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THE First Stitch-a-Long {February}

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We talked a little bit about doing a stitch-a-long type deal. Remember that? And, we are totally going to do that.

But first.

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Cari is putting together an amazing embroidery/quilting project that you gotta get in on. The details are over at her place, and the deadline to sign up is Tuesday. And, your final project needs to be completed on March 1. So, hop to it.

And, after you whip up your patriotic piece of the quilt, head back here for another stitch-a-long starting in March (I’m thinking March 3rd?). Stitch on, fellow stitchies.

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Embroidery: How to Transfer a Pattern

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So, you want to take up embroidery, and you need to know how to transfer a pattern? I knew I liked you.

There are two different ways that most people transfer patterns to their fabric: carbon paper and transfer pens. I prefer the latter, so that is what I am going to show ya.

Super simple, y’all.

Embroidery: How to Transfer a Pattern

Figure out how to transfer all of those embroidery patterns you find online. This is the easy iron way. And, find out what my tracing pen of choice is!

 1. Decide what you want to stitch. It can be a picture from the Internet, a pattern that you paid for, or in this case, I sketched up a bunch of succulents because I have a thing for them. If you’re not a skilled artist, there are tons of free and cheap patterns all over the webs. Check out my Pinterest board for my faves.

2. Get out your transfer pen, and follow the directions on the back of it. Or you can keep reading here. Keep reading here, okay?

3. Trace your picture. Be footloose and fancy free. Trace the parts you like, and leave out the parts you don’t. I won’t tell.

4. When you’re all done tracing…

5. Get out the iron.

6. Iron your pattern on to your fabric. Remember, whatever you traced will be transferred backwards. It’s common sense that I often overlook…

7. Mission accomplished! Hoop it up! If you look closely, you’ll notice my pattern looks a little fuzzy. It’s because I was keeping a baby away from the hot and tempting iron while trying to transfer this one. No biggie. But, just know that you need to keep a steady hand unless you want it to look a little wonky (then, by all means).

You’re right. I didn’t need that many numbers, but that is how many pictures I had, and I am very thorough like that. Oh, and before I forget, you can also purchase patterns that have done all of the work for you. You buy them with the ink all in place, and then simply iron them on your fabric. Sometimes it’s nice when someone does the work for you, ya know?

If you’re a total noob, and you want someone to spell it all out for you, check out my vlog: Getting Started with Hand Embroidery.

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Vlog: Getting Started with Hand Embroidery

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Why do I keep making videos for you? Only the kids living on writer’s block can tell.

Finally use all of those hand embroidery patterns you’ve been pinning. Such an easy craft! And addicting. This guide to hand embroidery for beginners will show you all of the materials you’ll need and includes videos!

© maramicado / Dollar Photo Club

First Video: Intro and Kids Fighting

 

video1 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.
 

 

Second Video: Supplies Needed

 

video2 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.
 

 

Third Video: Actually Stitching and Finishing

 

video3 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.
 

 

Fourth Video: One last thing I forgot

 

video4 from Jenna@CallHerHappy on Vimeo.
 

 

Supplies Needed:

Embroidery Floss
Embroidery Hoop
Scissors
Fabric
Pattern or Picture
Transfer Pen
Needles

Types of Stitches:

This isn’t comprehensive, but it is a list of the most basic stitches.
There’s tons of fancy shmancy stuff to teach yourself.
Back
Blanket
Chain
Cross
French Knot
Lazy Daisy
Running
Satin
Seed
Stem
Split

Favorite Shops and Resources:

My Pinterest Board
Clementine Pattern Co.
The Creative Muster
Bobbin at 5280
Hi It’s Jilly
Sublime Stitching
Wild Olive

My {easy} Holiday Baking Lineup

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Now that we are in our first house, I have been able to do the holidays like I want to: lots of baking and lots of sparkle.

Today, I finally finished up all of the desserts, and I went shopping for mimosa supplies for Christmas morning. Now I just need to make the breakfast casserole. Want some recipes? Come and get ’em.

Almond Spritz Cookies

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Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

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Libby’s Pumpkin Pie

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Apple Pie

For each pie, use about 6 large apples. It’s best to mix the types of apples: the best are northern spy’s (but hard to find). Also good are granny smith, macintosh, golden delicious, galas. Peel and slice apples in large bowl. Add about 1/2-1/3 C sugar per pie and 1/4-1/3C flour. Add at least a tsp of cinnamon. Toss all together and dump in bottom crust. Top with second crust and crimp edges. Cut slit in top to let steam escape. Bake for 45min to 1 hr @ 375 degrees F.

