

My sister-in-law recommended this book to me, and I recommend it to all wives in turn. Dr. Laura gives it to you straight and undiluted. Although sometimes painful to swallow (like a strong medicine rather than a poison), I have learned so much about how I can make my marriage stronger and be a better support to my husband thereby strengthening my family.

I am so thankful that there are people like Dr. Laura who stand up for moral truth even when the world may disagree. For instance, Dr. Laura asserts that there are innate differences between men and women that should be respected and celebrated. This echos what I believe as stated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World that, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

Dr. Laura also really attacks the widespread societal beliefs that denigrate the nurturing roles of wife and mother, as well as demean the protector and provider roles that men play. Again, The Family: A Proclamation to the World explains my corresponding beliefs best when it states, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

Fields of Gold Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another dress giveaway! Someday I'll win one simply for the fact that I enter every drawing and Grosgrain takes pity on me.

I love the wide open neck on this one and the high empire waist. The twilight yellow is beautiful.

Fields of Gold Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!