Time to move on....

OK friends! The time has come for us to move into our new digs!

http://www.izzyandivydesigns.com/

We are still tweaking things, and fixing the things that aren't working (there are a few).

Make sure you update your reader with our new blog address!

http://www.izzyandivydesigns.com/?page_id=154

How cute is she?

So this cute 13 yr. old girl emails us today about making and selling off of our Jack & Jill Hat pattern. She says she doesn't want to break any rules (love her already), and she won't be making a bazillion due to school and ballet (now I want to know where she lives, I have 5 boys that need their marriages arranged). No really, she seems really sweet and very talented, I am hoping you can all leave her a little comment, you know, a little bit of Izzy love ya'll! After we get a few, I will invite her to view this blog post, from what I can tell, she isn't a follower. Come on, it'll be fun, but don't steal her, I'm thinking my Garrett would think she's pretty cute :o)

By the way, there is only 16 days till the BIG day...are you ready? Nope, me neither :o)

Advent Adventures

I think it was only 3 days ago that I remembered that December was coming and the kids would be expecting something fun and exciting to happen.

You see, each year I try and come up with little daily surprises for my kids to help them get ready for MY favorite holiday.

Sometimes we have a regular, candy filled, advent calendar...

some years one of Santa's elves visits every day with little letters of encouragement (and reprimands for extra naughty children....)

This year I decided to do 4 different Advent calendars

Mostly because I have 4 younger kids that would fight over who got to open the thingy each day.

This year they get to rotate what they open each morning.

The first calendar I made years ago. It is a wonky little tree with pockets. Each day you move the Star closer and closer to the top of the tree.

This next one is snack pockets. I loaded each pouch with 4 small treats, one for each kid.

 (like Tootsie Roll, or Dum Dum sucker. Nothing too big)

I put up envelopes on for the weekend days. They will hold a note about special breakfasts, or fun deserts for lunch.

For the Third- Little gift bags that hold notes about a different Christmas activity each evening.

I kept these fairly simple like-

*Cocoa and a Christmas Movie tonight

*Make and decorate cookies

*Make cards for Grandma and Grandpa

*See Christmas Lights in town

The 4th is my favorite!

I got a Christmas card holder shaped like a tree.  On it I hung little gift boxes with bits of Bliss fabric on them. I printed off the cute little number circles from a cute little blog that I can't seem to find right now, but I will update this when I do.

Inside each box is a daily challenge. The challenges are things that will mostly help us learn to serve others.

Things like-

*Draw a Christmas picture to give to a neighbor

*Smile at 6 people you don't know

*Tell your teachers "Thank You"

*Talk to someone that looks lonely on the playground

*Let someone else be "First" today

Each night we close our day talking about what we did for others today, and with a Scripture story about the Saviors life to help us prepare for the celebration of his birth.

What do you do with your kids for Christmas fun?

Let the Merriment begin!
Love, Jana

Snow Snow and more Snow!!

SNOW!!!

Look at what we woke up to.

Winter is officially here!

Freezing weather, bundled kids, hot chocolate, Christmas lights, goodies, music, presents, shopping and lots and lots of sewing.

The holidays have begun.

Here is my nine year old shoveling our sidewalk before school. She got tired.
Whats your favorite part of the holiday season?
Happy Holidays and Happy Sewing!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and the winner of the bag pattern bundle is...

We are so grateful for you! Thank you for your support, kindness and encouragement. I truly believe that the world is a much more beautiful place when people use their talents and create. Like most sewers we are sure that your creations end up in the hands of those you love and care about. Crafters by nature are selfless, giving and have really BIG OL' hearts. How lucky are we to "know" you and consider you our friends and sisters! No matter what God, or Higher Power you believe in, this time of year is so special as we reflect on things that are bigger than we are. It is a time of giving and holding those special people and memories close to our hearts. This time of year also reminds us to be thankful and look out for those that are less fortunate. I am always amazed at the ideas, hours and money crafters are willing to give to others all year. We love to give our creations to others to bring them joy or comfort, most of you do not wait to be asked. The need arises and there you are, willing, waiting and most of all excited! I personally can't imagine a better genre of friends to have, I know that I have many ladies that one single phone call and my problem is solved. Whether that involves making 22 minke blankets (yes, 22) for the seniors on my son's football team, shuttling kids, binding a quilt, testing patterns and the list goes on and on. So thank you for you being simply you! Your efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated, you are examples of what this world needs. I believe God gives talents to those who will use them to do His work, you are blessed with a talent, whether you're just learning or an expert seamstress, you were given the desire to create for a reason. Whether it's to bring comfort, joy or beauty it all serves a purpose.

