Thursday, April 28, 2011

What I’ve been working on…

Good morning friends! I apologize for the lack of posting going on these days! I have a big show coming up this Saturday and I have been sewing like a crazy lady to get ready for it. I am debuting several new styles of my items including this pretty new Wristlet in Burlap and Lace.

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What do you think? I am pretty much in love with it! I am hoping I sell out at my show, but don’t worry, I will be listing lots of new pretties in the shop within the next few weeks! I think my creative funk is officially over…yayee!!!

Have a happy day!

Elizabeth

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Behind the scenes...

I've got my work cut out for me today...literally and figuratively! Stay tuned for a sneak peek of my new designs! Have a happy day!

Elizabeth
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Monday, April 25, 2011

Made With Love #24

Great party last week everyone! A big thanks so much to everyone who comes and links up to Made With Love each week! Your projects are so inspiring!

Here are my faves from last week…

MWL 4-25

1. Upcycled Candy Jar Tutorial from Amy @ Increasingly Domestic
2. Messenger Bag Tutorial from Anna @ Yards and Yards
3. Appliquéd Love tee tutorial from Rachel @ Maybe Matilda
4. Pendant tutorial from Kacey @ Stay At Home Artist

Love all these fabulous projects! Great work ladies! If I featured you, feel free to grab my featured button and place it on your blog.

Are you ready for this weeks party??? Let’s get to it!

{Just a few party guidelines}

To link up, I would first love for you to follow my blog. I like followers. The more the merrier. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Link up your crafts, recipes, home decor....anything that has been made by you! {Multiple links to different posts are fine}

Link back here by grabbing the super cute button on my sidebar and posting it either in your post or somewhere on your blog to let others know you've joined the party!

If you see something you like, click on it and go leave them a comment. Everyone loves comments!

Lastly, feel free to help me spread the word about Made with Love Monday! Follow me on Twitter {just click on my little Twitter button} and use this tweet "I linked up my craftiness to @sewchatty's Made with Love http://sewchatty.blogspot.com Check it out and link up your craftiness too!"

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

{new friends and yummy food}

My FAVORITE ministry at our church is our hospitality ministry which includes taking meals to families in need. This ministry is so close to my heart. There have been several times when we've received meals from friends and family and it just makes you feel so loved and cared for.

Does your church have a hospitality ministry that takes meals to families in need? If so I have to tell you about Food Tidings

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Apparently Lisa, the founder, was at Creative Estates too and had I known…I would have thanked her a million times over for her AWESOME website! We've been using it for over a year and it has become and invaluable service to our church family! Basically, Food Tidings is a site where you create an account and organize meals for families. Everyone can see what everyone else has signed up for to ensure that the family doesn’t get 10 lasagnas! You can post food preferences and aversions, allergies, drop off time…it’s AMAZING and Lisa is brilliant as far as I’m concerned!

It just so happens that the day after I got home from the conference, I was signed up (via foodtidings) to take a meal to two families with brand new babies. I needed a recipe that was easy and that I could triple easily because I needed to make it for three families (didn’t want to make a separate meal for us!). So I put a call out on Twitter and received a great recipe from April Kennedy of Funky Vintage Lovely

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I got to meet April at Creative Estates and I can’t wait to go down and visit her booth at The Queen Bee Market next month! You should go visit her shop and blog because she is really fabulous. You’ll thank me :)

She also has some great recipes up her sleeve! Here is her recipe for Chicken Bundles. I guess this is a super popular recipe with lots of variations. I have no idea how I hadn’t heard of it before! Here it is...

Cream Cheese Chicken Bundles 
{serves 4, but doubles/triples easily!}
3 oz. pkg softened cream cheese (I leave out on counter for awhile)
2 tbs melted butter
2 cups cooked diced chicken (or if time is short....canned chicken)
2 Tbs. milk
1 Tbs. chopped white or yellow onion
salt & pepper
8 oz. can crescent rolls
For topping:
More Melted Butter & Bread Crumbs
Directions:
Blend cream cheese and butter til smooth. Add milk and onion. Blend. Stir in chicken. Separate rolls into four rectangles. (press two crescent rolls together to make a seam in the middle of the rectangle).
Spoon 1/2 cup mixture into center of each rectangle. Pull up opposite corners and press to seal, then pull up remaining opposite corners and seal. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake on cookie sheet @ 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes!

