Easy DIY tassel

Happy weekend, all. We are counting down the days in February! I have an intense dislike of January and February, so the darkest (literally) part of the year is just about done. : ) Once we get to March 1 and I see the daffs poking up out of the ground, we have turned a corner.

I'm looking forward to starting a little container gardening project this weekend....it will be completely experimental, but if it's successful, I will be so excited!

Today, I want to share an easy tassel that I made. I love adding a tassel with my purse. I made this one out of a buff-colored leather.

I started with a key fob. This one cost about $2 at the hardware store. I used a small scrap of leather and glued it together to attach the tassel piece to the key fob.

I used my hot glue gun. There are other types of craft glue you can use, but I didn't have anything else on hand!

Next, I cut a piece of leather into a rectangle. I had bought a bag of leather scraps at the craft store for about $8 a few months ago....it will last be a while! I used my rotary cutter to trim the edges and make the skinny cuts to create the tassel. I cut them about 1/4" widths.

As you can see, my piece is only about 3" wide. I laid my scrap onto one of the ends after putting a line of hot glue along the edge.

Then, I started rolling the tassel from the scrap piece end until it is all rolled up.

I made sure to put a little extra glue at the edge and wipe off the excess glue. If you wanted a little more bling to it, you could add an upholstery tack....or a little piece of colored leather for a bit more flair.

I love to add it to my purses.....on my black purse.

And on my current blue metallic blue one.....

Could be useful for some accessories, too! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, you lovelies.

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Meet the Flinstones

Hey, there....I hope all is good in your part of the world.

Let's see....what have I been up to lately?

Well, I am trying hard to get/stay caught up with my favorite shows (I wrote "shoes" by accident--yes, I am trying to keep up with them, too).....Grey's.....The Good Wife....Downton Abbey....Modern Family....my latest obsession, Mad Men, season 4, and my newest FAVE....Nashville! I'm can't get enough of that one.

We painted our basement over the weekend...many projects to come with that. I'll post pics soon. We also hosted our nephew for a few nights. He's 11, so needless to say, my kids were very excited to have him here. My son actually cried when his dad came to pick him up. :(

And last, but most certainly not least, I participated in our school lip-synching show. The teacher act. All cartoon skits. And guess who I was? That's right, Bam-Bam.

How does one make a Bam-Bam costume? Take notes...

Cover beloved orange college cap with black triangles cut from felt squares.

 Cover orange skirt borrowed from friend, too.

Make pom-pom for hat. I used my phone to make it the right size!

Attach pom-pom to hat.

Add a club, nude-colored cami (layered over another for support and coverage) to resemble small boy. Also add husband's belt with a bone.

Okay, so Bam-Bam did not wear leggings, but what would be WAY too much skin showing.

And the last accessory for Bam-Bam? Duh....Pebbles, of course. My good friend.....

Done and done.

Fashion lately

I hope all of you lovely people had a nice holiday....we sure did. My kids are happily awaiting the arrival of several inches of snow. We'll be able to put to good use our year-old boots, snow pants and sled.

My sewing room has been a disaster area for the last week and a half. Seriously. A pit.

I did snap some pics of what I made for some gifts. And some not. I'll be sharing some of those in the next week or so.

I'll be keeping busy cleaning up that pit in the next few days. In the meantime, here are a few pics I snapped of a few recent outfits.

First up, a red jumper that I bought a really long time ago at one of those clearance sales where the clothes are in boxes sorted by size. 

Leggings: Old Navy; Black t-shirt: Target; Booties: Kohl's; jumper: clearance sale (Limited)

The jumper had these weird pockets on the front along the seam that ran down over the hips. They gapped out, so I had a tailor sew them shut. So glad I did!

Here is a skirt that I made out of a shrunken sweater.

Sweater skirt: recycled from cashmere sweater, leggings: Old Navy,

boots: Target, top: Kohl's

The skirt is a bit short, so I have to wear it with something that is longer and comes down farther.

I hope you are warm and cozy wherever you are....or if you're out and about in the Midwest, you're taking care on the slick roads!

Sweater do-over

Well, how's it going? Anyone else in disbelief that it we are four days out from Christmas?? I had a bit of a freak-out on the 19th, thinking that I had only six days left and quite a bit left on my to-do list!