May this holiday weekend and the holidays right around the corner find you safe, warm, surrounded by those you love and fabric up to your ears :o) We are so grateful and thankful for your friendship. Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

The winner of the bag bundle is...

Danielle...I am sewing 18" doll clothes, some hand bags, Christmas dresses for my girls, and a few scarves for myself. I love these banners. I have one that is over 60 feet long. Our kids love it when it is hanging in our dining room, draped from corner to corner, criss crossing all over the room. Festive!

Please drop us a line Danielle with your mailing address and we'll get those right out to you!

Shasta :o)

It's the most wonderful time of the year...FREE alphabet PDF for a Christmas banner!

Cute, right? I know, I really love it! This weekend my goal is to have my house somewhat decorated for Christmas. You can download the PDF for the alphabet here. It is reversed and ready to go (you're welcome). I made a banner, but honestly, the possibilities are endless.
So here goes with the tut....

You need:

• Felt I had a piece that was about a yard, it was oodles. Depending on what word or phrase you use will determine your quantity needed.
• Fabric for the applique. I used 1/3 yd., but again you might need more or less.
• Fabric for the thingamadingy at the top (can't for the life of me think of what it is really called...must be late). I bought enough to cut the strips on the bias. Bias tape would work also.
  
• Heat-N-Bond Heavy. I used this because I was lazy and didn't want to stitch around my letters, but you certainly can if you want :o)
• Ric rac, ribbon, pompoms and any other doodad you wanna put on these beauties.
• Jingle bells, I bought the big ones, because my banner is quite large.
• The PDF.
• Basic sewing supplies.
  

Trace your letters onto the Heat-N-Bond. We reversed everything already (your welcome yet again).

Iron the pieces to the WRONG side of your fabric.

Cut it out and peel off the back. Iron the letters to the pennants. Make sure you use the acrylic setting, felt melts, unless you are using real wool or bamboo felt. I hit mine with a little steam.

Now this is how I cut out my pennant, listen and read carefully. (Sorry the image isn't rotated). If you are not going to change the size of the letters then do what I did. If you do change it, good for you and good luck figuring out how big to make your pennant. I took a 10" strip of the felt, found the center and measured and marked down 17". I took my ruler and lined it up at the top of the 10" strip and the mark, then I cut it and repeated it for the other side. Then I used that triangle to make the other six I needed. Was that awesome geometry or what?!?! Hey, it worked. Mr. Anderson would be so proud...not.

Line up your pennants right next to each other. Cut your thingamadingy strips 2.5" inches wide, piece them together if needed. Iron the strips in half with wrong sides together, like binding for a quilt. Yes, you are looking at another banner, this is my bratty little sister's (nah, she's sweet).

Lay the thingamadingy strip on the right side of the pennants with the raw edge lining up with the top of the pennants. Pin well. Sew with 1/4" seam. Iron the strip up and away from the pennant. Topstitch, you can see my gorgeous topstitching below, I love to topstitch, weird huh?

Cut your trims to the right length and attach them. I chose to put mine all right under the fabulously top stitched thingamadingy. Then for the finishing touch, stitch your jingle bells on the ends and hang that baby up! Your done, it's purdy isn't it? I love it and so did Jack :o)

Merry Almost Christmas (36 days left)!!!

XOXO,
Shasta :0)

Tell us what's on your sewing to do list this next week and we'll randomly pick someone for a free pattern bundle of all our bags!!!

How the saga ends....

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words and support. I knew it was wrong, but like I said, I am a little sensitive about the whole issue. This is what I decided to do...

