Caught On A Whim

Sewn: Megan Nielsen's Briar Tee

2014-08-24T13:43:00.000-04:00

Epps!! I've sewn my very first t-shirt! I can't even believe it's taken me this long to branch out into sewing with knit fabric. I mean, I've already had my sewing machine for almost two years now. Sheesh!

Why the long wait in tackling stretchy fabric? Like most who are new to sewing, I wasn't sure that I'd have the skills to wrangle those pesky knits into the garments of my dreams. Knit fabrics sure seem like they'd be difficult to work with. I mean they're stretchy, and shifty and have a mind of their own sometimes.

Anyways, I'm glad I decided give knits a try, because nothing compares to a great custom-made t-shirt for comfort and and style. And in the end, you know what??! Sewing with knits isn't so bad after all.

Stretchy. fabric. fears. conquered. BAM! Bring it on! ;)

The pattern I used is Megan Nielsen's Briar Tee. It was my first time using one of Megan's patterns and I was pleased with her easy to follow directions and well designed pattern pieces.

This was a great first knit project for a beginner like myself. It came together quickly which was soooooo nice. Many of the projects I've tackled recently took months to finish (like, ahem, this dress), and while it can be fun to take on challenging projects, it is also easy to get burned out. In contrast, I'm loving how quick and easy it was to make this simple t-shirt. And if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I've already got some plans for a few more of these in the works.

Project Details:
Pattern: Megan Neilsen's Briar Tee
Size: Small, although next time I might try the extra small for a snugger fit.
Fabric: A cotton spandex blend from Girl Charlee. It's a thicker knit fabric, and my top feels like a lightweight sweatshirt. I figured a thick knit would more stable to work with for my first knitwear project.
Time: Just a couple hours total, but I spread it out over several days. It won't take you long, even if you're a beginner!
Skills: Wrangling knits (getting the fabric laid out for cutting was the hardest part for me); using a double needle; the zig zag stitch
Sewing Needles: I used a ball point needle for the seams and a twin needle for the hems.
For future projects: I'd like to try stabilizing the shoulder seams.
Helpful Resources: I found this great YouTube video by Sew Etcetera on sewing with a double needle really helpful. I also love this how-to post by Tilly and the Buttons on sewing knits on a regular sewing machine. Thank goodness for internet resources to help us newbies out!
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I'm really excited that I've branched out into the world of sewing knits. It opens up a lot of possibilities for creating comfortable and wearable clothes. I can't wait to see where this sewing-with-knits adventure takes me next. Coming up, I've got some stripes on my sewing table.

P.S. Thanks to my sister Ali for giving me this pattern. I LOVE it, girl!

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A Chair Makeover: Reveal!

2014-08-10T18:00:00.000-04:00

Lately, I've been working to turn my ho-hum craft room into a creative space that suits my style. Instead of trying to overhaul my craft room all at once, I've decided to focus on little projects here and there so that I can enjoy the process of transformation. It's been fun to see everything come together in its own time.

My most recent project was taking a boring old thrifted chair and giving it a bit of personality. Here's a peek into how this project unfolded.

This what the sad little chair looked like before I decided to fix it up a bit:

I had initially painted it this turquoise blue color, but wasn't happy about the color choice. (Ick!!) No worries, though, a little elbow grease one afternoon solved that mistake.

I ultimately decided to go with a deep hunter green color. I thought it would compliment my pale pink walls and also tone down the girly-ness of the pink paint a bit. Plus, since green and pink are complimentary, I thought they'd look great together.

Alright, here is how the transformation progressed... First things first, I had to sand down the chair and get rid of that awful turquoise paint. This was definitely my least favorite part. After sanding, and sanding, and sanding, my arms were tired and I was coated in a film of powdery paint dust, but I finally got the old paint stripped off. (Tip: Wear a mask to keep yourself from inhaling the paint particles that are sanded off. The paint dust was everywhere and so gross.)

Next, a coat of white primer got the chair in tip top shape before I painted it green.

Finally, the fun part for me was updating the upholstery. I took the seat off the chair. Then, I removed the staples by prying them up with a screwdriver. Most of the staples just popped right out, but a few stubborn ones needed to be pulled out with a pair of pliers.

I left the same padding on the seat as was there before and just covered the seat with my new pretty fabric. Since my fabric had a noticeable pattern on it, I took great care to be sure I had the pattern lined up exactly how I wanted it to be on the seat. A few staples around the edge hold the fabric in place:

I put the cushion back in place, and that was all there was to it! Now, I have a fancy (almost as good as) new chair in my office space.

So there you go... take a seat ;)

It was a lot of fun to be able to take a tired old piece of furniture I already had and turn it into a unique piece I truly love. I really enjoy being able to update items I already have in my home rather than having to go out and buy new stuff all the time. There's nothing quite like taking something old and making it shiny and new again.

Have you guys made any updates to your home lately?

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Off the Hook: Beatriz Shrug

2014-07-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

Well here it is... my latest (purple) crochet sweater. I'm on a roll with these lavender hued projects. (Remember this one from a few months ago?)

This is the Beatriz Shrug from Inside Crochet's Issue 39, and it turned into exactly what I was looking for... a light and wispy sweater to throw over my shoulders on summer evenings.

I'm really pleased with how this shrug turned out. The ultra thin bamboo yarn gives it such beautiful drape and a pretty sheen. The shrug has a luxe, silky feel to it, but the slouchy shape keeps this little number all laid back. Gotta love that!

Also, I was worried that I'd have trouble with the bamboo yarn splitting as I worked with it, but that wasn't an issue for me on this one. Thank goodness, because that would have gotten tedious with so many tiny stitches to get through in this pattern.

Project Details:

Pattern: Beatriz Shrug // Inside Crochet, Issue 39, March 2013

Yarn: Valley Yarns 5/2 Bamboo in Orchid (100% Bamboo; Yarn weight - Lace)

Time: Due to the teeny tiny yarn, it took a bit of time to hook this one up.

Difficulty: Pretty easy. The pattern is simple and repetitive and construction was a breeze. You just have to have patience to work with tiny lace weight yarn.

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This shrug is perfect for these balmy summer days. I'm definitely going to be cramming as many wears of this sweater in as I can before the cool fall weather arrives.

