Lil Blue Boo

Diesel the Homemaker

August 19, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 10 Comments

If you look closely through the bottom gap you can see little paws…… poor Diesel held captive in Sienna’s cardboard playhouse.

Sienna: Diesel, ANSWER the door when I ring the bell, OKAY?

Diesel: Seriously? It’s been 2.5 years…….when are you sending this kid back where she came from already?!

This $19 cardboard house occupied Sienna and her friends for hours today. Best Costco purchase yet.

Filed Under: Diesel, Kids Projects, Life Tagged With: cardboard, diese, kids projects, playhouse

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial)

August 18, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 38 Comments

I have so many ribbon scraps that are under 2″ and I’ve contemplated throwing them out many times. This is what I came up with to use them all up….a ribbon belt. But you could use this technique for tons of other things….a headband, a purse strap, a drink coaster…..I had to narrow it down eventually!

Update: Project time is about 2 hours. Sewing the belt in small increments actually makes it go faster than you think…..

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) 2 via lilblueboo.com

The belt pictured is reversible to the pink and green jacquard backing.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) 3 via lilblueboo.com

I used every ribbon combination imaginable. The more colors, the more interesting. Making the belt I worked in small 6 inch sections and tried to limit the repeat of ribbon throughout.

Grab your scraps and let’s get started!

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) ribbon combination via lilblueboo.com

Before starting you’ll need the following materials:

:: Ribbon Scraps
:: 1.5″ cotton webbing
:: Dritz Fray Check or thread glue
:: 1.5″ D Rings
:: Coordinating thread
Tools needed: sewing machine and scissors

Before starting you’ll also have to measure your waist or hip area….(where you like for your belt to sit) and add 8″ to that measurement.

Step 1: Cut your cotton webbing for your belt length based on the measurement above.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 1 via lilblueboo.com

Step 2: Take scrap pieces of ribbon and line up next to each other on your cotton webbing. You can pin the ribbon……

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 2 via lilblueboo.com

…..but it is easiest just to put each ribbon on one at a time as you sew down the side of the cotton webbing (about 1/8″ from the edge of the belt). Just make sure to leave your needle down when you lift the foot up to place the next ribbon. Stop once you get 6 or 7 inches of ribbons added (I refer to these as your “short” ribbons). This 6 to 7 inch length is about all that is manageable to weave at one time.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 3 via lilblueboo.com

Step 3: Place 2 to 3 ribbons perpendicular to the ribbons you just sewed on (I refer to these as your “long” ribbons). Sew these ribbons onto the cotton webbing.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 4 via lilblueboo.com

Step 4: Weave the long ribbons over and under the short ribbons.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 5 via lilblueboo.com

Step 4: Making sure all the ribbons fit tightly together, sew the other end of the long ribbon pieces to secure them to the belt.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 6 via lilblueboo.com

Step 5: Carefully sew the short ribbons securely to the belt (about 1/8″ from the edge of the belt).

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 7 via lilblueboo.com

Step 6: Trim your shorter ribbons on each side so that they are flush with the cotton webbing….

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 8 via lilblueboo.com

…..and trim your longer ribbons leaving about 1/4″.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 9 via lilblueboo.com

Step 7: Repeat all of the previous steps starting with laying a piece of short ribbon over the 1/4″ ends that were just trimmed. Continue until you have another 6 to 7 inch length of short ribbons sewn on to the belt.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 10 via lilblueboo.com

Step 8: Add your 2 to 3 longer ribbons by sewing directly over the stitch that secured the previous long ribbons. Then trim these ends to about 1/8″.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 11 via lilblueboo.com

Note: In between steps you might want to add Fray Check to your ribbon edges if they start to unravel.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 12 via lilblueboo.com

My assistant was a huge help in picking out each sequence of ribbons.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 13 via lilblueboo.com

Step 9: Use a zigzag stitch to sew all the edges of the belt.

Optional: I cut a long piece of ribbon jacquard (1″ shorter than my belt length to leave room for the D rings) to sew onto the back of the belt for decoration and attached it with the zigzag stitch.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 14 via lilblueboo.com

Step 10: Place your D rings on one end of the belt…..

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 15 via lilblueboo.com

……and fold your belt end back, and sew the fold closed. You may have to use a zipper foot here if your D rings get in the way (I had enough room and was able to use the regular foot).

