Bittersweetiepie

So I’m 5 months pregnant now and my baby bump is gettting unavoidable, I need new clothes like now. Being an big fan of upcycling rather than completely from scratch I decided to modify some skirts. I think patterns are the suck lately, it seems the fit is never correct and in the end the garment never seems to hang right and looks blaringly homemade, and in my opinion not really in a good way. Here is the how I did it. Went to the thrift store and got a few skirts that I am not attached to if things go wrong…

Started out trying the skirts on and marking wear the bottom of the bump starts, and on the side of where it is popping out. Then cut, starting one one side then curving to meet the middle point on the bottom. Fold over the cut side and use it to guide your cut on the other side so the hole turns out more even.

Try the skirt back on after the cutting to ensure enough was cut. Then make a comfy patch out of stretchy jersey fabric, or an old t-shirt.

Cut this stretchy patch taller than the hole so that at the end it can be used to fold over the elastic top band. Pin the patch to the hole, right sides together.

I then serged the two together, if you don’t have a serger than instead use a zig zag stitch.

Next is the top band. I only like to use comfortable elastic, the natural cotton, in the widest width I can find which is usually 1 inch. Measure across the top of bump stretching the elastic lightly, remember this garment is for comfort. Then sew one end of the elastic piece to the top of the jersey panel, a little from the top and using a zig zag stitch.

Do the other end in the same way, making sure to back stitch a bunch because in the coming months this little piece of elastic will be stretched! Fold over the top of the panel and zig zag stitch the jersey material to cover the elastic, pulling as you go from both sides of the fabric so as to avoid breaking any machine needles.

And that is it! You are done! Try it on and go out!

Cannonball 2012 Part 1

Cannonball 2012 Part 2

We put together a rundown of this years Scooter Cannonball Run. Some techie talk, some shit talking and speculating all in the name of long haul scooter riding. Look for the wrap up episode next week!

My husband is a nerd. He likes to talk video games, kotaku news, star wars and startrek trivia. I think it’s cute. I also think it is cute to make him nerdy themed food items. For christmas this year I made him these super cool hans solo jello shots. He giggled when I handed him one and promptly took a picture to post online for all his nerd friends to see.

Do you want to make these for your nerd? Here is how: buy star wars ice trays from the internet, I got these from thingeek.com. Get a proper jello shot recipe, I used one found on the jelloshottestkitchen website, where the base of the jello shot is sweetened condensed milk so it produces a solid white base to use. Follow the instructions for the recipe, it is not difficult to make a good jello shot it is just a bit technical and a recipe or proper technique must be followed. None of this spring break padre island bull shiz jello shot with 151 and one package of old green jello thrown together in a plastic cup, no that is not allowed here.

Make the base, I doubled the recipe so there was enough to share with everyone and use a whole can of condensed milk. Then add a small amount of black food coloring base to make the batch grey. Stir very well to get the color evenly distributed. Then pour it into the containers, I like to use a measuring cup for this part. I also like to place the silicone mold on a plate for transfering stability. Then place it in the fridge and they are ready to eat in a few hours. Also do not forget to wipe the inside of the molds with an oiled paper towel to aid in release of the jello shot later.

I like to snatch up fun molds when they go on sale after things like halloween. The excess jello shot liquid I poured into some cute skull and crossbones mold which were happily received by my pirate loving friend, Bill.

Merry christmas everyone, party on and always play with your food.

Xoxo bitter

So my friend let me watch her super cute bunny for the holidays while they were out town. Being alone with such a cute bunny led me of course to make it a super cute dress up outfit for holiday pictures. Here is the how to: cut a piece of fabric from white for the shirt part, fold it in half to cut it out evenly, rounded on the top and square at the bottom. Also cut out another piece in felt for stiffness sobthe shirt sticks up without sagging. Cut out a rectangle proportionate for the collar, I cut this one out with pinking scissors, fold it down for the collar as seen in the pictures ad sew the top edge to keep its shape. Sew it onto the white piece, of course after the two white pieces are sewn together along the edges for unity. I hand stitched it onto the main piece so it would go on straight how I wanted. Then I made the bow tie in this cute pink velvet fabric. A bow tie is basically a square sewn inside out then turned right side out by cutting a small hole in the back to pull it through. Affix a middle piece to pull the bow tie in, then sew it on top of the collar. For the finishing touch add some buttons down the back. Measure a piece of elastic to go around the neck and a longer one for the back that goes around the belly. Then put it on the protesting animal and take annoyingly cute picture to share with friends.

Could also work for a cat or dog. Have fun, put outfits on your pets.

Xoxo bitter

So it is the holiday season and I am off sugar. Still want to take some cookies to work so I decided to make these super cute felt cookies. Using a set of holiday cookie cutters for templates I cut out shapes and sewed them together with some cute beads for sprinkles. Here are pictures for the how to.

