Dear Creatives, I have a little tutorial to share with you to add to the quick & easy apron tutorial I used which you can find via the end of this post. I hope this helps you when making your aprons for yourself or for Craft Hope’s Project #17. You can view the image larger & just follow the steps below, it is rather simple to do!

Click all images in this post to see enlarged

• Cut out your pocket any size (allow for seams) Mine was about 7″ x 7″. Press over edging of fabric around all four sides. I usually use my thumb as a guide or standard seam 5/8″
• trim corner of top of folded, pressed back fabric at a diagonal *see image only cutting top layer
• Sew all four sides (I clip my corners slightly prior to sewing so no seams show. See image I left one on to show you, but cut it after pic) You only cut the top fold corner slightly!
• Attach apron pocket to front of fabric #prior to sewing apron together! (this way you won’t see the seam on backside) & Sew on pocket to front side of apron right side up sewing around the two sides and bottom, leaving the top open! Start on one side & go all the way around, leaving top open.

Click to enlarge & read notes

Yes, it’s that simple! So if you have never made a pocket now you can give it a try! Hope that helps & makes sense! Here are a few more tips to add to the tutorial I used & you may find helpful!

Here is how I reinforced the seam for the apron ties. I did this by sewing a rectangle where it is attached to apron. This will be covered by the waist band & no one will see it!

When making ties just fold over fabric in half wrong sides together, then crease right sides to wrong side making seams using standard width & press into place with iron,(* Do the pressing prior to folding in half) trim  corner edges slightly on the diagonal, but only cut through top layer corner, fold in half  & sew along edges.

Here I am pinning the ties inside the waistband. You have to check both sides prior to sewing to ensure they are aligned properly & straight. Looked good on back but, when flipped over the from needed adjusting slightly. So make sure to check twice & sew once. It makes things so much easier! Then use above steps, before attaching waistband for reinforcing tie.  This step is used for both ties.

To see the full apron tutorial I used & added these changes to see Quick & Easy Apron from Feathered Nest  for cutting sizes & instructions! To see my round up where many free patterns, tutorials & about Craft Project #17 plus the Quick & Easy Apron visit my Apron for Haiti post. & to see it completed check out yesterday’s post!

Hope these few tips help you in one way or another! Aprons are a great first project if your new to sewing.

Do you have something to share? Crafts, Sewing, Diy, Tutorial….Join in submit your links starts new every Friday! You will get an email when spotlighted!

Have you sewed anything lately or are you new to sewing? 

Free Sewing Class 

Become a Sewing Machine Master for Free! Learn how to handle your sewing machine with the brand new, free, online Craftsy class, Sewing Machine 911, taught by Claudia Miller, sewing machine MD. In this class, learn how to diagnose your machine’s symptoms and how to easily fix the most common issues, including jammed machines, top thread breaks, needle breaks, and more. Claudia also explains the basic parts and functions of every machine. Whether your machine is still in the box, you’re working on a hand-me-down, or even if you’re an experienced sewist who still struggles with tension, this is the class for you! Plus, it’s free, so there’s nothing to lose. Sign up for Sewing Machine 911 now!

Dear Creatives, The big countdown to summer has begun & with that the flurry of what activities needed to do when it is hot, hot hot! Well, I may have come across the solution for some of  your summer woes. I know we can’t be at the pool & beach all day every day! It just gets too hot here! So what about bowling? I couldn’t wait until Thrifty Tuesdays to share this summer savings!

Now, we are talking fun & Savings! I must admit we are no experts by far in our family when it comes to bowling! But, we have shared some humorous & fun moments at the bowling alley! What about you & your family? What’s your best score?  I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours. Well, if you need a summer activity that is indoors away from the heat this Summer Pass is going to be your ticket to fun & savings!!

Summer Unplugged (Free Bowling for Kids)

Summer Pass (Free Bowling for 16 and older)

 Free bowling available until 8 p.m., 7 days a week. AMF summer is May 14 – Sept. 3, 2012.

• At AMF, kids 15 and under can bowl for free all summer. Simply register and you’ll get a weekly voucher for two free games per child per day through September 3. Shoe rental is not included.
• An AMF Summer Pass is just $29.95! Just one AMF Summer Pass allows up to four family members ages 16 and up to bowl two games per day all summer. That’s less than $7.50 per person! You can add a pass at the end of the Summer Unplugged registration process.
• & if you don’t have kids there are still summer pass savings available to you! Now scoot on over & grab your summer savings & see what else is going on!

Grab your Summer Pass! http://bit.ly/SummerPass

Summer Unplugged Free! http://bit.ly/AMFfree *select a participating center (over 250 locations) and complete a simple registration form

What is your funniest bowling moment?

How long has it been since you went bowling? 

I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing.  All opinions stated in the post are my own.

