“Daria, Thanks so much for asking us to be a part of your special Christmas blog. We created a really awesome pink tree for our studio a couple of weeks ago and we have gotten so many questions as to how we made it that I thought this would be the perfect project to share. Since my assistant, Emalee, was the mastermind behind this fun and crafty project I will let her tell you—in her own words—how the tree came about. Enjoy the tutorial and several pictures I captured on assembly day. As you will see, we had lots of “helping hands” in the form of a group of local college students from the Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising.” Patty Young

Instructions by Emalee Grambo. Photography by Patty Young.

Our pink tree, while a fun experience, was definitely a group effort to put together. So find your friends and neighbors to help you put this beauty up.
For starters, you will need some sort of small round object for the tip top of your tree. Being a sewing studio, we had plenty of sewing embroidery hoops lying around and we chose one that was 4” in diameter. Anything similar to this will work great. Just be sure there is no chance whatever you choose can crack… the first item we used—a clear plastic plate—cracked when we tried to put the tree up. This tree ends up heavier than you think.

You will also need:
1 Hula Hoop (at least 3-feet wide)
Colored duct tape or spray paint to cover the Hula Hoop if you wish
Clear fishing line (a bit on the stronger side)
180 shatterproof ornaments in glittery pinks (or the color of your choice)
Clear tape and a hot glue gun to reinforce areas of your tree

We decided we wanted our tree to be about 10 feet tall with ornaments placed every 6.5”. So:

1. Mark your hula hoop and embroidery hoop with ten evenly spaced marks around the circumference.
2. Cut 10 strands of fishing line at 12 feet each.
3. Starting at one end, measure a foot and mark with a permanent marker. From this point measure every 6.5 inches and mark with a permanent marker. About a foot should remain at this other end as well. This will allow room to tie each strand to the top and bottom hoop. All 10 of your fishing line strands should be marked in this way.
4. Proceed to string your ornaments onto each strand and tie three knots at each mark you made. On 5 of the strands, leave the very last mark empty. On the other 5 strands, leave the second to last mark empty. These will be the “top” of the strands. This will keep the very top of the tree from getting too congested. If you have the space, spread each completed strand on your floor to keep it from tangling up with one another. (Trust me on this!)
5. Once you have all ten done, spread them out as best you can in a circle around the object you have for the tippy top of the tree.
6. Tie the top of each strand, alternating between strands with the last mark empty or the second to last mark empty, to each mark on your tippy top tree piece. From four evenly spaced marks on this tippy top piece string fishing line to create a loop to hang your tree.
7. Now this is where you will need all the helping hands you can find. Have each person grab two strands as you lift the center of your tree up. If you don’t recruit these lovely friends, you will be spending the majority of your afternoon untangling these ten strands and your pretty pink tree won’t be looking pretty anymore.
8. Once you have your tree hung, you can proceed to tie each end to your hula hoop where marked. We found it most helpful to place the hula hoop onto a flat surface at the level where we wanted our tree to fall and then tie each end to the hoop.

Lisa’s Christmas Confessions:

Christmas Confession #1: I’ve never let my kids decorate MY tree. They can put their handmade ornaments on their smaller trees in their room. I know, I’m a bad mother.

Christmas Confession #2: Even though your Santa may wear a RED suit, mine doesn’t. I loathe RED. There is not a speck of RED (or Christmas Green) in my house during the holidays or any other time. My Santas have Gold, Cream, White, Silver, and Aqua robes…LOL!

Christmas Confession #3: I like getting Christmas cards with pictures of your adorable kids. Except the ones that include those annual summaries of their overachievements.

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas! Lisa – The Domestic Diva’s Disasters Blog

Lisa’s Glamorous Lined Christmas Stocking Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• 1/2 yard outer fabric
  
• 1/2 yard lining fabric
  
• 1 yard fusible interfacing
  
• Sewing Thread

Print out a template or trace an existing Christmas Stocking.

