I Heart Faces

This is my first entry for the I Heart Faces photo challenge. The theme this week is "Anything But a Face." It may be cliche to use a photo of a bride's hands, but this is a meaningful photo to me. This is my sister-in-law and good friend. It was my first time taking photos of a bride. She absolutely loves pink tulips so they had to be showcased in a photo. I love the details of her "fireworks" dress. The ring is a vital part, of course. These are the hands of a real person. Finally, the color cast and tone, including the way she is holding her hands, feels peaceful to me.

Anthropologie Accordian Strands Necklace Knock-Off Tutorial

This is my version of the Anthropologie Accordion Strands Necklace:

Here is the Anthropologie original:

When I saw this necklace, I immediately thought, "I can make that!" I have been making similar things for as long as I can remember. We used plastic lace when I was a kid, but it's the same technique. This necklace is $278. It is real silk, I guess, but I made mine for just a few dollars using grosgrain instead.

Materials needed:


At least 18 feet of 3/8" wide ribbon

Chain to your desired length

Jeweled beads or buttons

Jump rings

Tools needed:


Scissors

Ruler

Jewelry pliers

Candle and lighter




If you want the ribbon section to be longer than mine, use more ribbon. 20-22 feet would probably be good.



Begin by unraveling all of the ribbon from the spool. Find the middle and cut it in half to make two 9 foot pieces. Find the middle of each piece.



Put one piece through the end of the chain. Make sure it is the middle of the ribbon.

Place the second ribbon perpendicular to the first over the chain.

Bring the bottom ribbon up...

the left ribbon across...

the top ribbon down...

and the left ribbon over too. It will cross the first ribbon and go under the second ribbon.

It should look like this.

Pull the ribbons really tight to make a knot.

Do the same process again, but this time do not pull it as tight.

Continue the same steps. It will start looking like this.


Here are the steps again, in case you need to see them one more time.

Be sure that each knot is pulled to the same tightness so that it looks even.

It may take about 20-30 minutes after you get the hang of it to finish the knotting.

When you get to the end and there is only a little ribbon left, slip the other end of the chain on to one of the ribbons. Make two other knots over the chain and pull them really tight.

Clip the ends of the ribbon off close to the last knot.

Very carefully, hold the ends of the ribbon near a candle to melt and seal the ends so they don't fray.

Now use the jewelry pliers to put jump rings through the jewels and connect them together.

Take the chain apart after the first link and attach the jewels with a jump ring. Attach the chain to the last jewel with another jump ring.

Repeat on the other side.

Make sure the chain is the length you want it to be. I attached the round part of a toggle clasp to the ends of the chain to make it look like the Anthropologie version. But I wanted mine to have an adjustable length so I put a lobster clasp on in the end.


And that's it! You now have your very own Anthropologie Accordion Strands Necklace, and didn't have to spend $278.

I also made one in royal blue.

It is a great statement necklace that goes with everything.

I wore the blue one to work twice this week (you can see my outfits next Tuesday night in my weekly outfit post) and it created quite a stir. Women were asking me to teach a class on how to make them. And my students were impressed. Who knew a group of 7th grade boys could get so excited about a necklace? They thought it was a Chinese finger trap. Then when they saw the picture of the original, the couldn't believe the price, or that I had actually made one myself. It was funny. And fun.

Be sure to let me know if you make one!

I will be linking up to these parties. Please check them out!

Blog identity theft

I want my blog to have beautiful pictures of me and my great outfits like Sydney. I want to inspire creativity like Alisa. I want to have an all-around great craft blog like Linda. I want to be a great writer and blog about my deep thoughts like Amber. I want to inspire people to do good like Cheri. I want to have a cute blog and good taste like Ashley. I want to have a blog with gorgeous photos that starts big blog movements like Kendi. I want to have a cool niche like Michelle. I want to have my shop branded and blogged like Lindsey. I want to have my own style like (another) Ashley. I want to have amazing projects like Disney.

But I don't have the schedule or husband who wants to take photos like Sydney. I am not an artist like Alicia. I am not focused enough on crafts to be Linda. I am not as smart as Amber. I don't reach people like Cheri does. I don't have a unique writing style like Ashley. I don't have the means right now to be like Kendi. I don't have an idea or the talent of Michelle. I don't focus my products enough like Lindsey. I don't have the charm that Ashley does. No one is like Disney.