Up next on my crochet hook is another shrug, but at least this time it's not another purple one! A girl needs at least a little variety in her wardrobe. ;)

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DIY: Fancy Fabric Storage Boxes

2014-07-13T20:29:00.000-04:00

Right now, all my craft supplies are just thrown into empty shoe boxes, and I figured it was about time to jazz those old boxes up!

Last year I shared a tutorial for creating fabric covered boxes, and I thought it would be fun to revisit that DIY to create some pretty storage for my craft room. I had some bits of scrap fabric, including some floral fabric leftover from a sew-a-long with Darling Adventures and also this beautiful yard sale find. I figured this would be the perfect project to put those beauties to good use.

I followed the directions for my 'That's a Wrap" Fabric Covered Boxes tutorial, and before long I had some pretty storage that I could proudly display on my shelves. Turns out that old, drab boxes just need a little pretty fabric to get all dressed up...

All you have to do is grab a box. Any old box will do:

You'll only need to gather a few supplies. (Tip: Just be sure the fabric is thick enough not to let any writing or designs on the box peek through.)

Get busy cutting your fabric and adhere it to the box with a touch of Mod Podge. You can find all the details for these steps in the full tutorial here.

And, that's a wrap!

It's great when you find a project that is fun to recreate again and again. My fabric wrapped box tutorial is definitely one I'll be revisiting a lot in the future. In fact, I still have many boxes left to cover! Over time as I accumulate more pretty scrap fabric, I'm planning to put it to good use to wrap up all those other boring old boxes that I'm currently using for storage.

So that's it! You just can't beat a project that uses supplies you have on hand, costs next to nothing and creates some pretty and functional storage.

Do you guys have any projects you like to revisit as well? Also, do you have any favorite projects for using up bits of scrap fabric? I'm always looking for ways to use up my stash.

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DIY: Hanging Macrame Planter

2014-06-30T08:01:00.000-04:00

There is something so lovely about suspending a touch of nature indoors. I've been wanting to make my own macrame planter for a while now, and over the weekend I got inspired to take the plunge and learn how to make one of my own. Now, I have a plant hanging oh so pretty in my kitchen. Oooooo la la...

Wanna learn how I made my planter?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Since macrame is new to me, I was on the lookout for a simple design. I ended up using this 10 Knot Plant Hanger from Macrame For Fun for my basic design. I loved it's simplicity and knew it would be the perfect pattern for a beginner like myself.

Of course, I had to add a bit of my personality to my project as well. First off, I jazzed it up a bit by adding some wooden beads to the cords before tying the second set of knots.

Also, since I wanted my planter to have a clean and modern look, I knew I was gonna need to find the perfect pot to fit that aesthetic. Wanna know the best place to find stylish and modern planters?? Here's my tip.... be sure to check the home wares section of retail stores! Yep, that's right. In fact, the "pot" I used is actually a cereal bowl from Target. Shhhhh... don't tell, it will be our little secret. ;) Just be careful when watering your plant, since there aren't any drain holes.

Another tiny, little detail I added was that I wrapped yarn around the hanging ring to give it a more cohesive look.

And, since I wanted to suspend my planter from all the way up at the ceiling, I made my hanger a bit loooooonger than the video suggests.

Project Details:

Supplies: cord, wooden beads, ring for hanging

Pattern: 10 Knot Plant Hanger by Macrame for Fun

Plant: I'm actually not sure what kind of plant this is. The tag just said "tropical foliage". Helpful, no?! ;) Any small fern would give you a similar look.

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I had so much fun dabbling in macrame for the very first time, and this little touch of greenery is such a lovely addition to my kitchen. This project was super easy, affordable and quick to whip up. Plus, it looks simply fantastic to boot. Gotta love that!

I've really been enjoying adding more plants around my house. This planter is the most recent of several new green additions. Although, to be honest, I'm also trying my best not to neglect them, as I don't have the greenest of thumbs. However, I'm thinking that since this one is always in sight, right next to my kitchen sink and sitting in an eye catching hanging planter.... hopefully I'll remember to keep my eyes on it and give it the care it needs, right?! ;)

P.S. I know my planter is hung off center, but the dang stud in the ceiling wouldn't allow placement directly in the middle of the wall. That's ok, though... I'm now planning to add some art to the bare wall to fill up that extra space. I think it will be more interesting that way anyways!

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Sewn: Simplicity 1801 (Finally Finished!)

2014-06-10T10:56:00.001-04:00

Ohhhh myyyy gooooodnessss guys! This dress has been on my sewing table for way too long, but it's finally done! YAY!!! (Insert celebratory fist pump... *pump*, *pump* ;)

I was definitely a master of procrastination on this project. (I even mentioned that I was going to start this pattern at the end of this post from last September!! SEPTEMBER!!). A special thanks to all my cheerleaders on Instagram who kept me going even when I wasn't feeling very inspired to get it done. You gals kept me motivated, and I'm so glad I finished it!

This is definitely the most complex sewing project I've tackled to date. There were so many pattern pieces to keep track of!! Overall, I'm pretty proud of how it came together, but there were definitely a few bumps along the way.

The biggest trouble I had was piecing the bodice together. You can see in the photo above that there is some puckering at the point of the V in the neckline. Try as I could, I couldn't get it to lay flat, so I just pressed it as nicely as I could in an attempt to make it look deliberate. This flaw might not stand out so much to other people, but I'll always know it isn't laying quite as flat as I'd like. We are always our biggest critics, right?

As a way to conceal this mishap, I'm thinking of adding some buttons down the front, or maybe I should just let it be and wear my slightly flawed handmade dress as it is with pride...

I also had a big debate raging in my head of whether or not to add the kimono style bell sleeves to the dress. (You can see that look over at Simplicity.) I really wanted to give the sleeves a try since the style is so different than anything I already have in my closet, but a nagging voice in my head kept telling me that sleeveless was the way to go.

Being so conflicted I turned to you guys on Instagram and Facebook for advice. I was so thrilled you chimed in!! The majority vote was for sleeveless by a landslide. I was a little bummed because the sleeves were funky and fun, but in the end I had to agree with everyone. The sleeves looked overwhelmingly large on me. Plus, I couldn't quite figure out how I'd wear a sweater over them, and we can't be making dresses that we can't stay cozy in, can we?! ;)

Project Details:

Pattern: Simplicity 1801 (Cynthia Rowley)

Size: 12

Fabric: Dear Stella Perrymint Flower in Green

Difficulty: Intermediate

Skills: fitted waistband, side zipper, pockets, time management (oops! fail on that last one! lol!)

