Homemade Holiday feature!!

Ruche launched their very lovely Homemade Holiday look book and I am so elated to have 2 projects featured!

The first one using a jar with alcohol ink polka dots and lace to hold your embellished gift. I should do a more detailed post about this because Tim Holtz's alcohol ink is amazing! It was my first time painting on glass and I'm holding back from painting all over our windows! After the polkies I added Hambly lace rubons.

The other project is something that I have done in years past, it's a book gutted out with a present inside. I did this for my brother a couple years ago and even made sure that his book was the perfect size to hold his Instax too. He's the one who got me hooked on my Instax in the first place and has stacks of pictures laying around. I added twine and vintage buttons and made pinwheels with the extra paper from the book.

Check out the rest of the Homemade Holiday projects & outfits... you'll be humming Christmas Carols in no time!

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diy: Ruffle Knee Socks

My sister used to always tease me because my socks were always mismatched. You couldn't see them so who cares, right? I'm not sure when things changed, probably when Punky Brewster stopped airing on television, but now I am pretty much obsessed with socks. My drawer is filled with polka dots, stripes and my favorite are over-the-knee paired with leggings. I put together this little diy to make your own ruffle knee socks they are perfect this fall and winter with boots so the lace just peeks out at the top.

Here's how I did it:

These socks are from Target for 2.50 along with some other more decorative ones.

I cut off the band at the top and then also made a slit about 2" long down from the edge. After you cut the slit then smooth off the corners so that there is a bit of a dip in your sock and not quite so blunt of corners. What this does is it gives you more room to fit the sock on your leg after you sew the ruffle. The first time I tried this the sock was too tight on my leg so I unstitched it and add the slit and it worked. Also, the ruffle is quite forgiving once you are done and you won't even tell where you cut it.

Next, cut 2 strips 2" lace. Layer both strips of the lace on top of the sock & sew a few stitches to keep it in place. Then, hold the fabric behind the sewing machine while stretching the bottom sock layer in front as far as you can. Keep it stretched out really tight the whole time you are sewing. You don't need to ruffle as you go because stretching it out makes the ruffle once you are done sewing and you release your sock.

Add a bow or buttons on the outside of each sock. This bow was made with Chevron Fabric paper but I removed the fabric from the adhesive back that way it is easier to work with.

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Looking forward to keep warm while wearing these with boots and leggings this winter. Enjoy! xo Lizzy

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hot cocoa for two

Such a cheery gift idea that is quite simple yet unexpected. I love it... and have plans for lots of Christmas presents in jars this year. Plus, how unique to wrap your presents in fabric?! Perfection.

chewing the cud via rue magazine

PS I couldn't figure out how to download the tags and recipe but I'm sure it's pretty you could google a good recipe.

diy: Leaves Banner

In the entry way of our home I've begun a collection of random hooks. So far their only job was holding umbrellas but after seeing a darling banner my friend Annie made from Instax I dressed the hooks up with a festy fall banner.

It includes handcut leaves from paper, felt, fabric and paper then sewed through them along with vintage flashcards & Instax.

The medallion was made from my Free People catalog and vintage book paper.

I took the photos with the Instax adapter/filter set. It includes filters to add cool effects to your photos. How cheesy and awesome are the multiple images filters? Makes me laugh!

refashion: Ruffle Blazer

I would love to have the time and patience to thrift more often. It's fun seeing what other people find. Actually, let me rephrase that... it drives me nuts when I see what other people find because I swear the best thing I've ever thrifted was the Sound of Music record & Collin's old lady Halloween costume. Which I am very proud about both!

You could imagine my excitement when I found a blazer for 2 bucks! I did a little happy cheer all the way to the register. Then all the employees broke into a celebratory song and dance as they carried me out the store on their shoulders.

Not really, but I did get what I needed to make a ruffle blazer.

REFASHION:

First, I found a pleated lace trim and sewed it to the bottom inside of the jacket only sewing onto the lining. Then I pulled off the shoulder pads and slightly opened the seam to remove them then sewed the seam back together. It still seems a little big on her but at the rate she grows it will fit snug in no time & be too small by spring.

Last, I added some Miss Ruby Sue rolled flowers, Deja Vu pearl necklace and the cutest knitted bow from Emmadime- her shop is perfect for Fall. I swoon over it all.

