~FB Watch~

I post so infrequently because I get so caught up in looking at what everybody else is doing (sorry). So I thought this would help me post a little more often and share a little of what I like. What better way than a Frugal Blog Watch (FB Watch). I am not going to make empty promises like, this will be a weekly post. I can say I will share any and everything that moves me and of course that is FRUGAL!!

We are going to kick this "Infrequent" series off with PRUDENT BABY. What is more Frugal than a Prudent Mama! And you can't be more Frugal than FREE!

As you have seen I am really getting into this sewing thing! And to help me along I have added a couple (OK 25) of blogs based on sewing to my google reader. Well I have quite a few favorites but one that is at the top of my list is Prudent Baby.

Why do I just Love Prudent Baby? One word TUTORIALS! I am all about the how to. They have wonderful how to's and a zillion ideas! Not mentions their blog is very user friendly. So I thought I should share them with you!

Currently they are giving away a Brother Project Runway Limited Edition LB-6800PRW Sewing and Embroidery Machine. WOW!!!

Head over there and check them out!

~ A little tight ~

I think I have shared that I am far from an expert seamstress. Well this is proof. I attempted to tackle this romper tutorial from Crafterhours.

I wanted to attempt this because I had some fabric and I wanted to try shirring. Plus this was soooo cute.

Well, 45 min later I got this.

It isn't horrible, I was only making it for her to piddle around the house in but I think it is a bit tight.

What I took away from this tutorial was quite a surprise. How to make shorts with a rise. I actually used a pair of new old navy shorts (I forgot the seam allowance) and traced a pattern with them folded one way then the other, see below.





This is the easiest thing ever and her tutorial was soo easy to follow. I just forgot my seam allowance. Oh well.

~FrugalB How To~

First I want to clarify that being Frugal by no means is a nice way to say being Cheap. Frugal is defined as, Economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: Think cost per wear or value of consumption (food). Cheap is defined as,costing very little; relatively low in price; inexpensive: a cheap dress.

See two very different things

Any one can be Frugal and at any price point. Being Frugal in my world is obtaining the things we want and need for drastically less than retail. I want to share how I do that.

~Know what is on hand~

Before I purchase anything and I mean anything I know what we have. That goes for any and everything (yes I am saying it again). This is imperative so that you are not over purchasing. Over purchasing defeats the purpose of being frugal. Example:

You find a pair of Nike's for 75% off (Score) and they have multiple sizes. You purchase 2 pair but only one of your kids need shoes. Now you have spent that 25% and the 2nd pair of shoes don't get worn. They are now getting sold at a garage sale for 10% (Maybe less) of what you paid. The value has been lost because you were unable to use them. You lost money, that could have been spent somewhere else.

~Learn to Sew~

I once read that if you can drive you can sew, pretty much. Sewing opens you up to so many more possibilities. The ability to make simple alterations increases the longevity of clothing. Refashioning, think jeans to shorts, Shirt to dress, pants to back pack. Not to mention simple tailoring, the ability to take out a hem and lengthen a pant (I am tall) or hem a pant, affords you more purchasing power.

~Trash ?~

With your new sewing skills and a bit of crafting what you once thought was trash becomes new treasure. Talk about Green Living!

~Hunting~

We all know time is the only non-renewable resource, but to get the deals, especially if you are not into refashioning, you must hunt. I mean hunt like you have no food and need to feed your babies. I know who has a sale when and where, what time of year past season items are going on sale. I make friends, and i mean friends with the employees at my favorite spots. And I have been known to stalk Craigslist and my favorite stores. Now you may get lucky and happen upon a great deal. But live this way it has to become a lifestyle.

~Perspective~

Now that you are crafting, sewing, and not over buying, your view of things will change. Most everything is fabric to me. A sheet can easily become a quilt (once I learn how). The extra funds we save is now a fab Disney Vacation (yes we really did that). And you become a steward of your money and time.

I truly enjoy getting something for less. Especially if it is something we really need. My husband and I have really gotten accustom to living below our means (Not typical Americans). We enjoy the freedom if affords us. I hope this helps.

~ My 1st Tutorial - T-Shirt Dress ~

I recently wondered into Goodwill looking for some things to UpCycle for my youngest son and ran across a t-shirt. It was brand new and only $1. I snagged it thinking I could make undies or a t-shirt from it for my little man.

Well, I got the shirt home and laid it out on the table and began to look at it again, the shirt said to me "I am a dress". I promise it spoke. I love my boys, 3 of them to be exact, but my daughter has been quite the little inspiration for soo much crafting. So often she gets the fruits of my labor. And this time was no different.

I am going to share with you this easy peasy process. This my first tutorial so bear with me.

Supplies ~
dress that fits your little one
T-shirt - I used an adult small
Sissors
Sewing machine
thread

Cut shirt right under the arm holes.

I forgot to photograph the cutting process but this is similar. Place your dress that you are using for a patter at the neck line of the shirt. I used the tag and all.

Proceed with Basting the bottom half of the shirt. This will be the skirt


I cut the end of the arm holes for the new arm hole of the dress and attached



worked like a charm


Now attached the top to the bottom (not like this), but so it comes out right.



I then cut strips of for a ruffle

Baste your strips

Pull to create the ruffle and attach.


Your Done!

This was FUN, quick and easy. Very little sewing because you will use the hem from the shirt arms and kneck. Embellish till your little heart desires.

~ House of Fifty ~

It is always nice to see something grow, mature, and change. I have always enjoyed the seasons changing. I find it fun to figure out what to wear, and even more fun to see what others will wear (weather confusion is always fun to watch). The Blogging world is no different, you watch your favorite blogs grow, mature and change. The growth is always fun, and the anticipation is invigorating. There are times when some of your favorites decide to sign off and pursue other creative venture and outlets. Then there are those who grow beyond what you ever imagined.

