Pink Lace for Easter

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Well, a few days after Easter and I’m finally getting around to posting this. 

It’s my Easter dress!

I used that over all lace fabric I bought as SAS (see A Quick and Pink Craft Haul).  I wanted something pink and floral this year and while thinking about that I got the idea to use lace.

I made little roses from ribbon to decorate the neckline.  It took a while because not only did I have to make each one by hand, but I also had to re-learn how to do it.  It’s been a while since I last made them. 

Funny thing is that the last time I made ribbon roses was also for an Easter dress (see Time for Some Catching Up).  Actually a lot of the design for this dress was inspired by that dress.

I added little faux pearl beads to the center of each rose for an added touch.

I used a wide ribbon the same color as the roses as a sash around the waist.

The “sleeves” are made solely from the lace, so they have a sheer appearance.  I originally wanted to make a section on the front of the bodice with just the lace, but I thought that might be a tad too revealing.  Not to mention too complicated and time consuming to complete in such a short time frame.

Instead of hemming the edge of the lace of the skirt, I added ribbon to finish it.  It helps to balance out the top.  It wasn’t exactly the easiest thing I’ve ever sewn.  Those who sew lace and netting a lot would understand.  And I think I would recommend using clips instead of sewing pins.  The pins mostly got in my way and snag the ribbon.

Now for the accessories, because why make a pretty dress without completing the outfit?

I made a pretty headband using the pink and white flowers I bought from SAS.  I actually had to make it twice.  The first time it looked pretty, but I realized it didn’t look as pretty on my head which is necessary for a “head” band.  So I took it apart and put it back together again.

I also made a necklace of faux glass pearls to help tie in the headband and stuff.  I bought these pearls ages ago at Joann.  Makes for a simple yet pretty necklace that I can wear with just about anything, super plus.

Since I bought a ton of fabric, I whipped up a matching purse too.  It’s simple little bag with a flap, similar to several I’ve done before.  The flap closes with Velcro.  I normally use snaps, but I was lazy this time.  It’s so much faster to use Velcro, at least when you use a sewing machine.  I made a larger ribbon rose to finish the bag.

Speaking of larger ribbon roses, I made a pair of them to make the final accessory, shoe clips.  Because my cute white shoes needed a little something to tie them in with the rest of the outfit.  I made them just like the shoe clips I made last year (see Lace Rosette Shoe Clips with a Twist and Tutorial).  A simple and cute way to finish off a pretty pink outfit.

Here’s the updated list:

• Dress
• Accessories
• Jeans
• Baby
• Little dress

Two down, three more to go.  I’m running late with the next two, but I should have them up soon.  Look forward to it.

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Velvet and Lace, Making a Black Dress Cuter

The previous couple of projects for my craft list were skirts, but this one is a simple dress.

I found this velvet dress (like much of my wardrobe) at a thrift store and had to have it.  I have several black velvet dresses and pretty much wear them year round.

This particular one didn’t fit me as well as I would have liked, a frequent problem for me.  I could have easily just taken it in a little and left it at that, but why not do a little more?

I first pinned it on the sides and at the top.  This obviously makes the dress smaller and the top part of it shorter, my unusual problem areas for fitting.

After sewing and trimming off the excess, just needed to embellish the dress a little.  I added this pretty lace along the neckline along with some pearls to make it extra special.  Looks really nice and it hides any sewing errors.

The results: A super pretty velvet dress that actually fits me.

As an extra bonus, I use the scraps of fabric to make a matching headband.  I just wrapped the strips of fabric around the blank headband base while gluing it down, and then added a simple bow.  A great way to complete this pretty new outfit.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pink eyelet
• Sunflower dress
• Denim skirt
• Velvet dress
• Blue plaid
• High-waist

Four down, just two more to go.  The next one should be up by Friday.  Look forward to it!

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Craft Haul! or I just Went in for One Thing!

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Well there’s another resolution thoroughly broken.  Yes I went to the craft store, again(see 2016 Resolutions Update: Round 2).  And bought way more than I needed, again. 

I just thought I’d go to Joann to buy a couple small sheets of craft foam for a certain project.  Then I remembered I had a nice coupon, and they had some things on sale…

…so I came back with all of this.

I got several packs of sew-on snaps and hooks and eyes.  They are a staple for making clothes, for people and dolls.

I also got a pack of soft Velcro.  This stuff is also great for doll clothes too.

From the maker’s of my favorite embellishing glue, it’s Aleene’s Tacky Glue!  Yay!  Okay, I actually needed it for a certain project.  You will see why later.

Behold, eco-felt in a wide assortment of beautiful colors!

It was on sale for 33 cents a sheet, and since felt is so useful for small crafts I couldn’t pass it up.

Those were all fairly essential craft supplies, but this is a little different.  It’s a pendant, shaped like a tambourine.  I found it with the jewelry supplies.  Many of the beads and stuff were half off including this. 