She is my girly girl of the three sprouts so I knew that if she was going to wear a blazer... it better be as pretty as can be!

The picture above astounds me and I absolutely love it. Especially larger on my computer screen.

Oh, my sweet girl, who is such a little stinker! Like how she poured milk into her watercolor cup and then painted and kept drinking the black murky milk.

Collin did such an awesome job taking photos. He's so good at letting her play and then capturing the moment.

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It's Your Day: board book

To celebrate Ruche's birthday last week they asked me to contribute a birthday diy for their blog festivities. I thought this Birthday Board Book would be fun!

DIY: Birthday Board Book

Instead of designing a handmade birthday card, make a birthday board book where each page is its own confetti filled present!

Materials:

Gather some basic supplies: Letter Stickers, Decorative Tape,
Vellum Envies, Striped Buttons, Tickets, Instax Pictures from Instax Camera, Number
Stickers 1-5, Twine, Sequins, and Fabric Strips.

Use the bottom of the Instax photos to write messages to the Birthday boy/girl! I use my AC slick writer for that.

Instructions:

Start with 6 pieces of chipboard and punch 2 holes for the book rings 3/4" from the edge and an inch from the top and bottom. I prefer to use my Crop-A-Dile when punching through chipboard. Next, Adhere down a strip of fabric or paper to the left side of the chipboard & attach a vellum envelope. Then fill the envelope with sequins, photos, word confetti that describe the person and a birthday message. Seal the envelope shut with a small piece of masking tape. (The tape works awesome with the vellum envelopes because it easily opens with out tearing and you can re-seal it when you are finished.) Last, add any buttons or tickets to dress up the outside. Added touches: I numbered each page 1-5 with a sticker that I attached on top of the masking tape as extra element.

This is such a fun project because each page with the vellum envelopes is basically a birthday present in itself. It's so fun when the sequins and word confetti spill out and is sure to make someone's
birthday special!

Hope you enjoy! Lizzy xo

Pom Pom Braid Bracelets

Today is the start of my new summer blog series: One for me ♡ One for you.

For me, when I was a kid summer was all about play. Soaking up every minute until sun-down: running in sprinklers, going to the Drive Inn, snow cones and ice cream trucks. One thing we can not leave out of summer traditions are friendship bracelets!

Over the upcoming summer weeks, a few guest bloggers and I are going to share some lovely friendship bracelet ideas and even giveaway some of the bracelets to you!

The first guest blogger is Mandi from Here's Looking At You Kid. I've followed her blog for a few years and I love her incredible taste whether it's home decor, her vintage wardrobe finds or her beautiful designs. She shares a lovely how-to below.

Pom Pom Braid Bracelets

Here's how:

- cut scrap fabric (mine are leftover from hemming clothes) into three strips:

sizes for 2 short strips: add 4 inches to wrist diameter.

size for 1 long strip (this is the one you will tie): add 6 inches to wrist diameter

- Allowing the long strip to extend past the shorter ones, begin braiding the fabric. At the beginning and end of braid, knot the two shorter strips around the long strip.

- Trim edges to desired length using a penant or diagonal style cut.

- Add fray-check to the edges of unbraided fabric, and once dry, trim excess strands.

- Wrap the braid around your wrist, tying the long strips together in a loose knot.

Mandi made the bracelets with her friend Vanessa, so, even better than making one for a friend, make them together!

What a fun start! Leave a comment and Mandi would love to prettily package up a friendship Pom Pom Braid Bracelet and ship it out to you!

keep kids busy kit

Thank you so much for your uplifting comments and comforting words about my grandpa. It means so much!

Before we left I quickly put together a kit to keep my kids busy during our trip here to San Diego for my Grandpa's memorial service and to be here with my Grandma.

Board Books//Fabric Dolls//Bubbles//Paints, Brushes & Wood Shapes//Playdoh & Playdoh shapes//Gel Pens, Markers & Crayons to go with their Blank Book. Lastly, I made some alphabet chips to play with. Avery loves sounding out and asks me how to spell certain names and words. Quincey loves singing the alphabet and putting them in order.

I painted one side white and punched a circle piece of paper for the back side. Then I added felt alphabet letters to the opposite side.

It all fit together perfectly in a Something Splendid fabric bag.

You may also like:

Wood Memory Game Kit OR the

diy: Art Kit