Pinterest Challenge

Volta e meia, tento recomeçar o meu próprio desafio do pinterest. Esta é uma boa altura, Setembro está ai e este é um mês de novos recomeços, com a volta à escola e tudo isso. A minha filha começa dia 21, pela primeira vez na pré. Estou um bocadinho ansiosa mas a tentar que ela não note. Mas isso à parte, como estava  a dizer, é um ótimo momento para começar o desafio novamente e tentar fazer, recrear, cozinhar, etc. - mesmo - algumas das coisas que marquei. Se conseguir manter o desafio, talvez isso me traga a vontade de costurar novamente. Ontem arranjei um vestido meu que estava demasiado longo. Nada mau. 

Every now and then I try to re-start my own pinterest challenge. This is a great time to do that again, September is here and it is a month of new starts, with back to school and all that. My daughter is going back on the 21st. It is her first time in pre-school, I'm a bit anxious about it but trying not to let her notice. Anyway, as I was saying, it is a great moment to start my own pinterest challenge again and try to actually make, recreate, cook, etc. some of the things I have pinned. If I can keep up with it, I hope it brings my sewing mood back. I did fix a dress that was too long for me yesterday. Not bad at all. 

Desafio-vos a juntarem-se a mim e fazer algumas das coisas que marcaram. Aqui o que espero conseguir fazer este mês... Não coloquei muita coisa, vou tentar manter as coisas simples. Desejem-me sorte. 

I challenge you all to join me and get your pins done. Here's what I plan to get done this month...  I didn't add a lot, just trying to keep it simple. Wish me luck. 

01. photo wall art in my room

02. easy toy storage

03. seatbelt pillow

04. something to eat 

Pinterest Challenge |Pin 2 & 3 - August|

Today is the last day of August and I am happy to say that I have cross 4 pins out of the 6 I've listed as "wish to do" for the month. I have showed you the first one last week, and today I am bringing 2 more. Uhmmm? Didn't I mention 4? Well, yes! The fourth was done but my batery died and I have no photos to show you yet, I can't pass them to the laptop until later. And actually, I might get by the end of the day with 5 pins crossed, because i am hoping to make the maracas with G. today too. 

So, the second pin crossed from the list was making a fun dish for G. I tried, but I consider this a fail. It wasn't that much interesting or beautiful after all, but my little miss really liked to eat her sandwish in heart shapes, and she loved that I gave her goji berries. She is crazy about them and eats them mostly every day. There is also plum in it. 

Anyway, after the master fail I tried it again later, and apparently I was feeling more inspired for this, since I got her a much more interesting dish. She loved it! She was waiting for her peanuts only, and instead I showed her a butterfly scene, with a flower and everything. Again, you can see some goji berries. didn't I just tell you that she loves them?! In fact I have made a 3rd one already, earlier today, but the photos are still on the machine too. 

The third pin I crossed from my list was the big sister and little brother photoshoot. It wasn't fancy because neither one of us (hubby and I) aren't professionals, we just wanted some nice shoots of both of them together in a reasonable good quality. We took many, it's not easy to have them both staring at us at the same time, or having S. not crying without his pacifier, or one that's not blurry, but we did get a few nice ones. Most likely I will print a couple to add to their room deco when I finally have a little time to dedicate to it.

I am sorry I edited this photo, I am not so comfortable sharing photos online, when their faces are showing as you've probably noticed if you've been following for a while.

The fourth pin crossed, was the puzzle. I will blog about it later, if I manage to keep it in mind...

Pinterest Challenge |Pin 1 - August|

I don't have a lot of time until the end of the month to get all the pins done. I knew from the start I was hoping to do more than I could, but I still hope to cross a couple more before September comes. 

Today I am sharing the first pin crossed. I bought a bag of pom poms and allowed my daughter to use her creativity. I drew a start and a moon in a white sheet and asked her to paint it with the pom poms. She started by filling the star shape, but then she started painted elsewhere. That's fine, because above anything else, it kept her entertained for a little while, and she loved to do so. 

|AUGUST| Pinterest Challenge

This is where I post about pins I love and want to recreate, get inspired by to create something new, etc... and I hope to cross off, at least one pin per week. 

