A Variety of Headbands for Your Viewing Pleasure!

Someday Crafts is sponsoring a headband linky party this week. I checked it out and was inspired to whip up a few headbands of my own! I hope you find some inspiration here!

Black Lace Flower Headband

Gold Flower and Lace Headband




Red Rose Headband

White Lace Headband

(All headbands are available in my shop. All are $10- except the gold flower will be $10.50- with $2.50 shipping.)

Blooming Sash Belts

I haven't been blogging much this week because I have been busy creating a new product for Yellow Blackbird!

Introducing... The Blooming Sash Belt!

All of the flowers are shown on black satin ribbon but can be put on another color or style of ribbon. The ribbon is cut 2 yards long (unless another size is requested) as to tie a bow in the back. The flowers are placed off center to be worn on the side of the body.

The Blooming Sash Belt is currently available in the following colors:

Pink

Hot Pink Black (I've already sold 2 of these!)

White

Red

These belts would be perfect for bridesmaids! They can also be worn to the office, church, parties, or even everyday!

The Blooming Sash Belt will also be available in black and white lace.

(As soon as I can get them listed!)

These belts are only $15.00 each. If you order 4 or more they are only $12.00 each!

If the color you like is sold out, just wait and it will be relisted, or contact me for a custom order.

Click HERE to see the belts in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for letting me shamelessly self-promote.

ALMOST 100 FOLLOWERS!!! I can't believe it!!! Thanks everyone!!!

Nautical Jewelry Tutorial

Many of you may have probably seen the tutorial for the sailor's knot bracelets on Etsy, especially because it was featured on U-Create. When I saw the tutorial I knew I had to try it! I immediately went to the craft store and bought some cord. Read on to see how it went and get my advice.

This photo was the first time (after a couple of tries) that I successfully finished the bracelet. It wasn't too bad, but it was way too big! I used a soup can like they suggested, but it was too big for me. I have really tiny wrists.

I used this smaller can of baking powder to create my bracelet. If you want one in small size use a can like this.

It took a few more tries until I got it looking (almost) perfect. I was really happy with how it turned out- except one thing. I had tons of cord left! The instructions called for 3 1/2 yards and I had a little over 1 yard left. If you want to make a small bracelet buy a little less cord!

I had to come up with some other use for the cord and this is what I got:

I love it! I didn't take step-by-step pictures because I was experimenting but I will explain what to do:

-Arrange your cord in a design you like on a piece of cardstock.

-Dip a toothpick in strong glue like E-6000 (go outside to use this smelly glue!).

-Place the toothpick between two pieces of touching cord. Squeeze the cord together and pull the toothpick out.

-Repeat with all places where the cord is touching. Let dry

The clasp isn't very professional; I know there are much better methods out there but I just wanted to use what I had on hand. Here is a how-to:

-Wrap the ends of the cord in clear tape to keep it from fraying.

-Hot glue chain to the taped cord.

-Hot glue ribbon over the tape and chain, tucking the ends of the ribbon under to prevent fraying.

-Attach a clasp to the chain using jewelry pliers.

I was a little surprised at how much my husband liked this one, seeing as how it is a bit different. But I love it! I am wearing it as I am writing this!

I should not have taken these photos on a white background. Oh well...

This post will be linked to:

It's So Very Cheri
Hope Studios
Tea Rose Home
Blue Cricket Design
Someday Crafts
Tatertots and Jello

Click HERE to see their buttons and other parties I regularly participate in!

Happy Birthday to Me! (Rosette and Pearl Statement Necklace)

Sunday is my birthday. As you can tell I like to keep my birthday very quiet and not let anyone know about the big day- NOT! I love to tell everyone about birthday! So to everyone out there in blog land- it's my birthday!!!!

I decided to make myself a birthday gift- this fabulous rosette statement necklace!

The rosettes are made from a pillowcase. The thick material was great for keeping the roses together. I glued a pearl to each rose. I wound the pearl trim around the roses, hot gluing every few beads to the fabric. Next, I glued the whole thing on felt and attached the chain by hooking a jump ring on the pearl trim.

Due to my birthday being on Sunday and family parties on Saturday, my husband took me out for my birthday date on Friday. I proudly wore my new necklace!

This post will be linked to:

It's So Very Cheri
Tatertots and Jello
Someday Crafts
Blue Cricket Design
Tea Rose Home

Click HERE to see their buttons and other parties I regularly participate in!

Refashion #5 Rosette Tee

I know this is not a new idea. Rosette tees are all over the place. But I thought I would share my version with you!

This is the second of my Old Navy basic $5 tees. (Click here to see the first project. There's one more to go and it is something special!)

I created the rosettes out of black, white, and gray t-shirts. I chose to use t-shirts so the roses wouldn't fray. If you haven't made these roses yet click here for a tutorial I found online to show you how. They are so easy and cute!

Arrange the rosettes on your t-shirt. I always play around for a few minutes to find the perfect arrangement. Then I take a photo of my project so I can look back at the arrangement in case it gets messed up during the gluing or sewing.

I took the advice of my blog readers and purchased some fabric glue. I used that to attach the flowers instead of my standard hot glue treatment.

I left the tags on because this shirt was a gift. I just wanted to try it on to make sure that the roses looked okay and didn't pop off. Sorry Callie! But while I had it on I snapped a few pictures!

Refashion #4 Tule Flowers Tee

Here is another simple, fun t-shirt refashion.

Materials:
T-shirt
Another shirt of the same color that can be cut up
A little bit of (white) tule
Seed beeds

I started with a basic t-shirt from Old Navy. (Tomorrow, 7/22, is the last day of their basics sale. This shirt is only $5. I bought 3 of them.)

Cut random geometric shapes from the other t-shirt. I cut different sizes so I could layer the shapes.

Do the same thing with the tule. Cut random geometric shapes in different sizes.
(Sorry, no picture.)

Stack the shapes on top of each other from largest to smallest.

Sew the flowers together by folding it in half and stitching a couple of times. Then fold it in half another direction and do again. This creates dimension.

Add beads to the center. On some flowers I did one bead in the center, and three on others. (Remember that odd numbers look better in designs.)

Arrange the flowers along the neckline of the t-shirt and sew or glue them on.

I like it. It is different than any other shirt I have. What do you think?

Stay tuned! More refashions coming up soon!

In addition to my favorite linky parties on the sidebar this post will be linked up to:

Whatever Goes Wednesday
(button won't work, sorry)

Gratification

Do you ever create something and are just so pleased and gratified by it?

Retro Button Necklace Tutorial

Somewhat recently I was at my mother-in-laws house browsing magazines. I was looking through O Magazine and saw this necklace from Lenora Dame featured. I about fell off the couch when I saw how much it cost. Look at the picture and take a guess at the price.

Did you guess $70?!? If yes, then you were correct. I couldn't believe how expensive it was! I knew that I could make my own for much, much less! Doesn't my necklace look just as good? : )

Here is the how-to:

Materials:
Variety of buttons
Tiger-tail wire
2 crimp beads
2 Jump rings
Clasp
Chain or ribbon

Gather your buttons. I used a variety of vintage buttons given to me by my grandma.

Cut a piece of wire the desired length of the button portion of your necklace, plus about 4 inches.

Put on a crimp bead, then a jump ring, then loop the wire back through the crimp bead. Pull it tight and squish the bead with jewelry pliers.

I decided to start with two wooden beads. They help with the retro look.

String the buttons along the wire until there is only about 2 inches of wire left. Be sure to end with the beads!

Add a crimp bead and jump ring to the wire. Just like before, loop the wire back through the crimp bead. Pull it tight, thread the extra wire down through the wooden beads, and smash the crimp bead.

Hint: If you use beads on the end that have really big openings you will have a hard time keeping the crimp bead from slipping in to the hole. Add another bead with a small hole on the end before you put on the crimp beads.

Add a chain (or ribbon) to the jump rings and a clasp at the back. That's it!

Click HERE to purchase this necklace from Yellow Blackbird!

I also made a necklace using gold chain and beads more like the Lenora Dame necklace.

Click HERE to purchase this gold necklace from Yellow Blackbird!

If you like shirt refashion projects be sure to become a follower. I have FIVE refashion projects coming up this week and next!

In addition to my favorite linky parties on the sidebar, this post will be linked up to:

TODAY'S CREATIVE BLOG (Sorry, I can't get the button to work)