Jack's teacher doesn't hand out those books, the librarian does. I contacted the principle and explained to him the situation, he was very concerned. I informed him that the book would not be returned, it has been thrown away. He said that they would go thru all the books in the weekly readers and make sure that all books were appropriate. He apologized profusely and thanked me for bringing this to his attention.

I feel much better! Now on to stuff that is fun! We will posting a really cute tut on Friday, be sure to check it out.

Shasta :o)

Ummm....yeah, I ask you what the **ll?

WARNING...this post is dreadfully long and full of venting, it isn't warm and fuzzy. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

I am so hoppin' mad about this little book my 7 yr. old brought home yesterday! Seriously, I lost sleep last night over it! My poor neighbor was roused out of bed at the butt crack of dawn to me wondering if I was over reacting. She said I should blog about it...so here goes...

Now I want you all to know that this is a sensitive subject for me. I am heavy, I actually weigh more right now that I did nine months pregnant with any of my kids. Believe me, I DO know why, I eat the wrong stuff, too much of it and sewing doesn't burn many calories. Do I wish I was smaller? You bet! Do I convince myself that I am just fine? Absolutely! Do I die every time I see a pic of me? Yup. Am I doing anything about it right now? Not really. Do I consider myself morbidly obese? No. Do I still participate in my active families lives? Very much so. Dieting however isn't for me, lifestyle changes is what I'm looking for.

What I do not need is my little man Jack telling me that I should go on a diet (oh yes he did!). Why did he tell me that you ask? This book has something to do with it. Please read along...

Note the cover...mom looking miserably at the "healthy" salad she obviously feels resigned to eating. First thing, why are they using the word "Diet"? I have two little girls (who luckily will not have my genetic tendency for being heavy), we don't use the word "diet" here. We use the words, healthy, beautiful, active...I'm sure you get the idea. I am very careful when talking about weight in this house. My mom (bless her heart) wasn't, she still isn't. I was weighed everyday when I was 13 for a period of time and I wasn't overweight at all. I also grew up in the era of "there are starving children in Ethiopia, you finish your plate then lick it clean". My mom was "chubby" growing up and it really bothered her. She was bound and determined to make sure I didn't suffer the same fate. To this day, I have anxiety when my mom sees me, isn't that sad? I know she means well, but really, I don't need to be asked if I have considered lap band. Please understand that I love my mom dearly and none of us are perfect. I am certain I will and have made serious parenting mistakes that will come back to haunt me.

This is the part that I ask "What the **ll?". Really? The kids are watching her on the scale? They are soaking in her face of discouragement.

Now here she is trying to button up her jeans. Notice the dialogue. Have you ever had this conversation with your children? Nope, me neither. My husband, yes. My friends, yes. Sister, yes.

Now here is poor mom feeding her family a very balanced diet of....lettuce and tomatoes. I'm sure these kids are really getting the whole eating healthy concept now. Even better, they are so excited about it!

Forlorn boy being told he's going to eat parsley, carrots and fish. Hey, at least there is some protein in there. Carrots are good too, but parsley? Really? One word...yuck.

Umm...yeah. You don't even want to know what I have to say about this page.

Ah hah moment! Mom is divorced! That's why she has to talk about her body image issue with her small children, because she certainly doesn't have friends or sisters. Dad of course is "Disneyland Dad" with that yummy looking cake in the fridge. Mom has obviously been on lots of diets, because dad seems to smuggly know all about it.

On the scale everyday? Really? That's scary, how much do these kids think a person can lose in a day? Look at her face. How sad that the kids are portrayed to be her counselor.

Uh oh...mom crashed and burned on her "diet". Bet that's happened before. Now they can really be "happy", spaghetti is on the table and mom isn't so sad anymore. They love their "cuddly momma". My kids love their fluffy momma too :o)

And this is how we end the book all about eating healthy, having a healthy body image and having confidence in who we are. Mom eating a donut, so that in month or so, she can start this whole thing again. I wonder at what point her daughter will start to mimic her antics?

