DIY lovers, there is a new site in town that is destined for internet greatness…The DIY Dish (a new venture from the mompreneurs who brought you the highly successful YouCanMakeThis.com). Sisters Kim and Kris serve up creativity and fun with fabulous new web shows, projects and more. Get in on {The DIY Dish} and find your “creativity is served” on a silver platter! ~ XOXO Daria

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YOU CAN WIN WITH THE DIY DISH >>

Article by: Kim ChristophersonYouCanMakeThis.com

Remember the days when you couldn’t wait to open that special valentine card filled with a paper note and conversation heart candy. I just KNEW that those conversation heart candies meant TRU LUV when given by the boy I had a crush on.:)

Years later, those special “valentines” are still ones I look forward to giving and receiving. A handmade card and artwork from our children are some of the best, aren’t they? A small handmade gift from a friend says, “I’m thinking of you”. Those kinds of things are memorable and treasured because you know that it was made with a lot of thought, time, and care. You know that while they were making that item, they thought about you, and could just imagine what it would be like to have you receive it!

Well, I have those same feelings, too, when I am making something special for a friend or family member. And because I love to do just about anything “DIY”, now is the perfect time to begin some simple projects to give this Valentine’s Day.

At www.YouCanMakeThis.com, we have a variety of downloadable projects that are quick, simple, and perfect to give to someone you care about. Here are a few ideas:

Make a Lotus Flower and attach it to a card for a friend. This flower can then be added to her favorite handbag or even used as a brooch.
Read the rest of this entry »

{MAKE IT} – A true queen of the DIY, Brassy Meg is sharing a fun free tutorial on her blog (Brassy Apple) on how to create this darling party banner. Customize it to suit your party decor, it’s awesome!

Pretty up your next party with Brassy Apple! >>

Article by: Lisa Carroccio The Domestic Diva

DIY: TULLE GARLAND TUTORIAL

I’ve always used tulle when decorating my Christmas tree. It’s the secret to making a cheap tree look full. Basically, I’d “stuff” the tree with tulle and call it a day. However, this year since I now have a full pre-lit Christmas tree, I needed to somehow find a way to incorporate tulle into my tree. What better way than to Tulle Garland?!

All you need is a serger and a few rolls of 6 inch tulle in whatever color you like. The color choices are endless. I used 4 rolls (100 feet each) of “Old Gold Shimmer” tulle. Tulle rolls are sold in increments of 25, 75 and 100 feet. Be sure to buy as much as needed or you’ll be making additional trips to the craft store like I did.

Serger Settings:
4-thread overlock
Gathering Serger Presser Foot (if you have one)
Left and Right Needle Tension = 8
Upper and Lower Looper Tension = NORMAL
Stitch Length = 5 (or highest available setting)
Differential Feed = 2 (or highest available setting)
Note: You can use a sewing machine to gather your tulle, but the serger makes it a fast project…and I’m all about speed.



With the roll of tulle in front of the machine, on your lap or on the floor (like I do), fold tulle in half as it comes off the roll (folded edge to the left). Use your right hand to guide tulle through the serger cutting off 1/4 inch. With your left hand, place two fingers behind the presser foot to prevent the tulle from feeding freely.

This helps the tulle gather even more. When your fingers can no longer hold the tulle from behind the machine, let it go. Repeat until you’ve gathered all your tulle needed.



Once you’ve gathered all your tulle, you’ll need to “poof” it by separating the two layers of the tulle.



This is what 400 feet of gathered tulle garland looks like. Just enough to decorate a 7 foot Christmas tree.

Total cost…under $15! Being the envy of all your friends…priceless!

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

Check out this fantastic Silk Web Rose Tutorial from The Domestic Diva – Lisa Carroccio! We love you Lisa, and I adore hearing your accent in this video. For Lisa’s blog please visit here>>

Hello Friend!

I couldn’t be more excited about LOVE! My newest fabric collection for Rowan has me reeling.

I’ve gone over-the-top with prints and color to make a luscious and yet “bite-sized” collection of 26 quilting/fashion weight fabrics and 12 Home Dec weight fabrics. A marriage by design coming from a love affair of rich, soulful, organic florals and architectural prints passionately inspired by my recent trips to Indonesia and England. Rich tropical colors with ethnic imprints and elegance found in over the top florals like full roses and exploding peony blossoms join together in an optimistic celebration of print and color.

