Char @ Crap I've Made

How to hem jeans, Part 2

January 11, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 103 Comments

We’ve talked about this before, but I’m going to show you one more little “trick” that turns a good hem job into a great hem job.

First a quick run down on basic hemming. Try your pants on and have someone pin the cuffs at the level you want the pants to end up. On this pair it’s 2.5”.

Divide that measurement in half (1.25” on this pair) and measure from the edge of the factory hem that distance. Press all the way around.

Sew right up next to the factory hem. I like to start right before the most detailed side seam and make sure it’s lined up perfectly.

Go back to your ironing board and press the factory hem “down” and the part you just sewed “up”.

You can stop here if you want, but (especially after washing) you might find that the part you just sewed flips down and hangs out of your jeans or that your cuff flips up and makes the hemmed part visible.

Take your jeans back to the machine and stitch RIGHT on top of the seam line on both side seams.

(I left the thread tail on the 2nd picture so you can see where the stitching starts. Practically invisible, right?)

And here’s a look at the other seam:

Finished product?

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Filed Under: sewing

Recalcitrant

January 10, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 48 Comments

We’re trying to potty train Bennett.

You’d think by the 4th kid (one of which has Asperger’s) this would be old hat.

You’d be wrong.

Last week, this was my Facebook status:

“I think Bennett’s going to be 10 before he decides to use the toilet.”

Emily, my CWTS partner, posted:

“Quinn too.”

And then I replied:

“Did Quinn rip off the pair of Thomas underpants you put on him and then hide them under the bed when you weren’t looking so you couldn’t possibly make him put them back on?”

I left off the part where he yelled “YOU’LL NEVER FIND THEM NOW!”, a la Swiper on Dora.

Confused smile

So, I made him a little something.

(I used my Silhouette to cut the heat transfer material. The font is Blazed. The shirt is from Target. I seam rippered the pocket off.)

Now, before you start sending me mean emails about my kids needing therapy on account of me being their mother, let me just point out that I made myself a little something, too.

(Again, used my Silhouette to cut the heat transfer material. The font is Joint. Yes, there does appear to be an illegal substance font theme going on here.)

I think we’re even.

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Filed Under: kids, Silhouette

Must. Take. Down. Christmas. Wreath.

January 9, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 64 Comments

So, those fabulous green shutters I hung above my mantel to cover the awkward hole?

Only fabulous with something “on” them.

(Excuse the awful picture…I didn’t bother taking a new one. You can see my thankful tree in the corner.)

See?

I feel like a red sparkly Christmas wreath isn’t really appropriate year round. I mean…maybe some of YOU could pull it of, but I can’t. Winking smile

So, what do I put up there?

A less festive wreath?
A monogram of some sort (although C is pretty much the lamest letter for a monogram ever)?
A frame?

Help?

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Filed Under: home decor

Feel like shopping this weekend?

January 8, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 25 Comments

Want to spend some of my money? (Sort of.)

My living room needs a new rug. You see, when we got hardwood floors a year or so ago, I blew the entire rug budget for both rooms on this beauty for my family room.

[DSC_1290.JPG]

My living room has been making do with a cheapy sisal type rug that smells like hay. Still. 1.5 years later.

I put off buying this rug from IKEA so long that it was discontinued.

I think I still want orange, but I could be persuaded otherwise…

The couches are denim, the floors are dark maple, the walls are khaki and the woodwork/bookcases are white. The accessories are all negotiable.

Help?

And stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow!

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Filed Under: home decor

Simply UT

January 7, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 7 Comments

First of all, I’ve enjoyed the discussion about giveaways. I’ve read each and every comment. (Gotta do something while you’re waiting in the carpool lane, right?) I’m not sure what I’m going to “do” yet, and I just want to reiterate to anyone that already has a giveaway scheduled that I will 100% honor the obligation I have made and do a darn fine job of it, too. Winking smile

Next up, are you familiar with Simply UT? If you’re a Utahan, you really should be. Simply UT is a great resource for all things Utah.

They have a blog directory, that includes many of my very favorite bloggers.

and

are 2 of the most recent features. (P.S. Amy, it’s January. When are we having lunch?)

You can search their local blog directory by category, too.

Like to support local business? They can help! They’ve got pages and pages and pages for you. I counted 36 photographers, including the fabulous Photo by Emilie (who I’ve mentioned before).

So, if you’re a Utahan or you love Utahans or you want to be a Utahan, check out Simply UT.

And today’s featured blog? Might look a *little* familiar.

Open-mouthed smile

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Filed Under: swap

Can we talk about giveaways?

January 6, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 150 Comments

You guys like free stuff, right?

I like giving moms a place to promote their businesses,

and I like sharing stuff I love with you guys,

BUT

(there Char goes again with her big old but)

I need to do something about the way giveaways have been happening around here.

You see, doing a giveaway takes time. A LOT of time.

First there’s the initial email exchanges and calendaring and re-calendaring (I’d say about 50% of the people that contact me for giveaways are never to be heard from again). Time. Then there’s posting. I have to search through Etsy shops and websites and save pictures and write and rewrite and edit. More time. And then I have to remember to shut down the giveaway and pick a winner. Still more time. I have to post about that and take screen shots. Even more time. Then I have to try to contact the winner and contact the sponsor. TIME!!! Then I get emails from people who never received their prizes, and emails from people who are mad that there weren’t very many entries in their giveaway…See where this is going?

And (not to get all greedy here, but) what’s in it for me?