I am really sorry to post about this here, it's kind of a downer. What do you think? Can we talk about this? I realize it's only a book, but really to me it's disturbing that my child and other children have been sent home this garbage, especially all those little girls. I understand that obesity is a real problem in our society. In our house we have good food and right next to it there is junk, that may not be the way you do it in your house but at the Parry home that's exactly what you'll find in my pantry. In my experience the kids that are denied so called "junk" binge the minute mom isn't looking. There are kids in my neighborhood who come to my house just to eat. I can have a bag of M&M's sitting out all week and my kids won't touch it because it isn't off limits. However, I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought a 7.99 bag of clementines (yikes!) and guess what? As of this morning, they are gone, all twenty something of them. My kids are very active, they play all sports and they really aren't interested in the Wii that we own. They eat fruit, vegetables and yes, candy too.

So what's my problem? Geez, where do I start. I like food. I have 7 kids that are running nonstop from the minute they walk thru the door. I really don't like to exercise. I am not as organized as I should be. My grandparents are heavy. Blah, blah, blah. Basically, I just am not willing to make the changes that I need to make right now. My husband lost a little over 100 pounds almost 10 yrs. ago. He just got tired of being heavy and decided to change. It took a long time, he didn't take pills, shots or have surgery (I don't think there is anything wrong with those things if one chooses to use them). He simply got up one morning went running, puked his guts out when he got home and quit eating sugar. That's it. He didn't watch protein, carbs or fat...just sugar. Food is nothing but fuel to him and because of that he's kept it off. So until I am willing to do that, no "dieting" for me. Been there, done that, didn't work. Sorry for my vent, but really I laughed, fumed and then cried when I read this book. I just don't know what to do with this situation.

What do you think? How should I handle this with the school? I don't want to make an idiot of myself, am I just overly sensitive or is this book what I perceive it to be? Seriously, your thoughts are valued and I consider you all my friends and I want to know what you really think.

XOXO,

Shasta

Winners!!! Winners!!! Winners!!!

Yeah!!! So excited to announce the winners!

So, nobody noticed my boofah :o) I totally messed up on the math! I said 12 winners, but really it was supposed to only be 7...4 new pattern bundles and 3 winners choice bundles. Oh well, because we love ya (yeppers...we do), we are going to really do 12! So it'll be 7 new pattern bundles and 5 five pattern bundles (sheesh that kind of didn't make sense). Make sure you read this entire post, cuz there's a little surprisey poo at the end :o) I used Random.org to generate the 12 lucky winners so without further mumbo jumbo from moi, here you go......

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

These winners will receive a bundle of each of our 3 new patterns! Congrats!

29 t.erickson
63 Stacy McMillan
3 Quilty Girl
119 Molly_dye
51 Dawn
109 TADVR
84 Theresa

These winners will receive 5 patterns of their choice!
Lucky you!

79 Grace Lane
36 Maya, Mo & Me
110 Kimberly
54 beanie g
48 Marie

And just for fun...we all know that the #1 spot
or Opp Family never wins in a giveaway...
so I'm gonna give her the choice of any 3 of our patterns!

And...because last is best of all the game...
#121 ScottandTia can pick out 3 patterns 

too!

I need these ladies to kindly email us with their mailing address. If you get to pick your patterns, please do so in your email. As a rule, I don't go to HUGE lengths to contact the winners, if you don't respond in a week, I'm givin' your loot away! I have postage stamps folks and I'm not afraid to use em'!

One more final thought...remember when we told you guys we were getting our website put together? Well, we paid and worked and waited (patiently for nearly four months) and guess what...nothing, we have nothing. I hope she has a really great excuse, but I kinda think this person bailed. Nevertheless...we will pay yet another designer and get the show on the road. We appreciate your patience. If you are one of our retailers, please send us current info with link if you have one so that we can update our list of sellers. We have already gotten many emails wondering who will be carrying the new patterns we would love to send them your way.

I'm on my way home tomorrow, can't wait to kiss Bella Bug, seriously I could eat that kiddo with a spoon, she is so sweet!

ShastaFantasta

P.S. Paige? How completely sweet are you!!! We have a very special gift for you, will you please send us your snail mail address? For those of you who didn't notice...she made us a button!!!