Here is the finished yumminess! 

Chicken Bundles_FVL

I gave each family four bundles and a bag salad. Easy peesy and SO good!

And wait there's more...go visit April at Funky Vintage Lovely today because she posted her taco version of this tasty recipe! 

Do you have a variation on this recipe posted on your blog? Leave the link in the comments because we want to try it!

Well that’s all for now friends. Hope you have a happy day!

{hugs} 

Elizabeth

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sew Chatty {behind the scenes}

Just finished a custom order for some super cute coffee cuffs! I'm not a toille girl, but I do like them! Enjoy Christine!
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Featured Sponsor {Crafty Girls Workshop}

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I am so excited to chat with you all about another one of my fabulous sponsors The Crafty Girls Workshop! If you don’t know about Crafty Girls yet, allow me to be the first to tell you how awesome they are!
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They offer everything from patterns and fabric, to notions and books, and they even offer classes at their shop! I really wish I loved closer to San Antonio, TX because I want to take all of them!
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There are LOTS of exciting things going on at The Crafty Girls Workshop right now!
  • Use the coupon code SEWCHATTY for 10% off your order!
  • Sign up for their newsletter and get a free pattern plus coupon codes every month with the shop updates!
  • Right now their sale fabric is ONLY $5 per yard and that INLCUDES the yardage of Fandango, Bliss and Origins. WHILE IT LASTS!
I hope you’ll visit The Crafty Girls Workshop and give them some love! Let them know I sent you :)


Have a happy day friends!
{hugs}
Elizabeth

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Featured Sponsor and GIVEAWAY!!! {dianapantz}

Hi friends! Happy Tuesday to you :)

I hope by now you have all had a chance to check out my sponsor Dianapantz! She has been hanging out on my sidebar for a while now and her shop is really fun! She offers a great selection of handmade goodness including paintings, photo notecards, and sewn items like market totes and hand painted onsies!

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Diana has a such a great style. Casual and whimsical with an artistic flair. Love.

In fact she just sent me a few goodies from her shop to review for you all! Yay!

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  This is a lovely little photo notecard. Love the colors. Fall is my favorite season. Who wants to be my pen pal? I’ll write you a little note on my pretty new card!

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She also sent me this pretty notebook! I am planning on using it as a sketch pad when inspiration strikes and to jot down all of the randomness that live in my head…there’s a whole lotta random in there.

Fun right? And guess what??? Diana is offering an awesome giveaway! One of you lucky readers will win this handmade market tote!

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Isn’t that fabric pretty! Loving the birds! Makes me want to hit the farmers market and shop for veggies :)

Entering is easy friends! Here’s how…

Mandatory entry…visit Dianapantz and comment here what your favorite item is!

Secondary entry…follow Diana’s blog Fly To The Wall and leave a comment telling her you’re visiting from Sew Chatty!

Oh and lastly…for the month of April Diana is offering a 25% discount on all of the winter items in her shop so if you live in a cooler climate, you need to snag one of her pretty scarves before they’re gone!

***Giveaway will remain open through this Friday and the winner will be announced Saturday morning! Good luck friends!***

{hugs}

Elizabeth

Monday, April 18, 2011

Made With Love #23

Are you ready to party??? Let’s get to it!

{Just a few party guidelines}

To link up, I would first love for you to follow my blog. I like followers. The more the merrier. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Link up your crafts, recipes, home decor....anything that has been made by you! {Multiple links to different posts are fine}

Link back here by grabbing the super cute button on my sidebar and posting it either in your post or somewhere on your blog to let others know you've joined the party!

If you see something you like, click on it and go leave them a comment. Everyone loves comments!

