Simple Idea: Infinity Scarf

You know me, jumping on all the band wagons. Infinity scarves. Circle scarves. They are everywhere. So of course, I had to have one too. I saw one on pinterest months ago with lace in it. Lace, I love lace. So I pinned it for a rainy day and the rainy day came in the midst of christmas craft scarf making.

 I don't usually buy fabric at Walmart because I am a snob but I happened to luck out with this super cool poly-fake wool blend for only $1.49 a yard. I already had the black lace in my stash. With both fabrics together this scarf was practically free.

 I didn't make a tutorial because I was in a rush but this was super easy. Since I wanted to utilize both sides of the fabric, grey and darker grey, I cut two lengths of the fabric and made a tube which I turned right side out. Then I attached the lace. I think my original lengths were closer to 60" x 2 which was way too long. Final dimensions are 17" X 90".

It is long enough to wrap around my neck three times for a tighter look or two times for a looser look. This also works great as a blanket on a plane or a tissue at the park. I love it and might be making another one. 

I know a lot of the tutorials out there have you using knit fabric. I couldn't find cute knit that I loved so I used lace with a slight stretch and wool. I don't think you even need the knit stretch. So if you find a fabric you like, just go ahead and make this. One thing to consider, something that lays nicely and isn't stiff would be ideal. 

Original inspiration came from here.

Family Pictures 2011

We went back to Chelsea Johnson Photography for our family pictures this year. She did a great job last year and once again did not disappoint. Henry was a little more difficult this year, easily distracted by rocks and weeds but I think we ended up with quite a few good ones.

Refashion: Blue Square Top

 Before

 After

What's the difference? Can't you tell? And no, it is not the pants or the fact that in one photo I am wearing socks and the other I am barefoot.

Shoulder pads. Simple to cut out, makes all the difference. 

I love this shirt! It was one of the things I scored on my birthday. $2.49 at 30% off. What a steal of a deal. It is the right length. It is simple yet loose yet not too loose. The brand is Diversity. Perfection. 

And here is another item I got on my birthday. This great skirt for $1.99 at 30% off. I love the painterly strokes of the pattern. It is not quite floral but it is kind of and it has lots of colors to drawn out for outfits. Happy Birthday to me. 

Simple Idea: Sewn Scarf

Christmas gift time in the Clark home. Since we are spending the holidays with lots of family, I wanted to make some scarves for my aunts. I had seen this idea years ago on a blog and I loved it but never got around to making any for myself. So Christmas gifts it is.

This was super easy and fun and I loved the way they turned out plus so did all the receivers.

Using a scarf you already own for the length, lay out an entire skein of yarn on the floor. I placed the yarn on floor and just looped it back and forth until the whole skein was down. You could adjust the amount of yarn you use based on how thick/thin you want each scarf. This is something that should not be done while your child is running free in the house.

I kept the ends looped and didn't trim until the scarf was sewn. 

Gather the layers and bring to your sewing machine. I used red thread on the red scarves but I used contrasting thread on the other scarves. Just bundle the yarn together and move through the machine, stitching as you go. 

Sew back and forth until you have created a sewn area about 5-6 inches wide. 

Ta da. So simple. Then repeat about 10 inches down the scarf, pulling tight so the yarns don't buckle out. 

At the end I just trimmed and evened out the ends and tied each strand with a knot. 

For the grey and green it is a thick yarn called Hometown USA by Lions Brand. Super Bulky 6, 81 yds per skein. For the red it is a textured yarn called Homespun by Lions Brand. Bulky 5, 165 yds per skein.

Blocks for Three

 My friend Celia just had twin boys. I am so happy for her and her family. They also have a daughter who is Henry's age. So in honor of the arrivals I made this block set. I made a similar one for Henry and he loves it.

Celia loved it too which is what gave me the idea. Its sad to say that I finished this months ago and was just waiting on a 30 minute drawstring bag to pull it all together.

