Tutorial coming soon!

I have a great Christmas present pillow tutorial coming soon. I've been having some trouble installing Flashplayer on my computer which has been affecting all kinds of things including posting pictures on my blog. It's been a real bummer. I wish I could be better at computer stuff! I have stockings to post as well but until I figure out this problem, it will still be a while. I have to apologize to my follower friends because I have been absent for too long, not doing what I said I'd be doing. I've had to focus on two very important things, some health issues and completing my IBCLC education, that have really prevented me from being a good blogger. I am working on getting back on it and doing better than before. I hope you all are understanding and if you have any input, feel free to share! : ) I have SO many great ideas, most will happen after the holidays but I will be posting the tutorial soon, and hopefully a giveaway or two because my great followers need something great!

This was the bag I made for my guest blogger giveaway and I'm re-posting as an example of one of the several styles of bags I can make for custom orders.

Busy, busy!

One of my biggest challenges is finding a way to balance each part of my life. As if not only being a wife and a stay at home Mom of two very young boys would not make me busy enough, I am at the end of my IBCLC studies, I'm currently in training with the Nursing Mothers Counsel, and am Secretary for NMC, I'm creating a new website, and have many sewing jobs on the side going, and then there's my blog. So needless to say something is going to get neglected, and it's been my blog. I am going to try to formulate some sort of schedule where I put out something new, a tutorial of some kind, and a giveaway each month. We'll see how it turns out soon.

Trailers and Trees set

A nice large blanket with a super soft matching Organic onesie in size 6-12 months, also offered in 3-6 months.

Exciting news about Tulips and Turnips!

So, a while back, probably lost in my archives, is a post about something exciting I was going to announce as soon as it happened and a lot of time passed since. I had no idea how complicated it was or how expensive. BUT, I am very happy to announce I hired an excellent trademark attorney to assist me with the process of trademarking my name Tulips and Turnips and my products, and as of just a few days ago, it has officially been submitted! Yeah!!
I'm starting to feel better from my surgery last week so I'll be slowly getting back into things, I have a very large special order to fill that will take me the next few weeks to complete, but after that I'll be getting back to my usual work. My next giveaway will be really cool and I'm interested in having another guest blogger to have a swap with, if anyone is interested?

Birds and Flowers blanket and Organic onesie

This is probably the largest blanket I've made, with Organic onesie in size 6-12 months.

Little Birdie Blanket and Organic T-shirt

The blanket is nice and big and so fun for Baby to look at! The Organic T-shirt in size small can also be ordered in medium or large.

Organic Little Elephant blanket

This super soft blanket is all Organic and a great size for baby to play on or cuddle up in!

What's Happening?

A few posts back I had mentioned how busy this month and the first half of October was going to be. So to follow up on that, today I had surgery so I will definitely not be working too much in the next few weeks. BUT I will be laying in bed dreaming up new projects, tutorials, and great new giveaways! So don't worry, I'll be back with a BIG bang by the beginning of November! My goal is to have a really cool giveaway to celebrate being back the first week of November, SO keep posted for that!! I am still taking special orders, however they will not be completed until Late October.
I'll be posting again in a few days on some REALLY exciting news!!! Yeah : )

Toddler Bedroom Set

This is a comforter cover and set of two pillow cases, along with curtains you can see on the right side. I made this set for my son but I will soon be offering custom sets for sale. I haven't worked out all the details yet about the custom order process. I might just put this set on Etsy as an example and allow people to place orders through "conversation" on Etsy. I made this set after looking around at various stores and feeling unsatisfied with the choices out there. I thought if people already had a theme, like we did, it would allow them to add a great, creative element to their child's room. I can make the sets in all cotton fabric, Organic cotton fabric, or any combination with or without minky or chenille. In addition to comforter covers, pillow cases, and curtains, I also make fabric wall hangings. Which I will post an example of soon. Please let me know if you have any feedback! Thanks! : )

What's coming up?

I've got some great tutorials coming soon, but I need to get through a few big things coming up for me and my family, my son is turning 3 years old on Friday, my baby is turning 1 years old on October 4th, my sister-in-law is getting married on October 9th, and then my grandmother and aunt are visiting from Des Moines, Iowa right after the wedding... Aahh, a lot going on! All fun stuff but can't help but set me back a bit on the business stuff and fun blog stuff. BUT, I'm going to try to squeeze one tutorial in somewhere during the busyness.
Also, I will be having another great giveaway sometime in October!

New things

This set is made from 100% Organic fabric and is incredibly soft!
I've put some great new things in the Etsy shop recently and still have a bunch more that will be in the shop soon, check back later for more! Soon to come a great new tutorial for the wall! : )

Giveaway!

Check out the great giveaway! Amy at Nap Time Crafters is hosting my giveaway valued at $95!
Go on over to http://www.naptimecrafters.blogspot.com to enter!
Good luck! : )

* Giveaway closed, please try the next one!*

How To Make a Crib Rail Cover tutorial

Materials: fabric, batting, rotary knife, cutting mat, velcro, pins, and sewing machine.