Stocking Templates:

Tipnut’s Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Hankerchief Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Quilt Stocking Template

Martha Stewart Remnant Stocking Template

About.com Stocking Template

Woman’s Day Stocking Template

Fuse interfacing to the back of both your outer fabric and your lining fabric..

Layer both outer fabric and lining fabric right sides together. Trace template and cut out layers.

Sew one top of outer fabric to one top of lining fabric. Repeat with second outer fabric and lining fabric.

With right sides together, place outer fabric/lining piece on top of other outer fabric/lining piece. Sew together …

leaving a 3 inch opening on the lining (for turning).

Clip your curves.

Turn right side out and press.

Stitch Lining Opening closed.

Stuff lining inside outer fabric. Fold over lining to outside to create a self-cuff.

Make Cuff

Measure the circumference of the top of the stocking (mine is 16 inches) and add 1 inch to that measurement. Now take that measurement (for me it’s 17 inches) to cut the width of the cuff fabric with a height of 7 inches. My cuff fabric is 17 inches by 7 inches. You following this?

Fuse interfacing to the back of your cuff fabric.

Fold in half width-wise, right sides together.

Now fold height wise.

Stitch through all four layers of raw unfolded side. Turn right side out. You now have a cuff with the a raw bottom edge

Line up raw edge of cuff with finished edge of stocking. Stitch or serge.

To make a loop to hang your stocking, cut and interface a 2” x 10” piece of fabric.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise and stitch to conceal raw edges.

Fold finished loop in half right sides together. Stitch or serge together bottom edge.

Attach loop to inside cuff seam. Stitch.

Fold cuff to outside of stocking, add a fancy crystal brooch, and hang your stocking!

One of the most awesome devices we saw at Quilt Market was definitely the Slice Fabrique! This sleek little machine will cut your fabric into shapes and letters in the blink of an eye. Just watch our video tutorial and drool over the possibilities, we sure did!

This video is quick, but it’s all you need to get started with your own Slice Fabrique. Let the projects begin!

Find out more about the Slice Fabrique here>>

**Special Thanks: Thanks again to our friends at Quilt Market for inviting us as Press to their events. We love to attend their amazing Markets and bring you the most incredible interviews and products. Visit www.quilts.com to learn more about upcoming Market events in your area.

While on location at Quilt Market in SLC, Daria had the opportunity to catch up with Carina Gardner. Carina is such a talented lady (fabrics, patterns, she does it all!), and she is also local to the Utah area. In this interview Carina shares her adorable patterns for little girls through Riley Blake. Watch for her little boys patterns coming fall 2011 as well. You can find her patterns all over, we promise!

You can catch up with Carina on her blog, in her Facebook group, as well as on the Northcott and Riley Blake websites. If Twitter is your thing, you can definitely catch up with Carina on Twitter as well by following @carinagardner

**GIVEAWAY
We are giving away an adorable Carina Gardner Ruffle Dress pattern, to enter our drawing comment and share this episode for an opportunity to WIN! We’ll draw a winner on July 25th, 2011!!

Many more interviews are on the way, keep tuning in and enjoying your Cup of Couture and So Much More!!

I love the opportunity that Boutique Cafe affords me to meet with creative people on a continual basis. Meeting with Violet Craft at Spring Quilt Market in SLC was such a lovely experience. I have “twittered” with Violet many times, but finally meeting her in person was wonderful as she is such a kind and genuine gal. I definitely recommend getting to know her through Twitter, Facebook and her blog.

Violet shares her beautiful collection of fabrics called Peacock Lane, as well as her children’s clothing patterns and a bag pattern for Indygo Junction!

GIVEAWAY!! Violet Craft Prize Pack including a Fat Quarter Pack of the ENTIRE collection (all 24 designs across both color ways!!) – she says “I don’t think they should be separated!” and we quite agree, they are Beautiful together!

Violet is offering an awesome GIVEAWAY for one of our very lucky Boutique Cafe viewers!!

