Sweetie Pie Bakery

Apple Pie Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:45:00 +0000

Once upon a time, 6:30pm on a Sunday even, I was starving for some dessert. My husband cooked a nice Sunday meal and I was full and relaxed and decided it would be the perfect time to make an intensive dessert.

Sometimes, I'm crazy...

But these cookies are not.

They were worth every bit of effort! Delicious right out of the oven, and still good the next day. I recommend you give them a go. You can get the recipe via Smitten Kitchen for these Apple Pie Cookies.

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Valentine Sweater Refashion Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Remember the sweater I turned into a cardigan about a month ago? Well, I couldn't leave well enough alone and had to mess with it some more. Actually, I loved it as it was but it was the best option for this fun Valentine's Day sweater that has been causing me sleepless nights...

The project is pretty straight forward...Cut some hearts out of felt and sew them on the collar of a cardigan. You don't really need more direction than that. I used some National Nonwovens red wool felt. The stuff is thick and soft and just has a great hand to it. For contrast, I used pink embroidery floss in an X shape to attach the hearts onto the sweater. The best part is that after the holiday, I can easily clip them all off and have my sweater back ;)

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Hitting the Books (The Underside of Joy review)

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Source: seasonal-love.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I used to be an avid reader, pre art school days. My first major was English Education. After I went to art school, I was so busy reading trade publications that I didn't have time to sit down with a whole novel. Now that the kids aren't babies anymore, I feel like I can make the time to read more.

Recently, I read the Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Halverson. Overall, I felt like the story played like a Lifetime movie. Emotional, dramatic and complete with happy ending. There was no heavy literature, which disappointed me a bit. I feel as though authors, often times, don't respect their readers enough. I like a good story as much as the next person, but it's all about the journey, right? I mean, isn't that why you sit down with a book rather than watch a movie in the first place? To be swept away with the language. I digress...My review would be that it was a great airplane book. Quick to read and decently satisfying. To sum it up, it's about a woman who loses her husband and is left to raise her step children alone...or so she thinks. Quickly after she buries the love of her life, the mother comes back into the picture and the widow is faced with losing the children as well. So heartbreaking and does make you reflect on the beauty of living in the moment and making you remember that everything is really just temporary...

Currently, I'm reading I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. I recently started watching The Beekman Boys on Netflix. (Season 1 is currently available for Instant Play!) My mom has been in love with them since the first show aired and has been trying to get me to watch the show ever since...and it's taken me a few years. Anyhow, I found Josh and Brent to be an adorable couple with great credentials, and lovely farmers. Don't worry, they didn't spark my interest in farming though-just my desire to own a llama ;)

I'm headed to the library today to pick up some books that you all suggested on gardening! I plan to dive into them over the weekend and sketch out some plans.

Are you reading anything good these days?

I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

Mama's Ruffled Skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:58:00 +0000

I saw this skirt on Pinterest and fell in love. At the time, I had just finished putting up the tutorial for Aeris's ruffle skirt and thought, "Hey! I can wear one too!" It's all about the color..and skirt length I suppose! ha

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It was really affordable, just white cotton and muslin, especially if you have everything on hand. About an hr and a half later, I had an adorable little skirt! This skirt is fun to wear, really flouncy and feminine. Head on over to Alisa Burke's site to see her tutorial!

Another kind of garden...

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:31:00 +0000

And the snow keeps coming! And blowing and coming and blowing and coming! I'm freezing in my sewing room with my space heater on by my feet. I'm always cold but today, I'm freezing in here. I'm the type of person to sleep with 4 blankets, one of them being an electric blanket!

While it does look beautiful to sit and watch the snowfall out my window, I decided it was a good day to have myself a little Garden Party, AMH style.

I dug out all of the fabric I had left from that line and think I'm going to have to do a patchwork of sorts. I'm thinking of making this little dress for Aeris. I've done the knot dress and that turned out cute (as long as you size up-or two, ahem...)

What are you doing on this snow day? Or are you enjoying your sunny warm weather elsewhere than the midwest?

Gardening: My New Obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Source: flickr.com via Sue on Pinterest

I'm all about having a vegetable garden these days. When we first looked at this place and saw the huge back yard, my husband and I have been dreaming of the harvest season for the to-be planted vegetables. And it is right now, in the freezing months of January that I am determined to layout a beautiful space. One that can be added as the years go by, since it is our first year gardening and I expect a huge learning curve.