I chose fabric that was similar to the other crib rail cover we have. And since we have a crib rail cover for the front of the crib and we needed one for the side, this tutorial is for a side crib rail cover. But, whether you are doing the front or the side of the crib, it really doesn't matter, you will just have to adjust the measurements accordingly. So, after measuring the rail you will be making the cover for, cut two pieces of fabric and one piece of batting, all exactly the same size. For example, for our crib's side rail, I cut the fabric and batting to 27 x 18 inches.

Next, cut fabric for the straps. I cut five strips of 6 x 4 inches. You may want to measure the slats on the crib to see how many you may need and what spacing would be ideal for your crib.

Cut the velcro into four inch strips.

Next lay the fronts of the fabric together on top of the batting.

Pin the batting and fabric together along all four sides, leaving a space open for turning it right side out.

Sew along the sides and when you get to the last side remember to leave the space open to flip it right side out.

Once you flip it right side out and straighten the fabric out and push the corners out as much as possible, the next step is to sew along the edge for a clean look. I like to sew fairly close to the edge, as you can see in the next photo. I always start sewing just up from the opening, and if it helps you could pin it closed so you don't have to hold it as you sew.

A nice clean edge!

At this point you can move on to the straps. Fold the first piece of fabric over so the front of the fabric is on the inside and sew along the edge and the top so that one end is closed. When you're done turn it inside out, and then sew along the edge on each side and top end to flatten the strap and make nice clean edges. I always sew the side with the seam first and then the other side.

Next step is placing the velcro on the strap and sewing it on. The easiest thing is to have bought velcro that has adhesive sides so that you can just stick it on and not have to worry about pinning the velcro. Sew all four sides of the velcro on to the strap.

Fold over the end of the strap and pin it to keep it in place.

Next thing you want to do is figure out the spacing from one strap to the other, I chose four inches for mine.

And sew them on to the rail cover. I like to sew in two places, along the edge of the fold and then along the edge of the rail cover.

Then sew the other side of the velcro on, just as you did with the straps, and make sure each piece of velcro you put on the rail cover side matches up with where the straps will fold up to.

All done! : )

Guest Blogger - Amy from Nap Time Crafters

Hi I'm Amy from Nap Time Crafters!

I LOVE every kind of craft, but if I had to pick a fav it would definitely be sewing for my little girl. I also love decorating my apartment with very budget friendly projects. Nap Time Crafters is home to 100 free Tutorials {and growing!}, the American Crafter Competition, Friday Favs Party, & a Giveaway every Saturday!

Make sure you stop by my pattern shop for lots more fun!

Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

Do you have a lil' chair hanging out in your house in need of a BIG facelift???

Kids LOVE those little foam chairs, but the covers get so gross. ewww... 

Or maybe you have a little princess in your house and the hand-me-down Buzz Lightyear chair isn't doing it for her:) 

Let's give it a whole new life!

It didn't take long at all to recover (1 naptime- promise!) and Little Miss absolutely adores her chair! She reads in it, snacks in it, watches a bit of Winnie the Pooh in it...

I decided to go with a nice neutral fabric that keeps our family room looking like somewhat of an adult space rather than kid world:) And now any little boys down the line can use it too

If you're feeling ambitious you could even start from scratch! If you go that route buy your foam as a foam pad (you know the cheapo kind for bunking guest on) NOT as yardage at craft store- you'll save lots:)

Let's get started!

Materials:

• Lil' Chair: I found mine at a thirft store for $3! It's the Marshmallow brand I think
• Fabric: It took 2 thrifted pillowcases to recover this size (so about 2 yards)
• Tot:)

Here's a look at the before... You can't quite see since Little Miss insisted on sitting in it, but it was pretty gross. And I'm not a big fan of pink faux fur in our front room... 

1. Take off the cover and cut it apart at the seam lines. Save the bottom panel and zipper. Lay out all of the pieces on your fabric and cut around leaving a small seam allowance around all sides. 

 2. Sew the 2 back pieces together- the chair has a seam right down the middle back and then the "flaps" wrap around to both sides.

3. Sew the seat piece to each side- it will cover the arm rests and the seat. At this point I put it over the chair to see how the fit was coming along.

 4. Sew the top piece to the back piece along the long edge and the 2 short sides.

 5. Sew the seat back to the back piece (step 2) seat piece (step 3), and the top piece (step 4).

6. Once you have the fit all good to go sew on the front piece.

 7. Sew the bottom panel and zipper to the finished cover, put it on your chair and you're good to go! You can change the color of the bottom panel if you want, but I decided it wasn't worth the effort. You'll definitely want to keep the zipper so you can wash the cover every so often.

Enjoy your new "old" chair!

Thanks Shawn!

How to re-upholster a stool cushion tutorial

These are the materials you'll need for this project: a stool or chair with a cushion, upholstery fabric, a rotary knife, a cutting mat, and a stapler.

Place the cushion on the fabric and measure how much you'll need to cover it and have enough to reach around the sides. It should be several inches since you want to make sure the staples (or anything under the new fabric) will not show when you flip it over. Then cut out the measured piece.

