What I love about Girl’s World is how Jennifer has designed patterns for every aspect of a girls world – fashion, accessories, decor…it’s all in here! Published by Chronicle Books, it’s a gorgeous feast for the eyes and is guaranteed to get those creative juices flowing just by cracking the spine. All patterns are enclosed and ready to go, inside the inner front cover pocket. The rest is an indulgent glimpse into the beautiful world of a little girl, and how you can recreate that in your own homes.

Now to Valentine’s Day – I would love to suggest a few projects that would be great bets to create for Cupid Day.

Sophie Glittered Apron

This simple tulle apron, would make a darling project for your little girl’s Valentine’s Day. Surprise her by creating this tulle apron with glitter ribbon. Then have her wear it over a sweet solid dress, the apron will totally jazz it up and look amazing! Don’t forget that you can always embellish with a simple heart pocket for a cute Valentine’s effect.

Gigi Ruffled Pillow
Check out the Gigi ruffled pillow! Isn’t it gorgeous as a throw pillow for a bed, or as an accent pillow? Perfect for the little girl who loves to cuddle up on her bed and tell you about the cute little boy she likes at school.

Valentine’s Day Banner
Project No.21 in the book is a Happy Birthday banner, but this project is so versatile you can easily work your magic and create a Valentine’s Day banner in a snap. Using pre-made felt letters you can mix it up and create a banner for any occasion or any name in your family!

Chloe Paper Doll Overnight Bag
This overnight sack is such a sweet way to say I love You to your little girl. If slumber parties are on the horizon, this would be a darling unique present that she can take along and know how much you love her. So sweet!

There is so much more that I can’t show you in one post (memory boards, pin wheels, canopy’s and dresses), you’ll have to run out and grab a copy to cherish. You can pick one up on Amazon.com too!

*** Giveaway! Jennifer Paganelli is giving one winner a copy of her book “Girls World”!!

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; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:
• “Like” Sis Boom on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you did.
• Visit Sisboom.com and leave a comment telling us what inspires you most from Jennifers collection of fabrics, patterns and books.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
• Post in the SisBoom Facebook group and tell them you saw the review on Boutique Cafe!

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: Feb 3rd, 2012 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

“I try to be true to myself in any holiday decorating. Keeping my personality even in the face of Christmas glitter. I fell in love with a banner at Anthropologie. But did not fall in love with the price tag! Every year I feel like I have to decorate before I start on my other Christmas projects. So this year I did this one for myself before anything. A treat to me for all the hard work I’m about to embark on to pull off Christmas once again. It has been the perfect touch at our front entry and I love walking past it everyday! Merry Christmas to me! You can give yourself this gift too! Here is what you need.” – Liz

Supplies Needed:
-15 Sheets of Felt various colour ( you might want to buy a couple extra to allow for matching options)
-Cross stitch Thread ( I bought this huge pack at Walmart for $10 ‘craft thread’)
-Yarn 3 colors
-Needle
-Printed Letters I used Arial in Bold and outline size 160
-Sewing machine
-Mat and Cutter
-Safety Pin
-Elastic band

Make your cuts. You should be able to get 2-3triangles out of each sheet with salvage
You will need 2 triangles per letter in the banner.

Save your salvages. If you only need 2 out of the color, stop cutting. The Salvage will be used for your letters and circle details.

Next print your letters, cut and trace them onto the felt salvages. Then cut out. Use any extra felt to cut out free hand circles of various sizes.

Line up 2 triangles of the same color. Sew ¼’ seam around all edges. Center and pin letter of contrasting color and sew as close to edge as you can.

Use your floss (craft thread) and needle to do a blanket stitch around the triangle. I doubled my thread for a thicker detail. Pick a thread of a contrasting color yet again for this look. Repeat on your circles as well. This part is what takes the most time, but the look is so worth it!!

For the braids use your colored yarn. I chose a variegated to save on money and still get a variety of color. Cut your full length of both Merry and Christmas and enough to hang, about 4.5 m. I used 2 length per section of the braid for a total of 6 strands. Tie ends in a knot and put a safety pin through the knot. Attach to carpet or somewhere you can anchor it.

