Monday, March 15, 2010

Recycled birthday party in neutral

birthday party
A fun way to decorate for a party is to use a neutral palette in your decorations and party favors. Re-purposing items in your home can be fun. I used book paper, mini cup cake papers, and white streamers to make these simple party decorations. Some of the favors are origami boxes made using paper grocery bags, and the others are just white paper bags with book paper name tags. Go with the things you already have around the house and you will be surprised at the unique and creative things you come up with!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

mum

mum

I took this photo just for fun and I am in love with it now. I think it's one of the best photos I have taken.
My husband bought me the flowers a few weeks ago and they're still going strong!

Monday, March 8, 2010

DIY ruffle shirt tutorial

diy ruffle shirt

Remember the cute shirt I made my daughter a while ago? Here is the step by step tutorial!


The supplies you need for this project are: a sewing machine, scissors, and two matching t-shirts.

First, cut neck and sleeves as in the above photo



Sew a loose, straight stitch on the top half of sleeves (the part that will be seen when the wearer's arms are down), about 1/2 inch from the recently-cut edge of both sleeves.


pull thread from both ends to gather sleeve


Sew gathers in place (by sewing over the entire length of the previous stitch with a nice, tight straight stitch...be sure to back-stitch the ends so it doesn't unravel).


Cut a long strip from the middle of the second t-shirt


Sew a loose, straight stitch down middle of the strip


Pull thread to gather and ruffle


Pin the ruffle to the front of the shirt in a random pattern. Sew along the middle of ruffle to attach it to the shirt.



Create small pleats along one side of the neck line and pin, then sew pleats in place.


Voila! Here is the finished ruffle shirt!

chocolate chip cookies

chocolate chip cookies
One of my many weaknesses.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

DIY recycled rosette cardigan

diy rosette cardigan step 5 close up
Happy Wednesday everyone, I thought I'd share a little something of what I have been up to lately. Today I added a little flair to this boring old cardigan I never wore. I saw this and this on anthropology so I decided to cut up an old t-shirt my husband was throwing away and made these adorable little roses to attach to my cardigan.


here is a step by step tutorial


step 1: Cut a strip off an old t-shirt


step 2: Twist it


Step 3: Roll in a spiral shape and stitch in place.


(Finished rosette)

step 4: Stitch rosette(s) to cardigan