Pumpkin Patch 2009

So we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. Just a few miles from our house a family has a pumpkin patch that has been in their family for generations. We've gone there for our pumpkins ever since we had Emily.

Matthew's first trip in 2006

This year 2009

The Hunt begins!!

Searching for the Perfect Pumpkin...

It's Soooo Good to be BAD!

I'm so excited to be a part of this very Magical launch!!

I've had the images for this set drawn out for months just waiting for the perfect time to list it. A Magic Kingdom seemed like the perfect time, after all, no Magic Kingdom is complete without a few Villains!!

Click HERE to be taken to the listing!!

Search Boutique AMK to see all the Macical listings in the "A Magic Kingdom" launch!

It's Almost time!!

It's almost time for the "Magic Kingdom" ebay launch!!

Not only will there be over 100 fabulous auctions to bid on, there's also the chance to win a weekend (2 days, 1 night) for 5 (2 adults, 2 kids, 1 baby under 2) at Disney!! Transportation and meals are NOT included.

The contest is easy, and so much fun!! The Highest Bidders on any and all of the Magic Kingdom listings will be entered into the contest. The Highest Bidder - bidder that has won the most Magic Kingdom listings - wins the weekend at Disney!! That's not all! The 2nd Highest Bidder - Bidder with the 2nd highest number of winning bids - gets a prize too!! A $75 Spa gift Certificate in the winners home town.

Only the high bidders (winners) of each auction will be entered into the drawings! There will be over 100 chances at an entry! So, starting October 1 search Boutique BMK and bid often, and bid to win!!

I'm Still Here!!

I feel a bit neglectful of my blog. I've been busy (and blessed) with a few big orders and hard at work on a few new designs for 2 upcoming launches!! The launches are running the first week of October, and I plan to have a few listings up.

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Servane (of THE MonaLisaBoutique) is hosting A Magic Kingdom launch from October 1-10. I and sooooo excited for this launch and have the perfect set for it!! Let's just say, no Magic Kingdom is complete without a few Villains!!

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The BowFairies are hosting a Christmas launch the same week (2 weeks actually!!) and I jumped at the chance to join them. I'm working on a set fit for a Winter Princess to list for a "Fairy Merry Christmas".

Ribbon Trimmed Tiered twirl skirt.

Here's a quick tutorial on how I make my super full twirl skirts and tops.

I make all my yoke/waistbands 1.5X the waist measurement. Then each tier is double the tier above it. So, if your daughter has a 20 inch waist, here are the measurements (for the above skirt each tier was 4inches wide, but you can make them whatever measurement top the length you want.) I had 3 tiers + the waistband/yoke:

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waistband 8X30 (this will be folded in half lengthwise.)

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tier1 4X60

tier2 4X120

tier3 4X240

I worked with 30X4 inch strips for this skirt, but for a patchwork I usually use 18inch strips.

Sew all your strips together to get your tiers (tier1 had two strips, tier2 had four and tier3 had eight)

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I choose to use bias tape instead of adding a ruffle, but a ruffle would be cute too!!

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Press your bias tape to get the creases out from it being folded.

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I don't use the "proper technique" for attaching bias tape - I just sandwich the material in between it and stitch. Use what ever method woks best for you.
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Using an edge stitch, stitch the length of your bias tape. There is a special foot that you can use for edge-stitching, but I have no idea where mine is, so I put my needle in the left position and I got the same close stitching.

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Here's the edge-stitching when it's done.
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Gather your now reaaaaaly long bottom tier so it is half it's original length and matches up to tier2. Pin - right sides together, and attach. Don't forget to finish your seam (like I did!!) and press the seam up.

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If you are not using the ribbon trim, be sure to top stitch your tiers. I did not topstitch before I added the ribbon trim, but you could.

Pin your ribbon so it is even with the seam of the 2 tiers. I didn't put the ribbon over the gathers, it lays nicer if you don't. Stitch it along the length using an edge stitch, as close to an edge as you can. Turn it around and stitch the other edge of ribbon - take the pins out as you go this time, don't stitch over them. Your ribbon will lay much nicer if you take the pins out as you go.
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Repeat with the next tiers.

A picture after I edge-stitched on both sides.

For the waistband, I fold the yoke in half lengthwise and press. I make a casing 1inch from the top and insert my elastic - secure it at one end, but don't pull it all the way through.

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Gather your 3 tiers (that are now all together) so it is the same length as your waistband. Pin, attach and press the seam up - attach the ribbon the same as you did on the bottom tiers.Now, pull the elastic through to the end of the waistband and stitch to secure it. Pin your side seams (right sides together) and stitch the seam. Press your seam, and all done!!

Instead of attaching this to a waistband for a skirt, you can attach it to a bodice and have a full twirl top/dress too!
Here are a few things I've made using these directions...

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Frightfully Fun!!

I just love how this set turned out - and Emily does too!! She loves everything about this set - from her messy pig-tails to the funky arm and leg warmers, she had fun modeling this set! And of course, it has a matching doll set ;)

Who's ready for a Girls Night Out?? What's that you say? No babysitter, you're in your jammies, and you've still got too much to do tonight??? No problem, let's have a VIRTUAL Girls Night Out!!

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Ann from Ann Again...and Again is hosting another VGNO, get your blog over there and join in the fun!!

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Time For A Party Game!

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To play "Dear Diary" fill-in the blanks using the chart below. (Now, this game will hint at your age.) Get ready!

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Dear Diary,My best friend (a)______ and I went shopping for (b)______. We wanted to show them off when we went to hang out at the (c)______. You won't BELIEVE who we saw at the mall. (d)______! We screamed so loud they had to call Security. It was the best day ever!

Now, fill-in the blanks with the time-table of the year you entered High School.

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Entered High School:

1975-1979 (a) Donna

1980-1983 (a) Tiffany

1984-1988 (a) Claire

1989-1993 (a) Jennifer

1994-1996 (a) Alanis

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Entered High School:

1975-1979 (b) Bell Bottoms

1980-1983 (b) Argyle Sweater

1984-1988 (b) Neon Leggings

1989-1993 (b) Black Rubber Bracelets

1994-1996 (b) $200 Ripped Jeans

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Entered High School:

1975-1979 (c) Roller Rink

1980-1983 (c) Arcade

1984-1988 (c) Food Court

1989-1993 (c) Multi-Plex

1994-1996 (c) Skate Park

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Entered High School:

1975-1979 (d) John Travolta

1980-1983 (d) Mel Gibson

1984-1988 (d) Tom Cruise

1989-1993 (d) Brad Pitt

1994-1996 (d) Keanu Reeves

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Here's my Dear diary entry ;)

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Dear Diary, My best friend Claire and I went shopping for neon leggings. We wanted to show them off when we went to hang out at the Food Court. You won't BELIEVE who we saw at the mall. Tom Cruise! We screamed so loud they had to call Security. It was the best day ever!