My new pocket calendar…

For a while now I have accepted the fact my Blackberry has replaced my brain. I probably have the worst case of Mommy Brain ever documented! My Berry holds EVERYTHING that used to live in my head, but the one thing I have not been able to embrace is the calendar. I am a pocket calendar kind of girl and have been for years. I have been using the calendar on the Berry for about 6 months and it’s been okay, but I gave up yesterday when I saw this tutorial over at Moda Bake Shop! I have officially converted back to my old ways and I love my new pocket calendar! Already filled out August :)

  Picked up the calendar at Walmart and covered it in Alexander Henry’s Spotted Owl…and it’s REVERSIBLE so the other side is some cute purple and brown paisley. Easy Peesy. Took like 15 minutes. These are sure to be going in people’s stockings this year!

Pattern Sale Finds!

The Jo-Ann’s Simplicity pattern sale started today so I hustled down there to make sure I got all the patterns that have been on my list. I don’t know about you, but I only buy patterns on sale…I’m cheap like that! I’ve had my eye on a few of the new bag patterns so I for sure grabbed those. I also picked up a few clothing patterns. I am TERRIFIED of making clothes, but I thought it would be a good challenge for me to overcome. I must be feeling inspired because Project Runway is starting tonight (better go make sure the DVR is set to record!)! Here’s what I came home with…

Love the pleated purse pattern! The other I am not super crazy about yet, but with the right fabric I might change my mind. For $1.99 it can live in my pattern box for a while! So for my clothing challenge…from left to right: 1) Simplicity #3835 A simple cute top that was recommended by Ashley at Film in the Fridge. 2) New Look (not on sale, but still cheap!) #6895 cute tank/top recommended by Suzannah at Adventures in Dressmaking and lastly 3) Simplicity #2413 a versatile skirt pattern. A while back I bought a McCall’s pattern (5094) that was on sale because I am going to a wedding in a few weeks and figured hey…why not whip up a dress?  Pretty sure I already know what fabric I will use. Here is that pattern too. I am going to do view D in a floral print, but without the bow. I will probably add a Shabby Blossom :)

More Ruffley Goodness Just For You!

I have been hard at work this week developing a few new product lines for Sew Chatty. On Monday, I announced my line of Vintage Inspired Aprons and today I am happy to announce that a few of my Ruffley Checkbook Covers and Coffee Cozies are now in the shop as well!

I love that ruffles are such a huge trend right now! So girly and fun…everything looks cuter with a ruffle! These Checkbook Covers and Coffee Cozies are sporting my signature shabby ruffle that gives just the right casual but feminine touch!  The coffee cozy will make the perfect little birthday gift for a girlfriend! Add a Starbucks gift card to make it even more fun! Loving the aqua and red color combo these days!

The Ruffley Checkbook Cover is an essential item in my bag. I use mine as my business wallet. These would make a great gift for a girlfriend or even the recent high school graduate that is heading out on her own…she’s going to need to learn how to balance a checkbook…why not make it cute!

 

I will be listing more aprons, checkbook covers, and coffee cozies to the shop throughout the week so be sure to check back! Have a great day! -E

Vintage Inspired Aprons.

I am launching several new product lines this week the first of which is Vintage Inspired Aprons. These cute little aprons are sure to make you feel like a Domestic Diva! Vintage inspired prints with with just the right amount of feminine detail. The necktie on the apron is made adjustable with a d-ring. The bottom is ruffled for a bit of flair. I have also added a detachable Shabby Blossom for extra cuteness. You can leave the Blossom on the apron or take it off to add to your favorite t-shirt, sweater, purse, etc...this one is currently available in the shop with a few more being posted throughout the week. Now go do that cooking in style!

 

Vacation re-cap and my giveaway winner!

We had such a great time on our church family camping trip to San Diego. It was wonderful to get out or town for a few days and rest up a bit. Our days were spent hanging out our friends, playing cards and board games, lounging on the beach, swimming at the pool, and eating WAY too much yummy food! Couldn't have asked for a better vacation! We love The Warehouse. Here are some pics to highlight our week…

This was Carter’s very first s’more. He asked for a “marshmallow sandwich” every night and as soon as he finished the last bite, he begged to go to bed!

We all got bandanas with a name on them and that’s who we prayed for all week at camp. Carter wanted to wear his and said “I look great! Like a pirate!” 

Pancakes!!! Got to love Krusteez pancake mix when your camping…just add water and….breakfast! We had a lot of the kids over one morning and they each whipped up their own pancake mix. They  had a blast!

Me and my friend Megan…I look a little intense…must have had too  much coffee that morning!

This is pathetic…all our guys each with iPhone or iTouch in hand planying Angry Birds. Apparently it’s all the rage…

Hope you are all having a great summer too! Last but not least…my summer giveaway winner is Mary! Congratulations Mary! Hope you love your new sunglasses case! It will be on it’s way to you shortly.  Happy Monday everyone!

-E

For all the latest Sew Chatty news, you can subscribe to my blog by clicking on the button in my sidebar!

Sew Chatty Summer Giveaway!

Hi there everyone! I hope you are enjoying your Saturday morning! Busy day ahead…we are getting ready for our annual week long camping trip in San Diego. So ready for our nice relaxing vacation!  I thought it would be fun to hold a summer giveaway while I’m away. And what is more summery than giving away a super cute ruffley Sunglasses Case!

To enter just comment below. The winner will be chosen by random when I get home next Friday. Do you follow me on Twitter or Facebook? If so, help me spread the word!!! Good luck to you! Happy Summer!

-E

***SHOP NOTICE-If you purchase an item from Sew Chatty this week, your item will not ship until 7/24. Happy Shopping!

So BLESSED (a little rambling and an announcement)!

