Hi again!

Wow, It's been FOREVER since I've updated this blog. Yes, I am still alive (though it feels like I've been run over by a train...more than once) I am half way done with my 2nd semester of nursing school and I am truly exhausted. I live and breathe for Mother's Day right now (graudation weekend!!!!) I haven't even had the chance to get my sewing machine out since June 4. Ohhh, I miss it terribly.

Anyways, I realized that I left some projects on here unfinished - I never came back to show the final product. I had a couple of email inquiries this past week from this blog, so I thought I'd better at least show what I did finish before school took over my life!!

So....
Remember the wreath-looking object with the diapers? This is what turned out!! It was a blast to make and soo cute at the shower! And that ginormous diaper cake was the centerpiece. Over 150 diapers!!!




These items all went to a special baby who has been desperately wanted for such a very long time. I love sewing for families like that. :)

Looking for some help!

Just wondering if any of my readers tinker around with html code. I have a domain for Sew Cute Babe and would like to transfer my blog instead of using blogger! I have a wordpress theme that I'd like to you, only have no clue to how do all of these! Just wondering if anyone is familiar with this and would like to help. I can either pay you with money or crafting goodies!!! Just shoot me an email if you'd be interested! sea _ ya at hotmail dot com!

Thanks!
Sarah

Is 1615 my lucky number?

I hope so, because if it is...I would be the winner of a brand new Marie Osmond 200 Quilter’s Companion! How awesome would that be?! You Can Make This is one of my all-time favorite sewing sites and they've recently launched a new division - You Can Quilt This How cool is that? Maybe after I finish nursing school I will have the chance to really sit down and learn to quilt! I'm keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that one of my entries is the winner! If you like to quilt or have always wanted to learn, head over to the new site and check it out - they have some nice stuff!!!

-Sarah

p.s. If you're one of my regular readers and have wondered if I fell off the face of the Earth, rest assured that I have not. However, my darling toddler flooded out home last week and we've been in limbo for a while. If you want to see pictures and hear more details, you can head over to my photography blog and check it out! I've been crafting here in the hotel and hopefully will be able to post some soon!!

All Sorts of Things!

Here are some of my latest projects! I still have many more to go before I'm finally caught up. Two weeks in the hospital with a baby really slowed me down!! I'm excited that after this weekend I can show a few more completed projects!

Enjoy!
-Sarah-

Some Bunny's A Winner....

And that some bunny is Covered In Crafts Congrats! And I can I mention here that I am *totally* jealous that she has a cricut!!!!

Bunny Bow Tutorial & A Giveaway!

My mom has been here visiting this week and I've been crafting like crazy. I had to make up some bows to send back with her for her cousin's store at home. I figured that since I was making them anyway, I may as well create a tutorial! So, there ya have, it... here's a tutorial to make your own bunny bow! Now, this is my first time writing out directions, so let me know if it's too hard to figure out!


Now, for the giveaway.... One lucky reader will win one of these bunny bows!! All you need to do is leave a comment. If you want a second entry, give a shout out on your blog and leave a second comment with the link! A third entry is available if you twitter this give away! Just leave a third comment with your twitter link! (Be sure and follow me... maddiedean) Since Easter is just around the corner, this will be a short contest! I'll draw a winner on Wednesday, April 1!! Nope, not an April Fools Joke!! :)


-Sarah-

PS. If your name is Susie Lee, Vicky Jones or Misty Green, you are not eligible as you have bows headed your way shortly :)












































*This tutorial was created for your personal use. I do not care if you make bows using it and sell them. However, I do care if you sell my tutorial. It's simple: Don't! No images may be used without my written consent (exception - using one to give a shout on your blog!)

Slowly but surely

Some of you probably thought I'd forgotten about my armoire repurpose project, armoire repurpose project! Well, let me assure you that I haven't. How could I when it was taking up a huge chunk of my husband's garage :) A few weeks ago my little brother came to spend the weekend and I put him to work painting. It was painfully slow so he and Mike decided that spray paint would work just as well! We put it back in the garage to work on later. That later was last weekend. Mike pulled it out of the garage again (it isn't exactly light!) and attacked it with 4 cans of spray pain! It looks so much better! After some sweet talking to a neighbor, they got it moved into Madeline's room. I knew it would be a perfect fit between her double closet doors, but I had NO IDEA how deep that sucker was! It's huge!! Oh well, I need the space so I will just decorate around it. My mom is here visiting this week and she's helping me to get it all organized. The main section doesn't have shelves yet, but I'm working on the drawers. I'm really excited that the exterior of the doors have magnetic paint! I that that stuff is soo cool!!! The inside door with the painter's tape will have a coat of chalk board paint on it in a few days! So, it'll be a magnetic, chalkbard door... perfect for keeping track of upcoming projects! The other door is going to covered in scraps from Mike's peg board in the garage. It'll be great to keep scissors, rulers and other stuff. I plan on making fabric baskets to hold other odds & ends once the shelves are built. I know that not much has been done yet, but just wanted to show that I hadn't forgotten about it :)


-Sarah-

My latest project....