Before braiding wrap up each section and put a rubber band around to make it easy to manage and easy to pull more length as you braid. Braid, braid, braid! Then repeat with second color way.

Voila!!

Now your ready to string your banner. Take your cream Yarn on a tapestry Needle and pull through the top portion of each triangle. This is also the time to randomly string your circles on between letters. To attach the braided portion you will need to cut small slits at the bottom portion of the triangles through only the back layer and feed through. If you use the safety pin at one end, it’s easier to pull through.

Once you have everything spaced how you like on the strands of yarn, pull your top and bottom strands together at the swag you are happy with. Do a simple slip knot to attach the strands, as well as create a loop to hang it from. You can either trim or let the ends dangle like I did. YOU DID IT It’s beautiful! Hang it and feel the Christmas spirit! Of course you could spell anything for any occasion in any color way and it’s sure to light up your day!

At the end of it you have this incredibly festive banner to love for years to come! Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you all!

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!

For even more Heather Bailey Inspiration:
Follow Heather on Twitter here>>
Join Heather on Facebook here>>
Indulge in Heather’s popular blog here>>
Shop Heather Bailey’s online store and website here>>

***GIVEAWAY! Heather Bailey is giving away a signed copy of “Signature Styles” book ***

**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.

**Special Thanks to Megan (Brassy Apple) and Emily (Is This Really My Life) for being my incredible Boutique Cafe support team at Market providing video recording, interview support and lots of Diet Coke. I love you both!!

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

In our interview Jennifer shares her book “Girl’s World” (published by Chronicle) with our audience. Girl’s World is full of 21 projects to sew for little girls. It’s a gorgeous book full of patterns and inspiration. If you have a little girl in your life, you need this book!

Find out more about Sis Boom and Jennifer Paganelli herself at www.sisboom.com. Join her Flickr group SisBoom Sightings here>>

***GIVEAWAY! Jennifer Paganelli is giving away a “Girl’s World” Prize Pack! ***

**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.

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

You’ll also find a host of ideas for those of you who like to sew and craft your own. See Halloween on Etsy Here >>

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.

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

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!!

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

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!!

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

(*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!!

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

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!!

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

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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We have been covering Quilt Market as Press for our viewers for several years now, and I have a feeling that this year is going to be the best ever! To share in all the creative fun I have a great team coming along with me – Emily our Contributing Editor and owner of Is This Really My Life, and Megan (our past Queen of Chat on Boutique Cafe) and owner of Brassy Apple. Aren’t I a lucky girl to have such a talented and amazing team?!! Just look for the two tall, amazingly stunning gals with cute hair and great shoes and you’ll spot Emily and Megan!! We are gearing up for all the fun and mayhem that Quilt Market provides. If you are attending and see us in the aisles please stop and say hello, we would love to meet you. I also have a few goodies to give away…shhhhhh its kind of a surprise.

Boutique Cafe will be featuring a huge selection of Market interviews, pictures and oodles of giveaways with many of your favourite designers, so be sure to check back here for post-Market coverage. We will even be partying with many bloggers at the Quilt Market Meet-up on Saturday evening. Thursday evening I’m hoping to make it to Quilt Market Sweet Treats and Drinks, a mixer so I’m crossing my fingers that my plane arrives on time for us to attend. It’s going to be a whirlwind of a weekend (feet don’t fail me now), but I can’t wait to get back and share all that we have discovered with you.

See you in SLC and beyond everyone! XO - Daria

If you have questions for specific designers, we would love to capture them answering you on video. Simply post or email your question and we’ll do our best to ask the designer for you at Market. Just a fun way to bring you all along with us.

