Photo tip 1: Sun and lace are AH-MAZING.
Braids 1
So into exotic braids lately.
For my latest shoot (taken this weekend)I did this with my hair.
See shots and giveaway early tomorrow!
Source: citified.blogspot.com
Fabric Corsage Tutorials
"I used these easy yoyo flowers for both my ring bearer pillows and my corsages. I was inspired when I was researching ring pillows on the Internet and found ones that I loved, but couldn't afford at $40.00 a pop. That where having an amazingly talented best friend/ maid of honor REALLY comes in handy. Kathleen said "We can make those that's just a yoyo." I also want to share that we made two pillows and 4 corsages for Less that $6."
Shoe Sugar Month: Day 19 Summer Blooming Peep Toes
Liked the pairing of the pink green and red in varying sizes. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Photo Shoot Concepts 1
Speaking of shoots. Brian and I will be traveling out to Longwood Gardens this weekend to take some shots for a new dress giveaway on Monday. Look for it then!
Source: manolobrides.com
Wow 6
February 24, 2011
Can you imagine wearing this to a party? (I mean that in a good way;)
Source: tig-fashion.blogspot.com
Craft 1
Oooo, you could get one of those 3' balloons like I got for Embellish Your Knits Month Day 17 and make a GIANT version. Possibilities!
Source: dosfamily.com
Top 10 Big Ticket Items Every DIYer Should Own: day 5
Now, there are some drawbacks to the Yudu which I address here. If you can overcome these hurdles then you will have no problem with the machine. I'll admit that I almost gave up when I first attempted to use it. The instructional video addressed none of the issues I encountered and I had to figure out how to remedy those problems on my own. But after I did it was cake.
I also talk about how to save on costs with the yudu in my previous article. If you buy strictly Yudu materials it might be cheaper to do your project with companies like Zazzle if you are doing one tee at a time . Of course, having your own personal screen print shop can be handy if you want to print on items not sold on Zazzle, like fabric.For the book I'm authoring I'm going to be printing my own fabric for one of the dresses. What I had in mind could not be found anywhere and I have to use close to five yards so I didn't want to pay for the cost of using a service like Spoonflower. Although if you're doing one or two yards they can be a great alternative to making your own fabric or compromising on your fabric choices.
I have used my Yudu for all kinds of projects outside plain tee shirts. And if you are the kind of person who likes to make their Christmas gifts, look no further. Custom invitations are great too. Looks a lot better than a laser printer ink.
Another alternative to a Yudu is a Gocco. I wouldn't recommend a Gocco because it is smaller and about the same price as a Yudu plus you have to buy new bulbs everytime you make a new print. But it can be a lot faster to print with a Gocco as the prints are 'stamped' rather than 'pulled'. But more importantly, Gocco is no longer producing machines and no longer making supplies so I would not recommend buying one. If you already have one, then great! No problem. I just wouldn't go out of my way to purchase a used one.
If you are considering purchasing a Yudu I highly recommend checking out my review. It isn't easy for everyone but once you get the hang of it, it can be quite rewarding.
To see all Top 10 Big Ticket Items Every DIYer Should Own SEE HERE!
More fun links:
Wouldn't this make the perfect little girl space?
Do you like heart shapes?
How rich do you think I'd have to be to call this mine?
Cabin Fever at Modcloth
A reader recently emailed me to clue me in on the amazing sale Modcloth is having on coats. And you know they sold them for the original prices earlier in the year. (Don't you hate it when you shop a sale and the original prices are never what they ever sold for).
I didn't want to keep it to myself so here you go. Enjoy!
PS. Some of the jackets I saw yesterday are already sold out so they are going fast!
Shoe Sugar Month: Day 18 Sizzix Fringed Flower
February 23, 2011
I made today's Shoe Sugar with my Sizzix. I used Bigz Die 655218- Fringed Flower. This would also make a cute hair accessory for a child.
Another neat idea would be to make an ombre fringe.
If you had a daughter in cheerleading or were simply a sports fan making these in your teams colors would be a fun idea!
I used felt for my clips but if you used a sheer material and cut many layers you could also use this as an embellishment on a frock or blouse. With the Sizzix you can cut many many layers at once. With felt I can only cut up to three but with a sheer material you could cut ten or more.
Would make a nice garland as well! Endless possibilities. Enjoy.
Some fun links:
I'm kinda tired of icecream but this looks so yummy.
I wish I had done this when I was pregnant.
Make your kids love their milk again.
This color scheme rocks!
Some fun links:
I'm kinda tired of icecream but this looks so yummy.
I wish I had done this when I was pregnant.
Make your kids love their milk again.
This color scheme rocks!
Wow 5
I can't take my eyes away. It's so creepy but interesting. You could replicate something like this with a service like FabricOnDemand. They print on Spandex.
Stay tuned for a new Shoe Sugar later today!
Stay tuned for a new Shoe Sugar later today!