Turkey Headband Tutorial

I love making headbands for my girls.

This is what I came up with for Thanksgiving.

My girls loved how it turned out and I'm sure your little girl will love it too.

So let's get started

SUPPLIES

-feathers

-brown and orange felt

-18-22" brown zipper

-Needle and thread

-glue gun

-Headband or hair clip

-2 googly eyes
-scissors

Unzip your zipper all the way and pull apart hard to get the metal clamp at the bottom off. You will have 2 pieces now. With your needle and thread stitch a running stitch along the edge of the zipper tape on the side with out teeth.

Pull thread so that it curls up. This helps with making your zipper body.

Curl your zipper into a spiral. Stitch into place.

Cut 1 piece of brown felt the same size as your zipper spiral. cut 1 piece of brown felt a little smaller. Cut a triangle beak.

Glue feathers on top of the larger brown felt circle.

Glue zipper spiral on top.

Glue on your googly eyes and beak.

Glue turkey to the headband or hairclip.

Glue the smaller brown piece of felt on the back of the other piece covering headband.

Your Done! This was so fun to make. We would love to see your turkeys. Remeber to put your izzy and ivy creations on our flickr group.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Sewing!!

Sheesh...I am beat! GIVEAWAY!

Market is over, finishing up the printing of the three new patterns, and me and the fam left yesterday for Disneyland!

We promised a giveaway when we got home so here we go...............(drumroll).....

Leave us a comment and get one entry
Link to us and get the chance to enter twice
Put our button on your blog and enter three

ETA-Ummm...I guess Shasta didn't notice that we DON'T have a button, So, instead of putting our button on your blog....how about you Tweet about it on Twitter!! 


ETA again! We have a button.  Thanks to Paige Hill...Super Star!

What do you get for all this work you ask? We will be giving away 4 bundles of our 3 new patterns! So, get your bloggin' on and win some Izzy love, seriously girls these new patterns are a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

Wait...it gets even better...we will give away 3 bundles of 5 patterns...your choice!!!

That is a grand total of 27 free patterns to 12 winners! Will you be one of them?

Thankful

So we are back from market and busy getting everything ready to ship!

This month is such a crazy month for my family with 5 birthdays to celebrate in 2 weeks we hardly have time to think. So this year my daughter and I came up with this idea.

It's our thankful turkey

Every night at dinner we each write one thing we are thankful for that day and pin it on the turkey. My little Chloe is very VERY good at reminding us to write on our feathers. I have so much to be thankful for and this is a great way to help me remember. What are you thankful for?

Stay tuned for some fabulous tutorials we have planned for this month.

Happy Sewing!!

To market, to market, to market we will go...

Wish us luck ladies, we will be back early next week with market pics. If any of you happen to be in Houston for the big event, please come by and say "Hi"! I can't even tell you how fun it is to put faces with names :o)

FYI...we have some FABULOUS free tuts coming your way for November, and a great giveaway!

Gabby's Sleepover Jammies...

This is the last design in the fall collection. Lola says they are jammie's, but personally, I am making these for Bella with the intention of putting leggings underneath for everyday wear. I just think they are way too cute for p.j.'s! Don't get me wrong, these are adorable sleeping clothes, but who sees the cuteness when she is sleeping? The Tooth Fairy? If I do make some for pj's, I will make them out of fuzzy flannel, what about you?

We've had some questions in regards to how to get the new patterns. We sell wholesale only, we do not compete with our retailers. As soon as we get home from market, we will be updating and adding all the stores that carry our products. We are also entertaining a turn-key site that would enable customers to order one pattern, it would then kick that order to the closest retailer carrying the pattern. A win win for the customer and retailer in our opinion, just trying to work out the bugs.

Happy Sewing!

Shasta :o)

The Messenger Bag

This is our new bag, Farrahdoo designed it, isn't it fabulous?! I made the one in the pic, it was so easy, it went together beautifully and quickly. I love that she made it with hardware so that you can adjust the strap. There is a really large pocket on the front and on the back and big ol' pockets along the inside. This bag is BIG, plenty of room for a laptop, books and whatever else you need. Think Christmas ladies, doesn't your student need a new bag?