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In short, I'll probably make this pattern again.... someday, but not anytime too soon. I need a break from the big projects for now. The next time I make it, I'd like to try the maxi version in a jersey knit like Suzannah's neon number from Adventures in Dressmaking. So cute!

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the result, even if it took forever and a day. I'm not exactly sure why it took me so long, but I think I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different pieces and steps. My next project should hopefully be simpler. In fact, I'm planning to tackle Megan Nielsen's Briar T-shirt next. It's a simple pattern, but I'll be working with stretchy jersey fabric for the first time, so that will be an interesting challenge.

So, have you guys conquered any challenging projects lately or have a project that's been nagging for you to finish it, but you keep putting it a side? I can't be the only one ... right??! :)

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Off the Hook: Pineapple Doleman

2014-04-08T14:08:00.003-04:00

I hope you like pineapples, because this sweater is full of them! (Pineapple stitches, that is!) The pattern is aptly named the Pineapple Stitch Doleman and came from Vogue Knitting Crochet 2013. (You can find more on this pattern at Ravelry here and YouTube here.)

I've never actually worked with the pineapple crochet stitch before, and had so much fun using it on this project. I adore how intricate and lacy this stitch is, and it was so fun to watch it come together row by row. The pineapple pattern adds such a rich texture and dimension to the sweater.

There are so many great details I adore on this sweater. First, the neckline is beautiful! I love the long lines and how it gracefully slopes off the shoulders. Then, there is the delicate picot detail along the edges that adds just a little something extra. Little details like that can really add a little something special to a garment, if you know what I mean. Another fun thing about this sweater is how the pineapple motif starts off small at the top and increases in size as you go!

But, my favorite part are the sleeves, because they make me look like... na na na na na na na na... Batgirl! Bam! A sweater that turns you into a superhero??!! That's always a winner in my book. Now, all I need are some super powers to go along with it!! ;)

I did splurge a bit on the yarn for this one. I used Swans Island Fingering yarn in Vintage Lilac, which is 100% merino wool. It is ohhhh soooo soft!

Since I've been feeling more confident in my crochet skills lately, I've decided to experiment with higher quality yarns in my work. I've recently set a goal for myself to create more clothing items than I purchase from the store. With that in mind, I want to create high quality items that I'll love for a long time, and one way to help me achieve that goal is to start with great supplies like a fabulous yarn! I can't wait to learn more about different fibers as I dive deeper into the world of finer yarns.

Project Details:
Pattern: Pineapple Stitch Doleman, Vogue Knitting Crochet 2013
Yarn: Swans Island Fingering in 117 Vintage Lilac (100% Organic Merino Wool)
Time: This sweater took me about a month working at a leisurely pace in the evenings.
Difficulty: Intermediate. The pattern is intricate, but repetitive. You'll also need to check your gauge, but the loose fit of the sweater gives you a bit of wiggle room.
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I am so pleased with how this sweater turned out. It is the perfect easy, breezy sweater to take me through the spring and summer. I can already tell this sweater isn't going to be seeing much of my closet, because I'm going to be wearing it ALL. THE. TIME!

As for my next crochet project, I have yet another purple one in the works. (Note to self... No more purple yarn!! Hold me to it, guys! Even though purple is a pretty color, I can't be stuck wearing only purple all the time!)

And in sewing news, I'm on my way to finishing my next dress. I actually started this one last fall, but have been procrastinating on finishing it. I've finally decided that it is time to get this one off my sewing table.

Stay tuned, I can't wait to see how these projects turn out and share them with you!

So, have you guys completed any projects you love lately? Do you have any hibernating projects you are dusting off and working to finish this spring?

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Off the Hook: Big Pom Beanie

2014-03-10T09:45:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw a sneak peak of this beanie while I was making it. I'm so pleased with how it turned out!

I chose a plush wool yarn in a bright mustard hue. The cheery color is perfect for brightening up these last few winter days. In fact, the day I made this hat, it was brutally cold and snowy, and this cozy and cheerful yarn really helped keep the winter blues at bay.

Love this style? You can find the crochet pattern over at Little Things Blogged. Tanya's patterns are adorable, easy to follow and quick to whip up. What more could a crochet gal want? I made her slouchy beanie last year and loved it as well. A girl can't have enough cute hats, right?!

And, now I'd like to introduce you to....

Muahahahahaha! (aka my evil-monster-pom-laugh. lol!)

The saying is 'go big or go home', right? Well, I pulled out my biggest pom pom maker for this one and went for a HUGE pom on the top my beanie.

This pom is borderline obnoxious, but I absolutely love it. The added poof is a lot of fun, and whenever it wobbles on my head, it is a sweet reminder of the handmade gem I'm wearing to keep my noggin warm.

Project Details:

Pattern: Big Pom Beanie by Little Things Blogged

Yarn: Cascade 128 Solid in Marigold; 100% Peruvian Highland Wool; Bulky weight

Time: This hat whips up in no time at all! (Gotta love chunky yarn!!)

Difficulty: Easy peasy. If you are a beginner looking to branch out of making simple scarves, this is a great project for you.

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Well, this is the last of my winter projects, and I'm now looking forward to spriiiiiiing time! Right now, I've got a super fine lavender yarn on my hook. I'm making an adorable, delicate shrug with it and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

So, have you guys finished up any last winter projects lately?

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Let's Crochet: Bunting Necklace

2014-02-04T11:25:00.000-05:00

A festive bunting is the perfect way to decorate for parties and celebrations, right?! Well, this little crochet gem is like a party for your neck!

I'm sharing the full tutorial over at Makes and Takes today as part of Marie's crochet-a-day series. I'll see you over there guys! Be sure to bring a crochet hook! ;)

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Granny Square Christmas Tree Skirt.

2013-12-27T10:08:00.000-05:00

I know it's a tad late for a Christmas post, but I had to share my finished granny square tree skirt with you guys! And, despite posting this a few days after Christmas, I did actually have it ready for the big day. I finished it up just in the nick of time on Christmas Eve. I was so excited when I weaved in the very last yarn end and placed this cheerful skirt under our tree. I was as giddy as a kid on the night before Christmas. ;)

Project Details:

Pattern: Granny Tree Skirt Crochet Pattern by Ann Regis for Red Heart

Yarn: A mix of random stuff from my stash. This project was a great stash buster!