For Entries to Win Simply:

Comment in our shownotes below, tweet on Twitter, Share on Facebook, or comment on YouTube for multiple entries to win a Prize Pack!! Draw Date is June 27th at Midnight, must have valid email address to win.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Winner Kelly Irene. And Thank You to everyone for your awesome comments and involvement. We have many more prizes to giveaway so keep commenting and sharing. XO!!

Many more interviews are on the way, keep tuning in and enjoying your Cup of Couture and So Much More!!

It’s always such fun to get together with Lucy Morey, Owner of Hot Scott Patterns and Fabric Designer with Henry Glass & Co. Lucy has some gorgeous “boy worthy” fabric out right now Henry Glass: Crystal Pier & Sunset Beach Collection. It’s beautiful and sophisticated for your trendy child’s room decor or clothing!

(*Please be aware that YouTube Videos are loading slowly for some people – they are working on the issue)

GIVEAWAY!!
Lucy’s offering an awesome GIVEAWAY for one of our Boutique Cafe viewers!! Comment in our shownotes below, tweet on Twitter, Share on Facebook, or comment on YouTube for multiple entries to win a Prize Pack!! Fabric and Hot Scott Patterns galore up for grabs – don’t miss out!! Draw Date is June 27th at Midnight, must have valid email address to win.

Many more interviews are on the way, keep tuning in and enjoying your Cup of Couture and So Much More!!

While attending Quilt Market in Salt Lake City I had the opportunity to sit down for a quick interview with my dear friends Kim and Kris of The DIYDish! As you can see when we get together we turn into giggly girls, I sure love them. Kim and Kris share news regarding the remainder of their show season on TheDIYDish.com, as well as the news that Kris is opening a brick and mortar quilt shop in Utah called My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe. This awesome new shoppe will open on June 6th, and for those not in the immediate area they have us all covered with a website as well. These talented gals will be moving their production studio into the store, we can’t wait to see all of those DIYDish projects rolling out of their new studio.

Kick back and enjoy the laughter and fun with two of the sweetest twins I’ve ever had the pleasure to know!

Many more interviews are on the way, keep tuning in and enjoying your Cup of Couture and So Much More!!

We kick off our Spring Quilt Market coverage with our video interview featuring Chelsea Andersen of Pink Fig Design. You’ll also notice our Brand New Boutique Cafe Intro – we hope you LOVE IT!

Chelsea Andersen shares her “I Love Paris” fabric as well as her beautiful girl and teen clothing patterns. A big hit at Market were Chelsea’s NEW Roxy and Lola doll patterns, we can’t wait for you to see the cuteness!! Pink Fig is also offering a Free tshirt design on their blog, and a way for you to make a difference! All that and more!!

Comment in our show notes to enter to win an OUTSTANDING GIVEAWAY Package from Pink Fig Design! Watch our episode for details! Don’t forget to Comment, Tweet and Facebook share this show as well for additional entries.
We will draw the winner on June 10th, 2011!!
UPDATE!! Our Winner has been drawn randomly from all entries recieved. Congratulations to Kymmie Marriner! I have sent you details on how to collect your awesome prize!

Thanks to everyone for commenting, tweeting, Facebooking and blogging about our giveaway. We have lots more Market Swag to giveaway so keep entering.

** Click button below to view video coverage, or view it on our YouTube channel right here>>

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In a Special video episode of Boutique Cafe, Daria is giddy to receive the new Project Life scrapbooking system from Becky Higgins! We unbox the kit, and show you all the goodies included in this gorgeous scrapping system. Becky I love you for simplifying my life like this!!

***Giveaway!!

PLUS we have an Amazing GIVEAWAY from Becky Higgins – she is offering a Boutique Cafe viewer a “Project Life” Kit of their choice!! Drawing takes place on Valentine’s Day at midnight (Feb. 14th, 2011).