Usually nothing.

I heard from someone a few weeks ago that was under the impression that I got to keep one of whatever it is I giveaway.

Nope.

And when I do get a “perk” for doing a giveaway, you’ll see it clearly spelled out in the post. I disclose.

So, I’ve decided that things need to change. I can’t spend hours each week doing something I don’t love and “endorsing” (can’t think of a better word here) products I don’t believe in and have no experience with.

I DO, however, want to continue to give away good products. Especially from my sponsors. They support this blog and I’m happy to support them in return.

Here’s where you all come in:

Let’s talk about giveaways. What do you love? What do you hate? What do you want more of? What do you want less of? How often do you like to have a giveaway? Does the retail value of the product being given away matter to you? What else do you want to tell me?

***Because I know some people are going to wonder if I’m talking about any giveaway in particular, NO. It’s not a single event/person/product that’s provoked this. The majority of my giveaway experiences have been good ones. I just feel like things need some changing.***

The End

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Filed Under: giveaway

Score!

January 4, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 34 Comments

BC dragged me to a disgusting mess of a store (NPS, for you locals) this weekend. Like, I’m not sure why anyone would go there. Maybe you need a cross bow and some expired Diet Coke in one stop? I think it’s freight damaged stuff? Like I said…I’m still not clear on the whole situation, but BC *really* wanted to go (with all 4 kids in tow), so we went.

And I wanted to hurt people and/or myself.

BC spent lots of time looking at golf clubs. My boys enjoyed the other sports equipment. Macy and I saw a sign that said “FABRIC” and got excited, but it was a lie. There was no fabric.

As we were about to leave, I saw one of these:

(Image from Pottery Barn)

Only it was Antique White…like the rest of the furniture in my craft/sewing room. Retail price? $419, but currently on sale for $379. NPS price? $149.

But wait!

It was an additional 70% off! That means I paid $44.70…for real live Pottery Barn! I think it’s going to be my official Silhouette storage solution. Stay tuned for more on that.

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Filed Under: home decor, organization, thrifting

Resolving, 2011 edition

January 3, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 22 Comments

Remember how last year I resolved to “buy more lamps”?

I think that went pretty well. I stepped out of my comfort zone A LOT last year.

I did a project for a magazine. (And an interview, where they were nice enough to leave out the parts that made me sound like a fool.)

I was on TV and I didn’t even curse!

I went to a couple of blog conferences and admitted to myself that I am indeed an actual “blogger”.

Here’s where I tell you all that 2010 kind of sucked. In fact, I’d say it was one of the top 2 worst/most stressful years for me in recent memory. It was right up there with 2003 (when we had a baby, moved twice, my dad died, I broke my knee cap and was housebound for 6 weeks…). Every 7th year is bad for us. You’ll probably want to keep your distance in 2017, just sayin’…

So, what’s my goal in 2011?

FIND THE JOY

I talked about learning to find the joy in my Mother’s Day post last year and I think it’s time for me to take a refresher course.

Dee Dee asked me what I wanted to accomplish in 2011 for her one question interview series. Here’s my response:

I want to visit Omaha.
I want to say NO more often.
I want to say YES more often.
I want to yell less and laugh more.
I want to DO more and worry less.
I want to take more naps.
And, I want to stop buying diapers for the first time since 2000.

What are you resolving?

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Filed Under: ramblings

CWTS, Round 2

January 1, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 4 Comments

It’s back!

Auditions for round 2 of CWTS start over at Sew Dang Cute Crafts today! Auditions run through the 15th, so you’ve got plenty of time to link up an audition project. (It doesn’t have to be something brand new, but does have to have been made AFTER December 1st.) Head on over here to link up your project and read all the details!

You could get paired up with me, or maybe even someone awesome Winking smile . The “stars” participating this round are:

1. Amy (Mod Podge Rocks)
2. Beckie (Infarrantly Creative)
3. ME!
4. Cheri H. (I Am Momma – Hear Me Roar)
5. Cheri P. (It’s So Very Cheri)
6. Heather (Dollar Store Crafts)
7. Jen (Tatertots & Jello)
8. Kierste (Brown Paper Packages)
9. Lorie (Be Different…Act Normal)
10. Michelle (Someday Crafts)
11. Sachiko (Tea Rose Home)
12. Shelley (How Does She)

And I have to say that Emily from The Boy Trifecta who was my partner last round, has become one of my very favorite people. So yay for CWTS!

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Filed Under: CWTS

2010, in review

December 31, 2010 By Char @ Crap I've Made 15 Comments

So, you know how all the really good blogs are doing a “Top 10” post? Those bloggers are obviously smarter than me and figured out how to install Google Analytics correctly. Mine didn’t start working until August and Stat Counter is ~~ghetto~~ more simple than that, so I’ve got nothing “official”.

I do, however, want to show you all this little gem from Stat Counter:

It’s been quite a ride. I’m thankful and overwhelmed.

Thank you for choosing to come here and read.

Thank you for saying hi to me when you see me out and about (even when I haven’t showered Winking smile ).

Thank you for the kind emails.

2010 Highlights

My personal favorites…there’s nothing scientific about this!

My favorite post of the year (not a craft in sight…just me waxing philosophical).

(Click on the pictures to go to the tutorials)

Here’s to a fabulous 2011!

(And don’t forget you can pick up a Silhouette for $175 through January 1st if you subscribe to the online download store. Use code “CRAP” to get the deal!)

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Filed Under: ramblings