Difficulty: Intermediate - It's a pretty repetitive pattern, but this project is extremely time consuming and requires a good bit of construction.

Skills: Granny squares, seams, color work, weaving in plenty of ends

Time: OMG, this project took forever!! This is definitely my biggest project to date. It was totally worth the effort though, because I'm so pleased with how it turned out. And, you should have seen Santa's face when he saw it as he slid down our chimney! Priceless. ;)

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You might remember that I actually started this project over the summer.... let's just say that it proved to be a bit more time consuming than I was expecting. It was definitely a labor of love, but totally worth the long hours. I'll enjoy this one for years to come. Another bonus of working on a big project... it was so cozy to work on a something I could literally bury myself under!

I'm super excited for next Christmas, because I'll be able to enjoy this tree skirt for the whole holiday season rather than just a few days. Although, I'm already planning on keeping my tree up for a few more weeks this year, so I can enjoy it's colorful cheerfulness a little more. Am I the only one who keeps their tree up until the middle of January??

Next up, I've got some smaller projects on my hook for some more instant gratification! ;) Stay tuned for some cozy hats and scarves.

P.S. More crochet projects here.

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2013 Ornament Exchange & Tutorials!

2013-12-23T08:55:00.001-05:00

This Snowy Owl by Jen of Grainline Studio is a hoot!

I had a lot of fun participating in the ornament exchange that Kelli of True Bias held this year. It was so much fun to unwrap all the wonderfully creative and unique ornaments I received in my mailbox each day. It was like Christmas every time I went to the post office!!

I already shared with you guys the cute crochet Christmas tree ornaments I sent out. As promised, here are all the beautiful handmade ornaments I received. Follow the links for complete tutorials!

Katy of Katy and Laney made these adorable and "distinctly mammalian" ornaments. I love her humorous story about the process of creating these. I've always wondered how difficult it would be to make creative poms like this.

Miranda of One Little Minute made the sweetest Sugar Plum Fairies in honor of her newest family member... her sweet baby girl, Plum.

Krista of Lazy Saturdays made these cozy plush houses with a free pattern included so you can make your own!

Laney of Katy and Laney made this cute thimble hot air balloon. Up, up and away!!

Sonja of Ginger Makes made these jingle bell wreaths, and I definitely turned some heads when I walked out of the post office with this jingling package!

Kelli of True Bias made these heartstrings state ornaments.

Jennifer of Workroom Social made these fabulous fabric tree ornaments.

It was so fun checking my mailbox over the past week. I've loved receiving each and every one of these special handmade ornaments. This was my first time participating in a blogger exchange and I had a blast.

So, have you guys been doing any holiday crafting? Feel free to link up your projects below, I'd love to see what you've been making this holiday season!

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2013 Ornament Exchange (& a cute crochet pattern)!

2013-12-20T06:43:00.000-05:00

I was so excited when Kelli of True Bias invited me to participate in her ornament exchange this year. Last year's exchange looked like so much fun! I mean, just look at these adorable coat ornaments Kelli made. I wanted to join not only for the myriad of handcrafted ornaments I'd receive in my mailbox, but also because it was the perfect opportunity for me to give a little something special to some of my favorite bloggers.

After some brainstorming, I decided it would be cute to create Christmas tree ornaments for everyone's Christmas trees! I was inspired by these adorable tree ornaments my friend Emma of Emma Knitted made and decided to create a similar pattern of my own.

Ready to make your own mini crochet Christmas trees?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Crochet Spiral Christmas Tree Pattern

I used a worsted weight yarn. (This is a great project for using up those leftover yarn scraps in your stash.)

Ch 25, 3 tr in in 4th ch from hook, 3 tr each of the next 6 ch sp, 3 dc in each of the next 6 ch, 3 hdc each of next 4 ch, 3 sc next 3 ch, 1 sl st each of next 2 ch.

Essentially you'll create a spiral that is wider at the bottom than it is at the top:

Next, twirl the spiral together and shape it into a tree. Tack it into place with some yarn so that it will hold its shape. (P.S. I found a great video tutorial by Crochet Geek who did a similar pattern, except that her tree branches point in an upwards direction. She does a great job of explaining how to stitch your tree so that it will hold its shape in her video here. I tacked mine together the same way.)

Now, it's time to decorate! I added sequins and colorful yarn ornaments to mine. The yarn ornaments were made by creating french knots, which is a fun embroidery technique. You could also add beads, ribbon and other embellishments as well!

Finally, I used some natural twine to create a loop for hanging the ornament on the tree. A little bow adds a touch of sweetness.

Isn't this little crochet Christmas tree forest just the cutest?!

I've sent most of these beauties off to new homes, but, of course, I had to keep one for myself! I've had to keep a close eye on it though, as my pup Tanner seems to think these yarn trees make great chew toys. I think Tanner's bad behavior has added him onto Santa's 'naughty puppy list' this year... little bugger!! ;)

I had so much fun participating in this holiday ornament exchange! If you'd like to learn more about the amazing gals I shipped my ornaments off to, you can check them out below. Each of these gals is sharing a tutorial for how they made their ornaments as well, so be sure to drop by their blogs for some more Christmas DIY inspiration!

Kelli of True Bias (Our wonderful hostess! Thanks Kelli!)

Miranda of One Little Minute

Sonja of Gingermakes

Jen of Grainline Studio

Krista of Lazy Saturdays

Jennifer of Workroom Social

Katy of Katy and Laney

Laney of Katy and Laney

P.S. More Christmas posts here.

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DIY: Sequin Sparkles Ornament

2013-12-16T14:31:00.001-05:00

You might remember these adorable handmade Christmas ornaments my mom sent to me last year. This Christmas I wanted to try my hand at making a few of my own. I was inspired by these baubly beauties over at Meream's creative blog, Bored and Crafty, and knew that bright, punchy jewel tones were the way to go.

Admittedly it took quite a bit of time to put these together, but I'm so pleased with how they turned out. The ornaments are festive, fun and full of sparkle. They are absolutely everything a Christmas tree dreams of wearing during the holiday season!

Ready to deck out your tree with some amazing sequin ornaments?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff you'll need:

Lots and lots of sequins!! (...for a BIG dose of sparkle)

Sequin pins

Seed beads

Elmers glue

Styrofoam ball

Twine, ribbon, etc.

