Give Away WINNER!

Congratulations to Andi from Saltwater Dreams for winning the Flourite Earrings (please send me your email ;-). I hope you love them!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

BLOG GIVE AWAY!

Hooray, the moment has come where I've reached 100 Google followers and as promised, you can pick ANY jewelry item you want from my etsy shop {click here}.  The winner will receive the jewelry of their choice to treasure or give as a gift!  All jewelry is made by me from Sterling Silver or 14K Gold Fill with AAA-quality semi-precious gemstones.

How it works:
1. Become a follower (if you're not already) and leave 1 (one) comment with a link to the jewelry you want.
2. Receive an additional entry by becoming a follower of my fashion blog, The Dapper Bun, and leave a 2nd (two) comment letting me know you're a follower.
3. Receive an additional entry by blogging/tweeting/facebooking, etc. this givewaway and leave a 3rd (three) comment letting me know you spread the word.
4. Include your email, as well....thanks!!

Contest closes March 4, 2011 at 12 p.m.  Winner will be selected by a random drawing!

Good Luck!

A Cute, Prosh Hair Bow

After making the skirts for the dance show this weekend, I needed to make some hair pieces!  I was inspired by a DIY bow project on Casey's Elegant Musings (another wonderful seamstress who makes gorgeous vintage-inspired outfits and accessories), and decided to make my own from her instructions.  This probably isn't a bow you would normally wear out and about, but it works great for a costume or for kids' hair.

Also cross-posted on my fashion blog.

These skirts (at bottom of post) and bows are the reason why I've been slack on the DIY projects lately! :-)

Supplies:
Small amount of fabric
Needle/thread
Scissors/pins
Sewing machine (but this could easily be done by hand)
Barrette

Step 1
Cut out two pieces of fabric, one rectangle measuring 4 inches by 13 inches, and a smaller one measuring 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Step 2
With right sides together, stitch long side of larger rectangle at seam allowance (0.5 inch) leaving an opening in the center (to turn right side out).  Trim loose threads/ragged edges.

Step 3
Press open, centering seam.

Step 4
Stitch a V shape into the ends and trim close to stitching.

Step 5
Turn right side out, through center opening, and press.

Step 6
Stitch bow knot at seam allowance (0.5 inch), trim seam, turn and press, centering seam.

Step 7
Place pins at center mark, and 2.5 inches from ends.

Step 8
Fold bow so that the pins towards the outside meet at the center pin.  Pin in place and stitch together (on back/seam side).

Step 9
Pinch bow and wrap bow knot around the center, folding over the raw edge and pinning in the back.  Stitch in place.

Step 10
Stitch bow to barrette (I removed the innards to make the hand stitching easier).

Step 11
Replace the barrette innards and you're done!

A few more I made

The dancers with fancy skirts and bows!

Blog Give Away Update

Hello readers!  My fashion blog has reached 100 followers and I'm hosting the giveaway right now.  Come on over to The Dapper Bun to enter!

This blog isn't far behind; I'll be hosting the same give away here very soon!!

Sneak Peek: Upcoming Give Away!

Announcement:  I'm planning to host a give away once I reach 100 Google followers! :-)  This is just in time for the holidays because you'll be able to pick ANY item from my Etsy store for you or for a gift.  I can't wait to blog this give away and I think all my readers will really like it!  Only 9 more followers to go, let's get on it!

For a sneak peek at the jewelry, visit my Etsy store {here}.  I make all jewelry from Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Fill with AAA gemstones.

Happy Halloween 2010!

I realize I'm a day late, but that's fine!  I had a blast this Halloween parading around as my alter-ego with a fun group of ladies!!  I threw this costume together last minute - I only went out and bought tan tights.  Everything else I already had. ;-)  I didn't even have to make anything, except my hair and make-up (cross-linked on my fashion blog for outfit deets).

Retro Vintage Pinup Swimsuit Model

Hair close-up

Fun Ladies!

An Autumn Gown

I cross-posted this on my fashion blog,  you can check it out here, as well!

I used an old pattern, New Look 6401 (view B), and $40 worth of polyester fabric from JoAnn (I'd much prefer silk, but I was on a budget).  As I usually have to do with commercial patterns, I took the waist in one size and let the hips out one size, and I also had a weird gaping issue along the neckline which I solved with some pleating at the straps.  I hope it doesn't look like a cheap polyester gown. :-)

Super-Duper Easy Hair Flowerette

I recently posted this tutorial on my fashion blog (where I do most of my posting these days) - click here to check it out.  It's a very, very easy way to make a hair accessory out of scrap fabric and a rubber band!

DIY Style: Vintage Ribbon Necklace

Click here to check out my how-to at my new fashion blog! 

Check out my new blog!!

I started a new blog with more fashion-related and more frequent posts.  I'd love for you to check it out and become a follower! :-)  Click the image below to redirect!

DIY Style: Ruffle Shoes

I stumbled across Maegan's How-To Make a Louboutin-Inspired Petal Sandal and loved it!  I always appreciate fellow crafty ladies, especially ones who can make something awesome out of almost nothing.  Check out her blog; she has lots of interesting projects!!

I made it with a slight modification to the mechanics of the strap, so here's my How-To (refer to Maegan's, as well)!  If you enjoy this look, check out my fashion blog!

Inspiration: Louboutin Petal Sandal

Step 1
Gather supplies - I used sheer crepon fabric (apprx. 1/2 yard, it has a little more weight than chiffon), ribbon (apprx. 1/2 yard), scissors, thread, pins/needles, snaps and old strappy sandals.

Step 2
Cut out petal shapes.

Step 3
Measure sandals and cut ribbon accordingly.  I sewed snaps onto the ribbon to fold over the T-bar strap of the sandals.  I decided it would be easier to sew on the snaps at this point, before the ribbon was covered in confusing petals.  Helpful hint: burn the edges of the ribbon with a lighter to prevent fraying.

Step 4
Pin base petals onto ribbon and stitch.  Let them pucker/gather a little bit for texture.

Step 5
Continue to stitch on more petals.  The fluffier, the better.

Step 6
Snap (or velcro, if you used that) onto shoes.

And there ya go!  Please excuse the bruises on my knees, it's performance week and I'm in the theater every night rolling around on my knees! :-(

And Bandit likes to get into the scraps and bite on the material!