Valentine's Day: Make

Like I was saying, Valentine's day is right around the corner.  And although I'm sure you have everything totally planned out - flowers ordered, gifts wrapped, reservations made - I found these great ideas and thought I'd throw them up here just for the heck of it... to look at... not that you need help...cause you don't.
*wink*

 

                                                                   1.  Gumball Necklace  

                                                                   2.  Stitching on Greenery

                                                                   3.  Framed Heart         

                                                                   4.  Wire Font

And while we're on the subject of gifts, I thought I'd share something I've made.  On my journey to awaken my Lucia I've become somewhat of a novice seamstress...and by novice I mean I know how to sew a straight stitch in something that somewhat resembles a straight line... sort of.  But I'm trying, and I've had a ton of inspiration.  One being my cousin.  She taught herself how to sew and quilt and embroider and I think she's awesome.  For my baby shower she made me the most adorable bib and burp cloth set.  I loved it so much I decided to copy her design (thanks Ang!) for my neighbor who just had a baby.  Imitation is the best form of flattery, right?  Well, here's the gift set I made - bib and teething necklace. 

As with each of my sewing projects, I learn a frustrating helpful lesson.  Lesson of the day - make your cuts exact!  I was so careful when cutting the main fabric, but rushed through cutting the terrycloth (the back) because I was too anxious to get to the sewing part - resulting in frustration and a bib with flaws.  Which brings me to lesson #2 - Don't get upset with your husband when he tells you it looks great!  He's being sweet - even if you know it looks terrible, don't insist he say that.  You know what I mean ladies.  Well, regardless, I'm proud of it and hopefully the new mommy getting it gets distracted by the pretty fabric and doesn't notice it's misshapen. 

Thanks for tuning in!  Have a wonderful Thursday!

Waking Wednesday Hiatus

Dear friends,

I'm sorry to say that Waking Wednesday (not Waking Lucia!) is taking a pause.  Not by choice, but because the once free website that hosted the link parties is now charging for their service.  I understand the need for them to charge, and it's really quite reasonable, but my monies need to be spent elsewhere for the time being.   I'm sorry for the short notice, I actually just saw it myself, but I hope you'll continue to stop by.   Perhaps I'll figure out how to do a flicker group where we can still all share our ideas.  We'll see, but for now Wednesdays will be filled with great craft ideas I've found around the web - which is fun too! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in Waking Wednesdays.  It means so much to me that you would think to include me in your craft journey.  You've inspired me and others time and time again.  All I can say is you ladies rock!

Felt Rose Hair Pin Tutorial

Valentine's day is literally right around the corner, and although it may not be a holiday of Christmas-y proportions, there's no better time to show those in your life you think they're special!  I don't know about you, but there are a lot of special people in my life, but I don't have deep pockets - so sweet and simple is the name of the game.  In the same boat?  Well, here's a super easy, super cheap, super fast idea... felt rose hair pins!

Here's what you need:

felt, glue gun, scissors, bobby pin  

1.  cut out a felt circle.  I traced a circle onto a piece of cardboard first to use as a rough template.  I decided on one that was approximately 1 1/2" in diameter.  

2.  Cut your circle into a spiral.

3.  Start in the middle of your spiral and start rolling all the way around, dotting with glue as you go.  It sounds easy, and it is, but don't get frustrated if it isn't exactly the way you want it on the first try.  As with making any rolled flower, the more you do it the better you get.  Your rose is complete, but we're not done yet!

4.  Cut out a small circle (just eyeball it) to cover the back.  I like to use contrasting colors, but that's just my preference.  

5.  Now.  Take your little circle and slide it into your bobby pin all the way to the back.  

6.  Squirt a big ol' glob of hot glue onto that small circle and bobby pin and stick it onto the back of your cute little rose.

7.  Voila!  Love on a bobby pin.

Thanks for reading - I think you're special!  If I could, I'd make one for you!

{Fashionista Friday}

This Friday we're going to add some sass to our nails!  I think we can all agree that O.P.I. has a monopoly in the awesome nail polish department.  It's only fitting, then, that they come out with this bottle of greatness.  I give you... Black Shatter


It's a top coat you add over your favorite color to give your nails a "shattered" look.  How cool is that?

Here are a few examples...

I admit, when looking at this picture the word "cougar" comes to mind (just to be clear I'm not talking about the animal).  But I think this could really look cute with the right color (say a gold, pewter, or - dare I say- brown color) and the right outfit.  I think the key is to down-play your outfit and jewelry and let the nails do the talking.  

Not sure which O.P.I. color to try?  No worries!  Try before you buy with their "Try on This Color" feature.  It goes something like this...

You can chose a color then adjust your skin tone and nail length to personalize your... hand.  

Now go show your nails some love... they deserve it!

  

Waking Wednesday #11

Welcome to Waking Wednesday!  Because I was a naughty girl and took last week off, I have double the featured links to share with you so it's like Christmas all over again!  Everyone did such a great job, I wish I could feature everything, but alas that would be redundant and not special at all.  From now on I will be sharing 3 or 4 projects that were submitted each week.  Let's get started, shall we?

Amanda of The Ivy Cottage shared how to make your own chargers.  You have to check this out... so smart!

She also turned a boring old sheet cake into sweet Valentine's treats!  Who says cake needs to stay rectangular?  

Stephanie of Double Equis made the cutest baby gift set!  She did such a great job on the baby snuggie... If my little guy wasn't so chunky, I'd attempt one and stuff him in it!

Lisa over at The Pursuit of Happiness transformed her brick fireplace.  It turned out great, I'm quite impressed!  The biggest house project I ever undertook was painting my cabinets.  Great job!

Gail over at Can't Stop Making Things made the prettiest chandelier glass pendant out of an estate sale find.  

Shantel of It's a Priceless Life up-cycled a cd into a sweet frame.  What a clever idea for that pile of obsolete disks we all have!

And those crazy Three Sisterz share some really great and easy Valentine's Day gift ideas.  Really, they're effortless yet so cute!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated.  You're projects were all top notch, I wish I could feature every one of them!  

Let's see what you've got this week!!

Remember:

1.  Become a follower

2.  Post your great ideas

3.  Visit someone else's great idea

4.  Grab a button!