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step 16 via lilblueboo.com

Step 11: Trim any frayed edges or threads and add thread glue or Fray check where needed.

Scrap Ribbon Belt (A Tutorial) step finished via lilblueboo.com

Filed Under: Recycled, Sewing, Things I've Made, Toys and Accessories, Tutorial Tagged With: accessories, belt, clothing, ribbon, scrap, tutorial

Cute as a jumper….

August 17, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 8 Comments

Here are photos I took today for YCMT showing my halter/tie-back dress as a jumper for the fall. Sienna was such a good sport considering the high today is 103! Fall won’t come to the desert for a long time……

I just got some of the feedback from the YCMT testers and it was really positive so I am VERY happy today……and it gave me some energy to continue working on my other patterns. You never REALLY know what people think of a pattern until you get enough feedback from testers (especially anonymous ones).

“The directions were clean and produced an absolutely adorable, comfortable and very special outfit in no time at all. I didn’t have to get any supplies and I’ve never seen anything like this before. I just love it.”

“I love all the hints for sewing with knits. I consider myself to be pretty proficient at sewing…. and I even found some helpful hints in there. I love that! I also appreciate all the options. You can make the dress look totally different using the different options she made available in this ebook. You’re getting a lot for your purchase.”

“My mind is just reeling with all the possibilities for this pattern. I have old shirts from high school, college, cheerleading, and vacations. It will be so neat to make them into something for my girls.”

On another note…..the poor frog might not make it through the day……

Cute as a jumper with a frog via lilblueboo.com

Sienna has put it through the ringer……

Cute as a jumper with a tortured frog via lilblueboo.com

….and seems to find joy in torturing it. Where is the appreciation for this handmade toy?!

Cute as a jumper with a really tortured frog via lilblueboo.com

Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Patterns Tagged With: boots, dress, frog, haltar, jumber, torture

One Obese Frog

August 17, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 16 Comments

Sometimes projects just don’t turn out like I planned for them to. The frog to the left (the dark green fuzzy one) was a toy I had as a little girl. I was trying to make a version for my nephew. It didn’t turn out so well. Whatever “beads” they used to stuff the original frog must be much lighter than pinto beans…..because my frog weighs about 25 pounds……I’m exaggerating a little, but still, this frog is not suitable for a baby. My husband says we should keep it as a doorstop. ….

Filed Under: Oops, Sewing Tagged With: beans, frog, obese, sewing, toys

"Wannabe" Beanbags

August 16, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 18 Comments

Look a little familiar? (click here if they aren’t) Sienna wanted tiny beanbags for her doll too so we spent yesterday afternoon making these itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny “barley” bags. We aren’t creative enough to come up with a name besides “b-a-b-y” yet…….

These were SO much harder than the original large beanbags. Look how tiny the squares are! The most frustrating part was getting them turned right side out after sewing them.

"Wannabe" Beanbags tiny squares via lilblueboo.com

Only two or three pinto beans would have fit in these tiny bags, so we used pearl barley instead….and made a “funnel” out of a straw. (Sienna got into some of my blue paint before hand…..)

"Wannabe" Beanbags filled with pearl barley via lilblueboo.com

“Baby” and her new little “baby” beanbags….. just the right size.

"Wannabe" Beanbags finished via lilblueboo.com

I love miniaturized things…..

"Wannabe" Beanbags miniature via lilblueboo.com

Filed Under: Printing/Stenciling, Sewing Tagged With: baby, barley, beanbag, doll, miniature, sewing, straw, toys

There IS beauty in housework….

August 15, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 6 Comments

….like little footprints on my freshly mopped floor.

There IS beauty in housework via liblueboo.com

Now don’t get all jealous on me….

……but I want to introduce you to an amazing specimen of a vacuum cleaner (and sorry to disappoint but this is NOT the next LBB giveaway).

There IS beauty in housework 2 via liblueboo.com

I am sentimental about some strange things….including this old Electrolux that used to be my parents. My husband has tried to buy me a new one countless times…..I refuse.

It is sounding a little “sick” …..time to scout out a local vacuum doc.

P.S. Have you tried the new Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Cleaner at Costco? Love it. And I’m picky and I’ve tried everything…..

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Electrolux, housework, vacuum

Question: How Do I Stay Inspired?

