Pattern Success: Nigella Yoga Bag

I found this while browsing the interwebs one day & decided to try it out.

Here is a link to the free pattern: Nigella Yoga Bag

And here's how mine turned out. I made one for my sister and one for me. It took less than 2 yards of fabric, and I used IKEA's fabric so that I wouldn't have to line it. It's very sturdy & has two functional pockets. This pattern comes highly recommended by me (and I'm not always the best at following the directions exactly and it still worked out--that's how I know it's good).

The bag is big enough to fit a yoga mat with a yoga towel comfortably. Mine is the blue one & it fits a Pilates mat perfectly too!

Do you know any good free patterns? This would make a great gift & the holidays are right around the corner! Now go make one & be inspired to do some yoga!

Scrap-buster Fabric Canvas Art: DIY

I got this inspiration after a trip to Fancy Tiger and saw some canvases hanging on the wall with fabric scraps as the main focal point. Seeing as how I have loads of fabric scraps, this was the perfect project.

Here's the how-to:

12 x 15.5 canvas, fabric scraps, scissors, fine point Sharpie, 3M spray adhesive, ruler, pencil

To start, draw diagonals. I made mine fairly small at first & decided it would look too busy, so I erased and made them a bit bigger. Ultimately, I made 40 full diamonds with five half diamonds running along the side and the top (see picture).

Next, cut out just slightly smaller diamonds from your fabric scraps. Cut a few extra in case you don't like a few after laying them out. I ended up using 40 different fabrics!

Now trace over your pencil lines with a fine tipped Sharpie. I wanted my lines to show up but not be too bold.

Now spray a thin layer of adhesive to the canvas (this stuff works so well!) And just start placing the scraps on in whatever order you like! Here's my finished project.

Wouldn't this look so great ombre? (if you had enough different fabrics of the same color) Enjoy! 

Craft Day Projects: Stuffed Birdies

Crafting is obviously very cathartic to me & being creative with a friend is so much fun. That's why at least twice a year Chelsea & I get together and craft for hours together. This time we tackled some stuffed birds & two random other projects: leaf garland headband & a cute coaster.

Here is the pattern we used: Mister Blue Bird.

Here is the link to the pinspiration for the headband: Leaf Garland Headband.

It feels so good to see the finished projects all lined up like that!

Wedding DIY: Garter

There are a lot of ways to save money on weddings these days by doing some little things yourself. DIY is becoming more and more popular with sites like Pinterest devoted to inspiring that creative side in you. My sister & I have done a lot of DIY projects in terms of the wedding. I will feature some of the projects on here. Some have been ideas from Pinterest with our own twist, and others have been uniquely designed.

After seeing the price of some really beautiful garters, we thought, "why not make it ourselves?" As her maid of honor, it was my pleasure to make this fun present for her (and her hubby-to-be).

We hit up the shelves of Joann, bought some lace, ostrich feather, bling, pearls, and elastic. After sewing the elastic and lace together, I added the personal touches with her desires in mind. I made the ribbon rosette with ribbon I already had on hand. A little glue gun action, and ta da! So beautiful & personalized.

It only cost us around $18 for both (coupons, people!), and it's a great personal touch.

[Chelsea Crew Gilda Pumps]

So there you go! Possibly some inspiration! Go ahead & do it yourself!

Updates!

Here's a brief update from the last year+ and then I'll dive right back into all the fun projects that have filled the days!

 I turned 24!

Spent a lot of time hiking & enjoying the outdoors.

Took the annual trip to see my college friends!

Co-hosted a DIY Great American Beer Fest! Fun way to try a lot of different beers!

Moved into a new house with three other roommates & celebrated Christmas all together.

On New Year's I started a mason jar full of funny & great memories. It's so much fuller now!

Hosted a DIY Sipping & Painting party!

Celebrated these two getting engaged (& have been planning the wedding ever since)! :)

Went to Alaska.

Ran a half marathon!

Enjoyed the outdoors more.

Got bangs again.

& turned 25!

Okay, now onto the crafts ;)

T-Shirt Upcycle: Adding a Customized Pocket (15 minute project!)

Here's how you can update an old t-shirt you don't wear very much with a cute little pocket in a print of your choice.

What you'll need:

T-shirt

Fabric of your choice

Thread

Scissors

Sewing machine (or hand sew)

Iron

I used cardboard and created a simple five point pocket by free handing it. You can skip this step if you want! I like to use the cardboard pattern for future projects.

Cut two pocket patterns from your fabric.

Place them right sides together & sew a 1/4 inch seam across the top.

Press the seam open.

Fold in half, enclosing the raw edges you just sewed & ironed. The right sides of the fabric should be on either side of the pocket. Then sew a seam about 3/4 inch down from the top.

Use an iron to press the raw edges of the pocket in. It should look something like this:

Pin the pocket directly on to the t-shirt. I put mine on the left side, but most pockets come on the right (FYI), just felt like being different.

Using the sewing machine, sew down the two sides and around the point at the bottom. Leave the top of the pocket open (do not sew across the top or you will no longer have a pocket but a patch). 

Done in just about 15 minutes! Repeat with as many shirts as you like! Enjoy!