There was o Pinterest Challenge last month, you know why, right? But I decided to bring it back this month. I am not sure I will be able to cross them all out but at least I will do my best. There aren't no sewing projects this time. I need to keep things simple for me yet... - again you know why, I'm not going to tell again how much my baby is always crying... Because my daughter will be on holidays from day care until the end of the month, I need to make a few things with and for her... 

So, let's take a look at my pinspirations... 

 

#1 - make a puzzle with sticks (the pin teaches numbers, I plan to teach her her name) 

#2 - make a photo session with my two little ones

#3 - prepare some fun food dishes for her

#4 - make some maracas together

 

#5 - colour games

#6 - different ways to paint

And I have actually crossed one of these already. I will share all about it next Sunday, and who knows I might have crossed another pin from the list by then?!

Pinterest Challenge |Pin 3 & 4|

First of all! It's my daughter's 3rd birthday today!!! How exciting is that?!

Last Sunday I missed my weekly Pinterest Challenge post. And nope, I didn't have any other pin crossed from the 5 I picked. I've been postponing most things. I had a lot of plans for the past weekend but my little girl got ill, and I've been trying to keep her fever low until last Tuesday, when her meds finally started to sort some effects and she was feeling good again. It was after that, that I got to make another thing I had planned to do from the challenge. 

- Pin #3 - 

One of my pins were the Savoury Flapjacks . I didn't follow that recipe though, I made cereal and nuts bars instead which was closer to what I had in mind. I used this recipe, well sort of, because I didn't follow it too closely. One thing I've learnt while searching for recipes, was that making bars are the easiest on earth, and you are so free to add what you like best. I just think mine turned out a little too sweet, next time I surely won't use the honey, or less at least.

Because my recipe turned out quite different, I will share it with you. 

I have used:

120 gr sanded sugar (because I didn't have brown sugar)

200 gr mix of different nuts

200 gr oatmeal

200 gr mix of different seeds

150 gr butter

60 gr wheat flour

honey (I just threw what I thougth to be enough)

Mix everything together. Put it in a form, with a foil sheet, tamping and smoothing with a spoon. Put it in the woven at 200º for about half hour. Take it out, allow to cool for 40 minutes and take it to the fridge for about 4-5 hours. it is ready to cut into small bars. 

- pin #4 - 

Another pin I crossed this week, was adapting one of my own tops into a Nursing Top. This was an easy one. Only took me a few minutes. I could have done it before, really, I just felt a little lazy for this one because I am not nursing yet and this could wait anyway. Especially when there are so many other things to focus on. But, I chose it for the June Challenge and I kept my mind settled to finish all my pins in time, so here you are. 

I know, I know! There's one pin left and today's the last Sunday of the month, which means I didn't quite make it, right? Well.... yes, that's right. I missed one item from my list, which I will add to next months challenge. I will try not to push too hard on myself in July, so for now, that's the only pin I plan to get done. 

|Romper Week|

I was thrilled when RaeAnna, from Sewing Mama RaeAnna invited me to be part of her Romper Week. I really liked to follow it (as a viewer) last year and it is great that I am one in line with these wonderful and talented ladies.

A few weeks ago I shared some inspiration I found on Pinterest. I had actually pinned both pictures long ago but you know, we pin so many stuff that it gets hard to go through them all. I liked that it was a romper (good inspiration to sew for this series), but the colours were also inspiring to me because I'd like to sew along with the new edition of Challenge Create. Although we don't celebrate 4th of July over here, this would be a great sew, I love the three colours (red, blue & white) together. I love to combine challenges and create one look with it... This time, it was the motivation RaeAnna gave me by inviting me for her series, it made me actually make something inspired on a pin from my boards and I used the first Theme for Challenge Create, all mixed up into my daughter's new look. 

Specifically for today, I have made a romper I've been wanting to try and sew for a while. It is the Pleated Jumpsuit pattern from Heidi, of Elegance & Elephants. It is a FREE pattern in case you haven't heard of it yet (which I doubt!), so if you want to make your own, click here and grab it. You will love it, you'll see. 