Choose from FREE projects such as:

Travel Pouch
Tablecloth & Napkins
Child’s Surfer Shorts
Apron
Tote
Drawstring Dress
and an adorable Bird Pincushion

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>>

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

Kylee (our beautiful mermaid) is wearing an original design by her mom Tina of Pixie Petal Creations. Tina designs custom tutu’s, handmade flowers, boutique style clothing and more. You can also check out Pixie Petal Creations on Facebook here>>

Keep sending in pics of your children wearing boutique clothing and accessories in real life. We love when you share, and you’re most welcome to “toot your own horn” if you are a designer! Keep those fashions and adorable pics rolling in, and let’s show the world how wearable and beautiful boutique fashions can be. – xoxo Daria

** Readers: Don’t forget to leave some sweet comments for our featured children – they would love it!

Bari J. acts as Boutique Cafe’s Official Correspondent again at Spring Quilt Market (2010). Bari speaks with designer Kay Whitt from Sew Serendipity about her new book and clothing patterns – they look SCRUMPTIOUS!!

Special thanks to Bari J Ackerman for her incredible coverage of Spring Market! We love you Bari! More Market video coverage is on the way, keep tuning in.

**Interested in sponsoring an upcoming episode of Boutique Cafe? contact us at info@boutiquecafe.com for more details

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

A little background…I started making and selling camera straps back in January of 2008. Back then, there was only me and one other person selling the camera strap slipcovers. It was an extremely successful and rewarding venture for me and one I still enjoy and offer to customers. It helped kick start a business that I love and thrive on. With so many designers out there now offering camera strap slipcovers, the market is flooded with this particular item. It became important for me to come up with new ideas and products to ensure that my business grows. I have been extremely blessed to have been able to expand my designs and sell additional camera accessory products which is the bulk of my business.

My main reason for offering this tutorial, even though I do sell these as part of my inventory, is because I am extremely thankful for the support and business I have received throughout the years and I want to give something back to the “lovers of all things handmade” community. I have received LOTS of tips and help from many, many members of this wonderful community over the years and I want to share something with you all. Just a way of saying THANKS!!

The tutorial idea actually started as a plan for an eBook for my camera strap slipcovers back in June of 2009 (I actually had to look that up…was thinking it couldn’t have been THAT long ago). Time just didn’t seem to be on my side and I let the project go on the back burner. I have finally finished it and have decided to turn my eBook into a tutorial instead.

My tutorial is not the first tutorial out there on how to make your own camera strap slipcovers. But mine are a little different. When I first started making the straps, my first priority was stylish, COMFY straps that make wearing your camera more enjoyable. So not only did I focus on fun fabrics, the overall quality and construction of the strap, but I came up with a strap that is also lined AND padded. Not just fabric only straps. You have 4 layers of fabric plus two layers of fleece padding sitting on your neck. How nice is that? Now I am going to share with you HOW I do it.

Now with all that said (man that turned into a longer spiel than I intended), here is the camera strap tutorial. I really hope that it is a fun and easy project that you enjoyed and hope that the finished product will bring you lots of joy and COMFORT when shooting for business and/or pleasure.

Padded Camera Strap Slipcover Tutorial

Materials Needed:

· Cotton Fabric (1 piece printed; 1 piece coordinating solid)
· Coordinating Thread
· Lightweight Fusible Fleece
· Rotary Cutter/Scissors
· Acrylic Ruler
· Iron

Finished size for this particular camera strap slipcover is 22 inches long by approximately 2.25 inches wide. Please read ENTIRE tutorial FIRST before starting. It makes more sense that way.

You will need to cut your fabrics (each piece – the print and coordinating solid) 23 inches long by 5.5 inches wide. This will give you TWO separate pieces (one print and one solid). Press both pieces to get out all wrinkles. Now lay those aside.

Now cut ONE piece of fusible fleece 21 inches long by 4.5 inches wide. Fleece should be cut one inch shorter (width wise) than the fabric. This will make it easier to sew when finishing your side seams. Length should be 2 inches shorter than fabric. Fleece will stretch when pressing to your fabric and your length will increase as you are pressing. I try and leave a ½ gap at each end of strap so that when you are folding in the fabric, you will not have to worry about the fleece’s bulkiness. Now set aside.

Putting RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER (printed fabric facing solid fabric), sew or serge together the length (the longest sides) of both fabric pieces using a 1/4 inch seam allowance leaving the ends open (this will make an inside out fabric tubing where printed fabric is facing in). (See image 1).

