DIY: Saving your Stuff with Embellishments

I am all about camouflaging imperfections in order to renew things to better serve their purpose. From curtains covered in doilies, to clothing, throws, lampshades or purses covered in lace ruffles or fabric rosettes, there are many options out there to save that coveted, ruined object. Have you thrown something out that you later regretted, something that could have been saved by a tiny embellishment? Do you go thrifting to find a shirt that is perfect, except for a small stain or rip? Well, there are plenty of great options to fix that! Fabric rosettes are easy to make and can simply be stitched or even glued on. Over 40 great flower tutorials here!

 

Doilys can be tea stained for a vintage aging effect. They are easy to handstitch, or can be ironed on using stitch witchery.

retro doily window covering by enchanted little pixie 

embellished throw using ribbons, ruffles and lace salvaged from old clothing tutorial by nester

lace ruffled shirt tutorial to hide a stain by me, littlelovables

flowered embellished dress to camouflage ink stains by in the fun lane

 

Vintage Suitcases Memento Craft Idea via A Drawer Full of Pretty Wishes

Megan of A Drawer Full of Pretty Wishes blog has got some serious fashion and craft talent, more on that in later posts. But I just simply adore her vintage suitcase ideas. They would make a wonderful keepsake gift, using mementos and special touches all in a nice, traveling package. Almost like a scrapbook or shadow box , but on a bigger scale. I pass by vintage suitcases all the time in thrift shops. If you made several, they would look adorable stacked in a corner together. Imagine, one for birthdays, seasonal holidays, then they easily fold up to be stored away until next year. I look forward to making some of these soon!

I love the dainty details of ribbon and lace. Personalized buntings and banners are easy to make with either fabric or paper and add an extra special touch. This dance themed case is complete with a tutu and vintage art of a ballerina. I know many little girls who would love this!

Love this frame idea. Paint and distress an old frame, than glue vintage rhinestone buttons or clip-on earrings or brooches to decorate it. Add a pretty saying or photo. Simple and sweet.

I love how she added sport items and comics for an 8 year old boy! Imagine making a Star Wars, Minecraft, Leggo, science, dinosaur, animal, military, cowboy or car themed case. They would make a cute table display at a birthday party.

Girly: Ruffles, Lace and DIYing Accessories

Baby headband and necklace by Ruby Blue 

One amazing thing about having a baby girl, is the sheer abundance of things that are lacey, ruffley, prancy, fancy and just all around adorable. With a girl, there is no reason to glam her up. You just do and coo. So, most of these lacy rompers and baby legs are not handmade (I even know where to get them wholesale) so it really irks me when I find them on handmade sites, but they are still cute nonetheless and are totally customizable for diy versions, like to add sashes, bows and such. (I also HATE the bubble statement, jcrew knock-off necklaces all over Etsy. These are not handmade, do NOT buy them from Etsy sellers who claim they are hand made! They are bought cheap wholesale at market and it REALLY pisses me off!!) That said, I did buy my baby girl a pair of lace baby legs and a romper and cant wait for her to wear it!

Little headbands are super easy to make, especially nowadays when you can just buy stuff at the craft store and glue it together, but I enjoy taking the time to put things together and sew them up, like the one I made for my lil bit sugar blossom here above. *oh my gosh, look how tiny, that was only a few months ago!!*

 

 Big flowers are adorable, I prefer them to the side of the head, and with out too much other fluff.

Elisabeth is so styling in the adorable bib her aunt Lindsey made her.

 For this photo, I simply tied stretch lace to fit and added a vintage rhinestone brooch. A more permanent option would be to glue it to a felt backing first for a more wearable and comfortable headband.

 

The netting style is so adorable and easy to do as well.  by banner boutique

She looks like an adorable birthday cake in little girl form! by K Chic Designs

 layering the cuteness! hair pinwheel bow by ruby and sue

Baby pink leg warmers by All That Ruffles... I want that pom pom trimmed skirt!

Enchanting embellished shabby girls dress by My Fair Maiden

There are tooons of tutorials on line and pinterest on how to make these things. And for those who prefer to buy instead of craft, there are tons of amazing artists out there that sell online as well. Their creativity amazes me.

 

Vintage Flower Blossom Tutorial

I took this pretty but boring silk flower and took it apart so that the petals were loose.

Then I just quickly put it back together (minus the plastic center insert) and sewed some little stitches to make it bunch up all nice and fluffy like.

I got some lace and cut out petal shapes. I got so lucky because the pattern of the petals were already weaved in the lace, I just cut around them. