Katie Does

[costumes] Pictures from Connooga - Part 2

2012-03-05T12:00:00.000-06:00

The most exciting costume for me at ConNooga was an updated version of Ilithyia from Spartacus. I didn't get to watch the latest episode until I got home, but that was okay. I had fun being all "don't you know that I'm married to a praeter" or "but I am the wife of the legatus". And I did get recognized a few times, which was awesome!!!!

We tried very hard to have no trains in the picture, I guess we failed.

Girls' Night In Tasting Party

2012-03-02T12:00:00.055-06:00

I preface all of this by saying that I have no real idea how to put together a menu. Well, at least, not the way you're supposed to where all the flavors complement each other. I just kind of make what I want to make but being sure that there's a meat, something that can be considered a side, probably some "appetizer" and a dessert. So all the things are tasty, but that's where I stop.

That being said, I had a girls night in party. I busted out all the new tasting dishes and made little many portions of everything.

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[costumes] Pictures from Connooga - Part 1

2012-02-27T12:00:00.001-06:00

Connooga was fun. I met new folks, ate a lot of good food and wore several costumes that had previously only been worn once. WOO. I'm at least TRYING to keep my New Year's resolution even if I have bought more fabric and sewn things that may or may not have been on the list.

Parts of the Choo Choo are awesome and gorgeous, so we took the opportunity to take some pictures.

[Cricut] Get Well Card

2012-02-20T12:00:00.003-06:00

I'm on a roll with the card making. This one follows the same template, but I had some trouble with the cricut on it. So I had to get creative with placement of the ribbon.

ORANGE AND BLUE

Stamp from Joy's Life, same spellbinder dye from before for the sentiment. Still grabbing ribbon out of the "I went nuts for ribbon once at Michael's" drawer. Whale from Create a Critter Cricut cartridge.

Getting Ready for an Event

2012-02-16T09:00:00.001-06:00

I have highlighted a lot of the costumes and the way they are stored in my house, but not the process that goes through carting them somewhere. There's a reason I drive an SUV.

I have a convention coming up on Friday so I figured I would document the process a bit so you can understand why I pack a week early.

Reference Pictures

First thing's first, print reference pictures out to take with me. This also provides material for step 2:

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[Cricut] Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:00:00.002-06:00

One of my New Year's Resolution was to make more paper stuff with my Cricut. And woo, I have made my first batch of cards!

Confession, this is actually the 2nd, but I didn't like the first. I did some research and got a little more comfortable with it.

Recipe:
Random Ribbon from Michael's
Sentiment from Joy's Life
Sentiment cut with Spellbinder die
Cricut Cuts: Love You Latte.
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz

I didn't have any brown paper, so I just inked in the brown portion. But I like it, makes it look more fluid.

It's simple, but that works for me. Hope you like it!

[Sewing] Work appropriate skirt and top

2012-02-10T12:00:00.001-06:00

I had originally planned this skirt to be a pencil skirt, but I decided to use a different pattern. I ended up going with Simplicity 5914 for the skirt. Using the pin striped fabric was much easier than the plaid. So long as my grainlines were all going the right direction, I was fine.

I used McCall's 6282 for the shirt. You don't expect it, but even the SHIRT version of the pattern requires a zipper. And it's a little sad how often, inside the pattern, they try to tell you that zippers in the back of a shirt are COOL. Seriously "zippers are in now" and stuff like that. No, McCall's, just because you slap a "THIS IS COOL" sentiment on something does not make it so and does not excuse your laziness to just print out another page with a proper pattern. I say this, because I think with the way the pattern is cut, it does need the zipper. Which is just dumb. (And now I shall save you from the rest of my zipper-in-a-shirt themed rant.)

It's not as flattering on the dress form as I think it was in person. Just keep that in mind.

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Too Hilarious Not to Share

2012-02-08T16:07:00.000-06:00

GO TO THE WEBSITE ALREADY

A friend tweeted a link to Handmade Ryan Gosling. And I had to share it with you all. Here's a selection, SO MANY MORE AT THE WEBSITE!!! GO! NOW!

