We've moved!

It's the end of an era! For the last four years, Sew Chatty has been such a blessing to me and to my family, but it was time for a change. You can now find me at Hello Apricot sharing fresh new DIY's and happy handmade goodness. Today is launch day and we're having a giveaway to celebrate so head on over and check it out! And thank you for for following along in my new adventure. You bless me.

Launch Day Giveaway

{Tutorial} Adding Commercial Handles to Handmade Bags

Hi everyone! I have a great little tutorial to share with you today that will take your handmade bags to the next level! Commercial store bought handles will give your tote the perfect finishing touch and make you look like a total professional. And really it could't be easier!

JoAnn Fabrics makes spring crafting so simple during national craft month with a $5 off $25 or more purchase coupon and spring crafting inspiration website!

Supplies Needed:
Commercial Handles (I got mine at JoAnn's. They're microfiber.)
Fabric scraps for creating tabs-4 pieces cut to 2"x2 1/2"

Favorite tote or purse pattern…pieces cut and ready to go
general sewing supplies

Alright, let's get to it!




1. Cut your tabs. 4 pieces at 2x2 1/2 inches
2. Fold in half along long side and stitch with 1/4" seam allowance (repeat for all four tabs)
3. Press seam open.
4. Turn inside out. Press. Press in half wrong sides (seam side) together and insert through ring of handle.
5. Baste edge closed with 1/4" or 1/8" inch seam. Whatever you feel comfy with but also be mingle of your bag pattern. If your pattern calls for 1/4 seams, use 1/8 so that your basting stitches are hidden in the seam.
6. Repeat for all four tabs and you're done! Now you can follow your bag pattern.

Oooooooh ahhhhhhhh. See what a difference that makes?!?!? Looking good. 

Here is the inside of my bag. Other professional touches I like to add are magnetic snaps, pockets, and boxed bottoms. These little details make such a huge difference in the finished look, functionality, and style of your bag.

All these supplies can be purchased at your local JoAnn's! Happy crafting friends!!

{Recipe} Four Ingredient Caramel Corn

Hey there! Who needs a fun and simple treat that you can share with your Valentine? Everyone loves caramel corn right??? This takes like 5 minutes to make, you ready?

This post in in partnership with our friends at Jolly Time Pop Corn

Doesn't it look yummy? Well it is. Here's how you do it:

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 bag popped microwave popcorn

1-2 cups mini marshmallows

Directions:

Pop your popcorn according to the package directions. Pour into large bowl.

Melt the sugar and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave. 2 minutes.

Stir in the marshmallows. Heat for 1-2 minutes more until everything is all melty and awesome.

Pour over your popped popcorn and stir until everything is mixed well.

That's it! So easy and crazy delicious.

We don't do a lot of microwave popcorn these days because I've been on an air pop kick. Did you know that Jolly Time has an organic popping kernel? I'll definitely be picking up a bag on my next shopping trip! You can find it HERE.

Have a great day friends!

{Merry & Bright Christmas Mantle}

Hi there and Merry Christmas to you! I'm sharing my Merry & Bright Christmas Mantle here today! We don't do a whole a lot of decorating for Christmas. Just the tree and the mantle and a few things that are special to us. This year's mantle was SO FUN to do. I honestly have no plans to change it next year.

This post is in partnership with JoAnn's. All ideas and projects talked about are my own. Here is our #fabulouslyfestive December space!

Ta dahhhhhhhhh! It's my favorite ever! Let me tell you about some of the details!

The bright colored trees are just the foam ones. I picked them up at JoAnn's. I wrapped them in fabric strips and different trims and stuck a sweet little pom pom on top.

I love love love this Christmas print. JoAnn's had some great fabrics this season! I framed this one in an embroidery hoop that I wrapped in strips of green gingham. 

I went a little non traditional for my wreath this year. I added some yellow and aqua in with the go to red and green. Funky and fun. I wrapped the wreath form in fabric strips and trims and yarn and added a silver glittered ornament with some hot glue. I love it all but I think those pom poms are my fave.

A little hint of our tree. I made tons of these crocheted ornaments this year. I adore them so much! I very well might COVER the tree in them next year. Better start working on them in July. I forgot to add garland to the tree this year. Oops. But have no fear, I raided the miscellaneous trim bucket and tied a bunch of odds and ends together. So now the tree is covered in ribbon and pompoms and lace. 

I have a coupon for all you last minute Christmas crafters (like me!).

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a very merry Christmas! 

{awesome pattern shout out}

Hi friends! Things have been super quite around the blog lately. Enjoying this season with friends and family.