Dear Creatives, My tutorial post will be tomorrow! I just had to post this today to bring awareness to stamping out hunger, since today is the kick off & tomorrow is Hunger Awareness Day! Many of us are fortunate, some of us go through hard times & then there are those who need a hand now! When I was asked to spread the word about a good cause & found out which one it was I was more than happy. I used to live near a church- food bank, luckily I never had to use it, although I struggled to make ends meet like many. I have seen first hand working families struggling. the less fortunate, the elderly & the children coming to get help. But what if that help isn’t there any more?

This is where I’d like to introduce you to No Kid Hungry® 

• 1 in 5 kids in America doesn’t get enough to eat.
• Nearly 50% of SNAP participants are children.
• More than 46 million Americans – a majority of whom are seniors, children, or people with disabilities – rely on SNAP to feed their families.
• The average monthly SNAP benefit = $1.48 per meal
• More than two-thirds of the funds in the most recent Farm Bill help feed these hungry kids through Federal Nutrition Programs.

Farm Bill & SNAP Overview:

• This spring and summer, members of Congress will be working on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, legislation that provides funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and the largest nutrition program in the Farm Bill.
• SNAP helps struggling families buy more food and fresh vegetables to feed their kids.
• SNAP faces potentially devastating cuts in the Farm Bill. These cuts could reduce, or even eliminate, millions of Americans’ access to SNAP benefits, forcing families across the country to go hungry.
• SNAP also provides important economic benefits to communities across the country. For every SNAP dollar spent, $1.79 is returned to the economy. As our economy slowly begins to recover, now is not the time to cut programs that help local businesses and families.
• A family of 4 making less than $23,000 net income qualifies for SNAP.

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength^®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry^® campaign – a national effort to end childhood hunger in America – Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org.

Tell a friend & Take Action by visiting http://nokidhungry.org/farmbill

There are some easy ways to help: 

• Take action online
• Be an advocate
• Get involved in the community
• Donate 
• Attend a culinary event in your area

This is not a paid  or compensated post.  I as contacted on behalf of Element Associates and the Share Our Strength campaign & asked if I would consider sharing this with you. 

Dear Creatives, I thought I would share with you the apron I made for Craft Hope’s Project #17. When I went to share that I sent it & posted a photograph on FaceBook I found this out: From the Haiti By Hand website; Jade has set a deadline of May 31 for the aprons because she will want to move on to her next project. However, you may continue to send aprons through the end of July if you need more time. We have trips planned for June and November so your apron won’t miss the boat! So I don’t know why this post was made today but everyone still has time. Finish up and mail off without worry.

I highlighted & underlined the part that is important! Yes, you still have time if you are only now finding out. You have until end of July for them to receive the aprons. To see more about the project you can view my post here which also has all the free apron tutorials & patterns I rounded up: Apron’s for Haiti, but before you head over you might peek at what I created & some notes about the pattern I used. PS. Tomorrow I am sharing tutorial &  tips on how to add the pocket &…

I used one of the tutorials from my previous posts minus adding the contrasting bottom, yet adding in a pocket. You can also view the guidelines for making them on my previous post.

I made the quick & easy apron with a light cotton material. I didn’t do the contrasting & the ties were reinforced under the waistband  for long lasting durability.

I added a pocket to the pattern which is so easy & it is larger than it looks from this photo. It was at least 6″-7″ wide. If you have coordinating fabrics you can make the waistband, pocket & ties with that for contrast.

This is the backside & inside back of the apron. I used a pretty muslin on the backside. It can be reversed to use on either side. The ties are long enough to wrap around two times if the person is slimmer or just tie if larger size.

I will put together the how to for making the pocket & how I do the ties – tutorial & tips posting tomorrow. If you use the quick & easy pattern from my link above & at FeatheredNest this will help you be able to make the adjustments to create a very useful & pretty apron. Should you want to help or even make one for yourself. Aprons are great beginner sewing projects! I hope to make some more when school lets out & teach Sammie how to sew an apron.

& Don’t forget if you have made something or have a recipe…. to share just add it to Link-Up

Have you ever made an apron or other item for charity? 

Dear Creatives, Hard to believe we are nearing June & with Father’s Day around the corner I have some offers that will make giving a gift he’ll remember easy. Not to mention that Ink Garden also has an offer for banners. Perfect for a summer reunion, summer bash, yard sale or arts & crafts sale,  or even a birthday with a price you can’t beat! & I am re-posting two printing offers that expire in two days! Be sure to take the code when going to your offers!!

First up the Father’s Day print a gift offer.

USE Code: FREEFORDAD

Shipping Rates:$4.99 for the Notebook, $5.99 for the Mug, $4.99 for the MousePad. Promotion Allowed: Banner, Contextual, Newsletter

Next up print a 6-foot banner offer!

