Brownies with an oh-so-delightful twist

I got this great tip from a friend to add raspberry jam (seedless of course) to my brownies! Whoa momma. She wasn't kidding around!

Here is what I did to turn my .98 cent brownie mix into a Martha Stewart dessert.

Mix up your brownie mix as directed. Warm up about 1/3 cup raspberry jam so that it's a nice smooth thick liquid. After you pour your brownies into the pan plop spoonfuls of the jam mixture all over your brownie batter and use a butter knife to swirl it in.

Note: I had to bake my brownies quite a bit longer than directed because of the jam, so keep your eye on them and test them in 4-5 minute increments until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center.

After the brownies are completely cooled spread with cream cheese frosting. Warm up another 1/4 cup of jam and spoon about five lines of jam across the brownies. Next use a butter knife to create decorative streaks as shown. I went down the jam vertically to make my design.

Working on a few things

I have been in Seattle for the weekend and I am back and refreshed! I have a million ideas and projects I am trying to keep organized in my busy mind! I worked on these cute and simple Burp Cloths for my Etsy shop today. I hope to get a purse done this evening that I have been dreaming about. Maybe I'll add a tutorial!? We'll see how the first attempt turns out!

Can I get an A-men for Heather Bailey's fabrics! you go girl!

For now, check out my Etsy Lullababy designs shop.

Here's another thing I have been cooking up! baby Isla Reese. Coming July 2009!

Sewing up some goodness

I've been filling some Lullababy Designs orders. It's nice to be back sewing! I took a break after I found out my Dad had passed away a week ago. It feels so good to get back to what I love!

I would love to add your blog or shop to my blog! Please send me your links and I will add them!

Sugar and spice and everything nice

That's what little girls are made of and that is exactly why I LOVE making girly things for them!

Use up the scraps! Tutorial

Pretty pretty picture frame

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I have more fabric scraps than brain cells. I am always thinking of ways to use them up and had this clever idea to snazzy up some plain picture frames and get my house ready for spring! There are a million creative ideas you could use this tutorial for, which I will share once we complete our very easy and very fun project! If you have any helpers in the house this is a fun tutorial for them too!

You will need:

Fabric

Scissors
Medium weight interfacing
Any picture frame
Any picture
Tape

pencil/crayon


First lay your fabric right side down on top of your interfacing.
If your picture frame comes with this handy mat use it as your measuring guide. Otherwise you can use the glass to trace or measure the size by hand.

Trace along the outside. I use crayons, you can use whatever. I don't recommend markers as they bleed through the fabric.

Cut both interfacing and fabric along your traced line.

Don't forget to take a picture of your cute helper, especially if she has morning hair!

Now iron your fabric to your interfacing.

Grab your cute picture and your fabric piece and center your picture.
In my case I trimmed my picture, this is optional.

Not a necessary step. But I trimmed my picture a bit so more fabric would show through.

Center your picture and use a small piece of tape to adhere it to the fabric. Place your new picture mat into the frame. And there you go!

Pair it with some spring flowers for an extra burst of cuteness!

Some other ideas for this project:
Great for decorating your kids room!
Instead of a picture you could use letters to spell out "party" or "food" for your next big bash.
Just plain fabric is cute!
Press flowers or embroider words onto the fabric.
You get the idea :-)
Enjoy!

Book Worms Unite!

These are SO fun to make and oh so easy. You can pretty much use your cute fabric scraps and if you have some interfacing throw that in as well. I added whatever cute stuff I had hanging around and Wha-la. A very cute bookmark! Here is where I got my inspiration. These are awesome gifts ya'll! Throw it in a cute journal or the newest book craze and you have one darn fun gift!

Crazy about this AMAZINGly cute book cover? Check them out here. Another great gift for you or someone else.

Lined Zipper Pouch Tutorial/ Giveaway!

Now, I am pretty amateur at these tutorials so please have mercy! I hope these directions are easy for you to follow and you have a fun time creating! I would love comments and feedback! Also, if you leave a comment please add your e-mail for a chance to win this zipper pouch! I will pick a winner March 7th. Thanks!

Lets get started!