Need to make a quick last minute gift for a crafty person in your life? Might I suggest this awesome Open Wide Pouch by Anna at Noodlehead.

You guys this pattern is FANTASTIC. So well written and really fun to make. I learned a few new techniques along the way too!

For my fabrics I used a gray chevron I had in my stash, and a sweet polka dot print from Whole Port. I used a Pellon heavy interfacing for some extra sturdiness too. 

This is the largest size and it's HUGE. It's a great project bag for us crafty girls who always seem to bring a project everywhere we go. As a crocheter, this bag will fit everything I need for a small project: yarn, my hook pouch, etc… Contains everything in one convenient pouch that I can toss in my bigger purse. Plus it saves my car keys form getting tangled up in a ball of yarn. It's happened.

I hope you'll try out the pattern! I can't wait to make more. My next project to sew for myself is Anna's Super Tote. Can. Not. Wait.

Have a happy day! 

{Crochet Boot Cuff TUTORIAL}

Hi friends! I have a fun crochet tutorial to share with you today! 

I have been making LOTS of boot cuffs. They are such a fun accessory for the cooler months. Anyhow, I've tried out several different patterns both free tutorials I've found online and patterns I purchased when those didn't work out... Anyhow, in my quest for a pair of boot cuffs that fit my need for quick and simple gifting, I have found nothing. But like they say, "necessity is the mother of invention"...so I came up with my own pattern and they are quick and simple and CUTE. You'll be able to whip these up in a bout an hour, plus I'm showing you how to package them all professional like too. You're welcome.

Pin this image!

Pin this image!

Supplies:

worsted weight yarn

size H 5mm hook

yarn needle

scissors

buttons

 Chain 35. Note: 35 worked great for me, but you may need to add or decrease chains depending on your calf size.

 Join chain with slip stitch being careful not to twist your chain.

 Chain two.

 DC in each chain all the way around.

 You made it!

 Join with a slip stitch to top of first DC. Chain 2. Turn.

 DC in each chain around. Repeat pattern for 8 rows.

 Done! Fasten off and weave in your ends. Now make the second cuff the same way.

After you weave in all your ends, add your buttons. I like to add mine to the second row from the top and on the sides. Be mindful to keep your seams in the back and also that you are adding one button to the right side of one cuff and one to the left side of the other so that you have a right and a left. Make sense?

Front View

Side View

 Alright, lets talk packaging. These will make a GREAT Christmas gift for any accessory loving girl in your life. 

Supplies:

Kraft paper. A strip that measures about 3x15 is perfect.

Stamp kit

tape

cute tape to cover the functional tape

Method:

Stamp your wrapper. Wrap it around the cuffs and tape it closed with the clear tape. Then place the cute tape over that tape. Pictured below.

Fabric tape is from Daiso. I love it so much!

For these ones I added a little rosette pin too. For the rosette pattern click here. For the leaf pattern click here.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! Happy stitching!!

{Thanksgiving Pallet Art}

Today I'm sharing a fun DIY pallet art project with you that's perfect to add to your home decor this Thanksgivning!

 

This project was made in partnership with JoAnn Fabrics but all ideas and opinions are my own.

I wanted to make a little something for our Thanksgiving buffet table this year and this is what I came up with! Let me walk you through how I made this fun little piece of pallet wood and Whoville inspired Thanksgiving tree!

 We have a bunch of salvaged pallets so we're always looking for cool stuff to do with them. Aside from a few items I had around the house, most supplies were purchased at my local JoAnn's. Here is what you'll need to make the sign:

• piece of pallet wood. Mine is cut to about about 9" long.
• craft paint in whatever color you choose. I did one very light coat. I wanted a touch a color, but also for the distressed wood to show though.
• "thanks" letters using some fun scrapbook paper and cut with my Cricut Mini
• wire letter typography...I got some electrical wire at home depot then covered it with my favorite chunky yarn and a pompom made with my small {pink} Clover pompom maker. Here is a great detailed tutorial on how I did the cursive lettering.
• once I got the letters covered with yarn I hot glued them onto the pallet and prayed they'd stay standing...and they did yay!

I could not love my little pompom tree more! Here's how I made it...

• found a milk bottle in my stash which I adore. If you don't have a milk bottle, any vase will do!
• pom poms! Grab some fall colored yarn scraps and your Clover pompom maker and get cracking. I made 9.
• I found some sticks in the backyard and hot glued the pompoms to the sticks.
• Add your pompom sticks to your vase and you're done! 

Head to JoAnn's with this fab coupon and get crafting!

I love the charm and sweetness this will add to our Thanksgiving table!

Have a blessed day friends!