Thursday, October 15, 2015

Bulletin Board! - a tutorial

Bulletin boards are really handy. I have one in my bedroom cluttered with some of my favorite pictures. I also have one at my sewing table; this one covered with fabric scraps, treasured buttons, a few pictures of friends, inspirational drawings and cutouts from magazines.

When one of our besties had her birthday, we knew exactly what we wanted to give her:
A bulletin board. 

My sister, Abiah and I got to work and had the best time making over a simple cork board into something pretty and thinking the whole while about our adorable and amazing friend, Becky! 

Supplies:
-cork board, whatever size/shape you desire
-cotton batting, a few inches on each side overlapping board
-fabric, a few inches on each side overlapping board
Fabric can be quilting cotton weight (like ours), velveteen, or a substantial cotton linen. 
-staple gun and staples
-hot glue gun and glue
-rick rack (ours had to be glittery, of course! Because our Becks is super fun like that!)
-buttons (preferably very colorful. Like we said before - she's SO fun!)

 1. lay batting on top of cork board.
 2. Make sure batting is fitted to the board while you're stapling around the edges.

 3. Snip out corners of batting.
 4. Trim excess batting around edges.
                     5. After batting has been secured around all edges, lay fabric on top.

 6. Fold raw edge of fabric under and flip over to completely cover batting.
 7. Staple away ... carefully!
 a finished corner...
 8. Grab your rick rack and lay out strips approximately 4 1/2" apart. Pin at the sides of your board.
 9. Flip board over and staple ends of rack rack down on the backside.
 Buttons!!!
 11. Staple down rick rack at each intersection.
 12. Hot glue down buttons on top of each rick rack intersection/staple.
 13. Optional hanging device!  I used a jigsaw hanger. Measure and mark at the middle of your board.
 14. Hammer in nails securely. 

And you're done! 
We love you, Becky!!! 
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Abi & Abiah

me & Becky - love this gorgeous girl to the moon and back....

Thursday, October 8, 2015

It's Fall, y'all!

I'm enjoying these cooler days. 
The smells outside are exciting and invigorating. 
Just begging you to step outside and enjoy life.
Because it only happens once. 

My fabulous friend, Sophie, asked two of my sisters and I to help her bring in fall with a little photoshoot. So we pulled out some old fall favorites and put together some outfits. We met with Soph and picked up where we left off, with some laughter, delicious foods and then picture taking. After we finished the pictures, we dropped into a cute coffee shop and enjoyed some yummy drinks and even more encouraging talk and laughter. 

Thanks for a great day, Sophie!
xo Abi

Don't forget to like Sophie's Facebook page Smile for Sophie Photography.
She's the best!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Modern Prairie Sewing is on SALE!


One of my very favorite fabric websites, QuiltHome, is have 40% off of their sewing books including

So hop over and grab your own copy of Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You & Your Friends at a great price while supporting a fabulous and fun company. 
(Seriously. These people are fantastic!)
The coupon code is: 
QHBKS and it ends this Friday!!!
xx Abi

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

my cousins and their smiles...

... and their Sophie Bags

These beautiful girls are my cousins. Not only are they my family,
but they are always so willing and ready to test anything that I come up with!

The Betty pouches were just a little bit of a thank-you + hugs I sent along with the bags. 
(If you want to make your own Betty pouches, you'll find the pattern in here!)

So thankful for these girls and their big smiles! 
Love you, Faith & Hannah!
XO  Abi

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

an afghan pillow.

I had just finished making an afghan for my sister and had just a little bit of yarn left.
I decided that I'd go ahead and whip up a baby size afghan with the left over yarn. 
However.
This happened. 

Another sister asked if I'd mind making a pillow size afghan and using it as the front for a pillow.
Very clever, Sister!
That got my wheels to turning.
Then I ran out of yarn and the baby afghan was too much of a baby size even for a baby.
So. I swallowed. 
And cut into my tiny finished afghan to fit a pillow form. 

I actually love how it turned out!
I sewed tassels in each corner and put in my first ever zipper-like-this. 

It matches the sister's afghan and she likes it. 
Yay! 
Now another sister wants one.
I think I'll be doing this a lot.

xo Abi

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

It's a tutorial for C&T Publishing's National Sewing Month!

If you'd like to make your own Happy Pouch, hop over to the C&T blog 

But what makes this occasion super fun, is that C&T is GIVING AWAY 
Don't forget to throw your name in the hat so you can win your own copy!
                                            
                            Grab a cup of coffee or a coke (I'll bring the brownies) and let's sew!

XO  Abi