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Friday, April 29, 2011

Hugely "Royal" PATTERN SALE!!

Happy "Royal" Day to you all!   Sooo, did you see it?  Did you stay up all night watching the royal nuptials? I have to confess that I did *NOT* -- but I saw clips of it, and it looked just gorgeous, and, well....royal!!  I think they make a grand couple - and probably the only royal couple we'll see get wed and then later step into their roles as King and Queen as a couple! 

To celebrate, we're having a ""royal sale" on our patterns - THIS WEEKEND ONLY!  (4/29-5/1)

Here's the scoop: When you buy any TWO PATTERNS from our shop, you can choose any TWO OTHERS FREE! That's 4 for the price of 2 - royally awesome, if I do say so myself! :)

To order, please check our shop pattern section first  {some sample images of patterns you can purchase are imaged below!}.Then just email me at adamsblankie@gmail.com with the 4 you want, and I'll invoice you for just 2 of them!  They will then be emailed out to you within 24 hours {probably even less} of payment.

paper rosette balls pattern
doodle diddie crayon roll pattern
leg warmers pattern
burp cloth pattern
Happy sewing & crafting! :)

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
 

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Calling All Professional Photographers! {DISCOUNT!}

I get contacted all the time by professional photographers who are looking for props {in my case, it's usually our hair couture} to use in their photos.  They realize, after all, how much difference a fabulous prop can make in a photo {see a few samples below! I work closely with Christina of Christina Hendrick Photography, as she is amazing at what she does}!  Consider props as little pieces of candy that just satisfy your soul when you see them.  They are but "eye" candy, of course, but sometimes they really just make the photograph, ya know?  {Afterall, why do you think there are businesses out there who thrive off of selling props alone, as their sole source of income?!}


So, in order to accommodate as many of you professional photographers as there are out there, I've decided to offer a Professional Photographer Discount to you!  {Sa-weeeeeeeeeeeeet!}  What this means is 25% off any of our hair couture to purchase for your prop stash!  In order to qualify for this discount, you must have a live, up-and-running website, session pricing listed, with an "extensive" gallery {to show me you really are a professional photographer, and not just making the claim!} and contact info to boot.

**Please note, this offer is for a limited time only! To place your order, please visit adam's blankie first to pick out your hair couture.  Then please email me at adamsblankie@gmail.com to place your order.

showcasing one of our stroller blankies and the "divine" statement headband

our "waterfall" headband in raspberry
gray and turquoise rosette from our jersey line of headbands
distressed rockstar boys newsboy hat
our "black swan" headband
 So here is a big Thank you!!! to all you amazing photographers!  I LOVE all you are doing for the amazing world of photography!!! :)

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cupcake Liner Headband

Let me just start by saying that I only wish I would have thought of doing this for my daughter when she turned one last month {darn it!}....they're super cute and a brilliantly clever idea to have your girl sport for her birthday!  Why?  You can match the cupcake liners from the party to her hair accessory.  Go ahead now...."ohhh!" and "ahhhhh!" for me! :)  But even if not for a birthday party, they're just a unique hair accessory, and are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind, which is worth a lot in my book!

And more importantly (for some of you, at least!), did I mention you really can't mess these up?  They're pretty much fail-proof and can be customized any way you like!  Basically, if you can fold and either do a super easy stitch on your sewing machine OR sew a button on something, you can make these!!

So how did I come up with these?  I'm not really sure....  I know I've been inspired by all the wonderful crafts I've discovered recently using cupcake liners.  In fact, I've made trees, wreaths and garlands with them and posted about them just last month!  But today, for some reason, it came to me...ah-ha!  Let's make this into a hair accessory!  And so it was. :)

Materials Required
*Cupcake liners {any will do - but an assortment of sizes is best - i.e., jumbo, regular and mini}
*Craft Glue
*Rhinestone OR button
*Felt (small piece)
*Sewing machine OR thread and needle
*alligator hair clip (optional)
*ribbon (optional)
*headband (optional)

So you're going to start by picking up the cupcake liners you want to use.  I don't want you to be limited by the number I used, but let's just say it was about 16. ;)  Again, feel free to use what you like...be creative!  You may just want to grab a few of each size and see where it takes you.

