Tutorial | Slouchy Beanie DIY

The following statement is 100% true: Slouchy beanies are the reason I wanted a baby boy. ;) That's not to say that girls can't wear slouchy beanies, but there's just something so juicy about a baby boy in a slouchy beanie, amiright?

As soon as fall time rolled around, I was more than ready to buy him one online, but then I do what I normally do and decided to make it myself, and you know what? It was SEW easy! And now I'm going to share how I did it with you so you can make the world a better place for anyone who sees your adorable babe wearing one of these!

*if you're not a sewer, stick around, because you're not going to want to miss the announcement at the end!

Basically, I used a fitted beanie that I already had and lengthened it a couple of inches. Just have confidence and be grateful this isn't a HUGE investment in fabric money!

For this tutorial, you will need...
Fabric (about 1/3 yard)*
Scissors
Coordinating thread
Pattern beanie

*The key to making these slouchy beanies is the type of fabric you use. Find a nice, thick, soft, stretchy knit. I'm pretty sure I used a cotton spandex knit.

 Step 1 - cut

Use your pattern beanie (the one you already have) and lay it out on your fabric. Cut around the bottom and sides of the beanie with a half inch buffer (this is called seam allowance). If you're using a regular sized beanie, extend a couple of inches (about three or 4). Shape the top of the piece you're cutting out like in the picture above. Find the center of the beanie piece and cut a 2-inch heart-point, like in the picture above. Cut out four of these pieces.

Step 2 - sew

Pin two beanie pieces together around the sides up to the peaks at the top with right-sides-together. Use a straight stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance to stitch the sides*. Next, bring the side seams at the top (peaks) together to pull the opening closed. Pin in place, and sew the opening closed with a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat with the other two beanie pieces.

*to promote good stretch in your beanie, lower the tension of your thread in your machine.

Step 3 - attatch
Turn one beanie piece-duo right-side-out, and slide it inside the piece-duo that is right-side-in, aligning the side seams. Now the two-piece-duos are right-sides-together! Pin around the opening of the beanie and sew with a half inch seam allowance, but leave a 1 or 2 inch opening! So you can turn the beanie right-side-out! Anyone getting dash-sick? AH! I did it - again... ;)

Step 4 - sew opening closed
Reach into that tiny opening  you made and pull all the fabric out so that the whole beanie is right-side-out. Tuck the interior of the beanie inside the exterior, pin the opening closed and sew.

FINISHED!

A N N O U N C E M E N T !

One of my lucky Instagram and Facebook followers will receive not one, but TWO of these 6-9 month size beanies for... FREE!!! That's right friends! One for you and one for a friend! So hop on over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to see how to enter!

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Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Chandler, Arizona and surrounding cities. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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Giveaway | Yellow Quakies

Hey-oh! Hi guys! Our family just got back from a family vacation to visit Andrew's parents and I am LOADED with pictures! So, while I work on that, may I interest you in a giveaway?

Remember this post from a while back?

Remember how it was all about doing service with your little ones? Well, it was all inspired by this heart-stamped piece of jewelry from Yellow Quakies.

This necklace has become so much more than a pretty accessory. It has become a reminder to do something for someone else and forget yourself for a little while. And I make sure I put it on every Sunday to remind myself and my family about it. Yesterday, we made rolls together to deliver to a friend who's having a hard time right now (because who doesn't love delicious home-baked rolls?!)

c/o my iphone and my husband's AMAZING photography skills! ;)

Not every service project we do together is a big one. A couple of weeks ago, our service project was to call an Aunt we hadn't talked to in a while. The service was probably more on Aunt Lauren's part because I'm sure she didn't anticipate talking for so long, but I want my children to know and understand that giving of your time just to talk with someone can be a service and that service doesn't always have to be some huge undertaking.

Anyway, I'm really excited about this giveaway because the necklace really is so cute and Shaylee is a woman of many talents. In addition to jewelry, she paints, and is a videographer. Seriously. Talented.

So make sure you visit my instagram to see how to enter to win!

See you on Friday!

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Tutorial: How to butter toast + a giveaway!

