Anthro Wonderland

Anthro Wonderland by sarahbush3 featuring wrap scarves

A combination between fashion and art/expression where whimsy and holidays meet.

a home for my yoga mat

I'm feeling quite refreshed and happy after practicing yoga last night--so much that I'm still thinking about it almost 24 hours later.  Well, why not do something yoga-ish then?!

So I made this.  With no pattern.  This is all you have to do:

1.  Measure your mat's length and circumference.  Add 3 inches to both measurements.  Example:  My mat's circumference is 13 inches and is 24 inches long.  My fabric measurements are 16" by 27".  I just used a piece of scrap fabric from another project. 

2.  Cut a strip (matching or not) about 3" by 27" (the same length as your first piece).  If you want a wider strap, go with 4" by 27".

3.  Cut 2 circles using an object in your house that has the same circumference as your mat + 4" (so mine is 17").  I used a tray for a bunch of blank DVDs.  Keep the circles together with right-sides out.  Baste if you want. I hate basting and pinning so I usually don't.

4.  Sew the strip, right-sides in, length-wise.  Sew one end of the strip closed.  Turn right-side out.

5.  Sew the main piece of fabric, right-sides in, up the side.

6.  Sew the circle pieces to the bottom of your main piece (circles are still right-sides out and back to back, main piece is still right-sides in).  I didn't pin mine, I just held the edges as I went.  It's easier if you keep the circle piece on bottom and your main piece on top as you go around the edges so you can use circle as a guide.

7. Hem upper edge of case. You can either add a drawstring here or add a snap or button for closure. Or leave it open. Totally up to you!

8. Turn your work right-side out. You're almost done!

9. Attach the strap about 3" from bottom and top (tuck the edges in on the open end of the strap before sewing to leave a clean edge).

Namaste

Jewelry Display

On my recent trip to Santa Fe and many hours spent jewelry shopping, I became inspired to make one of these.  What an easy way to display your jewelry and to have it all there to see when you get ready each day.  I've had this dilemma for years now.  My jewelry lives in about 5 different locations and I have to dig through each vessel before I find what I want.  I don't want to use travel cases unless I'm TRAVELING.

So I went to Michael's for the unfinished frame and craft paint, Lowe's for the dowels, and used some sand paper, wood glue, and a saw from home.

Don't you love it?  I do.

My mom gave me a few little paperclips with cute birds and yarn flowers from Anthropologie (love) and I wanted to use them as barrettes for Sophie (or me) so I took the paperclips off and glued them to some barrettes covered with ribbon (so the glue would stick to something besides the metal barrette).  They turned out SO cute and they get worn almost every day.

Oh, the chicken isn't from Anthro.  It's just a silly button I had lying around.

Rompers are fun!

I just love the look of rompers on babies in the summertime.  I've stocked up on summer fabrics and can't wait to make more of these!

This is actually a scrap piece that my mom gave me so I could use the fabric for something cute.  Well I didn't have to modify it too much!  I just sized it way down to Sophie's size.  Cute!

Easter Part 2

I don't mean to toot my own horn but when I finished this dress and held it up to actually look at the little details, it literally took my breath away.  It's mostly because of the beautiful fabric and lace trim (and maybe a little of my handiwork ;) )

So here it is.  The finished product.  Sophie's Easter dress.  It looks more like something I should hang up on a wall but I suppose I'll let her wear it for a little bit as long as there is no chocolate within a 100 foot radius.

I'll post some pictures of her wearing it when we get our family pictures done.  I can't wait!!

Easter Part 1

Memories of Easter dresses is what got me thinking about this project.  I remember going shopping for the perfect dress with a matching hat and white gloves.  I wanted to make Sophie's outfit this year and I wanted to do something vintage.  I found this great pattern by Simplicity.  It's a 1948 reprint and I fell in love with it immediately.  By the way, it's #2629.

I decided to go with a simple yet stylish fabric for the jacket so that she'd be able to wear it with other outfits this spring and summer.  Working with the pattern was easy overall but I did run into a snag when it came to sewing on the collar.  I just couldn't visualize how it was going to work out when it came time to turn it right-side out.  A quick email sent to Simplicity saved me and a very nice and helpful customer service person emailed me right back and with 2 more emails I understood everything and trusted her enough to go ahead and finish what I wasn't sure would work.  Well, it DID!  And this success made my day.  It took me about 4 days to finish the project.

To Come: Easter Part 2 (Dress)

i'm alive and well and even creating!

I'm so sorry for my prolonged absence.  I have done numerous projects which were mostly gifts and didn't want to post them because the gifts would have been spoiled.  So I'm back and ready to post!  My next potential project is an Easter dress for Sophie.  I'd LOVE to do something unconventional.  Any ideas?? 

To come:  Cardigan Resuscitation