penny carnival

And the winner is ...

... K.D., of CraftyNHMom! K.D. you won this fabulous Sewing Calendar from Accord Publishing.

I was going to shoot a video of the girls pulling one of your names out of a hat with a drumroll and all, but, yeah, that didn't happen. On the bright side, they got fed and bathed today and they didn't get into a brawl over who got to draw the name. 

K.D., please e-mail me at megan(dot)cooley@comcast(dot)net with your mailing address so I can send you the calendar. In exchange, you must send me this adorable child. (Just kidding.)

Thanks again to everyone who played along in the Back-to-School Sew Along. It absolutely warms my heart to have you all out there, living creatively with me. And, look! Magpie suddenly is IN LOVE with the apple dress I made her. She's refusing to tie the straps into a bow in the back, but that's OK. 

Hope everyone is well.

P.S. I'm probably preaching to the choir, but to the other people out there: it's not OK to copy a blogger's tutorials and post them on your site as if they are your own. Pasting someone else's words and photos or even rewriting it yourself with a few tweaks is unethical and makes you look ridiculous. If you like my tutorials (awesome! thank you! I'm truly flattered) you can use one of my photos with a link back to my instructions. 

This is three times now with the book sling. I'm getting grumpy about it. Grrr ... (that's grumpy mama bear sound.)

Rocks and thoughts

This is going to be random. Bear with me.

1. Your adorable sewing projects in the back-to-school Flickr pool have warmed my heart today. Thank you, thank you to everyone who participated.

It's going to take me a few days to create a post with all the photos (or at least one photo of each project), so feel free to keep adding more images. To be fair, I'll draw the winner of the sewing calendar from everyone who has entered by today, but it's not like I'm going to close down the pool or anything, so please inspire us throughout the year with your sewing loveliness. 

2. Rocks rock.

The girls and I went on a little hike the other day and collected some rocks. Once we got home, they carefully washed and dried them and then painted them to resemble ladybugs, cars, turtles and other creatures and objects.

I don't have any shots of the finished products. Let me assure you, they look nothing like Martha's rock crafts, but the girls were extremely proud of their work. When I accidentally referred to an alligator as a turtle, I was told I was being "ra-dink-ulous."

3. I have written and erased this a few times now, and usually that means I should just stick with erase. I don't think anyone comes here to read about politics or religion, do they? But let me just say this: I read the news about the discord at the Sept. 11 remembrances with sadness this weekend. 

I was in New York on the third anniversary of the attacks. I happened to be there for a conference and was working for the newspaper at the time, so they asked if I wouldn't mind covering the memorial service.

At first I was nervous about approaching families. I don't know why. As a reporter, I'd knocked on doors of white supremacists before and didn't break a sweat. 

I quickly learned, though, that the families wanted to talk. I think they wanted the memories of their loved ones to live on. Some of them beamed as they remembered their brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, partners, friends. 

There was one dad, though, that I'll never forget. He was carrying flowers, so I approached him and asked if I could talk to him about the person he lost in the attacks. Every time he tried to open his mouth, the words wouldn't come. Just silence. He finally pulled out a piece of paper from inside his coat, unfolded it and handed it to me. It was the "missing" flier that he must have made and distributed in the days after 9/11. I managed to learn that this was his son and that they were from Colorado, as well as a few other details about the young man's life.

The father then leaned his head on the building next to us and sobbed. I think he would have crumpled over if the building hadn't been there for support. We squeezed each other's arms for a few minutes, and eventually nodded a goodbye and he continued on to the ceremony.

Of course I support people's right to speak out and I take great pride in being able to see and respect two (or more) sides of an argument. But I'm not sure I'll ever understand why people choose anger and fear over peace and unity.

If that father was there again grieving for the loss of his son, I don't know, maybe he would have been part of the protests against the mosque. Maybe not. I just hope he was surrounded by love, not hate. That--besides having his son back--seemed to be what he needed most.

 

 

Do your homework! The Back-to-School Sew Along ends tomorrow

Just a reminder ... the deadline for entering the back-to-school sew along is tomorrow. Stitch like the wind!

Here's a peek at one of my contributions:

 

And take a look at some of the adorable projects that have been added to the Flickr pool. A big thank you to those of you who have participated so far!

Details about the sew along here. Happy sewing. 