Haha! April Fools! I won’t actually write a tutorial for buttering toast, but there IS a giveaway! It’s hosted by Salt Project on their website which is a GREAT place to get ideas of fun activities for you and your family in the Utah Area, like visiting the Treehouse in Ogden! Haven’t been there yet myself, but it looks pretty great! Be sure to stop by their blog to enter to win passes to the Treehouse, A Gift Card to Thai Curry Kitchen, and a Car Seat Protector from yours truly! This one:

 

All you have to do to enter is to sign up for The Salt Project Newsletter (they never send spam, they mainly just want to give things away), comment on any of my blog posts, and visit the Treehouse and Thai Curry Kitchen Facebook Pages! Giveaway ends tomorrow night at 11:59. Utah Residents only please.

PLUS! Right now, enter SALTANDSUE at checkout for one of my car seat protectors and receive 25% off your order, good for one week! And that’s no joke.

Oh, and by-the-way, look what new print is coming to my shop!

Entry-Form

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NEW IN SHOP: NAVAJO ARROW LEGGINGS + A GIVEAWAY

I would be lying if I said that Chelsea didn't wear these leggings nearly every-other day. They are so perfect for this cold weather (that's only getting colder) and she just looks SO cute! Don't you think?

We were having a grand 'ol time taking photos, playing in the leaves, and chasing a ball when something in the neighbor's flower-bed caught Chelsea's attention.

It was then that I explained to Chelsea that everything has its time.

We held a proper burial for the little gnome. Kind words were spoken, and tears were shed. Rest in peace, Mr. Gnome.

Stop by my Etsy shop for sizes, colors, and pricing. Oh! Did I mention it comes in electric blue and ivory, too?

And now for the giveaway! You can win a pair of these ADORABLE leggings for your little one, for a friend's little one, your niece, grandchild, whatever! It's really easy to enter, especially if you're already following me via bloglovin', instagram, facebook, etc. Just follow the directions below, and remember! The giveaway ends Monday night. Good luck!

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EAT IT & SAY YUM

Yesterday I announced a giveaway happening over at Eat It & Say Yum that contributed to by making an apron to giveaway along with an Anthropologie Poppy Pie Pan and few other things in a Thanksgiving care-package. I wanted to give you a chance to get to know Karissa and Leia a little better so I sent them a few questions which they kindly answered and sent back to me.

So tell us a little about yourselves and your blog.

I'm Karissa, and Leia and I co-author Eat It & Say Yum. One morning when we were out walking together, I kept jabbering on and on about wanting to write a cookbook and how I needed to figure out how to do it. I said I wanted her to share some of her amazing recipes with me so I could include them, and she said "Or, you could just join my blog." We're having an absolute blast sharing our favorite recipes together! The best part is that we cook in very similar ways and we understand each other's kitchen lingo.

You're a blog all about cooking and baking, but which do you prefer?
I honestly prefer cooking over baking.  Baking is more about chemistry, and I hated math, so I feel more comfortable and enjoy more room for creativity with cooking. Leia is an amazing baker and loves making pretty, sweet treats. Her cakes are gorgeous, creative, and taste so. dang. good. She also loves cooking too, because there is more freedom to add or mix spices and ingredients. Baking has more limits in that respect.

What is one of your favorite recipes you have made?

One recipe I'm extremely proud of is my Smokey Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili. It just came to me one day and the ingredients all work so well together. I especially love the squeeze of fresh lime at the end. It really makes the flavors pop! Something else I seem to can't get enough of lately is Leia's Buffalo Blasts. 

You both have beautiful families! What is one of their favorite meals?

One meal my whole family can agree on, namely our almost 3 year old son who can be annoyingly picky with the strangest things, is Sausage, Ham, & Pepperoni Scomboli. It's sort of like a giant loaf of calzone with our favorite pizza toppings. Leia and her family love Hamburgers! They always mix up the fresh beef with their own ingredients and shape their own patties. I've had burgers at their house and man were they good!

We all like dessert. Which recipe would you suggest?

Ah, dessert. Both of us agree this may be our favorite "meal" and it's hard to pick a favorite! Gooey Smores Bars are probably the most addicting dessert I've ever made and eaten before. I had to send the pan with my husband to school so I would stop eating it! Everyone in his class raved about them and kept asking him every day when I was going to make them again and send them to school. One of Leia's favorites is Texas Sheet Cake. You can't go wrong with moist, chocolatey, cake topped with a thick layer of creamy fudge frosting.

Remind us what you're giving away on your blog at the moment?

This Giveaway hurts my heart just a little because I am SO in love with the pie pan! It's a beautiful, red, teal, and orange pan, with painted flowers, gorgeous scalloped edges, and the engraving "Everyone Loves Pie" in the center. Oh yeah, and it's from Anthropolgie. Can't go wrong there! In addition to the pie pan is a ridiculously cute, handmade apron from Sue. That girl can sew! To top off your Thanksgiving in a box, we're including a lovely pie server and some of our favorite treats you can snack on while you're prepping Thanksgiving dinner (or watching football, or shopping...). 

Thanks for having me on your blog today! Sue is one of my most favorite people and I also happen to be married to her super cute older brother.

Best. Photo. Ever.

Well, you're the perfect match, then! Make sure you stop by Eat It & Say Yum before you go to enter for the Thanksgiving-in-a-box, or scroll down a ways and enter here on Chevron and Lace. Thank you so much for introducing yourself, Leia, and your blog today, Karissa! I wish I could enter this giveaway!

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ANTHROPOLOGIE POPPY PIE PAN AND APRON GIVEAWAY

Today, I am SUPER excited to announce a partnership giveaway between me and two lovely bloggers from Eat it and Say Yum and Nicole from The Jones Way. Karissa is my sister-in-law and contacted me a couple of weeks ago about the giveaway, asking if I would like to contribute. Of course, I agreed, but not until two days before the giveaway actually started (life has been busy the past couple of weeks, remember?) So on Saturday, I went to the store, bought all the materials I'd need and spent that night making a kind of urban, hip, cutesy apron that ended up looking more like a dress than an actual apron (was that my goal? yes it was). I am so pleased with how it turned out!

So, there's a theme to this giveaway. With Thanksgiving just around the corner (take a few deep breaths...), it would be nice to have few things to help you prepare, right? That's what this giveaway is all about! Karissa and Leia will be sending one lucky winner my apron, one totally adorable Poppy Pie Pan from Anthropologie, and some extra goodies to keep you going throughout the Holiday preparation period.

There are plenty of ways to enter this giveaway, and make sure you take advantage of them all. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor. (Did you know that "Catching Fire" comes out in a couple of weeks? Woot woot!)

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WINNER OF THE CHEVRON AND LACE + PRETTY LOVELY LITTLES GIVEAWAY

And the winner is... Tawni Ballard! Congratulations! You have won yourself a lovely new maxi skirt in your choice of color and two lovely jewelry pieces to add to your collection from Pretty Lovely Littles. Thanks to everyone for participating in our giveaway! We have had so much fun putting it on together and am sure that you will have fun putting it on, too! ;) Keep checking back with both our blogs to see what's next in our lives and learn first about any special deals or promos our shops are having.
Thanks again, and here's just a taste of what you have to look forward to on Wednesday:

See you Wednesday!

-Sue

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CHEVRON AND LACE + PRETTY LOVELY LITTLES GIVEAWAY

A couple of months ago, I met a fellow blogger who wrote about inspiring things. I loved reading her blog because all of her messages were heart-felt, passionate, and positive. Every time I read her words, I felt uplifted and enabled. We started following each other and getting to know each other in a way that only social media could provide, and through the internet, we have become good friends.
So, in order to celebrate our friendship, we decided to come together and throw a giveaway! We have both been so excited about this giveaway and I have been absolutely giddy about the whole thing! But first, I want to introduce you to my favorite writer, Chelsea from The Girl Who Loved to Write.

1. So tell us about yourself! What's your name and the name of your blog? 

-I'm Chelsea and I blog at "The Girl who Loved to Write." 

2. Tell us a little about you and your blog.

-I started my blog in college because I wanted a way to hold myself accountable to writing after graduation.  Now it's a place for me to dream and be inspired and write about life. 

3. If you could go back in time and meet anybody, who would it be and why?

-Audrey Hepburn.  She was just so dang classy. 

4. What kind of famous would you rather be? Music sensation, athlete, or movie star?

-I'm gonna make up my own answer and say author!  I have no musical, acting, or athletic talent so we better just save the world from that haha. 

5. Who would you say has inspired you most?

-Definitely my mom.  She has always encouraged me to go after my dreams, no matter what they were.  She's my best friend and is always there to brainstorm my dreams with. She's also the best wife/mother/homekeeper on this planet, and I aspire to be even half as amazing as she is. 

6. What kind of things do you sell in your Etsy shop?

-My etsy shop's name is "Pretty Lovely Littles" and I try to shape things around that. Pretty little things to brighten up your life whenever you see them! 

7. Do you have special deals or promos going on right now?

If you use the code "CHEVRON" you can get 20 percent off anything in my shop for the next month!

8. Any last words?

I'm so excited to be doing this giveaway with Sue!  She is one of the sweetest bloggers I've ever "met" in blogland, and I absolutely love her.  If you don't stalk her blog daily, you absolutely should. 

Aw! Thank you, Chelsea! It's been fun to get to know you a little better on my blog today and I am SO excited about what you have in your shop! Click on this link to see everything that she has to offer, and don't forget to stop by The Girl who Loved to Write and get to know Chelsea even better.

Now, our giveaway today is a little somethin' somethin' to freshen up any wardrobe! Say hello to what could be your new favorite outfit!

Maxi skirt

Quote necklace

Neon fishtail anchor bracelet

Each of these items are hand-crafted by Chevron and Lace and Pretty Lovely Littles.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway closes Sunday night, and you can enter multiple times via twitter, instagram, and facebook. Good luck!

-Sue

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BIRTH-MONTH GIVEAWAY WEEK TWO

First off, let me just say thank you to everyone who joined in the camera strap giveaway last week! I am SO close to reaching my new year's resolution of having 100 followers!
And now, for the winner of said camera strap... Congratulations Anna Davison! You are the winner of the Chevron & Lace camera strap! Send me an e-mail within a couple of days with your address so I can send your gift to you!

Ever since Chelsea was born, anyone that knows the two of us will always say that Chelsea looks more like Andrew than she does like me. I'll admit I had a really hard time with this at first. It made me sad to think that when Chelsea was in one of Andrew's sister's arms, she looked more like their daughter than my own. Eventually, I got over and decided that it was okay if people thought that... And then I started really thinking... Does Chelsea look more like her Daddy?
So now I put it to you. Take a vote! Who does Chelsea look more like. Daddy, or Mommy? Granted, I had more photo options for when I was little, but still...

I'll give you three examples.
Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

That's the youngest picture I have of Andrew, okay? So now go ahead and take a vote! Mommy or Daddy?

Also, I've got another giveaway this week! This being Mother's Day weekend and all, I thought I'd better do a Mother-y gift. So here's what you could win:

Chevron & Lace Lime and Navy Changing Mat Clutch

I made this for a customer the other day and I LOVE it! I think you will, too! So get entering to win your very own, or maybe one for an expecting mom? It'll be yours, so you decide its purpose! Here's how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! Tell your friends and I'll see you on Friday!
-Sue

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BIRTH-MONTH GIVEAWAY

May is a big month in my little family. Not only is my birthday this month, but Chelsea's birthday is too (if you haven't picked up on the hints)! Of course, a birthday is always more fun when you celebrate with other people.

So here's what we're going to do. I am going to do a birth-month giveaway! Each week of this month, a new giveaway item will become available for anyone to win, starting today! So here's the first item:

CHEVRON AND LACE CAMERA STRAP

Blue floral with ruffled lace on the outside, gray chevron on the inside (also available without lace). Equipped with a lens cap pocket and padded inside for neck comfort. Enter to win via Google Friend Connect (just click Join this Site on the right sidebar), twitter, facebook, pinterest, etsy, and/or instagram. The more you follow/share, the more entries you get! Capiche? Good! Now let's get started! Happy birth-month!

-Sue


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Three days to go!

Aaaannnnndddd it's Friday! Only three days left until the Love Week giveaway closes! Let's review the prizes, shall we?

Adult or Child-sized bow scarf:

For adults or children, this handmade bow scarf will definitely keep you warm and, let's be honest, it's really cute!

Striped Lace Bow Headband:

This bow headband is made of a striped lace and will add a little something special to any outfit!

25% off electronic sleeve (laptop, iPad, tablet, etc.)

You have two options here: You can have one with a heart pocket (for charger storage) that opens from the side, or one with lots of colors and buttons on the top. Your pick!

The now FREE Bow Beanie:

Keeps your head cuddly warm and it has a bow! Need I say more?

I'm really excited to find out who the winner is on Monday and I hope you are, too! In fact, lucky for you, I'm adding a new way to get an extra couple of entries. If you share the link to the giveaway on your facebook, you can get not one, but TWO extra entries. What do you think about THAT?! Have a great weekend everybody! I'm headed to my hometown! Idaho, here I come!

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