My First Fabric Flower

Confession: I've been stealing accessories from my 4 month old baby.

Hey, I'm sure I'm not the only one! It's quite the temptation, their stuff is so cute! Well, some of her clips and things I've been wearing myself. I guess 'closet sharing' starts quite earlier between Mothers and Daughters than I thought. Anyway, so I decided to make my very first fabric flower

for 'us' to wear ;)

(I'm a very visual person, so sorry for all the pictures.)

I started with some light blue lining that I had from ages ago.

And a silver button that I recently bought.

First I cut off a test piece and tested the burn method on it to make

sure that it would work properly...and it did :)

Then I cut out 6 circles...not perfect circles, but they don't have to be 'cause the burn method will alter them anyway, and it gives them character, right?

I believe the sizes were:

1- 4"; 2- 3 1/2"; 1- 2 3/4"; 1- 1 1/2"; 1- 1"

(in diameter)

Then I took the lighter (or I've seen people use a candle), and held it close to the edges all the way around the circle. Just close enough for it to melt and curl up just barely,

but not enough for it to catch on fire.

Then stack the 'pedals', and I adjusted them how I wanted them.

Just right so every piece could be seen well.

Then I added the button on top. And stitched it through all the layers.

Then I stitched on a pin piece, or whatever you call 'em.

Usually I think people add a piece of felt to the bottom to reinforce it,

but I didn't have any and couldn't go to the store, so this works for now. :)

Tada! A cute flower for Little Angel's headband.

Or for a pin on a shirt, or a necklace!

Love it! And yes, I will share. ;)

From blogland to real life

My addiction to blogland has just gotten worse and worse. Which I think is a good thing in some ways. It can't be all that bad to be learning how to be thrifty and creative, right? Except that I'm on my laptop all day at least 1/2 the day...eek!
Here's where I get stumped though. I see all these fab ideas, but I have a hard time actually applying it to my own home/wardrobe. Check out these super cute ideas:

Just add a ruffle to the sweater! From The Idea Room.

Or add a little burlap, ribbon and buttons to an old lampshade! From Thrifty Decor Chick.

Look at this adorable little dress! Made from some extra fabric, lace, and an old baby tee! From The Rubber Punkin.

This is one of my favorites!!! It's Basically the same idea as the little girl's dress above, from My Mama Made It. Just an old shirt that she added some fabric for a skirt, and ruffles on the front, and voila! A new dress! I soooo need to do this one, 'cause I hardly have ANY dresses that fit me since little baby came.

But here's my problem, I don't see any of my own shirts and think "Hey I could refashion that!" I need to work on that. Maybe I'll just try using one that I think wouldn't work at all, and "Make it work!" As Tim Gunn says...hehe. Love that man! "Designers....make it work." (as he shakes his little fist in the air) Haha! Love it!

What do you think? Have you tried any refashioning lately? Is it easy or hard for you?

Love, Actually

You have to check out this site! They have awesome ideas for romance on a budget, and even if you're lucky enough to not have a small budget, they're still awesome ideas to bring you and your loved one closer together.
We tried their 'Sleepover idea' and it was a blast! After Rowan went to bed Ben and I laid out blankets on the floor with LOTS of pillows and watched a movie while we snacked out on popcorn and cheese and crackers! Then we snuggled in all the cuddly blanket/pillow mess :D Loved it!!!
Check them out, they're awesome!

Unexpected Christmas Gift

While we were in Utah with my parents for Christmas I recieved the most awesome unexpected gift! FABRIC!!!
My Mom and I had been walking through WalMart, and I stopped to look at fabic, 'cause their WalMarts have way more and for way better prices than in AZ. But I didn't want to get any right then.
When we got back to the house my Mom pulled out a huge tub of old fabric and scraps that she'd been keeping. Actually almost all of it we bought because though my teen and even pre-teen years I was planning on making stuff with it, but never ended up doing it. So, she told me that I would most likely use it now so I should take what I wanted!!! Yipee!
Look at all this goodness! :D

How cute it this?! They are cut-out fleece teddy bears!