Although I am still tying up some loose ends, I'm in pretty good shape. A few days of dedicated wrapping and working after the kids' bedtime and I have made some progress. Today was my last day of school this week and although it was high-octane, it was nice. I have some really sweet kids in my classes. : )

Today, I have some pics to share of a sweater that I chopped up for some projects. This was a tunic-style sweater that I did not really wear anymore. I had considered taking it to the consignment store or Goodwill, but I decided not to. The color of it is nice and bright and I thought I would see if I could repurpose some parts of it.

Here is a shot of it before I cut it up.

I cut first straight across under the arms.

I hemmed the raw edge to make a skirt. This worked well since the length of the sweater was a bit long.

It turned out okay, but a little bumpy and thick. I've since read up a bit on sewing knits. I might redo it.

I haven't taken any pics of this skirt styled up.

I then took the rest of the pieces and sewed a hat and mittens.

I cut the top of the hat out of the sleeve with the ribbed part serving as the band of the hat. I also cut out a mitten shape after pinning it and then sewed them together.

After sewing it, I then trimmed around it.

I used the other ribbed section to fashion a little flower.

Not too shabby.....they turned out a bit on the small side, but definitely wearable for a dash of color in the winter. 

Perhaps I'll find another old sweater that needs an update. Gives new inspiration to old sweaters you can find at the thrift store.....; )

Enjoy the pre-Christmas weekend! I'll be hitting the mall tomorrow AM when it opens and taking care of some last minute errands before we head out of town.

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Fashion lately

Hey, there....it's hard to believe that it is just two weeks until Christmas. Just when I think things might be slowing down a bit, we go another bend down the road. There's a whole lotta stuff that's gotta get done in the next two weeks!

One and half weeks of school left....I think I can, I think I can.

While I do have some interesting things going on with my craftin' and sewin', in the meantime, I share with you some latest fashion....

I took some things to the consignment store a few weeks ago. Where I made a little bit of cassszzzzhhh. And there I found some red velvet pants.

Red velvet...not just cupcakes and not just for Christmas anymore.

Good find, eh??

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Sunday Salvation at Sassafras Salvation

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing
Manic Monday at Silo Hill Farm
Mannequin Monday at Artsy Girl Connection

One tweed life

I was inspired lately to DIY my own bracelet recently after perusing my latest InStyle magazine. Tweed is on the radar for fall. I had been admiring some tweed-y little jackets at TJMaxx a few weeks ago.

One of the best ways to work trends into your wardrobe is through accessories. They are low-commitment and give you just a hint of the trend without breaking the bank.

This page caught my eye...

Extra orange coloring added by my daughter. Those shoes are pretty sweet, huh?

So, I took a bangle bracelet that was a little plain-Jane that I inherited from my sis.

I had a scrap of tweed-y fabric that I bought in the remnant bin and used to make a little scarf. I cut a long but not-so-wide piece from it.

Enter hot glue gun. I attached the end to the inside of the bracelet. If you try this, be careful not to burn your little fingers!!

I wrapped tightly...and ended up needing a second piece.

I used a pair of scissors to trim off the bigger strings.

I wanted to add a little metallic chain to it like the one in the pic, but did not have any that was small enough on hand. I probably would have sewn the end on, wrapped, then sewn on the other end.

Not too shabby for stuff I had around the house! I love the piecey-ness of the fabric. I guess this means I can break out my tweed hat that I bought MANY years ago from Old Navy with aplomb....

What trends are you rockin' these days now that neon has been put to bed??

Party Time......

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Sunday Salvation at Sassafras Salvation

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing
Manic Monday at Silo Hill Farm
Mannequin Monday at Artsy Girl Connection

A new look?

Okay, I am getting old.......I guess.

My husband calls me "the vulture." Why, you ask?

For this reason.

This is how I would look at the computer. My colleague at school also noticed that I would lean in to the computer.

Well. I took myself off to visit the eye doctor. I probably hadn't been in about eight years. He said that I am nearsighted in my right eye and farsighted in my left. Oooookay.