USE Code:BANNER2012

Expires 6/22 Shipping Rates:$5.99 for the 6 Foot Banner.

 Now the two expiring print offers: 

Expiring!!! Ink Garden’s mom & grad offers print offers which are expiring in 2 days are still available so hurry over & get what you need!

Ink Garden Free Grocery Bag 

Free Grocery Bag Just pay shipping . USE Code:FREEBAG Expires 5/31 Shipping Rates:$4.99 for the Grocery Bag.

Ink Garden Graduation Offer

Ink Garden -10 Free Graduation Invites & Announcements Just pay shipping . USE Code:GRAD50 Expires 5/31 Shipping Rates:$3.99.

Don’t miss out on these great printing & savings offers before they expire! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! I have some crafty goodness coming your way! So stay tuned, follow along & see you tomorrow.

Did you Barbecue over the weekend?

Or craft, or both?

Dear Creatives, Enjoying your extended weekend? I hope so & I also hope you take a moment to remember & reflect for all those who have served our country. Here is a little red, white & blue round-up & freebies for you!

I hope you can use these at some point.

Recipe card & Cherries freebie

Red, White & Blue snow-cone cupcake tutorial via Bakerella

Perfect for canning season Labels from PoppyTalk

Memorial Day kicks off summer season so how about these too sweet to pass up & free! 

 picnic printable s from EatDrinkChic

also from EatDrinkChic Ice Cream Gift Tags 

Hope your enjoying your Monday! & Maybe have a chance to use some of those Barbecue sauces & salad recipes I shared over the past few days. If you missed it just view recent posts in side bar or scroll down. If you have anything to share be sure & enter your recipes, freebies, crafts, sewing or other goodies in the link-up / blog hop! 

What did you do over the weekend? Any BBQ plans today? 

Dear Creatives, I know many of you will be going out of town, busy barbecuing at some point but if you are the few staying home I thought I would share a few projects & recipes that caught my eye to keep you inspired over the extended weekend. I hope you find a recipe or a creative project or two to do or save for when your back in town! Some projects I am listing here for the Mr.’s lets not exclude their long weekend without a project or two!

First up the projects:

I saw this BBQ station floating around I wish I could give it credit. If anyone knows please email me or comment so I can give credit where due! This would be a perfect project for the Mr. as when we barbecue there is no place for our things & it looks quick, along with easy.

Now I am all about sun tea & this drink station is perfect. Don’t you think?

Just about any project on here via the link will stack up for the guys & girls you’ll be swooning over these projects. Here at my house we have talked about checking some of these projects off our list such as the compost bin, garden swing, garden trellis & outdoor shower via Sunset’s Favorite Backyard Projects perfect for any weekend. With no shortage of them! We have completed the raised bed & walkway (although slightly different & not meandering like theirs) We did that last year! Time to get onto the next ones, so here is my summer honey do list, even if we only check off a few I’ll be happy!

Now while he is doing the woodwork & I am waiting it’s the crafting & cooking to keep me busy. I have yet to buy washi tape & with all the art journaling & how I love to scrap-book you would think I would of purchased some by now. Thing is if I get anymore supplies I think I need to find a studio outside my home, lol! Seriously I have been trying to use up what I have. Now this project is perfect for those scraps of papers, fabrics & even lace? Yes, this has been on my must do list & maybe this is the perfect weekend! They used wrapping papers to do this! You can find the how to at Country Living’s post Make Tape From Wrapping Paper. 

& if you are looking for other projects check out my crafts, diy recipe round-up & my project page  via the nav. bar. Then if you want to sew up an apron for yourself or a good cause you still can do one for Craft Hope check out this post for information & patterns, along with tutorials.

Aunt Trish”s Salad Dressing 

For me I guess I’ll focus more on the food for the weekend to get a jump on the shopping for grilling. I never think of going to Sunset online for recipes, but maybe I might rethink that. Here is a line up of 37 Easy Camping Recipes that would be great at home too & kick start your summer!

Sunset’s Mango Tomato Salsa seems perfect to try for this weekend! & I found this oh, so yummy beet salad recipe via foodnouveau.com! & I have been wanting to try Lee Drummond “The Pioneer Woman” aunt’s salad dressing she swears by. If you missed yesterday’s post I had my favorite make ahead salad dressing & links to some yummy homemade BBQ sauce recipes!

Roasted Beet, Mint & Feta Salad

I Hope you get to do a craft, backyard or simple project or two, then in the yard with your family & friends if you are staying at home. & if on the run what ever recipes you make & take this weekend be sure to have a safe & wonderful time!

What plans do you have this weekend? 

Spotlight Submissions: Crafts, Recipes, Sewing, Photography, Paper-Crafts…..(details on navigation bar submit/link-up!) Just follow me here! (also ways at bottom of site)  +A link-back from post or button on your site is appreciated.

