Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Eating Clean



I have decided lately to take more time for myself!  I had been spending too much time worrying about the next great pattern, and ignoring myself and my family.  I had mentioned in a post earlier this year, that I need to take some time away from my sewing machine to focus more on my family.  Well I did that, and loved it!  I have really enjoyed my kids, and we have spent some great time together.  I still have been sewing, but only a few custom orders for people, and for my kids and myself.  I don't think I could ever stop sewing, I love it too much.  I feel relaxed while I am sewing.

Anyway, to get to my point of why I decided to post today.  I am so excited, that I have been feeling so wonderful for the past year.  My husband and I have been doing our homework to learn what is in foods and what we should and shouldn't be eating.  I had heard some of the most fabulous transformation stories from people.  I am so impressed my what I have learned!  So our family has been trying to eat clean for the past year.  Sometimes it is hard not to pull something out that is processed, but I can say that I have very little processed foods in my home now.

I am continuing to learn more about eating clean, and I also feel like I know enough to be able to help someone else wanting to eat better too.  So I thought that why not do this with friends!  I am going to start a challenge on facebook for anyone that wants to join in!? 1 WEEK OF CLEAN EATING! We will share recipes, ideas, information and facts about foods, eating clean, It will be the perfect place to motivate each other, share challenges and triumphs. I will start the group in a pre-season on Sept 15th to help get everyone ready for the official start day on Sept 22nd. Who's in?

If you are in, leave me a comment below and a way to contact you.  Or send me an email.  My email address is found on my contact me page!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Golden Rippy

I am always asking for testers, but this time I got to be a tester!!  This was so much fun, I loved this chance to make this top for Rachel with Golden Rippy.  Not very often do I get time to sew for myself.  Getting the pictures after I had made this was the hard part though.  I tried to get my kids to take pictures for me, but hello double chin!  I found one that they had taken that showed the top good so you could see without fingers or sunlight in the way.  So then I ran over to my good friends house and had her take one for you.  That way you could get a good picture of how the top turned out.


The Delilah Top is the grown-up version of the  Dahlia Top in the Golden Rippy shop.  It comes in sizes xxs - xl.  


With great instructions and such a quick sew, I was so proud of how my top turned out.  The Delilah top comes with two embelishment options.  I chose to use the bow option and place it over my right shoulder.  If you would like to see the other option, please stop by Golden Rippy's Shop.


I think this top would be perfect for a beginner to learn to sew on knit fabric.  It a fun quick sewing project that can be made in a day, and worn the next!  I made my top back in June, and I have worn it a bunch of times since.  I have had so many compliments on it everytime!  Gotta love the attention when we look good, right!  My daughter really love this shirt, so I am thinking I will need to be making the girls version, Dahlia, very soon.  Make sure to stop by and check out the Golden Rippy blog.  Rachel has recipies, tutorials, and more patterns to share!!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

50% OFF and Stocking Stalkers

Are you a stalker of My Taylor Made sewing patterns?  Do you want new Stalkings for Christmas this year?  Are you a sucker for contests?  And do you want to win free sewing patterns from a bunch of designers?
IF so, here's the plan: Choose a designer or a pattern you love, one that speaks to you, one that moves you, one that inspires you. Then, take our FREE STOCKING PATTERN and put the two together. How? You figure it out. Turn your stocking into a love song for Ellie Inspired. Sew up a message in a bottle for Tie Dye Diva. Compose a handmade,  heartfelt sonnet for Foo Foo Threads.  The only tools you need are your imagination, your sewing machine, and the stocking pattern.   You can read more about the contest here - 
 Robin Hill's photo.

More great news for you.  All patterns in my shop will be 50% off all day on Black Friday.  The only other time to be able to take advantage of this is when a new pattern comes out.  So this is a great to take care of those patterns that have never been 50% off.  Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY  for every pattern purchase in my shop!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Designers Challenge and Coupon Code



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When I joined a Facebook group for designers, I was so excited to be able to work with other designers.  It is kinda intimidating to see how much talent is in this group.  Seriously!  Amazing ladies!!  One day Andrea Panell suggested that we put together a challenge.  A challenge to get all of us to break out of the box.  Design something new, that may be a challenge to us.  So here is the list of designers and their release dates for the Challenge.


I of course thought what a great idea to be one of the first and get it done.  Well I kinda ran into a snag this weekend, and found out the pattern that I had hoped to use in this release was perfect.  But with a snag, I have decided that I better fix it first.  I hate to rush and not have it right.  But I do have a pattern in my shop that I feel is perfect for this challenge.  I would have to say it was the most challenging pattern that I have ever made.  It took me the longest to get this pattern right.  I'm not gonna lie, it actually took me almost a year to get it right.  But I am so excited to have it out in my shop this last April!

