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DIY: Make a Peplum Top Out of Your Old Dress!

Fashion | 05 January 2012

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There are a variety of reasons you may want to revamp that old dress of yours; you’re getting tired of it, you want a new look, or the dress is actually torn or stained along the bottom. This method is really quite easy, and peplums are so hot right now you’ll be on-trend in no time!
1. Start with a dress that has a fitted or elastic natural waistline*.
*Your natural waistline is usually the narrowest part of the abdomen, a few inches above the hips.

2. Spread the skirt and make a rounded cut about 7″-10″ below the waistline. 
3. Finish the hems by using the straight stitch on your sewing machine OR create an invisible, hand-stitched hem using the following slip-stitch.
 
Creating a slip stitch: (in general you will want to hem the lining separately.)
A. Iron or pin the hemline flat about 1/2″ on the inside of the garment.
B. Use a single thread that matches the color of your garment. Sew up and down evenly as shown below, making sure not to gather the fabric. Your long stitches will be on the underside of the garment, leaving tiny (nearly invisible) stitches on the outside!
 

Now all you have to think about is how you’re going to style your new top!

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Any Scrabble Lovers Out There?

Art | 03 January 2012

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It’s no secret that I have a thing for Scrabble. Ever since days-long marathon games in college, I’ve harbored a secret addiction to this frustrating-yet-brainy game. AND THEN. They invented Words with Friends. Mobile Scrabble I can play whenever I want? Um…yes, please. This game will take over my life! And the world! (Are you pondering what I’m pondering, Pinky?)
 
In the spirit of promoting nerdiness wherever I go, I decided to see where else these lovable letters have migrated…
 
to the bed…
 
 
 
…on your sleeves
 
 
across your nails…
 
 
…a beverage, please!
 
 
There’s always time…
 
 
…to eat a treat
 
 
or make a toast…
 
 
…to love so sweet!
 
 
I am secretly inspired now to go out and make a ton of cool crafty things with Scrabble tiles. When you can pull yourself away from your next WWF move, check out craftster.org for some sweet DIY Scrabble projects you can make at home!
 
Nerd on!
 
(Pics courtesy of Pinterest, We Heart It, and Google Images. Awesome poem by me.)
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DIY: Transform Your Ugly Christmas Sweater

General | 13 December 2011

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When it was announced that we were having our very own ugly sweater day in the warehouse, I decided to do a little tinkering with this awesome “Mistle Toads” sweatshirt. In the style of some of the oversized, off-the-shoulder tops we carry here, I picked up my scissors and went to town. This method is easy, quick and no-sew, and will last at least a few wearings without hemming the edges.
If you want to get a little more advanced, you can create a matching bow from the leftover sleeves. With the sweater AND the bow, this project took me about 12 minutes. Serious.
So let’s start with another Xmas culprit:
1. Cut off one sleeve to desired length. Start long and work your way up if you have to.
2. Fold the sweater in half, match up the sleeves and cut the other sleeve using your first as a template.
3. Cut out the neckline. Start by cutting just below the ribbing or your neckline may get CRAZY BIG!
4. Rid yourself of that unflattering cinched waistband. Again, cut just above the ribbing; if you want it even more cropped, cut higher.
Now you have a cozy, more contemporary look.

To make the bow you will need to sew, but if you’re at all handy with your sewing machine, or nimble with your thimble, this won’t be a problem.
1. Cut out the following shapes by folding your leftover sleeve ends in half. You will need two of the bow shapes and one rectangle.
2. Place the bow shapes wrong sides out and stitch along the edge, leaving about 1 1/2 inches open in the very center.
3. Turn the bow to right sides out.
4. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise (wrong side out) and stitch along the side.
5. Turn the tube right side out.
6. With the seam facing you, wrap the tube around the middle of your bow and sew the end together. Twist so the seam is now on the inside.
7.Use bobby pins to pin this bow into your hair, or sew on a hair clip if you’d like!
 
 xoxo
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4 Cute and Easy DIY Ornaments!

General | 09 December 2011

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Every year, as soon as Thanksgiving is over, I rush to take out my holiday decorations and begin to spread the holiday cheer. There is nothing like decorating on the weekend while listening to Bing Crosby and planning your holiday baking. Every year I make a new ornament for my tree, and it’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love homemade ornaments not only because they are unique, but because they add a special feeling to each tree. I came across some pretty amazing ideas, check them out!
 
