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This birthday feels much more different than 30. Thirty one… eek! My sixteen year old self would definitely think I’m so old but, yet, I don’t feel old. Except after 3 days of Disney and I couldn’t even walk the next day. ha!
I always thought by thirty I’d have it all figured out. But this past year has been a bit of a growing year for me. Growing is a nice way of saying sometimes really sucky. There wasn’t anything life threatening or anything I should even complain about but I just learned a lot about myself and am trying to continue to take all I can from this life and become a better woman. There were definitely high and lows and sometimes they occurred at the same time. And sometimes all there was left to do was cry… or eat ice cream. Sometimes everything felt clear and other times life was a murky mess. S0metimes people I don’t even know tried to bring me down but always someone I love was there to lift me up. What can we do but get on our knees and pray, then get up and move forward. (That last part sounded like a really bad version of a quote.; )
Anyways, thankfully I am quite blessed even during the growing times and Collin is without a doubt there to make me laugh & my girls are there to give me loves. My family is all I need. As cliche as it sounds: my life is definitely filled with sheer joy… I just hold onto that. I’m also learning that it’s actually my attitude that determines a lot of it. So bring it on thirty one! I can tell already it’s going to be a great one.
My birthday started out with a little house cleaning and work emails. Then Collin held down the fort and I got to take Avery with me on a lunch date with my sisters and mom. Pedis and Malawis pizza were on the agenda. I realized I don’t do this enough with my sisters. That night Ashley and I stayed up past 2 am talking. This is very out of the ordinary for me since I love to sleep but it was totally worth being a zombie the next day. ; )
Since it’s my birthday I got to choose the restaurant to eat dinner at and since Collin didn’t like my first two choices we ended up at Thai Drift. It was our first time eating there since we usually eat at our favorite, Thai Ruby, but we were surprisingly impressed!
cheeeeeeesssse & uuuuuhhhhhhhh.
Clearly, I still need to unpack from my trip since this is the randomest outfit but at least it was comfy. Beatles and Polka Dots: Skirt, Shoes: Ruche//Pleated Slip: One of the slips we will be selling really soon.
For some reason we always, always forget to get a group shot at Birthday par-tays…!
(Thanks for everyone who came! Love you all!)
I sold glitter banners at Bijou Market but if you are interested in a Happy Day or any custom glitter word banner email me: Lizzy@MakeSomethingSplendid.com
FABRIC GARLAND:
Cut fabric. My strips are 1.5″ x 35″ (before folded in half)
1 Fold fabric in Half length wise then fold the loop end over twine
2 Pull the end through the loop
3 Tighten to your liking and continue along twine
4 I used 27 fabric strips
• Celebrate Spring: Jo Totes camera bag and Studio Calico giveaway is still open below •
Love Triangle is a mini blog series where we are sharing our favorite geometric shaped projects.
No 1: Washi Tape Deco Art No 2: Polymer clay earrings.
Hello there! I’m Melissa from I Still Love You. I’m excited to be here today sharing two quick, easy, and ah-inducing tutorials with you. I’m in love with the geometric print craze! It all started with a quilt in my bedroom and now it’s quickly moving to every corner of our house. I love how geometric prints are so versatile and work perfectly with bold colors, florals and other geometric prints. I’m quickly finding that geometric prints are like the denim of patterns; they can go with just about anything.
I’ve whipped up a simple leather envelope pillow and I’d love to help you make one, too! Leather is not nearly as intimidating as you might think. You just have to have the right leather and tools and you’re good to go. If you’re a sewer/crafter like me, you’re likely to have most of these tools on-hand already. Let’s get started, shall we?
DIY STAMP SET TUTORIAL
• SUPPLIES •
scissors, leather (or craft foam sheets), wood blocks, glue
• INSTRUCTIONS •
Cut your leather (or foam) to the desired shape. Make sure that they’re smaller than your wood blocks.
Glue leather (or foam) back onto leather. Allow glue to dry before trimming it out.
Once your shapes have been trimmed out of the second layer of leather, rub leather (or foam) on the ink pad.