You might recognise the fabric from a previous dress I made her. I didn't have much left in the stash, but I had curtains I had made many years ago with the same fabric. I picked it out of a bag, saved for too long, I wasn't using them again for sure, and it would be the perfect fabric for the romper (remember I pledged to NOT buying any fabrics for the whole year, unless I REALLY need it). 

For the lining in the romper I used scraps, it was just the right amount, a bit less and I would have to go with another one, which I didn't want to, I really like this tone of blue. Plus, it is so close to the refashioned blue fabric from the cardigan/bolero she's wearing on the photo above, to complete the look. I actually made it from left overs from a dress I refashioned for myself a while ago, sleeves and bits mostly. I self dafted it, but I have to fix it on the back, it ended up too wide on the back. 

I went with the 2-3 size for the romper, always believing it'd be too big for my skinny lady. I was fine with that though, because if I make things bigger, they will last for longer. And we all know kids grow a lot through summer time (which is just starting)... I was so surprised it fits so good already, normally when I pick the pattern size by age (and not measuring) it ends up too big, too wide, too something... but it looks perfect and she seems to love it. 

But, if you came here looking for rompers inspiration, and were brave enough to read all through this, you might want to check the Bubblicious Romper I made and blogged about last month, mashing up two different patterns. And I have three more rompers to share this week here in my blog. All I can tell you right now, is that I made two of them for my little boy, and it's from a free pattern too, and I used Heidi's pattern again... with a different fabric and print. 

RaeAnna, has prepared a lot of great prizes, so you have the change to get them. Here's how...

There are 6 ways to win!  The first three will be through a link party and voting!  First place will be given to the romper creation with the most votes, then 2nd place and 3rd place!

And there are also three prizes to be given away through a Rafflecopter entry!

1 winner will receive a yard of Ann Kelle fabric

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Mouse House Creations

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Sewing Mama RaeAnna

You have until June 28th to upload your romper creation photo!  Voting will begin on June 21st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to also check and follow her Pinterest Board, for some inspiration and if you have your own rompers to share, link them to her Link Party.

LINK PARTY

Welcome to the 2014 Romper Week!
You are welcome to link up any romper you have made in 2014 - baby rompers, boys, girls, women, they are all welcome!

We will begin voting on June 21st and the top three entries to the link party will walk away with an awesome prize!!(Voting will be 1 vote per IP address....recruit your friends to send votes your way! We will keep voting open until June 28th)

First place - the most votes - will receive:$30 credit to Girl Charlee
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Romper
Blank Slate Pattern Retro Romper

Second place:Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle
Shaffer Sisters Betty Skirt Pattern
Winner's Choice Sewing Mama RaeAnna Pattern

Third place:Fat Quarter Shop Fat Quarter Bundle
Winner's Choice Muse of the Morning Pattern

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinterest Challenge |pin 1 & 2|

For June, these were the 5 pins I chose to cross from my neverending to do list. 

Although last Sunday, I already had one of them crossed off, I failed to blog about it. I am bringing that one and the second one today to get on track with it. 

So, pin number one: the maxi dress look!

I chose that pin for a reason... it wasn't a random pinterest search for maxi dresses. The thing is, I scored a maxi dress in my usual charity shop a few months ago for 1€, but I hadn't used it yet, because it was a bit too large for me. I needed some motivation to fix it and finally wear it. 

The main problem with this dress was with the bodice... way too large for little me. Though the ladies got bigger with pregnancy, they're still not big enough for this dress, so that was something to repais. I tried to pull it down, pin and sew, but after it was done it looked weird, so I ended up unpicking my seams, and the original seams and adjust it to my size. The second problem with it was the stripes, one was ripped when I bought it and I was wondering if I should just tight it on the neck or sew them down on the back. I went with the second choice and I am happy with it. 