Honestly, the only reason I got it was because I thought it was the perfect size for dolls.  Imagine it, dolls with musical instruments.  In fact, I saw several others charms and pendants that also would have worked for dolls.

That’s one of the reasons why I got these.  They are 3 mm. faux pearls, also half off.  Perfect size for making tiny pieces such as more of those doll necklaces or doll purses I made (see 5 a Week: Jewelry for Dolls and 5 a Week: Cute Felt Bags for Dolls with a Tutorial).

Strange to say, but I also got this to use to make doll stuff.  It’s 16 gauge copper wire.  What I will make with it, you will have to wait to see.

These wooden dowels will also be used with the wire, but only a couple will be used.  The rest I will have to find other uses for.  Well as the package says, they have “thousands of uses.”  But I just need to find one.

That goes for the rest of these supplies.  Whatever I make with it, it will at least be interesting.  Look forward to it.

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5 a Week: Jewelry for Dolls

 

It’s Sunday, and time for week 1 of this year’s edition of…

 

…The Five a Week Pledge.

If you haven’t been around here, it’s where you pledge to do five things each week of your choice (see here for more info).  I pledged to make five small crafts each week.  Feel free to grab a button and join me.  If you already have, post a comment or a link to share what you accomplished.

This week’s craft:

Doll Sized Jewelry

Most of the projects from last year were doll items because I had just gotten my ball jointed doll (see Catching Up: A New Friend) and because small things like doll clothes, etc. are perfect for this challenge.  I thought since I got another doll (see Two of a Kind Doll Dresses), that I should continue this idea so she can have plenty of things too.

That being said, this jewelry wasn’t actually made for the new doll.  I made one bracelet for her but the rest is for the older doll, Hikaru (See my doll blog for her reaction to the jewelry). 

It’s been a year since I got her so it’s technically her “birthday”.  Actually it was her birthday last month, I got her toward the end of May and in my head I thought it was June.  Anyway, jewelry is a perfect present for a doll right?

First up is the bracelets, as modeled by my new ball jointed doll, Usagi.  The two on the left are simply faux pearls on elastic, I added a bow to the one on the right because I made it for Usagi. 

They are made with larger pearls than the ones for the necklaces because the elastic was too thick to use for the small pearls.  No problem, there’s nothing wrong with having a chunkier bracelet.

Now the first necklace was made with the smaller pearls strung together with an ordinary clasp at the back.  Simple as can be but very cute.  I bought these pearls ages ago at Joann Fabric and Crafts intending to eventually make doll necklaces (see The Biggest Craft Haul Ever).

I didn’t want the second necklace the same way as the first and I had plenty of the thin ribbon, so I tried this idea I found for making bracelets with beads and ribbon.  I’m afraid I can’t remember where I saw it, but I thought at the time that it was super cute an looked easy to do.  It took a bit of time even at doll size, but it was easy enough and the result is very cute.

And since ribbon is used, no need for a clasp.  I actually don’t like clasps and usually avoid them when I can.  I kind of want to make another one of these necklaces for myself now.

Now I have pretty necklaces and bracelets for my dolls, and good ideas for myself.  Now what’s in store for next week.

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5 a Week: Crystal Pearl Bracelets

 

It’s Sunday, so it’s time for week 11 of…

 

…The Five a Week Pledge.

 

If you haven’t been around here, it’s where you pledge to do five things each week of your choice (see the first week for more info).  I pledged to make five small crafts each week.  Feel free to grab a button and join me.  If you already have, post a comment or a link to share what you accomplished.

 

This week’s craft:

Bracelets!

I got plenty of jewelry making supplies and tools this week (see The Biggest Haul Ever) and was itching to use them.  I used some of the pink and white faux pearls from the last batch of bracelets I made (see Five a Week: Bracelets), but this time I added clear crystal-y beads for all but the last bracelet. 

The last one was just a way to use up some extra beads.  I just took the last few beads I had in those sizes, arranged them in a way I thought looked good, then added some more faux pearls until it was long enough for a bracelet.

Now for a small request, I’m having a hard time deciding what sort of project to do for this coming week.  Any ideas? Please leave a comment with any suggestions, links to tutorials are more than welcome too.  And look forward to next week.

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Frills and Lace

I saw this sweater tutorial on Tea Rose Home and totally loved it.  I decided to make something similar to it except I used ruffley lace instead of ruffles.  Although ruffles are pretty and feminine, too many make me look like I’m in costume.  This sweater is just right for me and looks lovely with dresses or t-shirts.

Since I had the lace out, I decided to make a pretty little pin to match.  I’ve just been into pins lately, and this was so simple.  I just formed a bow, like the kind used for presents, and stitched it in place.  Then I glued on some faux pearls and attached it to a pin back.  It would probably make a nice little gift for someone, but who?  Hmmm.

Here’s the updated list:

• bunny hat
• hair clips
• toilet
• curtains
• rug
• sink
• sweater redo
• bathtub

Four down, four to go.  Exactly even.

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