Thursday, September 29, 2011

Throw-Back Thursday: Vintage Sewing Books, Stitch By Stitch



Today my thoughts are revolving around these vintage sewing books my Granny gave me, many years ago, as her and my Grandpop began downsizing to move to Florida. There are 20 total books in the series. Unfortunately I have books 2 through 20 and am missing the first one. I even have the index booklet. I'm sure the first one gave all the basic of sewing, knitting, crocheting all all the other crafts featured, and therefore must have been used so often it was displaced from the rest! But of course - I can't be too sure of that. All I know is, it's gone.

Commadore keyboard Image from wikipedia
These books remind me of the days when I sat on a Commodore 64 playing "pong" before my brother took the keyboard apart thinking he could put it back together. Or of the salesmen that would walk door to door and town to town selling sets of Encyclopedias because we didn't have the internet for research homework. And reminds me of the Craft kit projects, you could pay for through the mail, one project a week or month that came with a binder to put it all in (and divider tabs). Those were the days. And those days are gone, but at least I still have the books. Something to remember "those days" by!

I wonder if my girls will remember going to book store and libraries when they are older. I wonder if their children will ever walk through the doors of a book store or library?! Wouldn't that be so sad.

These books are treasures to me. Sure they are so severely outdated...but everything old becomes new again right? Like wearing a belt on top of a plaid shirt and Farrah Fawcett hair! I can't say I look through them often, nor do I gain much inspiration from them for current projects, but they are just so cool to have. A long time ago, my Granny used these books to make things for herself, her children, her grandchildren, and friends too! Somethings are worth holding onto! What are you holding onto? Do you have special treasures from the past that tell a story? Please share it!

Have a great day, minute by minute and stitch by stitch!



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These Stitch by Stitch books were printed by Torstar Books, in Belgium 1984, 1985



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Modular Star - AccuQuilt GO! Winner!


GGPS6ZSAWEZ8 WOW - I am so grateful for the awesome response to not only my Modular Star Tutorial, but also to the AccuQuilt GO! giveaway! I really love creating new designs and sewing, but it's so much more fun when I am able to help give back as well, because of companies like AccuQuilt!

I'm so excited to finally let you know who won the AccuQuilt GO! Baby giveaway. Thank you all for waiting 2 more days, but I needed to make sure that if an international fan was chosen, that they would be able to get the package. I'll be sure to ask that question next time before I post!

ok - so without further wait...Here is the winner:
Audrey's Attic

Audrey's Attic!

Audrey's Attic won an AccuQuilt GO! Baby cutter, with a cutting mat and 3 dies of her choice! How cool is that?!!! Now - if she doesn't get back to me soon - I will have to pick another winner...but I'm pretty sure she will unless she gave me the wrong email address?!

I'd like to personally thank each of you for entering the giveaway and spreading the kidgiddy love! Please come back and visit my blog often - click the follow button if you haven't already! I promise there are more good times to come! Thanks again and congrats to Audrey's Attic!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Busy Monday: Reversible PumpKat Softies


Boo,

Hope this little PumpKat didn't scare you! Get your copy before it's gone!  The latest issue (Sept/Oct 2011) of Crafts 'n things Magazine is out on stands...or sold out - so run don't walk to get your copy now!

This year for halloween I couldn't decide if I wanted the pattern to be a Jack-o-Lantern or a Black Scaredy Cat! So it became a little of each! Just like some years...most years, my girls can't decided what they want to be for Halloween...until the last minute! Yikes!

By following the simple, sew as you go, concept in the instructions, you can to make this reversible PumpKat for your fall festive table decorations this year! Give them faces or let the fabric do all the talking. Make just one, or make as many as you please. You can even enlarge it to make a really bold...huge statement! No matter what you do...have fun and enjoy the fall season that is quickly approaching!

When you are done making your PumpKat, please head on over to my Kid Giddy Flickr group and post your pictures for all to share. I'm going to start highlighting some of you crafty folks that are posting in there! Please let me know if you have any questions putting yours together! Have an awesome week!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Busy Monday: AccuQuilt GO! Modular Star Tutorial & Giveaway!


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Most Modular Stars I have seen are made out of glass, metal or paper. I have wanted to make this modular star pattern for a very long time, and as I was deciding on which AccuQuilt GO! Dies I wanted to design with first, I knew I had to have this one. There was no doubt in my mind it would work, I just didn't know how many I'd have to make, to make it work! Although this looks so difficult, I'd actually call it a step above a "beginner level" pattern. It really is so easy, it just looks very intimidating. When in doubt try it out! The fabric used here are various patterns from the Baum Textiles (Windham Fabric) "Storybook" line. They were little pieces from their swatch cards that I have had for a long time!