The day I wore it, I used a cardigan that was given to me with that huge pile of clothes I blogged about. It looked great. I wore the dress again, but cardigans were no way to be used anymore, the weather had a drastic change from the weekend to monday. Either way, both days I failed to take some photos (forgive my pregnant brains, it just keeps happening with everything and anything), that's why I have my dress form modeling it for you. 

Pin number two: Pancakes

Everybody knows pancakes are wonderful, right? You can have them in a million different ways. I like them plain, with honey, or ice sugar and cinnamon. My pinspiration was of a list of 10 different ways to make a pancake,but in the end, I just needed, again, a reason to make them for the very first time by my own. I knew I'd have a friend visiting me this week, so pancakes for us it'd be. 

I used a recipe from a portuguese blogger, I love her recipes, here's the original link, you can always use google translate to get it if you want to. They are yogurt pancakes. I can't take full credit for the ones we ate though. I was hoping to get them done before my friend arrived, but I had been busy sewing late, working on another pattern test and could only get them done when she arrived. I mixed all the ingredients, but then she got the spot on the stove and I just helped. lol They were so tasty, only one was left when we finished!

|JUNE| Pinterest Challenge is Back

This is where I post about pins I love and want to recreate, get inspired by to create something new, etc... and I hope to cross off, at least one pin per week. 

Maxi look Little Geranium Pancakes Nursing Top Savoury Flapjacks 

Wish me luck!

Sewing Challenges (& Sort of Wrap up)

New exciting things are on the way...

Operation Project $0 is on. Check it out HERE. I guest posted for the series too... YEY! Missed it? Go here!

Season 8 of Project Run & Play kicks off tomorrow! So excited to see what everyone come up with. The themes for the 4 weeks of challenge are: Pattern Remix - Candy - Plaid - and - Signature look. I have already done my Pattern Remix outfit, and will be blogging about it in just a few days. I'm still not sure about the second week, but I will join the other two for sure. 

Maratón Telaria - this is sort of a spanish version of PR&P, and I am in to sew along with. There are also 4 weeks, and the themes for this are: Retro - Knits - Bed Time- and - our choice. Starts next month, so I'm excited for this too. 

I might or might not join this one if I can get to sew it mixed up with another of the challenges. This is a challenge hosted by the Spanish blog La Pantigana. And we're supposed to use a really horrible fabric that we might have in our stash, and make something good out of it. Sounds fun and it's a great insentive to use that fabric that we always put back because it isn't just good enough. 

Click on picture!

Another fun series to follow - did you realise I'll be guest posting for this series too?!

Besides, I have a lot to do. My list is big, but I love it! I love to feel challenged, I love that I feel like I belong somewhere... In a near future I am: 

- Testing a pattern

- Reviewing another pattern

- Being part of a Pattern tour

- Doing a guest post for a bloggy friend

- Realising my first FREE pattern

And guess what? I am even considering a winter edition for a Refashion Month series. Is anyone in for this? 

Mmmm... It's been a while since I last blogged about my challenges. I am excited about the next couple of months. It's going to be pretty crazy around here, well, it has actually started already, but it's going to get extra busy since I can't turn down a good challenge. 

It's been a sewing challenging year. It did calm down for Summer though, but I needed to feel motivated and came up with the self Pinterest challenge. AH! I made that post and then never talked about it. The truth is that I didn't keep up with the weekly pin done. Buhhhh!!! But in my defense I have to say that I crossed most of those pins out of my to do list. 

Ever since, I did make the piñata cake, by the end of July for my niece's 6th birthday party. She loved it and everyone thought it was a great birthday cake. I didn't follow any tutorial, I made a cake (two actually) with a recipe I had from a magazine and then decorated as wished. And here's how it turned out.

I did make a pair of Harem shorts for my daughter and most recently I made a pair for my little niece M. Before those two, I made another pair but that was considered a failure and although I've been planning to still blog about it, I haven't done it yet. 

I didn't do the lollipops, I wanted to make them as party favours on my daughter's birthday (late June), but I didn't, so I don't think I will do that anymore. I did print the pattern for the potty training pants, but when I realised my baby was potty trained and those weren't needed anymore. It only took me a month for the whole process. 