And not care if I buy one or...4 while we're at it.

I swear, I finished something and took pictures to load! I PROMISE. I even wore the skirt I made to work on Monday!!! I'll load them soon. Maybe for tomorrow or Friday. But right now, this is too hilarious not to share.

There's probably a partial tube of it in every room of my house.

I eagerly await her take on the meme that she's promising.

[Costumes] Costume Organizing

2012-02-02T12:00:00.002-06:00

I didn't stop with the attic (kitchen, I'm coming for you next!). I also cleaned Target out of suit sized garment bags and went to town on the costumes. I've lived in my house for about 3 years now and this is the 4th version of organizing costumes I've been through. It's a complex problem because I'd like to keep everything together but there are so many different pieces!

2009, WAY BEFORE

This is the WAY Before. When I moved in, all the costumes were in garment bags. But I probably only had around 20-25 costumes. Maybe 30.

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Organizing and a Bit of Sewing

2012-01-29T17:00:00.001-06:00

I have finally gotten back into sewing after not really feeling it post-holidays. Maybe I just needed to take a break from all the crafting. Meanwhile, I've tried to reorganize costumes and various spaces in the house. But I started again today and it's gone rather quickly. Plus a trip to Joann's should lead to mroe work clothes (that's the plan anyway).

Pretty picture time? I guess I'll start with the skirt. BUT JUST A PICTURE.

In progress new work-skirt

It's still Tuesday right?

2012-01-24T21:41:00.000-06:00

Man, when I fall off the wagon...I FALL HARD. I was doing so well in December having quite a few posts per week. And in Jan. I've just kind of gone MIA in comparison.

The saddest part is, it's not because I've been entirely forgetting to post. I haven't made anything since Christmas. I just haven't been in the mood. I have, however, been in a mood to clean. I'll probably take tomorrow to play catchup on the cleaning and reorganizing as today is Tutorial Tuesday.

And since I've not been in the craftiest mood but did recently go hog wild in JC Penny, Pier 1 and Kroger buying tasting dishes...let's do a Tasting Tutorial Tuesday. BTW, my Kroger is massive. There is no real way to explain this effectively. It's bigger than the JC Penny, thus the also shopping there. There's a full size starbucks, a deli, an olive bar, a cheese bar, a sushi bar, a hot bar, a salad bar, a take out area, and a cafe seating area with free wifi. During the tornado, when there was no power, they had 19 18-wheeler sized generators running the store and as such, it felt like nothing had changed. When I went in the day it opened they handed me a map. A MAP! And best part: totally on my way home.

One day, I'll make a "what can you make out of stuff from Kroger" post. But for now...let's taste some tutorials.

Source: jensownroad.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

And the Winner Is...

2012-01-16T12:00:00.001-06:00

Sorry it took so long. It seems this fell into the timeslot of "super busy at work". Lots of overtime was had. Not only did I not have a chance to pick a winner until this weekend, I haven't sewn anything since the pincushion!

Unrelated picture of the Bahamas, so this post isn't all text!

But Christmas decorations are...mostly...put away and some reorganizing of some closets has occurred. Ideas have been had. So when work slows down a bit, I'll be back to sewing/crafting fairly regularly.

I was also supposed to have my serger class this weekend which didn't happen and has been scheduled (after some pushback from me) for this weekend. They had originally told me it wouldn't happen until Feb. but that's ridiculous! I've had it since Dec. and have no idea how to even get it threaded (followed the instructions and everything...looked for youtube video. no luck).

But, moving on: the winner of my first giveaway is:

So that means that it's

Jessica Pierre'auguste

Congrats! I'll get in touch with you soon about what address to send it to!

Blogiversary Giveaway!

2012-01-03T10:00:00.032-06:00

Before the holidays, I remembered that I started this blog right at the new year last year. I checked the exact date and it was Jan. 3, 2011. So that means today is my first blogiversary! And...it's my 100th post!