Lastly, feel free to help me spread the word about Made with Love Monday! Follow me on Twitter {just click on my little Twitter button} and use this tweet "I linked up my craftiness to @sewchatty's Made with Love http://sewchatty.blogspot.com Check it out and link up your craftiness too!"

Thanks for stopping by!


 


Thursday, April 14, 2011

{save the date}

Hi friends! I want to make a quick announcement to all of my local people that I am doing a really fun show in a couple of weeks! It’s called Behind The Picket Fence and will be in Huntington Beach.

Behind the Picket Fence 
I am REALLY excited for this event! I’ve been working on lots of new designs that will debut that day and you’re going to LOVE them! I’ll also be raffling a few things too so if you live in the OC or LA areas…please stop by and see me!
{hugs}

Elizabeth

How I was {blessed} by Creative Estates…

ACD_necklace 

This necklace given to me by new friend Amy sums up my time at Creative Estates this past weekend.

The handmade world is an interesting place and unless you live there, you just don’t get it. I am so blessed to be part of a community of like minded individuals who understand and support what I do. People I can talk to about the ins and outs of this business and who understand what a linky party is! 

Starting on the drive out with Nicole and Kristen, I knew that I was in for a treat. It’s kind of surreal meeting the people that live in your computer. I was pleasantly surprised at just how “real” everyone is!

Thursday night at “Cupcakes and Cocktails” a little group of us formed very naturally. We all just kind of found each other. Funny how that happens. We’re all Christians. Several of us work for our churches and all of us own handmade businesses and really like Twitter. I am so blessed to have met each and every one of them.

You want to meet them too??? OKAY! Here they are…

CE_friends

First there is Amy!

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Amy’s handmade business is Amy Cornwell Designs. She and I “met” on Twitter a while back and knew we were destined to be friends! Her jewelry is awesome! I have one of her ruffle necklaces, a sweet stamped heart ring that my husband got me for Valentines Day (she’s a good secret keeper too!), and now my new favorite necklace...the one she gave me at Creative Estates. I think that’s enough to start a collection! Love her.

Next is Ali!

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Ali is from the south and has the best accent EVER. She is sweet and funny and I so enjoyed my time with her. Her handmade business is Apearantly Sew. She has a great eye for yummy fabric and I adore her clean and simple style.

Then there is Kristen!

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Kristen was one of my road trip buddies. Turns out we went to the same church for like 6 years and never met! Her handmade business is Rock A Bow! She makes really cute felt bow headbands (like the one she’s wearing…I have one in mustard), tutus, and lots of other goodies too!

Next up is Nicole!

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Nicole was the driver on our road trip to and from Arizona. Nicole is very good driver :) She is super sweet and FUNNY! Her handmade business is Olive Blue. She makes really awesome scarves and baby leg warmers, and I bought SUPER cute wristlet clutch from her at the market. Click here to see it.

Then there is Megan!

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Megan is a college gal (which made me feel very old) and a very talented jewelry designer! Her handmade shop is Flawed Perfection Jewelry. She makes lovely pieces with clusters of colorful beads. Her designs are simple and classic!

Next is Jacqui!

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Jacqui is from the woods of northern Wisconsin. I think I freaked her out on Thursday night when I told her she looked like my sister, then showed her an AWFUL picture of my sister. Why did I do that? Oh well. I think we’re still friends :) Jacqui’s handmade business is Craftee McGee. She makes all sorts of lovely jewelry and accessories. I am swooning over her birds nest earrings. Love them.

And there’s Katie!

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Katie is a great girl! I just recently discovered Katie’s blog Food, Wine, and Mod Podge and it’s fabulous! Great recipes and craft ideas and she has a cat that thinks it’s a dog too! She lives in Chicago now, but was raised in Chandler, AZ where the conference was so she got to spend time with her family too. They surprised her with Food, Wine, and Mod Podge t-shirts. How cute is that? Click here to see them!

I could go on and on about these ladies and all the other’s I met this weekend, but I’m pretty sure blogger will crash so I’ll stop here!

I hope that you will visit my new friends. You’re going to love them! And remember when you read Ali’s blog, you need to read it in a southern accent to get the full affect :)

I am so blessed to have met each and every one of you and I wish you THE BEST that this handmade business world has to offer you!

