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!

Things I Love Thursday...

Good morning All!  Time for another Things I Love Thursday!  One thing I am not loving is the fact that I have only been posting TILT posts and nothing else!  I am midway through my bag and I have two custom orders requested by my boyfriend and brother that I need to work on.  But, it's just not getting done!  I find that when I focus on working out and cooking more, my crafty life does not get the time it deserves.  But, I'm really hoping to bust through my rut and get my bag finished this week!  I'm hoping to have a finished product/post by Sunday - hold me to it ok!!!

Anyway, back to some of the things I'm loving this week - these are all from my Pinterst boards (follow me here!)

Source: laviepetite.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

These rolls look amazing!  But, I can't make them right now (due to the previously mentioned focus on working out and eating better :)  But someday.....  :)

Source: tidymom.net via Katie on Pinterest

My boyfriend has requested a pouch that he can just "put stuff in" so I'm going to use some awesome mustache fabric and make up this pattern.....

Source: keykaloupatterns.com via Katie on Pinterest

Things I Love Thursday

Hi there!  Time for another Things I Love Thursday! 

This recipe that I made last night........

Source: emilybites.com via Katie on Pinterest

And this one that I want to try very soon.......

Source: chocolatecoveredkatie.com via Katie on Pinterest

These beads that arrived in the mail this week (purchased from this seller)......



This pretty room I found on Pinterest......

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Katie on Pinterest

Have a great day!

Things I Love Thursday

Hey all!  Paige over at Pink Lemonade is having a linky party with Things I Love Thursday posts so I thought I would share a few things I'm loving right now and hopefully I can make this a regular post :)


One of the sights from my walk this morning with one of my best friends....

Opening Day!!!



This purse, which inspired me to get out the pattern and start sewing one up for myself (wish I had that sushi fabric!!!)




This Ikea piece which I will make a road trip to Ikea for and will promptly fill with sewing stuff :)

Source: honeyandfitz.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

This tutorial, which I'm going to make up as soon as I'm done making the bag I mentioned already :)

Source: punkinpattern.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Oops!

Wow - that was a crazy long blog break!  All I can say is that I think I got overwhelmed with sponsoring other blogs and trying to post a lot and only sewing for giveaways and starting to feel stressed out about it.  Plus, I went to California and Florida this month and I worked a bunch of extra shifts. 

But, I'm back and re-energized and re-focused!  I'm definitely going to get back to posting regularly and hopefully sewing a bunch more :)  I was looking through my Flickr Favorites and I realize how much I love little and colorful sewing projects, so I'm going to focus on some simple and small projects with pretty colors and prints :)

I've been buying a ton of fabric and patterns lately - look at all the chevrons!  And the matryoskas! 

And today, I sewed myself this little guy - the Basic Wallet in this awesome chevron print.  Can't wait to put it to good use!

Happy Sewing and I'll be back soon!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Source: befickle.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Dressing up the Blog

I've made a couple of changes to the blog -- if you are viewing this in a reader, please click through to see the new updates! 


First, I changed the background.  I got this digital scrapbook pack of chevrons from this etsy shop.   Then I simply changed my blog template to Simple and uploaded the blue chevrons as the background design.

I also used Photovisi and Picnik to make a new header.  I'm so sad that Picnik is closing, I was just getting comfortable using it -- figures! 


Lastly, I wanted to make my own social media buttons, but couldn't come up with a design that I liked.  I found these buttons on etsy with this seller and I'm really happy with them.  Just what I wanted :)


I had a lot of fun spiffing up my little blog.  I'd love to become better at it - does anyone have any suggestions/websites/tips for me?  Thanks!!


Oh yeah, and one more thing I did - I created this blog signature using My Live Signature...super easy and it adds a nice, little touch :)

Happy Sewing!

