DIY – Page 20

Frozen Costumes

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014 by KTgreen

I was planning on posting about some options for the DIY Easy Tote bag from last week but it was pandemonium around here. That’s a kind way of saying that three energetic grandkids were here for three crazy busy days.

So, instead, I’ll tell you about the Frozen costumes that I’m working on.

This all started when Piper skyped me from ND to ask me to make her an Elsa dress. Not a problem. So I told Addy and Kendall that I’d make them dresses, too. They were all very excited! Everyone wanted to be Elsa, of course. And I want to add that these three girls are all fashionistas. They are not going to wear anything that doesn’t fit exactly right, rubs in the wrong way, or is the slightest bit off in style or color!

I had the pattern for the Frozen costumes but wasn’t too sure of the size for Piper. So, rather than just making the dress out of all that shiny material and finding out that it doesn’t fit, I made a test dress in the 2-3 size for her and was planning on sending it off to ND for Piper to try on.

When I finished it, I thought this really looks big. So, since Kendall was here, I tried it on her. She’s a size 5. And she said, “Grandma, this is way too big, I’d have to wear a shirt under this.” And she was right, the armholes were very large.

So I tried it on Addy, a size 7, and it just fit. A little short in the length but perfect around the chest and armholes.

And where’s Kendall?

Kendall Kids Kids

And that’s why I didn’t get the tutorial for the tote options finished!

We did accomplish something. Kendall now wants to be Anna! Yeah! Two Elsa’s and an Anna. Couldn’t convince Jack to be Olaf, though!

And we went to the fabric store and these two fashionistas picked out the perfect shiny material for two Elsa’s and an Anna. And I was told exactly how each cape had to be attached and that the dresses had to go ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, and they had to have long sleeves. Glad I got straightened out on all that before I made those dresses! Now I just have to figure out how to make the dress small enough for Piper!

Fabric

I’ll be back next Thursday with the update for the tote!

Adventures in the Kitchen with Michelle, Green Tea

July 9, 2014July 9, 2014 by Michelle

My favorite grocery store, Publix, makes a wonderful iced tea available in the deli section that has green tea, and honey with ginseng. I love that I can just pick up a gallon for parties. It is soooo good. But not as ‘healthy’ as it sounds. The ingredients list contains sugar and carmel color, and other not-on-my-list items. In fact, the diet version lists Splenda right on the front label – no thank you. But I still like it. And you know me, if I like it, I’d like to make it…myself.

Now, I have plenty of green teas, honeys, agave nectar, and a lemon is never hard to find in my kitchen. Ginseng, is another matter. That is something I don’t stock. I went looking for a ginseng tea. While at my favorite local store, I spotted, in the tea section, a little gem I’d not seen before. It’s an herbal/green tea from Celestial Seasonings and it has all the cast of characters – this could work. The taste, however wasn’t really exact. It has white tea in it too, which is great, but made it rather mild. I like my tea over ice, so I tend to make the batches a bit strong. That said, I found the following worked perfect.

Michelle’s Publix-Style Green Tea

1 quart bottle: I reused one from some cider, so it’s got a lid that can take heat.

2-1/2 Cups Boiling Water

1 bag Green Tea

1 bag Celestial Seasonings Green Tea w/honey, lemon and ginseng

3 Tbl Agave or Honey

First warm up that bottle with some warm tap water so as not to shock it later. Get the water boiling either on the stove or microwave.

When it’s ready, pour out the tap water, add in the Celestial Seasonings bag (because it has no tag) to the bottle. Pour over the boiling water. Then add the green tea bag and try to hold the tag out of the neck of the bottle. Leave the cap either off, or just put on lightly so it can release some heat. Leaving the tag out makes it much easier to fish out. Set it all aside and let it steep for a half hour or so,…don’t you have emails to check?

OK, that’s it – slowly pull out the green tea bag, leave the other one there, add the sweetener and give it a swirl. Top it off with some regular temp water (about 1-1/2 cups or so) and add the bottle to the fridge.

Way better for you with only a few ingredients. And you can add more or less sugar if you like. The lemon and white tea makes it remind me of an Arnold Palmer too. Feeling really overheated, add a sprig of mint to your glass or bottle.

Why only a quart? Because this is poured over a full glass of ice, and that means that with only me drinking it a half gallon is just too much. Besides, don’t you need a reason to get one of those uber cool swing-top ‘growler’ bottles? I thought so.

Go ahead Summer – bring on the heat – I’m ready!

Michelle @ badzoot.com

The Easiest DIY Tote Ever

July 3, 2014 by KTgreen

Jes asked me to make a tote. She had bought one that she absolutely loved and it was worn out. Could I make one just like it?

Of course!

Based on the tote she sent home with me, I made a denim one just for practice. And when Jes came to visit, she wanted that one. I offered to use a different fabric, put pockets, appliques, etc. on it. Nope. She just wanted a plain old denim tote. And she immediately started using it.

Jessica's tote

So I decided if it was that great, I probably needed one, too. I could carry my music and stuff in it to the acoustic meetup. And then I had to overthink it. And I started putting appliques and pockets and….. And it’s just supposed to be an easy-peasy tote! So after I finished my complicated one, I made this one.

And it took less than an hour and very little fabric.

And then I made Maggie model for me…

Okay, one more pic then I’ll show you how easy this tote really is!

EASIEST DIY TOTE EVER INSTRUCTIONS

You need two 19″ squares of sturdy fabric for the tote–like denim or canvas. Plus 36″ of cotton webbing for the strap.

I was trying to use up some old fabric so pieced together the back to get the 19″ square.

Put the rights sides together and sew the sides and bottom with 1/2″ seam allowance. I did a zigzag stitch along the edges, too, since I don’t have a serger.

Sides are Sewn — Three sides are sewn. Make sure you get the correct bottom if you are using a one-directional fabric like me.

Next is the pleated bottom. Fold the fabric in on both sides at the bottom 2 1/2″.

Pleats on the bottom Then stitch across the bottom with a 1/2″ seam allowance. I stitched twice just in case I decide to carry a watermelon home in that bag. If that fell through, that would be a disaster!

Turn the top edge under 1/2″ then another 1/2″ and stitch 3/8″ from the top along the edge.

For the handle, turn the cotton webbing under 1/2″ on both ends. Stitch. (I also zigzag stitched it.) Put the bottom of the webbing on either side seam at 1 1/2″ from the top . Stitch a box, then an X in the middle of the box. Or you could do the X first, or some variation. That will make the handles a bit more sturdy if you decide to carry a watermelon.

Easiest DIY Tote Ever! Easy Peasy Done! Seriously, less than an hour. And quite cute and useful. I could even carry Maggie in it! (All I need is a biscuit!)

And next week I’ll show you how to change up that basic pattern with French seams, facing, pockets, appliques….. it just goes on and on and on.

Not the easiest DIY tote ever! — This one takes way more than an hour!