{HUGS}

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

{Creative Estates Recap}

 

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{photo by Food, Wine, & Mod Podge}

This last weekend I took an opportunity to attend a blog conference called Creative Estates. I had never been to an event like this before, but they promised me cupcakes! 

At the crack of dawn on Thursday I was picked up by Nicole and Kristen and we began our six hour road trip to Chandler Arizona! I had never actually met these girls before, but we have lots of mutual friends in real life and “knew” each other through Twitter and the Blogisphere. I was cautiously optimistic that they weren’t serial killers. Turns out they weren’t and the six hour drive went by lightning fast because of the non stop chatter all the way to Chandler. Loved getting to know these girls!

Once we arrived it was time to check in! Oh the SWAG!!! I was really not expecting that and we got some really cool stuff! Here are some of my faves…

CE_SWAG

A necklace from the Vintage Pearl that says “live creatively”, a super awesome headband from Craftee McGee, and a really fun business card holder from Taradara!

After checking in, it was time to meet my roomies Danielle and Linda. I had also never met them except for the occasional tweets, so again there was that hope that they weren’t super crazy. And they weren’t! In fact they were fabulous!

That first night we all attended an ice breaker event at a local restaurant…with really yummy tacos! This is where I cashed in on that cupcake! Look at this AMAZING dessert table designed by Kim of Tom Kat Studios!

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{photo by Food, Wine, and Mod Podge}

Thursday night was also when I started to get to know some of the other handmade ladies that I have been Twitter friends with for a while now. I can’t even begin to tell you how fabulous my new friends are. I love how the Lord works. More on them tomorrow :)

Friday, I attended the sessions  “Inside the Creative Business”  and “PR 101”. I got to hear from some very successful ladies about how they started their businesses. My mind is SPINNING from the PR talk. Can’t wait to go back through my notes and get going on some of that stuff.

Saturday, I attended the sessions “Happy Chaos” and “Blog Your Passion”. “Happy Chaos” talked a lot about balancing your business with your family. I was so glad to hear I’m not the only one who struggles there! “Blog Your Passion” was about being yourself and letting your personality shine through on your blog. I hope I do okay at that, but I know there is always room for improvement. “Blog Your Passion” also talked about how to handle negativity which can REALLY bring you down.

All of the sessions were really fun. This conference was such a great opportunity for me and I am so glad that I went! I am still processing through all that I learned and I can’t wait to see how my little business will grow from my experience there.

Stay tuned because tomorrow I am am going to chat all about these lovely ladies and their handmade businesses!

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{photo taken by Sandy of Sandy A La Mode}

{Great Mommy Product}

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Hi there! I hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday!
I’ve been given an opportunity to chat with you all about a great baby product called Bright Beginnings Infant Formula.  You can now buy on diapers.com and they have some really great offers on this awesome product right now! Whether you have a milk baby, a soy baby, or an organic baby, Bright Beginnings has a formula for your little one!
I was a breastfeeding momma myself, but there did come a time when I needed to supplement with formula because I just wasn’t producing enough of the good stuff! Looking back now, I wish there was a product like Bright Beginnings that I could have turned too for supplementation. I likely would have used their Milk Based Organic Formula which is very affordable at $22.59 for a 1 lb container. I buy organic whenever possible and I love that companies are recognizing that organic really is important to a lot of us!
If you have to supplement, I encourage you to check out Bright Beginnings and buy on diapers.com for some great deals on a great product.
You can also become a Fan of Bright Beginnings on Facebook for even more great offers!
Later today I will be posting all about Creative Estates so stay tuned! Have a happy day!

Elizabeth
Visit Sponsor's Site

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Made With Love #22

Are you ready to party??? Let’s get to it!