So I started by folding 5 of my matching (regular sized) liners into fourths, as such. (Fold in half; then fold in half again).


I put them together to form a circle, overlapping each one a little bit.


Then I took 2 of that same patterned liner and folded each of them in half.  I put these behind the circle of liners I had just made.

Next, I took 2 different patterned liners (again, regular size) and folded them almost in half....part of one end of each liner was slightly higher than the other end (so that they stick out a bit from the stack when added...so that you can see them!).  I placed these two liners on the bottom of my stack. (Keep in mind, you're just adding as you go, and holding them all in place with one hand).  Next I took a jumbo liner, and smushed it flat.  This I placed to the bottom of my stack.


At this point, I decided to sew my stack together, as my flower was getting pretty thick, and I didn't want them to start sliding all over the place!  So I just went to my machine and zig-zagged a stitch in the center, being sure to catch all layers with my needle.


Then I took 4 regular sized liners in yet another pattern, and folded them into fourths (fold in half, and then fold in half again).  I put these on top of my cupcake liner flower.

And the last of the liner layers were 2 mini-sized liners that I stacked together, layed out flat and added to the top.
Then I stitched them all together.  Next I took some craft glue and placed a large rhinestone right in the middle.  If you don't have access to these, a large button would do beautifully, as well!

I decided to put mine on a hair clip so that I could use it plain in the hair, or on any number of different headbands. You just need an alligator clip, some 3/8" ribbon and some craft glue.  Cut the ribbon to about 6 inches.  Then secure the edges (to prevent fraying) by singing them with a lighter.  Finally, glue onto your clip.


Glue the top of your clip and place onto the backside of your cupcake flower.

Then cut a small circle from felt, to fit the bottom part of your flower.  Glue one side of your felt circle entirely, and place over the BOTTOM part (NOT the top!) of your hair clip, to secure the clip to the flower.


At this point you can enjoy your Cupcake Liner Flower as is! You can also attach to a headband (especially if baby doesn't have enough hair to hold in a clip yet).  If you don't have any, or want a new one, we do offer them in our shop a la carte and have a large variety of colors.  You can visit us here to check them out.

Enjoy!!! 

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
 

Monday, April 25, 2011

Nursing Cover Dress for Baby - DIY Tutorial

So baby is "all grown up" {or so it feels...} and you're done nursing her.  Now you've placed your nursing cover in the "To Donate," or "To Sell" pile, right?..........WRONG!  Instead of getting a measly 5 bucks for it, you can keep it and turn it into a gorgeous dress/long shirt for baby!  Afterall, it is in a fabric you must already love since you chose it as a nursing cover!!  And it just takes some basic sewing skills.  So if you've been waiting for a good first project to break in your sewing machine, now is your chance! And if you're a more seasoned sewer, this should take no time at all!



The real beauty of it?  A lot of the steps needed are done for you already since we're not starting from a raw piece of fabric!

To get the how-to on making it, please visit our shop, adam's blankie.  Here you can find a handful of easy sewing patterns.  And if you click to our home page, you'll find a plethora of other handmade goodies for both you and baby...ones you don't have to sew yourself! (I'm sure that makes some of you happy!)

Enjoy! And if you do decide to try this pattern, please send me pictures (before and after would be AWESOME!) of your end results!  You can email them to me at adamsblankie@gmail.com



Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

they're heeeeeeeeeeeeeere!! {results from our photo shoot!}

You might recall me talking about an upcoming photo shoot I had arranged to take some pictures of our goodies on some cutie-patootie kids!  So a couple weekends ago, it finally happened!  {Our first session had forecasted rain, so we had to reschedule.  This second time?  Nearly 100 degree weather. Ugh.  BUT. The kids are parents were amazing troopers, and we ended up having a fantastic time!}  Anyway, I had arranged for this shoot with a good friend of mine, who happens to be a photographer.  And a spectacular one at that!  {You can visit Christy at Christina Hendrick Photography to see her portfolio, or to book a session. She is in the San Diego area}.  I collaborated with a couple other girl friends of mine who also have their own handmade businesses in the Gilbert/Chandler area.  I love their work, and wanted to showcase it to you, as I find it inspirational and downright fun!

