LOTS to Share Part 1

As you know, it's been very quiet around here, there's been so many things I've been working on that I'll do my best to share everything in a short sweet post or two! And maybe, if you can hang in there with me, I'll share a tutorial with you guys!

A month ago (gees), I made this penguin shirt for my little cousin for her birthday. She's absolutely obsessed with penguins and she thought it would be funny if the penguin had a monocle, bow tie and top hat. Well, when I started drawing out the design, I realized that it looked like Mr.Penguin from Batman hah! Her penguin was a freezer paper stencil and a little fabric bow, that's it, super easy and she loves it.

If you follow along on Facebook, you've seen that I've been adding some fall items to With Sunshine and that there's a really great clearance sale going on right now. Be sure to go and check it out before it's over on September 24th!

With the colder weather approaching, I've been stitching up some comfy infinity scarves! I really like these plaid scarves that I just added to With Sunshine, the flannel material is really soft and comfortable.

I've been thinking over this for a while and decided to include a military discount for all of the items in my shop. With everything they do for this country, I believe they deserve some recognition and some thanks. Here's my little thank you to everyone who's serving actively, reserved or veteran.

So, you might recognize this dress if you've ever visited my etsy shop. It's the same design as my newborn peasant dress, only this is a size 4t. I mentioned, some time ago, that I'd be offering these little gems in larger sizes and finally got a few made! Now, I've got to get the other sizes up. Unlike the newborn dresses, I'll only be offering the dresses shown in the pictures and not the variations that I chose to offer to begin with.

I'll be sharing more, very soon, so check back to see other pretties!

~Allison

Boys Robot Shirt

This shirt was made for my son for Valentines day, but  remembered that I had bought him a shirt already so it's just a cute new shirt for him now! I appliqued the robot onto the front of the shirt and then above that I added the words "Love Machine". Isn't that too flippin cute? Lol

I used the same method of applique that I mentioned in this post to applique the robot to the shirt. To put the words on the shirt I decided to use a freezer paper stencil. This method of stencil is great because freezer paper has a shiny side and a matte side and when you iron the shiny side onto fabric it seals off the edges of your stencil. You can do practically anything with a freezer paper stencil, it's really awesome!

The way the words turned out was really cool, I just love how it almost looks aged because it's not solid lettering.

I hope you like it, my little guy does!

~Allison

Me & You Tote Tutorial

I whipped this tote up during naptime! The process is very simple and it creates an adorable go-to bag.

I used canvas fabric for the outside of the bag and cotton for the lining. To add a little pizazz, I freezer paper stenciled a design on the front with fabric paint.

Cut your outer and lining fabrics into rectangles the size of your choosing, mine was 14 inches wide and 16 inches long. You'll also want to cut 2 strips of fabric that you'll use to make your straps, 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.

If you're using a thicker fabric like the canvas that I used, you'll want to iron your strap pieces in half and and then iron each long edge in halfway in toward the half point. I know it's a lot of halves, but trust me, it works and turns out perfect.

Once your straps are ironed you'll want to sew along the long the long open edge of each strap.

Now that your straps are ready, you can start pinning your main pieces together! Pin your lining and outer fabric right sides together and on one of the short sides you'll sandwich your strap.

Be sure to evenly space your handles, and once everything is in place sew along the short side with your straps.

With you straps in place you'll now pin your lining pieces right sides together and your outers with right sides together as well. It should look like a very long rectangle with the handles inside.

(Sorry didn't get pictures of this part!)
Sew your outer pieces together, and sew your lining pieces all but a 3 inch space to turn your tote bag right side out.

The space that you left to turn you bag will need to be stitched closed, and to insure your lining stays in place a little topstitching around the top of your bag will keep things neat.

There you have it! A spacious, useful tote bag that anyone would love to carry.

~Allison