Want to co-host? & help get this party started! The more the merrier!

get the InLinkz code

Dear Creatives, I thought I would do a little BBQ round up today since we are headed into Memorial weekend kicking off the season of barbecues, camp outs, grilling & summer!

Martha Stewart 

It is all about the sauces isn’t it? Well, maybe not but the grilling does get a little help from the sauce & although the side dishes don’t play second fiddle you must remember the desserts are just the icing on the cake for your BBQ. But, what it boils down to is what makes the BBQ top knot-ch the sauce!

Your chicken will be finger licking with these recipes!

Memphis Style 

Homemade BBQ Sauce for backyard Chicken

Nothing beats a quick & easy sauce with ingredients you usually have in your pantry! This one from Martha Stewart fits my Memorial day!

Quick & Easy BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (optional)
Directions

Whisk together all ingredients.

The cayenne pepper is what will give it a little heat! To see all of Martha’s Salas, Sauces & Toppings for Grilled Food 

Now if you are willing to watch over the pot for a little bit the Neely’s BBQ Sauce from The FoodNetwork is much like my grandma’s.You can even see a video from the link, but it is straight forward. Nothing like a little Southern sauce, sugar included.

 Neely’s BBQ Sauce 

Ingredients

2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.

These are a few quick & easy sauces to get you started. Do you have a favorite BBQ sauce recipe. Do tell! Drop me a comment & a link if you have made a post of one! I always like learning new recipes!

Here is the perfect salad dressing (Cafe Green Salad) slightly adapted below, only by adding more veggies perfect to mix up ahead of time for your tossed green salads! This recipes a winner! Tried & true, tested right here for our home BBQ’s.

Who is Barbecuing this weekend?

So much more tomorrow! See you then!

Dear Creatives, I am having a personal, almost wordless Wednesday! Filled with craft, diy & a recipe or two for  inspiration from around the web to share with you. In the meantime behind the scenes finishing up aprons for Craft Hope Project #17 {click to find out more there is still time}, a short school day with a pm Open House, getting house ready for more incoming guests, again & Friday off to help on a field-trip!

I hope to have more of my own creative goodness to share with you soon until then you can still be inspired by this dear little round up! PS. I hope to be back with a recipe I tried & a renewed link up later this week or…! Now, onto the pretty craft, yummy recipes & perfect for Father’s Day diy!

Deer Antler Floral Arrangement via Dear Lizzy

Inspired by this pretty floral centerpiece project! Love this! I hope you do too.

Tiramisu Cupcakes

If you know me at all you know I love a good tiramisu, cupcakes & baking. This is now on my list to try & maybe yours too? Oh, dears this looks so good!

3+1 Bean Salad

On a healthier note I love to make a good bean salad recipe for summer meals, picnics & gatherings. I’d try this minus the sugar to start. Do you have a favorite summer salad?

Bow Tie Tutorial

Perfect for Father’s Day Credit to A Beautiful Mess! & just take a visit to any of these that you like for all the details. Before you go a few more things a Spring Garland DIY on Decor 8 wrapping up my little creative, crafty diy round-up of goodness! But, if you missed it I have some digital freebies+ tutorial & other tutorials on my projects & freebies page for you to check  out before you go!

What crafts, sewing or diy projects are you working on?

Maybe one of these?

Dear Creatives, How could I almost forget Thrifty Tuesday offerings? I was skipping to Wednesday in my head! lol So here I am with some great deals for you! I updated my coupons, $Off & Goodie pages so be sure to check those out! Hope you find something you like! Don’t forget to take a chance to enter a contest for dad or your Mr. & receive $10. credit ….see details below!

Just in case you missed it I did share a digital freebie & tutorial for crafting in the previous post. 

• AmericanBaby – Free Magazine
  
  
• BabyTalk – Free Magazine
  
  
• Craftsy Crafting Daily Deals
  
  
• Free Flys – Free Coupons & Samples
  
  
• SwagBucks

• WomanFreebies
  
  

Looking to give Dad a Father’s Day gift he’ll remember and talk about for years?

Cloud 9 Living is an experience gift company that offers more than 1,800 unique experiences nationwide ranging from Race Car Driving, Golf Lessons and Learn to Fly experiences to City Food Tours, Wine Tastings and Spa Packages.
And with experiences starting at $50, Cloud 9 Living has something for any taste and any budget.

Make this Father’s Day special. Give an experience gift from Cloud 9 Living.

Sign up to enter the contest and you will also receive a promotional code for $10 off all purchases between now and Father’s Day.  

Sign up 

What do you usually get your dad or the Mr. for Fathers Day? What kind of deals or discounts are you looking for? 

Updated! {don’t forget to check out the Goodie Bag, $Off & Coupon pages from the navigation bar for more deals!}