Snuggle Monster [Sewing & Embroidering a Hooded Baby Bath Towel]

I had an order recently for an embroidered hooded baby towel for a new little bundle of happiness.  After looking at my options for embroidery blanks, I decided against the traditional hooded towel and set out to make my own.  In my search, however, I came across this tutorial and decided it was perfect.  (Thank you Janet, from Today's Fabulous Finds!)

Here's the towel I made and embroidered:

(Baby dolls are so helpful, who knew?!)

[The Project]

Hooded Baby Towel w/ Embroidery

Machine Used:

My trusty Singer Futura CE-150

Materials:

100% Cotton Terry Bath Towel

100% Cotton Terry Hand towel

Isacord Polyester Embroidery thread (for sewing the towel and the embroidery)

Madera Cotton Soft Cutaway Stabilzer

Floriani Heat n' Gone topper

Monster Scribble Embroidery from Urban Threads, I added the wording

I am thrilled with how this towel turned out, and I love that it will be practical for years to come! I tried it on my littlest chickie (who is 3 1/2yrs old) and it fit her, too.  This towel was added to a set of matching Snuggle Monster Onesie and Bib... CUTE!

XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up {Market, Savannah Tote, Sunsets}

Happy Monday!

My weekend started bright and early with me walking out my front door at 6:30am on Saturday to head out to the New Bern Farmer's Market with my SoChick goodies.  I've been away from the market for a few weeks because the busyness of the summer had caught up with me, and it felt great to be back in the swing of things.

New on my table this weekend:

-SoChick Sling in Aqua Spring

-Two new Mini-Totes

-Grab-n-Go Totes 

I didn't have a ton of time to restock because I was pre-occupied with other projects, but new items are high on my to-do list for this week... I will be at the Market next weekend, also.

I also enjoy delivering orders at the market.  This Savannah Tote is one of the orders that was picked up at my market booth this weekend:

This SoChick Savannah Tote was made with Dancing Paisley in Limestone and Temple Doors in Deep Water, both fabrics are from Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms Collection and are for sale in the SoChick Shop.  I really love how the genuine leather accents on this bag contrast with the blues and greens in the fabric, so chic!

Saturday afternoon, the little chicks and I went to see Ice Age with friends, it was cute and I love how our littlest chickie does so well sitting through movies.

We ended the weekend with a walk on the beach and drive through downtown Beaufort and Morehead City, NC... Nothing beats a coastal sunset:

What did you do this weekend?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments!  

XxOo~ Melissa

My Custom Tankini {Swimsuit Embroidery}

I waited until the last possible minute to find a new swimsuit before we left for vacation last week... well, last possible day, anyway.  I settled on a mix n' match set from Target, coral bottoms with a Navy/White striped tankini top.

Needless to say, I wasn't super thrilled with the top as swimwear... it basically looks like a tube top, cute, but not like a swimsuit, and very plain. BUT, it was on SALE!  Naturally, I decided I should spice it up with some machine embroidery! 

I knew I wanted something nautical, so I headed over to my go-to Embroidery Site, Urban Threads, to purchase my design.  Also, this was a great opportunity to use some of the new supplies I picked up a few weekends ago at The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Raleigh.  

Here's the deets:

[The Project] 

Machine Embroidered Swimsuit (top)

Machine Used: 

Singer Futura CE-150

Material: 

 Swimtop from Target, 92% Polyester 2% Spandex; Fully Lined

Supplies:

 Thread: Floriani, 100%Polyester Embroidery Thread in Coral

 Stabilizer: Floriani No Show Mesh

 Topper: Madera Wash Away Avalon Film

 Embroidery Design: Ahoy from Urban Threads

Process: 

  I fused the stabilizer to the back of my swimtop, where I planned to position my design; I lightly hooped the top.  I didn't pull the fabric taught because of it's stretchy-ness and the fact that the area to be embroidered doesn't stretch much when worn.

  I then pinned my wash away film to the top before beginning embroidery.  I used white bobbin thread.

P.S.- Since this was a last minute thing, I had some anxiety about it and asked my machine, "Please don't eat my swimsuit", a few times... the whole design and process went very smoothly!

Here is the design right after taking it off of the hoop and trying on the top: 

Here is the design after a week of vacation, several wears at the beach and pool, including washing:

[The Verdict: on Embroidering Swimwear]

  The embroidery held up better than the top!  While the top is still perfectly fine to wear, I am super bummed that it was so stained by sunblock... I don't know that it'll last past this summer, but for a last minute sale find, I'm happy. 

  Embroidering on this swimsuit wasn't as difficult as I imagined.  That could be because it's not the super stretchy kind of material, but I have an old top that is, and I plan to try my hand at machine embroidery on it... I'll let you know how it goes.

P.S.~ The first day on the beach I saw a similar Target top... but it wasn't custom embroidered, like mine... Winning. *wink*

XxOo~ Melissa

FABRIC SALE {Free Shipping Code}

We are back from vacation and while we are getting back into the swing of things, my littlest chickie said we should try to sell some fabric, so here's a FREE SHIPPING offer for you:

Enter code NAT25 at checkout and receive FREE SHIPPING when you spend at least $25 in the SoChick shop.