{Image 1}

With fabrics still facing right sides together (inside out), line up fleece evenly centered (I just eyeball this…I do not actually measure it) on the SOLID fabric piece and press (follow manufacturer’s instructions for iron settings). Make sure that you adhere the entire piece. I then let my fleece cool completely before moving on. (See image 2).

{Image 2}

Once fleece has cooled, turn right side out (where printed fabric is now facing out) and press both side seams. Fleece will now be on the inside of the strap between the WRONG sides of the solid and printed fabric. (See images 3-6).

{Image 3 (Turning strap right side out)}

{Image 4 (What strap looks like once it is turned right side out)}

{Image 5 (Press both side seams)}

{Image 6 (What strap looks like once both sides are pressed)}

Turn both ends of straps ½ inch toward the inside of the strap (tucking raw edges of fabric into the strap) and press. (See image 7).

{Image 7}

Sew both ends of straps (width) together with a straight stitch using a 1/8 – 1/4 inch seam allowance (personal preference….I like mine as close to the end of the fabric as I can get so I use 1/8 inch). (See image 8).

{Image 8}

Fold strap (printed fabric on outside/solid fabric touching) in half lengthwise lining up edges and press.
(See images 9 & 10)

{Image 9}

{Image 10}

Sew the two OPEN sides lengthwise together using a 1/8 inch seam allowance starting at the top. Make sure that you reverse/back stitch at stress points (ends of straps near openings). (See image 11).

{Image 11}

And TADA!! You are done! Was that easy or what?

Finished strap.

How easy was that? Now all you have to do is slide it on your commercial camera strap and you are ALL SET!! – Amy

Article by: Amy of Priddy Creations
Link to her website >
Link to her Etsy Shop>
Follow her on Twitter >

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!

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

...

YOU CAN WIN WITH THE DIY DISH >>

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.

Make a Basic Box and fill it with some hair accessories, make-up, and jewelry for your teen daughter. Use that same Basic Box and give it to a friend for sewing supplies, baked goods, or even a place to keep her CD’s. This idea is very versatile and easy!

Do you love to crochet? Remind that little one that “Some-bunny loves her/him!” The nice thing about this cap is that it can be worn through the Valentine and Easter holiday!

http://youcanmakethis.com/info/cooking-baking/Make-Your-Own-Gourmet-Cookie-Bouquet-with-BONUS-eBook.htm”>A Gourmet Cookie Bouquet is certainly going to be a treat for anyone!

If you have someone who is the “Queen of YOUR Heart”, you may enjoy making her the 24” Kimberbell Kids http://youcanmakethis.com/info/doll-clothing/Kimberbell-Doll-Clothing-Accessories-Queen-of-Hearts.htm”>Doll & Coordinating Queen of Hearts Clothing. It will definitely bring back memories of your own childhood!

And who doesn’t need a day at the spa? Make it possible at home with 148 different recipes for body scrubs, face masks, and more.

Let your little ones know that you are their #1 fan…well, you and maybe even a dozen other people in their life! This sweet, soft book will showcase photos of loved ones and make your child feel very special.

“>This Funky Fringe Barrette Bling would be something that anyone would oooh and ahhh over.

This one will have your friends doing a double-take! Create a very personalized Embossed Recycled Soda Can Frame! Include a favorite photo and this will definitely be treasured.

Valentine’s Day is also a fun time to create unique clothing for your children. Whether is is through applique, crochet, bling, or sewing, there are a lot of ideas to get started!

Find downloadable clothing patterns and instructions here>>

And if you love to embellish with applique, you can find all kinds of applique patterns here>>

If you love machine embroidery, you can find many of these same designs at our sister site, www.SWAKembroidery.com.

Have fun creating and MAKE it a great Valentine’s Day!

-Kim

Pretty up your next party with Brassy Apple! >>

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.

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.

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

** Please Tweet about this episode on Twitter. Include our name @BoutiqueCafe so we can cheer you all on! Thanks!

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

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>>

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!

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

Full Kit including:

-signature OliveJuice & Co. sewing pattern
detailed stepby-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)

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.

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

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

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.

“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 >>