Summer Pinterest Challenge - Ruffled Headband

I love headbands!  They are so quick and easy to make and are great for keeping your hair out of your face in the summertime.  This tutorial was super quick - it only took about 20 minutes from start to finish!  I will definitely be making more of these!!

Source: punkinpattern.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Here is a link straight to the original tutorial :)

Summer Pinterest Project - Moustache Ditty Bag

Source: keykaloupatterns.com via Katie on Pinterest

I'm a huge fan of Michelle Patterns (formerly known as Keykalou Patterns) and have made up a bunch of them and still have a bunch I need to try.  I've had my eye on the Ditty Bag pattern and when my boyfriend requested something made for him in moustache fabric, I thought this would be a perfect match.

The pattern was quick and easy and comes in 3 sizes (this is the Large).  At some point I'd like to make a set of all 3 (for me!). 

Summer Pinterest Challenge -- Chicken Thighs with Artichokes and Feta

Source: skinnytaste.com via Katie on Pinterest

I tried this recipe the other night and it was soooooo good!  And good for you!  I used fat-free feta instead of reduced fat, only because I couldn't find the reduced fat kind.  And I love cooking with chicken thighs - they taste so much better than chicken breasts.  Also, because I have an electric stove, I had to bake mine for a while and then broil at the end to get that delicious crispiness.  I love skinnytaste for light and healthy recipes - I use Gina's site and Emily Bites to eat Weight Watchers-friendly food and not feel deprived.  You'll see many more of these recipes being used here! 

My food photography is terrible.  Also, there was no lighting.  I am embarrassed to even post this pic, but I am documenting each thing I make, so I'll just have to get over it!

Summer Pinterest Challenge -- Circle Zip Ear Bud Pouch

I have had this little guy saved in my Sewing Inspiration Board for a bit - I even read over the tutorial and printed out the pattern pieces, but since I lost my sewing motivation, those pieces have sat on my desk and not moved.  I wanted something quick and easy to jumpstart this little challenge of mine and I thought this would fit the bill :)

Source: erinerickson.com via Katie on Pinterest

I used my favorite owl fabric and some red dots for the lining.  Start to finish, this took about a half hour.  I skipped the top-stitching around the circle because I tried it once, it didn't come out good and I knew it would frustrate me!  I love this little pouch though, I think it looks like something you would see in a Japanese sewing magazine :)
Here is a link directly to the tutorial - if you click on the pin above, it will bring you to my Pinterest and you can repin it there - the link provided also leads directly to the tutorial, so it's ready for you to repin if you want to give it a try :) 

The Pinterest Summer Challenge

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Sammi on Pinterest

Hello there!  I'm finally back to tell you about a little project I have been dreaming up (while I have NOT been sewing and blogging - so bad!!)  Anyhoo - everyone is obsessed with Pinterest like I am right?  Everybody wants to make the projects they pin on Pinterest right?  So, let's do it!  From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I'm challenging myself (and YOU!) to start making the things you pin!  Let's see how many we can do!

Source: jojofam.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

I have a Sewing Inspiration Board, a Crafty Board and 2 different recipe boards (one for Yummy and one for Getting Healthy) and my challenge to myself is to make as many different things from these four boards as possible.  I also suggest trying different homemade cleaning supplies, homemade beauty and skincare recipes, replicate a hairstyle that you pinned, try a tutorial for whatever you find - basically anything that you can "create" will be included in this challenge. 

Source: sstorywindow.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

I hope some of you choose to join me on this little challenge!  If you do, let me know!  I'd love to check out your blog, pinterest and/or flickr :)  And please  please please send me links to your projects!  I've started a pinboard (follow it here) and I will post each project I make on the pinboard, here on my blog and on my flickr account, too.  I really hope you guys join me and I can't wait to see your projects!  I'd love to follow you on Pinterest too and I hope you will follow me :)  
Please remember - pin responsibly!  Here is a great post on pinning etiquette.  And, definitely give credit where it should be - show the original pin and then the project that you made as well.  Ok, time to get started :):)

Here's a button you can grab and put on your blog! 

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/KatieSewsItAll/?action=view&amp;current=pinterestsummerbutton.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/KatieSewsItAll/pinterestsummerbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A Few Small Changes

So you may have noticed a complete lack of posting here.  Somehow my blogging and sewing motivation has just disappeared.  I have been really focusing on working out and eating healthy and that has kind of taken over my free time.  I miss this though, so I'm hoping to refocus on this space.

To do that though, I have decided to do a little facelift and make a few changes.  I renamed the blog Forever Sunshine - which refers to the positive outlook I feel is so important.  There will still be sewing and Pinterest finds, but there will also be a little bit more of recipes and fitness talk and all-around life things.  I'm still interested in graphic design and I want to work on that in this space a bit more.  Basically, I want to make this space more of a reflection of my whole life, not just the sewing part of it.  I hope you all will hang around :):)

Do you ever lose motivation?  What are some tips that you guys have to help me get back into the blogging rhythm?

No time.....

Well, I wanted to have a finished product to show off for you by tomorrow.  Unfortunately, that has not happened and I haven't sewn a stitch in days!  I just haven't had the time - I worked a double shift on Thursday, then I was exhausted on Friday night and today, I came home - ran 3 miles - stretched and showered - napped - cooked dinner - watched a stand-up show on Netflix with my boyfriend and now I'm ready for bed and typing this up.

Maybe at some point this week I can work on my Pixie bag - I also have some Pyrex to share so hopefully I will have something interesting to post this week :)  Thanks for sticking around even though it's been pretty boring around here!