A bit of patience and time, but don't worry... it will be worth it! ;)

Method:

1. Take a pin and add a seed bead to it followed by a sequin:

2. A bit of glue is all you'll need to hold the sparkles in place:

3. Slide the pin in over the drop of glue.

Keep adding more and more sequins...

... and continue until your ornament is completely covered. So pretty, huh?!

Now, to hang your ornament on your tree you'll just need to add a bit of twine or ribbon to it. To do this, I simply stuck the last pin through a bit of twine and used good bit of glue to hold it securely. Now, you can admire the sparkle in the Christmas lights...

These would also look so pretty sitting on display in a clear vase or bowl. You wouldn't even need to add the twine or ribbon if you displayed them that way.

While these ornaments were time consuming to make, they are such pretty holiday decor. My Mom made it a tradition to make one every year. I'd like to carry the tradition on for myself. Year by year, I should build up a collection of these sparkly gems.

And, in other Christmas crafting news, I'm still working furiously to finish my Granny Square Christmas Tree Skirt, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish it up before Christmas. Aaaaahhhhh!! Right now I have 'so much to do and so little time syndrome'! ;) Even if I don't finish my tree skirt in time for Santa to see it this year, I'll try to share an update so you can see my progress. You can also keep tabs on my progress over on Instagram (like here and here).

In other exciting news, one reason I ran out of time on the tree skirt is because I had the chance to participate in a fun handmade ornament exchange held by Kelli of True Bias. I can't wait to fill you in on what I made and all the fun things I received. That's coming up later this week!

So, are you guys working hard to finish up any of your holiday projects too?

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DIY: Falling Leaves Garland

2013-11-25T14:34:00.000-05:00

I can't be the only one who loves the satisfying crunch of crispy fall leaves under their feet. Am I right?! I literally go out of my way to crunch as many autumn leaves as possible during the season. To pay homage to one of my favorite fall addictions, I decided to bring a bit of the outdoors in with this simple yet striking leaf garland.

Ready to add a touch of nature to your fall decor?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff you'll need:

Leaves (I like oak leaves because they hold up well, and don't crumble as easily as others do.)

Natural twine.

Colorful twine (Bright, punchy colors add a fun contrast to the brown leaves.)

Method:

All you need to do is tie the leaves onto the twine like so:

Add as many leaves as you'd like...

These brown leaves are anything but boring! I love how they look when they catch the light. They're rustic and natural, and every time I look at my window, I can catch a glimpse of their natural beauty.

So, what have you guys been doing to enjoy fall?

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Style Tip: How to make a necklace look longer.

2013-11-21T14:34:00.000-05:00

I ran into a bit of a dilemma the other day when I was making my acorn necklace. I only had a short chain in my supply box, but I wanted the necklace to be a longer length.

I was feeling a bit too lazy to run to the store for some new jewelry supplies, so what's a crafty girl to do??! Cheat it, of course! I just took the short chain and pinned it to my shirt under the collar. Once I turned the collar down, my secret was completely hidden from view, and I had a necklace that was the perfect length. Simple as that!

The best thing about this trick is that you have complete control over the necklace length depending on how high or low you pin it on the collar.

This little trick is a great way to extend your jewelry collection without permanently altering the jewelry. I love that it is temporary, quick and easy to do, and I just wanted to share this secret with you. I can't wait to try this trick on some of my other necklaces too!

So, do you guys have any clever styling tips or secrets to share? Because, sometimes a secret is just too good to keep to yourself. ;)

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DIY: Acorn Necklace

2013-11-18T11:27:00.001-05:00

I was looking for a simple way to add a touch of fall to my wardrobe and decided that a rustic acorn necklace would do the trick! This darling necklace is the perfect accessory to go nuts over this season! ;)

Wanna make your own acorn necklace?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

First of all, you'll need an acorn, and the best place to search is in the woods, of course! I went on my acorn hunt on a beauuuuutiful fall day. It was fun taking in all the colorful leaves as I scavenged for acorns. The task proved a bit challenging as squirrels had already eaten so many of the fallen acorns. Luckily, with a bit of searching through the leaves, I found a few to take home.

And, just in case you were wondering, this is what a crazy-crafty lady looks like when she is scavenging for acorns... look out squirrels here I come. Finders keepers! ;)

The acorn I decided to use had a bit of stem at the top of it which made it easy to wrap the wire around. I wrapped the wire around the stem a few times and created a loop in the back for the chain of the necklace to thread through:

Here is what my acorn charm looks like from the front. (Tip: To make sure the acorn cap stays on the nut, I gently removed it and adhered it securely with some glue. That made the acorn charm less fragile and less likely to fall apart during wear.)

And that is all there is to it! Put on your necklace and enjoy these fall days.

What things do you enjoy most about the fall?

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Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2013-10-28T11:25:00.000-04:00

It's not officially fall until I've been chowing down on these savory pumpkin seeds. When I was a kid, my mother always scooped up the gutted pumpkin seeds we had left over from our Halloween pumpkin carving and turned them into this delicious snack. I still carry on the tradition today, because this gal can't turn down a savory, salty treat.

These roasted pumpkin seeds are perfect for munching on while you're handing out candy to all the ghouls and goblins who ring your doorbell on Halloween. Ready to turn your pumpkin seeds into a delicious and ghoulish snack?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff You'll Need:

Pumpkin

2 cups water

1/4 cup table salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Method:

First, you'll need to gut the pumpkin and remove the seeds. This is such a gross task, and yet so fun! You will be elbow deep in pumpkin goo to get all the seeds out, but it will be worth it! Next, place seeds in colander and rinse well with water to get rid of any remaining pulp:

In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup salt with two cups cold water. Add the pumpkin seeds to the salt water mixture and let them soak overnight:

The next day, line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels. Drain the seeds and then place them on the paper towels to dry. Allow them to dry for 30 minutes:

Transfer the pumpkin seeds to another baking sheet (no paper towels this time) and mix with 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Spread the seeds out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 250 degrees Farenheight for one hour. Be sure to stir the seeds several times during to baking process to make sure they cook evenly. Once they are golden brown, remove from the oven and enjoy!

If you have any favorite Halloween snacks or recipes, let me know! I'm always looking for yummy recipes to try out.

