DIY Denim Hair Accessories

Kara's creation shows what you can do with a dollar store item

Click here for tutorial

Always save the scraps left over from a denim project . . . you never know when you will be inspired to use the little pieces like buttons, snaps, labels, belt loops, seams for accessories to match those other projects.  I've also seen some awesome jewelry accessories made of denim scraps . . . that blog post is coming soon!

Click here for tutorial

Kasey glues belt loops to bobbie pins and clippies

Click here to go to her blog

The following photos are for inspiration only . . . they are denim hair accessories that are being sold and were listed to be sold at one time.  Click on the photo to go to the original website where they came from should you desire more information.

Great use of seams!

Look what else you can do with seams!

Hope these creations have given you some

 inspiration for your next denim project!

Colorful, casual and easy rag quilt

Kristin from the blog, Write It Down, wrote about this awesome and colorful rag quilt she made using a tutorial from Creations by Kara.  The freyed edges reminded me of a technique I used for making denim appliques that created fluffy edges by the washing fabric many times until the desired effect resulted.

It seems like since we have had a cold snap and I have become very attached to the only "throw" I own, I need to make more out of old fabric scraps from clothes I was going to donate.  This is why I hate throwing anything away! There is usually a way to recycle it.

Although I would love to make a colorful throw similar to this quilt, I would also love to make one out of denim.  I especially love recycling denim! 

I found this example on Pinterest, but the link was broken.

This is the perfect project for a quilting beginner!

Click here for an excellent tutorial from Creations by Kara.

Creative inspirations

Yes, my craft and sewing room is still a huge disorganized mess, but my creative side has been screaming to create with all the inspiration I find online.

The photos in this post are for inspiration only.  They are the creations of Carole Brungar, who has a beautiful and inspirational blog, Madness and Mess.  I love the way she layers her creations with free motion stitching, embroidery and three dimensional features.  She offers classes if you are interested in learning her techniques.

Layering and fabric embellishment is one of my favorite crafty projects.  The techniques used in these projects can be duplicated in your own style, especially if you are an experienced sewer.  Your imagination is always your guide as you pick up awesome inspirations from creative people on the internet, the ones you meet at the arts and crafts shows and specialty boutiques.

My projects have typically utilized sparkly things as I love hand beading with a passion, but layering lace on fabric, adding buttons or embroidery is another way of adding dimension to your creations.

What I love about these projects . . . no confinement to a particular project, like quilts, purses, t-shirts, wall hangings, art journals, home decor, dish cloths and pot holders . . . I could go on and on.  You can create anything your heart desires using the same techniques.

There are lots of ladies who work at home on their creations and sell them on internet websites such as Etsy.  In another lifetime, I ran a specialty boutique selling my creations, those of others and the supplies needed to create unusual projects.  Many sewers and crafters love selling at arts and crafts shows, which puts you out there in public as much or as little as you want.

Photo from Stitching Step-By-Step
Instructions for stitching, click here

I miss being creative in a bad way, but I will continue to post those projects that inspire me and hopefully will inspire you too.

Stunning Necklace ~ Jewelry Making Project

Love this stunning necklace . . . wearing it would make a bold fashion statement!

The creator of this awesome necklace used new items, but with all the boxes of vintage jewelry stacked in my office, it has provided great inspiration for a refashion jewelry project.

An old beaded vintage necklace should provide an ample amount of beads to make a very cool and unique creation.

Sara Marie of Everyday Bijoux is a jewelry designer with an Etsy shop and a lovely blog.  She writes about how she was inspired to make this gorgeous necklace, the materials she used and the problems she encountered. Awesome article for you crafters who enjoy making your own jewelry or inspirational for those who are jewelry designers.  Click here for the blog post.

Hope you enjoy her blog and Etsy shop as much as I have!

Organizing Your Home

Honestly, I really envy organized people.  Since I was a little girl, it is my inclination to stack things and worry about getting them organized later.  Yes, I'm a classic procrastinator.

That desk is what caught my attention.  I love the cubbyholes and extra shelf to get more stuff organized in a small space.  

If only I had a magic wand to wave around and get everything organized!

Click here to go to the inspirational blog post about organizing your home without becoming overwhelmed.  Great advise to start the new year on the right foot!

Organization Binders

Jessie at Dimplicity Crafty Blog is one of the most organized people I've encountered online.

If  you are interested in getting yourself organized for the new year, this is a post you must check out.  She has a print out for everything and explains how she has gotten herself organized.  Click here for the post.

Check out the rest of Jessie's blog, it is like a Martha Stewart magazine!

Charming Day Flowers Tutorial

Grab some clay, some beads or some broken jewelry to make these dainty flowers to use for making jewelry or using in your other creations like hair accessories, napkin rings, photo frames or shoes.

Let your imagination go wild with your color and size combinations.  

Have a ton of fun creating whatever your imagination takes you to.

You can find the tutorial at Happy Together, a new crafty blog discovery for me that I will be checking out page by page!

Baroque-ish inspiration

The fabric embellisher extraordinaire and refashion designer in me was immediately inspired by this gorgeously ornate and baroque-ish jacket I ran into while perusing one of my favorite new blogs (more on that later) . . .

The blogger was commenting on "the fierce force of ornamentation, brocade, bling, bang & baroque that assailed the runways" last Fall. 