Here's a glimpse at my latest work... can't show the finished project until after the shower! Just thought it'd make a good excuse to post something since it'd been a while :)

-Sarah-

Another Winner

Congrats to Allison of Displaced Texan!!!





Congrats to Allison!!!

Another Giveaway!

Alrighty, time for another give away! I've mentioned before that I'm a frequent tester for YCMT so I always have little projects laying around. Most of the time, it's clothing that I'll use for Aiden or MJ. Well, my latest test was a purse. I have a closet full of purses I never carry, so this one needs to find a new home!!!

Want it to be yours?? All you need to do is leave me a comment saying that you want it. Really Really want it?? Do a shout out on your blog and link back here. Leave me a 2nd comment with the link to your blog. (Yes, you are welcome to swipe this image to put in your blog if you'd like!) Super duper have-to-have-it? Become a follower!

So, there ya have it! 3 easy-peasy ways to win this handbag. I will draw a winner on Wednesday, March 18th. Maybe it'll be your lucky day!!

Kozypal Cart Covers ROCK - 1/2 off Sale!!!

I bought my first kozypal when I was pregnant with Aiden and loved it! I wasn't the germ-freak-first-time-mom but the thought of him sitting in the nasty grocery carts was enough to make my stomach weak. I had just seen the new fabric by Alexander Henry when I discovered Melissa's company. I ordered a custom cover made with the Maxfield print and it was a match made heaven! We've used that thing like crazy!! We used it a lot in restaurant high chairs as well - mainly because it worked as a stuffer when he was too small and wobbled too much. The toy loops are handy-dandy too!

Guess what!!! They are having a 50% off sale!!! From 12pm to 12 midnight, today only!!!


If you have a baby gift to give, I can't recommend these enough. I promise I don't work for Melissa :) They are beautifully packaged and make a wonderful gift! They'll be much longer lasting than onesies and other baby gifts! You can use it until the kiddo no longer rides in the front of the cart!

Now, the reason for the sale was to clear out inventory before they make their big move, so the selection may be a bit slim! However, still go check them out! They're adorable!!

-Sarah-





Miss MJ sporting her new cover!!!


Here is Aiden in his. He's just about the same age that MJ is now!!



Click here to go to Kozy Pal and snag your own super-cute cover for 1/2 the price!!!

Special Delivery

This lovely gown went to Miss Kristina, a sweet Army wife that I met online. She and her husband are expecting their first baby anyday now! She'll definitely be the cutest mom on that L&D floor! The baby's gender is a surprise so I'm looking foward to seeing pictures of her sporting this designer gown as well as finding out what they had!! Good luck Kristina, my prayers are for a swift and safe delivery!!

-Sarah-
You can see the *original* designer gown here

My Fairy Landed!!

I absolutely love participating in sewing swaps! I enjoy sewing for people I don't know (though I'm always scared they won't like my stuff!!!) And I LOVE getting yummy goodies in the mail. This round of swapping was no different. I ran into a snag getting my stuff sent due to MJ spending some time in the hospital, but I think I'm almost caught up on other things so I can devote more time to sewing! However, this weekend my fairy landed and brought me some adorable gifts!!! Generally we don't don't know who our fairy is, but I'm too nosey to settle for that! So, be sure to leave Chelsea, of Late Bloomer Crafts, some love as she was the one behind these super-cute gifts! Thanks Chelsea, I love it all!!!!

-Sarah-

This quilt is adorable! Perfect size for a wall! It's really fitting given my new obsession with quilting! I want to learn *so* bad!!



Knitted doll for Miss MJ! It's the perfect size!




Mini Draw-String bag for Aiden. Not only is it just the perfect size for his cars, the fabric is his *favorite* things "fireducksambances". That's how he says it, all one word :)


She also sent a coffee cozy, but it made hasty departure to Mike's office, so I don't have a picture of it!

Tired of being quiet... a little bit of WIP

Alright, this blog is getting too neglected! I think I'm fairly certain that a few mamas don't read this, so I'm going to post some work-in-progress pictures. Just in case though, I'm not going to spill the beans on what the end-items are :) I feel like I'm drowning in sewing, crafting and photography to-dos!! Spending a week in the hospital with Madeline really set me behind! I know I'll catch up though!!!!

-Sarah-

Just 'Sit On It' Sarah

It's been a while since I've posted something crafty, and well, I have good reason. I have lots of projects going on... but I can't share them yet! I'm participating in another sewing swap (yeah for TBW!) and since I don't know if my fairee reads my blog, I'm going to keep mum! But suffice it to say that her gifts are adorable! I can't wait to get them finished and eventually be able to share them here!! Another project involves lots and lots of diapers! Another project has thousands of ribbons (okay, more like hundreds maybe), Styrofoam and moss!! Got some cupcakes and cakes in the works. Trust me, I've been busy! It won't be long before I can share it all :) In the meantime, if you're reading this and are familiar with the 'White Bible Ceremony' done for bridal showers, shoot me an email. I want to adapt it to fit a baby shower :)

-Sarah-

Do Something BIG!