With this Designers Challenge I was taken out of my comfort zone the most with the Tyler Overall!  I will be offering the Tyler Overall for 1/2 off for All of Monday and Tuesday.  Make sure to grab it now. 
Use Coupon Code PANT12 to get it 1/2off!!

 Overalls are perfect for everything,right! Every boy needs a pair, they just look so cute in them. Great for baby pictures, just to wear out and about, and of course to just be a boy and play in the mud. I would love to see this made in a pink denim too, for that sweet little princess.
Pattern comes in sizes 3 month to 24 month.
More Great news!  If you would like to get this pattern for free, make sure to stop by Pattern Revolution and enter the drawing.  Robin will have a drawing for each designer when they release their patterns, make sure to stop in each day for a new pattern.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152523687/boys-overall-pdf-sewing-pattern


Saturday, October 5, 2013

Costume Contest

Yeah!  I am so excited!  I get to be a judge in a costume contest!!  A good friend of mine, who I meet here on the internet has recently started designing sewing patterns.  I am so excited for her.  I have to tell you a little about Frances.  She is a busy homeschooling mom to her son and her daughter.  After supporting her husband with his busy job, she makes sure to make the time for sewing and pattern making.  Frances is definitely a go getter!
Now to tell you about the contest.  Frances just finished her 2nd pattern and has her test group holding a contest to determine the uniform that most closely resembles the actual uniforms worn by the players. The prize is a $25.00 gift card to JoAnn Fabrics. The winner will also choose any item up to $35.00 from
https://www.etsy.com/shop/sonjayugoslovenka
To check out the new pattern and details of the contest go to her blog here, http://www.muffinheadpatterns.com/blog.html 
Here is a picture of the newest pattern.  I have downloaded mine and as soon as I get some orders out, I plan on getting started on a dress for my daughter.  I can't wait!
Doesn't it look like the uniforms in "A League of Their Own!!!"   So Cute!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sweater Vest Pattern Testers

It is always exciting to add a new pattern for the little boys!  This pattern is for a simple vest.  No button holes, no buttons or snaps.  Just quick simple steps.  Can be sewn using a sweater knit, basic knit fabric, jersey knit, if the fabric has stretch it can be used.  My son even thinks that this could be a tank top pattern too.  Great for all occasions!  Sizes available will be 12month to 12 years.  I think this sweater would be great for the Holidays in a sweater knit with a tie underneath.  I love the cute little boys all dressed up!




I am in need of pattern testers!!  I am looking for 4 people to test this pattern for me.  If you would like to test this please follow the giveaway instructions below.  Here's the deal for you. You get the pattern for free. I only ask that you are able to sew the dress within a week of me emailing it to you, and give me any comments or suggestions you may have.  I will attach a comment form for you.  To select the entrants I will do a drawing through Rafflecopter.  Then I will check to make sure all entrants are able to test different sizes.  If you have any reason that you think you may not be able to get it sewn in time, please do not enter the raffle, I do need this done in time.  As soon as you have tested the sewing pattern as a thank you to you for your help, I will send you another free sewing pattern of your choice from my shop.  Here is a link to my shop to check it out - https://www.etsy.com/shop/mytaylormade
Usually I have the contest last for 1 full week, I have decided to shorten that because I have noticed that it isn't needed to have it so long.  So this time the contest will last until Sunday night at Midnight. So starting Wednesday September 25th at midnight then ending at midnight, on Sunday, September 29th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, September 20, 2013

Follow Me Help!?

Ok, so I am a dork!  I can not for the life of me figure out how to fix my Follow Me buttons on the right side of my blog!!  What is my deal?  I have gone to Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.  I thought I was following the instructions correctly, but the only one I can get to work is the Twitter Follow Me button.  WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!  I need help, how did all of you great bloggers get yours to work and look so awesome!?  HELP, PLEASE!!!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Quick, Easy, and Cheap Halloween Costume

If you have been following my blog for a while, you have seen these pictures before.  I thought I would share with you a quick, easy, and cheap way to make a fun Halloween costume for the kiddos this year.  When I made these costumes I was really concerned to have costumes that were warm and could have a coat worn underneath.  Sometimes the saddest part of Halloween is when they have to wear a coat over top a costume.
 Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales

Bob the Tomato from Veggie Tales

 Pig

 Cow


I had fun making these costume.  I loved how quick and easy they were for me to make.  Any animal can be made with these.
 It is a really simple costume to make and can be done in a day of it doesn't have a ton of detail.  I wish I had thought to put it in a tutorial for you with pictures, so sorry.  If I get the chance to make another one, I will share my secrets with you!
All it is is a yard of felt fabric with elastic around the top for the neck, arm holes on each side, and some of them have elastic at the bottom to make it more round.  When I added the eyes I drew them out on paper first to make sure I liked them.  When I sewed the eyes, and noses on I added stuffing inside to give it a fun bubble look.
 I was supper happy with these, and how they turned out.  Anything to make a child happy on such a fun day!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Halloween Is Around The Corner

Sometimes I think Halloween always sneaks up on me.  My kids and I always start talking about their costumes in June, but I never get them started until the end of September or just a week before Halloween.  We have had some fun Halloween costumes at our house though.  I am pretty excited with how costumes turned out last year so I thought I would share them with you.