Real Simple fun

Just a quick hello to those of you finding Penny Carnival from the little mention in the Real Simple: Family issue.

I picked up a copy today--it looks like a beautiful issue. But is that any surprise? Real Simple makes bottles of window cleaner look lovely.

Anyhow, I'm humbled to be a teeny-tiny part of it.

So what did Real Simple feature? They mentioned the "story starters" activity I do with my kids and listed a handful of my examples. If you're looking for the whole list (it's a free printable PDF), please check out my original post about it. 

Thanks again for dropping by!

P.S. The Back-to-School Sew Along is plugging along. The deadline is Sept. 12, so if you haven't started stitching yet, hop to it! Remember, you can upload your photos to the Back-to-School Sew Along Flickr group, the Penny Carnival Facebook wall or just e-mail them to me (megan.cooley@comcast.net). 

One random entrant will win this Sewing Calendar from Accord Publishing:

 

Back-to-school sew along: fabric suggestions

Finally, some fabric suggestions for you for the back-to-school sew along. Two quick items before I jump into that, though.

1. You might have noticed that I now accept advertising on Penny Carnival. See? Over there. ---------->>>>

I'm excited to be able to connect readers with wonderful products and services and am thrilled that a couple of delightful, creative businesses have already reserved spaces for the next several months. You'll see more about them soon.

I posted my rates and hope potential sponsors of Penny Carnival will find them reasonable. Please e-mail me if you have any questions or are interested in placing an ad.

I want to assure readers that my editorial content--what I write to all of you--won't be influenced by sponsors. You're getting the same old me, craft disasters and all.

This is a win-win for everyone--links to helpful businesses for all of us, plus a little cha-ching in my pocket so I can buy--what else?--more craft supplies. Awesome. It's like a little cycle that feeds itself.

2. You also might have noticed the link to my book sling, as featured in the current issue of FamilyFun magazine. !!!!

When I switched careers to journalism 10 years ago, my original goal was to work for magazines. I got bit by the hard-news bug in grad school, and went into newspapers instead, but it's such a thrill to enjoy a moment on those glossy, colorful pages.

Welcome! to those of you finding Penny Carnival from FamilyFun. I'm so glad you're here.

And get this! The editors altered the book sling tutorial a bit so that non-sewers could make it, so the instructions in the mag don't require a sewing machine. Crazy, huh? Now none of you have an excuse not to make one. (FamilyFun readers: if you'd actually prefer to sew it, here's my original tutorial.)

FamilyFun has been wonderful to work with ("with which to work"--sorry grammar snobs). I'm proud to now be a subscriber.

3. OK, now for the fabric suggestions.

You don't need me to tell you about the plethora of adorable fabrics available today. What you see below are just some of my personal favorites, especially when considering what to use for back-to-school clothes (for girls and boys) and accessories.

Enjoy!

From Amy Butler ...

Sunspots in midnight (can't you just picture a little dress or skirt made from this and paired with striped tights?):

Chrysanthemum in orange (I can see it as the lining of a solid-colored coat, like this one, with the cuffs turned out):

 

Coriander in ivory (I will never, ever get tired of Amy Butler Coriander, even if I live to be 273 years old):

Floating Buds in gray:

 

Free Spirit fabrics ...

From Tanya Whelan, TW12 Sky (perhaps for a blouse?):

 

From Valori Wells

Vw26 Nest in teal (a corduroy! perfect for this?):

From Tina Givens

Treetop Fancy (maybe for the Instant Gratification dress?):

 

From Joel Dewberry

Here's one for the little fellas--Modern Meadow Pond:

 

From David Walker ...

The Robots line:

 

and Hopscotch:

 

and the Boys Will Be Boys line:

 

From Anna Maria Horner ,,,

These look like books to me:

Folksy Flannel Forest Hills in moonlight (a perfect lining for the cocktail swing coat or a super-soft option for the mini skirt):

 

From Sandi Henderson ...

Meadow Sweet Happy Butterfly in maize (oh, oh, oh! Little dress made from this, paired with brown tights and loafers):

 

From Spoonflower (expensive, I know, but fun to dream) ...

Fairy-Tale Friends:

 

Happy Weather (is this the best thing in the world or what?):

 

Pirate Kid:

Yellow Pennants:

 

Oh, man. That doesn't even scratch the surface.

What are your favorites?

