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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Drop the .blogspot.com with easyDNS


I've been procrastinating with changing my sewingmamaraeanna.blogspot.com to just sewingmamaraeanna.com - if I had known how easy it would be I would have done it a long time ago!

There used to be an option from Blogger to host directly on the site with a .com address.  When I checked today that option was gone but they gave a list of recommended hosting companies.

The company that stood out to me was easyDNS.  I'll give a tutorial on how I was able to set up my .com in less than an hour!

Step 1
Go to easyDNS.com and register your domain name.


You will go through the step by step process to secure your .com address and confirmation will be sent to your e-mail.  I chose to pay for 3 years at once and save a little money.  You do not need to buy .org, .net, etc. unless you feel that there may be potential for growth and you want to protect your brand.
There is an option that you can pay to have easyDNS set up your site but that's not necessary since I'll take you though it through this tutorial!

Step 2
Now that you have your domain name purchased you will log into your Blogger account and go to 
Settings > Basic > Publishing
Click "add a custom domain"
 
You can type in your new .com address now but you will get this error - don't worry.... leave the window open because you'll need those funny code letters (I blocked mine out for privacy)
 
Step 3
Log into your easyDNS account and click Manage > Domains
Click the "dns" link
 

Step 4
Scroll down to "aliases CNAME records" and click the little wrench to edit
 
Step 5
Here's the most important part.... you need to enter information in 2 rows of fields in this window.

Go back to that error window in Blogger and do you see the funny letters?
Under "Name, Label, or Host Field" you have www and across from it the words "ghs.google.com"
In the next row you have 6 random letter/number sequences with a longer string of letters and symbols.  Both of those need to be entered into the easyDNS CNAME fields.

It should look like this:
Click next and confirm and then go back to your Blogger settings.

Step 6
Enter your www.yournamehere.com into the field and click save!
You should be in business!  

I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was - I am definitely a visual person and I wish there was a picture tutorial for me to follow but fortunately everything worked the first time!

I know the next step is to eventually become a self hosted WordPress blogger - migrating is not an easy task so I'll be putting it off a little longer!  But if you're just starting out (and on Blogger) and want to go ahead and secure your .com address it really isn't as painful as I thought it would be!  If I can do it you can do it!!!

If you haven't already signed up, please consider joining the mailing list!  I'll send out occasional newsletters with interesting sewing related articles and links that I think you will enjoy!  Thanks for stopping by!

Sewing Mama RaeAnna Blog


Please vote for me! FLIP this pattern

Good morning!  Remember my zippered hoodie vest dress post last week?! 


 
 

Emily and Ashley are the creative geniuses at Frances & Suzanne and they have some great prizes for the winner of the challenge and the sew along participant!


My look is #2 - I would LOOOOOVE your vote!

This is the pattern that I used to "FLIP" the look - 
 



Sewing Mama RaeAnna Blog

Friday, February 21, 2014

Knight Hoodie - Charming Doodle Pattern Tour


I am so honored to be on Elisa's pattern tour for the Knight Hoodie!  I e-mailed her when I saw tester photos being posted on FB and FELL.IN.LOVE!

Christian also saw it and immediately asked me if I would make it - I was sooooooo excited when Elisa asked if I would be interested in making it and joining the tour! 


The accents of "armor" are what really make this hoodie stand out!  The hood trim, visor, shoulder and elbow patches are impressive and make this garment a one of a kind!


I knew I wanted to add a design with my embroidery machine on the back and I found some fun dragons but this fleur-de-lis from Urban Threads called my name!  Christian loves it since it's like Mickey Mouse in the Three Mousketeers!


I think what I love most about Christian's hoodie is the leather accents!  I used scrap pleather from a purse and a pair of old boots!


There are a few flaws in my sewing with one side being a little higher than the other, but it works for the top to overlap and snap in place!


The smaller sizes can be zipped all the way up with a 20" zipper but Christian's size 5 is a little too long for the zipper so a snap is needed to secure the top of the hood!


The only thing I don't like is that my little boy looks so big in his new Knight Hoodie.  It seems like as soon as he started preschool he jumped into a whole new level of maturity and development!  He is such a beautiful and special boy.  My knight in shining armor!



Thank you for checking out my post and go grab your copy of the pattern in the Charming Doodle shop HERE!  - 
you can get $2 off with the coupon code SewingMama!  That makes the pattern only $10 for you!

And check out all the other pattern tour participants!

Sewing Mama RaeAnna Blog

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Kawaii kitty bow holder




I'm bringing home my Kawaii Kitty Bow Holder tutorial first featured on the Sewing Rabbit!


If you grew up in the 1980's like I did you probably had some adorable Hello Kitty toys and clothes.  This little kitty bow holder is inspired by Kawaii art and I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

Materials:
2 - 8.5"x11" white felt
Scraps of light pink felt
Scraps of black felt
Black embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Fabric glue (optional)
Ribbon
Scissors
Water soluble marker or chalk
Polyfill stuffing (optional)

Start by printing off the template for the bow holder!
DOWNLOAD HERE
(You need Adobe Acrobat to open)

Place the pattern pieces on the felt and cut out each shape.


