Crafter's Wishlist 2011 - Jaime Edition

I still think all the stuff I reco'd on my Crafter's Wishlist 2010 is good for the asking, and I can't disagree with anything on Jacinda's 2011 Crafter's Wishlist, but because I love to put ideas in your head, here goes...

Since you've been such a good girl this year, maybe Santa will bring you the fabulous embroidery machine you deserve. Go big or go home with the Brother 2800D.


A subscription to Make Magazine. I was pretty sad when Craft Magazine went online-only, and soon after ReadyMade said goodbye. Luckily Make is still being printed, and it's awesome. I want it to come to my mailbox like a special gift over and over all year long.


Amy Butler YarnOf course lots and lots of it in coral, cream, gray, and pale yellow. You know how much I love coral, and it's gonna look amazeballs to have a hand crocheted coral blanket in Scarlet's new coral room, if I do say so myself.


One Yard Wonders: Fabric by Fabric,and not just because a full pattern for my Swaddle Blanket is included, but because all the projects are awesome. But also, how cute does that baby on the cover look in my swaddle blanket??

Might I also suggest...
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Crafter's Wishlist 2011 - Jacinda Edition

It's the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year! I'm sure you agree that handmade gifts are the most magical gifts of all but us little prudent elves need some tools to make the magic happen. So let's talk about the crafty supplies that we'd like to find under the tree. Some of the items on our Crafter's Wishlist are items that we personally can't live without and some are goodies we, ourselves, hope to open up on Christmas morning!

Thick Wool Felt
I keep seeing gorgeous projects using thick wool felt and can't wait to get my hands on some in a rainbow of colors!

A Rainbow of Thread
Jaime and I had the pleasure of trying out this beautiful collection of Pacesetter Embroidery Thread. I use this thread for sewing and embroidery every day... and lovingly caress it at least once a week. It's like a work of art on the wall.


Silhouette Cameo
At the risk of being predictable, this list would not be complete without the Cameo. This machine is amazing. It makes so many projects easier, the designs are adorable and it's mesmerizing to watch. My wish is for each of you to find one under the tree!


Bias Tape Maker
You know we love the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker. This year they've introduced an updated model, Simplicity Deluxe Bias & Piping Maker. This is probably awesome and I'd like to try one please.


Fabric
In my last Fabricworm order, I picked up some solid Kona Cotton in a bunch of pretty colors.  It's so soft and lovely. Not sure what they will be but it's great to have them on hand.

But there's more...
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To Quilt Market We Go!

Last weekend I road-tripped to Houston to see all the news in quilting and also fabric, sewing patterns, trim and craft books. As you might imagine, I took hundreds of photos so I'll be sharing more throughout the week. Here are some gorgeous highlights of all the delish eye candy that I spotted like the circa 52 by monaluna for birch fabrics organic (available in november) pictured above. The new Ruby Star Shining by Melody Miller for Kokka featured on a vintage suitcase (below) was one of the show darlings.

Sarai Mitnick was there signing her new sewing book, The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the New Seamstress, and showcasing her collection of beautiful sewing patterns. Here are her frocks...

Natalie Lymer was there with her sweet Woodland collection. The embroidery patterns were pure sweetness.

Of course, you already know how we feel about Anna Maria. Here is the bag that I stole off of the wall in her booth. Just kidding. However, if you felt the stunning velveteen, I doubt you would have blamed me. Yes, there is much much more from Anna Maria's booth to come. Want to see more...


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Silhouette Cameo is Here + A Special Deal

If you hang out with us on The Facebook you know that I spent last weekend sweetly caressing the new Silhouette Cameo that I was invited to try out. Jaime and I have been fans of Silhouette for a long time. Their cutting machines are amazing tools. The Cameo stands up to the quality and precision of the SD (the previous model) but introduces a larger cutting space (hello 12"x12"), an adjustable cutting blade with deeper cut options and more.

So I tried a few little last minute paper projects for Halloween (more on that later) and also dove into the Fabric Ink Starter Kit and made this little horse stencil on a piece of Anna Maria Horner Lou Lou Thi Needlework. Clare has already called dibs. Horses are her fav. Read on to see the process of fabric stenciling with the silhouette and an exclusive code for a special deal from Silhouette?

And I just have to mention this sweet pattern for baby shoes cut on the silhouette. Just download the pattern, let your Silhouette cut out the fabric covered interfacing and sew up the pieces. Amazing! Honestly, what will they think of next?


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Simple Scallop Skirt Tutorial + Glow In The Dark Embroidery!

