DIY project inventory list

I've been noticing some really fun and whimisical DIY/crafting ideas and thought I'd share them in a post dedicated to future projects I hope to undertake:

DIY crocheted-flower bunting from Project Nursey:

Awesome but labor-intensive DIY felt wreath from Domestic Fluff:

DIY flower garland from Once Wed:

DIY birdcages from The Brides Cafe:

DIY silverware chandelier from Apartment Therapy:

(check out the $4500 version at Anthropologie)

That's Sew LA!

So after my skirt-to-apron attempt, I realized that the sewing skills from my 7th grade home ec class aren't up to par anymore and it's time to take a sewing class.  I found a really cute one in Silver Lake called Sew LA which isn't too far from my place (well, without hideous LA traffic, that is).

Sew LA offers classes for students of various levels, including private lessons, but they also have a great selection of really cute fabric, plus supplies and books.  I'm gonna have to check this place out soon!  They actually have a class on making vintage aprons...

source

What to do with fabric flowers...

I made three fabric flowers last night, but not quite sure what to do with them.  Any thoughts?

I'm thinking either headband, necklace, or embellishment for a shirt.

Details: Semi-DIY skirt to apron project

Okay, so here's what ya'll been waiting for...my instructions for converting a skirt into an apron!

This is my first tutorial, so please bear with me if some instructions are totally obvious. 

Step 1:  find an old skirt, knee length or a couple of inches shorter, to start with.  Mine was a cute retro-inspired one from Red Dress Shoppe that's a bit too pink and floral for my tastes now.

Step 2: Take your skirt and lay frontside down, and cut out the back of the skirt.  I left about 4 inches on each side (sorry no picture of this!).  Set this piece aside, as it'll be used later!

Step 3:  Take about 1/2" on the left and right edge, pin, and iron down.

Step 4:  With a sewing machine, sew the hems on each side of the skirt, then remove the pins.  I just used a basic running (?) stitch with white thread. 

Step 5: Take the piece of fabric you cut from the back of the skirt, and cut two 4" strips from each piece.  Fold in half wrongside out, pin, and iron.  Sew around bottom and side edges, then turn inside out.  These are going to be the apron ties.

Step 6: Pin the apron tie to the inside of the top edge of the apron skirt and sew.  I made two parallel running stitches to make sure that the tie was securely attached to the apron skirt.  Repeat on other side of the apron.

inside of apron

what it looks like from the front (sorry my stitches suck)

That's it!  Now, try on your apron and see how it looks!

What's sad is that as simple as this project was, it still took me several days to finish since I'd only work on it an hour or so every few days.  And as you saw, my sewing skills are pretty depressing.  Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon and start creating Etsy-quality items soon!

Semi-DIY: turn a skirt into an apron

I love the idea of crafting and creating cute, functional items. But the reality is, I'm terrible at DIY projects.  Horrible.  Undisciplined.  Impatient.  Easily distracted.

So I'm trying to start off slowly, by doing easy projects that don't require complicated steps or extensive preparation time.  Have you seen that show "Semi-Homemade" on the Food Network, where the host take something like 75% store-bought items and combines them with 25% fresh ingredients to create something that emulates homemade goodness?  Well, my version of this is "Semi-DIY: Even You Can't Mess This Up."  This involves taking already made items, applying a little bit cutting, tearing, gluing, and sewing to create something that you can pretend was entirely handmade.  You can stay quiet on the details and bask in praise from others when you proudly show off your finished product.

My first project was a flower headband made from an old shirt, which turned out okay, actually.  Current project is an apron made from a skirt.  Since this involved a sewing machine, it was more complicated and maddening (especially since I haven't used one in ages).  It's still in the works...after more than a week.  I'll post pictures soon!

Baby shower idea: baby bookworms

I adore Paper Source.  A lot of my money has been spent there on items that still have yet to be used.  When the site started a blog with various projects and ideas, I was literally in heaven. 

Here's a really fun baby shower invitation idea that they created using their circle card and sticker products.  Clever, huh?

Being a bookworm myself, this project totally resonated with me.  The "thanks" card in the foreground is also super cute too.  Now I know what my next project is gonna be!