If any of you are avid gardeners, or just beginners with more knowledge than I have, I would love for you to share your favorite books or blogs with me! I know about as much as a couple hours googling on a Sunday morning will teach me!

Playdate with Snowflakes

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Projects without much direction are hard for me. The theme was "boy week" but that makes the possibilities endless. Do any of you feel that way? I decided to create a look for my boy. I wanted to reflect his personality and make something that he can re-wear. I drew inspiration from JCrew Crewcuts. I love the style of adult sophistication with some childhood fun, so that's what I went for.

This hat was my favorite part of the outfit, actually being my starting point. I knew I wanted a fun accessory and decided on a huge fur hat. I have deconstructed many dress shirts so recreating one was not too terribly difficult. Using a lightweight cotton plaid, I simplified the pattern from dress shirts I usually make for my husband.

This shirt has a continuous back and rather than creating a placket on the sleeve, I used a continuous lap. The shirt fits Ephraim perfectly and I really love it on him. It's a bit dressy for his everyday wear but still fun enough he can wear with some shorts when it warms up.

The sweater was re-constructed from a hooded, pullover sweater that used to be mine, coincidentally from J. Crew. I used the bottom of the original sweater to start this one, turned it into a cardigan, gave it a V neck and created the large collar from the hood of the original sweater. Using the original hems from sweaters creates convincing reconstructions! I wanted to add a bit of personality to the sweater and decided to go with gold elbow pads. I painted the gold fabric paint onto felt, giving it a thicker appearance. I love the look when it dried because it had a similar texture to leather.

The pants are made from a gray suiting fabric, with pockets lined in navy gingham re-purposed from an old crib sheet. I love being able to re-purose things into new garments.

Pipe Cleaner Valentine's Day Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:29:00 +0000

We have busy weeks. I think everything is busy with kids, even staying home, because duh, kids are busy!

Some time when I was at JoAnns in the last month, I picked up two packages of pipe cleaners-one red, one pink. I had no specific project in mind. I just wanted to make something fun and calm around the kitchen table.

So this is what we came up with. Just a basic heart garland. The kids made hearts, and I had to make the ones that interlocked them together to form a garland. I'm not sure where we'll hang it up at yet. I'm thinking the playroom. It really needs some attention...

Woodland Tea Party

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Click HERE to go vote!

I was torn with this week's challenge for Project Run and Play. The Junebug dress screamed pea coat to me but as I was out purchasing fabric, I found the perfect green corduroy-for a dress. Since I was already set on the jacket, I went with both figuring it was the perfect attire for a late fall woodland tea party!

The jacket is re-purposed from an adult hounds-tooth jacket scored from the goodwill. I wanted something full and fancy to go over the dress and accommodate the fullness of the skirt. I made the flap stationary on the right side of the dress, as it buttons over the left, with piping on either side. I added a peter pan collar and used full length, set-in sleeves. I chose to extend the line from the bodice flap into the skirt, adding a black ruffle that follows along the bottom hem of the jacket.

The dress is a fine wale, kelly green corduroy. Eliminating the flap, I still wanted to keep the reference to the original dress and used a print for the bodice. I created the cameo for the chest using embroidery thread and french knots. It took me quite a while to do the french knots, but I love the added detail. I widened the neckline to more of a ballet neckline and changed the sleeve to a set-in sleeve to slim it out. I took the sleeve down to the elbow and added a satin bow in the back. For the skirt, I used a very full rectangle skirt, with an underskirt and a tulle insert for additional fullness and flare.

I really love the fun accents I made for this photoshoot. My kids naturally look great in green with their red hair. I wanted to work the houndstooth jacket so I knew that I needed to incorporate some black and white into the dress and immediately thought of a cameo. I've been into hand embroidery lately so it was such a fun addition. The gold probably came from the holidays. I wanted to add something fun to the outfit and gold is such a trendy metallic and looks great with green-and redheads!

