DIY Blog Hop + Giveaway!

I'm going to start by putting this out there: I'm terrible at sewing. I've never really used a sewing machine, but I was all ready to use my mini red sewing machine for this project when I discovered that the batteries inside had corroded. I couldn't get it open to put in new batteries. So all of the stitch work you see is done by hand, but I'm still happy with what I created and proud of myself for doing it. 

Now that that's out of the way, I wanted to join this DIY sewing blog hop because I want to get better at sewing and hemming my pants and maybe even make make a skirt or two for myself. It all starts with one project and I can only get better, right? 

In case you didn't know September is National Sewing Month! So if you're thinking of getting your sewing machine out, now is the time to do it! Not only can you get inspiration from the other bloggers in this link up (Literate & Stylish, October June, The Modern Austen, and Syntaxx Errorrr), but Kristin's company Create by the Yard is letting everyone get 30% all fabrics with the code bloghop0914! 

Create by the Yard has a large selection of high-quality fabrics, including organic and recycled fabrics, that can't be found in large retailers. She has reliable customer service and super fast shipping (I got my fabric in just a few days). Kristin wants her store to be seen as a fun and trendy place to shop, and I completely agree with that!

For this project, I decided to create a mini travel case. Something that I could both pop into my purse to keep everything organized, and for when I travel. 

Tutorial:

Materials Needed: Two coordinating fabrics, thread, needle, ribbon (two different colors if you want), paper, pen, stray pins. Optional: Crayon fabric marker (the white thing in the picture) and music. 

1. Make a rough outline on paper of how big you want your travel case to be. I liked the size of this notebook, so I used that to help make the outline. Then cut out the outline. 

2. Cut your interior fabric using your outline as a guide. Be sure to cut the fabric half an inch all around than you want, just in case you need to make adjustments. You can always cut it later. I double up on the fabric to make it thicker. 

3. Using more of your interior fabric, cut out your pockets to the size that you want. As you can see, I doubled up the fabric too, and then sewed the top over to make a nice edge. Unfortunately, I didn't think the sew over the sides of the pockets, so they have a raw edge. 

4. Sew the pockets to the rest of the interior fabric you cut out before. One pocket I left alone, so that it's one big pocket, but the other I sewed lined down here and there, so that I could have a place for lip balm or other small things. 

5. Grab your exterior fabric and cut it out to make the size and shape of the interior fabric. Then cut your ribbon to the length you want, pin it to the middle of the back, and sew a small rectangle to keep it in place. 

6. I decided to use my burgundy ribbon to create a nice, smooth edge. I pinned it in place one side at a time. The 7/8" thickness was perfect for folding it over and sewing it around the edge. If you don't want a ribbon edge, you could just fold it over and sew it in place. 

7. All done! Now you can your mini travel case to keep your lip balm, USBs, lipsticks, small notebooks, iPhone, and whatever else you carry around with you. 

Giveaway!

This giveaway runs until 9/29 and is open internationally. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you sewed anything lately?

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DIY: Embroidered Sneakers + $40 Target Giveaway!

I recently saw this DIY at Free People's blog and wanted to do my own spin on it. I think it's so creative and a great way to update a pair of plain sneakers. Who wants plain sneakers when you can have awesome ones? 

1. All you need are a pair of sneakers, craft or embroidery floss, a needle, and scissors.

2. If you want to plan out where to put your triangles (or circles or lines or whatever you prefer) you could lightly draw outlines with a white pencil or seamstress chalk, but I just winged it. 

3. I started with the back of my low top Converse sneakers. I wanted to go down the whole back with triangles, but the back of the shoe was too thick, so I did only one. Then I decided to take Free People's DIY a step further by putting triangles on either side of my sneakers. 

4. There's really no trick to sewing the triangles; you'll get better at doing them as you go on. Just have fun and know it doesn't have to be perfect, and that the sneakers don't have to be mirror images of each other. 

5. When you're satisfied with how your sneakers look, put them on and take 'em for a spin!

Are you going to try this DIY?

♥♥♥
I have a Target giveaway going on right now with The Tiny Heart!!
I know, so many giveaways! 

Brought to you by:

Sara of Sincerely, Sara

Amy of Fashion and Beauty Finds

Angela of Head to Toe Chic

Jewel of Style Optimist

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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DIY: Lace Embellished Shorts

Since lace embellished shorts seem like the perfect thing for summer, I decided to DIY my own pair by turning fuchsia jeans into cute shorts. If you have a pair of jeans that you would rather be shorts, then this is the time to do it, or you can DIY a plain pair of shorts that need some sprucing up. 

1. You'll need a pair of jeans or shorts, lace, needle and thread, a lot of pins, a pin cushion, and scissors. 

2. If you're turning jeans into shorts, lay the shorts on top and cut the jeans, leaving two inches for the rolled effect or to sew it for a finished look. 

3. Roll the jeans how you like them. Cut and place the lace where you want it. Make sure you like how it looks, and then use pins to keep the lace in place. 

4. Use your needle and thread to sew the lace. I sewed along the top of the lace and the sides to keep it in place. Make sure you don't sew the pockets down since you'll probably want to use them later.

5. I didn't show it, but you can iron the rolled ends of the jeans to keep them down. Just be careful near the lace. 

6. Wear and enjoy! I love the bohemian look to these shorts. Wear them with a slouchy white tee and fringe sandals, or dress it up with a black top and ankle booties. 