So are you ready for Halloween? I can't wait to give the kids in my neighborhood a sugar high. I'm armed with candy and ready to go! Bring on the little tricksters and treaters! ;)

P.S. More yummy-licious recipes here. Looking for some spooky DIY Halloween decor? Check out these eerie lace candles. Eeps!

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Sewn: Colette Hazel

2013-09-23T21:44:00.001-04:00

Here it is... my first Colette Hazel dress! And, believe me, there will be more of these! Hands down, this is my favorite thing that I've sewn to date. I luv it, love it, LOVE it! (Did I mention how much I love it??!!) ;)

The fabric reminds me of a peacock with its bold patterns and colors. In fact, I call this my peacock dress. For a while, I had doubts that it was a good fabric choice for the dress. Would it be too much?? (Thoughts of me looking like I was draped in a tablecloth crept into my mind). But, I'm glad I stuck with my initial gut feeling and used this fun fabric for the dress. I'm so pleased with how it turned out! Sometimes, you've just got to take a risk.

The bodice with its three panel construction looks complicated and intimidating for a beginner, but it actually came together quite quick and easy. I love the shape it gives to the dress. It really nips in at the waist which makes it very flattering on the figure. Wowzer!

I cut a straight size 2 for the bodice and didn't need to make any alterations. Gotta love that! To mix it up a bit, I stole Tasia of Sewaholic's idea to add more fullness to the skirt. All it took was cutting out a size 18 skirt rather than the size 2 and creating lots (and lots and lots...) of gathers to make it fit the bodice.

My husband thinks it's a tad too voluminous on the bottom, but I like it. Next time, I'll try making a straight size 2 for the skirt to see how I like the slimmer version.

The hardest part for me was getting the straps to sit right. It took me several tries and I'm still not quite sure I got it exactly right.

I've come to the realization that I'm gonna need to invest in a dress form. Right now, fitting garments involves me contorting my body in the most grotesque positions as I try to pin garments on myself. You should have seen me trying to pin those dang straps on the back of the bodice.... sheesh! Let's just say it proved to be tricky. If you have any recommendations for a sturdy and affordable dress form, let me know! :)

I'm so in love with this dress and can't wait to make a few more. I've got so many ideas for The Hazel pattern in mind. (A peplum top, maybe??!). The pattern is so versatile, so I know I'll be getting a lot of use out of it. I'm glad I've added it to my collection.

Project Details:
Pattern: Colette Patterns Hazel Dress
Size: 2 for bodice; 18 for skirt for added fullness
Fabric: Amy Butler Cameo Hopscotch Pine
Difficulty: Beginner with some experience
Skills: Fitted bodice, inserting pockets, neckline facing (a first for me!)

So that's it! This wraps up the last of my summer sewing, and now I'm looking ahead to fall. I'm dying to try a few Megan Nielsen patterns. Right now, her Briar Top and Kelly Skirt are begging me to sew them. I'm also wanting to try my hand at the Colette Patterns Juniper pants. But, next on my sewing table I've got Simplicity 1801 in the works. All these patterns outta keep me busy for a while, don't ya think?!

So what are you planning to make for fall?

P.S. More of my sewing projects here.

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DIY: Monogram Charm Necklace

2013-09-06T09:13:00.003-04:00

Happpppy Frrrrrriday guys! I hope you have some awesome weekend plans in store. If crafting is on your agenda, be sure to check out this sweet monogram charm necklace DIY that I'm sharing over at Clairabellemakes. It's an easy, breezy project that makes a great gift for a friend (or for yourself)!! :)

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Off The Hook: Blooming Bolero

2013-08-29T21:36:00.000-04:00

I've had this granny square bolero project on my to-do list FOREVER. Seriously! The pattern came out in the May/June 2008 issue of Crochet Today!, and I've just now finished it up. Luckily, I still have a few weeks of summer left to wear it some before the crisp fall weather heads our way.

I love the playfulness of the colors and the traditional (and yet stylish update) of the granny square motif.

It was a fun pattern to work up and would be a great stash bustin' project for sure! Although, I have to admit I splurged on some new yarn for this one...

A lot of times with patterns, I like to change the colors used, but I loved this color scheme so much that I tried to match my hues as close to the original pattern as possible. I used Rowan Handknit Cotton in black, celery, sugar and bleached. I had purchased Yacht for my blue color, but decided it was a bit 'too blue' for the look I was going for. (Go figure... lol!) I ended up pulling out a pretty periwinkle color out from my stash. The yarn has been discontinued, but it is Tahki Yarn's New Tweed in 18 (purple, blue and silver).

Based on the pattern's yarn requirements, I bought two skeins of each yarn color, but ended up needing only one skein of each, except for the black, which I indeed needed two of.

I only had to make a few small adjustments to the pattern to get the fit right. On the sides, there was a set of cluster stitches on every row which decreased the overall number of stitches. I left those out after the first row and simply continued with the regular granny stitch from that point on to keep the sweater from getting too tight.

I also had to reset the sleeves a few times to keep them from bunching in the back.

Next time I make this sweater, I'd like to make it just a little longer in length. That will be an easy fix since all it will take is adding an extra row of the granny stitches along the bottom before working on the tie band.

Project Details:
Pattern: Blooming Bolero from the May/June 2008 Issue of Crochet Today!; Note: Erratta available here.
Size: Small
Yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton in black, celery, sugar and bleached; Tahki Yarn's New Tweed in 18 (discontinued)
Difficulty: Beginner level sweater project. The ties make it easy to fit the sweater to you!
Skills: Weaving in (lots and lots of) ends, garment construction, setting sleeves, granny squares

I'm so happy with this little sweater. The colors are so fun, and it is just the perfect size for keeping your shoulders warm on cool summer evenings.

So, do you guys have any fun projects you are working on now?

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Off the Hook: Crochet Flower Power Clutch

2013-08-19T08:56:00.000-04:00

Remember all those pretty Mollie Flowers I was crocheting a while back? Well, this adorable little clutch is what I made with them! I was inspired by the Pouf Purse design by April Garwood, which was featured in the May/June 2013 issue of Crochet Today!. The pattern is so feminine and pretty.

Here you can see bits and pieces of my progress...

1. Making Mollie Flowers was a lot of fun! I used some pretty blush toned yarns and a nice mustard for a pop of yellow in the centers. (P.S. If you like the mollie flowers, I found a couple of helpful tutorials here and here.)