The day we took these photos it was unseasonably warm. Aeris just wanted to run around and play with Ephraim but had to stand and hold her little tea cup for me...such a trooper. She would flash a smile here and there but really seemed to enjoy herself when I just let her run off with Ephraim. So, I'll also add that the dress is great for stick fights with your brother!

I think Aeris felt like a princess with the full bottom on this dress. I've never made such a full skirt, let alone adding tulle to one, and questioned the amount of gathering I was doing along the way. In the end, it turned out fabulous and she wants to wear her "fancy coat" everywhere we go.

Valentine's Day Tutorials!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

If you weren't around these parts last year, I had quite a few Valentine projects to share with you. I'm not sure how many I'll get to this year, but I'm trying! Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday, to decorate for. My husband and I don't actually celebrate it though...is that silly?

red velvet dress. felt locket with photo! candy hearts plush pillows. red hot jelly. be mine bunting.

Winter Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Normally, around this time of year I feel pretty blah. I think it's from taking down all the holiday decorations, twinkling lights and good cheer then being left with bitter cold snow. This year, I feel excited! I actually even considered making resolutions! I like having goals, but New Years Resolutions seem silly to me. It's like saying, "I'll start that diet on Monday..." Why not just start today?

Maybe my mood has to do with the fact that we've had almost no snow yet. I think we've only got a couple of inches out there...if that. Very strange for January in Wisconsin! Or perhaps it's the fresh flowers. I've been making a point to have more fresh flowers in the house; it's uplifting. I love seeing flowers on the table every morning when I wake up. I can't wait to start our garden this spring and have our own fresh flowers!

Anyhow, I'm trying to squeeze a few days out of Project Run and Play sewing to make Jason a new shirt! I ordered this Colette pattern in the summer and am just now getting around to it, sorry hubs.

While putting away Christmas decorations I found Ephraim's baby shoes! Ready? on three. one. two. aweeeeeee!

Actually, they're probably only adorable to me because he had some large feet. Ephraim is a big boy-an almost grown up! He's turning FIVE in February and thinks he will be almost all grown up and able to do almost everything he wants. Ha.

So, I'm going to get back at it. I'm so excited to post these pictures for this Friday for Project Run and Play! Aren't you?!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Source: timessquarenyc.org via Aubrey on Pinterest

Here's a countdown of my favorite projects from 2011!

10. Valentine Pillow Bunting! This project was simple but so fun. I can't wait to dig it out and hang it up within the next week!

9. This Erdem knock off was a challenge for me to sew...but so fun to wear!

8. Oh! Aeris loved this little doll holder I made for her special friend. Such a great project from Oliver & S!

7. This ruffle skirt was fun too!

6. My sister asked me to design her costume for her school play. Such a blast to make and a unique opportunity!

5. Well, I only wore this dress once this year, but it was the first I made sans pattern! Woo!

4. I released a new pattern for Sweetie Pie Bakery!

3. This number was on my to-do list for a long time! I don't have anywhere to actually wear it often, but it was fun to create!

2. The red velvet valentine dress is a close second. I only chose the next because I wear it a lot! I'm hoping to find time to create another dress this year!

1. and...my favorite project of the year!

Also, I ran my FIRST 5k this year! First and second, actually. I'm really excited to have done that.... Here's to many races in 2012!

I wish you all a safe New Years with the ones you love! I'll see you in 2012! It's looking to be an exciting year!

Be Merry

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:10:00 +0000

source

How are your to-do lists coming? I threw mine out a long time ago. I don't like being stressed around the holidays. It just makes me cranky and isn't fair to the kids. So, instead of gift sewing, yesterday we got all the paints out and made the kitchen house all messy, just because. They had a great time and some gifts will just be bought...today...

I've got to work this morning and then we're having a wonderful dinner, just us four and snuggling in with some of our favorite movies. I have done no wrapping as of yet, and will busy doing that, sipping some homemade eggnog, while Jason is in Santa's workshop building away. Ah, I love this time of year!

From our family to yours, we wish you much peace and love this Christmas!

Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas-Pincusion Roundup!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Pincushions are one of my favorite things! I love to sew them, give them as gifts, or just have way too many of them lying around!

Here's a great collection I found of pin cushion tutorials for you and some fabulous places to purchase pins.

I love this little ring pin cushion from Inspiration & Realization, and these homegrown tomato ones from Martha are just classic.

