the LIFE LESSONS blog {things crafty, thrifty, family, yummy & rambly): Lesson# 144 The Best Gifts are Homemade {Natural Chapstick} After searching FAR AND WIDE for an awesome Christmas gift for my girlfriends this year... I finally landed on the best gift project I'm made thus far. I mean, this is way better than painted frames, decorated mugs and puff painted totes. Introducing the gift that's inexpensive, fun to make, and is actually useful in real life! Homemade Natural Chapstick (because who needs another crocheted tissue box cover?) 1.5 oz beeswax (1 and a half tablets) 6 vitamin E capsules 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (2=more rigid, 3=softer) 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil 2-3 teaspoons of cocoa butter 25-30 empty chap stick tubes OR 15 lip balm containers DIRECTIONS 1. Where I found my ingredients: Organic olive oil (local health food store) Organic coconut oil (local health food store) Vitamin E tablets (local health food store) Empty chap stick tubes (ebay and a few pill boxes) clear printer labels (walmart) Aren't they adorable? Be Brave and EXPERIMENT! Dress 'em Up!
{tutorial: how to sew a zippered pouch} Two years ago I was learning how to sew in a zipper to make a pouch and I was failing! failing! failing! at understanding how to do it. And that number is not an exaggeration. Anyways :] I thought it would be fun {and helpful} to do a tutorial post on installing a zipper, which coincidentally includes how to sew a zipped pouch. Shall we get started? MATERIALS: * front & back outside pieces of fabric {mine are 9″ x 5″} * front & back inside pieces of fabric {9″ x 5″} * two pieces of interfacing or felt {9″ x 5″} * a 10″ zipper * sewing machine * coordinating thread, to match your outside fabric * scissors * optional: embellishment for your zippered pouch INSTRUCTIONS: The first step is to lay flat the front outside piece of fabric {with a pouch, you’ll have front & back outside pieces and front & back inside pieces}. *Yes, it’s OK to sew over your zipper {sew slowly so you don’t break your needle} and to cut your zipper if it needs to be shortened. *See my thumb in photo 2? All done!
DIY Circle Scarf | If you’re one of those people who needs a last minute Christmas present, a friend’s birthday is coming up, or you just would love a circle scarf, this tutorial might be awesome for you! I was so surprised when I went into American Apparel and saw their circle scarves for $34! I decided to figure out how to make one for way less, because I knew it would be super easy. One thing different from the regular tutorials out there is that I doubled up the fabric on my scarves. Step 1 First begin with a rectangular piece of material (40 inches x 70 inches). Fold it over lengthwise, so the right sides are facing each other, and then sew along the lengthwise opening. Step 2 Next, reach one arm all the way through the tube at the seam, and grab a hold of the end. Step 3 Now once you have matched up the sides, and you have another tube, sew it, leaving an opening about 3 inches before you finish. Step 4 Using the opening, turn the scarf right side out. Like this: Like Loading...
Top 10 Most Beautiful Places to Read Books Mark Twain said ““In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.” I am sure Mark Twain will be more than amazed with look of those beautiful libraries around the world. Today’s article combine the top 10 most beautiful old, rustic and vintage looking libraries around the world. Every one of us will be more than happy to spend just few moments reading books at those beautiful libraries… The Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice Shakespeare and Company in Paris House on the Rock in Wisconsin New York Public Library The Royal Portuguese Reading Room The Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University The Biltmore House Library The Hearst Castle Library The University of Coimbra General Library The Library of Congress
How to Make a Paper Rose Paper roses are one of my favorite paper crafts. I use them on gifts, wear them in my hair and make them to compliment a Papier Couture dress I create for the runway. Since my typical paper rose is made on the fly, this last week I noodled over how to make a template for you that is simple to recreate and beautiful. I think this is it! I love this rose and am quite giddy about sharing paper rose inspirations for weddings, gifts and decor in the coming weeks. You can make create this rose to match your wedding invitations or even make a paper rose bouquet. {for a printable PDF version of these instructions, click here}
How to Make a Pillow: a Bolster in Half an Hour or Less I want to show you how to make a pillow to decorate your house. Bolster pillows are little round pillows that look like candies! Their most common use is to support the neck, but they're also great for decoration. Use them for your bed or for a couch, even for a nice big chair. They can be hard to sew because of the circles on the sides. You only have to sew rectangles! The best part is that they're so easy to make, you can make many to practice and then put them all over your house. Supplies 2 pretty and matching fabrics Pillow filling Matching ribbon 1/4" wide Patterns and Cutting You will need three rectangles to make this bolster pillow. Decide how long and wide your pillow will be. Make the side rectangles using the measurements of the body How to Make the Pillow Finish the edges of all the pieces with a serger or zig zag stitch. Join the small edges of a side rectangle to create a circle (the right side of fabric should be outside) and put it inside the tube. Awesome, you're done!
