Button Monogram

My goal is to start sharing with you my crafts that I do (on occasion) that you can do at home as well!

My first is the adorable button monogram. I chose to do it on a backing of scrap fabric, but you can use a pretty piece of scrapbook paper, construction paper or you can even do it on a piece of wood covered with fabric...the list goes on and on.

I went to the thrifty (aka the thrift store for those who have never called it the thrifty) and looked through their used frames. You'll find some great frames for super cheap and even less expensive are the frames with no glass. Perfect for this craft.

I started off with an inspiration from this blog.

Things you need/I used:

paper
printer
fabric
frame
buttons
hot glue gun/hot glue
pins



For the fabric background, pick a fabric that isn't too busy. Solids are great or something like I chose (eyelet) is great because it uses a solid color but it has a design element because of the texture. Something like matelasse or pique would do nicely.

I took a printout of a lowercase "e" sized nicely for an 8"x10" opening and pinned it underneath my fabric. If you are using fabric, make sure you are taking into account that you will need to overlap the fabric behind the frame backing. Because I was using a white fabric, the letter shown through nicely. If you can't see through your fabric, I would suggest cutting out the letter and tracing around it with a pencil or even a pen. For those using card stock or other paper, you can print your letter right on that.

Heat up those glue guns! I haven't talked about glue guns much before, but make sure you have a low-temp glue gun. Those high-temp guns will result in 2nd degree burns for sure--ouch!

I used a package of buttons that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. Of course, you can use assorted buttons that you have collected over the years or were lucky enough to score at that last estate sale.

I started by taking the larger buttons and placing a small amount of glue on the back and placing them within the boundaries of your letter. It's important not to stray over the lines! Also, don't use too much glue as it will seep out from under your button creating unsightly glue bubbles that aren't easily removed. Don't worry about the glue spider webs, those are easily remedied at the end with a blow dryer;)

I should have taken pictures of this whole process, but I didn't. Thank goodness for my BFF, Sarah. We did the craft together and she took pics.

After you've staggered the larger buttons and filled up as much space as possible, you can start filling in the empty spaces with the smaller buttons. It's important to really try to not cross over the lines. I took some of the smallest buttons to see if I could squeeze them into the space on the first layer. Then, I started working with color and size to create 2-3 layers of buttons throughout the design. Just go with what you think looks good. As long as you're staying within the lines, you can't mess this up. Don't be afraid to use cute shapes like butterflies or airplanes. Go with your creative instinct!

You'll know you're done when you look at it and you smile. I unpinned the paper from underneath, and framed this gorgeous creation. It's going to go perfect in my little girls room.

Have fun!!

Cheers,
Jayna

Cutting Corners

I'm in my 7th month of pregnancy which it seams (haha) is much like my first trimester. Tired, painful and the lack of ability to sleep come 4 am. Such as it is, this is a very productive time in my day. I get up, answer Etsy convos that came to me late last night, look at new fabrics and veg. This morning I was perusing the Riley Blake Blog for new fabrics when I came across a post about Cutting Corners. It seems that I have stumbled upon yet another source for free quilt patterns. But alas after looking, they have a lot more than quilt patterns. So far I have discovered FREE tutorials on key fobs, children's clothes, a table runner, a zipper flower and so much more. These are some of the designs I already love!!

Even more, with this adorable girls dress (and other patterns), they actually have the pattern pieces there for you to print out. These tutorials are very detailed. The instructions and explanations of fabrics, cutting and technique are just what we all need. Sure, I'm a good seamstress, but there is a ton of room for improvement and better technique.

There's also a "Rotary Club" where they review useful sewing tools and that's where I discovered this little ditty, the Skip Stitch.