Stamp the top of your block with your shape. Place leather shape inked-side down and apply glue to the back of it. Place the wood block on top and allow the glue to set before using.
Stamp away! I know I’ll be having a lot of fun making patterns with these basic shapes.
LEATHER PRINTED PILLOW
• SUPPLIES •
upholstery weight leather or vinyl, plexiglass, brayer, silkscreening ink or fabric paint, thick leather or craft foam, scissors, glue, wood block or clear plastic block
I purchased my leather at Tandy, but you can easily use an old leather jacket from the thrift store or head over to your local upholstery shop to see if they have any leather scraps. Vinyl would work okay with this, too. You’ll need plexiglass for the inking part. It’s a fantastic tool to have with any type of messy crafting, so I suggest you run to Home Depot and pick up a $5 sheet anyway. You’ll need a brayer, which can be easily found at an arts and crafts store for under $5. I used Yudu silkscreening ink, but any type of flexible ink would do. I’ve used fabric paint on leather before with fantastic results.
First, you’ll want to make your stamp. I used my leather/foam stamp tutorial to make my stamp.
Once you’re happy with your stamp, you’ll squirt a dime-sized amount of ink onto your plexiglass. Spread the ink evenly with your brayer, just larger than the size of your stamp.
Place your stamp onto the ink and squish around to coat the stamp evenly.
Start stamping your leather. Since my triangles were uneven, there was no need for perfect lines, so I just eyeballed my spacing. If your print is more consistent, you’ll want to make guides with a washable marker that matches with your ink. Once you’re done stamping your leather, you’ll want to heat-set the ink. Iron the leather with medium-high heat with a piece of paper overtop the print. This will set your ink against rubbing off or wearing unevenly.
I used a wool glen plaid for the back of my pillow. Since I wouldn’t be laundering the leather, I may as well use something that would need just about the same kind of care. I sewed up my envelope pillow (Susan has a great envelope pillow tutorial) with regular thread (I should’ve used thick thread, but since it wasn’t showing, I got lazy) using a leather needle. A leather needle is pretty much all you need for sewing through leather, but you’ll need to take a few things into consideration as you sew:
- decrease thread tension- test this out on a scrap if you’re unsure
- use your longest stitch length – otherwise you might end up cutting through your leather, not sewing it
- pin before sewing
- think twice, stitch once – you can’t un-puncture a hole in leather
- go slowly
There you have it. I’m really proud of the end results of this pillow. It’s probably the nicest pillow I’ve ever made and without too much effort. I think it’ll look really nice next to my pin-tucked pillow. Be sure to check out ISLY for more tutorials, printables, refashions, design, calligraphy and thriftiness than you can shake a stick at. Thanks for having me, Lizzy!
• Celebrate Spring: Jo Totes camera bag and Studio Calico giveaway is still open below •
I used a vintage knit fabric that was scraps left over from a class Kelly McCaleb taught at Spark No. 1. I hoarded it for a few years so it was time to give this cute floral design new life.
How To: Step 1: Cut a strip of fabric the height you want. Mine are 2″ tall and about 6.5″-7″ long
Step 2: Fold in each end of the length to the back of fabric strip and add glue to hold in place/// Step 3: Add 3 small lines of glue to the front then pinch together to make the pleats. Outfit from Old Navy
Happy Monday!
xo, Lizzy
File this project under things I make when I should be sleeping instead. Who cares about the dark circles under my eyes...? Now my phone is warm and cozy. It took me probably less than an hour from start to finish. I blame it on all the Christmas present wrapping since the concept is similar to that. Here's how to make one of your own.
Measure a piece of fabric or felt the length of your phone and the width should be enough to have room to take phone in and out and a seam allowance. Pin in place. And glue or sew that first length-wise seam.
Next, carefully turn inside out fold the bottom like a present then pin in place. Sew. The picture below is what it will look like when you are done and turn the fabric back to right side out.
Then, add a piece of ruffled lace or gather some lace then attach it from the bottom front and extend over the top of the back of the case. You will then add velcro to the end of the lace and to the back of the case. This will hold the phone inside.
