Boutique Chic
As anyone who knows me well is aware, I love nice things… but hate to pay so much for them. In fact, I often find myself going shops like Anthropolgy fully prepared to buy something stunning – only to leave empty handed. I usually find something I love but think to myself “I could totally make that. . .” And most of the time I am right. With a little trial and error I end up creating lots of fun pieces for a fraction of the cost! {yes I buy things. sometimes I just dont have time to make it, or I just love the piece that I found. I just don’t like feeling like I am being robbed…}
Now you can too. Flower headbands are everywhere. Take a moment to make one of your very own. It is fun and easy to do. As a bonus for a limited time - CLICK HERE or the image above to download a pdf of this project as seen in the pages of Simply Handmade magazine. (April/May 2010 Issue) The magazine is full of fabulous ideas and is available in print or in digital format!
Leave a comment today and you will be entered to win a copy of this inspiring magazine.
supplies Patterned paper, stickers, journaling cards (A Walk in the Park by Echo Park Paper) kraft cardstock (bazzill)
This week’s giveaway is an Echo Park – A Walk in the Park complete kit. The sophmore line for this new paper company really hit it on the mark. This line is a richly colored line perfect for summer photos, girls, boys, and will even take you back to school and into the fall. The creative possibilities are endless. Be sure to swing by their FB Fan page and say hello. You will find lots of fun projects, inspiration, and yes.. freebies!
To win, visit the blog each day and leave a comment. Each comment is an entry for the drawing. Friday morning I will pull the lucky winner… simple and easy. Have a great weekend!
TIP: For this layout I created, I wanted to save some of the yellow patterned paper that the layout is built on. So I cut a 8×8 sqare from the very center of the page. Then, I mounted the 10×10 square of Kraft cardstock and added machine stitching. That way, I can still use the pattern that would have otherwise just been covered up!
On the most recent episode of the Paperclipping Roundtable, our topic of the day was how to use old products.
This show features Jennifer McGuire, me, and of course our hosts Noell Hyman andNancy Nally. (with our producer and resident male Izzy)
It just so happens that my pick of the week is a great tool for using up old patterned papers that you just no longer love. A pattern may be a bit outdated in full 12×12 form. But in smaller tags, cards, and labels… the pattern looks great! The new EK Success Slim Line includes some really useful/cute shapes. Be sure to listen to the show for lots of ideas from the whole panel using old items, and loving them!
This show is a lot of fun and chock full of tips and techniques.
You may also like some of these previous tips for using older product.
Remember photo corners? Check out some refreshing ways to use these stash staples.
Window shadow boxes are a great way to use up random chipboard.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Join us FRIDAY 6/25 for a fun giveaway!
A few years ago, I was totally inspired by a project that Ali Edwards created. She used a printers tray to create a beautiful wall display. Well, its been almost two years since I found and purchased a couple vintage printers trays… and they are still empty.
supplies: Paper, stickers, and journaling cards (“A Walk in the Park” by Echo Park Paper)
But these little inexpensive house shaped trays are really fast to put together. This one I created in just 20 min. using just a single picture. I have also used smaller houses – like the one below - (about 5″x7″ in size) for baby shower gifts. Perfect for a new nursery.
And here is the first little shadowbox house that I made about 4 years ago~
A couple years ago I created these little baby shirts for my sister’s baby shower. Recently a friend of mine requested I post the pattern. So here it is! Click here to download a printable PDF. And for you Silhouette owners I also have a link to a gsd file of the same pattern.
Click here to download the pdf with instructions and the pattern. bittybaby
Click here to download the gsd file. (in a zip file) bodytwo
One thing that summer means to me… FLIP FLOPS! I Love Flip Flops. I especially love that they are available in every color, style, and at times cost only a $1. I decided to get into my stash of ribbon ends… those little leftover pieces too short to tie… and embellish these $1 flip flops.
1. Brush your favorite ribbon with Ribbonstiff. Let dry. (the ribbons I used here are all Strano Designs ribbon)
2. Using your favorite punch or die cut system, cut out the desired number of flowers.
3. Adhere the flowers to the top of your flip flop using hot glue. OR if you want to be able to change it up a little, build your flowers onto a piece of velcro, and add a velcro dot to the top of the sandal, that way, you can change at will!
4. Add just a touch of BLING. You can use a permanent glue, but I like to use Hot Fix crystals. I find they last longer and I always use real crystals for my wearables.