Grab all your goods.
Two pieces of fabric for the pouch outside and lining. Mine are about 14x8 I will cut them all in half to make 4 pieces total each measuring 7x4. You can cut all 4 pieces separate if you wish.
*Note: You can make this pouch virtually any size you wish. Make sure all 4 pieces of fabric are the same size!
Next you need your scissors, measuring device, sewing pins, iron, coordinating thread and zipper. Size of zipper will depend on your pouch. Make sure your zipper is at least the same size or larger than your pouch.
Last, a yummy coffee and or tea. Cookies aren't a bad thing either.


I fold and iron my fabrics in half to make a perfect cutting guide and cut all my fabrics in half.


You will have 4 of the same size pieces. 2 for the outer and 2 for the lining.

Place one piece of the lining fabric facing up. Next the zipper face up, and then the outer fabric right side facing down. Make a sandwich! Make sure you line up the fabrics and zipper on the sides and at the top.

Sew them together along the zipper. I let my needle foot go right along side the zipper. Go slowly.


When you are done sewing flip them over to one side and you should have one half of your pouch. Like this image above.

Now sandwich the fabrics the exact way on the other side of the zipper. All your fabrics will be stacked on one side. Sew down the opposite side of the zipper the same way as before.
( I pin my fabrics in place to help them from slipping)

Lay fabrics flat to each side. Your pouch should look like this with the zipper up and right sides up.

It should look like this flipped over.
( I like to iron my fabrics along the zipper to make them nice and flat)

Now bring both pieces of the lining to one side and both pieces of the outer fabric to the other side. Un-zip the zipper about half way so you will be able to turn the fabrics right side out after sewing them. Lay the zipper ends on top of each other with the teeth facing the lining side and pin down.




Sew approx. 1/4 inch all around the pouch (back-stitching a bit over the ends of the zipper) make sure to leave an opening on the bottom of the lining to turn fabrics right side out.



You should have this so far. Both lining and outside of pouch wrong sides out stitched all around except a small opening in the bottom of the lining.



Turn the pouch right side out.



Sew up the opening on the lining.



Push the lining into the pouch. Iron flat and test your zipper. Looks great!
There you have it! A cute little lined zipper pouch!

These are super fun to make and also make fun and thoughtful gifts!
Now leave a comment and e-mail for your chance to win!

Japanese knot bag

I have spent most of Cohen's nap time creating this ADORABLE japanese knot bag from this tutorial. I like to browse online for sewing tutorials and I couldn't resisit this. It screamed the name of one of my good friends, so a gift it shall be! I'll definitely be making one for myself. Purses are funny, if you are any kind of seamstress and have attempted to sew any kind of purse with a lining/zipper/pockets/pleats etc, you know how time consuming, frustrating, mind boggling, chaotic and ridiculous it can be! You find yourself thinking words you would never dream of saying and you swear to yourself you will never make another one of "those" again! Well, usually that is short lived and you go on to make another dozen more.

So, after many bad thoughts back aches, oldies music and cookies, here she is. The cutest little bag. Perfect for a trip to the market, and perfect for summer.

Use up the scraps! Tutorial

I've been using all my fabric scraps for fun projects. Tonight I wanted to snaz up a tank top to wear tomorrow, so I decided it was time for another tutorial. These are great for making a cute plain tank or shirt into something super fun! Makes a fun project for your little seamstress too! Also great on baby onsies.

For this lil project you'll need the following:

-Tank Top

-Your choice fabric. Not much is needed although it depends on what you are making. I think a fat quarter will do you good (18x22) You can grab one at the fabric store for about $2.50.

-Steam-a-seam, LOVE THIS STUFF! Joann Fabrics has it. Under $10 for sure.

-Scissors

-Iron

-Nilla cakesters- snack for yourself.

-Something to trace ( I used one of Cohen's star blocks)

-Optional stuff like, ribbon to tie on the straps, buttons,colored thread and a sewing needle, those Yo yo's you made ;-) beads, whatever! If you do choose to add additional items, you may need to hand sew them on. Up to you :-)

Ok so, first step is to iron your tank nice and smooth. Next, read the directions on the Steam-a-seam so you have a good understanding on how the stuff works. It's pretty simple to use. Once you have read and understand the instructions you can begin to trace your desired applique onto the paper and fabric and cut them out.

Place those cute things wherever you want them and follow the ironing directions to apply.

Also, I did a very quick zig zag stitch around one of the stars after I fused it to my tank. This is just for looks, not necessary.

And now I have my own super awesomly cool tank top that no one else has! Woohoo~

Have fun!