 

Back-to-school sewing patterns part 3: accessories and school supplies

Has everyone started their project(s) for the Back-to-School Sew Along? OK, I haven't either, but LOOK! Cynthia (a.k.a. The Sewing Dork) already submitted an entry--an adorable handmade backpack. Way to get the ball rolling, Cynthia. 

Don't forget: One random entrant will receive the 2011 Sewing Calendar from Accord Publishing. The deadline is Sept. 12 (is that too soon?). More details about the sew along here.

So far I've linked to some suggested patterns for girls' clothes and boys' clothes. Now it's time for accessories and school supplies, which might just be my favorite category. I seriously want to make all of these--for me and my kids.

Headscarves from Ivy Designs

 

Reversible Headband from Fabric Boutique

 

Hampton Hat from Heidi & Finn

 

Art Caddy Tote from Ginia18

Binder pencil pouch from Sew Mama Sew
 

Craft Apple's patchfolio

A roundup of lunch sack and reusable snack baggie tutorials from Sew Mama Sew
 

My own reusable sandwich wrap tutorial

 

Back-of-the-Seat Car Caddy tutorial from The May Fly (you know, so the kids have somewhere to stuff their half-eaten cup o' scrambled eggs when we get to school)

Car Caddy from Craft Apple patterns (even deeper places to hide breakfast--you just know that's what that kid in the picture is thinking)

Studio Cherie Duffel Bag sewing pattern--perfect for a busy teen who's running from school to ballet practice to music lessons or for a 'tween going to a slumber party (I use mine ALL THE TIME--not for those purposes, though. Ballet, music lessons and slumber parties ... hmm ... that actually could be quite fun)

Sweet felt barrette tutorial from Angry Chicken

Felt rose barrette tutorial from The Purl Bee

 

 

Ribbon hair clip tutorial from The Long Thread

 

 

Child's artwork tote tutorial from The Long Thread

 

 

Water bottle tote tutorial from The Long Thread

 

Eyeglasses case pattern from Studio Cherie 

 

Newsboy cap pattern from Mytaylormade

 

TV Cover from Martha Stewart (out of sight, out of mind, right?). 

 

Side story: We just returned from two weeks at the casa de Nana and Papa, two people who really like their TV. I'm not anti-TV, but we don't have cable at home and we only have one TV (in the basement) so it was a treat for the girls to watch as much as they did. At one point, though, Bo was trying to color in a coloring book and watch TV at the same time. She called to me in the other room, "Mommy! This TV is bothering me. Every time I try to color, it makes me keep watching it." 

Click! 

It was good to get a dose of pop culture, though, and I'd like to thank my nieces for getting me to listen to Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus (kind of catchy, I have to admit). Not sure how I feel, though, about 2-year-old Magpie saying to me tonight, "Mommy, remember when the She Wolf only had half her pants on?" If you are more hip than me, you'll know that she's referring to this Shakira video. (Turn down the volume on your computer unless you're in a place where you can shake your hiney to a really addictive song.)

By the way, when a 7 year old asks another 7 year old who Justin Timberlake is, this is the answer: "Oh, he's the Justin Bieber for moms." 

Back to the projects ...

Pencil and cell phone binder pouch from Sew 4 Home

  

Slouchy book bag from Sew 4 Home

 

And here's a little something for mama. You got the kids fed, out the door on their way to school, but maybe you didn't have time to fix yourself up yet? Cover up with a hat, like this lovely cloche from McHats. 

 

There isn't much that a good hat and some red lipstick can't fix, wouldn't you say?
 

Sewing patterns for Boys

Here is part 2 of my roundup of sewing patterns you might consider for the Back-to-School sew along. Part 1 listed sewing patterns for girls. Part 3 will be about accessories and school supplies. And Part 4 will offer fabric suggestions.

Before I dive into the sewing patterns for boys, I wanted to point out a tip from Cynthia in the last post's comment section. Dear My Kids, one of the pattern makers I linked to, is hosting a contest this month. Make a garment from one of her patterns, submit photos and you could win 15 (yes, 15) of her patterns. Details here. (Thanks, Cynthia!)

Alrighty. Time for the boys. Can we please have a moment of silence for the sewing-enthusiast parents of boys? Talk about market opportunity, to all you pattern makers (or budding pattern makers) out there. Gee whiz. Unless you want your little guy wearing this ...

... you really have to search for some good options.