I, rather my mom, has a closet full of formal gowns that will never see the light of day on my body again. Who was I kidding when I thought they'd fit and I'd wear them all again?? My parents are in the process of moving and my lovely mother saw fit that I take possession of the gowns. Trust me, that didn't thrill my husband, at all. Well, my sweet friend Suzette has saved the day! She is a teacher in the Mississippi Delta and works with inner-city, severely under-privileged kids. They are wanting to have the "prom of their dreams" - only most of these kids can't imagine being able to afford one gown, much less the 7 in my closet! Suzette is asking for donations - either monetarily or in the form of dress. I know I'm not the only one who has hoarded these beauties!! The following is the email I received from Suzette. I have taken out her contact information for security's sake, but if you are interested in helping her and these students out, please leave a message with your email and I will forward it along! Please, help me help Suzette help these deserving students!

God Bless!
Sarah


P.S. I have something special for each and every reader who donates a dress!!! All you need to do is put a note in with the gown letting Suzette know that you're a Sew Cute Babe reader (please include your email!) and she'll give me the list! So, give a little and get a little - doesn't get much better than that!!!!

Dear Friends and Family,



My name is Suzette Matthews and I recently graduated from Texas Tech University and moved to the Mississippi Delta in an effort to help poverty stricken schools with Teach for America. For those of you who are not familiar with TFA, it is a program for "recent college graduates of all majors and career interests and working professionals to commit two years to teach in urban and rural school.in our highest-poverty communities" (www.teachforamerica.org). Upon moving to the Delta, I have experienced a number of unimaginable challenges in the classroom and outside of it. My students are exceptionally poor and very much behind academically and socially. Although my students suffer horrible injustices everyday, I feel as if they should have somewhat of a normal high school education, academically and in extra-curriculars. With this being said, my students would like to put on a prom this year and have been saving their money to have the best prom in high school history. This is a great feat for them, since their families do not have money to buy them clothes to wear to school, much less for prom. The school district has been kind enough to give the Junior class money to host the prom, but by no means is it going to make ends meet. The girls cannot afford dresses and the boys cannot afford tuxes. I know that what a person wears to prom shouldn't really matter, but when you think back to your own high school days, you would have been mortified if you did not have a dress to wear to prom, only your school uniform. I am forever grateful that I grew up in the community that I did and never had to worry about this. I know that after I wore my dresses once, I never wore them again; they just hung in my closet. So, with help from surrounding communities and you, I know that I can find enough dresses for my students to have the prom they've always dreamt of. What I am asking is that you look through your daughter's old formal dresses and perhaps yours and donate them to the students at Ruleville Central High School. This would be a great donation for a tax write-off and would also help you get a jump start on your spring cleaning. If you can participate in anyway possible it would mean the world to my students. The deadline to donate will be 2/25 (Wednesday).

We plan to have a fun bazaar for the girls and help them choose a wonderful dress.

I would also like to thank all of you who donated books and money for my classroom. We now have a great lending library that I run right out of my classroom. I know that these books are making a difference for my students.



With heartfelt gratitude,

Suzette Matthews

CPSIA Lead-Test Law has been DELAYED!

Craftzine

Thanks to the incredible grassroots movement against the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which would have gone into effect on February 10, 2009, the commission that created the law has voted to stay the legislation for one year.

"The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children's garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission."

Read the full statement here.

Senator Jim DeMint from South Carolina has sponsored an amendment in order to reform the law.

It's certainly not a done deal, but it's a step in the right direction.

Houston, We have a WINNER!

Well folks, my first-ever give away has come to a close. It has been exciting for me and I look forward to doing this more often! Actually, if you haven't already subscribed to this blog, you may want to soon... I promise a give away will be poping up in the very near future....as I have something special to celebrate!!

-Sarah-



Lucky Reader #29 happens to be Ms. Jennifer of Happily Ever After.





CONGRATS JENNIFER!! I will be contacting you soon for shipping details!

New Undies

I received another pattern to test this week and it couldn't have come at a better time! My newly potty-trained kiddo got some new undies! The pattern is for super easy boxer-briefs. Each pair takes very little fabric. You can get 3 pair from 5/8yd of knit! How awesome at that. The pattern isn't available to the public yet, but I promise to let you know when it is!!


-Sarah-










I promise I feed that kid!! (notice his Elmo slippers... took some clothes to the consignment shop today and came home with those. I'm telling you, he's obsessed with Elmo... even if they are almost 3 sizes too big!!!)

Old News

I participated in a sewing swap several months back and since our identity was kept secret from our partner, I never posted my goodies... I wasn't sure if the mama read my blog or not. Well, another swap round has begun and I am super anxious to receive my assignment. In the meantime, I guess I'll share the goodies I sent out!!

-Sarah-