We picked up some glow in the dark thread and this cute owl pattern this weekend and planned to make this simple elastic waist skirt for Fall. As a little twist on the standard, we scalloped the bottom edge. Totally fun and twirly, and easy enough to sew up a little holiday specific number for Halloween or Christmas.



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Floriani Heat N Shrink and Free-Motion Quilting

I've told you how much I love hanging out like a shameless groupie in my local sewing shop, Arlington Sewing Machine Supply Company, so when my friend Emily asked me to tag along while she bought her first sewing machine, I jumped. It seems I can't walk into that place without getting schooled. And I mean that in the best possible way.

While Shannon helped Emily load up on supplies, Carla pulled me aside to show me the cutest lil' girl nightgown that a customer had made. The nightgown featured a yoke with sweet puckered fabric. It looked a little smocked, a little quilted and all the way adorable. Then they showed me how she did it with Floriani Heat N Shrink. Have you seen this stuff? Take a look at the process and tell me what to do with my flowers...

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How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

You may have seen me mention on facebook and twitter that I'm contributing to Soleil Moon Frye's new online show Her Say. Here's a fun clip where I teach you how to make chalkboard paint in any color you like for just a few bucks. We use it to whip up some little vases you can use as table settings and a travel chalkboard tile. It's so easy! Let me know if you try it. And you can check out more of my hersay videos here.

Wilton Workshop: Behind the scenes (part 2)

As a geek-level lover of sugar arts, I was over-the-moon to get an invite to Wilton headquarters for buttercream and fondant lessons, a sneak-peek at new products, a behind-the-scenes tour and the baking supply tent sale of all tent sales. We are talking "things I must do before I die" level of excitement. Like I said... geek.

Want to see all the goodies?


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How to Make A Mason Jar Pincushion with Bonus Embroidery Fun!

Last week I showed you how I organized my sewing supplies using Mason Jars. So to be all matchy-matchy, I decided to update our baby food jar pincushion by making a new mason jar pincushion - which is even easier because it's no-sew!

I downloaded a fun new font, then hooked my computer up to my new Brother Innovis 2800D Embroidery & Sewing Machine and created a pattern for the words "pinch me" (can you tell that I made the "pin" a lighter shade of pink then the other letters?). If you don't have an embroidery machine and want to put some words on your pincushion, you should check out our beginner's hand embroidery tute. I'm obsessed with embroidery!

I'll show you how the machine works and I'll tell you how to make your own Mason Jar Pincushion in a jiff after the jump...
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Quinn's Animal Birthday Party: A Source Guide

I'm so happy that you like Quinn's party! I wish I could have had you all over rather than my real-life friends who drank my beer and mocked me for making balloon animals. Ahh, Prudent Baby is such a nice place to spend my day.

Do you want to know where I got the goods? Here's the scoop:

Bake it Pretty let me pick out some of their gorgeous goodies including:
The Giant Polka-Dot Balloon in Goldenrod
The Pink and Orange Round Balloons
Orange Polka Dot Paper Straws
Small White Sugar Eyes and Circus Animal Chocolate Mold

AND Bake it Pretty is offering 10% off for our lovely readers with the code: PRUDENTPARTY


Then I headed to Amazon and found:

Balloons, a pump and a book on balloon twisting. 
At $150 an hour for a professional, I thought it would be worth it to try my hand at a little clownery. Full disclosure: I think I'm hooked. I want to make more. It was super fun. Even at 2 in the morning the night before the party.


These animal masks were the hit of the party. And at under $7 for 12, a no-brainer. A must buy.

The giraffe?A Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago. I think we are going to leave him on the mantle wearing his hat. Love it. And you might remember that tablecloth from The Thrifter's Revenge.

DIY's to come on the Cake, Quinn's little Tank Tunic, the games, and the Easy Party Table Runner. Did I miss anything? Any other questions? Leave a comment and you could win the pattern of your choosing from oliver + s.

A Fun Way to Organize Craft Supplies

So I've been plugging away at the Craft Room Redesign Project. Last we checked in I showed you the Hidden Workstation. I love my DIY pleated curtains, but strangely enough, hiding my craft supplies behind drapes did not magically organize them. I had an inkling that one of my thrifty finds, the file rack that files don't fit in, could make a great little supply station on my cutting table. So I bought a few cases of mason jars and tackled my supply drawers, which looked like this:

See what they look like now and learn all about my mason jar supply station after the jump, and let us know your craft supply organization tips in the comments, you could win this week's surprise prize, that Oliver & S Pattern from Fabricworm!
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