Archive for March 2019

{New!} Cricut EasyPress Totes

Posted by Kari @ That's-Sew-Kari

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Not only is it my 6-year blogging anniversary, it's also my 150th blog post! YAY!!

To celebrate, I'm sharing some exciting news from Cricut! New to their expansive crafting lineup are the EasyPress™ Totes!! Because the EasyPress is touted for being so easily portable, it only makes sense that you'd want a sturdy case for the safest transport!

If you have an EasyPress 2 or an original EasyPress, you're going to want to grab one of these.

Features:

Premium bag for transportation of Cricut EasyPress, Safety Base, mat, and small accessories (each sold separately)
Includes large back pocket and a convenient zippered front pocket
Strong Velcro strap keeps machine firmly in place during travel
Constructed from premium, thick, and padded heat-resistant material for the ultimate protection.
Adjustable shoulder strap
Comfortable strong grip handle

Last Fall, I brought my 2 of my EasyPresses to work and while they were portable and lightweight, I was nervous I'd drop one carrying them in along with all of my other supplies. With these totes, I could've easily slipped one on each shoulder and with the included pockets, all of my supplies would be neatly tucked away.

I have 3 EasyPresses -- EasyPress (original), EasyPress 2 Mini and EasyPress 2 Large. I have labeled the above picture with which EasyPress fits in which size. Please note that the Original Easy Press (although it is 9 x 9 like the EasyPress 2 Medium) will NOT fit the 9 x 9 Tote. Trust me... I tried -- LOL! Remember in this post last year when I showed how they improved the base? The EasyPress 2 9 x 9 base is smaller.

*Tote Compatibility

Small - Cricut EasyPress 2, 6" x 7"

Medium - Cricut EasyPress 2, 9" x 9"

Large - Cricut EasyPress 2, 10" x 12" and Cricut EasyPress, 9" x 9"

Easily transport your EasyPress, Safety Base, Mat and small accessories for flawless iron-on transfers where ever you go! These stylish totes are crafted from premium heat-resistant material and safely protect your gear from bumps and scrapes. The entire outside of the Tote has a thick padding which will protect your EasyPress!

Simply place the entire unit inside, including the base and wrap the cord around the outside. Then secure the Velcro strap.

The middle securing strap in the large size features adjustable Velcro which allows you to secure both the Large EasyPress 2 and the Original EasyPress!

While all 3 sized totes include a back pocket, the large tote features an expandable back pocket which is perfect for carrying your 20" x 16" Easy Press Mat.

If you have just 12" x 12" mat, simply keep the expandable back pocket zipped and snapped up.

As a fellow sewist, the construction on these are SOLID. The seams are strong, design is well thought out and the topstitching is impeccable. Here is a close-up of the strong grip handle.

They feature adjustable straps on all 3 sizes so you can carry on one shoulder or cross-body style. The large tote also has a strap padding for comfort.

Have I convinced you yet?! Grab yours today!! Tell me, which feature is your favorite?

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{Riley Blake Designs} Bliss by My Mind's Eye

Posted by Kari @ That's-Sew-Kari

I am so excited to share one of Riley Blake Designs' newest fabric collections! Bliss, designed by My Mind's Eye, is such a stunning collection with just the right amount of rose gold sparkle! The color palette is blush pink, mint, and black. This collection is a perfect mixture of floral, stripes, dots and honeycomb prints.

Photo Credit: Riley Blake Designs

Isn't it so dreamy? Normally, I try to sew for just one on my daughters, but I just couldn't resist picking out fabrics for both. I especially loved that I could pick out fabrics from one collection that suited each daughter but result in two totally different looks. For my oldest daughter, I chose Bliss Roses Black Sparkle and Bliss Honeycomb Black Sparkle. She loves everything black and pink! For my youngest daughter, I went with a softer palette and chose Bliss Main Mint Sparkle and accented it with Bliss Honeycomb Blush Sparkle.

While I picked the fabrics this time, I let the girls pick which dress I'd sew for them. As we looked through pictures, the Lexington Dress by Little Lizard King caught my daughter's eye. It is such a sweet and dainty pattern, it definitely suited the fabric selection. I opted to add the faux sash which is a great place to use coordinating fabrics.

I love the back detailing and used the accent fabric as the tie to make the sweet honeycomb bow pop against the main floral print.

She's all ready for Spring ... we just need the Spring weather to arrive. HA!

My oldest chose one of her favorite patterns, the Sorrento by Little Lizard King. Although I've sewn her a few, she didn't have a circle skirt version like her sister! Thankfully she's so tiny for her age because I was *just* able to squeeze out the skirt on the 44" wide fabric. It's a smidge shorter than the intended size 7 length. (Please note: It normally doesn't sit so low on the top. I noticed after pictures that I must have cut the straps a tad long... :facepalm: I guess I'll have a date with the seam ripper to remedy it.)

We chose to contrast the bodice with the Honeycomb in Black.

I made bias tape out of the remainder and used it to hem the circle skirt!

