This summer is flying by fast!!  Too fast!!  Thanks go out to all of our fabulous sponsors, and amazing readers for making our month of giveaways a success!!

PS.  We still have our last one open from AliLilly, so head over HERE to enter:)

So far we’ve soaked up as much summer fun as we possibly could…

“Our Summer Adventures”

at the zoo…

My mama and me…

Kissing cousins…

Isn’t my nephew yummy!!

“we made it to the top of the world…”

Cabin Buddies

Watermelon eating contest…

Phew!!  It’s been a super fun, super busy summer!!

We’re keeping it low key for the month of July due to family vacations, reunions, and plans, but we’ll surprise you here and there with some fun tutorials, recipes, and ideas.

SO DON’T YOU WORRY!!!

Enjoy your summer, we’ll catch ya later:)

Linking here:

So twice a year, Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous, heads up this brilliant handmade gift exchange party.  I wanted to get in on the fun, so I jumped at the opportunity!

My gift exchange partner was Melissa, from Love Affair with my Brother. Let me tell you, Melissa can sew her butt off!  I was so excited to exchange with her.

Melissa mentioned that she had just moved, and needed something for her new sewing room.

This is what I came up with…

I wish I had taken a BEFORE picture of this frame.  Just a boring ol’ wooden frame.  It got a couple coats of spray paint, some bright happy fabric flowers, and a lot of love to brighten up Melissa’s sewing room!

I’m loving the red and teal color combo right now, and the mustard yellow is a fun accent…

Rosettes, yoyos, and a big fluffy chiffon flower are the finishing touch!

I hope Melissa likes it!!!

PS. I found the darling subway art over on Not Just a Housewife

I received a squishy package from Melissa in the mail a few days ago, and was sooo excited to pull this out…

Melissa shares the tutorial on how she made this AMAZING 4th of July hanging on her blog!  Go check it out!  Can’t wait to hang this up at our 4th of July party this weekend!!

Linking up HERE!!

I have always loved the look of paper medallions.  They’re sooo festive.  Of course I had to tie them into my 4th of July decor, so I decided to make a banner!!

Would you like to make one for your next 4th of July get together!

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up your own little banner:

• 7 sheets of coordinating paper

• 2 or 3 sheets of coordinating cardstock

• printed letters (I found these on pinterest) go to At Second Street for a free printable

• twine

• ribbon for embellishing

• clothes pins

• cutting tool

• ruler

• hot glue gun

I lined up 3 pieces of paper, and used the ruler to draw lines across all three pieces at a time to create score marks

Now your going to fold the ends together, creating a circle shape.  Hot glue your ends closed, keeping the middle pinched.

I wish I had a mantel to hang this across, but my railing will have to do!!  Super easy fun banner for the 4th!!

Linking up HERE this week!

Including: 

***Remember to enter our giveaways still going on this week for your chance to win a 12 pack of handmade greeting cards, 3 patterns from Naptime Crafters, a sling purse from She Wears Flowers, or a necktie from Just Sew Sassy!!***

Ok, I warned you earlier!!

I’m a tad bit obsessed with the 4th of July!!  I’ve got a few more decor ideas for ya, and if you would like to make your own sign, a simple tut as well:)

I was looking for a sign that would be long, and a certain color of blue.  And then I thought, why not make my own!!

Here’s what you’ll need…

Spread out your handy dandy painting tarp, or newspaper.

Allow to dry for a few hours before doing anything else…

Give it a couple hours to stick real good:)

And voila!!  Easy peasy patriotic sign.  You could stick a bracket on the back and hang it up… or use it in a festive diplay…

Linking up HERE!!

***Remember to enter the fabulous giveaways happening right now, a 12 pack of handmade greeting cards, certificate to Love Stitched, custom onesie from Jack and Olive, and a Rosie headband from Flower Frenzy!!***

Patriotic Pinwheel Burlap Wreath.  That’s a lot of words!!  How else do I describe this thing though…

I had sooo much fun making this wreath.  It’s the first time I’ve ever used burlap (shhh, don’t tell anyone:) but I think I’m hooked!!  I’m kind of obsessed with pinwheels too… (did you see my last POST?)