Now you'll want to bring up one side of the fabric without pulling it too much and staple along the back of the cushion about every two to three inches or so, making sure the fabric is laying flat.

When you get to the corner you'll want to fold the fabric a few times like wrapping a present. Pull the fabric slightly, but not too much, as you go so the fabric lays as flat as possible. And put a few staples in to keep it in place. Note that as you proceed to each side you'll want to make sure you are pulling the fabric just enough to keep it taught but not too much as to distort the image or stripes or whatever your fabric is.

Once you've stapled around all the sides and corners except the last corner, it should look like this. The last corner is the toughest.

You'll have two parts of the fabric to work with, one side lay down, pulling at it a bit to keep it taught, and staple. The next part do the same but really try to make it lay as flat as possible.

It should look like this when you are putting in the final staples.

And this is how it should turn out! I know, too easy! : )

Giveaway coming up!

I've got a GREAT giveaway coming up soon, it's almost finished!! I'll give you a hint... it is something similar to what you have seen on my blog recently, and it is something you could put things in : ) I know that was easy, you've probably guessed it already! I will post a picture soon! And keep in mind, if you don't win, you can always put in an order for something similar or whatever and I can whip one up! I hope you are having a great day! : )

This is a bag I made as a gift a few days ago. I really like making bags out of upholstery fabric but they are usually much smaller. I think it turned out pretty neat, the picture really isn't as good as the real thing. After I took the picture I decided to put a couple of nice wooden buttons on it as well. I'm thinking larger over night bags might be a nice thing to make in the future?!

This set just sold but can be ordered and would take about two weeks from the order date.

A blanket that is large enough to be a play mat for a younger baby or a crib blanket for an older baby. It does have a matching onesie, which can be ordered in small, medium, or large.

This is a comforter cover and set of two pillow cases, along with curtains you can see on the right side. I made this set for my son but I will soon be offering custom sets for sale. I haven't worked out all the details yet about the custom order process. I might just put this set on Etsy as an example and allow people to place orders through "conversation" on Etsy. I made this set after looking around at various stores and feeling unsatisfied with the choices out there. I thought if people already had a theme, like we did, it would allow them to add a great, creative element to their child's room. I can make the sets in all cotton fabric, Organic cotton fabric, or any combination with or without minky or chenille. In addition to comforter covers, pillow cases, and curtains, I also make fabric wall hangings. Which I will post an example of soon. Please let me know if you have any feedback! Thanks! : )

What to do about nothing?

I know I haven't blogged in a while, I've been so busy trying to catch up with things in our [family] life. My list has gotten too long and needs to go away, so I've been trying for that. A few of the bigger things going on are trying to sell my car and buy a new one and contemplating moving to Napa, and the preparation involved in planning and organizing for a move like that. I have to be prepared for it, if it does happen, and it's looking more like it will.
I have a new tutorial coming in the next day or so, and a few new projects to post pictures of that will soon end up on Etsy. I've bought some great new fabric recently and found a great place to buy it online since some of my favorite fabric I can't seem to find locally.

So much to do, not enough time.

Tonight I found a tutorial on how to make my own blog buttons. Pretty cool, although I have so little time. Decorating my blog should probably not be too high on my list of priorities right now. I ironed fabric for hours tonight while I watched Sex and the City. Tomorrow I need to get caught up on designing and cutting. If I only had a room just for my sewing, that would make such a difference. I feel like I have everything all over, because I do my ironing and cutting upstairs and my sewing and photos downstairs. Someday... : ) Maybe sleeping should be a priority right now?!

Hum...

So when I google Tulips and Turnips I see there are many others, which doesn't make me too happy. Especially because I bought a URL that I am not currently using. I thought a blog would be more fun. Maybe eventually I will use the URL, I have it for another eight years minimum... However, I suppose if you are reading this than it's not an issue anyways. Here I thought I was being original : )
I sold my first "package" today. I have sold many blankets on their own and onesies on their own but not the whole package until today. So the one with the apples that is pictured below is gone to live in Virginia. It was so fast too, I posted it and just a few hours later it was sold. It was actually just a test to see how I could connect my Etsy page with my blog, it just looks like a white space if you don't have an item posted in your etsy store. I so put a few items in just messing around and sold one. What a nice surprise that I really needed, it helps keep me going to have a validation like that. It is hard starting up something like this, I've felt like quitting many times because it takes so much time and patience. I'm learning to have more of it...

 

A photo of one of my packages. There are a few more as you scroll down. This one still needs it's bib and / or burp cloth. I am thinking about making changing pads to go with each package. Tomorrow I'm going to try and finish up some of the other packages I have been working on and post some more photos. Some of my favorite ones are almost done. I hit a little lull because I had house guests and was feeling busy. I am working on getting some more color varieties of onesies to choose from, so far I have a bright pink, blue, green, and white. I will try to post some colored onesies soon. I do not wash any of the clothing but I do wash the fabric I use for everything else because I want it to be true to form once it is sewed. I always use eco-friendly, natural laundry soap. All of the clothing I use for my projects are Organic.