Now for the fun part make a darling bow and adhere to the cover and some fabric tabs with a chevron yo yo and a number brad to the center.
Supplies: Grey & Mustard Felt, Lace, Pins, Hot Glue gun, minimal sewing with machine, Chevron fabric paper, Number 2 Brad.
Shirt, Dress: Ruche//Blazer: F21//Ring: Gift
My sister used to always tease me because my socks were always mismatched. You couldn’t see them so who cares, right? I’m not sure when things changed, probably when Punky Brewster stopped airing on television, but now I am pretty much obsessed with socks. My drawer is filled with polka dots, stripes and my favorite are over-the-knee paired with leggings. I put together this little diy to make your own ruffle knee socks they are perfect this fall and winter with boots so the lace just peeks out at the top.
Here’s how I did it:
These socks are from Target for 2.50 along with some other more decorative ones.
I cut off the band at the top and then also made a slit about 2″ long down from the edge. After you cut the slit then smooth off the corners so that there is a bit of a dip in your sock and not quite so blunt of corners. What this does is it gives you more room to fit the sock on your leg after you sew the ruffle. The first time I tried this the sock was too tight on my leg so I unstitched it and add the slit and it worked. Also, the ruffle is quite forgiving once you are done and you won’t even tell where you cut it.
Next, cut 2 strips 2″ lace. Layer both strips of the lace on top of the sock & sew a few stitches to keep it in place. Then, hold the fabric behind the sewing machine while stretching the bottom sock layer in front as far as you can. Keep it stretched out really tight the whole time you are sewing. You don’t need to ruffle as you go because stretching it out makes the ruffle once you are done sewing and you release your sock.
Add a bow or buttons on the outside of each sock. This bow was made with Chevron Fabric paperbut I removed the fabric from the adhesive back that way it is easier to work with.
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Looking forward to keep warm while wearing these with boots and leggings this winter. Enjoy! xo Lizzy
Yesterday we were supposed to jump on a hay bed and take a Ride To a Witch at Gardener Village but someone (me) didn’t look at the calendar right and we were a day early. Whoops! Thank goodness there was a witch around every corner of this festy village.
This darling hat originally had an invitation to a witch hat party but seeing it’s the perfect size for Lola’s noggin’ I dressed it up with some fabric flowers and added a headband for her to wear. How cute of a mom would I have been when she met the witches wearing her witch hat?! (Mother-of-the-year nominee here I come!) Oh, yeah, I forgot. I’m not that mom. I’m the mom who’s brain is mush and we missed the hay ride & had to feed ducks popcorn instead. 
This was about the time my kids nearly jumped into the pond… and thank goodness Collin was there because there is no way I would jump into that smelly swamp after them. Oo00ookaaaaaay, but only after I took off my boots.
This scene is reminiscent of the fruit stand photo. (Why yes, I do often look like a frantic mom.)
Happy Friday!!
Teaching another Something Splendid class is exciting! Be sure to join us for our Thankful class. Here’s all the goodies that are included in the kit. (Including a really pretty grey trim.)
Such a cheery gift idea that is quite simple yet unexpected. I love it… and have plans for lots of Christmas presents in jars this year. Plus, how unique to wrap your presents in fabric?! Perfection.
chewing the cud via rue magazine
PS I couldn’t figure out how to download the tags and recipe but I’m sure it’s pretty you could google a good recipe.
I would love to have the time and patience to thrift more often. It’s fun seeing what other people find. Actually, let me rephrase that… it drives me nuts when I see what other people find because I swear the best thing I’ve ever thrifted was the Sound of Music record & Collin’s old lady Halloween costume. Which I am very proud about both!
You could imagine my excitement when I found a blazer for 2 bucks! I did a little happy cheer all the way to the register. Then all the employees broke into a celebratory song and dance as they carried me out the store on their shoulders.
Not really, but I did get what I needed to make a ruffle blazer.
