The Train To Crazy

Make It Wear It

Great projects you linked last week!! But first, for THURSDAY ONLY, get 50% OFF all items at Mama Stellato! I've made the Somerset Hoodie (featured here and here) and I can tell you the pattern was well written, professional, and easy to follow. So head on over to Mama Stellato and pick out some patterns for yourself or to give as a gift! Use the code TRAINTOCRAZY to receive your discount. Get any (or ALL!) of these patterns for just $3!

I've finally been able to make things that can be worn! It feels so great to be creating again. In fact, I'm a finalist in Project Toddler Runway at Shwin & Shwin so hopefully I'll be participating in that next year! Will you go vote for me? (voting will be up sometime on Thursday)

This outfit was my entry:

And now for some of your great projects!

Posh Pilar made this amazing skirt. Love it!

Piccoli Piselli made these Oliver + S pajamas

The Boy Trifecta made this hat that I'm in love with. Completely.

Now, what have you been making that can be worn? Grab a button if you wish and link up your projects!

 

Merry Christmas from me

Do you know how hard it is to photograph 4 kids when nobody can hold the baby and you want their clothes in the pic?

Yes, every item in the picture is me made, save the little red skirt in the middle.

On left:

Shirt & skirt designed by me. There is a lot of detail missing in the photo above. Shirt is a cotton interlock, skirt a cotton shirting. If you like this you can vote for it for Project Toddler Runway!

I'll get a better shirt detail soon...

Middle:

Shirt pattern from this Japanese pattern book. The fabric is linen. 

Right:

Shirt is, of course, the Somerset Hoodie. Check back tomorrow for a SUPER ONE DAY sale from Mama Stellato. Fabric is a cotton interlock. The fit is fabulous, highly recommend the pattern. Very quick and no serger required.

The skirt is corduroy with inset plaid pleats. Adorable. Pattern is mine. You can see it a little better here.

Baby:

I'm sure you recognize a 90 Minute shirt. It was the first time I've made one and, while I constructed it differently than the tutorial suggests, it was easy and took much less than 90 minutes. I like the contrast stitching so I did a little of my own on the bottom.

The pants are made from a cotton plaid shirting. My favorite part is the faux fly. He doesn't NEED it but it sure does add a little something to a pair of pants. There are pockets and cute cord knee patches as well. The pattern is mine.

So THERE! I completed Christmas outfits with weeks to spare! Now I'll let them take them off because long sleeves in nearly 90 degrees is uncomfortable.

The BEST Peppermint Bark

What says winter more than peppermint bark? Okay, lots of things, but seriously, it's my favorite thing. And let's be honest. There is mediocre peppermint bark, and there is exceptional peppermint bark. If you've had Williams Sonoma's then you know exceptional (insane price as well). If you've has Costco's you know mediocre (though still worth eating).

I'm about to share a recipe that blows them both out of the water. Are you ready to pack on the pounds?

I found this recipe on Epicurious (here) but I'll tell you exactly how I make it.

What you need:

17 oz. white chocolate chips (Ghiradelli is perfect for this)

7 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips (also Ghiradelli)

6 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream

3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

6 candy canes crunched up

How to:

Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Mark off a 12x9 inch rectangle on the foil (or eyeball it)

In a double boiler, melt the white chocolate chips until 110 degrees F. No double boiler or candy thermometer? No problem! Take 2 sauce pans, one slightly larger than the other and put about an inch of water in the bottom of the bigger one. Put the smaller one inside the larger one. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the small one. Heat the water on medium until it simmers. Put white chocolate into smaller pan and place pan inside larger one. STIR CONSTANTLY. Remove from heat when the chocolate is ALMOST all the way melted. If you wait until it is all melted, you've gone too far and it will burn. Don't worry, it will melt the rest of the way once off the stove. 

Pour 2/3 cup of white chocolate onto foil. Spread it evenly within the rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup of the candy cane bits on top. Cool in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

In a heavy bottomed pan, on medium low heat, melt bittersweet chocolate together with the cream and peppermint extract. STIR CONSTANTLY. Remove from heat once melted. Pour it onto the cookie sheet and spread evenly. Cool for 25 minutes.

Rewarm the white chocolate as before. Spread evenly on top of bittersweet chocolate. Evenly distribute the remaining candy cane bits on top. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Then cut the peppermint bark into squares and refrigerate to store. Unless you eat it all right then...

 

 Yum. 

Do you like peppermint bark? Have you ever made it?

Make It Wear It

My favorites from last week:

Yours, Mine and Ours "femmed" up this jacket

Therapeutic Crafting made this flirty skirt

 

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? 

The Rules: 

1.Your link must be a project YOU made that can be worn.

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

A sneak peek

I've been sewing during stolen moments...

Just a bit of what I'm working on. Aren't they cute? Details to come.

Make It Wear It

It's December! I can barely believe it! I've neglected this blog but it is because the precious little time I have has been used to actually SEW. I can barely believe it!

Here are a couple of last week's favorites.

Dame Design Studio shows us how to make a heart cutout dress. Ooh la la!

Mama Says Sew made this cute toddler dress from a jacket pattern.

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? 

The Rules: 

1.Your link must be a project YOU made that can be worn. 

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!