Janell Beals, the blogger behind Isabella & Max Rooms, has launched HOUSE Of FIFTY. Today marks the inaugural issue and it is packed full of ideas, blogs to watch, and a bit of fashion. I look forward to watching this extension of Janell's blog grow and blossom.

I already have some ideas I will be using in our home.

I get the privliage of visiting Mom and Dad over the long weekend and I am going to get the chance to help my mom gussy up her Craft/Sewing studio and tackle a few other small projects.

I hope you too enjoy the weekend and have a Happy Easter!!!

~ Reduce Reuse Recycle ~

I have been having a blast with my new Janome 2011. This machine sews with ease and presicion. I recommend her to anyone, especially a beginner, what a great experience so far.

Last night I took her for another spin and made a sweater for Symone, well kinda. It has been cool in the mornings and I needed something on her arms, a very lightweight sweater. So of course I started thinking of what I could use.

Earlier this week I saw the tutorial over at Kojodesigns << (you will fall in love with this blog) , where they took a onesie and turned it inot a ruffled sweater.

Tutorial for this at Kojodesigns

So I did a variation as Symone is a bit big for the onesie now.


Started with one of her Gently used long sleeved shirts

Getting ready to cut striaght down the middle



Used for embelishment




Then it HIT me, Use a decoritavie stitch

This foot glides over the stitches














I am just giddy about this because she isn't going to be able to fit this next fall.

It only took me 15 Min and was 100% free!!!!

I have entered this in the CSI contest, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Challenge! Click the link below to check them out

~ Sew Fun, Sew Easy, with the right Tools ~

Ok, I come from a long line of seamstress. My grandmother owned and operated a alteration shop in Warner Robins GA for over 30 years. She had 8 children and all but one of them know how to sew (you always have a rebel in the family), and sew well.

My mother did her best to try to "domesticate" me, but I ran. I wanted nothing to do with it. She wrangled me a time or two with the threat of being an "old maid" and I picked up a few things. But for the most part I attempted to stay away. Well just like she said, I wish I had sat for those lessons, I would be so much further. However I will say I am having a blast learning on my terms.

My husband, bless his heart, purchased a beginners Singer sewing machine for me about 5 years ago. I was so busy with work that I can count on my hands how many times I attempted to use it for 3 years. I always found it difficult and chalked it up to my lack of sewing skills. I had my mother attempting to educate me over the phone. I am sure she was perplexed at how much I had forgotten.

I dusted it off 2 years ago when I stayed home with our kids (2 at the time) and I wanted new curtains. I figured I could do it, and I did, but boy was it a chore. Every time I stopped sewing I had to re-thread my bobbin. I would get tension problems in the middle of a project. Basically it was an event to sew anything. I kept thinking I just did not know my machine.

When my mom sewed on my machine she had a lot of the same issues but she could correct them with ease. But even she said that it was annoying. So for the last 6 months I have been machine searching, yearning and drooling. I figure if I was going to do this I needed to do this right and invest in myself and my family.

My initial thought as Frugal B. was to have my sewing machine repaired. I took it to a local store, that of course sells machines, to get it looked at. I called first so I knew there was a $25 diagnostic fee. I dropped it off and couldn't help looking at the shiny new machines and asking questions. The machines ranged in price from $299 to $6,000, whooooooo nelly. I still entertained the salesmen/repair man and gave him my sewing resume. He encouraged me to look into the Janome 2011. Their price was $699 on sale for $599, pricey.

After extensive researched we found that the Janome was the best fit for my skill level and more importantly my pocketbook. Online the same machine was selling for $499 with free shipping, $100 savings. We also found another Janome dealer (30 miles away) that had the $499 with a trade in (any brand machine) and free lessons. The store I had gone to the promotion was no tax in the month of April, along with free sewing lessons for 1 year. I was torn, there was value in both options. So we did what we always do and just asked for them to match the price. Believe it or not they said yes but no lessons.

My husband went to pick up the machine with the CASH (more on that later). He was gone for about 30 minutes and I received a call from the store trainer. Calling to set up my one on one lessons. I was so confused, we weren't supposed to get the lessons. Well I told her that and she said that she was told to call me. That they wanted to offer them to me still (yay)!!!

Meet Abigail

Came with a hard case

50 stitches and an automatic button hole maker

I set up my introduction to the Janome 2011 for Monday, yes yesterday. But of course I couldn't wait. My husband brought her (yes her not it) Sunday at about 1pm and I had this done before 6pm (see below).It would have taken me days to do this on my old Singer, I am over joyed with our purchase. But even happier to know that it wasn't me, it was a machine.

~ The Space Where I Create ~

Finding a place to craft, sew, DIY, has been a bit difficult. While we have nooks and crannies that are not being used in our home I had dreams of having more. I didn't just want a Craft Corner, I wanted room to spread out, a place to display my creations, and still be in the mix with the rest of the family. With that criteria I had a few options.

Our loft, kid central in our house, it had room for me but I would need to be confined and be sure to put things up high. I considered the closet of my husbands office, it had a closed door and I could spread out after business hours, but it was closed off. I could have also used our room, it's huge, but I want that to be just our space. I really enjoy sewing but to see it before bed is a bit much for me.

Then it hit me, why not use the formal living room, no one else is. It is open to the dining room, so there is a table that I could craft on. It is open to the the family room and kitchen, and it looks out over the front yard, where the boys play basketball. It met all of my arbitrary well thought out needs. Since the space is open to the rest of the house and the first room seen when you enter our home I did have to hold back my desire to girly up the space. So this is what I came up with, it works for me so far.