August 15, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 10 Comments

Answer: a LOT of work. I find inspiration everywhere, but the hardest part is encountering something at just-the-right-time to spark an idea. So I keep thoughts, clippings, quotes, ribbons, fabric scraps, websites…..anything that will fit…….in a journal or notebook.

I remember this journal page distinctly…. because it marks one of the first times I saw reverse applique used in a really trendy way. I was in a small boutique and I made a bunch of mental notes on some of the clothing I saw. I just write down things that make me say “wow” or that I think are intriguing or that I think could be used in a different way. Also on this page: some magazine clippings of kimono tops, fabric I loved on a Gucci purse, and a sketch of a cute airplane-shaped cracker I recieved for an in-flight snack. There is no rhyme or reason to what goes together on a page.

I love the pages below because they have so many random things going on. Many times I will start a page and then revisit it at a later date filling in blank space. These pages have fabric and jacquard scraps sewn onto the page, there is an idea for a cork board using music sheets, a random halloween sticker, and a diagram on how to do a chain stitch…. not to mention the birds that I added party hats to.

Question: How Do I Stay Inspired 3 via lilblueboo.com

Many times I will just make lists. I’ll brainstorm long lists of things I’m liking at the moment, movies I’ve seen, and stuff I want to check out. There is also a photocopy of a page from a Sabrina Ward Harrison book and a cigar label glued to the page.

Question: How Do I Stay Inspired 4 via lilblueboo.com

So…..if you’re feeling a little “un-inspired”…..you could start compiling things together that will spark your creativity. Or maybe these pages will inspire you?

How do you stay inspired? How do you come up with new ideas? I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Journaling Tagged With: inspiration, journaling

Ferocious

August 14, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 15 Comments

Our little Diesel…. back from the vet and groomer. He is our 8-year-old grump. He has “CAUTION” stickers all over his file at the vet. Yesterday they made him wear a muzzle….a tiny, itsy-bitsy, 1 inch wide muzzle.

He is an inch taller than a diet coke can.

Filed Under: Diesel, Life Tagged With: diesel

FOR SALE: Very large skeleton painting…..

August 14, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 13 Comments

….okay, not really. Well, maybe. Are you interested?

FOR SALE: Very large skeleton painting via lilblueboo.com

I pulled this out from storage today. It was part of a series I painted in college.

My mother’s reaction at the show: should I be worried? should we put you on Prozac?

My reaction: i’m already on Prozac mom, they give it to everyone.

Sienna calls it “the dinosaur.”

Enjoy.

Filed Under: Life, Misc, Painting Tagged With: painting, skeleton

My New Favorite "Fused-Plastic" Belt and How I Made It…..

August 13, 2009 By Ashley Hackshaw 27 Comments

How to make a fused plastic belt - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Ok, it is my ONLY fused plastic belt, but I’m loving it. I made one for Sienna too but I ordered a vintage “seat belt” buckle for it, so I’ll post photos of hers when finished.

Fused plastic belt - DIY Tutorial 1 via lilblueboo.com

I was brainstorming ways to recycle the rice bags we use in a fun way (we eat a lot of rice and stir-fry)….. and I remembered some fused plastic products I had seen. That gave me the idea that I could use the plastic bag fusing to “thicken” my rice bag enough to be durable, as well as make it opaque enough so the writing would show up. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but this might be one of my favorite projects ever! My husband is waiting for me to make one for him now (with something else besides rice bags)!

Rice bag / sack plastic belt - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Before starting you’ll need the following materials:

:: 1.5″ cotton webbing (or polyester or nylon)

:: Plastic grocery bags or other plastic packaging

:: Fray Check or thread glue

:: Belt buckle (I took one off an old belt)

:: 3/16″ metal eyelets and eyelet tool (make sure your belt prong will fit through this size)

:: Coordinating thread (and heavy duty thread if you have it around)

Tools needed: sewing machine, scissors, and hammer

Before starting you’ll also have to measure your waist or hip area….(where you like for your belt to sit) and add 8″ to that measurement. This is your “belt length” that I refer to in this tutorial.

Step 1: Cut your top layer plastic (for me it was a rice bag) into 2″ strips making sure to concentrate on the areas that are most interesting. Note: Some plastics shrink more than others, so you may need to test some first. The rice bags are perfect because they barely shrink at all.