And I didn't do the mat exactly, like the one on the pin I showed you, but I did the little pillows and we've used them on tree trunks. It looked so cute. Those were also for my daughter's 2nd birthday. The theme was ladybugs, I have mentioned that when I showed you her outfit for the party. 

That's it for now, but I might be up for something else!!! ;)

Pinterest Challenge

I liked to take part of the pinterest challenge a few weeks ago. It motivated me to get around to do some of those things I pinned and were forever waiting for me to give it a try. So I decided I will start my own personal pinterest challenge monthly. I will have to get 5 of my pins done each month. And I have created a board on Pinterest, just to collect all the pins I've done.

So, for June here's my pick - not necessarily on the same order:

#1 - A Piñata Cake for my daughter's second birthday

#2 - Harem Pants for my daughter

3- Potty Training Pants

4 - Old Fashioned Lollipops

5- Something similar to this

I just feel like I'm going through a fase when I need to get challenged! Let's hope I get everything I wish done!

Pinterest Challenge #6

Before I get on the subject, let me just make a quick note. Maegen Foster  was the lucky winner of the first week's sew along on Project Run and Play. She has compiled her favourite creations from the sew along and guess what? My Sad Cat dress was featured too. Thank you Maegen! You totally deserved to win!

Now, let's get to what brought me here. My latest project straight from my pinterest inspiration board was getting a look like the one inspired on the character Robin Scherbatsky from the tv show How I met your mother.

Well, it basicly means I needed a reason to finally refashion a  blue dress I was given. It belonged in time to my sister's mother in law, and of course, it ended up with me like most of all the old fashioned clothes nobody wants anymore. All I know is that this dress came from the USA a long, long time ago when they moved back to Portugal. And it is a so soft and warm knit fabric. 

I can tell you, it was ugly (not as much as the green one though). Well, you decide, see for yourself:

And yes, that's the after! With the blazer as in the inspiration look. I did go outside to get some nice photos taken, but when I took them I forgot why I was taking those photos, and didn't even wear my blazer. lol

I swear I acessorized the overlook with black earings and a large black bag (the one I use everyday, actually!). 

I liked the original neck collar, but it definately had to go. The changes I made were, getting rid of the sleeves (which means I got some fabric left and who knows, I might make anything matchy for G.), shortened the dress and add pleats on the waist line. It fits me just well. 

I used a belt I rarely use to complete my look. I enjoyed wearing it this time, I always feel weird with this belt, don't ask me why. I guess I am not a very belt person, anyway... Too bad I didn't get a single picture where my boots show entirely. They're old, actually it might have been the last time I wore them =( They are high heels and the only reason I still have them, is that I don't own any other pair of heels boots. 

Well, and this was me celebrating that I got to participate in The Sew Off competition!!! ahahah

Pinterest Challenge #5

The Pinterest deadline is tomorrow. What? Already? Yeah, looks like so! Good thing I have finished all my projects already. Today I am showing you the 5th and tomorrow the 6th and last one.

my 5th finished project was the cookies. My my pinspiration came from a friend's blog, here's the recipe source, which is written in Portuguese. Here's a (google) translation for you:

You'll need:

-300gr of flour,

-50gr of Custard Powder

-150g of butter

-100g icing sugar

-2 gems

-20ml of milk

-egg yolk

-chocolate bar q.s.

Join all ingredients until dough is uniform. Involve the dough in cling film and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Extend dough in a surface with flour, about 5mm thick and the cutouts are made with shapes. Place the biscuits in the oven on a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Brush with egg yolk and put in the oven for 12 minutes. Allow to cool and then melt the chocolate. Dip half cookie in the chocolate and place it on tracing paper to solidify your chocolate. 

google needed a helping hand, I guess...

I also used cream to mix with my melted chocolate bar. They turned out pretty tasty, and even a friend who is a cooker/baker said my chocolate was just perfect. I took those cookies to family lunch yesterday and the kids adored them. It was a great alternative to the chocolate eggs, which they all got a few of, but didn't eat because the had the cookies.
That's a try again recipe for sure!!!