This is a great way to stock up on some Amy Butler Soul Blossom fabric, or to finally get that SoChick Market Tote Kit you've been eyeing!

XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up [Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Raleigh, NC]

This weekend I met up with my Mother-In-Law in Raleigh, NC for The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo.  This was the Expo's first stop in Raleigh... I usually travel to Atlanta in March for the Expo down there.

It was a fun weekend, the event was a lot smaller than the Expo in Atl, but I liked being able to hear myself think and get my hands on good deals!  It was also a great opportunity to see new-to-expo-shops and new-to-me-shops... I found a few that I would love to visit when I'm in Raleigh again, like Wish Upon a Quilt.

A view of the Gammil Longarm Workshop and the Expo floor.

One of my most favorite shops, Sew It Up.  I've purchased from them the past three years and am so happy with their kits and patterns they offer.

Seriously, every time I'm in this booth I feel like I could sew one of these dresses.  Take a look at the dress I made for my littlest chick with a Pink Fig pattern that I picked up from Sew It Up at the Expo in March, Here.

Our view of Raleigh from 7 floors up in the DoubleTree Downtown.  Raleigh has such a pretty Downtown area full of shops and beautiful old homes.

To finish it off, we had dinner at The Pit.... Seriously good BBQ up in here!!

Like I said, I scored some great deals at the show... I'll share what I came home with in another post!

***

Through Friday, June 29th... Save 25% on ALL Fabric in the Shop, Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry Prints, with code VACAY25 at Checkout!

XxOo~ Melissa

Summer Organizing {The List & Kitchen}

Usually, by the end of a school year, our home is a little lot less organized.  So, I've made a plan, and a list in my idea notebook, for organizing my home this summer. 


Between 12.5hrs of Gymnastics practice, School, and Girl Scouts for my Big Chick, and entertaining my Little Chick, I foresee very little time spent on major organizing projects once the new school year rolls around.  Not to mention I am absolutely horrible at putting things off.  I figure if I start now, I'll be able to get things together by the end of August... right? Right!


{My List of Projects}


-Kitchen Organization: Declutter Counter tops, Meal Planning Organization, Bead-board on backsplash, breakfast bar and in powder room.


-Laundry room: Shelving for storage and clothes hanging


-Dining Room: Dining Bench with Cushions/Pillows, Photos/Art for walls, Family Command Center wall.


-Living Room/Front Entry: Console Table with lamp and drawer/tray for catching keys, shades, etc.  Basket for shoes, Coat Hanger organization (behind front door), Slipcovers for sectional & chairs, throw pillows.


-Girls' Room: Finishing touches from Operation Organize.


-Master Bedroom: nightstands, closet organization


{The Kitchen}


So far I have made progress in the kitchen with just the bead board to be done.  I cleared the counters of clutter, everything has it's place, and I contained all of my coffee supplies on one platter for a more organized look.

We planned on bead board after the fire but haven't had a moment to do it.  This summer it will be done!  We'll install it as the backsplash and around our breakfast bar to protect the walls from the little feet, which tend to kick the wall at breakfast any time they sit there.


I'm considering using beadboard textured wallpaper in our dining room, which is attached to our kitchen, and the powder room... but the jury is still out on that project.


I'm hugely inspired by blogs when it comes to organizing my home.  Most recently I'm hooked on iHeartOrganizing.  I used Jen's tips to create a meal plan/menu for my family, so far so good. 

 I'd like to create a whole binder the way she has, we'll see how that pans out.


There were no sewing projects for the kitchen, though I think I may quilt a mug rug for myself. *wink*


Next up will be the Dining Room.


How do you organize your home? Have you ever worked with beadboard wallpaper? Have you ever worked with beadboard? Let me know if you have any tips!


XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up {Coastal Living & Father's Day}

What a great weekend we had...


We kicked off Saturday with a 2.5 mile run, my husband, littlest chickie, and I. (Our oldest was at Gymnastics Practice).  It was nice to run with my husband, and have him switch off with the jogging stroller... a 3 1/2 yr old in a jogger is not easy, regardless that I've been running for a few weeks with her, ha.


We we got home I knocked out these SELF exercises from the SELF Drop10 Diet... I'm pretty much just using this for the exercise routines, and boy do I feel it.  I love this workout.


After a few more chores, we headed out to pick up our oldest from practice and went down to Harkers Island, NC where we took a ferry out to Cape Lookout National Seashore.  After living on and near NC's Crystal Coast for 7 years, I had yet to make it out to the lighthouse!  My husband, kids, and parents have all gone... it was about time!

It was a windy day but beautiful all the same:

Father's Day started with the little chicks making breakfast for their Daddy, my hubby, with help from Mommy (aka me, duh) which was followed by a family run, well for the husband and I... Little Chick sat in the jogger and Big Chick rode her bike.  We ended Sunday by grilling out at our house with my Dad and Stepmom.  Just as an FYI- you have to try Grilled White Peaches, Bobby Flay style... here's the Recipe... SO GOOD!


The next few weeks are going to be insanely busy, followed by a week long vacation at Fripp... so here I go!

Have a great Monday!
XxOo~ Melissa