Makin' 30 of these for a project in the girl's room. So easy! You can make a whole bunch in a short amount of time. Post to come!
DIY Bras for Backless Tops
February 26, 2013
Hey! This is a pretty neat idea for those of you who have some low or backless tops/dresses but can't NOT wear a bra. Get the full tutorial at Confidence's Everything. Think of the possibilities.
Pillow Quilt
February 25, 2013
Okay, I'd seriously love to make one of these for the backyard, drive-ins, beach, fireworks, basically anything outdoors. Via Joon & Jung. This was made with 30 pillows but you could make yours smaller, maybe just nine. IKEA has some great cheap square pillow in colors that POP! All you'd have to do is sew them together at the seams. Keep in the trunk of your car for anytime the occasion allows.
Partly Sunny Frock in Beehive PATTERN & INSTRUCTIONS
February 22, 2013
Materials (for a size 6 dress measurements waist: 27", bust: 33", hips: 36") If you want this in a larger size here is a great tutorial for enlarging a pattern.
Pattern
1 yard of main fabric for bodice and skirt
8" of collar fabric
12" of sheer fabric for yoke
3 yards of piping (four if you're adding piping to waist)
2 yards of bias tape for armhole opening and collar seam allowance
20"-22" invisible zipper
disappearing ink marker
Step 1:
Measure 4"x4" square to be sure that the pattern printed correctly. Make sure you print at 100%, do not "fit". If the square is correct then tape the papers together (they over lap by 5mm, marks are on the corners of each page) and out cut pattern pieces. Then arrange pieces according to fabric as arranged in the diagrams below. These pictures are based on material 46" wide folded in half.
Trace pieces of pattern onto material. You can also pin it and cut but I prefer to trace. I think you get a more accurate cut that way. I use disappearing ink which you can buy at JoAnn's for very cheap. But you can also use a thin marker since the edges will be on the seam allowance. I do usually pin the pieces to the fabric while I'm tracing. ESPECIALLY the sheer pieces. That fabric is no joke. It shifts without you even noticing. It's awful! Fortunately the pieces that need to be cut on it are not very large.
Step 3:
Cut fabric.
One of A Kind Style
How do you show off your personal style? Do you wear a certain shade of lipstick? Do you wear one particular color of clothes? In one of my favorite Zooey Dechanel movies she played a girl named Summer who only wore shades of blue. Now maybe that's a little drastic but what ways do you show off your personal style? I tend to wear clothes that have some element of whimsy.
Be it a funky neckline.
A simple bow.
Colors that POP!
A Peter Pan collar.
A bust full of ruffles.
Or an interesting skirt.
To celebrate personal style I'd like to invite you to check out Dr Pepper's #OneofaKindStyle Pinterest board. And check back in for more updates on the Diet Dr Pepper Sweepstakes, kicking off on March 4th (for a chance to win one of thirty amazing one–of-a-kind prizes!).
With delicious one of a kind taste and zero calories, Diet Dr Pepper is as unique as you are. We know it's a long road to get to who we're meant to be. Along the way, we make choices, we make mistakes, we get up, and we keep going. And like an amazing work of art, we become one of a kind. At Dr Pepper, we celebrate all that makes us an original, from your unique style to adventurous spirit. To check out more one of a kind stories, watch our films at www.youtube.com/drpeppervideos.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Diet Dr Pepper via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Diet Dr Pepper.
DIY Pearl Sleeves
February 21, 2013
Isn't this lovely? Pearl sleeves. Via etsy seller My Little Bride. You could try to DIY this yourself using 4mm faux pearls. You can get a string of faux pearl beads at Create for Less for $1.54. I think you would need 8-9 strands to accomplish this look. And don't forget the teardrop pearl in the center! ALSO would look pretty in mint with maybe a mint lace dress.
Secret Hammock
February 20, 2013
Isn't this the cutest idea? A toddler sized hammock under the table via Joyful Abode.
If you like this idea but wanted to try and make one without impeding the top of your table you could make your own under-the-table hammock with rope and hardware. See the how-to below via DIY Gear Supply. I'd secure the ends of the rope to the table via two eye bolts drilled into the sides of the table. Of course, try at your own risk.
Mandala Bookshelf HOW-TO
February 19, 2013
Can you believe these are just simple square shelves arranged in a mandala design! Via Apartment Therapy. If you are interested in making something similar check out these inexpensive square shelves in three sizes. A set of three is ONLY $15.53 with free shipping. If you look at this photo there are 12 sets of three different sizes. That means you could make this EXACT setup for only $232. Not too bad. It's quite a focal point. You'd get so many compliments. Another reader below mentioned using it as a place to store your fabric scraps. Another reader added you could color code it so it would look like a color wheel (you could do that with the books as well). Now THAT would be something.