You just sew the two pieces together and stuff it, like a pillow. Fun!

And Check out all the patterns she gave me too. Some of them I used when I was younger.

Check out these two on the right. My Mom got these for my siblings back in like the late 70's or 80's.

I love look'n back at these oldy styles.

And here's my favorite, the one in the middle, so cute! I can't wait to make this for Rowan when she gets a little bigger. But of course I'll put my own little fashion twist on it ;)

Oh and that cute sun and moon denim that was underneath all the

rest of the fabric...yeah I've got great plans for that! Can't wait to show you!

Another giveaway notification

Alexis from My Mama Made It is having a New Year's giveaway. I totally want this cape that she created. It's the giveaway item. Check it out! She's got incredible style, and I love following her blog. Take a look!

My Big Brother Robert

Since we were in Utah for Christmas, and having fun with family, and showing off the new baby...you know how things get when you're on vacation. The blogging world just seems to go on hold. Especially since it seems that we are all family oriented people. For which I'm super grateful for. I love reading others blogs about their family events, or what their kids are up to, or what they made for their kids, etc.

So, while doing fun family stuff in Utah over Christmas, I didn't get a chance to write a birthday note to my brother. And his birthday was just before Christmas on the 23rd. So, to catch up...here goes!

This is my brother Robert. Robert has done everything! He used to do modeling (as if you can't tell), and has been a flight attendant for about 10 years now, so he has truly traveled the world! Brazil, Japan, New York (like a mill-ee-on times) he even lived there. Gosh I don't even know where all he's been. But I sure ended up with some great souvenirs! ;)

My brother is the kind of guy that doesn't even know how special he is. He is sincerely kind, loving, thoughtful, and giving. And he's a true defender of what is right as well.
One memory I have of him is when I was 17 and I broke my back and compressed three vertebrae. I had to wear this really long turtle shell back brace that covered from just below my neck down to my hips, like a huge girdle. Well, after a little while I didn't want to wear it anymore, of course what 17 year old girl wants to work and live in that thing (especially while being a waitress). My Mom kept telling me that I was going to have serious lasting damages, and that I better wear my brace, but no dice, I just didn't want to. I know, I was dumb, what can I say? Robert found out and came to talk to me about it. He asked me to 'please wear it', that is was 'important'. And because I always looked up to him, I listened. And no, I'm not paralyzed, my back (although now perfect) is much better than it would've been. Thank you Rob!

Another time he really helped me in my life, and probably one of the most important, was at the end of senior year of high school. I had slacked off that year, and as graduation drew near I didn't know if I would graduate. I had all these extra 'packets' to do, and assignments to catch up on. I really felt like giving up because it really became SO stressful. I remember very clearly how he really wanted me to graduate with my class, and it became a motivation for me. There was one especially stressful time during all that when I had about 3 places to be at once, tons of homework to do with nearing deadlines, and he was going to give me a ride somewhere. Everything had just become too much that day and he took me aside and gave me a big hug and told me things would work out. This is an excerpt from an online journal I was keeping back then. "I knew that he really wanted me to graduate with my class, and I had just needed someone to give me that hug that he did, and it really meant so much."
Robert you're awesome! I'm proud to have you as my brother. Happy Birthday!!!


Love,

~Crystal

Julie and Julia

I just finished watching 'Julie and Julia'. The movie with Amy Adams and Meryll Streep. Two great actresses! I have to say that the movie inspired me to blog more and not worry about it so much. I tend to over-complicate things, if you haven't noticed. So, I'll have an idea for a blog, but wait weeks, maybe a month to write it...or just forget it entirely. But not anymore. I have been inspired!
As for the movie. I thought it was great, but I didn't like the end. Then I went researching the two real-life people (who were the main characters), and was sadly dissapointed with one of them. Hmm.
But I'm still inspired. Blogging here I come!

~Crystal