Here’s how to enter. You may do as many as these as you like. Each counts as one entry into the giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each entry:

– Visit BeckyHiggins.com and comment below telling us why you need Project Life (or what your fave design is) – Tweet about this Review/Giveaway- include @BoutiqueCafe in your tweet (leave a link to your tweet in your comment) – Post this review and giveaway on Facebook (leave a link to you post in your comment) – Follow @BeckyHigginsLLC on Twitter and let her know you saw this video on @BoutiqueCafe – Post a comment to Becky on her Facebook group and tell her that Boutique Cafe sent you!

We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 2, 2011 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Check out these adorable wooden Tinkerspools from My.Friend.Amy on Etsy. I instantly knew I was destined to own one of these sweet spools for my sewing room, and when I approached Amy the artist who creates them she was most excited to share with our creative Boutique Cafe audience.

Here’s why I’m totally crushing on these Tinkerspools:

DESCRIPTION & FEATURES…
• removable head functions as a cap.
• assembled by hand and is her own unique design.
• handpainted with two to three coats of non-toxic paint and varnish for added protection.
• add trim around the spool such as bakers twine and ribbon!
• insert your favorite needles, beads and all things small.
• approximately 3” inches tall.
• handcrafted in the USA.
• handmade craftsmanship ensures each doll is unique.

These sweet spools hold your needles inside as a keeper, they also are perfect to hold your baker’s twine which is so hot right now. I would love to have a whole collection of My.Friend.Amy dolls with pretty threads on each one. One of the great things is how unique each Tinkerspool doll is, not only does Amy create cute designs but you can purchase blank DIY Tinkerspools and customize them yourself! These would make the perfect gift for the sewing fanatic in your life, they bring me a smile every time I look at mine. – Daria

**GIVEAWAY:
My.Friend.Amy is offering one of our lucky Boutique Cafe readers a Tinkerspool of your very own! Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•Leave a comment sharing with us your favorite Tinkerspool from the My.Friend.Amy shop
•Tweet about our giveaway and promotion on Twitter and include @BoutiqueCafe in your tweet so we can see it
•Comment and tell us how you would decorate and design your own DIY Tinkerspool

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 28, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

PROMOTION:
Additionally they are offering an amazing promotion for our readers – the first 25 customers who make a purchase in the My.Friend.Amy etsy shop may use Promo Code “dailydish” for 25 yards of green bakers twine on a wooden clothespin!! This is a limited time offer good until January 28th, 2011.

For Christmas this year I wanted to gift my “oodles” of darling nieces and nephews with something handmade from me. I decided to use the Owl Pattern from my friends Kim and Kris at www.thediydish.com to make my owl buddies. Then I created a little nest for each owl to sit in, now they can set them on their dressers and have a little bed for their owls to nap in.

Merry Christmas xoxo Daria

What is needed for this project:
Small wreath from Michaels or your local craft store
glue gun
glue sticks
feather boa (if desired)
wood strips/filler (could use paper raffia)
styrofoam eggs (not required but I had some lying around the house)

It’s always a joy for me to share news or an interview with designer and friend Amy Butler. Spring Market 2010 brought many exciting things for Amy to share with us, especially Soul Blossoms her gorgeous new colour rich fabric line. (Amy’s Honey Bun Poufs, Yarn, Wallpaper and more are also featured in this video interview).

Stepping up to the mic once again for us is our incredible Star Correspondent, the beautiful Bari J. Ackerman. Bari took Quilt Market by storm, and we had the privilege of seeing much of it through her eyes. Thank you so much Bari for stepping in and interviewing so many designers for Boutique Cafe!!

Amy Butler Wall Paper Collection available online through Graham & Brown>>

In continuing coverage of Fall Quilt Market, our guest correspondent Bari J. interviews the amazing Patricia Bravo from Art Gallery Fabrics. Patricia shares her beautiful fabrics, gorgeous new patterns, and some brilliant Grab N’ Sew Kits that make it sooo easy to jump in and enjoy! Find out even more about our guest Patricia Bravo on her Blog here>>

GIVEAWAY:
Patricia Bravo and Art Gallery Fabrics are giving away 1- “My First Playmat Pattern Kits” for one lucky Boutique Cafe listener!
To enter simply comment with a valid email address in order to be included. We’ll draw the winner on April 27th, at midnight!
To earn additional entries you can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

• Visit artgalleryfabrics.com and leave a comment here telling us your favorite design.
• Follow PatBBravo on Twitter and leave a comment telling us you’re their newest follower.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to Bari J Ackerman for her incredible coverage of Fall Market! We love you Bari!