So, I ended up with some new glasses to help with my computer and mid-level reading. Hm. This will be a bit of a change for me. : )

I picked up my new glasses today. My new look?

Just so you know, I did not lean in to the computer at all to write this blog post. Well, except to take the "no glasses" pic.

I think I need a new nickname......

Wowed

I must be honest....I'm not really a fan of Kristen Stewart. 


Sorry, Twilight fans.....


She never seems to be smiling in any picture I've seen of her. Any interview of hers that I've read shows her to be somewhat pissed off at her sudden fame. She wears some of the most beautiful designer gowns with.....sneakers. Really?

So, I have to say I was absolutely stunned when the latest issue of Vanity Fair appeared in our mailbox. She is on the cover and this is the best picture I have ever seen of her by far.

The dress....the hair....the makeup. Looks a.maz.ing.

By far her most glamorous look. Well done!

Tasseled

As I've mentioned on my blog, I'm not a huge reader of fashion magazines. I do have a subscription to InStyle magazine, but that's about as much as I can take on a regular basis. My sister-in-law, who has made her career in retail, passes issues of Vogue along to me. Although the clothes are uberexpensive and it's a bit highbrow, I do enjoy leafing through it....the pictures are so artful. 


I saw a tasseled necklace in the last issue I read and I tore out the picture. It inspired me to make my own. I thought, "I can make that."

So, here is how it went down.


I thought about what kind of string to use and I decided on a string I found at the hardware store. It was about $4.

I already had silver chain and a lobster clasp. I used a few jump rings to attach the clasp to the chain.

I used one piece of string to string through the chain.

To make the rest of the tassel, I cut a bunch of string the same size. About ten pieces of string. I bunched them together over the string on the necklace. Then....I used another piece to tie VERY tightly around the whole tassel. It took me a few tries to get my system down.

I did get to use fire with this project. Since the string was a bit slippery, I used my candle lighter to singe the ends so they wouldn't come apart. This is like what my dad used to do with ropes for his boat, since they were made out of synthetic materials.

The singeing bonded the string together and kept it from coming apart.

I decided on seven tassels. I had to trim up the ends.....

Here is the finished product. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I'm loving the color, too.

Full disclosure here....it was not the quickest of projects. I worked on it at our kitchen table while my kids were doing art. It probably took me about 45 minutes to an hour. It took me a bit of time to figure out how to tie everything so it wouldn't come apart. Also, I needed a few tries to figure out that the tassels and the knots all needed to face the same way.


On me....

Not bad for a Vogue knock-off....

Party Time......

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Sunday Salvation at Sassafras Salvation

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Mixing color: color cards

I don't know about you....but for me, mixing colors and prints can be pretty intimidating. This is one reason I like reading fashion magazines. You can see how the clothes, colors and patterns are put together.

So...I was reading my April issue of InStyle and I was really excited to see these inserts that suggested color combos for neutrals.

For each color--ivory, khaki, olive, navy and gray--they suggested four colors to mix with it. Love it! I pulled them out and put them inside my medicine cabinet.


How brave are you when it comes to mixing colors and prints?

Ombre toes

I've been noticing ombre clothes lately in the magazines. I really love the look! Although I don't have any ombre clothes (note: try to dye it myself??? new idea percolating...), I've also noticed some ombre manicures in some of my mags.


I decided to give it a try. Can't try the trend in clothes--or not brave enough? Go low commitment with your nails.


I started with one of my fave blue polishes and a white.

I painted my big toe the original blue color, straight from the bottle. To achieve one shade lighter, I added a few drops of white. I used the blue nail polish brush to mix, since I didn't want to get blue into the white.

For each subsequent toenail, I added a few more drops and mixed. Here, you can see the orignal shade, then the next lighter, then the third shade being mixed in the middle.

Once I was done painting, I made sure I cleaned my original blue brush of the lighter shades so the blue wouldn't lighten in the bottle.

Voila....ombre toenails.

I think it could be interesting to try this with a black polish and go darker with each shade. Maybe for next winter. This blue is quite nice for spring, I think.


Mom, this next shot is for you. xox

Here's to livin' on the edge.

Party Time......

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Sunday Salvation at Sassafras Salvation

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing