Seasonal Sewing - A Toasty Tiny Trench Coat!

Do you ever have something that's been on your "to-sew" list for so long it seems like you'll never get to it? That was me with this coat.  I'd fallen in love with this fabric last fall, but just couldn't get the time to make it into anything.  This year I was determined to carve out some time so my little lady could get some wear out of it and it wouldn't have to wait another year on the shelf!

I thought it would be ideal as a coat so it would be worn more than just a handful of times.  I used a pattern from the 1/2010 issue of Ottobre Design.  It's called Variksenmarja (try to remember how to spell that one!).  I just loved the tailored look and inverted pleats:

I have to admit I have a love/hate feeling about using Ottobre Design patterns.  On the one hand the European designs are really lovely and give more stylish, well-fitting options than most other pattern makers. And it's great to get so many patterns in a range of sizes in just one issue, some of which I have used many, many times over.  

Yet, not having any visual directions makes it pretty hard to decipher things since they are translated into English from Finnish.  In paragraph form.  If you get confused, or don't understand a technique they are using, you're out of luck.  And just having one finished item photo, from one angle, doesn't help much either.  I'm definitely not a sewing novice, but the instructions for this coat seemed so convoluted to me that I literally just cut the pieces and then put the coat together the way it seemed logical to me, side-stepping their directions all together.  

But as a result of doing it my own way, I was able to swap in roll up cuffs instead of the non-functional cuff straps in the original design.  Now this little coat can be worn a bit longer and show off the cuddly, fleecy lining fabric.  I got this fab knit in a fabric store in Canada this summer and wish I knew exactly what it's called!  I love how it's plush fleece on the one side and sweater knit on the reverse.  I used the fuzzy side for the coat's inside and sweater side out for the underside of the collar:

I also love how it's practically an outfit on its own and how the plush interior keeps her toasty warm.   That it makes Miss Fancy Pants come running to put it on (because she enjoys wearing it too) makes it well worth the wait:)

Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too so click HERE to check them out!

Craftastic Monday Link Party - Bring On The Crafts!!

I hope everyone here in the US had a great Thanksgiving and everyone elsewhere had a fantastic weekend!  It was so nice to see so many great links last week so a big thanks to everyone who linked up.

This week I've got a bunch of new sewing things to share and am hard at work on some upcoming projects for the upcoming winter festivities.  I'm really up for the holiday season this year - crafts, foods, so be on the lookout for a lot of new crafts over here:)

Also the current giveaway for a $20 gift certificate for fabric and ribbon at Make The World Prettier ends tomorrow, so get your entries in for your chance to win.  Who couldn't use some extra goodies for their stash?  Click HERE to enter now.

Now let's take a look at last week's highlights and get this week's party going:

Artsy Fartsy Mama shared this super cute turkey applique idea - will have to remember this one for next year!

Now that I'm getting into the spirit of winter I'm all about decor ideas like this snowflake wreath House of Noise:

I loved this sweet book page wreath by Twigg Studios:

Keeping It Simple shared this clever & thrifty idea - using tights to turn a t-shirt into a long-sleeved shirt:

And the Kids Can Craft Party's "Pick of the Week" was Craft Linky's pop-up plate snowman is fun and easy for kids to make.  Perfect for the upcoming holiday season:

The Kids Can Craft Party is for projects kids can make.  It's always open to add your links and the projects do not have to be new (so if you've got a good one from last year, throw it up there!).  You can link up ANYTIME. Just click HERE to get to that party.  Please remember to link back or put the Kids Can Craft button on your blog so you have a chance to get featured:)

Ready to link up?

Party rules are simple:

• As long as it's crafty and made by you it's Craftastic (no links to giveaways, shops, other link parties or other people's work - THEY WILL BE REMOVED).  Just add the link to your specific post (not the main page of your blog).
• Grab my party button & put it on your post or blog.  The code's on the sidebar ->
• Check out some of the other great links and share some crafty comment love.

I leave the party open until 11:59pmEST every Friday, so there's plenty of time to add your newest creations.  Have fun getting crafty this week!!

How To Slipcover DVD Giveaway Winner!

It's time to announce the winner of the How To Slipcover DVD giveaway!  The winner was:

Congratulations Donna!  Using those extra entry opportunities pays off!!  You've won a copy of to learn how to make some awesome custom slipcovers yourself.  I'll be in touch on fulfilling your prize very soon. Thank you to Slipcovers by Shelley for providing this fantastic prize:)

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And remember, there's another great giveaway still going on for a $20 gift certificate for your choice of fabric & ribbon at Make The World Prettier, so click HERE to enter.

Guest Post: the decorated cookie's Thanksgiving Marshmallows

Need a quick & easy food idea for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal?  My lovely friend Meaghan from the decorated cookie has a fun and fast treat tutorial from her festive files to share.  It's also a great way to keep the kids busy while everyone else is working in the kitchen!!  Take it away Meaghan:

As seems my pattern, here are some last minute Thanksgiving treats: marshmallows! All you need is a set of edible writers and some marshmallows. You can even add a lollipop stick if you like. And if you need more Fall-themed ideas for drawing on marshmallows, click HERE and HERE.

supplies
edible writers. For all of the designs you'll need: black, brown, red, orange, and yellow. I suggest a set of Americolor Gourmet Writers or the FooDoodler Fine Line set. Find lollipop sticks (if using) in the baking aisle of the craft store. And use the standard marshmallows from the supermarket. For tips on finding supplies, click HERE.