What do you think?

How would you wear them?

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DIY Studded Jean Shorts

This DIY is so easy that pictures are probably enough, but I might as well write a little something. For this fun DIY you only need two things: plain jean shorts and studs (I got mine from an old leather belt).

1. Plan out where you want to place them.

2. Poke the ends through the shorts and press the ends down so they don't poke you in the leg when you wear them. Check if you like how they look before moving onto the next row.

3. Add more studs!

4. You can add two (or more) studs on the other pocket, or if you want you can put them down the sides or even on the back. It's completely up to you.

5. Admire your work and then wear them! I plan on wearing mine with a striped shirt and gladiator sandals.

What would you wear studded shorts with?

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DIY: Nail Polish Striped iPhone Case

I've had a clear, neon pink iPod Touch case for months, but never wanted to use it because it seemed rather plain and boring. So when I saw this DIY on A Beautiful Mess I knew I had to try it.

 

It's so easy and took maybe twenty minutes to complete. All you need is a clear case and your favorite nail polish colors!

Just paint the nail polish onto the case in any order your heart desires. It doesn't have to be perfectly straight; in fact, I think it's unperfect-ness adds to the charm. I went over each color two or three times depending on the thickness of the polish.  

 

{Maybelline's Color Whisper, Revlon's Just Bitten Stain, Blistex Lip Balm,

Target Watch & 7-Year Pen}

 

After the nail polish stripes dried, I went over the whole case with a thick coat of clear polish.

 

I love my new sparkly and super colorful case! It's so pretty!

 

What do you think?

Are you going to make one?

 

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DIY: Golden Lace Crown

1. Grab two pieces of paper and tape them together. Then use it  to measure your head (or the head of the little girl or boy that it's for) and tape the paper into a circle. Put it aside for now.

2. Lay down newspaper and two paper plates. Pour some Modge Podge into one plate and put the lace flat on the other. Using a thick brush (but make sure it isn't a brush where the hairs come out), "paint" the Modge Podge onto the lace. It's easier to dab it thickly onto the lace rather than sweeping it across. You want all of it to be saturated with the Modge Podge. Don't worry about it being all white because it will dry clear.

3. Once you've finished painting one side, flip it over and do the other side.

4. When the lace is covered with Mode Podge, place the paper crown onto a third clean plate and then place the lace around the crown. Try to get the ends to match up as best as possible and to make sure that its against the paper as straight as possible. Let it dry overnight.

5. Now that the lace crown is stiff, get out a cup and pour some acryllic paint into it in your choice of color and start painting. It's best if you dab at the crown. (If the lace isn't stiff, you can always add more Modge Podge and wait for it to dry again.) You can paint the outside and inside, or just the outside. It's up to you. Wait for it to dry.

6. Optional: Glue some fake gems onto the crown. I didn't yet, but I think I will before I give it to my sister.

7. Voila! Wear it yourself or give it to a little sister or friend. Don't you think this would be perfect for a little girl's princess birthday party?

What do you think?

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DIY: Paper Winter Wonderland

When I saw this cute window sticker set on Pinterest, I knew I wanted to make something similar using paper. I like the idea of having a little snowy town on my window to add a festive flair to my front door. You can add whatever types of buildings you want, or even add people sledding or parked cars or Santa's sleigh on a rooftop. Plus this DIY is so easy to do and doesn't take up much time.

 

1. Choose a window and then measure it by holding up pieces of paper side by side. Mark how much paper you need. I needed two and half pieces of paper, but every window is different.

 

2. In pencil, sketch buildings, trees, the ground, a snowman, or whatever you choose to add to your winter scene. Don't forget to add some windows! 

3. With your scissors, cut out the buildings and trees as straight as you can.

 

4. Cut out the windows using an x-acto knife. Be sure to have a cutting board or cardboard underneath. I used the back of a notebook.

 

5. Tape the pieces of paper together using regular tape and then tape them to your window using double stick tape (you can see the tape up close but not from afar), and then you're done!

 

How cute is this little winter wonderland scene?

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DIY: Cute Paper Ghosts

 

First off, I hope everyone on the East Coast is safe and sound.

 

My apartment complex lost power for 17 hours on Monday into Tuesday, and I could hear the wind howling at night, but there's not much damage near me. Unless of course you count the patch of ceiling near my bed where water leaked in from the roof somehow (my family and I live in the middle apartment, not the top floor). Now a part of the ceiling has been cut away and once they find out where the leak is coming from, it'll be patched up.

 

But I know that is nothing compared to the damage some people are facing and I wish them all the luck in the world right now.

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

When I saw this ghost garland from Wild Olive above, I knew I wanted to replicate it somehow. I mean, c'mon, how cute are those friendly ghosts?! They just bring a smile to my face!

1. Fold two sheets or three sheets of paper over (depending on how many ghosts you want) and draw little ghost shapes. You can do whatever shape your heart desires.

2. Cut the little ghosts out.

 

3. With the black marker or pen draw smiling faces. I varied the smiles and faces to make them more interesting. As you'll see below, one is nerdy, one is a pirate, one has freckles, etc.

4. With the pink colored pencil, color in the mouths and make cute rosy cheeks.

5. Stick them on your front door, or window, with double stick tape and you're all done!

This project was so easy and took less than ten minutes.

Have a fun Halloween!

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