I wanted to show you a close up of my KAI scissors.  These buggers are SHARP!  I love making felt bow centers and this scissor brand was recommended to get the nice even cut around small edges.  If you have any trouble with the smaller sections of felt pieces you could also use embroidery scissors. 


After you have all your felt pieces cut out, arrange the face on 1 section of the head. 


You can glue the small pieces in place and then tack down with some thread while you work on the hand embroidery of the whiskers and mouth!  Use a water soluble marker to draw the placement for the embroidery.


Take your black embroidery floss (I use 3 strands instead of the 6 strands in the floss.)  Thread your embroidery needle and use a "Split Stitch" to embroider the mouth and whiskers!  Here's a step by step on how to make an embroidered split stitch:


Now, you are going to sandwich the ears and ribbon between the back of the head and the front of the head!  Pin each in place and sew along the edge of the head.  Since this is felt there's no need to sew right sides together and turn out.  Leave a 2-3" opening to stuff if you want your kitty head to have a little bit of body!
 


Sew the opening closed if you used stuffing and now hang your adorable new bow holder.  Fill it up with hair accessories and let me know if you make one for your little girl's room!
 

Thanks for stopping by!!! 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Baby Elliot - Lullaby Line for Peek-a-Boo

 Are you ready for some cuteness?!!!
This little buddy is the new addition to my friend Lindsay of Lindsay Sews and Craft Buds

He is wearing the bodysuit and pants in the new Lullaby Line by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop!
 

When Amy asked for participants to the pattern tour I knew I wanted to sew some of these perfect baby items for little Elliot!  It was hard to pick from the amazing list of patterns - it has been so much fun looking at all the creations from the Lullaby Tour bloggers!

Image Map

I've never sewn a bodysuit before although I did buy a paper pattern over 3 years ago when my best friend was pregnant with her baby boy!  I tossed everything in a drawer when I couldn't make heads or tails of the pattern.  If I had the Lullaby Line back then with the amazing picture tutorials, my friend would have had several cute bodysuits for her baby!


I debated between using this fabric for Elliot's outfit or going with some refashioned gray t-shirts and I'm glad I used the stripes!  I love color and boys in stripes are just so so so so cute!


You may recognize this fabric from the Cupcake Top I made Christian.  In fact, when I was uploading these pictures, Christian was in the room with me and said "Hey, what's that little baby doing wearing my shirt?!" LOL!  I had to explain that it wasn't the same because this little baby is way too small to wear his stripe shirt!


The fabric is from Chez Ami - they run great sales every once in a while with 2 yard minimums.  I plan to order more next time the sale comes around!

Lindsay was so gracious to send me photos to use in my pattern tour post!  I can't wait to meet baby Elliot in person soon and snuggle all that sweetness!  Thank you so much for stopping by and if you want to purchase the Lullaby Line I would be so grateful for you to purchase through my affiliate link HERE!

(my favorite of all the photos!)
Sewing Mama RaeAnna Blog

And you can win some awesome prizes too!  Make sure you enter below!

Tour Image Map: Giveaway Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 14, 2014

FLIP post for February!

It's here!!!
The FLIP contest for February has started and my look has been featured....

Voting starts on February 21st and I'll be sure to remind everyone! haha!


 Sewing Mama RaeAnna Blog

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

New Service - custom silhouette and shadow art

Over the past year I have enjoyed my hobby of graphic art and design and purchased a Silhouette Cameo machine to start making vinyl designs!  My intentions were to start with some actual silhouettes of my kids. I used them for cards and ornaments for Christmas of 2013 and they made great gifts!

My design services are available to you if you would like your child's profile to be turned into art!

I am open to any ideas you have and I'll be happy to quote you a price if there is something more involved then what I am outlining below!

PRICING
$15 - Full body silhouette/shadow
$8 - head silhouette
These prices are a one-time design fee and will include an 8x10 high resolution PNG digital file.
(A file with the extension .studio or .svg may be purchased for an additional $5.)

Go from this......

to this!
 

Or this.....


to this....

Once your design is made, I will customize with text or speech balloons (optional)



  The final design is then uploaded to http://society6.com/RaeAnnaGoss with the initials or name you choose.  Society6 is a third party manufacturing company.  I am not actually making the finished products.  
 You will order and purchase your finished artwork through Society6.

The default upload to Society6 is an art print.  Please note in your order if you would like your design to be uploaded for iPhone cases, laptops, coffee mugs, or shirts. 

To order, simply e-mail raeannag@gmail.com with the subject "Silhouette Order" and I will invoice you and start the process by having you send me your photo!

(Files are saved with transparent backgrounds.)

I'm happy to answer any questions!  Please e-mail me at raeannag@gmail.com 

WIN A FREE DIGITAL FILE NOW!
I will giveaway a free custom silhouette to 5 lucky winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Enter the rafflecopter above and your silhouette art could be free!

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