DIY Rhinestone Bracelet

Let's say you have your eye on a dreamy piece of clothing, but you're just not in the mood to buy it. The next phase of that scenario is discontentment.  Hmm. Not a good place to be. Here is my solution to the problem: create it yourself. 

You will have the best of both worlds; creating what you love, and owning what you love.  

I really love stacked wrist attire, but I don't own too many bracelets that would pile up well. When I saw this picture it was like a lightbulb. "I can make that!". And I did.

Here is the directions so you can start stacking your wrists.

1. Measure out how long you want the chain to be for your wrist. Cut two strands of chain and one strand of rhinestones to the before mentioned length. (My rhinestones were too long so I cut them to the proper length and reattached the end clamp.) 
2. Attach the three ends and the clasp to a solo link of chain.
3. Double up your embroidery thread and use it as one strand (be generous with the length, you need more than you think). 
4. Pull the thread through the top link on one end of the bracelet, centering the strand and leaving you with a long doubled strand on each side.
5. Weave one side down in a screw-type spiral making sure each wrap-around goes over the link between rhinestones. Do the same on the other side, mirror imaging the previous side. The back should be a row of "X"s.
6. Tie them off at the bottom of the chain completing your bracelet!

I hope this is helpful for you!

Back To Basics

My Aunt Celesta, and her two children, Audrey Kate, and Evan, just left our house today with sadness in all our hearts. But isn't that how lovely times always feel when ended? We had a wonderful, too-short visit.

The agenda for our few days was to learn canning and a follow-up sewing lesson from their first class in April. I believe they aced the test! Aunt Celesta and Audrey Kate are great little seamstresses and Auntie can now can away!

Crafty

Our craft room oozes inspiration. You can hardly walk by without being caught in the trap. In many ways that is good.

My Auntie, and her family, joined us a few weeks ago to learn how to sew. They started on paper and then at the end of class two, had made shoe bags.

I was slightly distracted by other inspirations such as jewelry making...:).

Is anyone else getting spring fever? I am in the mood to paint almost everything in the house. Color is calling my name this year.

How to make earring studs.

I love Washi tape, y'all. It's a pretty cute thing out there. Back at my birthday party we bought washi tape to write on for the glass cups, making preassigned drink-ware. Long story short it didn't come for the party so now we have a roll sitting in our craftroom.  I used it.

Read How To >>>

Bead Box

My favorite bead organizer (a tackle box) containing the prettiest of my collection.  

House Happies

Nesting falls in the category of beautiful organization.  I am constantly inspired to do every cute thing that comes to my attention, but, alas, we can't do them all, can we?  It still doesn't keep me from having favorites that I put on my 'round-tuit' list.  Here is just the icing on the cake:

Geometric wall prints

Hang your keys

Bracelets on a bottle

Window organization

Pillows (with my new favorite pattern: chevrons)

Suitcase table

And other vintage house happies


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Here is a great article on organization.

DIY Striped Bag

When I was shopping in a store, here in Savannah, I found a bag that was SO cute, but a little over priced. When I got home I set myself to work recreating that same bag.  It was about the size of a cosmetic case with a wide shiny stripe at the bottom and a gold zipper. I didn't have shiny paint, but I did have fabric paint (which is all I needed).

Read How-to>>>

The New Vase

It is so much fun to change the little things.  When you put flowers in that old glass bottle, the one you almost threw away, or the one that collects dust on a shelf;  let it add style to the table.  Mix and match. Play around!

If you don't have one sitting around, you can look for them at yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or you can buy a new one at the grocery store :).  After a little cleaning out they are good to go!  What I think adds fun to the mix is matching them with flowers that accent them well. Color block, color blend, or match exactly.

They really are beautiful placed around your house.

 

Welcome to our new craft room!

We have officially finished redoing our new craft room! It is such a happy, fun place with a vintage workroom feel to it.  It even has a reading area/sewing couch.  I personally love my little cubby with my BIG bulletin board hanging on the wall (I don't have a photo).  We're so excited about working in here.  Already, we've made a dress, a skirt, covered valances, made seat cushions for patio chairs, covered a seat cushion and a stool.

Take a look around, why don'tcha!

(photos by Kay Heritage)

How To Make A Skirt Without A Pattern

My new skirt!*

I was getting the spring thrills. Excitement was egging me on to work faster and faster. I was so happy about this cute little skirt I was making...a summer skirt out of fabric I've been wanting to wear for years and I finally just made it.  My sister had a dress out of it when she was five and I wore it next.  It has memories.

When you find out how simple/easy/quick it is you can turn them out like hotcakes.  It is really exciting!  I made this first skirt out of sail boats at a slower pace, but the next one I made only took me about three to four hours, start to finish.

I put a pocket in the second one. I just love pockets!

Making a skirt without a pattern is quite simple, believe it or not.  Really all you need is measurements and fabric.  I started thinking about how I could make a skirt without a pattern when I was making colonial petticoats for reenacting(they don't require patterns).  Simple. It turns out so cute.


So here's how to make a custom skirt that fits you (with photo tutorial):


Read More >>>

*On the blue-green skirt I added a darker blue fabric to the bottom for the hem.

Making Your Own Key Ring

                                                                                                                                                           I have always admired my sister's classy key ring.

I have been wanting to make one for myself, but never had a real reason to do so. I decided to make myself one a few days ago, now that I am driving, and put keys on it as I acquire them. 

When we made my sister's, we had an embroidery machine, but ours is broken so I needed to choose a different method.  This opened up options and so I decided freehand my initials on the ribbon.  Nice and rustic, don't you think?

Instructions:  (See following pictures )

• Cut a 2 inch wide ribbon about 12 inches long (lengthen an inch or two for a longer name). 
• Choose a thick thread* (about three strands of a normal spool).
• Fold the two ribbon ends down about 1/4 inch on each end.  
• Line the two folded edges up together evenly. Pin.
• Make a knot in the thread and start your knot on the folded, inner raw edge (so it is unseen), and bring your needle straight up through to the top.
• Sew all the way around, pivoting at the corners, and when you reach the top, pivot about 1/4-1/2 inch before the end which makes a small casing for the key ring to slip through.
• For your name or initials, you will find the middle of the rectangle and write your name in chalk or a washable pin.  Start writing the middle letter first (unless you are writing in cursive**). Working out to the sides.  The reason you write the middle letter first is because it makes it easier to center the name properly.

*I used embroidery thread and separated it in half.

**For cursive: write your name in chalk and start at the beginning-end. .

Start by folding down each end by 1/4 inch.

Make a knot and start your seam in the folded edge. (You can hide your knot under the folded edge.)

Do a basic running stitch (in and out) making each stitch roughly the same length. At this point the front and back will look the same. 

(Back of finished key tag)

Sew a rectangle, pivoting at each corner.  When you make it to the folded edge, turn your stitch line about 1/4-1/2 inches away from the edge. 

Finished project!  You should go personalize your key chain, too!

Introducing Molly E. Designs!

Come by and take a peek at my new creations...

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Domesticity

Take a peek at the most adorable apron my sweet brother gave me for Christmas. 

During Christmas break, I decided to duplicate it. I then copied the pattern and made two more.  They are fabulous gifts and I only wish I had enough for everyone.

 

When I wear theses beauties, I feel very domestic.  All I need is a 40's dress and high heels to do the trick!

What fun gift did you receive for Christmas?