My first blogiversary/100th post seems like a great time for my first giveaway! So I'm giving away a Winter Lace Cricut Cartridge. Winter Lace felt appropriate for how cold its about to get here in Huntsville. More details including how to enter later.

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[Review] Zakka Style

2012-01-01T10:00:00.019-06:00

When I was sitting in the Miami airport waiting for my flight back home earlier, I got an email letting me know that I won a giveaway for a book! It's called Zakka Style and it's available on Amazon.

The book and the pincushion I made from it!

Zakka Style is a collection of 24 projects compiled by Rashida Coleman-Hale of I Heart Linen. I love the look of linen and projects with linen, which is why I was already following her blog! (For reference, Pink Penguin is another good linen friendly blog.)

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Captain America Purse

2011-12-30T20:26:00.001-06:00

Those that costume know that one of the big problems girls have is a lack of pockets. So prior to Dragon*Con, I had set out to make a matching purse for my U S O girl costume. But I ran out time. I did NOT run out of fabric though.

Post thanksgiving, I finally had time. I found a pattern (The Katie Bag! LOL!) on a website the day before my trip and in the 2 hours between work and birthday partying, I cut the pieces.

So I present my new Captain America Purse!

It will match!

[Tutorial Tuesday] BBQ Towels

2011-12-27T11:00:00.007-06:00

What is the appropriate gift to give to a brother-in-law when you're family has spending limits? Done the giftcard thing, was hopping to go a bit more personal this time around.

And I found THIS.

Source: sillypearl.com via Katie on Pinterest

[Cricut] Glass Etched Cake Dome

2011-12-26T10:00:00.003-06:00

Remember when I was etching stuff and I didn't show you everything I did. Well, that's because some were Christmas presents! So I couldn't show them until today.

Glass Etched Cake Dome

My sister does a good bit of baking. And there's a particular cake she has to take all over the place. So, I got her a cake plate. The plan was to deck it out with polka dots, but she's been playing with my babyBug so, I decided to etch it.

I think the white spots on the etching are from letting it sit too long and when I peeled the vinyl, it peeled up a bit. Still looks awesome though.

(I think this is the same Cake Dome)

INSTRUCTIONS from a few posts back.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sew Many Scarves

2011-12-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

Did I mention a few weeks ago how I REALLY wanted to make a bunch of scarves. Well, pretty much every family member and close Huntsville friend that was female benefited from this. (To one friend, I'm still trying to find you some My Little Pony fleece...).

Source: justanotherhangup.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

So, mostly using this tutorial (not sure I did it exactly like she did), I set out to make scarves with my new fleece. (BTW, fleece is $2.83/yard at Hancock's through at least Christmas I believe.)

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Christmas Tree Circle Pillow

2011-12-21T17:15:00.000-06:00

After Thanksgiving, the buying of my new dining room table left me with rewards gift certificates to Pier 1. So I wandered a round a few minutes trying to figure out what I want (if anyone see the $10 woodland owl and wants to give it to me, I'll love you! Mine was SOLD OUT). And I ran across this:

Christmas tree pillow from Pier 1.

Cute right? But is it 24.95 cute? I looked and looked and looked at it and decided that I could make it. It consists of 2 layers of green satin with a strip between them (you can't overly tell from the picture, but it's got this 2 inch or so strip to make it more cube like...for lack of a better description). If I'm just not remembering the right word, I'm sorry. I blame the sick. On top of the layers of satin are a bunch of red and green felt circles.

After all that thought, I decided to see if I could make my own. CHALLENGE!
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[Tutorial Tuesday] Look at These Pillows!

2011-12-20T11:00:00.001-06:00

Yay! Another something that can use up fabric! Especially different types! And scraps!

I figured I would let this one be the last before Christmas because you could totally whip this out for a last minute (awesome) Christmas present. You could do this with fabric that matches every day decor...or all Christmas fabrics.