All the blocks come together to create a 6 sided puzzle. They also have letters, numbers, animals, people, buildings and shapes. I am happy this could be sent to a good home and hope Eliza will play with it until her brothers can too.

Grow Old With Me...

 Inspired by this pin, I wanted something for our bedroom which was both romantic and natural. I took some natural weave cotton and embroidered this saying on it while watching conference.

 I think the font is Modern No. 20. I just printed it out and then traced it onto the fabric with a pencil. I chose to leave the letters unfilled. I am sure there are easier ways to do this but it worked for me.

 

Doesn't it look pretty above Steve's dresser? 

Refashion: Blue Chevron Shirt

 I found this shirt for $1 at America's Thrift. I didn't even have time to try it on at the store. I think Henry was on the verge of a break down or something. So I threw it in my cart and bought it.

Weeks later I have finally found the time to refashion it. Honestly, to try it on. I hadn't even tried it on until I did the refashion. I noticed on wearing it that it was homemade. This poses no problems I just thought I would point it out.

So the only real fixes are the sleeves.  The picture doesn't capture it but they are way too long and also really wide. Kind of like huge long fluttery sleeves. Messed up.

So I took the sleeves off the shirt and saw what was making them so puffy. A sewn in mini shoulder thingy. No, I don't know the official name. So I cut that off, trimmed them down, shortened them and sewed them back on. Of course, I took no pictures. Sorry. But I would say if the sleeve is really off on your refashions just remove and redo.

 I also don't love how the shirt is cut straight. It makes it hard to wear with jeans since I have hips. So for now I will be tucking it into skirts until I figure out something else.  And obviously I am still trying to figure out my flash so some of these pictures are a little overexposed. I'll get it.

Tacked Up Dresser

 We got this dresser for Steve at a yard sale for $35 a couple of years ago. It wasn't the best quality or anything but it was the right size and price. I have never really loved it, thinking of it more of a transitional piece. Well in an effort to lighten up our bedroom and kind of freshen things up, I had a brilliant idea. Lets spray paint it and decorate the front with furniture tacks. My before picture is obviously mid-refurbish.

 So I spray painted the front of the drawers cream and replaced the hardware with new knobs.

 Hint: When doing tacks, measure and mark design with a pencil and then nail a starter hole with a nail where each tack is going to go. Then nail in tacks. It was a lot easier doing it that way than trying to nail the tacks directly into the boards. Since tacks are so small, I nailed my fingers a bit before I figured it out.

I opted not to spray the rest of the dresser since I was both lazy and running out of paint. But I like that two tone look and it actually looks like I meant to do it that way. So I should have never mentioned it.

Happy Holidays!

Just in case you didn't make the mailing list or we didn't have your address or we don't know you that well or by the time we got to you we ran out of stamps, Happy Holidays!

Family pictures by Chelsea Johnson Photography. More to come.

Sunburst Mirror

 I have wanted one for FOREVER. I love mid-century accents and furniture and what could be more so than a sunburst mirror. All the ones I could find that were big enough to go above our bed were way out of my price range so I went in search of a tutorial online.

 I found this tutorial which was really helpful but I ended up making some adjustments based on what materials I could find in my area.

 I couldn't find a round mirror that wasn't really expensive so I used a candle mirror instead. I think it was $3-5 at Hobby Lobby. Since this didn't have a frame I had to switch from hot glue to epoxy. The epoxy was relatively easy to use except I got a bit in the center of the mirror. Instead of the branches from IKEA, I used dowels from Lowe's, I got the thinnest ones and cut them with scissors. Since I did this awhile ago I can't remember how many I bought. I also bought epoxy at Lowe's and gold spray paint. Total I know I spent less than $30.

 And a tip. If you can't find a frame and are going to use a flat mirror, hot glue or attach your hanging mechanism before you start gluing on the burst so you can handle easier.

I am really happy with it and I love how big it is. It definitely replaces the need for a headboard. It is so big I am a little worried about how were going to move it one day but I don't have to worry about that for years.