I don't know what I was thinking because my son wanted to be Optimus Prime.  I had no idea what I was going to do to make his costume, so I set off on the internet!  I love the internet.  I found a few different tutorials for the costume that adults had made for themselves.  I was really impressed with how well they were made.  So I had the bright idea to do a similar costume for a child and take bits and pieces from each costume that I liked.  It took FOREVER to get it done!  I think I spent about 20 hours on the costume.  I would get the kids to bed, turn on a movie, and start taping and gluing boxes together.  I used diaper, wipes, cereal, cracker, and yogurt boxes.  I added some PVC pipe for the Pipes on each shoulder and painted them.  The decals on the costume are printouts from the computer.  The vent thing on his belly was made by folding card stock.  The hat was a dress up fireman hat that I added some box pieces, toilet paper rolls, flat pencils, and more card stock.  We had him wear white longjons underneath, and some sunglasses.  I think I might be the most proud of this costume.  He was excited, and still talks about it.  So we will save it and share with his brothers for future Halloweens.

Another box creation!  It worked out well for us last year with all these box ideas the kids had because we had just moved.  So we had plenty of boxes to use!  This costume was so much easier to make.  We cut and folded moving boxes to make the basic shape of this truck.  Added toilet paper rolls for the lights in the front and the back.  Added fabric straps for over the shoulders, and paper plates for the tires.  Vroom he went!

After having a new baby, I didn't want to dress this little guy in something that was uncomfortable.  I knew I would be carrying him in a front carrier on me when we went trick or treating.  So I thought he needed something that we could stick on the outside of the carrier so he could still have a costume.  This was as super quick costume  to make.  With some scrap fabrics, I cut the large brown with a green that is on the underside to the shape of a turtle shell.  Then I cut all the little pieces in the green and a burnt orange and layered them on top of each other.  I wanted that little bit of orange to stick out.  Sewed all the edges and cut them like I would have if I were making a rag quilt.  Then added eyes to a beanie.  Kept him warm and cuddly, just how I like my babies!

Can't have a Halloween without a flapper!  This was so fun to sew.  I just made up my pattern as I went.  The fabric came with the sparkles all over it, and then I added the fringe to the bottom.  Bought some black ribbon for the headband, then added feathers.  Threw on some make up with the bright lipstick, and a necklace and of course she wore heels that you can't see in this picture.  I don't have a pattern for this dress, but a good friend of mine just came out with a pattern that is very similar, and so adorable.  Check it out by clicking on the image below if you would like to make this -I got to be one of the testers for this pattern, and it was so fun and easy to sew, and Frances is wonderful to work with.  I am in love with how the black and white one turned out in the picture below.

Well this year I have been asked to make a zombie costume, witch costume, and Bigfoot.  So I am thinking about having the baby be a monster hunter since the other kids are all some sort of monster.  I am not positive how to make it all work, so any suggestions would be fabulous!  I bought the fabric I needed for some of the costumes, and so hopefully I can get started sooner this year.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Meet the Testers for the Addy Pant with Free Legging Pattern

I love getting to know new people through my patterns.  It is so much fun!  I think I have been very lucky with all my patterns to find wonderful pattern testers.  The girls who have tested my Addy Pant pattern were wonderful!  I ended up adding the legging pattern to the Addy pant, which turned out perfectly!  Here are some pictures of what these awesome ladies have done with the pattern.
 It was so fun to have Jerica test these leggings for me.  This was one of her first time sewing with knits, and I think they turned out awesome!  How cute are leggings on these tiny little legs.  Jerica has opened a shop on facebook that you need to stop by and follow.  https://www.facebook.com/BugberryBoutique  She is just getting her page started and is working on adding everything to it, so please share to help get Bugberry Boutique known.
Amy is so on top of it!  She made this pair out of a jersey sheet using the top of the sheet for the hem of each pant leg.  I love the large folded hem.  It looks adorable!  Amy has the idea of adding some fun embellishments and pockets to a pair of pants too.  I can't wait to see how those turn out.

