Mustard Seeds

Tutorial: Reusable gift bags

Let's face it, even though we purchase paper gift bags, we use them over and over and over again each year. Last year, I decided to make some fabric gift bags to use for our family gift-giving. I even used some old Christmas PJ pants (just cut off the legs and then seamed the bottom.) Some of the bags were so simple, it literally took the same or less time than it would to wrap a boxed gift. And there's no need for tissue paper.

I also had a stack of fun Christmas-print fabric that I'd been waiting to use on something special. The gift bags were a perfect project because now I will get to see the fun prints again each year. I used beautiful satin or wired-edge ribbon to tie them off.

If the gift is smaller than the package, you can fold it around the gift and then tie it off like a more traditionally-wrapped gift.

The best part of my fabric bags was that at Valentine's Day, I pulled out the red/white bags and clipped valentines to the bags for the kids' gifts.

AND then this last week, I pulled out the Christmas bags, dropped in the gifts, tied the bows (already tucked inside the bags from last Christmas) and whoa-la! Wrapping was done in minutes.

Now, I do still wrap gifts for friends in paper. But for immediate family, these bags are a easy
and cute solution. After the unwrapping is done on Christmas morning, I  just roll up the ribbon, put in the bag, and then fold up the bag.

 

So here is my tutorial.

MATERIALS:

• Christmas-print yardage
• Holiday PJ castoffs
• Sewing machine and white thread

What to do:

• Cut two pieces and put right sides (printed sides) together. Sew on the three sides. Think: pillowcase.

• Trim the bottom two corners. This will create pointed corners when you turn it right-side out.

• Turn it right-side out. You can finish the top edge by hemming it or just leave it raw. It looks cute either way.

• Drop in your gift and tie the bow.

• Give it to someone you love.

 

Knitalong Knitting Class

This spring I hosted a 3-part knitting class for beginners. For three Thursday evenings I hosted six lovely ladies--Erin, Kristen, Latisha, Jen, Joy and Kay--in my home.

Each student received a binder with patterns, instruction and inspiration.

There was also a lot of laugher and fun. And reading of children's books about knitting.

And yummy food...recipes to come... These were churro cheesecake bars....found here.

Several completed projects....Joy, Kristen and Jen model their knitted neck warmers/cowls.

Here are Erin's knitted slippers for her little boy.

We also made knitted dishclothes, wrist warmers/finderless gloves, headbands/earwarmers and boot toppers and hats.

There was also creative yarn decor....and stories of my childhood spent in yarn shops....and lots of laughter!

I'm excited to host another knitting class in the fall. Leave a comment if you are interested and I will be sure to email you details when I have them!

60th Knitting Party for Mom

My mom is an amazing knitter--and has been for oh, more than 30 years....So for her 60th birthday, we threw her a surprise party. Here are some of the pretty, knitty decorations.

We had the party outside and displayed the sweaters she has knitted through the years. My dad snuck me into the house and I stuff garbage bags and stole away with them. So many of them bring back fond childhood memories for me.

My dad made this giant ball-of-yarn 60--based on the invite I created.

"The wave sweater" is famous. This picture does not do it justice. It's like a painting.

Her friend made us these amazing ball-or-yarn and knitting needle cupcakes.

And....she was COMPLETELY surprised.

And then I popped out and she was EVEN MORE surprised. (They live in California and I had flown in for the party without her knowing...)

Here are the original "Perriens."

Doesn't she look fabulous for 60?

It was an incredibily fun day. Friends from through the years came, as well as her workmates and knitting club ladies. It was a relaxing time for me too, since I was sans-kids.

P.S. Thanks, Debra for snapping great pics of the event.

Summer Nightgowns

Beth LOVES her "jamas." I wanted to find her some soft nighties for summer. I looked, and looked, and looked. Everything was made out of the plastic-y polyester stuff. So I found this very simple and FREE tutorial/pattern from Virginia at Gingercakes .

I used a very soft vintage sheet and made my own.

Her baby doll got a matching nightgown.

And another one....made from an vintage embroidered pillowcase.

The pillowcase wasnt' quite long enough so I used some old vintage fabric I picked up.

Laundry for Kids

Before I was married, I didn't really mind doing laundry. Then, I got married to a man who was 6' 4" and wears XXL tall-sized shirts. His clothes were like four-times the size of mine. The laundry increased and I didn't like it so much anymore.

Then, I had a baby. And I had another baby. And then I had another baby. The laundry has increased to astronomical amounts. Now, I loathe doing laundry. It overtakes me several times a month. I tell people that if I ever go missing, to look in the basement near the washer because I've probably been eaten alive my the pile of clothes waiting to be laundered.

I seriously think if you throw a dirty shirt and a dirty towel in dark corner of my house it breeds dirty socks, pants and undies.

I've tried all kinds of systems to keep it under control...selecting one day a week to wash (way too much to do), trying to do one or two loads each morning (works OK, unless I have to get out of the house right away).

But one thing that does seem to be helping is getting my kids more involved in the laundering process. And it's teaching them to be a little more responsible for taking care of themselves and the gifts (clothing) God gives us.

