bacon wrapped asparagus

bacon wrapped asparagus

18 stalks asparagus

1 T butter

salt and pepper to taste 

9 pieces of bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt butter in small saucepan.  Brush melted butter on asparagus stalks.  Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.  Wrap two asparagus tightly in each piece of bacon.  Lay in a single layer on a large baking sheet.  Bake for about 20 minutes, or until bacon is done.  Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.  

name bunting tutorial

Head on over to Mommy is Coo Coo where I'm showing you how to make a simple low-sew or no-sew name bunting!

button stud earrings tutorial

I don't wear much jewelry, but when I do, it's earrings.  I love earrings, especially ones that are a little different.  The great thing about this project is that the sky's the limit to all the wonderful button earrings you can make.  Also, it's a quick project for yourself or a friend, and I don't always have hours to spend on projects.  Here's one you can literally finish in a few minutes!  

You will need two buttons (they don't even have to match!), a glue gun (or regular craft glue if you have more patience than me), two earring backs (found at craft stores), and a needle and thread.

this post originally appeared on fancylittlethings.com

It took me longer to choose which buttons to use than it did to finish the project!

There are way too many awesome buttons out there.  If you don't have a button collection, you can buy some.  Better yet, raid your catch-all drawers and there's bound to be a few envelopes of buttons in there from clothing you've purchased. 

I finally decided on a bronzy-brown color, because it goes with a lot of what I wear.  I'm a neutral gal. 

Find some thread.  Mine matched, but you could do some contrasting thread for a pop of color too. 

Thread your needle and using a tiny dab of glue, glue the knotted end of the thread to the middle of the button.  Bring the thread through the buttonholes in whatever fashion you prefer; I made an X with the thread.  Thread through a few times so you have a nice noticeable thread in your buttonholes.   

 Snip the end of the thread.  Place a dab of glue onto the earring back and, being sure to catch ends of thread underneath, press earring back firmly onto the button.  Repeat steps with other button. 

There you have it!  The creative possibilities are endless here!  You could stack two or three buttons and glue them all together, you could stack and stagger buttons so they look like dangly earrings...Have fun!!!

universal maxi skirt tutorial

I made this skirt because I love maxi skirts but I don't feel like spending $30 on one at Target because I'm a cheapskate.  I have a maternity one a friend gave me but it's still a little too big (it's pretty much the only thing that is too big anymore) and I have one I made (see tutorial here) but I wanted more.  None of my pants fit me anymore and even my maternity jeans are painfully tight and since it's not quite warm enough for me to wear shorter skirts, maxis are perfect.  It also means I don't have to shave my legs to wear them.  Winning!  (Too much information?  Oh well.)

This picture is WAY overexposed and makes my top half look like a blob, but at least you get a good view of the skirt.

 Here's how to make your own.  It's the "universal" maxi skirt because it will fit anyone, it's not just a maternity skirt.  We'll make a huge tube of fabric and then cinch it up with elastic.  That means no measuring yourself!  Unless you want to measure the length.  I am 5'7" and the length of my fabric was 42".  If you're shorter than that, you can make your length shorter by measuring from your waist (where you want the skirt to sit) to the tops of your feet (where you want the hem to lie) and then add 5" (2" for hem and 3" for waistband.)

You'll need your basic sewing supplies, a big chunk of knit fabric 60" wide by 42" long (or however long you decided it needed to be based on your height), your waist measurement worth of 1 1/2" wide elastic plus 1" and about 45 minutes.  This is a fast and easy project.

Stitch all the way around waistband but leave a 3" gap to insert your elastic.

  

 Overlap elastic 1-2" and stitch together.  You might want to pin the ends of the elastic together first and try skirt on to make sure the elastic doesn't need to be tighter or looser.  Once elastic is inserted, stitch up the hole.

Turn skirt right side out and enjoy!

[The hem is straight even though it doesn't look like it!] 

Stella and I, two weeks ago at 23 weeks (and Filippe the Flamingo)

baby things

So here's my little update on all things baby.  

Everything is going really smoothly and I don't think I could ask for an easier pregnancy.  I feel great and don't have any of the horrible symptoms they say can come with pregnancy...yet.  I love watching my belly grow and am amazed at how fast I'm gaining weight!  It's just funny to me; before I was pregnant I was the same weight for about ten years.  Now I've gained 16 pounds in the past 24 weeks!  I don't have a scale at home so when I go to the doctor, I'm always excited to see how much I've gained.  Matt and I should start betting...

Baby Stella kicks all the time and is getting really strong.  Usually in the evenings from 8-10pm is when she's most active and moves around like a crazy woman in there.  It's hilarious watching my stomach move as she dances around in there.

We scheduled a maternity photo session with a good friend of ours from church who takes lovely pictures.  I wasn't sure I wanted them done, but I decided if she did it, it would be low key.  I just have a problem with all those weird maternity pictures of people doing goofy things but I won't get too specific because I don't want to insult anyone!  We'll do them in a couple weeks before the bump gets too out of control huge.  I'm excited!

Also, I went thrifting last weekend.  Big mistake.  I found nothing.  Except for a couple books for Stella and a super cute non maternity skirt that probably won't fit me for 6 months that I couldn't pass up because it was $2.  Anyway, I have never been so unsatisfied after leaving the thrift store.  Sigh.  Everyone else says they find great maternity clothes there, but I was unlucky this time.  My wonderful cousin said she has plenty of maternity clothes she'll give me in May when we go home.  Thank goodness because I'm not sure what I'll wear all summer, because I don't know how much more money I'm willing to drop on clothes that I'll only wear for 4 more months!