Henri's New Nursery
February 18, 2013
1. With maybe a redesigned bamboo dresser/changing table. 2 Paint the Jenny Lind crib white with solid orange crib sheet. 3. Buy this grey trellis rug. 4. Sew non-functioning curtains with this fox fabric on the sides of the plantation blinds. 5. Faux bois upholstered Ikea footstool. And faux bois bumper and crib skirt, orange ties. 6. Orange, grey, white mobile. 7. Linen grey and white piped Ikea armchair. Then restain an existing toy box grey. Sew an orange linen and white piping box cushion with Henri's name embroidered in white on the center to be placed on top of the toy box. 9. Sew this felt circle pillow in orange.
Anyone else out there have some good grey, orange, white nursery ideas?
Valentine Mustaches Printables
February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you're doing something fun today with your valentine. This year, I bought the girl's various stuffed 'seen on tv' animals (Stuffies, Seat Pet, Bright Light). They love love loved them. We also made cutesy valentine's for their classmates. Lily normally prefers to use those store bought cards with Disney princesses (which I loathe) but when I suggested mustaches (her current favorite thing) with lollipops she quickly changed her tune.
To make these I just designed the template and took it to Staples and had them print it out on double sided glossy paper. It was only $2.50 a sheet and each sheet has 10 mustaches on it. Total, for both girls I made 60 mustaches (30 each) and paid $15.
My printer was broken. But if you're printing them at home. Here are the files....back mustaches; front mustaches. Just put the name of the recipient on the left and the name of the sender under the heart on the right. The templates DON'T include Lily's signature.
I will say that because I didn't print them from Silhouette (which you can do) it didn't always match up exactly. Learn how to use their print and cut feature here. But in places where the white paper showed up I just used black marker to fill it in. Here's the silhouette file of the mustaches. But I would still recommend running some test sheets on cardstock and see if they match up first.
If you're not making these with a Silhouette machine and have to make holes don't use a paper punch. It will be too big. What I did with the first few I forgot to add a hole to, was use jewelry pliers with rounded tips but if you don't have that a small awl would work. If you don't have an awl just make a very small hole and gently push the tip of the lollipop into the hole while twisting it back and forth until it comes through.
This just in! Molly said her kindergarten class LOVED her Valentines. Unfortunately Lily threw up in class before her Valentine's party and I had to pick her up early from school:-( Bummer. Hopefully they'll let her pass them out tomorrow.
The Partly Sunny Frock in Valentine Swiss Dot GIVEAWAY
February 8, 2013
I
named this the 'Partly Sunny' Frock because the dress is just kind of
bright and fun and whimsical but the collar reminded me of clouds. Hence
'Partly' sunny;-P
Since Valentine's Day coming up soon, this giveaway will be quick so you can get it in time for the big day. This giveaway will end this SUNDAY, the 10th. So please enter now. To enter either PIN THIS POST, subscribe to my RSS feed, "like" my Facebook page, Instagram page or Pinterest page. Then tell me what you did in the comments below.
The dress is made with Valentine's red swiss dot fabric for the body, sheer white chiffon for the yoke and red and white piping for the collar and waist. The belt doesn't come with the dress. It's mine;-) Although I made the dress with the white piping at the waist so the belt is not necessary. But if you like it, you can buy it at Forever 21. It's ONLY $4.80. Seriously can't beat that. It doesn't look like the mint color is online anymore (just black, pink and yellow) but if you go in the store it might be there. I bought mine a few weeks ago. But here are some good mint Forever 21 belts online that you could get instead. Perforated Heart Waist Belt. Skinny Waist Belt. Patent Waist Belt.
I made two so I'll be wearing this one on Valentine's Day with Brian. I'm excited. I have a gift I'm hoping I get. Fingers crossed.
On the Monday after the winner is announced, I will post the pattern. It's such an easy piece. The pattern will ONLY be available in base size 8. It's fitted but I still have some wiggle room and I'm currently waist 26.5", hips 35", bust 33". I'm so sorry I don't have the extra time to grade this pattern and test it out but here is a good tutorial about grading up sizes if this is too small for you. In the future I might try grading if I can perhaps find a good grader to hire for freelance. If so, if any of you might be interested in being pattern testers let me know.
The Partly Sunny Frock in Valentine Swiss Dot GIVEAWAY + Upcoming Pattern
February 7, 2013
I named this the 'Partly Sunny' Frock because the dress is just kind of bright and fun and whimsical but the collar reminded me of clouds. Hence 'Partly' sunny;-P
Since Valentine's Day coming up soon, this giveaway will be quick so you can get it in time for the big day. This giveaway will end this SUNDAY, the 10th. So please enter now. To enter either PIN THIS POST, subscribe to my RSS feed, "like" my Facebook page, Instagram page or Pinterest page. Then tell me what you did in the comments below.
