Guest Blogger Ashley from Whimsy Bits

hello willow bean studio readers!

my name is ashley from whimsy bits and i'm miss jennie's handmade gift exchange partner.

if you're not sure what that is head on over to craftaholics anonymous and check it out!

this is my first year participating and i couldn't be more thrilled to be part of this awesome exchange or have such a sweet partner!

i wanted to give a big thanks to jennie for allowing me to be here today. she's just great!

let me tell you a little about myself. i am a twenty something forever student, craft nut, nanny, fur mommy. i am working on getting my master's in education while nannying for two of the sweetest little girls (full time!). i'm a born texan living in kentucky with my boyfriend (we're college sweethearts!) and our hyperactive but super cuddly three year old yellow lab, dallas.

me and the boy. i call him monkey.

dallas on his birthday. i call him muffin.

when i'm not on the playground or walking the dog, i try to live healthy, make super cute and easy crafts and i just started to sew!

my cupcake stand redo and super yummy strawberry splenda cupcakes.

easy peasy feather earrings.

table runners for easter.

i also have an etsy shop whimsy bits by ash.

i'd love for you to come by and check out my blog or my shop anytime. i love new friends!

i can't wait to get my gifts sent to jennie and hopefully be able to show y'all what we've each made.

thanks again for having me today!

--
Ashley Peavler


whimsy bits


Whimsy Bits by ash

Slip Cover Craziness

Recently I have received several requests from my followers asking for tips on how to slipcover.

Well starting next Wednesday I will walk you through how to do it.

For the rest of the summer each Wednesday I will walk you through slip covering.

We will work on several different pieces starting with

barrel back chair from this post.

The fabric I have chosen is a rather large print so you will also learn

how to match a print at the seam.

Okay ladies you have one week to get your supplies ready

Lets start slippin'

Toddler Tuesday #6

It's that time of the week again!

Link your your toddler/child related project up.

Don't forget to grab a button so others can join in the fun!

I'm so excited to see what everyone has been working on this week!

The Cranky Princess

You would never know from the expression on her face

that just 30 seconds earlier she was as happy as can be.

Especially since Mommy had made her a new tu-tu!

I think her temper tantrum lasted longer than it took to make the skirt.

To make this tu-tu skirt you need:

5/8 yard sparkle tulle

5/8 regular tulle

3/4 yard lining fabric

1" wide elastic (should be the circumference of child's waist plus 1")

the above quantities listed are for a size 3/4 skirt.

First I cut the sparkle tulle in half along the fold 

I then cut the regular tulle into 4 sections that were equal in length and width to 

the two sparkle tulle pieces.

I layered the sparkle tulle on top of two pieces of regular tulle.

You will now have two separate piles of tulle.

I took each pile and with my sewing machine ran a basting stitch across the top edge.

Now you are ready to create the lining.

I cut two rectangles out of my lining fabric that were the same length as my tulle.

To determine the width for the lining 

I took half my daughters waist circumference and added 4" to that number.

I joined the side seams with 1/2" seams and did a double roll hem at the bottom of the skirt.

Now take your two piles of tulle and gently pull the basting threads so that the 

pieces are the same width as one side of your skirt lining.

Pin one section to the front and the second to the back.

Attach with 1/2" seams.

Okay we are ready to finish off this skirt!

Take your elastic and over lap the back by a 1/2"

Using your sewing machine secure seam with a zig zag stitch.

Cut a rectangle that is 3 1/2" tall and 1" longer than the circumference of the skirt.

Close the back with 1/2" seams.

Fold piece in 1/2 with your elastic sandwiched in the middle.

Set to skirt top with 1/2" seams gently stretching the elastic as you g.

While setting the waistband to the skirt top 

make sure not to catch the elastic in your seam as this will hinder the elastics ability to stretch. 

Hopefully your little princess will not be as cranky as mine was 

upon the receiving her new skirt!

Lessons from Dad

When I was taking photo's for this post I kept thinking about how the fact that my husband is an engineer really compliments my crafting OCD.  For starters the man graphed out our sons room to figure out how to best lay our new flooring while creating as little waste as possible. I regret not taking a pic of his sketch ... I think it would have helped my case; when I tell him how neurotic he is...lol!  But I did take a photo of the flooring he has installed.  If you look closely you will see how the man has perfectly lined up every other row to create a pattern.  Who does this .....

This morning when i looked at the photos again I saw a father teaching his son how to be "handy". 

 I saw a man who takes pride in what he does and is trying to instill those values in our children.

I saw a man who after a long day at work comes home

makes us dinner

 and then finds time work on the house.

When I looked at these photos again I saw a man who

loves his family

enjoys teaching his son new things

I see a man who is creating memories with our son.

Our son is so excited!

All he keeps talking about is how great his room is

and that it is the "Best Room In The House."

I can't help but smile when Noah talks with excitment about his new room.

This new room would not be possible with out his Dad!

Toddler Tuesday #5

It's that time of the week again!

Link your your toddler/child related project up.

Don't forget to grab a button so others can join in the fun!

I'm so excited to see what everyone has been working on this week!

Update

I am need to apologize for my lack of posting the last week and a half.

I took time off for Memorial Day and the next thing I knew

what had started out as a few days hiatus turned into a full fledged vacation from my blog.

The Good news is I'm back, well rested and have plenty of fun projects to share!

But before we get into all off that I just want to formally announce

That the Fairlicious pattern is for sale at the

Willow Bean Studio Etsy Shoppe

Also if you were part of the 733 promotion and

did not receive an email from me

please send me a quick note at the following email address

Willowbeanstudio@gmail.com

Don't forget tomorrow is Toddler Tuesday's here

and I can't wait to see what everyone has been up to!