je t'aime "pseudo screen print" onesie- TUTORIAL

I'm loving this little onesie I made today for my niece! 

While trying to brainstorm a unique idea, I remembered the set of 10 ja t'aime cards/envelopes I picked up at Target for $3. 

So, I scanned it and saved the image as a 5"x7" document and printed it directly onto white cotton fabric. I used heat 'n bond to apply to the onesie. 

Want to try it? 

Gather the following supplies-

distilled white vinegar and baking soda (to make own ink fixative) 

fabric-I used an old 100% cotton pillowcase

ink-jet printer 

5"x7" cardstock (I trimeed an old greeting card to size)

spray adhesive

Heat 'n Bond 

Onesie or T-shirt

needle and thread (optional)

TUTORIAL

(1) Find your image and save to size desired

(2) Apply pre-treated fabric with spray adhesive to cardstock; make sure edges are secure

(3) Print image and cross fingers it goes through the first time ;)

(4) Iron Heat 'n Bond to wrong side of printed cloth according to instructions

(5) Trim around image

(6) Iron printed cloth to onesie according to Heat 'n Bond instructions

(7) Hand stitch or use sewing machine to help secure the fabric and/or to add detail/ color (I used black thread)-optional

FREE Disney Character Stencils

As you're thinking about carving pumpkins, you may be thinking about doing something a bit different this year. You can buy carving kits with unique stencils, but I found a friendly collection of Disney character stencils on the Disney Family Fun magazine website-perfect for pumpkin carving-AND freezer paper stenciling. Click here to see all of the great choices. You'll find princesses, Mickey Mouse & friends, Phineas, Perry, Tinkerbell, Lightning McQueen...

Here is a great tutorial for freezer paper stenciling from SallyJShim blog.

Natural/ Safe Ways to Repel Ants

Natural Ant Repellent 


You can use cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, cloves and bay leaves. Sprinkle the powders where the ants are coming inside and where they tend to congregate. You can mix the chili powder with water to make a paste if you find the powder alone to be ineffective, this can concentrate its deterring power.

Ants don't like the smell of cloves or bay leaves, so put these along their trail, at the entrance or around the kitchen to keep the ants out as well. Even mint oil, or an unwrapped stick of mint gum, could chase the ants back out the door.

Another option is to put apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in a spray bottle either full strength or diluted, and spray the ant entrance and affected areas. You may have to experiment with various concentrations of the vinegar water solution to get it right for your area. The smell will go away pretty quickly for you but will last longer for the ants. Use a fine mist and you don't have to wipe it up, which can help it to be more potent for the insects.


Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120410084203AAenCjw




Natural "Ant Traps"

¼ cup of sugar
¼ cup of baking yeast
½ cup of molasses
6 index cards or can lids

Simply mix the sugar, yeast and molasses together. Smear them on the index cards or any lid. Put these sticky sides up in the high traffic areas of the ants. Its sticky, its natural and it traps them.

Look to see where the ants are coming in and wash the area with straight white vinegar. Something about the vinegar seems to repel the ants.Let it dry.

There are many natural ways to repel pests like fleas, moths and ants. They are safer on the environment and for the most part worry free.

Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/natural-ways-repel-ants-moths-fleas-679246.html?cat=7

A Few of My Favorite Sewing Projects from 2011

Ruffle Capris, using Jocole pattern

Toile dishtowel up-cycled into an A-line skirt 

Wannabe Matilda Jane Ruffle Pants, made using Carla C Easy Fit pants pattern

Knot Apron dress (without apron), using Little Lizard King knot apron dress pattern 

Knot Dress, made from woman's sundress, using Little Lizard King Knot Apron dress pattern

Knit Ruffle pants using Jocole knit ruffle pants pattern

La Petite Mercerie Fabric Giveaway

Visit Allfreesewing.com, a great website full of free patterns and tutorials for sewers and craft junkies. They are holding a fabric giveaway! To enter, visit here.

Here's a little info about the La Petite Mercerie Fabric line-Based on difference cross stitch designs, designer Emmanuelle Carre created the lovely La Petite Mercerie fabric line in 2010. This fabric line is perfect for creating patchwork quilts, sewing projects and anything in-between. With muted blues, browns and reds, the fabric delivers fun designs without colors too bright to mix and match. La Petite Mercerie incorporates images of sewing notions, alphabetical letters and stripes. Printed by the Lecien Corporation, the fabric is made of fine quality cotton. Create the sewing and quilting projects you’ve always dreamed of with the charming La Petite Mercerie fabric line. 


I love these fabrics!