We were able to get a beautiful view of her little face the other day.  When I saw her face on the screen I about died.  She looks so perfect.  It's unbelievable how clear these ultrasounds are!

And I am a woman possessed when it comes to making stuff for her.  I've made her some clothes and this weekend I was busy making fabric baskets for her tiny things like socks.  Since she won't have a nursery (because we're moving, traveling and will not be settled in our own place until early 2014), I need lots of easy and collapsible storage options.  If you'd like to make one, you can find my tutorial here.  It's easy and kind of addicting!  

 For the one on the left, I appliqued the silhouette of the country of South Africa on one side...

And the good old USA on the other.  

I love these.

 

Some tiny bloomers from the tutorial over at MADE.

And a couple sweet circle skirts from the tutorial also at MADE.

And I'll be done working at the church in a few weeks when the secretary resumes her post.  I've been filling in for her as she is recovering from back surgery and the last 8 months have been wonderful.  I have a ton of projects lined up to make for Stella once I'm not working full time anymore.  

And that's all I have for now.  Life is good, I am so blessed and grateful for this tiny life growing inside me...and VERY impatiently awaiting her arrival!!!  Less than 16 weeks left to go!

baby/toddler braided headband tutorial

Hello friends!  Today I'm going to show you how to make a really cute braided headband for a baby or toddler.  It is made with stretchy knit fabric, super comfy and super cute.

You'll need your basic sewing supplies, nine strips of knit fabric measuring 1"x17", one rectangle of knit fabric measuring 2"x2 1/2", and some safety pins.

(Sizing note: your finished headband will measure approximately 16", so measure one of your child's existing headbands and adjust length of strips as needed.  Lengthen enough, and this can be a headband for you too!)

Cut your strips.  Make sure you cut across the stretchy part of the fabric so you'll have some elasticity to the headband.

Line up short ends of three strips, secure with a safety pin and braid them together.

It's easiest to do this if you safety pin them to your pants.

Safety pin the ends together neatly when you reach the end.  Repeat with other strips.

Now you have three braids.

Remove safety pins.  Bring together the braids and stitch them together.  Repeat on other end of braids.

Take your little rectangle and fold in half, right sides together, and stitch up short edge to make a small tube.

Shimmy your tube onto one end of the braids.  Expose raw edges by pulling tube up so it's covering the braids.  Now join all the raw edges of the braids and handsew into a tube.  The layers are too thick for a machine unless you have an uber-strong one.  I wouldn't risk it, myself.  I've broken needles that way before.  Once your headband is sewn together, simply slide the tube over the raw edges to hide them and you're done!

So cute and colorful and helpful to keep hair out of your little one's face!

shirred baby dress tutorial

As promised, here is the tutorial for the shirred baby dress that was part of the Strawberry Shields Forever outfit!  First of all, I have to let you know that for this is simply how I tweaked a tutorial from Delia Creates.  I made her Baby Bubble Top and loved it so much that I decided to make it into a dress.  This dress is for size 0-3 months.  With a few minor adjustments, you can upsize it easily.

First, cut a piece of fabric 12"x34".

Along both long edges, fold under 1/4" and press, then fold under another 1/4" and press.  These will be the top and bottom of your dress.

Sew hem down.

Now, for the shirring.  If you've never shirred, there are plenty of great tutorials you can search for.  Don't be intimidated, it's really very easy, I promise!  Wind up your bobbin with elastic thread (not too tight!)

Run five rows of shirring across the length, parallel to the top hem.  I spaced mine about 1/2" apart but it's up to you.  Be sure to remember to knot the thread and elastic at the end of the fabric to secure the elastic.

SIDENOTE: If you run out of elastic halfway through a row, DON'T PANIC!  

You have two options.  You can 

1. Rip it out and start over (which I rarely do) or: 

2. You can use a seam ripper to gently bring the thread to the back side of the fabric, undo a couple stitches without breaking the elastic or thread, and tie the thread and elastic together.  Then just start stitching again from the breakoff point, bringing new thread to bottom and tying it to the elastic.

Admire your beautiful rows of shirring!  

Fold dress in half lengthwise, right sides together and line up raw edges.  It should measure approximately 7" across.  (Disregard my excess fabric.  If you have excess you'd like to cut off, do so AFTER stitching side seam and be sure to stitch the part of the seam with the shirring a few times with a short stitch length so you secure the elastic and it doesn't pop out and unravel after you cut the excess.)

Serge seam or if you don't have a serger, zig zag seam.  I did a few lines of stitching especially across the shirring just to secure it. 

Turn right side out.

Now take an old knit t-shirt and cut four 1"x10" strips across the shirt (you want the fabric to stretch.)

Pull short ends and the strips will curl up into tubes, perfect for straps!

Using a 0-3 month onesie as your guide, or just eyeball position of straps.  Sew two to the front and two to the back of the dress with the seam on one side of the dress.

Tie straps together and knot the ends.

There you have it!  A super adorable baby sundress.

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Also, check out my fabric bucket tutorial over at Mommy is Cocoo!