Nicole of EllaJo Customs brought absolute perfection in her must-have girly tutus and shirts {she also has applique shirts for boys, too!}.

tutus and applique shirts by EllaJo Customs; hair designs by adam's blankie

tutu {LOVE the lime green, turquoise and black!} and shirt by EllaJo Customs; "Pink Swan" headband by adam's blankie
tutu and shirt by EllaJo Customs; "divine" headband by adam's blankie
Purposed Life is another business I asked to join us.  They offer upcycled dresses and shirts, among a few other items.  All designs are unique and original pieces of art, and all of them are created and made by my friend, Meghan.  She is an insanely awesome artisan, and I just love her work!

dresses and leggings by Purposed Life; hair couture by adam's blankie
dresses by Purposed Life; headbands by adam's blankie
dress by Purposed Life; headband by adam's blankie

I brought tons of adam's blankie goodies to the set, as well, of course.  A lot of them are new headband creations...but believe it or not, I have more that I haven't even photographed or listed yet!  They'll make their debut soon, though! :)

rosette statement necklace and chocolate headband by adam's blankie
distressed hat and cuff by adam's blankie
dress and headband by adam's blankie
tie by adam's blankie
bloomers by adam's blankie
blanket and headband by adam's blankie
headband by adam's blankie
headband and bib by adam's blankie
headband by adam's blankie
headband by adam's blankie
headband by adam's blankie
headband by adam's blankie
Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our day!  Like I said, amazing accessories and goodies for your sweeties! So please be sure to stop by and say "hello!" to us all!  Just click the links to visit us:

adam's blankie
Christina Hendrick Photography
EllaJo Customs
Purposed Life

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Cinnamon Vanilla Snack Mix

One of my girlfriends {thanks, Beth!} told me about this recipe, and upon hearing it, I just knew I had to make it!  And with my other pregnant friend coming into town this week, I thought I better hurry up and make. it. NOW! I'll tell you right off, it's certainly not the healthiest thing to eat, but every once in a while, I think you can do it.  Plus, it's the perfect movie companion.

So upon making and tasting it, the verdict is in, and it's deeeee-licious!  It's super easy, too, and doesn't take much time at all {although you must be patient and let it dry a bit at the end}.  Better yet, the kids can help!  With the perfect mix of sweet, salty, smooth, crunchy and a hint of spice, it's a winner all around.  So go ahead ~ give it a try!  I promise you won't be disappointed!





Cinnamon Vanilla Snack Mix
1 bag of pretzel sticks
1 bag of popped plain popcorn
1 bag of Fritos
Peanuts (the original recipe didn't call for these, but I thought it would be a great addition - it was!)
1 bag of Vanilla Candy Coating (or almond bark..heck, even a bag of chocolate (or any flavor you like) chips would work)
cinnamon

1. Lay out a couple pieces of wax paper on your countertop.

2. Put your Fritos (I used about 1/2-2/3 of a bag), popcorn, pretzel sticks (again, about 1/2-2/3 of the bag) in a large mixing bowl OR brown paper bag.  Toss around.

3. Melt the coating.*

*I used the double boiler method because I think there's less of a risk to burn it, plus I always like to use the stove instead of microwave, if I can.  As I've mentioned before in some recipes I've posted, you don't actually need a "double boiler" to do this.  Do as I do, and fill up a pot with water.  Find a glass bowl that fits in it, but won't fall through all the way.  Put your candy in this and turn up the heat on the burner - say medium-high.  Continually stir until it melts.

4. Pour the melted candy coating over the mix of popcorn, chips and pretzels.  Toss around to coat (using a big wooden spatula works well for this).  OR you can pour it over your chip mixture in the big brown bag and shake around to coat.

5. Pour it all out onto the wax paper. Spread it out evenly.

6. Sprinkle cinnamon over it all - do so pretty liberally.

7.  Let dry about 25 - 30 minutes.

Mmmmmmmm................so good! :)  Now just enjoy it with your kids, your husband or some girlfriends.  Hmmm...I think this might make another feature at our first Girls'  Craft Night coming up soon! :)

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com