Mama's Spare Time

U Create September

mamassparetime — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:27:15 +0000

I have been scouring the stores for my new fall purse. I am very picky about purses- mostly because I won’t spend a lot of money on them. When I saw this pattern for Ucreate montly “Create with me,” I knew I just found my purse. The Tohoku Purse is from I am Momma Hear me Roar. I am so thankful she created this great pattern for everyone to use.

I found the patterned fabric in the red clearance at Joann’s (was less than $2 for my cut). The black is a wool blend.

It was seriously much easier than it looks. She gives great directions! I love how it turned out- now if only fall would come!

Maria Knot Dress Review

mamassparetime — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:32:36 +0000

I had the opportunity to pattern test the Maria pattern for

Squiggly Twigs Designs a month ago.

I have made a knot dress before, but I really like the variety of ways this one could

be done. This knot dress had a bodice piece in the front and back, unlike the

previous one I have made with only a front bodice.

After getting past a few measurement calculations, the pattern was a breeze with many

photo detailed directions.

It also comes with an optional apron add-on:

I already have some ideas for fabric combinations for the next apron dress.

MCP 52- Week 9

mamassparetime — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:18:38 +0000

Express yourself

MCP Week 8

mamassparetime — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:17:31 +0000

A View from Here….

No, we don’t live on a farm; but I am surrounded by them. There are two large working dairies within one mile of my house, so not only do we see them often, it means we smell them too!

I shot in RAW again, did some small changes upon opening the file. Then in PSE 8, I used Pioneer Woman’s Sunshine Action to edit the photo. I wish I had days just to play around with photoshop, there is so much to learn.

Girl’s Bunting Shirt

mamassparetime — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:38:57 +0000

I can’t resist the Target clearance shelves, you can’t beat tees for $2.50. Especially, when you know you can use them as blank canvases.

This is a great scrapbuster.

I cut triangles with pinking shears, then used heat’n'bond to get them to stay where I wanted.

After sewing around the edges, I drew with fabric pen where I wanted my “string” to be and sewed over it with a dark brown thread.

I had picked up a book of iron-on’s by SUKIE several months ago, and these birds where perfect for this project.

It is a really cute book, with lots of unique decals.

2.50 shirt turned into a one of a kind!

Eva’s Ruby Lou

mamassparetime — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:35:05 +0000

Ruby Lou #2. I added a nylon chiffon gathered layer under the skirt. Did you know that this size skirt is perfect for the American girl dolls too! Ruby and Rebecca can share clothes now!

MCP 52- Week 7

mamassparetime — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:47:06 +0000

Okay….so I already forgot to do this last week. But I didn’t want to totally scrap the idea.

The theme this week is OPEN YOUR HEART.

Who doesn’t open their heart when you take a pet into your home.

I shot the picture in RAW format- which I haven’t done before. When you click to open the image it lets you do some basic editing right there. I used my Nikon D40 in manual mode, outside in bright light.

Another Sienna Dress

mamassparetime — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:43:08 +0000

This pattern is definitely worth the money….I have used it over 8 times.

I wanted to make Eva a comfortable dress she could wear to preschool this year. I used my new Silhouette SD to cut a freezer paper stencil for the love bug.

The bottom of the dress is different than the original pattern, but I wanted to have twirl bottom. If you want a basic guide to how I did it- measure the bottom of your dress (before you want the twirl) and then use the tutorial from MADE on how to cut the circle skirt part. Use the measurement of the bottom of the dress as your “waist.” I did have to play around with it a little, decreasing the waist measurement 1-2″ because of the stretch of the knit I was using.

I also added a large two hand pocket in the front because she loves pockets. I used one of her dresses as a guide for the pocket size and placement.

If only I could get a more cooperative model Boy, getting this picture was more work than making the dress!

Ruby Lou Doll

mamassparetime — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:59:43 +0000

Sew Much Ado has this adorable pattern for the Ruby Lou Doll. I have never made a doll before, but after almost a year of eyeing this pattern up, I decided to buy it when she had a pattern sale. It was a great pattern, very easy to follow for the beginner doll maker. Even the embroidery was not to difficult, for never having done it before.

I made this one for my neice’s 2nd birthday. My daughter had a hard time giving her up (I had to promise her one). So I see another Ruby in my future really soon.

MCP 52

mamassparetime — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:50:14 +0000

Photos touch me…it just amazes me how a moment can be captured forever.

That said, I am not very great with my camera (Nikon D40). I have had it for over 3 years now and mostly use it on the automatic mode. I really do want to learn to take better pictures this year. My kids just love having their pictures taken-NOT! In the past this has kept me from picking up my camera, not anymore. I am going to photograph anything AND my kids, even if they don’t like it!

I love this idea by MCP Actions, seems doable,1 picture a week. They give a suggested theme to help guide you. This is just what I need to push myself to take more pictures. I have missed the first month, but they say join anytime.

Yes, I am still sewing. Just need to actually photograph what I sew. See it’s a work in progress.