I love the simplicity of this square one from Heather Baily. She also shares a great adornment to it for free!

For the foodie sewer in your life, this cupcake version from Nat Sprat seems a breeze to sew. I loved this tea cup as well, but I found it on Pinterest and couldn't find a source. If anyone knows, please share!

And finally, this one does not have a tutorial. I'm showing it because it is my most favorite pincushion ever. To me, it's like the huge purse that you can fit your entire life in, of pin cushions, and is from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me. The image is from Texas Freckles! (such a great new blog I just found through pinterest!)

Eco Friendly Newspaper Gift Wrapping

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:50:00 +0000

I really love wrapping presents in kraft paper. I like the rustic look of the brown offset by doilies and frill. The problem I found is that it's difficult for little hands to tear open in a Christmas morning frenzy!

We have a large pile of newspapers in the recycling bin, so I think that's the route I'm going to go this year. I was no so thrilled with the idea, but found theses beautiful examples on Pinterest. I'm sold now.

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I love the pops of color on these. They would be fun for the kids with felt hair clips, flowers or bows!

clockwise: via, via, via

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What's your go to for gift wrapping?

Holiday Baking!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

via

I'm busy sewing behind the scenes these days, but this weekend I'll take a break for some baking! I love putting together cookies plates for friends and family. We already did the gingerbread house thing, so now we have time to make a great assortment of treats! Here's a list of some of our favorite treats we like to make. We usually make a bunch of favorites, and then add a few new cookies each year. I love having some cinnamon jelly on the tray too!

What are some of your favorite treats to share with friends and family? Or to eat yourself?

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If you're not the baking type, perhaps you still have time to sew up some of these treats!

Gingerbread Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:19:00 +0000

I always wanted to make gingerbread houses as a kid. They were such a dream with all of the frosting and candies and sweets. What could be better than creating with candy? When I think of visions of sugar plums, I think of sparkling spice drops on gingerbread houses floating over my head. This year, I was determined to create this tradition for my own children.

I thought about buying the Wilton kits, and maybe if I didn't have the three days it took me, I would purchase them. At JoAnns they were on sale for $8 each, but I had everything on hand, besides candies, so I figured to just make them and save some cash.

I used this recipe from Epicurious, and I must add, was perfect. The recipe made a strong dough, but still soft enough to eat! Some reviews said the dough would crack and break, but the key is rolling it out between sheets of parment, then peeling off the top layer. Cut out your templates then slide the sheet of parchment onto a cool cookie sheet. This way you are never lifting the dough and causing it to break. Once the cookies are cool from the oven, then remove them to a cooling rack from the tray.

I made two entire houses, and then additional gingerbread men and house fronts. This was such a smart thing to do, because people could sort of make a house, without me having to make so many houses entirely. I recommend doing this even if you don't want to do the whole house thing.

I chose to glue ours with a carmelized sugar. Much better than icing and still something edible (rather than hot glue). The icing we used was great too. I make a few piping bags out of ziplock baggies and put a rubber band around each to tighten them up.

I just let the kids go with this one. Frosting and candy and all! The mess wasn't too bad and I love that I let go of my control to see what they would do with a bag full of frosting!

This was a really fun project to do with our family Christmas and I will definitely keep doing it year after year. It was nice to see all of the adults come over and decorate houses along with the kids.

Erdem Inspired Red Lace Holiday Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Way back when, when Pinterest was brand spanking new, this dress was all over it. Now, I'm not sure if I was more in love Alexa Chung or the dress...but it seemed more practical to make the dress to me.

Initially, I had a really hard time finding the lace that I wanted. I wanted something in that striking red with a scalloped edge. I looked online but could not find anything within my budget. Eventually, I found some white and tried dying it. No go. The lace was synthetic crap and wouldn't take the dye for anything. I about gave up and had even cut out fabric for a completely different dress. When I was at a trip to Joanns purchasing a zipper for the new dress, lo and behold, there was some red lace! I nearly ran to the rack, shoving over any poor soul in my way.