Here's what you'll need:
AccuQuilt GO! Machine (Studio or Baby)
AccuQuilt GO! "Triangles in Square - 3" Finished"
AccuQuilt Cutting Mat
Fabric of Choice
Straight Scissors
Sewing Machine
Fiberfill for stuffing
Needle & Thread (for sewing closed)

Here's what you'll do:

Step 1: (Please read all manufacturers instructions prior to using your AccuQuilt cutter if you are a first timer). Place a couple of pieces of fabric onto the 2 Large Triangles of your AccuQuilt GO! Cutter die and cover with the cutting mat. Roll the die and mat through the AccuQuilt Cutter and continue this process until you have at least 60 pieces for your Modular Star. If you are using many different scraps, you may want to consider cutting a few extra, so you can be selective when coordinating each triangle and each section. 
Step 2: Place two triangles, right sides together, and stitch along one of the long sides.  You can chain stitch this step, to avoid clipping your thread and starting again each time. Be sure to lock in your stitch at each end (as you turn them right side out, they may come apart without a locked in stitch). You will need to chain stitch 20 sets of 2. 
Step 3: Now open it, right sides facing up and place the 3rd Triangle face down, lining up the raw edges. Chain stitch this step as well. You will then have sewn 20 sets of 3 triangles each. 
Step 4: Once you have sewn the 3 pieces together, you will sew the two outside edges together, to close up the side of the triangle. The bottom will remain open. After you have sewn the edge of all 20 triangles, carefully turn them all right side out. They now look like little pyramids. 


Step 5: Now we begin connecting all of the pyramids. First we start by connecting 2 triangles together, from two of the pyramids. Place right sides together and sew them together. (TIP: Don't make the mistake I made and not sew enough of a seam allowance in this step. Once 5 pyramids are sewn together you may have a hole in the center that will weaken easily over time. Your seam allowance should be at least 1/4" if not slightly more.)
Step 6: Add another pyramid to the first 2, by connecting one triangle side of the connected pyramids, to one side of the new pyramid. Continue this process until you have 5 pyramids connected (they will look like a crown). Set this crown (set of 5) aside and make another crown.
Step 7: When you have 2 crowns, pick one triangle from each crown, and connect the two triangles by sewing them right sides facing together.
Step 8: Now you'll see that by connecting the two crowns, you have 4 pyramids right in the center (2 on each side). You'll now add one pyramid in between these 4, to create a crown in the center. Connect  one side of the pyramid to the left, and the other side of the same pyramid to the right side. (Now it will look like you have one crown in the center and 3 pyramids on each side.)


Step 9: If you turn it around as in this top left picture, you'll have one crown in the center and 3 pyramids on each side (as mentioned before). Now you'll see that you have 4 again and can add a 5th pyramid in between to make a 5 pointed crown again. So repeat step 8. 
Step 10: You will continue this exact same process as you go all the way around. Remember that 20 pyramids will make one whole Modular star! 
Step 11: Before you stitch up the very last edge, you'll have to stuff it. Now I used Bamboo for this one (as seen in the pictures), and thought it would help to hold it's shape better and be more dense (bamboo is very thick and dense). But I think the next one I make will be filled with a light weight polyfill. I think it will stuff better and simply be lighter. I think it will also put less stress on the centers. So stuff yours with a fiber of choice. 
Step 12: Close your Modular star closed with a ladder stitch. It is really addictively fun to play with. Just ask my girls and my husband. Because he is a graphic designer, I'm always interested in his opinion, and when I see him seriously checking out my work (and playing with it!), I get so excited!!!

If you like this Triangle Die as much as I do, you can also check out my other AccuQuilt GO! Triangle Pennant Banner Tutorial! And now - the moment I've been waiting for, and hopefully you have been too!...

The AccuQuilt GO! GIVEAWAY!

Here's what you can win:
1 AccuQuilt GO! Baby and 3 Dies of YOUR choice! and I think a cutting mat (but I'll check on that in the meantime)! Make sure you choose Dies that are compatible with the GO! Baby!

If you win:
The winner will have to supply me (in a personal email after you have been notified as the winner) with your Full Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number & Email Address.

Details of the Giveaway:
This giveaway will be open to US Residents until I find out otherwise. It wasn't specified - so I will check and get back to you. Please enter anyway just in case!
This Giveaway will be open from Monday September 5th , 2011 4pm EST until Saturday September 17, 2011 11:59pm EST. Winner will be notified by email only. 

To Enter:
If you want a chance to win - you MUST leave A comment below ( WITH your email address. Please understand that I really don't have time to go hunting for a way to contact you) If you forget and leave another comment with only your email address, in the hopes that will count as two -  only your first comment will count). 

For additional chances to win:

  • You can tweet about it with a link - please include my twitter handle "http://twitter.com/kidgiddyetsy" (leave a comment here so it counts that you did)
  • You can blog about it (leave a comment here with a link)
  • You can visit my Pinterest page (http://pinterest.com/kidgiddy) and re-pin anyone of my Kid Giddy Designs Pins. Only the Kid Giddy Design Pins will be counted. (leave a comment here for it to count) 

So are you ready??? GO! Ahead and enter!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my tutorial and for entering my giveaway! If you have any questions about the tutorial or the giveaway you can click the contact me button up top and fire away! After you do make a Modular Star, please feel free to upload a couple of my pics to my Kid Giddy Flickr Group! I just recently started the group, so I'm really needing more company! If you've made something using one of my designs, or tutorials, please post it to the group! Good Luck and have a great week!