The dress is made with Valentine's red swiss dot fabric for the body, sheer white chiffon for the yoke and red and white piping for the collar and waist. The belt doesn't come with the dress. It's mine;-) Although I made the dress with the white piping at the waist so the belt is not necessary. But if you like it, you can buy it at Forever 21. It's ONLY $4.80. Seriously can't beat that. It doesn't look like the mint color is online anymore (just black, pink and yellow) but if you go in the store it might be there. I bought mine a few weeks ago. But here are some good mint Forever 21 belts online that you could get instead. Perforated Heart Waist Belt. Skinny Waist Belt. Patent Waist Belt.
I made two so I'll be wearing this one on Valentine's Day with Brian. I'm excited. I have a gift I'm hoping I get. Fingers crossed.
On the Monday after the winner is announced, I will post the pattern. It's such an easy piece. The pattern will ONLY be available in base size 8. It's fitted but I still have some wiggle room and I'm currently waist 26.5", hips 35", bust 33". I'm so sorry I don't have the extra time to grade this pattern and test it out but here is a good tutorial about grading up sizes if this is too small for you. In the future I might try grading if I can perhaps find a good grader to hire for freelance. If so, if any of you might be interested in being pattern testers let me know.
Valentine Paper Bunting
February 6, 2013
Today using Martha Stewart Valentine's Crafts. I made a little photo backdrop Valentine's Day bunting decoration for Molly and Eloise. I'll be using this bunting for a little surpise giveaway tomorrow as well. See how I made this easy peasy lemon squeezy bunting below.
Step 1: To get a good variety of papers I used Martha Stewart Crafts Valentine's Themed Designer Paper Pad.
Step 2: Make a pinch in the center of the paper to indicate where the middle is and make a mark there.
DIY Figure Skates Soakers
February 4, 2013
Here's how I made them below. It was quite simple.
Step 1 (Optional): Embroider name on fabric. I have an embroidery machine so it was easy. Although I did have to go over the letters twice. Really high loft fabric does not embroider well. Although it did seem to work better when I loosened the tension to 2. UPDATE: I read that if you use clear vinyl (like tablecloth vinyl) on top of your fabric it will look much better. That, or water soluble stabilizer.
Step 2: Lay your skate on top of your fabric and cut fabric so that it is twice the size of your skate's blade. If you embroidered a name remember to center it.
Today's Threads + Bonus New Studio Tour
February 1, 2013
I'm wearing Modcloth's Fun in the Sunset Dress. Only $49.99! Also, Modcloth's Right Here Heel in Brown.
The wall behind me is actually a vinyl backdrop and the floor beneath me is actually a vinyl floordrop I purchased from Swankyprints. The lack of faux baseboard kind of gives that away but I think once I make one it should look pretty good. I wrote up a big post about Swankyprints. They have the cheapest prices AND the best variety. Check out some photos I took of Molly yesterday. She looks so much older to me. Maybe it's a fluke.
Here's another thing I use which is so ESSENTIAL! It's a ceiling/wall mounted roller system. Whenever I want to change a backdrop I just pull a chain. No removing awkward rolls or knocking over stands. It's by far the most important piece in the studio. Here's what the studio looks like from a far.
Eloise also sat for me. How stinkin' cute was she?
My mom and Henri (who was not very cooperative;-P)
I'm still learning but if anyone has any questions for me about my setup, I'd be happy to answer! To briefly describe my setup....I have six strobes total. One 800 watt, two 400 and three 300 watts. On those strobes I have four lightboxes, one 36"x36", one 24"x36", two 16"x16". I also have a beauty dish which is not currently being used at the moment. They are all connected via wireless slaves.
I'm considering getting some overhead 150 watt strobes and definitely more backdrops. I'll definitely keep y'all updated;) For now I'm off to the local pool, I've kept the babies waiting long enough;-)
Here are a list of my sources and yes, they are cheap eBay strobes, but the more expensive equipment is well.....expensive. If you do want better quality expensive lights, I hear Alienbees is quite good.
The lights were as follows:
The lights were as follows:
(Here's a 600w for only $125!) I didn't get this but it's a good deal!
The backdrop and floordrop was as follows (this is with a 20% off coupon code)
(They have smaller sizes available too. But I think the smallest backdrop you can work with an adult is 8'x5')
+ 2" PVC Pipes at Home Depot =$10
Extras:
4x Flash Slaves $45 (These are necessary for having the flashes sync with your camera) + 2 more slaves $29
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