I used the same pattern for this dress that I used here on the Bee Dress, New Look 6723. I made an under dress (what is the proper term for that?) of nude fabric for the bodice and skirt only. I put the bodice on the dress form and really had to play with the pleats in front to get them to go how I wanted. I need to alternate the lace pattern to get enough coverage to be enough, but not enough. I think a strong point of the Erdem dress is the hint of nudity under that strong color. After that, the dress was a breeze! I used a side zip so the back could be just the one layer of nude fabric and lace. Beautiful. I'm really happy with this one!

Just Chatting...

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:06:00 +0000

Source: hautemamasfaves.tumblr.com via Sylvia on Pinterest

We're having a Christmas party this weekend! I'm so excited to be able to have family over to our new house! The basement here is big, and finished (outdated, but nonetheless finished), and I miss seeing them on a daily basis.

I've been sewing up gifts and baking gingerbread for houses that the kids will decorate and taking care of other odds and ends all week. The only thing missing is snow! Jason would die reading that but it is Wisconsin after all, and we've yet to get any accumulation. It is December!

On Monday, I have a great holiday dress to share with you! I hate teasers but I'm just so excited to share it with you. We'll see how the editing goes and maybe I'll get it up before then. I made this dress a while ago but haven't gotten to taking pictures yet. Sometimes that takes the most time! Setting up a shot and editing and all of that...I have a lot of undocumented projects lately...

Things may be a bit spotty around here with me trying to finish up holiday sewing and sewing for Project Run and Play. I'm so excited falling asleep dreaming of sugar plums and dress designs.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend-snow or not!

Source: theberry.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Project Run and Play Season 3

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:19:00 +0000

Have you heard the news? I'm going to participate in season 3 of Project Run and Play! I'm so excited to get to sew along this season. Hop on over to Project and Run and check out the other designers!

Newborn Photography Hats

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:24:00 +0000

I wanted to give a quick thank you to to MegN Creations! She produced this lovely custom order for me for these two hats I used for a newborn session this past weekend. I just thought they were the most adorable things and wanted to share with you!

Enjoy the weekend for me! I'll be working...

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:03:00 +0000

Are you excited it's friday? Me too! I get to work all weekend and I'm so excited! I picked up a part time gig at Anthro. It's a ton of fun and recently relocating, I'm meeting a lot of new people. Plus, it's Anthropologie! Here's some fun things I've found while drinking coffee and being unproductive!

a unique look at flowers

this is a fabulous dollhouse

tattooed potatoes?

like a moleskin ipad case!

this wreath looks like a fun project for the kids to make with dad while i'm gone!

i want to curl up on my couch and read this book. diane keaton has such great style.

my kitchen needs this herb planter for the winter.

itty bitty donuts!

*images via here

Handmade Holidays-An Apron for Aeris

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:07:00 +0000

I love the holidays, and even more, I love making as many gifts as I can. This year, I had to limit one to to each person I'd like to create a gift for. There just isn't enough time in a day!

Miss Aeris is getting a new kitchen. The one I made is on it's last leg; it was very loved. I ordered her a pink one that will have to be assembled in here in Santa's workshop on Christmas Eve. Jason is very excited!

I wanted her to have a new apron to go with her new kitchen. I wanted to make this one different, so went with a full apron. I used some white fabric on the top, with some ruched strips for added detail. The bottom I used some leftover Anna Maria Fabric, Folk Dance (i think), for the bottom. The voille is pretty thin, so I backed it in the white fabric and added a ruffle around the bottom edge. For the waist, I used some fabric that has been in my stash for longer than I can remember...over five years..and feel as though it was finally put to good use! I added a pink felt flower to the top just to make sure it was girly enough for my baby.

I think Aeris will love it. I can't wait for her to open it on Christmas morning and try it on! She'll sure be able to bake lots of treats in this!

PS These felt cake stands are very much on sale in the shop today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Just wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

a Peanut for a Peanut

noreply@blogger.com (Sweetie Pie Bakery) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:29:00 +0000

I told you before how I was making Peanut for a baby on the way. Well, I finished him up and am getting ready to head out with him in a few days.

It was a quick project and fun to personalize. A great gift for a new baby who already has two of everything. Homemade gifts really are the best to give. (which is reminding me of that daunting to-do list for christmas...)

We're staying in tomorrow and decided not to travel this year so Thanksgiving should be pretty peaceful around here. Are you guys hosting or traveling?