2. Seaming the flowers together took a bit of time.

3. I sewed together a sweet little zipper pouch in a coordinating polka dot material. It was my first time sewing a pouch like this and inserting a standard zipper, so that was a fun challenge. I found this video tutorial by I Heart Stitching really helpful in putting this together. If you don't sew, you could easily buy a zippered pouch and make your flowers cover the dimensions.

4. In went the pouch...

5. A little bit of stitching finished it up.

And, that was it! I love how sweet this little clutch is. The original pattern called for a chain shoulder strap, but I like the simplicity of leaving it as a clutch.

The polka dot material is a fun surprise on the inside...

Project Details:

Pattern: Inspired by Pouf Purse by April Garwood, May/June 2013 Issue of Crochet Today!

Yarn: Various blush tones and a mustard from my stash. (This is a great stash bustin' project!)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Skills: seaming motifs together, sewing a zippered pouch

I really love the texture the flowers add to the clutch. I'm even thinking of making another clutch using the daisy flower pattern I created recently. That could be a fun twist on the floral motif!

Stay tuned, because my next crochet project is the Blooming Bolero from the May/June 2008 Issue of Crochet Today!. I'm hoping to wrap it up soon so that I can get a few wears in before fall weather arrives and it gets too chilly. You can see some of my progress over on Instagram here and here. Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram for more sneak peeks of upcoming projects!

So, are you guys like me and still hung up on summer projects, or are you already looking ahead to fall?

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Sewn: Batik Shorts (Simplicity 1887)

2013-08-05T11:28:00.000-04:00

It's official... I've made my first pair of shorts!! Thanks to everyone who voted over on Instagram and Facebook. I was secretly hoping that shorts would win the vote so that I could conquer my fear of sewing bottoms! Your excitement over the shorts encouraged me to take the leap!

These were definitely a fun challenge. I used Simplicity 1887 and made View C. I decided to leave off the ties at the waist, because I felt they were a bit too much with the bold batik fabric. With these shorts I had a few challenges including sewing pockets, adding pleats and creating an elastic waistband.

I was surprised how easily these came together, even for a beginner like myself. I initially cut a Size 8, but then had to take them in about 2 inches, because they were HUGE!! Note to self... must learn to select correct pattern size. I'm always scared of picking a size too small and not having enough room to fiddle with when fitting.

I shortened the hem at the bottom to make them look less like 'mom' shorts. I also hand stitched the hem with a catchstitch (a helpful trick I learned when sewing my Colette Patterns Laurel dress). I made sure to pull the stitches through the navy areas of the fabric in the front of the shorts. This concealed the stitches I made with the navy thread and gave a nice clean look to the shorts.

Alright, and now for the all important booty shot.... ;)

Hands down my biggest challenge in sewing these shorts was inserting the elastic waistband, which also seems to be a recurrent challenge for me. Sheesh!! I struggled with this before when I was inserting the waistband in my first skirt.

I redid the waistband on these shorts twice and despite my efforts, that dang elastic kept folding over itself!!! Arrrrrrgg! I had such a tricky time trying to pull it through the casing. After my second attempt (and no improvement), I decided just to leave waistband as it was. After all, I usually wear my shirts over my shorts like so...

... and, since my shirt covers the waistband and you can't even see the wonky elastic! (Shhhh... don't tell!) If you guys have any advice on how to insert elastic without blood, sweat and tears... please let me know. I could use it! (Maybe I need to make the casing a tad roomier or find a stiffer elastic??)

Even with my elastic woes, I'm still loving these shorts. They are so comfy. I love the batik fabric pattern, roomy pockets, and (as long as my wonky elastic waistband is hidden) I think they are pretty stylish too.

Project Details:

Pattern: Simplicity 1887, View C without ties
Fabric: Tonga Batik Calypso Woodcut China (from fabric.com // similar options here)
Difficulty: Beginner
Skills: Inserting pockets, creating pleats, adding an elastic waistband
Detailed views: Front, Back, Inside
Future ideas: Make the pants version & alter the pattern to be more fitted and include a zipper closure (as seen over at Errant Pear)

Overall, I'm really pleased with the shorts. I'd even like to try sewing the pants variation too. Right now, I'm on the hunt for the perfect fabric. I'm thinking I'd like to try fabric with a bold floral pattern for the pants. We'll see!

I've got my fingers crossed that I'll have better luck with the waistband on my next try. I also like how Claire of Errant Pear installed a zipper rather than doing the elastic waistband. The look is clean, fitted, and best of all... there is no elastic to fiddle with (YAY)! I'd love to try that look one of these days as well. It could be a fun challenge. Gosh, I have so much I want to sew and so little time....

So, have you guys tackled any projects that were out of your comfort zone lately?

P.S. You can find more of my sewing projects here.

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DIY: 'That's a Wrap' Fabric Covered Boxes

2013-08-01T21:21:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to be participating in the Dear Stella Challenge over at Kollabora! For this challenge several bloggers were chosen to make something creative with fabrics we received from Dear Stella.

My project is a simple decorative box that anyone can make. There is no need for a sewing machine for this one! Plus, this project is a great way to use up fabric scraps, and we could all use a little extra storage space, right?!

Ready to create some fabulous storage boxes?!

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

Stuff You'll Need:

Coordinating fabrics of your choice (Mine are from the Dear Stella Paloma collection.)

Matte Formula Mod Podge

Cardboard or Paper Mache boxes (You could even reuse old shoe boxes!)

Scissors

Ruler

Paintbrush

Embellishments (Anything you'd like to add to give personality to your boxes.)

Method:

1. We will need to make a pattern to cover the box. My fabric piece is already cut here, but I'd like to show you how I got the dimensions. First, put the box top down on the fabric and trace it's outline with a fabric disappearing ink marker.

2. Next, turn the box up on its side and trace along the outer edges. You'll need to trace along both long ends and both short ends of the box so that you've covered all four sides. This will create flaps that we can use to wrap around the box.

3. Below, you can see that on the right and left sides I added 1/4 inch allowance on all three sides of the flap. For the top and bottom, I added a 1/4 inch allowance only on the long edge. Once you've added the extra allowance, you can cut out the pattern. Be sure to snip into the allowance on all four corners (as shown by the dotted lines in the picture below.) This will allow us to wrap the fabric around the corners of the box.

4. Now, glue the fabric to the base of the box. Be sure to use a very thin coat of the Mod Podge and make sure it isn't streaky. You don't want it to seep through the fabric. Next, wrap the fabric around the short sides. It is a lot like wrapping a present. Be sure to wrap the extra allowance around the side of the box. This will create a nice clean corner.

Here is what the inside looks like:

5. Lastly, fold up the long side of the fabric. Use a dab of Mod Podge along the raw edge of the corner to keep the fabric from fraying. Now that you have the box lid complete, all that is left is to cover the bottom of your box using the same steps. That is all there is to creating a beautiful customized storage box!

You can have so much fun embellishing your boxes. On this box I did some embroidery before I glued the fabric to the box. These are french knots. I love the texture and touch of punchy color they add to the box.

I also had fun embellishing with metallic studs. These were supposed to be iron-on studs, but I wasn't able to get them to stick with the iron. I ended up just gluing them in place, which did the trick! There is always a way to make things work. (I'm thinking the studs may have adhered better with the iron if I had put them straight onto the fabric before I had attached the fabric to the box. Live and learn!)

I'm planning to put these beauties in my craft room, because I'm in a desperate need of crafty storage. How is it that us crafters collect so much stuff?!!

So, how would you decorate your boxes? I'd love to hear your ideas!

P.S. If you'd like to follow me on Kollabora, you can find me here. It is such a fun and creative online community!

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Chatting With: Joyful Treasure Hunting

2013-07-31T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hi guys! Today, I'm chatting with my bloggy friend Rachael of Joyful Treasure Hunting. She is probably the thriftiest gal I know, and she is always sharing the most amazing thrifted finds on her blog. Since I made a goal to be more thrifty, I thought it would be fun to chat with Rachael and learn some of her thrifting tips and tricks. This girl really knows her stuff!

So, Rachael, how did you get into thrift shopping?

Growing up my parents always took us to garage sales, but I just did not care that much about it. I did not have a home of my own to decorate, and I didn't have any idea what my style was. When I got married in 2009 my husband and I did not have very much money. With visions of a beautiful apartment in my head the only way I was going to get my dream apartment was to shop the thrift stores. I was very hesitant at first, but he kept telling me that I could find a ton of cool stuff if I just open my eyes. It did not take long for me to fall in love with the thrill of the hunt, and the amazing deals I was finding. My apartment was constantly changing and all on a small budget. I love it!

There are so many great places to thrift (antique stores, the Goodwill, estate and yard sales). Do you have a favorite place to go?

My favorite would have to be thrift stores. Specifically small locally owned thrift stores. The larger chain thrift stores have caught on to the fact that thrift store shopping is becoming more trendy and the prices are getting higher, but a small thrift store is where you can find the great deals. Plus most of the money you spend at a local thrift store usually go to a charity or organization you have actually heard of. I like thrift stores because I can go whenever I have free time where as yard sales are usually on the weekends. Now don't get me wrong I still get myself up early on Saturday for a good sale, but I prefer sleeping in and hitting the thrift stores later in the day.

Haggling (eeps!)!! I'm terrible at this! Do you haggle on the prices of items? If so, do you have any tips?

I will haggle (sometimes) If I feel comfortable with the seller I will ask for a lower price, but if the person intimidates me or if I plain think the price is a good deal I won't say a peep and I will gladly hand over my money. I bought a box of chip board letters recently, and he was asking $5.00 for the whole box. Not a bad price at all, but I knew I only had $4.00 cash in my wallet and maybe enough change in my car to make $5.00. I asked him if he would take $4.00 for it and he said "nope". It happens sometimes so I quickly dashed over to my car and dug out enough change to give him $5.00.

Do you go out thrifting with a specific item in mind, or do you just browse and see what grabs your eye while you're looking around?

I have found when I have a specific item in mind I leave the store very disappointed because nine out of ten times you won't find your wished for item right away. I try to keep a list on my phone of things I am looking for, but for the most part thrift shopping is more rewarding for me when I go with an open mind and not a shopping list.

What are your favorite things to thrift for?

PYREX! I love the patterns and the happy colors. I have a large collection that continues to grow, and I am always happy to bring home a new piece. After Pyrex I would say Furniture and then clothes. My wardrobe is 90% thrifted, and I am proud of that fact for sure. I buy wonderful good quality pieces for hardly anything, and that is so much fun for me. Plus my husband really appreciates that I buy second hand.

Thanks for chatting, Rachael! It was fun to pick your brain for some thrifting pointers.

P.S. Rachael also did a little Q&A with me about my thrifting experiences as a newbie thrifter. You can check it out here.

So, do you guys thrift? Do you have any thrifting tips or stories you'd like to share?

DIY: Crochet Daisy Chain Necklace

2013-07-24T08:54:00.000-04:00

Remember those daisy chain necklaces we made when we were kids? Well, this version is all grown up! I was inspired by this amazing necklace from the Red Valentino Spring 2013 collection, and knew that I had to add some cheery petals to my jewelry collection as well. A little bit of yarn and a few crocheted daisies later, and I had a couture daisy necklace of my own!

Ready to put some petals in your jewelry box as well?

HERE'S THE HOW TO:

1. I created this cute crochet daisy pattern to make the flowers for the necklace. I used a total of nine daisies. You can make more or less daisies depending on the look you are going for. (Tip: If you don't crochet, you could just as easily use fake daisy flowers from your craft store, or make some using felt.)

2. Once you have your daisies, figure out how you'd like to arrange them on your necklace. Then, sew them to a piece of felt as shown below. I sewed my daisies onto a large piece of felt that I later trimmed back so that the felt edges wouldn't be seen when the necklace is worn.

3. Attach some straps. I used braided strands of yarn for my straps, although I'm thinking of switching them out for some silk ribbon (the wool yarn I used is a bit scratchy on my neck).

Here is what the back of my necklace looks like:

4. I decided to block my flowers to keep the petals a bit more spread out. To do this, I dampened the petals with a wet cloth and then pinned the petals out so that they'd hold their shape:

With the petals held back a bit, the pretty pop of yellow in the flower centers really stands out.

And, that's all there is to it!

This necklace was so much fun to make and is even more fun to wear! You could play around with different flower motifs, mix up the colors and even change the arrangement of the flowers on the necklace for a whole new look!

So, who's ready to make some daisy chains?!!

P.S. Like my white eyelet top? You can sew your own! Learn more on that here.

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