Christmas Pear Pie

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Pear Loaf

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Prayer Sticks: An Easy Way to Incorporate Daily Prayer

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When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I want to do is pray – it is the last thing I actually think about doing though.

Instead, I am trying to motivate myself to get out of bed. I am trying to get in a shower before the kids wake up. I am toweling off quickly because the kids woke up crying. I am wrestling two kids into diapers and clothes while I try to finish getting ready. I am getting breakfast made before a meltdown happens. You get the idea.

But I want to pray.

I want to make morning prayer my priority. But, it is hard for me when I am overwhelmed by so many other thoughts and obligations. It is easy to put prayer off until later, and then later suddenly becomes 11pm when all I have to give to God is my leftovers.

So, I came up with something new: Prayer Sticks.

This is one of those super easy DIY crafts or DIY gifts! And, it’s a great way to incorporate all of those prayers for healing, prayers for kids, prayers for husbands and prayers for families into your daily routine. And, with how simple this is, I bet you could make it today and jump start your prayer life immediately.

© jorgecachoh / Dollar Photo Club

You guys, this is the easiest “craft” with huge benefits. I used a pretty mason jar that my aunt dolled up for me, but you could just use a regular mason jar or a ziplock bag or an old sock. I don’t think it matters. I just like pretty.

This is one of those super easy DIY crafts or DIY gifts! And, it’s a great way to incorporate all of those prayers for healing, prayers for kids, prayers for husbands and prayers for families into your daily routine. And, with how simple this is, I bet you could make it today and jump start your prayer life immediately.

Then, I used large tongue depressor popsicle stick craft thingies (I didn’t want to get technical on you, but sometimes it is necessary), and wrote different types of prayer on them.

Of course you can fill them out with whatever prayers work best for you, but here are some ideas I used on mine:

This is one of those super easy DIY crafts or DIY gifts! And, it’s a great way to incorporate all of those prayers for healing, prayers for kids, prayers for husbands and prayers for families into your daily routine. And, with how simple this is, I bet you could make it today and jump start your prayer life immediately.

Then, I draw a stick each morning and complete the prayer. No decision needed.

You can do this right? Not just the craft; you can pray daily too. I know it.

 What’s your favorite way to pray? I want to add it to my sticks!

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How Busy Moms Get Their Creative On {Project DIY Review & Giveaway}

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I got a box in exchange for my honest thoughts. The life of a blogger. Get it.

So, I’m going to come right out and say this: If you are a crafty soul like me, and your children have sucked the creativity out of your life, you need this. MJ Project DIY has created a box subscription service that sends you three projects each month based on designs created at their New York trimmings store: M&J Trimming.

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The projects are easy enough, but at the same time, they are adorbs. I seriously wear the necklace I made every single day. A friend loved my bracelet so much, she asked me to make her one. The keychain is a permanent fixture on my purse.

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The directions for each project can be found on their free iphone app or website. And, each project comes in a cute little package with everything you need. If you don’t have jewelry tools, you can also get those with your kit.

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Giveaway

And, of course, you get one too. Well, one of you. Duke it out Rafflecopter style:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easy Dia de los Muertos Makeup Tutorial {Wantable Review}

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I was given a Wantable box in exchange for this review and Dia de los Muertos Makeup Tutorial. Opinions y estilo son mias. Links are affiliate.

What is Wantable?

A makeup subscription service that can be purchased one time only or as a monthly gift.

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Dia de los Muertos Makeup Tutorial

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special, expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create something unique.


Wantable sent me their Halloween makeup box, and they asked me to do a tutorial and review for you. Since I am a big Dia de los Muertos fan, I put together a step-by-step Dia de los Muertos makeup tutorial for you just in time for Halloween and All Souls Day.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Supplies Needed for the Dia de los Muertos Makeup Tutorial

  • Wantable Halloween Box (contains Ultimate Eyeshadows in Gold & Very Black, Hollywood Lights Glitz in Oscar & Chorus Line, Tacky Glitter Adhesive, False Lashes, Lash Adhesive, Ultimate Lip Pencil in Ruby, Lipstick Palette Kit in #1 Can Buy Me Love
  • Black eye liner pencil (I used Wet n Wild)
  • White face makeup (I used Professional Cream Makeup by Fun World)
  • Curling iron
  • Silk flower(s)

1. Start with a fresh face of makeup. I applied concealer, powder and one coat of mascara.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

2. Apply white face makeup to entire face in an even layer.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

3. Apply Ultimate Eyeshadow in Very Black to entire area surrounding your eye sockets including your lids. I found that the eye shadows in this box had a very saturated color, and they went on easily when I applied them with my finger. They have a powdery texture, and they didn’t seem to crease. If you can still see pink areas of your lash lines, use the eyeliner pencil to fill those in.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