 
 
  • This is super easy! All you need is spare yarn, thread and clear ornament blubs. You can manipulate the yarn and string by braiding, knoting, or just bundling. Stuff it into the clear bulb, seal, and you’re done. Be sure to use different colors of yarns and string to give it that extra pop! 
  • You can take newspaper or magazine clippings to create a collage with Mod Podge on ornaments. It is a really simple and fun craft to do with family, friends, and little ones. All you do is apply a layer of Mod Podge on the ornament. Take the clippings and place them on the glue. After you let it dry, coat a layer of Mod Podge all over the ornament. Before it dries, you can sprinkle some glitter to add that extra sparkle. Or, if you love the example above, wait until it dries and you can paint your own image!
  • Simply take a holiday themed cookie cutter and place it on a decorative paper a photo you love. With a pencil, trace around the surface of the cookie cutter. Use scissors to cut out the shape and glue it to the back of the cookie cutter. These beauties are perfect because they add a quirky, yet special personal touch to the tree.
 
  • Get some clear ornament bulbs and squirt about a teaspoon of paint inside. I like to use two or three different colors. Then cover the opening with your thumb and shake the bulb. Or, if you want to take a little more time, drip your paint down the inside, and tilt to move the paint and give a drip effect. This will bring a lot of color to your tree!

And don’t forget…
 
 
xoxo
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DIY: Pumpkin Decorating Without Carving

General | 21 October 2011

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Don’t get me wrong, I love the traditional way of decorating pumpkins, but this year, I felt it was time for a change. After a little research, I realized that there were many ways of decorating pumpkins without the carving or the mess! These fun techniques will be sure to take your Halloween festivities up a notch, so hurry to the pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate. 

Decoupage a Pumpkin
 

 
What You Need: 
                    *Mod Podge Glue
                    *Foam brush
                    *Paper, leaves or other thin materials.
 
Directions: 
 
1. Wash your pumpkin thoroughly so there is no dirt covering the surface.
2. Once the pumpkin has dried, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge glue all over the pumpkin.
3. Next, immediately place the item on the pumpkin that you want to be decoupaged. I would suggest something thin such as a leaf, ribbon, or some magazine clippings. This will make it so everything dries evenly and with a flawless finish.
4. After this dries, put two more top coats of Modge Podge over your final product. Let dry and viola!
 

Shimmer a Pumpkin 
 

 
What You Need: 
 
*Glitter of Your Choice
*Mod Podge
*Foam Brush 
 
Directions: 
 
1. Wash your pumpkin thoroughly.
2. With your foam brush, coat your pumpkin with a thin layer of Mod Podge glue.
3. Immediately sprinkle the pumpkin with the glitter. You can even do this in layers so the pumpkin has many different colors. 
 
Lace a Pumpkin
 

 
What You Need: 
 
*Enough lace to cover your pumpkin completely
*Mod Podge
*Hot Glue Gun
 Directions: 
 
1. After you wash your pumpkin, let it dry
2. Next, cut your lace to fit your pumpkin. It is easy to wrap the whole piece of fabric around it to give you a general idea of how much you will need.
3. Modge Podge the whole pumpkin and immediately place the lace all over your pumpkin. I like to lay the lace flat, place the pumpkin in the middle of the fabric and gather the fabric to the stem of the pumpkin. Almost like you are wrapping a wine bottle with tissue paper. 
4. Cut the loose ends of the fabric so all of the edges are even
5. Hot glue the edges so that they do not fray.

Paint a Pumpkin 
 
 
What You Need: 
 
*Fabric or ribbon
*Paint 
 Directions: 
 
1. After your pumpkin’s surface is cleaned, paint your pumpkin with a couple of coats of paint. 
2. Let dry and then tie a bow around it. This is such a simply way to bring so much life to a little orange pumpkin!
 
Push-Pin a Pumpkin 
 

 
What You Need:
 
 
                    *A lot of Push-Pins 
Directions: 
 
1. This is simple, but time-consuming: Merely push the pins into your pumpkin. Make different sayings, pictures, patterns, or whatever suits your fancy. If you have the right amount of patience, you can have a beautiful pumpkin as the end result.
 
Rhinestone a Pumpkin
 
 
What You Need: 
 
*Rhinestones
*Hot Glue Gun
Directions: 
 
1. Very Simple task: bedazzle your plump pumpkin! Heat up your glue gun to start off. 
2. Place a dab of glue on the bottom of the jewel. 
3. Place jewel on desired area of pumpkin.
4. You can even glue on some little plastic spiders to add even more spooky-glam to your pumpkin project!

Enjoy decorating!
 
(images courtesy of pinterest)
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