Silhouette Stick Family

According to everyone else I might be crazy but I think minivans have an undeserved bad rep. I like them way more than SUVs. They have more rows of seats, get better gas mileage and let you walk to the back without getting out of the car (which is a life saver when the wind chill factor is below zero and you have to buckle 3 kids). But I guess they're not very glamorous. Never been a big deal in my book.

So I guess it should come as no surprise that I also like those stick figures people put on their back windows to represent their family. Tacky? Maaaaybe. But when it comes to what I drive, as I said before, I've never been very concerned about style.

So I priced them and with shipping included they were kind of expensive as far as vinyl decals go. I thought, I can do this myself for way less. So I used some stick figures jpegs I found off the internet to represent each member of our family and input them in the Silhouette software and cut my own figures (which I made 1" bigger than the online versions) for next to nothing.

I was able to find a few with characteristics to represent us. Molly has curly hair, Brian has a tie, Eloise has a rattle. But what's even better is that I'm going to make a few as Christmas gifts for friends who've expressed interest in having them for their car. Grace will have a soccer ball and hopefully I can find a boy scout stick figure for Christian.

I'm in the process of using the Silhouette for another project with a dress I'm sewing. Excited to see how it turns out. 

Another great Silhouette win! We're cheering;)

Cute Cheap Dress of the Day 26: Fall Frenzy

Pumpkin Spice Frock with Peter Pan collar.

Would look cute with a belt.

Available at Ruche. Only $36.99!

Fur Collared Beaded Wool Blend Frock.

Available at Ruche only $38.99! Was $69.99.

Cute Cheap Dress of the Day 25: Summer Sell Out

Modcloth is having a Last Hurrah sale with prices I've haven't seen before, many under $20! Check 'em out! If I weren't expecting I'd be all over these. There's a lot more to pick from too under $40. Check out the full list here. My favorites are below.

Raise the Roof Dress. Only $21.99. Was $74.99	Current Cordial Dress. Only $17.99. Was $59.99	Pastelling Secrets Dress. Only $28.99. Was $94.99
Very Important Party Dress Only $26.99. Was $89.99	Right On Summertime Dress Only $34.99. Was $114.99	Star Sapphire Dress Only $13.99. Was $47.99
Exquisite Taste Dress. Only $32.99. Was $109.99	Carefree As Can Be Dress. Only $14.99. Was $49.99	Look What I Botany Dress. Only $17.99. Was $59.99
Stained Glass Menagerie Dress. Only $35.99. Was $119.99	Figgy Pudding Dress. Only $23.99. Was $79.99	Brigadier in the Mirror Dress. Only $26.99. Was $89.99
Week of Wonders Dress. Only $18.99. Was $64.99	Raspberry Tarlet Dress. Only $18.99. Was $62.99	A Real Sage-Turner Dress. Only $13.99. Was $47.99

Free Pattern : Audrey Cape

Project Run and Play always has the best projects! Get the pattern and tutorial here.

Source: projectrunandplay.blogspot.com via Madison on Pinterest

Inspiration 37

Love this back. The crochet paired with the drape. The way the chiffon starts above the waist and hangs in a 'U' shape. 

I bet this would make a great maternity dress too if you were going to a special event.

If your bra strap was high enough you could probably even get away with wearing one.

Source: shopbop.com via Katie on Pinterest

Wow: Felted Hibiscus Scarf

Wow. Isn't this unique. You can buy here for $200. Comes in other colors.

Tutorial anyone?

Source: crafthaus.ning.com via Claü on Pinterest

Inspiration 36

Love this kid's dress. Would be pretty easy to draft a pattern for!

Source: google.co.uk via Kat on Pinterest

Gift Ideas 4: Dollar Store Gloves

Dollar Store Gift idea! 

Buy long sleeved knit gloves for $1 and add large fabric wool or herringbone buttons on the side for Modcloth/Anthro style. 

Maybe even use patterned fabric on the buttons for a more custom look.

If you're crafty enough you could also try embroidering their intials on the top button of each glove.

Source: modcloth.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Ideas: Burlap Curtains

Burlap curtains for back porch? Sheer yet still rustic.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Wow: Pillow Pit

Seriously. Wouldn't you love to sit in this too?

I wonder how they keep them from toppling over?

Source: renegadehandmade.com via Jayne on Pinterest

Photo Shoot Concepts 23: SD Card Tips

I recently mentioned that my sister, Chantalene, was married at the beginning of this month. They were really on a budget so she asked me to take her photos for her.

I was nervous and rightfully so! There was a lot I learned about wedding photography in the process. It's just not the same as portrait, at all! There are a lot of things I wish I could do over. And there are a few things I realize I would need if I ever shot a wedding again (which I have no intentions of;). A fast SD card for one. A lot of my images were shot in RAW taking up quite a bit of data so I missed a lot of moments because the darn thing wouldn't process fast enough. 

Here's a great page about choosing a memory card for your camera. With all the options and prices out there for SD cards, I definitely recommend it.

Free Pattern: Fleece Boot Socks

Fleece sock pattern via Sew Mama Sew. Great for overlapping with boots.

Source: sewmamasew.com via Maho on Pinterest

Ideas: Expedit Dollhouse

I saw this and just loved it. I built a real (rather pricey) dollhouse for Lily years ago so I can't justify making one of these but I think it's great for kids because I've found that the fancy dollhouse I built gets ruined very easily. The pieces are too small, the glue isn't that sturdy and you can only use small dolls in it. This would be great if you have a bunch of barbie sized dolls.

This might be a great idea for a Christmas gift. You can use the Expedit bookshelf from IKEA for $129. But if you want to be frugal I'd look on Craigslist for used one. Looking in my area I've found one for only $40 in Baltimore, one for $50 in Annapolis VA, and two smaller 8 unit sized Expedits for $35 in Philadelphia, one for $30 in DC, and another for $35 in DC. I use Crazedlist.org to search Craigslist. It allows you to search multiple cities at once. You can even search by regions (ie NE, SE, W, Mountain, New England, etc.).

Also, doll furniture can get pretty expensive. By the time it was all said and done, the dollhouse furniture and flooring I bought cost as much as the dollhouse. Some places I've found cheap furniture are the dollar store, thrift stores, Cragislist (see this deal), Ebay's okay too but you have to keep shipping in mind.

It also looks like the person who did this used simple things like patterned paper for the walls and floor and fuzzy fabric for the rugs. You could get pretty creative with something like this. I really like how each room has a 'theme'. I think my girls would just swoon over it.

Source: branca-rotelli.blogspot.com via Latosha on Pinterest

Tutorials: Curly Fur Vest.....and vent

Get the tutorial for this cute curly fur kids vest at Joy Folie.

I put a cute plum colored shirt dress on Lily today. I paired it with multi-striped matching knee highs. But she gave me such a hard time about the knee highs and dress shoes. Which is why tomorrow she'll probably show up in "Hello Kitty" sweats.

Honestly, I'd love to dress Lily up in more stylish homemade clothes to school but I struggle with the same thing a lot of moms do. 

For Lily, it has to be simple, comfortable and no frills. Knee highs are unusual therefore they are bad. Belts are bad. Most boots are bad, even many dress shoes.

Any one else out there struggling with practical vs. stylish kid clothes?

Source: joyfolieblog.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Tutorials 86: Dome Tent

Made from hula hoops and bed sheets for less than $10!

Get tutorial at Obessively Stitching.

Source: obsessivelystitching.blogspot.com via Shy on Pinterest

Tutorials 85: Bobo Shoe Makeover

Remember my bobo shoe redo? Well, Sweet Verbena has made a bobo shoe redo of her own using RIT dye. Pretty cute.

Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via em on Pinterest

Silhouette Ideas 1

Hah! I'm so going to make this for the new baby with The Silhouette;)

Source: etsy.com via Kara on Pinterest

Tutorials 84: Knitted Hair Hat

Isn't this clever? It's a winter hat. Would make a funny gift. I bet you could also make from an old sweater.

Get the tutorial here.

Source: knitty.com via Paige on Pinterest

Cute Cheap Dress of the Day 24

Find at Oasis only $27.

Find at Oasis only $27.

Organize 3: Shoe Storage

Bed skirt with built in shoe storage! A brilliant idea for small spaces. But you have to be diligent enough to put them back when done.

Personally, I'd like some kind of hole in the floor that opened and shut so all I have to do is toss. But that's me;) 

This could be good for shoes not used frequently.

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via M on Pinterest

Ideas: TeePee Beds

Wouldn't your kids love to have a teepee over their bed?
It looks like these have 6 poles.
Here's a tutorial for a hexagonal tent.
Here's another.

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: mejin.tumblr.com via Beth on Pinterest

Cute Cheap Dress of the Day 23: Jewel Tones

Modcloth's, Look Your Best Dress, now only $29.99! Was $162.99.

AND Modcloth's the Embellished Beauty Dress, now only $35.99. Was $72.99.

Little Mave Guest Giveaway

I have a great surprise for you today! Little Mave is offering a gift of $120 to one lucky Grosgrain reader.


Little Mave offers one of a kind clothing made for every little girl. Very simple and classic. Full of vintagey goodness. Looks like an image out of a "Child's Garden of Verses" illustration;) Would make great clothing for photography sessions!

Each piece is organically designed and handcrafted. New sizes now available!!


Grosgrain Giveaways can be entered by any ONE of four ways
 
1) By linking about this giveaway (to your blog, facebook, or any other site) button is below.
2) By leaving a comment
3) By FOLLOWING Grosgrain using this link or THE LINK AT THE TOP OF MY RIGHT SIDEBAR.
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Tutorials 83: French Neck Tie

I love this cute little (very doable) scarf featured on Martha Stewart.

Get tutorial here.

Might I suggest?......Christmas gift?

Tips 4: Fabric Bunting

Best way to get the most bang for your bunk in fabric for bunting.

Bunting template... how to get 5 - 7.75" x 6" triangles on a 12" x 12" paper.

Via Navy Bean.

Source: navybeanonline.blogspot.com via Shannon on Pinterest

So Clever 12: Easy Tutu

Love tutus but not the tediuous strip cutting? Try make cardboard templates, wrapping around  and cutting.

This works best with tulle on a spool. No vertical cutting involved.

Get the tutorial here.

Source: treasuresfortots.blogspot.com via Valerie on Pinterest

So Clever 11: Bed Skirt

I have been putting off making a bedskirt for our bed for some time. Mostly because the idea of taking off the king sized mattress and foam topper is just too much to bear. But this would solve my problem AND take up less material. Also would make washing a lot easier.

See tutorial here.

Source: ankastreasures.wordpress.com via Joyce on Pinterest