All of the new patterns will be ready for shipment no later than November 15th. We are accepting preorders now. Tomorrow we'll show the last little design we cooked up :o)

One of our new patterns!

Poor Lola...I called her yesterday at noon and her sweet hubby told me he sent her to bed...for the day. She's exhausted...completely exhausted, that's what happens when market is less than a week away, you have six kids and loads of sewing to get done. You see, Lola gets the pre-market jitters something fierce. Farrahdoo and I really don't understand why because she is amazing and everything she does is awesome and nearly perfect. Lola is wonderful and I for one am very grateful that she's my friend and business partner. Life without Lola would be very dull, very dull indeed. Someday I will get a great pic of her in a really snazzy hat you should all see :o)

So, this is one of three reasons Lola is tired. I am not really sure how she'll feel about me posting pics of this newest addition to the Izzy & Ivy lineup. For some reason she wanted to wait until after market for the BIG reveal...I don't know why. What I think she needs is for all of you to tell her just how fantastic this little creation is. So, will you leave her a comment? She needs the kudos, because for some strange reason the girl doesn't get her own greatness!

Claire Marie...a topcoat. ADORABLE!!! Love that sash in the back and it has an option for a hood in the pattern. This little ditty has been floating around in Lola's head since the beginning and it was worth the wait. I am making one right now out of laminated cotton for Bella Bug. The greatest part about the jacket is that it is so easy! Seriously, a beginner could make this. She really did a great job, as always.

I won't post the other two patterns today. We'll save those for this next week. Until then, give our Lola a little love and let her know that once again she outdid herself.

Face Painting

Are you tired of Halloween stuff yet?

I'm not!

Last week we went to a fun Halloween carnival and corn maze. The girls wanted there faces painted, so we did. It is so easy to do and lots of fun. I let them pick what they wanted and we got busy.

All you need is a brush and some acrylic paint. It dries fast and washes off really easy. So if you are off to a fun Halloween activity you should try this. Sorry my post is so short we are busy busy busy trying to get ready for market next week.

Remember to have a fun and fabulous Halloween!!

Spiral Jetty

This story begins many moons ago,

 when I was just a young pup, in college. 

One lovely day, whilst sitting in my Art History class, the teacher taught us about an Earthwork Sculpture in Utah.  This sculpture, by artist Robert Smithson, is called the Spiral Jetty.

   While Smithson's other artwork was a little too freaky-deaky for me, I fell in love with the Spiral Jetty.  The thoughts of earth made into an art piece that was constantly changing, constantly being acted upon by nature and man, struck me.

  Over the years (and years...and years) I have often looked at pictures of the jetty. It was built during a drought in the 70's and then was submerged for 30-ish years when the lake returned to normal.  Some of those years it was difficult to see.

  Last week we heard a news report that many of the boats at the Great Salt Lake were stuck at the docks because the water level was so low. I looked at Jeff (who knew about the Jetty because I MADE him know) and he knew that it was time.

This morning we loaded up our little (HA!) family and headed out on our grand adventure.

Jeff had looked it all up, printed off maps, and planned the day. 

First was the 2 and 1/2 hour drive to Promontory Point to the Golden Spike museum.

 The museum was pretty cool! Not only because of the history involved, but because it had the only Restrooms for about 40 miles.  

  The Spiral Jetty was about 15 or so miles from the museum, but it takes you about 45 minutes to get there. You start off driving on a nicely paved road that quickly turned into a gravel road, then a partly graveled road, to a dirt road with softball sized rocks and dried mud holes.

  The last stretch of the drive is a dirt "road" with giant basalt rocks on each side, and in the middle of the road. 

 We had to put the SUV into 4-wheel drive!

 It was nearly puke inducing.

  When I caught my first glimpse of the sculpture I teared up.

  Teen daughter mocked me.

 There wasn't any water near it. White, hard, dry salt flats surrounded the black spiral.

 In the center of the Spiral

we made our own little sculpture.

 It was hard to get a family pic because the sun reflecting off of the surrounding salt flats was blinding!

 Salt-teen

Amazing!

Love, Jana