Refashioned Dog Sweater Tutorial

I know there are some dog sweater haters out there. I'm not one of them, but my hubs is. I promise to never dress my dog up like this picture below, though.

Here's the deal: Wyatt is really small and does get cold while he's outside. I knew my dear husband wouldn't be so happy about spending $20 on a dog sweater. When I ran into this kids sweater in the .50 cent pile at a local thrift store the light bulb went off: he can't be that mad if I only spend .50 cents on one!
First I measured the little pup -- around his neck and belly. Then I cut the following pieces from the sweater:
1. Front and back (er...top and bottom on a dog?) that is about 2 inches wider than half his belly circumference.
2. The collar (from the bottom hemline)
3. Sleeves (also from the bottom hemline)
Next, I estimated the distance between his front legs and cut slits into the bottom half of the sweater.
Using both my serger and sewing machine I very carefully attached the sleeves by slipping them into the slits I cut previously. {It's hard working with such a small opening, so go slowly!}

Here's what it looks like with the sleeves attached.

I stitched the front to the back, then serged the collar on.

Wyatt likes the sweater just fine! Look how fluffy his backside looks -- shows you how much hair he actually had!

Don't worry. We got him haircut and now he's lookin' all cute and stuff.

We've had a warming trend here in Arkansas, so he hasn't needed the sweater. There's a cold front coming, though, so I'll break it out soon enough!
I'm linking this project to:
Between Naps on the Porch , Making the World Cuter, The DIY Show Off, The Persimmon Perch, Skip to My Lou, Keeping it Simple, A Soft Place to Land, Today's Creative Blog, Blue Cricket Design, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Remodelaholic, Tatertots and Jello

Ruffle apron tutorial

This weekend was my friend Morgan's bridal shower! She is getting married in December and I'm honored to be by her side on that day. For her shower gift, I sewed her a super cute ruffle apron -- perfect for a soon-to-be wife. :) The fabrics are from the new Lotus Valley line you can find at Jo Ann's.

Here's a quick how-to:

1. Cut a base piece of fabric to your desired size. This one is about 35in x 20in. Hem all sides.

2. Cut the tie - about 6in x 84in {You will likely have to sew two strips together}. Fold right sides together and sew as a tube. Turn right side out and iron flat.

3. Cut the strips of fabric for the ruffles. I did 3- all were about 6in x 65 in. Hem all sides, do a basting stitch then ruffle the three strips to about 35in.

4. Sew the waistband to the base piece of fabric at the top. I tucked the first ruffle under the bottom of the waistband for a nice, finished seam.

5. Sew the remaining ruffles on. Place them about an inch underneath the preceding ruffle.

6. VOILA! A cute and fun apron for yourself or a friend. These make great bridal shower or Christmas gifts!

I'm linking this project to:
Between Naps on the Porch , Making the World Cuter, The DIY Show Off, The Persimmon Perch, Skip to My Lou, Keeping it Simple, A Soft Place to Land, Today's Creative Blog, Blue Cricket Design, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Remodelaholic, Tatertots and Jello

Misrepresented

I love Craigslist. I love finding good deals and the fact that both people (seller and buyer) feel like they're ripping the other person off. It takes work, though, to search through all of the crap to find the gems buried deep in searches. That work can have a good payoff, though.

I have two frustrations with Craigslist: when pictures are not attached (save potential buyers some time and upload a quick pic or two), and when items are misrepresented. Here are a couple of examples of misrepresented rejects from the local listings:

Here are some 'stunning' boots for potential buyers. Stunningly awful.

Maybe it's just a different in personal taste, but I don't find this couch to be either 'beautiful' or 'practically new.'Can someone enlighten me as to why a potential buyer would pay $400 for this 'one of a kind' artwork? No explanation needed for this one. This bed is clearly at least 30 years old, but was listed as 'beautiful' and 'awesome'

Sellers lure you into their posting with additional characters like !!! --- *** and descriptive words such as beautiful, awesome, stunning, like new, etc. Too often I'm disappointed by the actual product for sale. The occasional good find is usually enough to keep faith my in Craigslist. {I scored Sean a new Timbuk2 bag for super cheap yesterday, for example}

Faux real

Here's my inspiration for tonight's {hopefully} project. Mine, of course, will be much less real, expensive and dramatic.

Introducing Cloud Nine Stitches!

Hi, friends! I've started an Etsy shop called Cloud Nine Stitches! Right now I'm just sewing through my fabric stash, so it's a lot of baby and little girl items.

I will be adding fun new items like some dress refashions, game day dresses, cute headbands and anything else that makes it on to my to-sew list. I know it's a pretty saturated market out there in Etsy-land, so we'll see if anything sells. :)

I'm also hoping to start a booth at a craft mall here in Fayetteville {I'm on a waiting list}.
  Looking forward to sewing my way through this new adventure!

Lingering lyrics

The lyrics from Chris Tomlin's new song 'I will Follow' are stuck in my head this week. I hope they migrate to my heart and stay there forever!

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow you

I will follow you

Delicious, EASY dinner. Pork and green salsa

Here's a go-to recipe in the Huddleston household. SO easy and super d to the e to the licious.

{not my pic... but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like}

Ingredients (there are only 3!)

Pork loin

1 jar of green salsa

yukon potatoes

Wash and cut the potatoes into chunks. Layer the bottom of a casserole dish with a small amount of green salsa, add the potatoes, then put a little more sauce on top of them. Place the pork loin on the top. (to save time, I often cut slits into the top of the pork loin) Cover with remaining and majority of green salsa. One jar is plenty for a typical pork loin.

Cook at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the internal temp of the pork gets to about 165 degrees. Slice and serve with potatoes. Other options: make tacos or serve with spanish rice. Enjoy!