what to do
Draw on the marshmallows. Use the step-by-steps below if you like. That's it.  A few tips: It helps to let the marshmallows sit out for a couple hours to stiffen on the outside. You can't top a color with another, so try and keep the colors separate. Unless you want the colors to blend (like for the feathers). Use black last for the outlines, eyes, details, etc., as black will layer on top of other colors. If you don't want colors to blend or bleed, let them dry about ten minutes before switching markers.

activity idea
Last year for the two kids at my Thanksgiving, I had a cookie decorating activity (see it here). An idea for this year? Drawing on marshmallows. All of the drawings below are pretty easy and kid-friendly, especially the turkey. Only the pumpkin pie is a little tricky. Package some markers and some marshmallows in a jar or favor bag and tie with ribbon. A great way to keep kids entertained before... or maybe better...after dinner. Just for you, I made a printable instruction sheet of the how-tos below. Just print on a letter-size piece of white photo paper or cardstock with your color printer. CLICK HERE for the printable.

the drawings

feather

 1. draw a brown line
2. draw a bunch of red lines
3. draw a bunch of orange lines in between the red lines (the colors will blend a bit, that's good)
4. add some yellow lines around the edges
5. add a black line along the brown line and outline a few spots around the edge

pumpkin pie

1. use black to draw the whipped cream
2. make three brown dots
3. make a lying-down "L" shape with brown
4. fill in the pie with orange
5. outline the pie with black

mayflower

1. draw the sail with black
2. draw a line with a triangle
3. with brown, draw the top of the boat (a line with a semicircle in the middle)
4. with brown, draw the bottom of the boat (three lines)
5. fill the boat with brown
6. fill the flag with any color
7. outline the boat with black

turkey leg

 1. draw and fill a light bulb shape with brown
2. draw an upside down question mark with black
3. repeat in the opposite direction
4. outline the brown with black

turkey

1. draw and fill a brown circle for the head
2. draw and fill a brown oval for the body
3. draw a yellow triangle for the beak
4. draw a red dot next to the beak
5. draw red lines for feathers
6. draw orange lines in between the red lines
7. draw a dot for the eye and two legs (vertical lines with three lines at the feet)

Thanks so much Meaghan.  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Craftastic Monday Link Party & A Fabric Giveaway!

Welcome to a new Craftastic Week!  I know everyone here in the US is gearing up for Thanksgiving so I'm especially thrilled at new projects because I know how short on crafting time most of us are right now!  As a special treat to celebrate, how about the chance to win some fabulous fabric to beat the after-Thanksgiving shopping madness?  Sew Can Do's newest sponsor is giving you that chance!

Make The World Prettier is the place to find pretty things to make your world lovely.  A great assortment of fabrics:

Pretty prints -

Organic cottons & flannels -

Amazing, vintage fabrics -

And super cute ribbons!

One lucky Sew Can Do reader will win a $20 gift certificate to use at 

Make The World Prettier!!

To Enter:

Visit Make The World Prettier and then leave a comment telling about your favorite item and what you'd make with it.   Be sure to include an email address if it's not on your profile.

Get Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each one):

- Add Make The World Prettier to your Favorites on Etsy

- Follow Sew Can Do

- Like Sew Can Do on Facebook

- Link to this giveaway on your blog or Facebook

- Link to this giveaway on Twitter

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

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Now let's see what pretties got linked up last week:

I LOVE the silver sheen on this robot cake made by I'm Topsy Turvy.  My kids would go crazy for this super cool cake.

This trash to treasure play kitchen redo by All Things Luci Rae just proves how some crafty skills can transform a diamond in the rough to a knock out.  Check out the before and be amazed!

Look at this lovely Tree of Life ornament from Lisa's Craft Blog.  She has a full tutorial so you can make one of these for yourself:

Of course I always love a good sewing project too, and Craft Couture by T.C. shared this adorable one - a Christmas pillow cover:

And this week's Kids Can Craft Party's "Pick of the Week" was Happy Whimsical Hearts flower paint project.  All natural AND fun!

The Kids Can Craft Party is for projects kids can make.  It's always open to add your links and the projects do not have to be new (so if you've got a good one from last year, throw it up there!).  You can link up ANYTIME. Just click HERE to get to that party.  Please remember to link back or put the Kids Can Craft button on your blog so you have a chance to get featured:)

Ready to link up?

Party rules are simple:

• As long as it's crafty and made by you it's Craftastic (no links to giveaways, shops, other link parties or other people's work - THEY WILL BE REMOVED).  Just add the link to your specific post (not the main page of your blog).
• Grab my party button & put it on your post or blog.  The code's on the sidebar ->
• Check out some of the other great links and share some crafty comment love.

I leave the party open until 11:59pmEST every Friday, so there's plenty of time to add your newest creations.  Have fun getting crafty this week!!

My Memories Software Giveaway Winner!

It's time to announce the winner of the My Memories giveaway for the Digital Scrapbooking Software.  The winner was:

Congratulations Ronda!  It goes to show that using those extra entry opportunities pays off!!  You've won a copy of My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software to make some amazing designs and personalized items yourself.  I'll be in touch on fulfilling your prize very soon. Thank you to My Memories for providing this fantastic prize:)

For everyone who didn't win, you can still get a great deal: My Memories still has a special offer for Sew Can Do readers - $10 off the purchase of My Memories Digital Software + a $10 coupon to use on all the goodies in the My Memories Store.  Just use the code: STMMMS81187 during checkout.  

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And remember, there's another great giveaway still going on for a How To Slipcover DVD (worth $45!!), so click HERE to enter.

Good Luck and stay tuned for more crafty giveaway fun this week!