So what do I have?
My own style that I am happy with
Photography that is improving all the time
Some great ideas for refashion, knock-off, and original projects
Some unique ideas that haven't been explored on the blog
My own story to tell

This is me. It's my blog and it doesn't have to be like anyone else.

I have a knock-your-socks-off knock-off project coming up. Look for it tomorrow... hopefully!

30 for 30: week 3

DAY TWELVE

Last week I couldn't find my day 12 picture, or even remember what I wore so I didn't post it. I remembered so I put it back on and snapped a photo.

DAY FIFTEEN

I was needing some color and comfort. I had parent-teacher conferences, which means I had to work a 12 1/2 hour day. Flats for sure. HALF-WAY!

DAY SIXTEEN

The second day of PTCs. Not a very exciting outfit.

DAY SEVENTEEN

Oh how I loved this! It was so fun to wear! Ashley, did you notice that I totally copied your polka dot shirt with the gray ruffle sweater look? Thanks for the inspiration.

DAY EIGHTEEN

This is the red shirt, it just looks pink in the light. Today I learned that I could wear my gray boots under my skinny pants. I like that look a lot better. I am getting so sick of these pants. I think I would like the 30 for 30 more if I could wear jeans, but I can't wear them to work so I am limited. Next time I will add a dress or another skirt.

DAY NINETEEN

I have seen a lot fashion bloggers do this belted scarf thing. Didn't know if I could pull it off but I used a Saturday to try it and I liked it.

DAY TWENTY

I really liked this outfit because I got to wear my beautiful butterfly necklace! I had one for sale in my shop, but it sold. I would be happy to make another one, if someone wanted to order it. Plus, it was my best jewelry photography ever. (Okay, sorry, personal plug is over now).

DAY TWENTY ONE

This is very similar to an outfit that I already wore, I just have different shoes and jewelry. I was in a big hurry and didn't have time to contemplate. Oh well.

DAY TWENTY TWO

This was a big leap for me, because I have never worn this skirt with anything but black- shirt, shoes, and tights. So throwing in beige and brown was like woah!

Eight more days! I know I can come up with eight more outfits, but I am just pining away for all of the beautiful items in my closet that I can't wear!

Check out week 1 and week 2!

I have a great necklace tutorial coming up soon!! Check back!

Shoes

The other day a friend at work sent me a message online asking what shoe size I am. She had purchased a pair of shoes at the beginning of the school year when it was announced that we could wear open toed shoes. But, she then decided that open toed shoes were not for her and I could have the shoes if I wanted them.

Oh yeah! Check those out! Aren't they awesome? I love them because I probably wouldn't have bought them for myself but will totally wear them! As soon as 30 for 30 is over, and spring comes I will be flashing these babies around!

I am drooling over these wedges by Franco Sarto. They are from DSW. I have a $10 off coupon that needs to be used. I REALLY want them. I know I am not supposed to be buying anything right now, but last time I thought I would wait, the shoes I wanted sold out really fast. If I buy them I will hide them away and pretend I bought them in March. No harm done, right?

30 for 30: week 2

It's week 2 of the 30 for 30 challenge! It's halfway over! Click here to see week 1 and here to see all the clothes I am working with.

DAY NINE

I have only ever worn this skirt with a white top and white or yellow shoes. I know, pretty basic. So I was excited to mix it in my wardrobe and I love how this outfit turned out.

DAY TEN

I think this outfit needed different shoes. One thing I will do differently for the next 30 for 30 is a bigger variety of colors and styles of shoes.

DAY ELEVEN

Not a great picture but I liked this outfit. After work I changed into jeans and wore my brown boots. We went out to the movies that night. We saw Tron: Legacy which is the coolest movie I have ever seen. I LOVED IT!!!! I can't wait to go again! I am kind of a sci-fi nerd

DAY TWELVE

?????
I can't find the picture.
Maybe I didn't take one.
Oh dear, what did I wear that day??

I went to the nickel arcade with my husband. It was a lot of fun.
But what was I wearing????


DAY THIRTEEN

I styled the yellow skirt another way for church.

DAY FOURTEEN

This is me talking on the phone and taking a picture of myself.

I had to wear red on Valentine's day!

I wrote before that we were going out to dinner.
But we decided to stay in and eat pizza and watch Brian Regan.
I love my Spencer. I don't know if you knew that.
But now you do.