Print stories ” heart ” and ” soul ” provide the most positive vibe! Let the un-limited mix of design and color fuel your customer’s next creative project! Click Here to view the entire collection, I hope you and your customer’s fall in love with them all!

One of my favorite parts of my Love collection is the expansion into different substrates! I had a blast creating my new Love projects. Keep in touch and continue to check my website to see the new lifestyle and project photos and to learn about the releases of Love in quilting, home dec, flannel, laminate and double-faced quilted fabrics! We will be updating the website and adding free downloadable patterns featuring the different Love fabric weights throughout the month of September. I can’t wait to see all of the fun projects you and your customers come up with.

Westminster Fibers is accepting orders now for all substrates so be sure to contact your rep to place your order or call 1-866-907-3305 to set up a new account. I hope that Love inspires you & your customers to create great things this fall.

Peace and Joy,
Amy

Meet Charlotte! She’s the most recent addition to the Olive Juice & Co. apron family and starts you off this month with membership in their NEW Kit Club!

Full Kit including:

-signature OliveJuice & Co. sewing pattern
-detailed step-by-step instructions
-all necessary coordinating fabric yardage
-jumbo rick rack
-lush chocolate velvet ribbon
-ecru pin dot scalloped lace

*The purchase of this kit begins your 6 month membership in the OliveJuice & Co. Kit Club. (All details are available HERE.)

We also featured this news on our ApronADay.blogspot.com blog, but HAD to share it here too of course. Good luck Kim – we love you! XO

Greetings Boutique Cafe Viewers! It’s been awhile since our last show, my apologies for taking a break from podcasting over the past few months due to illness in my pregnancy. Thankfully, in a moment of renewed strength today I found this video in our “Boutique Cafe Vault” from Fall Quilt Market last year. This unseen interview is with the amazing and lovely Anna Maria Horner! I truly hope you’ll enjoy it and leave comments for Anna Maria as well.

In our chat, we discuss her book “Seams to Me”, Good Folks fabric line, new patterns available, and her exciting pregnancy coinciding with a Little Folks fabric line as well. Since we taped this back in Fall last year, Anna Maria’s beautiful little son Roman indeed arrived and is beyond precious. Congratulations again Anna Maria! XO!

Now CLICK the Button to View our Interview! (you may also view our video on YouTube here)

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.

Daria sits down with amazing fabric designer & friend Sandi Henderson at Houston Quilt Market. Sandi talks about her experience showing at Market, her very popular patterns, her new “Farmers Market” line of fabrics for Michael Miller, and shows off some amazing creations. Congratulations Sandi, we love you and are so proud of your HUGE success!! Visit Sandi’s website to scoop up some goodies >>

** 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.

In our continuing video coverage of the Spring 2008 International Quilt Market from Portland, Daria interviews quilter, designer and blogger Gina Halladay from the popular Quilters Buzz and Threaded Pear Studio. We loved meeting Gina, she’s so full of energy and definitely had her finger on the pulse of Market! Once you view our interview please leave Gina your comments and questions here below.

**GIVEAWAY** 5 Winners!! The prizes just keep on rolling! Gina Halladay is offering (5) six-packs of threaded pear patterns–winners choice!! To enter simply leave a comment about our interview. Please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June, 27 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen. miss this!

**Boutique Cafe is brought to you by Aveeno Baby from Johnson & Johnson. Thanks Aveeno! Please click on our Aveeno banner to show your support.

**Don’t miss out! Comment before Midnight Friday June 27th to enter.

Sweet news from our friend Amy Butler today:

“Hello! I will be offering a 10% discount on all sewing pattern orders for the month of February 2008 as a THANK YOU for a great 2007. I am so thrilled with your support and how wonderfully my sewing patterns have been received by you and your customers. It is fantastic to be a part of this wonderful industry that is growing right before our eyes. I’m looking forward to a terrific 2008. Looking forward to seeing you at Spring Quilt Market in Portland Daria.
With my appreciation,
Amy”

Visit Amy Butler’s website in February for the discount >>

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