Just put on your rotary cutter and you can run this little bugger along the edge of fleece, flannel or other fabric to create slits for your over-edge finishing with crochet or knitting or whatever else your little heart desires. Talk about cutting corners. I can imagine there are several ladies out there using scissors or a knife for this very task. Here is a cute blanket I found on Etsy thanks to Heart2HeartStitchery with a gorgeous crocheted edge ....and it's made out of flannel Riley Blake fabric. How fantastic is that??

My mom makes these blankets for each of her grandchildren and I'd love to post a pic of one of those, but did I mention that it's 4 am and my children are nestled all snug in their beds?

Thankfully it's Sunday. I'm looking forward to taking a nap this afternoon while hubby reads his Sunday paper and looks after my precious daughters while I lay dreaming of wonderful new fabric and the many ways to use it. As always, thanks for reading:)

Nighty night.
~Jayna

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree!

Pre-Christmas Special!! All orders placed Monday (12/20) through Friday (12/24 at midnight) get 10% off of their purchase price! Use coupon code dec10 to redeem at checkout.

http://www.rockytopdesign.etsy.com/

Zoey's Nursery

Jessica wrote me this summer with some fabric ideas from Spoonflower. She picked out some of the most gorgeous fabrics from designer Heather Dutton and of course I was thrilled to use them. I had never ordered from Spoonflower before and the prints were stunning. I would love to say that I have figured out how to design my own fabric, but that will have to wait for another day.

The colors in these fabulous fabrics are a coral pinks, blues and greens amoung others. Stunning with her white crib, don't you think?


This is what Jessica had to say about her bedding:

"Jayna,
We are thrilled with the bedding and curtain order you made for us! Our daughter was born just a few days after everything was ready. We couldn't be happier!"

I really love the way she has put together this room. Makes me want to duplicate it! One of my favorite parts about this room is the changing table. She tells me that it is an IKEA bookcase and she simply changed the knobs out with new ones from Anthropologie. Love it! That gorgeous green lamp is from Home Goods (love this store), the rug from Cost Plus World Market and the frames are from various stores, spray painted white.




There's nothing more easy than taking a piece of fabric and inserting it into a frame or covering an inexpensive canvas, they make wonderful wall decor! I also adore the blue-gray color on the wall. It's very popular and so chic. Perfect for either gender.



Thanks to Jessica for her wonderful decorating taste and for the gorgeous pictures.

Happy Baby!
-Jayna

Goodbye, Timber

One of my favorite (new) lines comes from Jessica Levitt. I have recently acquired news that her gorgeous fabric line, Timber has sadly been discontinued. By far one of the most popular color palettes in my shop, I will especially miss the gorgeous colors and graphics.

I have written Ms. Levitt, hoping to hear back that Windham Fabrics has been mistaken and that it's still be produced.

We will see, but I'm guessing that the manufacturer gave me correct info...boo hoo.

The Sun is Always Shining Somewhere

Welcome Rain. Here in Colorado they say that it's sunny over 300 days of the year. I find this to be true. It's gorgeous. Occasionally though in this spring/summer month, I will find myself hibernating inside the entire weekend due to rain (namely this weekend). This is not common here, but it does happen.

On occasion my 4 year old will comment, "It sure is a beautiful day". Naturally, this makes me beam. To me, I've done my job. I strive constantly to ensure that my two young children appreciate all that this lovely planet has to offer; both visually and nutritionally;) We are so fortunate to gaze at these Rocky Mountains every day and I know this to be exceptionally true due to the fact that I grew up in Illinois (where there's barely a damn hill).

Yesterday, my toddler asked me, "Mommy, why are the clouds covering up the blue sky?" Someone other than myself answered her with a "because it's a miserable day". Usually my answer would be somewhat about the science of why clouds exist and why we should appreciate the rain because of the flowers and trees blah, blah, blah. The unsatisfied toddler just lowered her head as if disappointed, because she knew not of a miserable day.

It made me realize that our outlook on life is only measured in the way it is viewed. My 4 year old will look at a storm cloud and appreciate it, but only because I've taught her to do so. I'm fairly sure this is because my mom taught me to look the same way at a dreary day.