Step 1 Cutting - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 2: Cut a piece of freezer paper slightly longer than your belt length, fold it in half, waxy sides together…..

Step 2 Ironing Cover - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

…..and then fold it in half again. This is going to be your ironing “pocket” to melt your plastic in.

Step 3 Ironing Cover - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 3: Take several plastic grocery bags…..

Regular Plastic Bags - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

…and cut them into 2.5″ strips. I only used the white parts for my belt because my design was dependent on the colors of the rice bag and I didn’t want other colors showing through.

Cut Regular Plastic Bags - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 4: Open the freezer paper “sleeve” (no waxy portion should be showing) and lay the grocery bag strips on one side, several strips thick, overlapping them slightly.

Step 4 Place Plastic in Sleeve - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 5: Lay your top layer of plastic (for my project it was the rice bag strips) on top of the grocery bag strips, overlapping the strips about 1/2 inch. You’ll lay enough of these strips to create the length of your belt.

Place 2nd Layer Plastic in Sleeve - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 6: Close the sleeve carefully making sure that the strips do not shift any……

Close Sleeve - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

….and iron (no steam, medium setting) along the freezer paper sleeve to melt the bags together. You’ll have to do this for about a minute…. keeping the iron moving slowly at all times.

Let your sleeve cool. This is important** because plastic tends to curl when it cools.

**Note: The thick double freezer paper sleeve will help your plastic stay flat as it cools. Because of the thickness though you’ll need to check to make sure all the plastic melted. If not, close the sleeve again and repeat your ironing.

Ironing Plastic Bag to Melt - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 6: The white plastic grocery bags tend to shrink considerably so check for “voids” like below (which means your iron was probably a little too hot)……

Too much heat - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

….but you can place more plastic grocery bag layers under that area and re-iron to fill it in.

Too much heat add more plastic - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 6: Cut a piece of cotton webbing as long as your belt length. You can use cotton, nylon, polyester webbing, or even jacquard…. whatever your preference.

Cotton Webbing - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Use a long straight edge to cut one side of your fused plastic piece…….

…..and then measure from that side 1 3/8″ so that your resulting plastic “belt” is 1/8″ smaller than your webbing width.

Measure - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Here is what my two pieces looked like before I attached them together.

Pieces before sewn together - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 7: Place your plastic belt piece on top of the webbing (I don’t pin them, it jacks it all up), and sew carefully down one side.

Note: You’ll want to use a longer stitch than normal (I use a 7 on my machine). A short stitch will weaken the plastic by punching holes too close together.

Sew using longer stitch - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

One side attached:

Step 8: Carefully stitch the other side of your belt and you’ll have the main belt piece finished!

Other side attached - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 9: Notch both ends of your belt piece as shown below and zig-zag stitch the edges so that it won’t fray. I also like to coat the ends in Fray Check or thread glue.

Note: If you are using nylon, you can use a match to seal the ends.

Notch both ends - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 10: Cut a 1/2″ slit in one side of your belt for the buckle prong….

Cut slit - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

….and finish the edges using a narrow zig zag stitch. Be careful not to sew the hole closed!

Cut slit finsih with zig zag stitch - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 11: Insert your buckle prong through the hole……

Insert buckle - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

…..and sew the end of the belt backwards by hand using a needle. I used a heavy duty thread for this step.

Sew buckle - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 12: Try on the belt and see where the buckle prong will hit and mark this spot and mark 2 other points at 1″ increments from each side so you have a total of 5 holes marked.

Try on for buckle prong - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Step 13: At each of the holes marked, take the a sharp object such as scissors to poke/cut large enough holes through so that you can fit one of your 3/16″ metal eyelets through.

Note: Try to disturb as little of the fibers as possible so the holes won’t fray and weaken.

poke holes - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

Place the other side of the eyelet in place……

Add eyelet - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

……and use a hammer and your eyelet tool to lock the eyelet in place. Repeat for each eyelet.

Hammer eyelet in place - DIY Tutorial via lilblueboo.com

And you are done!

I had the HARDEST time getting a photo of the belt myself since my husband was at work. I don’t trust my 2-year-old with my camera….no way. Here was the first attempt….using a mirror:

Note: I am not 7 feet tall….I was standing on a stool. Please don’t send emails asking if my inseam is 64 inches.