Source: cluckclucksew.com via Katie on Pinterest

Back from Vacation

2011-12-16T14:00:00.000-06:00

So, for the big 3-0, I decided to go big. My mom and I took a cruise to the Bahamas and had an awesome time (I no longer consider Monday part of my trip, so that I can say that). For my 30th, I didn't just stay home and lament my new "adult" hood. (30's the new 20 right? RIGHT?) No, I went to Atlantis where I could swim with dolphins and slide through shark infested waters. That way, no matter what, I can say that my birthday was BIG.

Cosmo and I nearly ran over a few spectators.

A non crafty recommendation here: I LOVED Atlantis. It seemed like a lot of money to do the dolphins AND the water park but it was so much fun and so me. And it's gorgeous. Every part of it. Cleanest water park I have been to BY FAR. Even every inch of the not-so-lazy river was spotless. So if you're headed to the Bahamas, I suggest a stop by there at least. Worth every penny.

Keep going for a few more pictures and some housekeeping style updates.

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[Tutorial Tuesday] More to Share

2011-12-13T11:08:00.001-06:00

Due to my resolution, I can't make these. BUT YOU CAN. Well, I can't make all of them...some of them were indeed included on the list (but which ones *MANIACAL LAUGH*). This is just what I found so far. I think the start of my fabric shopping/over-planning began with reading too many sewing blogs...so you've been warned.

I've been storing all the "ooo...I like this" over on pinterest. It's great for that. The pictures are actually links back to the original page. And it is so much better than a text version of bookmarks because you get to see WHY you bookmarked it first.

Cute picnic caddy

Source: snowybliss.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

[Cricut] Combining Two Crafts

2011-12-10T16:00:00.010-06:00

I won't say exactly WHY I made this. But there is a reason why I'm posting it today. Hopefully it no longer matters, but if it does...and this color might have been mentioned on a recent shopping trip for Christmas decor....DON'T GO BEYOND THE CUT!

Again I state: DO NOT GO FARTHER IF YOU MENTIONED TO ME THAT YOU LIKE THIS COLOR!

And before we cut: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! And not any birthday, my 30th birthday! BRB, crying forever. This is a scheduled post, btw, so you can comment but I won't see it for a few days. Too busy birthdaying.
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Tutorial Tuesday

2011-12-06T11:00:00.001-06:00

Catchy right? I keep finding a lot of tutorials to share, so while I have a BUNCH cued up...I'm gonna kick start it with just one. Felt Christmas Cookies!!!

Source: lifeisaparty.ca via Katie on Pinterest

Cute right? I'm loving felt playfood right now. I've always loved playfood (mom can attest to this), but there's just something about the felt variety that I can't help but "d'aww" over right now!

[Embroidery] Wreath Pillow

2011-12-05T10:00:00.036-06:00

I chipped away at my list significantly this weekend. So expect a few more posts in the future. I also put my todo list off to the left (*points*), mostly as a reminder to me and to keep me accountable.

This is what I had the embroidery machine going on for the other day. I didn't end up putting any pipping on it (totally forgot). You'll have to forgive the iphone pictures, natural light did not suit them.I also had originally planned on NOT stuffing these, but putting in a zipper so that they could be cases for the normal pillows. But then I realized that I had packed away the original pillows AND forgotten to measure them. This was not my smoothest planning.

But moving on, here's my finished product:

As previously mentioned: all leftovers. I got the design (OSED 2010 Christmas Collection Vol. 3) when I bought more stabilizer. I used leftover white cotton. And the thread, well I have a lot of that. (I still want that Gutterman thread cabinet from Joann's Black Friday. It doubled in price post sale. 100 spools for 79.99 seems like a great deal. ALAS, I restrained myself hoping it will show up again next year.)

So this was a project that both helped to "clean" my sewing room, but also cost NOTHING. THE BEST KIND OF PROJECT.

I have another pillow project that involved felt (which is cheap) and more scraps coming up. That will have a good bit more info on it than just a picture.

OH, somewhat random note, while on the subject of embroidery...Urban Threads is having a sale through Sunday. 50% off all designs and 30% off their design packs.