This may make you throw up in your mouth a bit, but seriously people, take what's around you and find the positive. Why make life crappy if you can change your attitude and be happy; find something enlightening about that cup of milk overturned on your kitchen floor. (btw, I haven't found something positive about that scenario yet, but will let you know when I do).

Take a look at that rain and realize that now you don't have to pull weeds all day or sweat your ass of washing your car. Spend time with your kids, letting them know just how lucky they are to be living in the city, or on the plains or next to those gorgeous mountains. After all, they only know what you teach them:)

Have a rockin' day

-Jayna

Pretty Bird!

I love the new fabrics coming out this year. Pretty Bird is Pillow and Maxfield's newest creation for Michael Miller and I absolutely adore. These fabrics resonate a passionate movement, bright with fresh designs and feelings.

3 different colorways are represented: Aqua, Blue and Spice (my personal fav).

Some of the more bold prints being "Pretty Bird", "Dancing Flowers" and "Twirling Tendrils". Of course, no line would be complete without coordinating stripes, which are present here.

Here are just 3 of the Pretty Bird prints in this lucsious collection. You can view the whole collection on Michael Miller's website.

Some of this season's hottest trends lend towards Aqua (of course) and blues. What I love about this collection is that it will be hotter than ever later this summer and into fall with it's Spicey side. The warm tones of red and golden amber are going to be perfect as the temps heat up.

For those aren't familar, Pillow and Maxfield have also created the Whimsy collection, which is already on backorder with manufacturers and getting harder to come by.

Happy Sewing!

-Jayna

Happy YOUR Day

Happy Mother's Day to all. On this day out of most (hell, let's just say all), I find myself smitten with joy to be a mom. So many other days of the year I am impatient, worn down and withered away by my two young girls. I can say that today is my recharge.

My husband is great. There's no arguing today, even if he wants to....it's not allowed. He just looked at the pile of clothes on the floor in front of our bed this morning and even though he wanted so hard to bitch at me, he just said, "Happy Mother's Day".

My kids won't be the best behaved today, but at 6:30 this morning my 4 year old, Shea, woke us both up to a toothy, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!!" . Really? Could this really be any better?

When I was a college student in my early twenties, I worked 3 jobs, one of which was at a florist. So often during Mother's Day week after finishing up a sale, I would walk a woman to the door with her new plant or home decor item and she would turn to me and say, "Happy Mother's Day". Now, I wasn't a mom, and I'm sure she knew that, but because she knew that one day I would most likely become a mom, she chose to give me the sentiment of "happy mother's day". It was comforting. Like, a special club that you don't actually have to be a member to be included.

Even though a woman cannot have children or doesn't' yet, to me they are moms to children of the world. Ever notice how your kids can just tell that someone is a grandma? Your child's shyness just melts away at a few older women and they just say, "well, she knows I'm a grandma". It's so true, kids just know. They know that whether or not you have children, some women just have that, "I could love you anyway" smell to them or something.

Happy Mother's Day, all. Make your own rules for today. Do what you want to do, go where you want to go and eat what you want to eat. It's your day. Every other day of the year it's your children's day, but today is YOUR day.

Happy YOUR day.

-Jayna

Pretty Much Picasso

Gardeners everywhere rejoice with wonder and delight as the Proven Winner company has introduced one of the most popular annuals in recent years. Pretty Much Picasso, a delicious new supertunia has made the world take notice at it's incredible colorway and non-stop trailing habit.

I'm lucky. My parents own this awesome (not so little) greenhouse biz in Central Illinois. Hart's Greenhouse. They send me starters every spring that I transplant into 4" pots and later transplant again into my container gardens.

Pretty Much Picasso stole my gaze this last March. It has that vibrant deep pink as it's predecessor purple wave and a spectacular lime green edge. I spend most of my day gazing at amazing fabric and this flower reminds me so much of that. Lime, fuchsia...what more could a girl ask for?!!