Inspiration : bird tattoos + DIY temporary tattoos I've been having a love affair with bird motifs since many years now, so my heart skipped a beat when I saw a flock of birds' tattoo for the first time. I've been collecting them since then. I know bird tattoos are currently super trendy, but I love them anyway! As far as I'm concerned, I'm not ready for a tattoo (I have a VERY low tolerance to pain), so as an alternative, I opted for temporary transfer tattoos! Yes, just like those we found as inserts in bubble gums when we were kids. You need : 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. It can last up to 7 days, but mine started cracking after 4 days, so I dissolved it with baby oil. I felt like a little girl, and it was super fun!
MarySew » How To: Sew an Inner Zipper Pocket I have tried several ways to sew in internal zipper pockets. I need one in every bag and I want at least one to be in every bag I make for my shop. They are so nifty, especially when you carry as much crap in your purse as I do and your cell phone rings. Anyways, it used to take me hours to make these. Just to get the damn small zipper in frustrated me to no end. Eventually I figured out a way that works perfectly for me and is quite a time saver. . You need: a zipper (obviously ^^).fabric you want to use as your bags lining.fusible interfacing (Vlieseline).sewing machine, thread, scissors, the usual sewing utensils. The first step is optional. Measure your zipper and mark where to sew it in. Cut where you just marked your fabric. Fold over and press So, now I could serge the raw edges with a zig zag (or even take it to the serger) but, urgs, such tiny openings are a pain in the ass to serge. Add another strip of fusible interfacing to the other side. It should look like this now.
Gift Ideas for poor creative souls (6) You know how it goes, a friend calls you and invites you to dinner at the last minute. OMG! What gift can you take?! You scrabble around the cupboards trying to find a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine but find that most of the chocolates have been eaten and the wine has gone. I thought this was a wonderful idea. You could make a few of these and keep them to one side for just such an occasion. Supplies : Patterned paper-one 12 x 12" sheet. These directions will give you one flower. 1. 4. 5. Tip: For single sided paper. 6. Note: Florist tape is stretchy, just play with it and pull gently but firmly as you move down the stem. 7. Note, you will have to play around with the height of the petals, and where on the petal you start your tape. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. For tutorials on how to market yourself online, go here.
52 Free Dress Patterns : Posted on | November 7, 2013 | 19 Comments I’m a firm believer that sewers can never have too many free patterns. With that in mind, here are 52 Free Dress Patterns, divided by style. Notes about the patterns are listed for some of the dresses. Patterns from existing dresses require laying out an item of clothing onto fabric, marking it, and cutting out. No pattern needed usually means that the dress is made from a recycled shirt. Drafting instructions means that you will have to make your own pattern, but the designer included all the information needed. Free Dress Patterns - Casual Dresses Free Dress Patterns – Office Dresses Free Dress Patterns - Dress-Up Dresses Read More : Sewing or Home Comments
Summer bracelets DIY When M. came home from her camp with school, she showed me this yellow bracelet she made with 'scoubidoo' strings. One of her friends taught her how to make these and of course I wanted to have a go at it too. Instead of scoubidou string I used strips of fabric for one and leather - what did you think?!- shoelaces in offsetting colors for another one. I believe both resulting bracelets look really nice. So, in case you 're in need of a fun summer project here's a how-to in 16 pictures with a short description below. This is what you'll need for an adult size leather bracelet. - a 52cm long strip of fabric or leather shoe lace - a second strip of fabric or leather shoe lace of approximately 95 cm - a big-eyed needle - a cylindrical object to hold the loop so your project stays put while braiding (the neck of an Elmer's glue bottle works just fine; when out on the beach, the finger of a helper's hand might do the trick as well) Steps: 1.
