Ruby Star Wrapping : :

Have you seen that the ridiculously talented and adorable Melody Miller and Allison Tannery have a new book? Oh yeah! Ruby Star Wrapping : : Creating Packaging to Reuse, Regive, and Relove! My friend Sukie is hosting a Wrap-Along and I absolutely could not resist joining in the fun!

Melody has a wonderful post all about her new book here, on her blog Ruby Star Rising. Through so many fun and thoughtful projects, this book teaching you that super creative, thrifty and frugal, easy-to-make Anthro gift giving style that I just love! Last year I spent a small fortune on wrapping paper, tags, and ribbons, thinking I could use them to dress up those special handmade gifts. Well, this book really has it all! All those unique and beautiful ideas for gift giving that I find so special and lovely! And what's really, really awesome -- it shows you how to do just that by re-purposing and recycling many items that we all have or have access to!



When I joined in the wrap-along, my first choice project was to create a handy tote bag out of an old button down shirt. So, that's what I'll be doing for when it's my date to share in December! I have just the shirt, and a few dozen others, in mind that I think will be perfect!!

You can find all the details, prize info, and the list of talented blogger's participating in the Wrap-Along in Sukies post right here! To be ready to join in the wrap-along and contest, you can pick up the Ruby Star Wrapping book at Roostbooks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Random House.

But first, be sure to visit Sukie for a chance to win one in her Giveaway!!

photo by Sukie

I'm adding my Ruby Star Wrap-Along button to my sidebar and I really, really hope you all follow along, join the flickr group, and the link-up party!! You'll have a chance to win some really great prizes, and Sew, Mama, Sew will also have a link-up party at the end of Wrap-along on their site so you’ll have twice the chance of winning something fun!

Don't forget to enter Sukie's Giveaway for a chance to win this amazing book!!

Happy Halloween, friends!  ♥ Maureen

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

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My sponsor The Intrepid Thread is a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Moda, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! 
The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics,
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting The Intrepid Thread's sites!! 

For this weekend's giveaway The Intrepid Thread is offering this lovely bundle of TEN Melody Miller Ruby Star Shining 2012 prints, along with FOUR coordinating Essex Linens! 

That's FOURTEEN Fat Quarters to one lucky reader!! 

 
Enter to win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know what you'd like to make with these? (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, their blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (one optional entry)  

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, October 15th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog, I always try to have that up by 9 am EST!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Have a great weekend!

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

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  From 1,319 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #1071 -- Sara (My Semi-Creative Life), who said...

I follow you!

Congratulations Sara!!! I will be in touch shortly!

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The Drawstring Skirt Tutorial : :

Today I'm thrilled to be sharing my very first garment tutorial for a Simple Drawstring Skirt with a sweet Melody Miller Ruby Star Shining Typewriter Applique, as part of Skirting the Issue for Project Run and Play!

What is "Skirting the Issue?" From the Project Run and Play intro post -- "Skirting the Issue is an event that has been planned for the month of July to make and donate handmade skirts to girls in Foster Care. We have teamed up with our local Foster Care Agency, Utah Foster Care Foundation,  in our local efforts, but we have been assured that there are plenty of local Foster Care Agencies across the nation (and world) and that there is plenty of need for skirts!

As part of the event we have asked over 40 celebrity sewing bloggers to participate and share simple handmade skirt tutorials that we can all use to make and donate skirts to our local agencies (or mail to us if you would like to!)

We have set a goal for 100 skirts to be donated by the first week in August---and we REALLY need your help to make our goal!"

You can follow this link to read the rest of that post and to find ALL the details you'll need to join in our efforts! If you have any questions feel free to email me anytime at maureencracknell@hotmail.com.

Now let's get started!!  

