Marilyn Bag

This is the Amy Butler Swing bag pattern, which is one of my favorite bags to make! Actually i have made so many of these i needed to spice it up a little bit.

Im a sucker for a bow, and contrasting prints and polka dots... So i decided to make this a tribute bag to one of my favorite icons in this feminine combo of pink and gray.

The supplies needed for this bag include a cotton twill (home dec weight). I think this is a nice trick to adding weight and stability to the bag so that it isnt so flimsy. It also prevents warping when it is washed. This is a great solution, but is not mandatory. You could also use firm interfacing, or nothing at all. Whatever you decide to use will dtermine the feel and weight of the bag.

I recommend trying all styles for bags while you are practicing this pattern. After all they make fabulous gifts!

Embroidery:

This was a photo I found of her that i manually digitized in my Bernina Version 6 design software. This digitizing software is the best, in my opinion because it takes the mystery out of vector drawings and is so easy to edit one stitch at a time. Im so please with the way it turned out!
This project has opened a world of creativity to me... In thinking of embroidery as much more than a canned design.

Nobody else will have a bag like this! How super exclusive of me... I love it!
I think i need Audrey next...

Strawberry Bacon Mixed Greens

I am so excited to share this new recipe! I call it the Craving Rx... Because it satisfies any craving I have! It is a balanced meal with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, protien, dairy and antioxidents.
Ingredients

- 2 cp. organic mixed greens
- 1/2 sliced cucumber
- 1 slice morning star soy "bacon" cooked
- organic strawberries 3-4 sliced
- 1/4 red apple ( i like gala or pink ladies) * make sure its organic!
- 1 tbsp organic parmesean cheese
- 1/4 cup chickpeas
Girards Champagne Vinnegrette dressing to taste!

Directions:
Mix greens, apple slices, strawberries, and cucumber in large bowl. Next, add chickpeas

Garnish with crushed soy bacon and parmesean cheese.

Add dressing

This is so great for you, and the complex variety of flavors are quite satisfying. Especially if you are adjusting from a sugar addiction.

Tip:
Add gluten free rotini, chicken, salmon or even tofu to make this a filling and satisfying meal.

Enjoy!


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Dyeing for-Rit!

Once... A long time ago I attempted to use Rit dye to make a light blue pair of jeans, a dark blue pair of jeans. Needless to say, the results were less than satisfactory, the jeans were ruined... And it left a huge mess in the bathtub...

I dont really give up easily though... And finally my persistance has paid off! I am now much more confident with the art of fabric dyeing. I realize that with a little more effort...and a little more attention, Rit dye can do exactly what you want it to do.

In the world of fibers black is the most heavily pigmented color. What that actually means is that it has to alter each fiber with the weight of heavy pigments. You might notice a slightly heavier handle on the fabric after dyeing it black. You may also notice your sewing machine gets "lintier" when you are sewing with black or dark colors. This is due to the fact that the altered fibers are slightly weaker and therefore the rubbing of the needle can shave those loose fibers into your machine. If you think your sewing machine needs a deep cleaning after all of the sewing on black, please let us know!

The first color I wanted to master was black. This can be one of the most difficult colors due to the fabrics ability to recieve pigment. Make sure you are dyeing only natural fibers!

Here is how to do it:

- Put fabric to be died into large pasta pot.

- Fill pasta pot with water making sure to cover the fabric, leaving it fully submerged.

- Place on large burner and turn on high to start boiling water.


- Remove fabric and set aside until water begins a slow boil.

- Add 1 cup of sea salt to water

- Once slow boil is reached add fabric, and dunk into water. I used a metal spoon that wouldnt be ruined by the dye.
- Add large bottle of Rit Dye.

- Boil for 2-3 hours. Stirring every 15 mins gently. This continually disperses the dye so that it is even, without splotching.

- When time is up carefully take the full pot to the sink and remove the fabric. Run under cold water until the water runs clear.

- Soak for 5 mins in White Distilled Vinegar to lock in the pigments.

- Rinse again.

- Hang dry


I am hooked on this! I love that i have all of these petti skirts. It is going to enhance the clothing i already have!





Chanel Number five could not sleep either, until we saw the results... Lol

Recently i have decided that i need another tTD Boutique Skirt in Valentino Red to accent this cute belt i picked up from Nordstrom Rack.
What do you think?