DIY Button Necklace

                                     

Anyone who knows me knows that I inherited a massive button collection from my grandmother. I am always looking for crafts and projects to do with buttons. I have done button headbands, button wreaths, and glued buttons unto the wooden letters from the craft store for friends. I have to say that this button necklace was one of my favorites though. It's very stylish, practical, and super easy to make.

Supplies:

Buttons (Color and size are up to you!)

Felt (a color that will blend in with your buttons is probably preferable but I just used what I had on hand)

Fabric Scissors

Hot glue gun

18 inch necklace chain

1. First, spread your felt out on a flat surface.

2. Pick out your buttons. I chose a black and gold color scheme. You are going to want a lot of different sizes of buttons because the smaller can fill in the holes in between the bigger ones.

3. Lay the buttons out on the felt how you want them to be arranged. It's okay if there are gaps when you are laying them out. Next glue the buttons onto the felt with the hot glue. Start with the bigger ones and then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones.

4. After you have glued all the buttons down, cut out the felt around them.

5. I bought this 18 inch chain at Michael's Craft store. It was perfect for this necklace because it was both black and gold.  

6. Take some wire cutters and cut the chain in half on the opposite side as the clasp.

7. Using the hot glue again, dab some glue on the upper corners on the felt. Place the cut ends of the necklace in the glue and let dry.

Finished! Hope you enjoyed this DIY and have a Happy New Year!

Ugly Christmas Sweater

                                 

This Christmas I decided to create my own ugly Christmas sweater. Or maybe not so ugly Christmas sweater. Although, I may have started a little late because the thrift stores were almost out of all their Christmas sweaters. I did find this white sweatshirt with a prett poinsettia iron-on in the center. After searching for ideas and what I could do with sweatshirts, I stumbled across studs and open shoulders. Putting a twist on that idea, I added it to my sweatshirt along with a couple more ideas. Hope you have a wonderful time creating your own ugly Christmas sweater or maybe not so ugly.

First, I cut off the neckline.

Then, I added studs around the neckline.

For the shoulders, I measured in 3 inches and then cut a slit. Measure 2 inches across and cut out a triangle.

Use the piece you cut out to ensure that the other shoulder is symmetrical.

I cut off the cuffs.

And rolled up the sleeves.

Last, I cut the band off the bottom.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

DIY Lace Infintiy Scarf

                                   

                                   

I saw one of these lace infinity scarves at the store and thought, that shouldn't be too hard to make. It was really fast and easy. I also found a fabric remnant store close to me and found the perfect amount of fabric for this easy project. I gave it to my friend as a Christmas present and she loved it! Happy DIYing!

Supplies:

1/2 yard knit fabric

1/4 yard lace

Sewing pins

Thread

Sewing Machine

Cutting board or hard surface to cut on

1. Lay out the knit fabric. Cut it into two strips on the fold that are about 9 inches width and the length of the fabric long.

2. Lay the lace out on top of one of the strips. I laid mine so it went a little over halfway across the width of the fabric. Stitch the lace to the knit fabric with a zig-zag stitch.

3. Pin one side of the knit with the lace to the plain knit. Sew.

4. Fold the strip of fabric in half and sew.

5. Take the two remaining ends and stuff the plain knit into the lace/knit  end about one inch and sew.

And you're done! Now you've made something to keep you warm and cute!

Brief Tutorial: How I Made My Peplum Jumpsuit

                                 

    

This peplum jumpsuit was a speedy and last minute project so I didn't have enough time to document all my steps but I have a brief description.

I used these two patterns. The pants pattern is an older one, but it worked really well for this project because I needed the pants on the jumpsuit to have a higher waist. With the second pattern, I needed a pattern with princess seams. 

                                  

                                  

I made the pants according to their instructions, while leaving the back open for a zipper. For the top I also made it according to the instructions, but first if you have a princess seam bodice pattern that is short, like mine, you are going to need to extend it. To make it longer, just measure how long you want your bodice to be then mark it one the fabric. Take a ruler and mark a straight line from the existing pattern piece. Once the bodice is all sewn together, it may require additional fitting. 

For the peplum, I used the same technique as the circle skirt, but made it a lot shorter. You can find my circle skirt tutorial here. I also made sure to leave a slit in the peplum for the zipper.

Take the three pieces you have made, the bodice, pants, and peplum. Pin all three together with the bodice and peplum, right sides together and the pants' right side facing the peplum's wrong side. after you get it stitched together, all that's left is putting in the zipper.

Sorry for the short tutorial, but I hope you enjoyed it and it gave you ideas about how to combine patterns to create your own design.

Jumpsuits

This year, the cheerleaders decided to sponsor a WPA (Women Pay All) at my school. I really didn't want to make another dress since we have three formal dances already and since this is my senior year I decided to do something different: a jumpsuit. When I told my family and friends I was making a jumpsuit, they thought I was crazy. They told me that jumpsuits where a thing of the past.

Jumpsuits were really stylish in the 1970s, but like all fashion styles, they have finally made there way back around. Celebrities have been wearing new stylish jumpsuits.



My jumpsuit look was inspired by this picture. A cute jumpsuit with peplum, skinny capri length legs, and a sweetheart neckline.

My Inspiration:

My Design:

My Creation:

Once my friends and family saw it completed, they didn't think I was so crazy after all.

Little Black Dress

              
     With the holiday season fast approaching, your calendar may soon be filled with Christmas shopping, cooking, concerts, family gatherings and, of course, the holiday parties. In between trying to find a present for your mom, grocery shopping and caroling, finding the perfect outfit for your holiday party might be the last thing on your mind. Fear not! The little black dress is always in style. Dress it up or down, spice it up with a little pop of color, or leave it simple and elegant.
     In the spirit of the little black dress, I decided to do a little research. Where did this iconic style come from? How has it withstood the test of time? It began in the 1920s, black was color usually reserved for mourning, but that whole idea began to change. One of the most influential activist of the little black dress was Coco Chanel. In 1926, American Vogue published a drawing of Chanel's design. A simple, elegant black sheath dress with white pearls. This style was simple and affordable for all women and thus it survived the Great Depression and, now, in the twentieth century is an essential component of nearly every women's wardrobe.

                                 

Here are some of my favorite little black dress styles that I hope to recreate this winter.

1.  Plain and Simple
Wear your LBD with no accessories for a clean and elegant look.
                                   
2.Classic
Dress up your LBD with pearls and red lips from a classic and iconic look.
                                               
3. Business Casual
Blazers can dress up your LBD for a work day or night out on the town.
                                 
4. Rocker Chic
Pair your LBD with a leather jacket and booties like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for an edgier look.


           
5. Boho Chic
Adding a cardigan and long necklace to a LBD can be comfy and cute.
          
6. Pop of Color
Pick a color scheme and add a pop of color to your LBD for a fun and vibrant look.