burp cloth tutorial

today i'm sharing one of my favorite sewing projects. one of my best friends has her baby shower this weekend and i decided to whip up a few burp cloths. i sure hope she doesn't read this before saturday!!

you'll need a pack of burp cloths (i got a pack of 5 at walmart for under 5 dollars) and fabric. of course you will need scissors, a sewing machine, cutting mat, etc but that's a given :-)

1) start out by measuring the area that you want to cover on the burp rag. i like to cover the double padded area. add 1 inch to the length and width and cut.

2) iron over half an inch on each side

3) cut off the overlapping fabric on the sides

4) pin your fabric onto the burp rag

5) start sewing.. i used the zig zag stitch, but any stitch will do!

you now have yourself a fully functional and adorable burp rag!!

how i stay organized

running a small business and growing a blog requires a certain amount of organization. a few months ago i put together a "business binder" and it's really helped me keep track of sales, schedule blog posts, keep track of giveaways, and has helped me keep on track with my goals.

i decorated my binder with glittery scrapbook paper and other patterns that reflect my designs. 

wondering where i got the stamp?? check out my post here.

i picked up a package of the binder divider folders and labeled them with the categories -blog schedule, -to do, -orders, -completed, -receipts, -craft fairs, -stores (wholesale), -ideas/inspiration, and a blank folder for any random papers.

it's been really nice having one place to keep all of my paperwork and comes in extra handy if i'm traveling or want to pull out info away form the computer.

the idea section i use to plan out new products and prototypes, color combinations, and any inspiration.

the blog calendar is printed out a month in advance (plain 'ol calendar from iCal) and i try to plan out my posts at least a week in advance. this has been really helpful to keep track of giveaways, sponsors, etc.

i recommend using a pencil, because if you're anything like me.. you'll change your mind about things a few times before settling.

5 minute bunting tutorial

as many of you know, i have a slight obsession with bunting. if my husband let me, i would have bunting up in every room of the house. i've even thought of putting bunting on the outside of bailey's crate. today i'm sharing a 5 minute bunting tutorial. it does involve a sewing machine, but i'm confident that even if you have never sewn before if your life, you can still do this project.

you'll need: a variety of scrapbooking paper (scraps work fine), a sewing machine, and coordinating thread.. plus scissors

1) cut your paper into thin slices. i like the look of them uneven, but cut whichever way you prefer.

2) pick your first strip and place it under the needle. you can keep your sewing machine on it's normal settings.

 3) pick a reference point to line up the strips. this will ensure the tops are even

4) continue to insert strips with an inch or so in between. i'd counted to two and then inserted another strip.
..this should bring you to right around the 4:59 minute mark- and you are done! i hope you love easy projects as much as me,

i'm thinking of making one out of photos for my office and possibly throwing something together that lists prices for my upcoming craft fair.

a little more about the lovely poppy

i'm so happy today to be posting a little intro about the lovely poppy.
the lovely poppy has been around since may of this year and i've already learned an incredible amount and have connected with some pretty amazing bloggers/indie business owners.

currently my husband and i live in milwaukee, wisconsin, with our puppy (treated like a child) bailey.

Source: thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Nicole on Pinterest

during the day i work for a local non-profit, managing an early intervention program for children with autism. i absolutely love what i do and helping children with disabilities is a huge passion of mine. i recently blogged about a football camp that i put together with a local high school.

Source: jsonline.com via Nicole on Pinterest

at night and on the weekends i run the lovely poppy. i decided to open up a shop because of my obsession with dressing bailey in a new collar every week and my love for shopping for fabric. the shop now focuses on accessories, such as necklaces, headbands, blossom pins, camera strap slipcovers, key fobs, pacifier clips, and a few new products are released each month. i enjoy being able to create things for others and have them feel confident wearing it.

Source: etsy.com via Nicole on Pinterest

i've recently started focusing more on blogging and connecting with other bloggers. i love waking up in morning and reading posts- which continue to inspire me and help come up with new ideas to grow the lovely poppy. i'm currently hosting a giveaway to increase followers and have had an overwhelmingly awesome amount of new followers.

i've shared a few quick and easy tutorials...

Source: thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

and love linking up for what i wore wednesdays and instafridays.

thank you so much for stopping by, let me know if you follow me, so i can make sure to follow you back. xoxo nicole

fabric scrap garland tutorial

with the holidays approaching quickly (eeeek!) i wanted to make something bright, yet festive for my studio. i'm always trying to come up with new and unique ways to utilize the thousands of little scraps laying around. 

for this project all you need is scrap fabric and some christmas lights. 

 the scraps i used were around 8x2, however you could really use anything, as long as it's at least 6 inches long so that you are able to tie a good knot.

 the lights i picked up were under 3 dollars at target. i'd suggest staying with the clear lights, so that it's brighter and brings out the color in the different fabrics.

 1) start out by tying the fabric in a knot around the cord. make sure none of the fabric is touching the actual light.

 i made sure that the back of the knot always had the fabric facing up, because i think it looks nicer.

 2) keep tying more knots

3) you are done, easiest and cutest project ever, right??  

 i currently have it hanging on the door to the studio

 however, i think it would look pretty cool outside or in a room that usually has the lights off. even on a christmas tree!!

i really want to say happy holidays, just because i love saying it.. but i'll hold off for now. if you decide to recreate this i'd love to see how it turns out. 

fabric organization tutorial

my fabric area was starting to get a bit out of control and i couldn't spend enough time folding fabric to make my shelves look organized. i've seen some of the fancy fabric mini bolts, but with over 200 types of fabrics i couldn't justify 5.99 per bolt. below you'll see a tutorial on how to organize your fabric for less than 10 dollars.

1) you'll need some comic storage boards. i used the 7 1/2 by 10 1/2 because it worked out perfectly with my shelves. i found these at a local comic book store and they were 7.99, they are all over the internet if you don't live by a comic book store.

2) i took all of my fabric onto the floor, so that i'd have enough space. i folded the fabric twice the long way, you really can fold it whatever way you'd like, just as long as it's not wider than the comic board.

3) fold the fabric about half way over the board

4) start rolling it over, and over.. and over, and over..

5) once you get close to the end, fold over a corner

6) tuck and pin

7) your fabric should look something similar to this.

8) organize on your shelves (my favorite part)