 Cheri was so wonderful that she made 3 pairs from the pattern using fleece cotton and knit.  Cheri is the perfect grandma!  I think that is what I love so much about this basic pattern is that is is so versatile for any fabric.  And how great do they look on Cheri's granddaughter.  Cheri also has a shop, check her out on etsy here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFiberChick and like her on facebook here -
https://www.facebook.com/TheFiberChick
.



I am hoping to get another review soon, and to have any changes made to the pattern by today.  So please keep your eye out in my shop.  I will offer the Addy Pant Pattern with the free legging for 1/2 off for 1 week after it is listed.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Addy Pant

Newest Pattern!!  The Addy Pant comes in sizes 2 - 12.  Perfect pattern just in time for school.
 I have actually had this pattern for a while, and I have been hording it!  I have been making these for my daughter and a few other people who have seen them and wanted some.  So I decided I better share!  It is such a wonderful pattern for the beginner sewer.  Basic pant with an elastic waist and flared leg.  It is such a versitile pattern as far as fabrics that can be used.  I have made these with a soft cotton, a suiting fabric, and even knit.

I am tempted, and would love your suggestions, but I am thinking of adding a basic legging pattern as a bonus to this pattern.  Let me know what you think!?  Wouldn't that be great!!
I am in need of pattern testers!!  I am looking for 2 people to test this pattern for me.  If you like the idea of adding the legging pattern as a bonus, I will draw for 2 additional testers.  So please specify which you would prefer to sew.  If you would like to test this please follow the giveaway instructions below.  Here's the deal for you. You get the pattern for free. I only ask that you are able to sew the dress within a week of me emailing it to you, and give me any comments or suggestions you may have.  I will attach a comment form for you.  If you have any reason that you think you may not be able to get it sewn in time, please do not enter the raffle.  As soon as you have tested the sewing pattern as a thank you to you for your help, I will send you another free sewing pattern of your choice from my shop.  Here is a link to my shop to check it out - https://www.etsy.com/shop/mytaylormade
Contest will last 1 week starting tonight at midnight and ending at midnight, on Tuesday, August 13th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Breast Cancer Port Pillows, Tutorial

It is so hard to see anyone go through any type of pain.  It is even harder to see someone you love suffer trough pain.  My cousin,who I have always been close to, recently found out that she had breast cancer.  They planned a day for surgery, but found out the cancer was growing way to fast to have the surgery.  So she had to start chemo.  She is pretty excited to be halfway through the harshest part of the Chemo.  A few days ago, she sent me a pin on Pinterest where she found the most amazing blog.
MyFabricFriend.com has come up with an amazing idea for people who are battling breast cancer.  I have to give her all the credit for this, I wouldn't have even thought about it!  I would love if you could stop by her blog and read her story about her port pillows and how she has helped so many with these small pillows.
The idea of the pillows is to be able to strap the pillow to the seat belt with velcro and then lay over top of an incision or the pain.  My cousin has an incision right where the seat belt lays over her.  So she has been driving with the seat belt under her arm.  Her husband hasn't been to pleased with her not being safe, so she found this awesome blog.
Well, I thought I would give you some pictures and show you how I learned to make these from MyFabricFriend.com.

 I started with a 5 1/2" square and 4" of velcro.

 Made sure the velcro could be sewn into both sides and it overlapped in the center of the square.  Pin down if you need to.

 Sew around the square at 1/4" leaving a small opening about 1 1/2".  The velcro is sandwiched in between both fabrics.

 Cut the corners off making sure not to cut through the stitch line.

 Turn right side out through the opening.

Stuff the pillow with fiberfill stuffing, and sew the opening closed.

This is how mine turned out!  I loved it!  A quick project that I finished in no time, and used scraps of fabric.  But it will give my cousin so much comfort.  This is the perfect gift idea for that someone you know going through this battle in their life.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Mountains of Idaho, and coupon code


I hope you all are having a fun summer!  I have been loving the time with my family.  We love to be in the outdoors and exploring or taking advantage of this beautiful earth!  We live in Idaho, and are so luck to have all of the mountains so close to us.  It makes it easy to take a quick trip or to stay and enjoy the day.  My husband has been fishing all his life, and he is so amazing at it.  Before we had kids, we went all the time.  Once we started having kids, we didn't want to take the little ones in the boat.  So Mike went without me.  A couple weeks ago we asked our mom's to watch the kids, and just the two of us floated down the river.  It was gorgeous!  I missed it so much, and just took it all in.  These pictures are not as great as some of you could have taken, but I just used my phone to take them.  But I think they are still gorgeous!





I also wanted to make sure you knew that I finally have the Daisy Purse in my shop for sale!  I wanted to make sure everyone knew that through Friday July 26th the pattern will be 1/2 off.  Make sure to use coupon code - PURSE12