Since I remarried and pretty much retired for now, I completely missed this awesome trend. Honestly, I have not paid much attention to my love of fashion and design for several years . . . well, since my love of being in love took over.

While the look is gorgeous offset by a white background, my first thoughts went to denim since my fashion and design tastes gravitate toward recycling fabric and bringing new life to used jeans.

This post is strictly inspirational. The look of the jacket so grabbed my attention that I had to write about the inspiration for future projects which are not confined to fashion, but transcend to home decor and beyond!

About the blogger . . .

The blogger is Carolyn Espley-Miller aka Slim Paley, whose blog is uniquely stylish, beautiful and entertaining.  She is the wife of Dennis Miller (one of my favorite comedians and entertainers of all time).

Carolyn is totally awesome and I am in the process of reading her entire blog . . . it is that good.  The jacket is one of many jewels I have discovered within the pages of her blog.

Huffington Post describes Carolyn as "a Santa Barbara based Lifestyle blogger with an eclectic eye for all things design related. She is well versed in photography, fashion, food, interior design and gardens."

Start exploring her blog on the very entertaining article this gorgeous jacket came from, Loco for Rococo.  Hope you enjoy her blog as much as I do!

Awesome Closet Makeover!

I love the before and afters 

on this closet makeover from 

ScoutAndNimble.com

Click here for the article 

and lots of inspiration!

Kitchen Awesomeness

This is just a small glimpse of Brenda's awesome kitchen which matches my idea of the perfect color scheme and feel for my kitchen.  Her small kitchen is packed with all kinds of little delights for the eye . . . the splashes of red really does something for me!

Click here to see more of her fabulous kitchen . . . check out all the little nooks and crannies of her kitchen.  While you are there, check the rest of her blog, Cozy Little House, it is one of my favorites.

DIY Beaded Flip Flops

I'm always on the lookout for a way to refashion flip flops! These flip flops are going to be my next project. Living in Florida means having a great selection of flip flops, one of the greatest inventions ever. This project is one of 10 ideas for DIY Flip Flops from one of my favorite blogs, Handmade Future. Click here for the original blog article . . . check out the rest of the blog while you are there! Happy Crafting!

Denim organizer

What an awesome concept!  

This denim organizer was originally made to organize belts,

 but I'm thinking of all types of ideas, like a lingerie or

 jewelry organizer.  

The pockets can be designed using the denim waistband part

 that has the button closure or secure a specially designed

 denim flap with velcro.

How about using denim pockets for

 the various sections? 

So many ideas!  

Roll it up and store in your luggage for organizing all

 those little things you take on a trip.

Click here to go to the original blog post.

Follow Hong Kong Chic for an

 awesome array of inspiration!

Love this blog . . . and she participates in
 numerous linky parties too.

DIY Sea Salt Spray

Don't you love the way your hair behaves after a day at the beach?

I had no idea there are actually hair products out there that mimic the effects of a day at the beach until I discovered a wonderful blog, Bridgey Widgey . . . Life's A Party!

Bridget has developed a DIY version of a sea salt hair texturizer that will give you those lovely beachy waves as shown in the photo.

Here's her recipe:

Ingredients:
Empty Spray Bottle
3 teaspoons Epsom Salt
3 squirts Water-Based Hair Gel
4 ounces Tap Water

Directions:
Just load your ingredients into your spray bottle!


Check out her blog for variations and more!

How to make nail polish stay on longer

After reading the article on one of my favorite blogs, All Women Stalk, I tried to remember the last time I actually went to a salon for a manicure.  It has been so long I don't remember . . . my frugality gets the best of me.  I'd rather spend the money on a good supply of nail polishes and manicure supplies.  

If you are like me, you will love the article on tips to make your polish stay on longer.

Click here for the article.

The Red Dresser!

Look at what you can do with someone's cast off furniture!  I've been thinking about painting our wood bedroom furniture for a while and since I saw this dresser, I am convinced.  Love love love the red, although I was originally thinking of glossy black with gold-leafed hardware.

It is amazing what a little paint and effort does for a tired piece of furniture.

See the before and after pictures here.

DIY Masks for Hands and Feet

Stop spending a ton of money on expensive products

 to pamper your hands and feet!

Check out these awesome DIY masks instead 

. . . click here.

New use for old sheets . . . rag rug!

The original rag rug article is no longer on line, but I found instructions on eHow . . . the instructions are for a rag rug 3-foot by 5-foot.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Rip the sheets into long strips measuring 1-1/2 inches wide. Start the rip with a pair of scissors.
   • 2
     Chain stitch with the strips and hook until the chain measures 3 feet long. Chain two.
   • 3
     Single crochet in each chain. Chain two.
   • 4
     Single crochet in each single crochet, ending with a chain two every row until the rug is 5 feet long, introducing new strips of fabric when the previous strip is down to 2 inches. Leave the ends of the fabric loose for a rustic look to the rug.
   • 5
     Cut the last fabric strip, tie it into a knot and weave the end into the previous crochet stitches to complete the rug.

Here is another source for a rag rug made of sheets.

10 Better Sewing Habits

Whether you are a beginner or advanced sewer, 

it is always good to learn new habits!

Threads Magazine is a great resource for inspiration

 and I've learned so much about sewing through

 the years from the magazine and now their website.

Click here for the article on "10 Better Sewing Habits"