Source: butherightthing.com
Sizzix + String = Party Goodness
February 22, 2011
If you used the Sizzix to make the cutouts this simple felt garland would be easy and impressive.
Source: prettylittlethings.typepad.com
Help Wanted
Source: tineye.com
I am currently looking for someone who can teach me how to use Optitex 10 and Marker software. Looking to grade existing patterns. I am pretty quick when it comes to learning new programs. Although I had never used a CAD program before I have figured out to digitize them to Optitex using AutoCad which wasn't easy but I am having difficulty learning how to grade them. I am beyond frustrated and I am willing to pay $35 an hour for someone who knows the program and can grade. I am also willing to drive to you within a 2.5 hour radius (approx. 150 miles give or take).
Anyone who may qualify please email me at mytumtumtree@gmail.com with a brief description of your experience with the software.
I live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania which is an hour and a half from Philadelphia and Baltimore. Two hours from Washington DC and New York City if that gives you an idea of where I am.
If anyone out there could help me out it would be GREATLY appreciated.
Inspiration 1
I'm currently working on a project for Blue Lily Photography and am finding this very inspirational!
Source: sewweekly.com
DIY Curtain Closet
For now I came up with this very inexpensive way to make a closet when you don't have built ins or enough money to purchase armoires. Honestly, I never liked the way curtains over closets looked. Whenever I saw them resort to curtain closets on "Design on a Dime" I cringed. They looked sloppy and almost worse than nothing at all. So instead of simply hanging curtains from curtain rods I made custom panels to lye flat and give the curtains a more decorative polished look.
Materials:
1. Rod to hang panels- I used leftover bamboo I cut down a few summers ago and painted it with black spray paint I had on hand but any long piece of wood will do.
2. Two pairs of rod holders (sockets) for panels and closet rods. I had some two of these left over from another project which I never finished but if you don't have these they are only about $1.25 at your local hardware store.
3. Closet Rod. I bought mine for $5 at the Home Depot.
4. Fabric. I used leftover scraps and framed it with solid colored matching material at the top and bottom.
Since I used mostly materials in my home, in total I only paid $10 to make both curtain closets. Pretty slick.
Anda Pattern. Easy. Cheap. Hip.
It's basically a variation of the Anda Pattern that we created for A Frock by Friday and I'd like to add that Anda is the easiest of dresses to make! This pattern can be done in two hours. And if you cut multiple layers of fabric at a time you could churn enough of these out to have new frocks all week! If you change up the fabric/waistline/neckline/embellishments per dress you could have a lot of frocks that look completely different. For such a simple shape I also have to say that it is surprisingly figure flattering.
If you are just starting to sew I highly recommend beginning with the Anda pattern. And once you master the pattern I'd try altering it (ie lowering the waistline, scooping the neckline, extending the sleeves, adding pockets, belt loops, etc.) Here are a few other Anda variations I've seen.
Stay tuned later today for a DIY closet alternative for those of you who live without space.
Source: vogue.com
Flower Girl Basket Tutorial
My friend Abi is doing her wedding on the cheap! It's impressive. She has entered around 100 online contests and recently she has won a $2,000 package for a wedding coordinator AND a free beauty package on the day of the wedding for hair, eyelashes, makeup and nails. That's in addition to the $3,000 photography package she won earlier last year and $1,000 for a rehearsal dinner she won at a wedding expo and a free bridal bouquet.
Everything else she is doing on her own. For instance, instead of buying fresh flowers she is making all her floral arrangements out of paper, ribbon and fabric. The flower girls be holding these down the isle. They are made out of fabric and the estimated cost of each basket was less than $10. And they were only that much because she used duponi silk.
Wow 3
February 17, 2011
If I had a Costume Ball to attend I'd go in this. And pair it with a matching monarch masquerade eye cover.
Source: weheartit.com
Thrift Store Thursday: Formerly Frumpy Chemisier
Case in point, this cute top I bought for $1.50. I've been into neckties lately. They are soooo WWEPW. Something along the lines of this, this, and this, paired with a cardigan or sweater. 
It just so happens that thrift stores have a TON of these in extra large sizes formally worn by little old ladies. I found this one in a very adorable print with super cute cuffs and buttons on the sleeves as well as detailed smocking along the neckline.
I took it home and took it in on the sides and arms. Then, I cut off the arms, resized them and sewed them back on as short sleeves. When altering thrift store finds I recommend picking something that doesn't need a lot of work. Perhaps one or two but no more than three elements that need to be changed. Anything more and it can become more work than making something from scratch.
I paired it with this teal cardigan (also a thrift store find I bought for $3). I cut down the sleeves on that as well. There are just the right elements of tiny teal in the blouse so it looks poifect together.
I've never gotten a tattoo but if I did it would look something like this.
I wish the photography fairy would leave this on my door.
Do you have tsunami dreams like me?
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