4. Use your eyeliner pencil to create a spiderweb design on your forehead. You could also draw a cross, a rose, a star, a heart or swirls and dots that follow the contours of your face. Of course you can also do a combo of these things too.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

5. Use your eyeliner to color the tip of your nose. You can draw connected triangles like I did, or you can fill in the entire tip in a spade-like shape.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

6. Next, use the Ultimate Lip Pencil in Ruby to line your lips. I went slightly outside of my natural lip line to create a fuller effect. This lip pencil was smooth and very vivid in color. Then, fill in your lips with a shade from the Lipstick Palette Kit in #1 Can Buy Me Love. Again, just like all of the other products in this kit, these colors are very vibrant on the skin. Touch up your lips with liner to even out the look.

7. Use your eyeliner to draw designs on your cheeks, lips and chin. Swirls, crosses, hearts, “stitched” lips, dots, and flowers work well in these areas. You can even add rhinestones at this point too. When applying eyeliner over your painted lips, make sure to do that step at the very end. Otherwise the red lipstick will get on your black pencil and end up elsewhere on your face.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

8. Get out the Tacky Glitter Adhesive and Hollywood Lights Glitz in Oscar & Chorus Line. Dip the brush into the adhesive, and then dip it into the glitter of your choice. Apply the glitter along and around some of the designs you have made on your face. Be sure not to add too much. It is an accent, and when you start adding too much of anything, it takes away from the beauty of your designs. A note on the glitters and adhesives: I was very surprised at how well these two products worked together. I thought it was going to be a hot mess trying to apply the glitter, but it was so easy and mess free. I was honestly shocked and pleased.

9. Stick on your false eyelashes using the directions provided with the false lashes and adhesive.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

10. Give your hair some curl and volume with your curling iron. Add a flower or flowers to your hair to finish your look. Muy bueno.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Perfect your sugar skull costume with this sugar skull makeup tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a super simple look that doesn't require special expensive makeup, stencils or even a very steady hand. Learn different variations of one simple look to create come thing unique.

Everything in the Wantable box held up very well. It wasn’t waterproof, so crying at haunted houses and bobbing for apples are out. But it will stay vivid and in place if you don’t mess with it. Eventually and sadly, you will have to wash your face.

To Remove: Rinse your face well with warm water. Wash with your fave soap. Use makeup remover to clean remaining makeup. Wash again. Use a toothbrush to remove lipstick residue. Moisturize face and lips. All of this makeup comes off super easily – and I love that.

Your Turn

Now give it a try and take lots of pics. Then post them to Instagram and tag me in them so I can gawk at your awesomeness. And, don’t forget to order your Wantable Halloween Box here. Maybe you can even come up with your own Dia de los Muertos makeup tutorial.

Take a Peek Into Our Mass Bag

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Mass is pretty hit or miss these days. Ellen has been doing surprisingly well, but Sam and his weird digestive issues have us running for the bathroom once or twice an hour. It’s, you know, fun.

And, like any other parent who wishes to a least hear an “Amen” during the service, we pack a little Mass bag. Here is what it looks like lately:

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  • a diaper for each kid and a small case of wipes
  • knot rosary: Mike and I both received one during our wedding Mass, and now I buy them for the kids for their Baptisms.
  • a couple of Catholic books: This stops Ellen from ripping up the hymnals. Why is she so two?
  • keychain of prayer cards: check out the fool-proof directions here
  • no snacks: I’m not against snacks in church, it’s just that I think Ellen can handle Mass without them now, so we’re trying. Trying.

Most of the time, I am quietly whispering in Ellen’s ear trying to explain parts of the Mass and keep her interested, but there are times when that’s just not going to happen, so the bag makes an appearance. Our lovely, wonderful bag.

What’s in yer bag? Or are your kids really well-behaved? How do you get some of those kind of kids?

 

 

Free Fall Embroidery Pattern: super cute, easy and quick. Download it. Stitch it. Share it.

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Free Fall Embroidery Pattern

free fall embroidery patternIf you’re looking for a quick and easy free Fall embroidery pattern, look no further than my latest and greatest over at Hi! It’s Jilly! Give your crafty soul some lovin’ this season by curling up with your pumpkin spice latte and your grandma’s old embroidery hoop. Crunch Crunch.

And, if you’re looking for a Fall wreath tutorial, a Fall letter tutorial, Fall soup recipes, or anything else crisp and Autumn, check out Hi! It’s Jilly’s Fall in Love with Fall series.

So, I love Fall. Ya know?