Of course, this dress was chosen for the twirl factor -- and it passed with flying colors! Some pictures were promptly deleted because it twirls a *little* too well...lol

I'm also happy to report that you can iron this fabric just as you would any other cotton! I was worried that the sparkle may require different instructions, but I had my iron as hot as it'd go with the steam just as high.

Thank you Riley Blake Designs for these gorgeous fabrics!! The smiles say it all 💗

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Gnome & Gardens Fabric Collection by Shawn Wallace for Riley Blake Designs

Posted by Kari @ That's-Sew-Kari

I know Spring starts in 5 days, but who wants to skip straight to Summer with me?! I am SO over rain and ready for weeks of sunshine.

Gnome and Gardens by Shawn Wallace for Riley Blake Designs is just the collection to make me want to jump-start Summer. It's a whimsical group of designs with gnomes, bunnies in their carrot gardens and flamingos!! Shown below is a sampling of the color palette. It is just all SO fun!!

(Be sure to visit the Storyboard here to see complete collection details, including the inspiration behind it!)

Photo Credit: Riley Blake Designs

I was immediately drawn to the cute little flamingos and while the majority of what I sew my girls are dresses, I knew a summer top and shorts set was perfect for it. I paired the Gnome and Gardens Flamingos White with the Gnomes and Gardens Loopy Dots Pink.

The patterns I selected are Amsterdam Top (no surprise....lol) and Charleston Shorts both by Little Lizard King. For both patterns, I selected options that I had never sewn before and I love how they turned out!

This back is perfect for our hot Summer heat!! This Flamingo print is just the right weight too.

Several years ago, Rebecca of Candy Castle Patterns sent me various pieces of picot edged bias -- sent all the way from the Netherlands. I have used some of the pieces here and there, but this black and white gingham piece has been waiting for the perfect pairing. I adore how it compliments this fabric!!

She added some sunglasses and now she's ready!! All she needs now is for it to stop raining and actually warm up...lol

Is that too much to ask for?!

Have you checked out the collection linked above? What prints are your favorites??

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{Blog Tour} Suit Up for Summer with Raspberry Creek Fabrics

Posted by Kari @ That's-Sew-Kari

EEEK... so begins SUMMER OF SWIM... again!

Last summer, I finally took the plunge and sewed swimsuits for my girls and by the time summer was over, they had about 4 or so each (maybe more... I lost count). I am SO excited to kick this Summer of Swim off with the Suit Up for Summer Blog Tour with Raspberry Creek Fabrics! I have recently discovered Raspberry Creek Fabrics and I'm so glad I did! Not only do they have a wide variety of prints and styles, they are a MATTE swim material and also have the ability to mix and match prints in the collection. Many of them also come in board short material!

Countdown to Pool Season!Countdown

I let my girls have free reign of picking the fabrics and the patterns. I was pleasantly surprised when they (separately) chose coordinating fabric! (Although my youngest had the sharks a close second choice.) Truth be told, the two watermelon prints were top of my list too! My youngest chose the Tossed Watermelon print and my oldest selected Tossed Watermelon Seed.

I'm including the stock pictures from the website because indoor lighting isn't my favorite and my eyeballs are about to bleed from trying to edit them properly...lol

My youngest knew right away that she wanted a repeat sew of one of last year's makes that is getting too small. She practically lived in the two Catalina Swimsuits by Violette Field Threads I made last year (stealing her sister's too!). This year, I sized up a width and made a 6w/7L. She does most of her growing in the summer months so I wanted it to still fit her at the end of August.

She, of course, wanted no ruffles but wanted the Tossed Watermelon Seed to be the top accent and tie. Because the back of the material is white, I lined the tie as a design preference.

These materials are 50+ UPF Protection which gives me peace of mind as we spend our summer days practically living at the pool. The fabrics were really easy to sew. I didn't experience any slipping either! I also lined the entire suit with swimsuit lining, also from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

My oldest ventured out to try a new (to us) pattern and chose the Lainey Swimsuit from Made for Mermaids after perusing all of the sponsors (thank you sponsors!). She prefers more of a sleek look so it was no surprise when she wanted the bikini with no frills and made in just the Tossed Watermelon Seed.

This is my first swimsuit I've sewn by Made for Mermaids (despite me buying last years releases for my growing pattern collection...lol) and I really loved how the bottoms were sewn together. It's a rather genius way to attach it all so it's fully lined and the seams are not only hidden but all attached so the lining isn't slipping around! Now, I can't wait to try the ones I bought last year!

She's busy checking to see how many days are left until our life at the pool begins!!

P.S. The girls have promised me a reshoot of these at the pool once it opens because indoor pics are kind of duds for swimwear. I'll update in a few weeks if they hold true...HA!!

In the meantime, check out the awesome line up of bloggers and of course, the amazing sponsors (and some sweet discount codes through tomorrow only)!! Don't forget to visit Raspberry Creek Fabrics and plan your summer swimwear now!