**Interested in sponsoring an upcoming episode of Boutique Cafe? contact us at info@boutiquecafe.com for more details
UPDATE!! Winner Announced. Congratulations to Eve (@shopgurl)! You have won the Patricia Bravo Playmat Kit. We will be contacting you to get your shipping information. Thanks to everyone for helping us share and get the word out!

The MODA Bake Shop blog is always cooking up the cutest tutorials! In this easy project for Easter you can DIY your way to a sweet-as-can-be Fabric Candy Dish.

Tutorial here>>

With Daria expecting a baby in December, Designer and Friend Bari J. Ackerman steps in and brings us some spectacular video coverage of Fall Quilt Market 2009!

In the third installment of our Quilt Market Coverage, Bari interviews: Our outstanding friend & designer Patty Young. Patty shares her new fabric line “Flora & Fauna” as well as her upcoming patterns, and ready-to-ship patterns. Check out Patty’s website here>>. Bari J. also interviews the very talented Anna Maria Horner about her new “Little Folks” fabric line, upcoming projects & patterns…even her new book available Spring 2010 called “Handmade Beginnings”. Visit Anna Maria’s website & blog here>>.

Twitter Follows for this show:
Patty Young on Twitter
Boutique Cafe on Twitter
Bari J. on Twitter

Please join me in thanking Bari for her outstanding efforts and contribution to Boutique Cafe. Even more new interviews will be on the way in the coming weeks thanks to her! XO Bari, we love you ~ Daria

With Daria expecting a baby in December, Designer and Friend Bari J. Ackerman steps in and brings us some spectacular video coverage of Fall Quilt Market 2009! In the second installment of our Quilt Market Coverage, Bari interviews: the talented and lovely Paula Prass about her new fabric line “Woodland Delight”, check out her popular blog for updates on her new pattern line release. Then Miss Sandi Henderson steps into the Boutique Cafe spotlight and discusses her new fabric line “Meadow Sweet”, as well as patterns and her upcoming book called “Sewing Bits & Pieces”. Learn more about Sandi on her beautiful blog as well.

Twitter Follows for this show:
Sandi Henderson on Twitter
Paula Prass on Twitter
Boutique Cafe on Twitter
Bari J. on Twitter

Please join me in thanking Bari for her outstanding efforts and contribution to Boutique Cafe. Several new interviews will be on the way in the coming weeks thanks to her! XO Bari, we love you ~ Daria

NEW SHOW! On Boutique Cafe this week, Daria is joined by Tina Givens for a video interview at Houston Quilt Market. Tina shares the plans for her upcoming book, and invites YOU to help her name it!! We also get a birds eye view of her beautiful booth at Market, and all of her exciting projects for children and babies. Thank you so much Tina for supporting Boutique Cafe, we were thrilled to see you again!

You Name It!! Boutique Cafe has teamed up with Tina Givens to assist in naming her new book!! Submit your suggestion to tina@cidpear.com or by leaving a comment on Boutique Cafe. If Tina chooses your suggestion, she will award you with an Autographed copy of her book as well as some beautiful fabric!! Good Luck everyone, we’ll be sure to share what happens with you!

** To VIEW our new Video Interview – click the “watch the show” button” or subscribe to us in iTunes! Thanks everyone.

If you’ve never attended a Quilt Market you’re in for a visual treat! Here’s a brief glimpse of what it looks like inside the doors. Thank you to all of the designers and sellers who participated and allowed us to capture their booths. Enjoy!!

** To VIEW our Video Footage – click the “watch the show” button” or subscribe to us in iTunes! Thanks everyone.

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