{DIY easy & adorable ruffled burp rags}

Mar
01
0
ruffled burp rags | simply kierste

Yesterday I promised that I would post about the Silhouette project I was working on, and I'm excited to share it.  You all know that I'm about simple  details that can totally change the look of a project.  Well, today is a perfect example of that!  I purchased some plain white burp cloths, and wanted to "fancy them up" a little.  Using my Silhouette and sewing machine, and about an hour of time, I ended up with adorable ruffled burp rags! When I say easy, I mean EASY!  Sewing is not my forte (although it is my goal to get better!), but these require only one straight stitch down the middle of the ruffle.  Not only do I love the look of this particular ruffle style, but it's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Babies & Children, Clothing & Accessories, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Sewing, Silhouette | Leave a Comment


{diy burlap stockings with crap i’ve made}

Dec
06
9
burlap stocking 1 copy

I have forever loved burlap Christmas stockings, and I decided now was the time to do it! Since sewing is not my best talent, lol, I knew exactly where to turn.  Char, my friend over at Crap I've Made, is a supremely talented seamstress, and she very kindly sent me a pattern and fabulous tutorial I could easily follow.  I LOVE LOVE how they turned out.  Simple, understated, and perfect.  I love this pattern because anyone can do it.  It uses the selvaged edge of the burlap for the top of the stocking, which gives it a nice looking finish without hemming...and easier, too!  The actual sewing is quick; cutting the burlap and interfacing will take you the most amount of time, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Holiday Projects, Sewing, Weddings | 9 Comments


{ruffled ribbon flag tees}

Jun
20
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flag tee brown paper packages 1

I wanted to make a fun tee for my girls to wear on the 4th of July, and I needed it to be quick and simple.  I just had a couple more days before my sewing machine would be packed away, and I didn't have a lot of time to work on it.  So, I grabbed two spools of ribbon, some thread, and grey tee shirts I found at Walmart for $3.  Less than 30 minutes later, I had two darling shirts, ready to celebrate in! Okay, no judging here.  Lol.  I am by no means a seamstress, and I know that there are plenty of you out there that are.  So, please don't look too close at my stitches---I'm just happy that they look pretty straight! Just know that if I can do this, you can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 4th of July, Crafts, Holiday Projects, Sewing |


{handprint aprons for mother’s day}

May
02
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apron 2 copy

If you are my mother, or my husband's mother, please do not read any further.  ☺ Sometimes it seems like the years past faster than the days do, and capturing little handprints are like freezing a moment in time. When my oldest was small, I made an apron with his handprint on it for my dad for Father's Day.  I still LOVE seeing his tiny little hand on that apron.  ♥ This year I decided to make them for my mother and mother-in-law--perfect for Mother's Day! This is an easy and super fun project---the hardest part will be trying to get the handprints in the right places with a minimum of wiggling! I love gifts that the kids can contribute to, and it created some really … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clothing & Accessories, Crafts, Father's Day, Gift Ideas, Kids' Crafts, Mother's Day, Sewing, Silhouette, Teachers, Weddings |


{ticking pillow ornaments}

Nov
30
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pillow ornaments 1 copy

I love to make new ornaments to add to my tree each year, so when Waverly asked me to be one of their 12 Bloggers of Christmas and create an ornament using their products, I jumped at the chance. Since I'm currently obsessed with ticking, I chose Waverly Fabric in both a classic red and an adorable chocolate brown ticking. I combined it with some of my other favorite things--burlap, twine, and Waverly paint to make darling ticking pillow ornaments. Here's what you need: your choice of fabric matching thread coordinating paint batting foam stamps twine burlap Directions:  Cut out your fabric into 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch squares--you'll need two squares per … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Holiday Projects, Sewing |


{baby bloom shoes}

Aug
17
6
baby flower shoes 3

My friend Martha made the MOST adorable baby shoes for her baby girl, and when I saw them, I was smitten. She sent me the link for the tutorial and I couldn't wait to try them. The facts that my babies just turned two, and that they are boys?  Minor details. They literally took less than 20 minutes to make, and I LOVE that they are made from an old tee shirt. One of the cutest ways to recycle that I've ever seen! Using the collar pieces that are already hemmed means very little sewing (just a few hand stitches), and that makes me very happy.  :) Did I mention they were easy?  SO easy! Now don't judge the way the slippers fit the baby in my pictures.  You would really want … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Babies & Children, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Sewing |


{sewn coloring books}

Feb
23
11
book henry and jack copy

Running errands, traveling, and going places with little ones is a part of my life, and many of you can relate to that. I'm always looking for anything that I can do to help things go more smoothly, and make it easier when patience starts to wain. I've discovered that bringing special treats and activities is a huge contribution to any successful trip (and I use the term "successful" very loosely, lol). Having fun items that I can pull out of my purse or diaper bag is always a plus, and when I saw these books, I knew they would be the perfect thing, and decided to try my own version. They're not just for younger children, though. Do you have a child that loves to write? How fun to make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies & Children, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Sewing |


{ballet bags & baby gifts}

Dec
29
18
ballet bag full copy

As you can imagine, as soon as I got the Silhouette in the mail, my mind was racing through all the projects I wanted to try. I even made a spreadsheet, so I could keep track of them all! :) With the machine, they sent me a few rolls of heat transfer paper to try, including a really fun yellow. I thought it would be perfect for some burp cloths I wanted to cute-sy up for baby gifts. I also really wanted to make my girls bags specifically for their ballet clothes--so we could just hang it up and be ready to go. With all my supplies in hand, I got to work! Ballet Bags ITEMS YOU NEED: canvas bag, or other fabric bag fabric, in two coordinating colors Silhouette & heat … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Babies & Children, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Sewing, Silhouette |


{monogrammed tea towel aprons}

Dec
19
13
apron folded on table copy

Need another gift idea? You're going to love this one...it's fast, easy, inexpensive, and adorable! ..... My super cute and talented friend Stephanie made the most darling tea towel aprons for a gift this year, and as soon as I saw them (I can't resist anything monogrammed!)I knew I had to share! They are easy enough for even the most beginning sewer, and make such fun, personalized gifts for teachers, friends, or family. I can't wait to make a matching set for my girls and me! These are her directions: Monogrammed Tea Towel Aprons ITEMS YOU NEED: tea towel ribbon/ric rac coordinating fabric heat 'n bond DIRECTIONS: 1. Iron the tea-towel and fold in the top … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Birthdays, Clothing & Accessories, Crafts, For the Home, Gift Ideas, Kids, Mother's Day, Re-purpose & Refinish, Sewing, Silhouette, Teachers, Thinking of You, Weddings |


{1}

Aug
02
13
onesies--warmified

To help celebrate my baby boys' first birthday this past week, I knew I had to make them these super simple, but adorable appliqued onesies. My intention was to sew them on, but considering the ratio of my sewing skills and the time I had to make them in, I opted for wonder under only. There are two types of wonder under (or heat 'n bond). One is more heavy duty--meant for non-sewing projects. The other is lighter, so you can sew over it after it has been applied. I have heard that wonder under is better for the sewing projects, since it's less likely to gum up. You can purchase it at JoAnn's, or similar sewing store. If you've been afraid to try it, don't be! It really is very easy to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Sewing |