Disclaimer: I have not been paid by AccuQuilt to design this tutorial, but I have been given some products listed, in order to make it. This does not, in any way, alter my opinions of the product being used.

IMPORTANT F.A.Q.'s
Please note: This MODULAR STAR PATTERN is a Kid Giddy Original and cannot be made and resold. This pattern tutorial is being shared for home and personal use only. THANK YOU! I have received many emails inquiring to share this tutorial. You may only share the first image (which is the finished Modular Star image) and a link back to this tutorial. You may NOT re-do this tutorial (even in another language) even taking your own photos, to share on your own blog or site. I appreciate that many of you love the design, but re-creating the tutorial for your own site, even with credit is not acceptable. Thank you.

If you do not have the AccuQuilt cutter, you can still make this design, using a basic triangle shape. As long as the two side lengths are the same, you are good to go. It can be as point or as short as you'd like it. You can purchase a triangle cutting ruler (used for pennant banners and quilting) which will work as well. I'd also recommend you clip the corners to make it easier for your seam allowance. Again - just by making your own triangles doesn't mean you created the pattern, and can therefore sell it as your own, as a finished product or as a PDF pattern, etc. Thank you for your understanding!

And while you are here...would you mind clicking this image and voting for my blog...I have been nominated and would love to be included on the 2012 Top 50 mom craft blogs Babble list! I'm currently in the top 30 but need more votes to stay there and work my way closer to the top! Thanks so much!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER - Audrey's Attic won. Thanks!

Busy Monday: AccuQuilt Pennant Banner Tutorial


Who doesn't love a penant banner (or Garland)? Right! We all do - Well this one is so easy it will knock your socks off. Depending on how many pennants you want to make and include in each banner, it can take you about 1 - 2 hours! That's it!

This tutorial is also the first blog hop for me as a new member of the Designer Blog Craft Connection! So click on the Designer Blog Crafts Connection sidebar link after you've made your banner, to head off to the next blog for another fun craft! Every first Monday of the month we are going to have some awesome and fun projects for you. This month, the theme is parties or gatherings and things for it. These easy Pennant Banners are just so cute and festive and will cheer up any room, shower, celebration or party! It's also makes a great gift! 

Here's what you'll need:
AccuQuilt GO! Machine (Studio or Baby)
AccuQuilt GO! "Triangles in Square - 3" Finished"
AccuQuilt Cutting Mat
Fabric of Choice
Ribbon of Choice (approx. 3 yeards for 14 Pennants)
Straight Scissors
Sewing Machine
Fiberfill for stuffing
Needle and Thread (for sewing closed)

Here's what you'll do:


Step 1: Place a couple of pieces of fabric onto your AccuQuilt GO! Cutter die and cover with the cutting mat. Roll through the AccuQuilt Cutter and continue this process until you have at least 28 pieces for your pennant banner. (Please read all manufacturers instructions prior to using your AccuQuilt cutter if you are a first timer). Step 2: Place two triangles, right sides together, and stitch along the two long sides, pivoting at the tip and down the other side. Leave the shortest end open for turning right side out. You can chain stitch this step, to avoid clipping your thread and starting again each time. Be sure to lock in your stitch at each end (as you turn them right side out, they may come apart without a locked in stitch).


Step 3: Once you have sewn all 14 pieces (or more if you choose), turn them right side out and top stitch each triangle, on the same sides as they were sewn before. You can chain stitch this step as well, to save time. You do not need to lock stitch at each starting and ending point.


Step 4: Using a 1" ribbon, fold it in half lengthwise and find your center point. Layout how you'd like to place and order each pennant, 7 on each side of the fold. Begin by folding the 1" ribbon in half,  stitching the edge of the ribbon (approx. 12" length) closed. Place the first pennant's raw edge into the fold of the ribbon and continue to stitch across the ribbons edge. Stitch approx. 1" of the ribbon edge closed, and then place the next pennant into the fold. Continue this process until you have sewn all of the pennants into place. Sew the remaining edge of the ribbon closed and you're done.



This die so far has been my favorite. I've made 2 projects with it and I'm sure there's so many more I could make. I'll have to let my brain think about it some more! Now I'm off to write up the Modular Star tutorial and the awesome giveaway... you could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby with 3 Dies of your choice too!! Whootwhoot!

If you are a quilter, you can sign up for 22 FREE AccuQuilt Patterns - click the image to the right (on the sidebar), for your free patterns and download them today - it's really that easy!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my tutorial! I hope that you enjoy making some pennant banners! When you do make some, please feel free to upload them to my Kid Giddy Flickr Group! I just recently started the group, so I'm really needing more company! If you've made something using one of my designs, or tutorials, please post it to the group! Have a wonderful day & week!



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Disclaimer: I have not been paid by AccuQuilt to design this tutorial, but I have been given some products listed, in order to make it. This does not, in any way, alter my opinions of the product being used.