What you'll need : :
 

• 1 - piece of fabric for main skirt measuring 14" x 44" (source)
• 1 - piece of fabric for skirt waistband measuring 4" x 44" (source)
• 1 - piece of fabric for skirt bottom measuring 4" x 44" (source)
• 2 - pieces of fabric for drawstring ties measuring 2" x 44" (source)
• 1 - fussy cut Melody Miller Ruby Star Rising Typewriter for applique (optional)(source)
• 1 - small square piece of Heat Bond Lite for applique (optional)(source)
• white thread
• Sewing pins
• Sharp scissors and/or a rotary cutter/mat set   

Making the Drawstring Tie : :

1. cut two - 2" pieces of fabric from selvedge end to end, trim those ends away 2. with right sides facing match up ends, pin, and sew together at one end. Making one very long strip of fabric. Press that seam open

3. fold in both short ends of the long fabric strip 1/4" and press well 4. fold in both long ends so they meet in the middle, press well 5. fold in half one last time, press well, pin, and sew along the folded edge to create the drawstring tie

Sewing the Skirt : : 

6. cut and press the skirt fabrics

7. sew the waistband and skirt bottom pieces to the main skirt fabric using a 1/4" seam allowance

8. press waistband seam so the seam is facing the top of the skirt, press bottom piece seam so it's facing the bottom of the skirt



9. fold in both side edges of the skirt piece 1/4" and press well

10. fold in waistband edge 1/4" and press



11. bring that folded end to match up with the waistband and main skirt fabric seam, press well to create the skirt waistband. Pin in place

12. Sew along both sides of the waistband, staying close to each edge. Leave each end open

13. Bring the skirt ends together, pin, and sew along that edge, leaving the waistband ends open. This is very important, since this is where you'll add the waistband tie. Press that seam open

14. Hem skirt bottom. Fold bottom edge of skirt in 1/4", press, fold again, press and sew along that edge to hem the skirt.

The skirt body is finished and now it's time to add the drawstring tie!

Add the Drawstring Tie : :

15. Add a pin to one end of the tie and thread through one opening of the skirt waistband, coming out the other end. Add a knot to each end of the drawstring and tie a nice bow to cinch the waistband of the skirt

Add the Applique : :

16. Press to adhere the typewriter fabric piece to the Heat n' Bond Lite. Fussy cut the typewrite and remove the Heat n' Bond backing. Press to add the applique to the skirt and stitch around the outer edge of the typewriter with white or black thread to attach permanently. So cute!!

Now you're Drawstring Skirt is finished and ready for wearing!

I had originally planned to make this skirt for a small child, then for a tween - teenage girl, when I read that the greatest need for these charity skirts is for older girls. When I had finished, this skirt fit me just fine! After having every female who happened to stop by my house throughout these last couple days try this skirt on, I feel like it really works for so many ages and sizes -- from a child size, all the way up to an xs/small adult size. The drawstring waist just makes it that versatile! You can make a smaller or larger version using this method, by simply taking away or adding a few inches to the width and length!

I hope you do enjoy this tutorial and find it helpful! As always -- be sure to let me know if you give this one a go!!  ♥ Maureen

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Stashy : :

Crafting a Meaningful Home is our newest craft book and the title alone really speaks to me. After all that is what so many of us are doing!
It has pages full of inspiring projects, with beautiful photographs, and is the first book I have picked up in a while that has sparked so many new ideas for me. The very first photo is definitely something I would pin if I could.

Isn't it pretty? One of my favorite projects are these vases made with scrap fabric strips, which I happen to have lots of all ready. I am saving this one to do with the kiddos some day hopefully soon.

Another great project in this book reminded me of something I started planning almost a year ago, but had forgotten -- this wonderful boys quilt. This one is made with old mens dress shirts, don't you love how they keep the buttons on for the quilt! My plan is to make a quilt similar to this for my boys, using all of their little plaid shirts I have gotten them over the last 8 years. Trust me, I have lots! And have been tucking them away with a project just like this in mind.

I have added Crafting A Meaningful Home to my "currently loving" widget on the right there, in case you want to check it out further.

In addition to the book stashing, I picked up this wonderful Japanese Fabric -- Aqua Teapots by Melody Miller for Kokka. I love, LOVE this fabric! It's a medium weight cotton, linen blend and I am thinking that it will make some great tea towels.

I recently started collecting old (and new) tea pots, so this fabric was a must have!

Now, it's back to the making! Here's hoping there was a little bit of new and inspiring in your weekend, too!

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