Enter signage. When working with preschoolers, pictures are key. At the end of the hall (before entering the bath right next door) they are sorting laundry by darks and lights. This has made it so much easier for me to see which type of load needs to be done most immediately. Are they learning their colors? Here's a great practical application...purple is a dark.

Next stop: putting away laundry. Teaching your kids how to properly put away their clothes does take instruction and time on your part, but it pays off in the long run. I put a basket or pile in their rooms and they are responsible to put them in the right drawers.

Jack (4 yrs.) has lockers in his room, so I used magnetic clips with picture labels (laminated) to help him remember where things go. Initially, he crammed them all in one space. But after making him re-do and re-do, we are making progress.

Wanna make your own laundry labels? It's simple and you don't have to be an artist.

1. On heavy-weight paper, draw pictures, using a permanent marker/pen. You could also get cute images or clip art off the web.
2. Color in the items with watercolor or colored-pencil. (Make it pretty.)
3. Laminated your labels. This is optional, but adds longevity.

So that's what's been helping me. The laundry hasn't let up, but I feel like many hands (even little hands) are helping me manage it better.

If you having an laundering tips, ladies, I am ALL ears.

Vintage Pattern Votives

I made these sewing-inspired votives for my SEW LOVELY class, but I never posted the tutorial! You can use these as vases for fresh flowers or place a candles in the middle to use as votives. These would be lovely for a wedding centerpiece or for a summer garden party.

SUPPLIES:

• Glass votive or glass vase (I got a three-vase set at IKEA)
• Mod Podge
• Tissue-paper patterns from old sewing pattern
• Foam brush

WHAT TO DO:

• Take a look at your pattern pieces and cut out pieces that have cool printing on them. You will not want to over lap the pieces too much so kind of "map out" which pieces you will use to cover your glass. Think puzzle.

• Using your foam brush, put thinly coat the glass with Mod Podge.

• Begin at the top. I covered the edge (but did not go down inside the vase). Place your first pieces of tissue, carefully smoothing out all wrinkles.

• Place your next pattern piece, making sure to match up or slightly overlap on the last piece.

• Work from the top to the down. I chose to cover the bottom of the  vase as well.

• Once all your pieces of tissue are glued on, use your foam brush to add a thin top coat over the entire thing.

• Let dry completely.

 

Knitted Cowl

Found this wonderful seed-stich knitted cowl pattern on Pinterest. It's called the GAP-tastic cowl.

 

My lovely sister-in-law modeling...

You can download the free full pattern here.

 

Pillow Twalk

A couple of months ago....I got into recovering my pillows.

Projecting

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. It's just that every spare moment I have lately, I've been spending it on projects here around the house. Planting shrubs, sewing valance, sewing pillows...some house posts to come soon (I hope!)

And then, I've been designing patterns and instructions for the SEW LOVELY class. Scribbling notes, gathering supplies....

I've also been working on these sets prayer cards. I hope to have the tutorial up for you soon.

Several people have asked me, "How do you find time to sew or do a craft project?"

The truth of the matter is I never ever sit down and do a project from start to finish. I only work on things in small chunks of time and leave them undone in the basement craft area until they are ready to pick up later when I have a spare moment. Sometimes that means that a project, like the prayer cards, are literally done over 2 or 3 weeks.

Those of you with young children realize that uninterrupted periods of time are very rare. When nap time comes you either:

A. take a nap yourself (my favorite option)

B. catch up on laundry and dishes 

C. computer time: blog, email, pay bills, etc.

C. do something for just for yourself (like crafting)

For me, I tend to alternate all four options, which means I don't even work on a project three days in a row usually. Sometime I work on things in the yard while the kids are playing or read through sewing instructions while they are eating lunch. But most of the time, nap time is when I can use the time most efficiently.

So all that to say. Sorry folks! I've been remiss on option C (blogging) lately! I'll try to reform. I promise!

P.S. What do you do during nap time?

 

Interested in learning to sew?

I'm going to be teaching sewing classes. Would you like to come?

Things are definitely "still in the works." Major brainstorming and dreaming going on this week. But I may have a the first SEW LOVELY session by the end of August.

Gasp! I can't believe I just typed those words.

Many of you know my friend, Kristen--my extremely talented photographer friend--who host Click Classes in her home.

SEW LOVELY would be a similar format. A day-long retreat with great food, fellowship of women and the basics of sewing through 3-4 hands-on projects. Sewing boot camp, if you will. Learn to sew a ruffle, zipper, button-holes, etc. Have a sewing machine you don't know how to use? This is a class for you!

If this first class goes well, I also hope to host half-day and 3-hr classes that will be more project focused. Great for those who attend the day-long class but also those who have some sewing experience already or for those who simply can't commit to a full-day retreat.

O.K. It's out there. Whew! I am both excited and nervous.

I will post final details soon. But in the meantime, if you are interested, please email me your contact info and I will be sure to email you info as soon as it becomes available. janna@mustardseedswriting.com

P.S. For those ladies who have already expressed an interest: You do not have to own a sewing machine to take this class. However, if you are looking for a good starter machine, I saw one at Costco that is running on special right now for $129.