REFASHION:
First, I found a pleated lace trim and sewed it to the bottom inside of the jacket only sewing onto the lining. Then I pulled off the shoulder pads and slightly opened the seam to remove them then sewed the seam back together. It still seems a little big on her but at the rate she grows it will fit snug in no time & be too small by spring.
Last, I added some Miss Ruby Sue rolled flowers, Deja Vu pearl necklace and the cutest knitted bow from Emmadime- her shop is perfect for Fall. I swoon over it all.
She is my girly girl of the three sprouts so I knew that if she was going to wear a blazer… it better be as pretty as can be!
The picture above astounds me and I absolutely love it. Especially larger on my computer screen.
Oh, my sweet girl, who is such a little stinker! Like how she poured milk into her watercolor cup and then painted and kept drinking the black murky milk.
Collin did such an awesome job taking photos. He’s so good at letting her play and then capturing the moment.
Sometimes when it comes to clothes I can be a hoarder… nothing that I need an intervention for where all my friends come over and pry flannel shirts from my kung-fu grip. But I can hold onto things for random reasons for much too long.
I once made a rule, that I always break, if I haven’t worn it in 2-3 years then I should say bye bye unless there was something special & sentimental, or a nice pattern. This polka dot skirt I haven’t worn for well over 7 years & regardless of the fact that the zipper was broken- I just couldn’t let it go. As you can see my sentimental side always wins.
Well, I recently did another spring cleaning (yes I’m aware it’s August) to clear up some space and thought it would be fun to refashion a few things.
This skirt was my guinea pig.
- I used my favorite pencil skirt as a pattern. Pinned the pencil skirt to the polka dot skirt. Made sure that since the polka dot skirt has many pleats on the front that the pleats were folded. Then I cut both sides of the skirt, leaving a seam allowance.
- Next, I pinned one side together (right sides facing each other) and sewed that side seam. Then I sewed the other side seam leaving room at the top for my zipper. Then I tried on the skirt. One of the sides was too bulky so while I was wearing it I pinned where the bulkiness started and stopped (to mark it) then sewed so that the skirt fit more snug.
I added the zipper, which is a Christmas miracle that it actually was functional once I finished.- The pleats in the front give it enough room so that I didn’t need a slit or anything and it not as restricting when I walk compared to my other skirts so I love that aspect.
Share any tips or ideas of your refashioned pieces…! I’d love to hear.
Before the refashion the skirt fit really low on my hips, now it’s sits higher on my waist which was a happy accident. Yes, I had to take apart the seam a couple times but it all came together in the end. We will just have to see how it stays together when I wear it.
Today is the start of my new summer blog series: One for me ♡ One for you.
For me, when I was a kid summer was all about play. Soaking up every minute until sun-down: running in sprinklers, going to the Drive Inn, snow cones and ice cream trucks. One thing we can not leave out of summer traditions are friendship bracelets!
Over the upcoming summer weeks, a few guest bloggers and I are going to share some lovely friendship bracelet ideas and even giveaway some of the bracelets to you!
The first guest blogger is Mandi from Here’s Looking At You Kid. I’ve followed her blog for a few years and I love her incredible taste whether it’s home decor, her vintage wardrobe finds or her beautiful designs. She shares a lovely how-to below.
Pom Pom Braid Bracelets
Here’s how:
- cut scrap fabric (mine are leftover from hemming clothes) into three strips:
sizes for 2 short strips: add 4 inches to wrist diameter.
size for 1 long strip (this is the one you will tie): add 6 inches to wrist diameter
- Allowing the long strip to extend past the shorter ones, begin braiding the fabric. At the beginning and end of braid, knot the two shorter strips around the long strip.
- Trim edges to desired length using a penant or diagonal style cut.
- Add fray-check to the edges of unbraided fabric, and once dry, trim excess strands.
- Wrap the braid around your wrist, tying the long strips together in a loose knot.
Mandi made the bracelets with her friend Vanessa, so, even better than making one for a friend, make them together!
What a fun start! Leave a comment and Mandi would love to prettily package up a friendship Pom Pom Braid Bracelet and ship it out to you!