It was a friends birthday and of course I can’t resist the opportunity to make something super cute to gift, so imade these earrings for my friend Derrika because well, she is a PYT for sure.

Grabbed a pair of discounted hoop earrings from the store on the way home from school. Oh sure I know I could have constructed the earring from scratch but I like that the metal hoop gave the earring a nice wieght so it doesn’t flutter around when wearing and also it is an easy base to work with. Cut out felt peices for the badge times 2, sew on sandwiching the metal hoop in the middle and placing the badge felt peices on a tilt for extra fashion flare, using a nice color of embroidery thread so as to not worry about hiding my stitches. Made and sew the ribbon part that holds the letters PYT, cut out the heart felt peice. Then hot glued it on to the badge that was sewn onto the earring hoop.

And how cute is that? Very cute. She loved the earrings and most especially to have something no one else can have.

Xoxo bitter

So I got an invitation to go to Santa Con in New York this year, if you don’t know what that event is, google it. Well I needed an outfit and no store bought one would do for me so of course a plan came together to make something. Came out pretty awesome, here is how I did it. Bought a dress online in my size, bought about a yard of cream white fur fabric, a new sharp blade cutter and went to town.

First was to add the fur trim to the bottom of the dress. Note, do not cut fake fur with scissors or you will be gifted a fresh sinus infection for your effort, always cut from the back of the fabric with a razor blade style cutting tool. After I cut a decent width and length that fit the dress I whip stitched it on, meaning big stitches in similiar color thread. Then I cut a thinner piece about 1 to 2 inches wide ad long enough to cover the length of the dress neckline, whipped that on too.

Then for the accesories. Muff purse by cutting a square that was a good size for my hands to fit in when folded in half and big enough to hold a few things as a purse, about 8 inches wide. Folded in half right sides together, or fur sides together lenghtwise, stitched up the 3 raw sides leaving a hole about 4 inches long to pull the fabric through. Once fabric is pulled out and fur side is out stitch up the hole. Then using red embroidery thread stitch folded edge to sewn edge leaving long sides open for your hands. I used big X looking stitches instead of trying to hide my work. Pick which side will be the inside side facing you, find a small zipper, preferably a 7 inch one. Cut a hole in the fur about 7 inches long near the top in the back lengthwise. Stitch zipper in using thread, I used embroidery thread here too. Add straps with some chain by self measuring and sewing that to the muff on the sides. And now there is a muff purse!

Now for the capelet. Cut a piece of fur about 12 inches wide when folded in half and long enough to wrap around your shoulders, then sew up the three sides like the muff with fur sides together. Pull out (that’s what she said, lol) and sew up the hole. Take some chain or ribbon and sew to either side of the top on the large square so that it will pull together across your shoulders and chest. Homemade fur capelet done.

Now for a cute fascinator hat. Got a black headband from the clothing store for a dollar, pulled the ugly flower off. Made a cute heart in red and put together the MRS ribbon. Glued onto head band with a hot glue gun. Head piece done.

Two pairs of spanx an extra scarf n ear muffs bought on the cheap from Claires and we are good to go. Better lookout Mrs. Sexy Santa is coming to town.

Xoxo bitter

Made this set of pins inspired from collarbone tattoos for my friend from santa cruz.

Follow the pictures if you want to make one for yourself. Start with 4 hearts and 2 cut out of batting. Sandwich felt batting felt, then seal together with a stitch. The stiches do not need to be many, just the same size throughout, use a fun color of thread. Tuck the batting down as you go with the needle and hold in place with the other hand so that the batting doesn’t stick out at the end. Add a different color heart on top with hot glue for added texture interest. Stitch the letters onto the banner, again there doesn’t need to be many stitches just an even amount. Hot glue the worded banner on top, then affix a pin back on the backside. Wait a hot minute for the glue to set, then it’s ready to go! Wear it on opposites side of a tight sweater or together on one side, or even share one with your bestie!

Xoxo bittersweetie

So I am in baltimore, the locals here call it b-more, and being the kind of crafter that gets inspired by her surroundings I made these cute things. Using felt, shiny paper, hot glue gun and some thread.  By adding shapes in layers with some batting for added texture, you can make one too. The holidays are coming and everyone loves a homemade gift. About 5 lettters fit in the banner slot, maybe a name or common word you and your friends use would be nice.

Keeping it real, crafting in the free world,

Xoxo bittersweetie

Taped an episode yesterday about holiday craft projects and tips on internet dating. Moving to a new studio in a few weeks so look for episodes to be aired around the first of the year! Thanks for stopping by and best wishes with your holiday projects.

Here is a preview of this years holiday cards: