Brad Charm Necklace {Tutorial}

I stumbled upon a fabulous post from Ashley at Lil Blue Boo on her mini brad charms tutorial. It is beyond simple and you can truly make almost ANY type of charm from this idea. Her tutorial is amazing and perfectly detailed, so I'll just give you a brief run down. :)

:Supplies:

Metal brads--any size or shape

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic (or Embossing Powder)

Jump rings

Embellishments

The idea for these charms is very similar to that of my mod podge dimensional magic bracelet but you first have to "make" your charm. To create your charm out of the metal brad, remove the two prongs from the back by wiggling them back and forth until they fall off. To make the hole for the jump ring, simply use a hammer and nail to "poke" through the brad. It's MUCH easier and quicker than it sounds--just give it a few small taps! Trim and smooth any sharp edges with your nearby nail tools. :) You then decorate the inside of your brad--use paper, fabric, stickers, jewels, photos, embellishments...anything! Once it is all glued in and secured, add your jump ring. The next step is when Ashley used embossing powder, but I went with Dimensional Magic since I already had some on hand. It gave me great results! Keep the charms as level as possible when drying. Every now and then give the jump ring a wiggle so that it doesn't dry into the Dimensional Magic.

For my first charm I used a paper sunflower scrapbooking embellishment. I also wanted to do a summery charm, so I cut the word 'tan' from a summer themed scrapbook page and added a sticker jewel for my second. For my third charm I stuck on a glitter-gold sticker with the letter 'a.' I was a little concerned about the paper flower curling or the glitter from the 'a' spreading but they all turned out perfect once they dried! The hummingbird design was cut from a piece of scrapbook paper. This was made from a bezel-set charm that I found at Michaels on clearance forever ago--I finally found the perfect project to pair it with!

As I first applied the Dimensional Magic

The Dimensional Magic will get more clear as it dries

Once they are dry you are all done! Add them to a bracelet or necklace and show her off.

I got lots of compliments the first day wearing her--people are always so impressed (but not surprised) that I made the charms myself!

They really do look store-bought...but little do they know how simple it is to make!

Happy charm making!

Thank you Kelly from Running With Glitter and

Ginger from Support Blog for Moms of Boys for featuring my charms!

Witches Feet {Tutorial}

So apparently at work my Halloween candy jar just wasn't enough decor! When my manager returned from his vacation, he questioned "Where are all the decorations?!" Since I have told him that I love doing anything crafty and fun, I guess he expected more! I love a challenge, so that same night I had to get something together! $1 Store here I come! I purchased some CUTE garland and a glittery Happy Halloween sign. I also found these argyle Halloween socks that I knew JUST the perfect project for!

This project literally cost me out-of-pocket...only $1!!!!

When I got home I pulled out some "scrap clothes" that I had just received from a co-worker and got to work!! All I used for this project was her old sweat pants and my new $1 socks! (plus my sewing machine and thread of course :) 

I started by cutting out the shape of the shoes from the sweat pants. I definitely did a couple of test drawings before I started free-hand cutting. Don't laugh--I promise, I really CAN draw! :) Make sure to cut out two of each side of the feet. Sew each front and back piece of the feet together wrong sides out, leaving the top open.

Cut off the ends of the socks to have two openings at each end and sew in the heel to "take away" the foot so that it creates one long tube. 

Flip both the feet and socks wrong side out and pin the right sides together at the openings all the way around for each foot.

Next, sew them together!! Make sure to keep pushing the sock ends to the back of where are you are sewing as to not sew the sock to itself or shut!!

PS--Don't worry, I take my pin out when I sew! I had it in to hold the fabric together so that I could take a photo :)

This is what they should look like--flat, and somewhat "not right." I feared that SOMETHING was wrong--that either the feet were too small, or the legs weren't long enough, but fear not!!

STUFF these suckers very tight and they will turn out beautifully! And forget using true"stuffing..." 

I used plastic bags and it worked perfectly--go green! :) (& cheap!)

Add your embellishments--ribbons, bling, etc! 

I tied off the open ends with rubber bands and was done! 

Now, stick them under a desk, bed, table, chair...whatever you like!

Look HOW cute they are!! I LOVE them!

Everyone in the office loves them too! 

Hahaha, they make me smile every time I see them! 

I embellished my sign with spider web ribbon and added my garland along with my candy jar and I now think it's super fun!

I think this is sufficient decor for my desk! 

And all for only $3!! :) 

Dimensional Magic {Easy Bracelet Tutorial}

Here is a super cute, fun, cheap and easy piece of jewelry to make 

(for those afraid of making jewelry!)

I stumbled across this nifty bracelet and thought of a perfect project for it! :)

Dimensional Magic Bracelet

This bracelet is totally customizable! 

All it takes is a few simple steps and time to dry 

and you’ll have a cute bracelet in no time! :)

The only supplies you need are:

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic (now found at Jo-Anns!)

Bezel Set Bracelet (purchased at Hobby Lobby)

Mod Podge (or any adhesive)

Scrap fabric and/or paper

Scissors

Step 1. Trace and cut your pieces of scrap paper or fabric into little circles. I used paper AND fabric in different shades, textures and patterns (all black and white). For my first circle, I started off by tracing my circle charm from the bracelet, but made it a little bigger. I then trimmed it until it was a good fit for inside the bezel charm. I then used this as a “stencil” for all of my other fabric/paper. Cut the appropriate number of circles needed to fill your bracelet. (I removed a link from the bracelet seeing as how it was too big, so I had one less circle to fill than what it came with)

(Just a few of my cut-out circles)

Step 2. Figure out the order of your circles for how you want it to look on your bracelet. Play around! If you are doing various patterned paper/fabric, then the order of the circles CAN give it a different look! Once you’ve decided on your order, apply a SLIGHT even amount of Mod Podge (or any adhesive) to your charms and attach your paper/fabric to the inside. Let dry just a few minutes until they are all secured.

(photo is just to represent the amount of adhesive--very little needed!)

Step 3. This is the fun part! Apply your Dimensional Magic. Use a generous amount and fill to the rim of each bezel (for the best effect). Watch for bubbles! They will slowly develop as it dries. I had a hard time getting mine to go away…but with patience you can pop these suckers! I used a sewing pin…a toothpick will work just as well. 

(If this is your first time using Dimensional Magic, 

it WILL be opaque when first applied...but don't fret!)

Step 4. Let it dry!! I let mine dry overnight, but it’s pretty solid after about 3 hours. It will be opaque at first, but over time it will dry super clear and smooth

VOILA! 

Here is the finished product! :)

Shiny and clear! : )

(It is hard to see in the photo, but the white charms have various print on them)

They have many bezel set pieces of jewelry out there…

earrings, necklaces, charms--big and small!! 
Also, with an unlimited amount of fabric and paper choices... 
Your creative options are endless!


Thank you Ashley from Not Just Grannies for the bracelet mention!

On to other jewelry that I have recently made for birthday gifts!
A red, black and silver necklace and bracelet set. 

 

A pink, white and coral necklace and earring set.

The pendant can be removed so that she can wear 

just the beaded necklace by itself if she wishes!

(Please don't mind the faces--Larry was making me laugh while taking pictures!)

One of my own: Ruffle Shirt {Mini Tutorial}

In the midst of working on gifts and orders, I managed to finally squeeze in a project for myself (though I still have LOTS to work on)! My last post I wrote about my inspiration for my Ruffled Shrug from Tea Rose Home...which is the most adorable ruffled shirt made from just two identical tees. Well, I finally stumbled across some tee's on sale at Wally World for only $2 each and grabbed two grey ones, perfect for work...and finally this project. I LOVE her ruffled shirt and have been dying to make one ever since I saw her idea many months ago!

Here is what I started off with...but two tees of course. 

Her tutorial is very helpful, so no need to repeat what she did perfectly...and best of all it took no time to make! The only difference I made with mine was that I turned my tee into a tank. Much more comfortable for the office and easier to throw a cardigan or jacket over :) 

And here is the final product!

Thank you so much Sachiko for this simple but super cute idea. 

By the way, she has over 140 comments on this little beauty...and no wonder why! :) 

3 for the price of 1! {Ruffled ShrugTutorial}

Unfortunately there wasn't too much sewing or crafting this holiday weekend...even though I had 3 days off! I'm a little disappointed in myself. But, I did go on a (not so) mini shopping spree for work clothes with Larry's mom. There was an AMAZING sale! I literally got 14 new tops, 3 capris, a pair of pants, two dresses, a skirt and two heels. I also "spoiled" myself with a pair of jeans and new shorts to wear on the weekends :) I know this sounds like a lot of money spent, but everything was literally under $5 each! 

One of the dresses was really nice for work, though the top just wasn't right. But for ONLY $4, mom convinced me that I could make something work of it. Originally, we bought a separate top that I could wear over the top of the dress (which gave it the illusion that it was a skirt) which looked super cute, but once I got home I knew I could make it better! I originally thought I would go this route from Sew Woodsy and create an elastic waistband skirt. After looking at the dress though, it was easier than I thought! There was an elastic band sewed in and I literally was able to just cut the top off from the skirt, with no repairs needing to be made. The skirt came out perfect! And now I can wear it with the original shirt that we purchased as planned, or with any other shirt! (The sash allows for many options also!)

After cutting the top off, I KNEW I had to make something of it...I just can't seem to throw away ANY scraps or old clothes anymore...it can always be made into something! :) I decided to combine a few different looks from Tea Rose Home and her ruffle shirt that I LOVE. I haven't came across any two shirts the same to make this exact look yet, but I figured I could make something similar. So, here it is!

Ruffled Shrug
PS-I LOVE ruffles...other than pearls, sparkle and lace, it's THE girliest thing ever :)

Supplies: Two shirts (tank, tee or long sleeve--the colors depend on the look you want, both of mine were white)
Thread & a sewing machine! 

Step 1. Take your original shirt that fits the best. Mine was a tank style--not too warm or practical I know, BUT this was a trial run. Cut down the center. Also cut horizontally at the length you want (if desired) Mine was literally the top part of the dress, which wasn't too dressy and the armholes were a little baggy. Make sure to use a tee shirt or jersey material=no hemming or fraying! 

Step 2. Take the other t-shirt (mine was an old undershirt) and cut up the side and across the top to remove the neck and armholes. We only need the bottom portion of the t-shirt material from here on out. Try to cut a little more neater than I did :) haha

Step 3. Lay the shirt flat open. Cut out four strips for your ruffles. The top two are a little thinner, about 1 1/4 inches wide. The bottom two are about 2-2 1/4 inches wide. The lines on the photo are where I made my other cuts. (I saved the bottom strip for yet another project.)

Step 4. Create the ruffle for the neck using the thinner strips. Sew them together at the ends to form one large strip. Using the longest stitch and looser tension on your sewing machine, sew down the entire CENTER of the strip. Do not secure the ends...now hold the bottom thread and scrunch the fabric to form the ruffle. Play with the length and look to where you can pin it around your collar to where it lays nice and even. 

Step 5. Sew down the center of the ruffle onto the collar. Don't forget to change your machine settings back to normal before you do this!

Step 6. Form your lower ruffle with the wider pieces using the same technique as before. Stitch the ends together to form one large strip. Put your settings on a looser tension and longest stitch, but this time sew at the TOP of the strip. Gather and adjust the ruffle to the length of the bottom of your shirt. Pin the ruffle on top of the shirt around the bottom and sew (with your original machine settings!)

Step 7. I almost stopped here--and I could have. But I decided to add a ribbon to be able to tie the shrug. I used a 4 foot ribbon cut in half. Fold ends under twice and pin to the underside of the shirt. Use a nice re-enforced stitch to secure the ribbon. Do this to both sides of your shirt.

And, you're done! 

SO simple and adorable.

I definitely plan to make some out of a few old sweaters that have become too short, as well as use some old tees and 3/4 length tees to make into cardigans. 

This one may not be good for warmth or coverage, BUT it adds a little flair over a simple tank. :)

All in all my $4 dress has been re-vamped into a...skirt, dress & shrug!!

3 for the price of 1 :)

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