I am feeling so incredibly blessed these days! I started my Etsy shop in January and had no idea it would do this well so quickly! To date I have 30+ followers on my blog, over 180 fans on my Facebook Fan Page, 75 followers on my Twitter, been listed in 2 Etsy Treasuries, got featured on Favorite Things Friday and A Stitch in Lime, and have had 47 sales in THE SHOP! It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s so rewarding to know that people actually like my things! Thank you SO much to everyone who has supported me along the way. I am truly blessed to be doing what I love! And because you have blessed me I want to bless you right back! I will be on vacation in sunny San Diego next week but while I am gone, you should enter my summer giveaway! I will be giving away a super cute Ruffled Sunglasses Case! How lucky are you?!?! I’ll be posting the actual giveaway post tomorrow with details on how to enter so check back then. Have a happy Friday everyone! We are off to the pool to beat this heat!

Let’s get organized…zippered pouches!!!

I carry these little pouches with me everywhere I go. They are perfect for organizing and containing all the little odds and ends that would otherwise be lost in the bottom of your bag! Check out this post to get a better idea of how I use mine to organize my purse. They are also a great “grab and go” for the gym, pool, beach…the possibilities are endless really! I currently have five up for grabs in THE SHOP. Here they are…

Something pretty to hold your shades…

The hot summer sun has FINALLY hit us in the O.C. and I never go anywhere without my sunglasses! I was carrying a big boxy case around in my bag, but it took up a lot of space and it wasn’t cute (it’s the one that came from the eye doc!) so I whipped up something pretty! Here it is…

Protect your sunglasses from scratches with my new ruffled sunglasses case! It's fully lined and padded. It's deep enough so that you don't have to worry about your shades slipping out. Cute and functional! I have four currently available in THE SHOP!

In need of a super cute summer accessory?

I have just the thing! As I’m sure you can tell, I am kind of on a ruffle kick lately and this lightweight summer scarf is the perfect cascading ruffle to dress up your outfit! I am a California girl through and through so I think it looks great over a simple tee or tank with jeans a flip flops! Enjoy! Here are the two that are currently listed in the shop! I love them both…can’t decide which is my favorite!

   

This Mama’s got a brand new bag…and some new accessories, too!

I made myself this bag around Mother’s Day and I love it. It’s a great Mom bag for when I am out and about with Carter. But I wanted something a little more sophisticated and “me” for when I am not in Mommy mode…which doesn't happen very often, but I still wanted a new bag just in case I go on a date with the Hubbs or out with the girls or something! Here it is! Isn’t she pretty??? My very first Shabby Blossom Bag. It turned out to be a little smaller than I had hoped, but surprisingly it fits everything I need to carry with me!

The bag is made with super sturdy canvas. The band and bag lining are a gray Moda print that I am in love with and, of course, I couldn’t resist adding a mustard Shabby Blossom with a pink fabric covered button. I am addicted to making fabric covered buttons!

This is the complete contents of my bag. All the essentials that I need with me at all times. I was a Girl Scout…I am always overly prepared! I have a pen, my wallet, my Crackberry, keys, stack of gift cards and coupons (going to need to make something for those soon…), my business card tin, tissues, wipes (I will always carry wipes…even when Carter is in college! I use them as much as he does!), and my Weight Watchers Pocket Guide (a new factoid about me…I am a receptionist for WW a few days a week…lost 30 lbs 2 years ago and being a receptionist helps me keep it off!).

As you can see, I also carry several Sew Chatty accessories with me. The 2 pouches (the pleated owls and the gray one) hold all the little odds and ends that would otherwise get lost in the bottom of my bag! One is basically a traveling medicine cabinet, and the other has gum, and Gatorade packets (see my Vegas vacation post!), my WW name badge, etc…I also have a matching sunglasses case, a ruffley coffee cozy, and checkbook cover…all made by me and all available in the shop within the next few weeks, so keep checking back. You can also follow me on Twitter @sewchatty and become a fan on Facebook for all the latest Sew Chatty news!

Here is everything all tucked into my bag. The cards/coupons go in the back pocket, the Berry goes in the front pocket, and my keys get hooked to the little piece of ric rac I sewed into the bag so they don’t get lost…ahhhh…I love being organized!

Summer Fun…our vacation and 4th of July!

I’m loving summer. Last week my husband and I got away for a much needed mini-vacation! We went to Las Vegas and stayed in out very favorite hotel…The MGM Signature. If you are looking for a great and cost effective place to stay the next time you head out to Vegas, I can’t recommend the Signature Towers enough! They are connected to MGM so you get to use the awesome MGM pools too! We book through Luxury Suites International. They are a property manager for private suite owners. This was our third time staying there. Each has a kitchen so we bring our own breakfast. lunch, and snacks so that we are only buying dinner on the strip. What can I say…we’re cheap!  We had such a great time and can’t wait to go back! Here are some pics of our trip.

Our awesome room!

Me and my super cute ruffley coffee cozy. I will be posting these in the shop soon so stay tuned!

A few of me and the Hubbs…

This would be me hydrating after I FAINTED…yes FAINTED…in front of the Treasure Island Pirate show (which BTW is A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME…skip it!!!) . Apparently I didn’t drink enough water for the 100+ degree temps and I probably should have had a little Gatorade at some point. I have never fainted before I really hope I don’t ever do it again! I am now carrying those G2 packets in my purse just in case another such emergency should arise!

I thought this Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity's would make me feel better…it did not…had to end the night early…major sad face!

As soon as we got home from our trip we jumped right into the 4th of July festivities! We had a blast with our friends at the Rancho Santa Margarita show. They do it right on the lake. So fun! Hope you all are enjoying your summer too!