Source: illustrationink.com via Jill on Pinterest

Hi there!  So, I took a little bit of an unplanned blog break - nothing happened, I guess I just needed it.  I really missed posting here though :)  So, I'm back!  I think that I stressed myself out of blogging....I had all of these great posts and design ideas and lots of things I wanted to make and share, but I just haven't had the time.  I did spend a little bit of time working on my blog design, but the only thing I keeping right now is the chevron background (I'm obsessed with chevrons lately!).  I'll be working on some buttons and a new header over the weekend and I'm going to work on a sewing project so I have something to share!  Thanks for sticking around while I disappeared!  :):)  Happy Friday!

Twitter

So, I am really bad about using Twitter.  I use it instead of Facebook for all my bloggy/sewing things and I keep my Facebooking to personal stuff.  But, I just can't seem to get into a groove of tweeting.  I check it occasionally on my phone, but last night I logged into it to link yesterdays post to a new tweet and I saw that I had 62 follower requests! 

First - that is freaking awesome!  62 more followers!  Whoa!  Followers to my blog and my Twitter make me so happy!  And second - jeez, I need to be better about Twitter!  They didn't just all try to follow today, right? 

Does anyone have any Twitter tips for me?  :)  I have gotten a little better since I got my iphone, but am I missing something about Twitter?  And is there an easier way to link blog posts to it?  Thanks!!

Getting Healthy

I've been working hard since January 1st at getting back to being healthy and in shape.  To help, I started a Get Healthy board on Pinterest, so I could gather some inspiration and recipes together in my favorite forum.  Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from that board - I haven't tried any of these recipes yet, but I have my eye on that healthy mac and cheese, that may be made up soon!!!  And I'm hoping that once I get a free minute I can visit all the sites that these pins have come from :) 

Source: iowagirleats.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

Source: eatingwell.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: confident-beautiful-motivated.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: allwomenstalk.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: ohsheglows.com via Katie on Pinterest

What about you?  What are you doing to get healthy in the new year? 

Giveaway!!

Hey!  Remember this pouch from Instafriday?  It's being given away (along with a pair of rosebud earrings - and some other amazing prizes) right here!!!  Go check it out :)

The Best Recipe I Made This Week

Source: emilybites.com via Katie on Pinterest

Just popping in to gush about this recipe that I made tonight - I have tried a bunch of new recipes over the past few weeks and most have been successful.  I'm planning to share the good ones in an upcoming post, but for now I'm going to share just this one (click on the picture to go to the recipe). 

 It's good....so good.  Layers of roast beef, au jus sauce and cheese, placed inside won-ton wrappers and baked.  Delicious and Weight Watchers friendly!  This recipe is from the Emily Bites blog - go check her out, I have made a few and they are all simple and delicious!

Instafriday - Week 3

I didn't take a lot of pictures this week, I'll have to focus on some more for next week's Instafriday :)  For now, here are some shots from the past 7 days....

I love this old mail slot in my parent's building - I should take a pic of the mailbox on the first floor too - it's very vintage :)

Went shopping last night and came home with these cozy pink slippers and a bathrobe to match...

Did a little sewing - this is for a giveaway coming up next week :)

Sushi baby!  Yum!!

Rainy Day Pouch

I almost forgot to post this!!!  Enter to win this (and a TON of other awesome prizes) right here!!!!

Inspiration Workshop - Bedrooms

Whoops!  After posting that I wanted to put more of "me" into this blog and dedicate more time to it, I flaked and haven't posted since!  And I flaked on the return of the Inspiration Workshop run by Maggie at Gussy Sews! 


Maggie decided to change the Inspiration Workshop to a monthly linkup, which I think makes sense.  I thought it would be easier for me to plan out my post and have it all ready to go....well, maybe next month!  Since this month's prompt is bedrooms, I was going to share some pics of my bedroom/sewing room - but, it's a mess, so that will have to be another post for another day :)  Instead, I will go to my faithful and reliable Pinterest Home Inspiration Board and share some of my favorite bedroom Pins.  Seriously, what did I do before Pinterest?  :)

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: kikis-list.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: img4.myhomeideas.com via Katie on Pinterest