Zipper Card Pouch [Update August 2014: I have another version of this zipper card pouch, they look about the same from the outside, but it is more spacious inside as I have hidden the seam allowance.] To make: 1Materials:Pouch Body [5 1/4″ x 3 3/4″] 1. Fabric – Canvas Stripe, 2 2. Fabric – cotton polka-dots, 2 Side Gusset [1 3/4″ x 2 3/4″] 3. Materials and Dimensions Get ready the materials with the correct dimension respectively. Left: Sew ribbon to the center of the twill tape to make a divider in the card pouch.Right: Mark 7″ zipper according to the measurement of 0, 1/4″, 3″ and 7 1/2″. Side Gusset 1. Place and pin the divider 1″ below the top seam allowance. 1. Change to zipper foot. Sew on the seam line, stop at the 3″ point on the zipper too. You will see this arrangement after folding the lining to the back of the canvas. Repeat the sewing of canvas and lining to another side of the zipper. Bend the zipper, pin to the canvas. Top stitch near the seam lines on the canvas along the L-shaped zipper.
No Heat SJP BIG CURLS w/ Twisted Buns ...also known as Bantu Knots If you follow me on Instagram you already know about this because I shared it there see photos below but the other night I slept on twisted buns to get these BIG CURLS just to switch it up a little which the husband LOVES. In fact he said “You know, you could do that MORE OFTEN if you wanted to”. Big curls are a BIG hit around here In 2009 I did a quick video demonstrating how I twist my hair into the little buns whilst singing to Lady Gaga – but I only did a photo tutorial of how to get the finished look. The first and last photos were taken at around 5:30pm in the afternoon so you can see how the curls fall a little and become big waves, though my hair doesn’t get any smaller. * CLICK HERE for outfit photos and details. Video of me removing the bantu knots and styling my hair… Again find my original and very old video demonstrating how I twist my hair into the little buns Have Fun! Find all my Hair Tutorials Here.
Brownie en 5 minutos: bizcocho de nutella y caramelo en taza La semana pasada me ofrecieron la posibilidad de compartir una receta en la radio, en el espacio que I love aceite tiene los viernes en Cadena Ser Jaén. Podéis escuchar el audio pinchando en este enlace, y desde aquí quiero dar las gracias a Lola y a Fernando por darme la oportunidad de colaborar en este espacio. Para esta ocasión, me apetecía elegir una receta que pudiese preparar cualquiera: sin conocimientos de cocina, sin moldes, sin báscula, y sin necesidad de ningún equipamiento especial. Así que elegí esta idea sencilla, rápida, y resultona: un bizcocho tipo brownie que se prepara en 5 minutos, y sin tener que encender el horno, ya que se hace en microondas. En cualquier caso, este bizcocho-brownie en taza de nutella y caramelo estará listo para comer en 5 minutos, preferiblemente caliente o templado, pero incluso frío está rico. Descripción: Bizcocho de chocolate, nutella, y caramelo preparado en el microondas, listo en 5 minutos, estilo brownie Preparación: 5 min Cocción: 5 min
Very cute! By the way, in America we often call those shirts "wifebeaters" or "muscle shirts". It's crude, but that's just what they're called. by rokido Mar 6