First came the petunia. Gorgeous, spring to fall bloomer, lots of care (deadheading). Then came the wave petunia. It was amazing. Nothing we'd ever seen before. You plant 3 plants in a very large container and it would spill out, over the edge, uncontrolled.....perfect. Then, the Supertunia. An even stronger trailing habit, yet this annual has elimanated the need to deadhead. Even though I still find myself plucking off those dead blooms, if I don't get to it for a few weeks, the blooms will keep on coming.

You'll have to head to your local garden center to see if they carry this amazing annual. It will go fast so don't delay! Here's a look at my Picasso newly planted in it's 4" pot home for the next month. Not to worry. You'll get another look in a month or two as it grows, as it paints a home that is, well.....pretty much picasso.

Jayna

Mother's Day Gift Guide

We love our mothers. Even though they may drive us slightly crazy some days, this is one day of the year that it's appropriate to show some sort of "thank you". You may ask yourself, "what makes a good mother's day prezzie?" Well, in my opinion (being a mom), it's something that will be enjoyed by just mom. Not a blender, not a new jug of laundry soap. It's about selfless giving. Some of my favorites being flowers in a vase or even bedding flowers to plant, concert tickets and a babysitter (for some day other than mother's day), or even a day at the spa.

Mother's Day this year is Sunday, May 9th. If you choose to give a gift, it doesn't need to be much more than a handmade card but can range all the way to a new car for those husbands who are overly eagar. (Honey, may I point you to a new Honda Pilot?)

I've assembled a nice little gift guide for some ideas, and hopefully it'll help you choose the perfect sentiment for your wife, mom or grandma.

This makeup bag/clutch from KaraMiaSofia is a great ETSY find for any mom, modern or traditional. Ranging in fabrics from Amy Bulter to Sandi Henderson, there are many colors and designs to choose from and with a price of $14, this is a great gift for a tight budget. It's lined and has an inner layer of interfacing, making it sturdy and best of all, washable. If you have a bit of extra cash left over, I suggest pairing this with a bunch of fresh cut red tulips from your local shop.

I love this necklace from LoveStamped. Two Sterling Silver discs handstamped with children's names or anything you please, I suppose. I just love the family tree on the top disc. It's earthy and chic all at once. At 1" in diameter, it's not overly big, but just the perfect size. It even comes with a chain, which is great for mom to put on her neck out of the box. The price for this handmade treasure: $22.50.

For the sewing mom, this is perfect!! I actually bought this pincushion from TheDailyPincushion for my mom's birthday back in January and she LOVES it! It's handmade and handsewn and is much more gorgeous in person. It was gorgeous out of the package, perfect for the mom that lives in another state. Purchase this beauty for only $28. Cathy was great to work with and has many other great designs, like her pillows...so gorgeous!

Of course, a basket full of body essentials is a time-tested favorite. This gift set from ETSY's savannahsoapkitchen is great, because for $25, you can choose 5 products from her store, in the flavors/scents that you want. The products include handmade soaps, yummy salt scrubs, body lotions, solid perfumes and much more.

Dads, for those of you who don't already know...this is supposed to be essentially from the children, so having them make a handmade card may be the best present of all. Also for those of you who may be expecting your first child when Mother's Day approaches, giving a little something for the mom or even baby-to-be will score you extra points. Even if she's preggo, she's a mom (I guess that should read, "especially if she's preggo..."). Pairing the above body basket with say, this book and a shoulder/foot massage; you'd make up for any stupid comments made over the last 9 months.

Like mentioned before, it's not the gift, it is truly the thought. I promise. Treating her special or baking cookies for instance, are all things that don't cost a ton, but the thought is enriching.

Thank you mom, for all you do for me and molding me into the best mom I could possibly be. Without you, I simply, would not be.

Jayna