And search I did. Take a look at the cuteness here and then please leave a comment with more suggested boy patterns if you have any. I had an especially hard time finding patterns for boys older than six or so.

FYI: There will be some overlap here since the girls' post included some unisex designs.

Small Fry Neckties from Little Lizard King:

Sketchbook Shirt from Oliver + S:

 

Little Military Shirt from Heidi & Finn:

Urban Hoodie from Heidi & Finn:

 

Little Man Suspenders by Dainty Couture:

 
  
  

Everyday Coat from Heidi & Finn:

 

Tee for Two from Figgy's Patterns:

 

Playtime Popover from Red Thread Patterns:

 

Reversible Pants from Dear My Kids:

 

Dapper Dillingers from Figgy Patterns:

 

  
And just for shits and giggles, I couldn't resist throwing this one in:

McCalls WTF-5711

Don't forget to look back at my original post about the sew along and at good clothing catalogs for inspiration. Sometimes just doing a freezer paper stencil or an applique on a store-bought T-shirt or adding ears to a hoodie are all you need to make your little guy feel good. 

Coming next ... handmade accessories and school supplies.

Sewing patterns with potential: Part 1, Girls

Has anyone started working on their back-to-school clothes for the sew along? Need some inspiration? 

As promised, I'm going to post some "patterns with potential." I can't personally vouch for all of these patterns since I haven't followed many of them myself, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt. 

Many of these, I think, look pretty stinkin' cute in the pictures already. But some (especially from the big-time commercial pattern makers) require a bit of eye squinting and creativity to imagine how cute they could be if made with a better fabric or a slightly different cut of the collar, etc.

If I missed your favorite pattern, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list. 

I'll start with clothes for girls. Coming soon: boys and then accessories & school supplies and then favorite fabrics.

 

Joy Z knit dress from The Vines' Branches

 

 

 

The Instant Gratification dress, also from The Vines Branches.

(Add an elastic gathering at the waist and longer sleeves and you'll get this look we saw a few weeks ago. Or use plaid for this look.)

 

Little Mini Skirt from Red Thread Patterns
 

 

Playtime Popover from Red Thread Patterns

Everyday Coat from Heidi & Finn
 

 

Cocktail Swing Coat from Heidi & Finn

Cowl Neck Pullover Jacket from Dear My Kids Easy Wear

Peter Pan Coat from Dear My Kids Easy Wear

Vest Top from Dear My Kids Easy Wear
 

 

Ruffled Pinafore from Dear My Kids Easy Wear
 

 

Reversible Pants from Dear My Kids Easy Wear

Pintuck Sweater for preschoolers from Heidi & Finn

 

McCalls 2664 dress pattern from Bella Violetta Vintage
 

Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Jacket and A-Line Skirt, as seen on Sew Mama Sew
 

And on the Oliver + S site:
 

(Use a camel-colored fabric to get this look.)
 
Sew Mama Sew is running a Back-to-School sewing inspiration series, too, by the way. I found some of these patterns there, like this one:

Tee for Two by Figgy's

(Use a striped knit and you'll get this dress or use polka dots and add a hood for this look from my original post about the sew along.)

Woodlands Shirt by Sew Liberated

 

Jump Rope Dress by Oliver + S
 

While we're there, let's throw in the School Days Jacket. Heck, anything from Oliver + S is adorable.

 

McCalls 6156

McCalls 6154

 

McCalls 5966

 

McCalls 5919

 
McCalls 5459 (I'm a sucker for suspenders. Must have been an early addiction to Mork & Mindy that did it.)

 

Butterick 4176 (but use a more fall-ish fabric and skip the shorts)

 

Butterick 4593 (I can see this in a dark navy with a mustard-colored velvet ribbon that's a bit wider than what's shown. I'd skip the tulle, but I know my daughter would love it.)

 

Here are some Simplicity patterns that could work. I couldn't seem to copy the images.

Simplicity 2320
Simplicity 2534
Simplicity 2876

 

As for teens, I always see cute patterns in the Young Burda catalog at the fabric store but I can never find a site for them online. Does anyone know what's up with that? Is it different than Burda Style, which has some cute children's patterns, by the way.

Update: new addition to the roundup, thanks to reader Louise.

A Very Biased Skirt, from No Big Dill:

 

 

Will that keep you busy enough? Huh? Huh?

Next up, sewing patterns for boys.