{Just a few party guidelines}
  1. To link up, I would first love for you to follow my blog. I like followers. The more the merrier. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
  2. Link up your crafts, recipes, home decor....anything that has been made by you! {Multiple links to different posts are fine}
  3. Link back here by grabbing the super cute button on my sidebar and posting it either in your post or somewhere on your blog to let others know you've joined the party!
  4. If you see something you like, click on it and go leave them a comment. Everyone loves comments!
  5. Lastly, feel free to help me spread the word about Made with Love Monday! Follow me on Twitter {just click on my little Twitter button} and use this tweet "I linked up my craftiness to @sewchatty's Made with Love http://sewchatty.blogspot.com Check it out and link up your craftiness too!"
Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Sew Chatty {behind the scenes}

Getting crafty at Creative Estates...I'm not cut out for the painting thing!
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Friday, April 8, 2011

{Made With Love Features}

Hi Lovelies :)

I am having tons of fun at Creative Estates and I can’t wait to share what I am learning!

We had such a great link party last week! Here is a collage of my faves…

MWL 4-8

1. Vanessa at The Crafty Nest made some yummy Strawberry Cake Pops!

2. Carolyn from Carolyn’s Homework turned a Laughing Cow cheese box into a gift box!!!! What a fun way to repurpose something! Love it!

3. Bonita Rose at A Life Unrehearsed shared this AMAZING hand painted fabric. So inspiring! Adding her shop to my favorites right now!

4. Love this Spring specimen art by Kathy at Dandelions and Dust Bunnies. So fun!

Thanks so much to all who continue to link up each week!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

{Creative Estates}

image

At the crack of dawn I’ll be heading to my very first blog conference! I am really nervous and REALLY excited to meet some of my blog mentors and friends in real life! It’s going to be a blast!

I packed as lightly as I could and am really proud of how little I am actually taking! Everything fits in one suitcase and a reusable grocery tote :) Here is a peek at what’s coming with me…

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Think I’m bringing enough shoes?

I am SURE I am forgetting something vital. I did remember my business cards and my Spanx so we’re all good there :)

Do you follow me on Twitter? If not I am @sewchatty and I’ll be tweeting from the conference if you’d like to hear what I’m up to!

Check back tomorrow because I’m featuring some AWESOME links from this weeks Made With Love Party!

Have a happy day!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

{Guest Poster} Erin from In Between Laundry

Hi everyone! Erin from In Between Laundry is visiting today and sharing a really fun tutorial!

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Hi! I'm Erin
from

header

DSC_0112.jpg

is all about


do-able crafts, great recipes, ideas, and kid
stuff,
topped off with a healthy dose of
our home renovation. We are gutting this joint, I tell you.

I'd pretty much do a back flip if you stopped by.
* * * * * * * * * *
Today, I'm sharing my
Plush Photo
Cube
thatI made for my 9-month old.

DSC_0018

Materials:
6 squares of fabric (6" x 6" each)
4 printed photos (4" x 4" each)
4 pieces of clear vinyl (4-1/4" x 4-1/4" each)*
ribbon for outlining the pictures
poly-fill
thread for sewing machine
needle and thread for hand stitching

*TIP: I recycled the clear vinyl packaging from a set of baby sheets and it
worked great!

DSC_0021

Center the photos on four of the pieces of fabric that you want to use for the
sides. Place the clear squares on top of the photos and pin in
place.

DSC_0022

Stitch in place, closely to the edges. You may want to use a heavy-duty machine
needle.
Stitch ribbon on the edges, outlining each picture. This looks cute, but it also
keeps those sharp edges on the vinyl from poking baby.

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Lay your squares out in a T-shape with your photos side by side and the top and
bottom pieces above and below the left picture.

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Stitch everything in place, right sides together with a 1/4" seam
allowance.
Press the seams open, being very careful not to melt the vinyl.

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Bring the top and bottom pieces (the sock monkey fabric in my photos) to the
next photo square and stitch, right sides together. The photo cube will be
inside out at first.

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Repeat until all sides--except one--are stitched together in a cube shape.

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Turn right-side out and stuff with the poly-fill. Hand-stitch shut.

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I think I'll make a few more for learning names of cousins, aunts and uncles who
live out of town.

For now, my little guy thinks it tastes pretty good.

{Big hugs to Elizabeth for having me today--it's been so fun!}
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