Patriotic burlap bunting…

I love decorating my mantel for the holidays, and I love buntings—so naturally I felt I had to make a patriotic bunting for the summer.  I got my inspiration from this post at Sugar Tot Designs.

I wanted it to be more rustic than cute so I used burlap and a burnt umber colored fabric instead of bright red.  I love how it looks in my great room!!

Here’s how I made it.

1. I measured my fireplace mantel and then divided the total number of inches by three (which I will call measurement A).

2. I took a paper grocery sack and cut it open and then measured the length of one bunting (measurement A).

3. Next I folded the measurement A paper sack in half and cut a half arch so when unfolded I had my desired half circle for the bunting (pattern B).

4.  I cut 2 red fabric half circles, and one blue fabric half circle using pattern B, these are your largest half circles that are your base for each bunting.

5.  Next I cut about 2 inches of the outside edge of pattern B and then cut 3 pieces of burlap, these are your middle half circles.

6.  Cut pattern B one more time, about 2 more inches, and then cut 2 blue fabrics and 1 red fabric using the newly cut pattern B, these will be your smallest bunting pieces.

7.  I sewed a zig zag stitch around the edge of the largest half circles first, in a contrasting color (cream).

8.  Then I pinned the burlap circles and pinned them to the larger circles and then stitched them together using a contrasting zig zag stitch (red).

9.  Next I pinned the 2 blue and 1 red smallest half circle to each bunting and stitched with a contrasting zig zag stitch (cream).

10.  I measured a piece of twine to the length of my fireplace mantel and then zig zag stitched (at the top of each bunting) all three buntings together.

I love leaving this up all through June and July!!  We have a family tradition of getting Old Navy flag shirts every year and taking a family picture.  Last year we took them with my bunting—and it was the perfect backdrop!!

Can’t wait to take some this year with our baby girl!!
*** UPDATE*** Be sure to check out my new, updated version with chevron fabric!! http://sewsweetcottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/happy-memorial-day.html

I am linking to the following parties!

Summer Fun Party Kick-off...

It's here, the summer schedule--or lack thereof is running full swing at our house!!  It's actually been going well, maybe because we've only had ONE week of it!!  I was contacted by the lovely Danielle from Blissful and Domestic about co-hosting a Summer Fun Party with 15 other bloggers--what a great idea!!


This means that all 16 bloggers will be sharing summer fun ideas to keep the kids busy.  Picnic ideas, parties, crafts, activities, food--all different kinds of inexpensive and fun things to keep us and the kids happy this summer and hopefully avoiding the dreaded whine of, "Mom, I'm BORED!!"
And the best part is, you get to share your ideas that work for keeping your kids happy too!! There will be a link party where you can link up your fabulous ideas!
Here are the contributing co-hosts to the Summer Fun Party--go check out their blogs and follow them so you can keep updated with all the Summer Fun Party posts!

Ready to Meet all the Fabulous Hosts?

Here they are.....
you know this first lady already:)


Shannon @ Sew Sweet Cottage 


Marilyn @ The Artsy Girl Connection


Holly From @  'Lil Blue Elephant


Molly @ Just a Little Creativity


Jill @ Two Yellow Birds Decor


Shirley @ Motivated Mommy of Two


Athena @ The Stuff of Success


Sarah @ Alderberry Hill


Jessica @ Mom 4 Real


Melanie @ Bear Rabbit Bear


Heather @ Life As We Know It



Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma 
The Classroom Creative


Kara @ Happy-Go-Lucky


Priscilla @ Thrifty Crafty Girl 


Alesha @ Blessed to be a Blessing


Danielle @ Blissful and Domestic

Now let's get to linking up and remember to check back each week to see what new summer fun has been linked up. I hope you will link up and follow your hosts, so you don't miss out any Summer Goodness over the next three months. If you follow, let us know, so we can return the favor. Oh and please grab a button and help spread the word!!

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Little Miss’ pillowcase tutorial…

I had someone ask me for measurements for Little Miss’ pillowcase on her bed, so I’m going to share that with everyone!!  It was really easy to make.

The white background fabric center is 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches.  Next I sewed the two sides of polka dot fabric which are 3 x 17 1/2. (I used 1/4 inch seams)  Then add two more polka dot fabric strips on the top and bottom measuring 3 x 27 1/2 inches.  Pin ric rac on seam of with and polka dot fabric (2 1/2 yards will give you enough) turning the corners by just folding the ric rac.  Sew jumbo ric rac with invisible or red thread. Cut a contrasting piece of fabric for the back of the pillowcase, 21 1/2 x 27 1/2 fabric. Sew to front of pillowcase right sides together.

Cut on the bias a 2 1/2 by 45*inch (*a little extra to play with)strip to be used for the binding. Pin and sew right sides together.  Top stitch the binding so it will lay nice and flat.

It’s the perfect compliment to my PB Inspired quilt!!

Sunshine Blog award…

My favorite part about blogging is all the new friends I have made. Michelle from Michelle’s Tasty Creations is one of those friends!! She is always sharing great recipes and is such a nice person—which is why she received the Sunshine Award!!

And she was nice enough to nominate me!!   

The Sunshine Award is given from bloggers to "Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere."

The way the award works is this:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.  Answer 10 questions about yourself.   Select 10 of your favorite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they've been awarded the Sunshine Award!  Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog!

Here are my answers…

1. Favorite Color – Just one?? Currently, it is teal.

2. Favorite Animal –miniature schnauzers, used to have two, and hoping to get another one someday.

3. Favorite Number –my favorite number is 26, ever since elementary school.

4. Favorite Drink – Sprite, sprite, and sprite..

5. Facebook or Twitter – Facebook.

6. Good Book or a Good Movie – What about Bob is my classic favorite, although I love a good mystery! 

7. My Passion –capturing a memory with something tangible. It’s how I feel I’ll never lose the beauty of that moment. Scrapbooking, taking pictures, creating something all make that dream come true.. 

8. Giving or Getting Presents – Giving!  I love plotting for months what I’m going to give people for their birthday!

9. Favorite Day – Any day where my whole family is home together.

10. Favorite Flowers – I don’t like red roses, other colors are okay but I really love spring bouquets with wildflowers..

The 10 blogs I’m awarding the Sunshine Award to are (in no particular order).

Craft Interrupted

Blissful and Domestic

Queen B Creative Me

Sunny Vanilla

Apples and Peanut Butter

Our Pinteresting Family

Just Jenny

Here’s to Handy Andy

Happy Hour Projects

Crazy Little Projects

Go check out their blogs and you’ll see why I love following them!!