Handmade Summer Dress

So last week I was feeling a little antsy and I decided to do a "summer redo" on some old jeans and a maxi dress.  The jeans I hadn't worn in years, and the dress was a little small up top!  FYI- bandeau tops are not made for everyone.  

For this project I started by ripping jeans on the inside seams of both legs.  Then I ripped all the seams of the top part of the dress, so that I could use that as a guideline for the new top.  I decided that I wanted the top of the dress to be jean, so I took the top of the old dress and laid it on top of one of the jean legs.  From there I traced the outline of the top onto the jean, but since the top fit me small I made the outline about an inch bigger on each side.  I did the same for the back part of the top, and then got to work on pinning the edges to make a nice seam.  I took the bottom part of the dress and folded it to the desired length, ironed the fold, and cut.  Then, it was time to sew!

After I finished sewing the top, I pinned the bottom of the dress to the new jean top.  There was some extra fabric on the sides of the dress so I made some gathering stitches and pinned it.  I finished up sewing the top and bottom together, and sewed on some straps that also came from the old maxi dress.  And then...I was done!

Behold, a new summer dress!  Since I don't have a sewing machine I did this project at my moms, and during the process my father asked me "do you have a pattern for that, or is it in your head?"  At that point, I felt extra crafty telling him that I had no real pattern.  This project took me about 2.5-3 hours to do, because I had a few setbacks that I did not mention...haha...

So, have you ever done a "redo" on any of your old clothes?  Let me know what you think, I love comments!

Until next time...

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings

Hi again!

It's Sunday! And that means Independence Day is tomorrow.  Not only are we celebrating a great day for our country, but it's a day that seems to bring people together.  For me I like to think of the 4th of July as a way to get lots of the 3 F's.  Family, Food, and Fireworks....what were you thinking?!?

So what's on your menu for the 4th?  If you're like our family, you may need something small to hold your guests over until the BBQ is ready.  I found a recipe for some chicken wings that is quite tasty and has a sweet kick!

This recipe comes from HomeMadeSimple.com
Sweet Heat Barbecue Chicken Wings
Serves 6
Time for prep is about 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients 
For the Sweet Heat Barbecue Sauce
2 cups ketchup
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1/3 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank's RedHot Sauce)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup packed light-brown sugar

The Sauce

After it's mixed

For the Chicken Wings
4-6 pounds chicken drumettes, patted dry

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, buffalo sauce, garlic and brown sugar.
2. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then coat with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss chicken drumettes with 1 cup of the barbecue sauce. Arrange on prepared baking sheet, being sure the drumettes aren’t touching each other.
4. Bake until opaque and cooked throughout, about 30-35 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking.
5. Carefully toss with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. Serve with remaining sauce, celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

My version

Variations: Whenever I cook these I usually don't coat them again after they are cooked.  I know some guests don't like a lot of sauce, so we just stick to the dipping sauce.  From my experience they have not been too spicy, and my family has made them several times.  They are more on the sweet side, with just a little added spice.

Really, you can cook these any time, they make a great snack or meal if you can't stop eating them!
I'll be making these along with a big jug of party punch to serve throughout the evening.

So, what are you making for the 4th?  Any fun traditions?  Let me know below, I love comments!

recipe and photo credit

Handmade Wedding

Hello all!

Ahh weddings, so happy and joyous!  It is time for the last post in my wedding series.  And I thought I'd stray from the long winded posts, and share lots pictures of great handmade wedding items that I've found.  Also sharing special little idea that my husband's cousin came up with.

Customize your wedding with these lovely Kraft Labels

Kraft Labels by Pigeonpaperie on Etsy

Need a little something special for the new bride and groom to eat with?

Wedding Fork Set by PrettyParis on Etsy

How about an awesome cake topper?  I think this is a must have!

Custom Peg Doll Cake Toppers by CreativeButterflyXOX on Etsy

For those wishing to have some photo fun, these handmade photo props are a must!

Photo Prop set by Funnysideoflife on Etsy

And why not say "Just Married" in a fun way

Hand Painted Custom Parasol by kmattso2 on Etsy

Now on to the very special idea that'll leave you both with great suggestions, tasks, and loving messages.

It's a note box filled with messages from all of your bridal shower guests.

Here is how it works!

Get a box of envelopes and some cardstock or construction paper.  Then cut them small enough to fit in the envelope.  My hubby's cousin turned the box inside out and taped it, but for my best friend I just covered it with some Kraft wrapping paper.  Once that is done you can decorate it however you like.

The next steps are simple.  Give each person a pen, paper, and envelope.  Have them write anything they want on their card.  We had special messages, words of wisdom, tasks for us to do, and even some movie passes!  You then tell each guest to seal their envelopes, and write a date on the outside of the envelope that is between the day of the wedding to that date of the following year.  

Now you are left with a year of special notes and things to do.  The best part is you never know what it is going to be.  We've had so much fun opening ours, and even my hubby has been excited to open them!

This would be a great idea for a baby shower as well, a great way to leave a new mother with lots of advice!

Enjoy!