Ruffle Necklace

A cute and easy way to add some interest to a boring outfit. Note to self: you are your own model, at least put on some makeup!

You need: A long piece of fabric and a necklace chain, needle and thread.

Cut a piece of fabric, sew long edges together and pull inside out create to a fabric tube (this step can be skipped if you don’t mind raw edges). Next, sew a gathering stitch along the middle and then just use a needle and thread to sew it to your necklace chain.

Baubly Bracelet

Is baubly a word? I don’t think so, but this bracelet reminds me of…baubles.

My hand looks freakishly large and manly here. Ah!!

You need: a rectangular piece of fabric and those craft pom poms you’re never quite sure what to do with. Cover your pom poms with the fabric, tying each ball in a knot with embroidery floss. Once done, you can hot glue your baubly (bubbly?) piece of fabric to some jersey or felt the size of your wrist and finish it with a button closure.

Yay! Now you have two really inexpensive, one of a kind accessories! Sweet.

Dare I admit that I actually owned this drab thing? I think I might have worn it once…underneath something else!

Well here it is now after cutting out the neckline to more of a boat neck shape and sewing a patch of nautical fabric and button to the front.

I also added some sleeve pickups complete with buttons! (Inspired by this tutorial.)

Forgive my blinding pallor in these photos. I can’t wait until summer so I don’t look so pale! Well readers, have you been inspired to cut up, add to, or embellish anything in your wardrobe? Please share!

Making cute headbands for gifts.

Sewing ring pillows and getting ready for my first retail venture. Brides, if you live in Maryland, check out English Rose Floral Design in historic downtown Annapolis. Tell Joanne that Evie sent you!

Photo courtesy of the Boston Globe

I’ve also been thinking about and praying for the precious people involved in the recent devastation in Haiti, as I’m sure many of you are. If you are looking for ways to help, here are a few easy ones.

1. Simply leave a comment on pioneer woman’s blog post and she will donate $0.10 for every entry.
2. Artists and designers can donate an item to this auction and proceeds will go to charity. You can also participate in bidding on items.

In a few weeks I will also be introducing a way that artists, designers and etsy sellers can support this cause and others on an ongoing basis.

Love to you all,

Evie

I sliced up the front to create an opening. Then I cut a piece of yellow fabric, folded it in half and sewed the raw edge (because I don’t like fraying) and did a gathering stitch by hand to create a ruffle. My sewing machine was on the fritz, otherwise I just would have done it that way. I pinned my ruffle in place and used vintage bias tape to finish both edges and sewed everything down. A vintage button finishes the piece.

I decided to just do one button, so it will be more versatile for my burgeoning belly (17 weeks now, yay!). I love the yellow hues, it makes me so happy! And yes, that yellow is as electric as it looks in the photos. *Smile*

Anyone else ready for Spring?

I’ve been experimenting with some projects made of felt that I thought I’d quickly share. For some reason I’ve been on a kick of making things for myself which for some reason, I rarely do. Maybe it’s because I truly enjoy creating more when it’s for someone else. But, for now I’ve been enjoying the fruits of my own labor!

Part of my husband and I’s Christmas gifts to each other were brand new phones. Mine is so stinking new on the market, they don’t have many options in the way of cases or protection. So I made my own! I think it turned out very cute, and now my phone is nice and cozy.

I also experimented with a little felt brooch. It’s not marvelous, but it’s cute enough. Experimentation leads to innovation, right?

Tomorrow be on the lookout for my “Best Of” post where I highlight the best posts from last year. Stay tuned!

The kids at this school are so precious, but they don’t have a lot (some don’t even have heat in the winter). My church recently did a gift drive for these kids and they all were given a Christmas present to enjoy. I really look forward to taking a trip back home this week to give her this gift and love on her.

To let you know briefly how I made it: I used a knit stitch throughout and sewed some fabric on the underside to line it. Then I put on a snap closure. Then I turned it inside out and hand-sewed the sides. I finished it with a mini fabric flower and a cute heart button.

And of course I’m stuffing it with little goodies!

So friends, as the holiday approaches, be mindful of someone you might be able to give some love and cheer to that really needs it most.

Beautiful handmade headbands from Taza (found via SeeSaw Designs). I’m also a fan of her coat that’s seen in all her photos and awesome red lipstick!

These are creations from Ink and Button, a new store on etsy that’s had instant success. You can see why! (Found via paper n stitch.)

I’ve been following Rachel from Heart of Light for a while, so when she opened an etsy store in September, I was thrilled! Her stuff is definitely on my wish list. By the way, in only 3 short months, she’s had almost 400 sales. Wow!

I found this great tutorial on how to make your own large fabric flower on My Mama Made It. Sooo pretty!

Finally, I just had to share this amazing tutorial on how to make fancy velvet headbands from A Field Journal. They are just gorgeous!

So that was a few of my favs. What accessories are you really into this season?

This is a little shirt I made for him using fabric paint applied with a sponge roller and freezer paper as my stencil. He wore it around all day today. So cute. Happy Birthday littlest E! I love you.

Hexagon Shirt // Felt Cases // Arm Warmers // Embroidered Clock (maybe for the new baby’s room?) // Stenciled Pumpkins

Basically I just knit a large rectangular shape using a stockinette stitch and then the moss stitch for the pattern on the front. I cut a piece of fabric 1/3 larger than my knit piece and machine sewed it on. Then I just hand sewed the sides up using a blanket stitch. I made a fabric flower and sewed some buttons on to embellish it and then just sewed two pieces of satin ribbon on the inside for the handle and tied the ends in a bow. I used Fray Check for the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

Please pardon the poor photos. It’s been dark and rainy here so I had to take pics in my bathroom.

I really can’t wait to give it to her! She’s sweet and girly, but has really been blossoming in her creativity, so I think she will like it.

It’s also reversible! It looks cute both ways.

Thanks for letting me share. I hope you are having a great Friday so far. Have a lovely weekend!