So let’s get on with it!!  Would you like to make a ‘patriotic pinwheel burlap wreath’ of your very own, just in time for the 4th of July!!!

Here’s whatcha need!! (Not everything is pictured here, woops:)

As you can see, I didn’t bother to tape it off, it just kind of “flows” together:)

These strips are used for the main body of the wreath.

Now it’s time to make your pinwheels:)

Voila!!  You did it!!  What do you think:)

Linking up HERE this week…

Including:

***Don’t miss our HUGE month of giveaways.  We have several happening now, and lots more to come!  Come enter to win a $30 credit to Happy Potamus Designs, a darling Rosie headband, a custom onesie from Jack and Olive, and a Love Stitched gift certificate!!!***

***Don’t forget to enter our giveaways happening right now!!  $30 certificate to Happy Potamus Designs, Darling Summer Block Kit, Three patterns from Sew Much Ado, and Vinyl Labels from Lolly Jane***

Ok, so the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, and I kinda go all out when it comes to decorating…

Maybe I even go a little overboard:)

I’ve got lots of fun little projects to show ya!!  We’ll start with a simple table centerpiece…

I’m loving the pinwheel trend that I’m seeing all over blogland.  I think they’re darling, and such a simple craft to customize for every holiday!  This is my version…

Make the pinwheel by cutting two squares (I made one 6 inches and the other 4 inches)

Glue the smaller of the squares on top.  Cut slits from each corner, toward the center of the square about 3 inches long.

Fold each corner in (without creasing) and hold together with a brad.

Sorry for the lack of pictures… I just thought this one was easy enough to explain in words:)

Soooo fun huh!!!

Linking up HERE this week!!

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Giveaway Closed

Happy June everyone!!

I’m loving this June sunshine and weather!  And June means my favorite holiday is fast approaching, the 4th of July!!  Woohoo!!!

Emilee from Sweetly Made Just For You, is giving away one lucky Just Sew Sassy reader a 4th of July Surprise pack valued at $25!!

Thank you Emilee!!!  I LOVE surprises, I wonder what it will be…

Emilee makes beautiful headbands,

darling felt hair clips,

and so much more, you have to go check out her blog!

To enter this giveaway:

1. Go check out Sweetly Made and become a follower

2. Become a fan of Emilee’s facebook page

3. Become a follower of Just Sew Sassy

4. Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway (one entry for each)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Giveaway will be open for one week, and then we will use random.org to draw a winner!  Good luck!!

***Today is the last day to enter the quilt giveaway, go HERE to enter.  And the hobo handbag giveaway is still open as well, go HERE to enter!!***

I’ve been meaning to write this post forever!  Is it really July 18th!!!!  Where did the summer go!!!

We had a blast for the 4th.  We saw a fireworks show that went a little crazy shooting fireworks into the crowd. Luckily nobody was hurt, but it got my adrenaline pumping!!  We went boating, played games, and ate some delicious food.

Speaking of food…

These were my contributions to our family cookout:)

This next trifle I saw on The Sac Chef and would be a perfect summer potluck pleaser…

Berry Layered Trifle

Ingredients:

Directions:

Cut cake into 1-in. cubes; set aside. Hull fresh strawberries and cut into quarters. Set aside ½ cup of the strawberries and ½ cup of the blueberries for garnish.

In a bowl, combine remaining fresh and frozen strawberries; mix well.

Juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp juice. In a bowl, whisk yogurt, pudding mix and lemon juice until smooth using  a whisk; immediately fold in 1 cup of the whipped topping.

To assemble trifle, place one-third of the cake cubes into trifle bowl. Top with one-third of the strawberry mixture and one-third of the blueberries, pressing down lightly. Top with one-third of the yogurt mixture, spreading evenly. Repeat layers two times, spreading last layer evenly to create a flat surface.

Optional:  To garnish, fill a piping bag or Ziploc bag fitted with open-star tip with remaining whipped topping. Pipe whipped topping over top of trifle; garnish with reserved strawberries and blueberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I just spread on the cool whip and decorated using my remaining berries.

Yummy!!!

-K- so some of you saw my tutorial last Tuesday; well… I have the second half of that little duo for ya this week:)

Wanna make a fun little table runner?  It’s really one of the most simple sewing projects you can make.  So easy in fact, that you could make one for every season of the year if you wanted!

Ok, here’s whatcha need…

Supplies:

Choose three main fabrics for the six squares you will use in the runner.  You can use any neutral fabric for the sashing and border.  I chose white to go with my very original theme of red, white, and blue:)

• You’ll need about 1/4 yard of each main fabric. (you’ll have leftovers)
• 3/4 yd of your neutral fabric for sashing and backing
• 1/4 yd of binding fabric
• 1/2 yd of batting
• self-healing cutting mat
• rotary cutter
• ruler

Step 1:

Cut all your fabric pieces.  First, you only need two 6 inch squares of each of your main fabrics.

Next, you’re going to cut your sashing.  You need to cut three 6X3 inch strips.  Then cut two 15 X4 inch strips, and two 15X5 inch strips.  I like to lay everything out before I pin and sew.

Step 2:

Pin your smallest sashing strips between each of your two squares.  Sew together and then press your seams open.

Next, sew your longer strips to each row of squares.  Press the seams open again.

Step 3:

Measure and cut your backing fabric and your batting.

I do this by placing my finished quilt top on top of the backing and batting, and then cut around it leaving enough room on each end to have it quilted.  You’ll need a good 4 inches on each end, and 2 inches on each side.

Step 4:

If you’re uber talented you could quilt it yourself at this point, or if you’re like me and have lots of other projects waiting in line, take it to a quilter!

Step 5:

Trim up each edge to prepare for your binding.

Cut your binding fabric into three 2 1/2 inch strips from selvage to selvage.

Sew these strips together end to end to form one long continous strip.  Press the seams open.

Step 6:

Fold the entire long strip in half length-wise and press.

Line up the binding strip along the edge of your quilted top, raw edges together.  Sew in place with a 1/4 inch seam.

When you get back to beginning you have to tuck the end inside the other. Cut it at an angle, tuck it inside and sew in place.

Step 7:

Next, you’re going to fold the binding strip over to the back and pin all the way around.  And finally, hand-stitch in place.

All finished!!!  Next you need to find a cute centerpiece to go with it!!!

Didn’t the Quilting Cottage do a great job with the quilting…  I LOVE the detail of the loops and stars.

Linking up with these fabulous blogs…
Including:

Can I just tell you how easy and so much fun this was to make!!! 

So, I just finished my quilted table runner (super fun and cute, tutorial next Tuesday), and had lots of scraps, as usual.  Of course I needed a patriotic centerpiece to go with it…

I had this fun jar I got for 50% off at Hobby Lobby.   That was my inspiration.

Supplies:

• Large glass jar with lid
• Scraps of fabric long enough to wrap around your glass jar
• Ric-rac long enough to wrap around
• Embellishments you want to use for the side and or lid
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Step 1:

Cut your fabric to desired width and length.  You want it to wrap around with just enough of an overlap to glue.

Step 2:

Secure the end piece of your fabric to the jar with hot glue. 

Wrap around the jar securing with hot glue as you go. Glue the other end of the fabric piece over your starting place.  As you can see, mine isn’t exactly straight but the ric-rac covers it up.

Repeat that step using whatever ric-rac or ribbon you would like to use.

Step 3:

Use whatever embellishments you have to cover the ugly overlapping area, and the lid of the jar.

You can stop now, and use as a cute centerpiece or get some function out of it as well…

So here in Utah, we celebrate Pioneer Day on the 24th of July.  Our patriotism extends through the month of July. 

My kids and I decided to make this a conversation jar, filling it with questions about our patriotic holidays.  We put enough strips in the jar for us to read a few together each day throughout  the month.

I had my little helper rolling the strips and stuffing them in the jar…

Soooo fun huh!! I can’t wait to play:)

Linking up with these fabulous blogs this week…

Including: