When Things Don't Work...Take a Nap!!

Things have been out of control crazy around here lately. I apologize for the lack of posts and tutorials...but I have a good explanation...Nothing is WORKING!!  I have this on slaught of clique statements running through my head, like "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" or "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." And even though I consider myself a positive person, who likes to look at the upside of things...this week has kicked my rear-end!

I started a new job last week and it's turned into way more then I anticipated. More hours...more stress. I'm still trying to fit in enough hours to accomplish all the work that is quickly piling up, and yet I wonder if it's my own "business owner" mentality is making this whole thing more difficult. You see, my husband and I have owned a business for over 10 years. We've been self-employed for so long I have a hard time seeing things as a "employee". I worry about things I shouldn't have to as an employee, yet I do and it only adds to my stress. I am fortunate enough to be able to do 95% of this job from home, yet with the kids, homeschool, my responsibilities to our other companies, my crafting and writing, along with all the cooking and cleaning...my day is so hectic I sometimes wonder which way is up.

Then to top it all off...I dropped my camera while I was working on a purse tutorial (which was frustrating and not working the way I planned anyway) and broke the camera. The fall was from the ironing board to the carpeted floor and I had a lens protector on...and it wasn't the first time in 6 years I'd dropped the damn thing, and sure enough that little fall took the hole thing out. The lens won't go in or out. The camera won't even snap a picture. It's done!

So we spent hours today looking at cameras and I'm a very picky camera person. I know what I like and I know what I don't. I like something to hold on to. I like SLR/Digital Cameras and I like them to be heavy duty. I also need the camera to have video capabilities. We finally decided on two cameras, price ranging from $179 - $399. I of course wanted the more expensive one, because it was EVERYTHING I wanted and yet I liked the cheaper one well enough. But we decided against the cheaper one because it was a touch screen. And I don't know if you've ever owned a cell phone or somethinng electronic that's touch screen...it doesn't last long. I knew that within a year we'd have to purchase another camera just because of the touch screen issues. So after hours of looking over and over each fine detail and then price comparing, we went for the more expensive camera...only to be told that the camera we'd been holding, inspecting, trying out, and researching...WAS OUT OF STOCK!!!  Seriously? The sales guy couldn't have told us that hours ago?

Now, I won't bore you with the long, boring details of all my other "things aren't working" issues. But I did want to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about Hip Chicks and that I have lots of fun and summery tutorials to come. You'll just have to forgive the picture quality or lack of pictures until I can get this camera issue figured out. Or I might try to do some video tutorials with the webcam.

And yes...I did have to take a nap today. It's my way of just shutting down when things get to be to much and today was just TO much.




 (Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Make Your Own Coloring Book

My kids just love to color and we seem to always be buying coloring books. The only problem is they can't always find the ones they really want. So I started printing coloring pages offline and instead of having lose paper all over the house, I began combining the kids favorite coloring pages and sewing them together into a book.

To make your own you'll need... printed coloring pages, 1- 8.5"x11" sheet of card stock, 1-1/2"x11" piece of paper, 1-8.5" x 11" sheet of complimentary paper, sewing machine, thread, needle and scissors.

Step 1: Print childs favorite coloring pages.

Step 2: Place card stock sheet on the back of your coloring pages. And decorative sheet on the front.

Step 3: Fold your 1/2" x 11" piece of paper in half long ways.

Step 4: Place folded paper over the left side of the book and clip together. I clip so the pages don't move apart while I'm sewing.

Step 5: Load sewing machine with coordinating color thread. Sew along the edge of the spine with a straight stitch.

Step 6: Thread the string from the front and bring it to the back through the last stitch whole. Then knot and clip.

Now you're kids will have hours of coloring fun!!

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

From T-Shirt to Tank

Life has sure been busy around my house lately. Finishing up our school year, starting our summer curriculum. (For those who don't already know...I homeschool my kiddos and even though it's summer...I keep them working on math, reading and writing). Hubby has been swamped with work and I'm starting a new job tomorrow. So my "To Do" list has been terribly long and growing by the minute.

I was able to get some sewing done this weekend. I went through my closet and pulled out a bunch of shirts I don't wear anymore. And some I was able to alter to fit my rapidly growing daughter.

It's a simple pattern. One you've probably seen for a little girl dress. Since my daughter is no longer little I now use a similar pattern, but turn my discarded t-shirts into tank tops for her.

All you do is cut straight across the top, just below the neck line, and then cut the arm pits into a J shape. If you have a serger, you can serge the edges of the arm holes and leave alone, or you can fold over and sew. With this tank I folded over 1/4" seam. Then fold over and top edge of the front and back 1/2", pin and sew close to the edge. I then used red bias tape, inserted through the top folds of the front and the back.  My daughter is a thin little thing, and not a big fan of wearing a tight tank top underneath, so I sew a new sew down each side, just below the arm pit.

Once you're all done. Just gather fabric and tie over the shoulders.

Super Easy!!

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I also made myself a towel dress for the pool (that is if the sun ever returns to Oregon). I found the pattern over at MADE. I ended up getting the same beach towel as Dana. I also had only started learning how to use elastic thread when I saw her tutorial and decided to give it a try and it is now my favorite thing to do. If you haven't tried elastic thread...YOU MUST. Seriously cool stuff! I even turned my practice scraps into Barbie dresses and shirts for my daughters dolls. I'll see if I can get a picture for you.

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Product Feature - Comfort Connie and Comfort Connor Crochet Doll

A few years ago after watching the movie "The Ultimate Gift" I decided I was going to volunteer with a local children cancer organization. I was matched immediately with a teen girl, who was fighting cancer for the second time. She was a brave, courageous young girl, who faced cancer with a smile on her face. She and I became very close and sadly she passed away this April after her cancer returned for a third time.

During my time as her ChemoPal, I had the opportunity to meet other young children who all faced cancer with immense courage. I created a crochet doll that had a flaxseed filled tummy, so depending on how the child was feeling that day they could heat it or freeze it. The tummy compress would give them comfort. For some I even included dried lavender which offered a calming effect. But many children with cancer are very sensitive to smells so I was very careful with their dolls. I've had the privledge of making dolls for terminal kids and to know my dolls brought these little ones comfort during their last days...means more to me then I can put into words.

Quickly my crochet dolls, whom I named Comfort Connie and Comfort Connor, became very popular. My daughter and son absolutely love theirs. My little cousin even carried hers into surgery when she broke her elbow. Each doll made is an individual with their own personalities.

I hope to one day write out the pattern, but for now it resides in my head. If you're interested in buying one of my crochet dolls, visit my shop or contact me personally to order a personalized doll where you can choose the hair color.



(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Tag Printable for Electric Cords

Many of you asked for a printable with the electric cord tags. If you haven't seen the tutorial I did a few days back, check it out here.

I filled in a few of the tags, but left many blank for you to fil in yourself. Just print onto card stock and cut out. Hole punch the purple circle and add your favorite ribbon or string. Then attach to your cords so they'll be super easy to find.

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Weekend of Sun and Fun

The sun finally decided to return to the Portland area and we decided to take advantage of it while it was here. For those who don't live in the Portland area, we have had NO sun and LOTS of rain the last few months and we're all going a bit stir-crazy. So we took some time away from the office and studio to spend time with the kiddos.

We went to the park, the Farmer's Market, the pool and the beach...and then we came home and crashed in total exhaustion. I was so worried about keeping the kids covered in sunscreen and hats that I got sunburned myself. Seriously! And it's only my front side, so I look like a lobster from the front. Oh, but I did apply my Clinique face sunscreen (with tint), so the burn is from the neck down. I look retarded!

The kids were fascinated by the river water. They couldn't believe how dirty it was compared to the ocean.

I played at this very river and park when I was about their age and it's kind of surreal to take my own children there.

I took pictures of all the beautiful flowers in bloom.

Flowers can't take a bad picture. It's just not possible. I love to get super close! I'm sure everyone was staring at me and wondering why I was bent so far over these bushes.

Then I took a picture of these beauties...

hanging on this tree.

We walked down the pier and the kids read the rules.

We found a squirrel enjoying the remenants of a sunflower seed bag (which some baseball player had left behind)....

Until he saw us coming closer...

and then he ran toward this tree. My daughter decided she'd try to convince it to let her pet it.

It didn't!

The next day we headed to the beach...Cannon Beach to be exact.

I use lots of beach photos in my art work, so I was excited to get some good shots. Unfortunately it turned out to be a really blustery afternoon and I kept my camera in my bag and away from the blowing sand. But before the wind picked up I took some fun shots of the kids playing.

I take a photo of this lighthouse every single time I'm at the coast. I don't know why...but it fascinates me. I probably have hundreds of photos like this one.

The kids played in the sand.

We watched people riding their horses and voyed to do it as a family this summer some time.

They left me sitting alone while they went to get water.

But the came back :) Although, I'm not sure what has hubby and son so engrossed. See how oblivious my daughter is. She's focused on not spilling any of her precious water.

We had dinner and then ventured back to the beach. So beautiful!

Once our food digested we went to this adorable candy store and they had these cute plaques on the wall. Hubby and I laughed so hard!

Then hubby said this brown one was about him and I nearly cried!

Then he showed me the green one and I nearly did what is suggests.

I wanted to take this white one home.

And then I thought this one was more appropriate since this seems to be out moto these days.

Kids selected candy and I was drooling over all the chocolate. I haven't had anything sugary in over two weeks (long story, will share some time)...and then I saw this sign and thought..."No thanks!"

Don't let the sun fool you...it was windy and CHILLY!

That didn't stop the kids from eating ice cream, however. Or wearing it on their faces.

"Where your mother little girl? You need a spit clean."

Oh and this was before the sunburn. I got that yesterday! And no you won't see pictures of that.

How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

More fun tutorials are coming this week, so come back and let's get crafty!

(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Hip Chicks Cook Too! Porkchops and Potatoes

This is my go to dinner. It's super easy and SOOOO yummy! The entire family loves it!

What you'll need:

• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (condensed)
• 1 can Cream of Celery Soup (condensed)
• 4-5 Little Red Potatoes
• 4-6 Porkchops (I used boneless, but you could use with bone)
• Milk
• Salt & Pepper
• Olive Oil

Instructions:

1) Open both cans of soup and put into large baking dish. Mix in one can of milk. Stir until combined.

2) Wash and slice potatoes into cubes. I like them slightly thick, so they don't get mushy. Once all potatoes are cut, put into soup mixture.

3) Brown porkchops of both sides in about 1-2 tables of Olive Oil.

4) Put browned porkchops into soup and potatoe mixture. I like to bury the porkchops under the soup gravy.

5) Top with salt and pepper. About 1 teaspoon. You can also add more to each serving.

6) Put into oven at 375 and bake for 30-45 minutes. It depends on your oven and how many porkchops you are doing. You'll want to make sure the porkchops are cooked all the way through before removing from oven.

7) Serve up porkchops with potatoes and lots of the soup gravy.

Enjoy!!




(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).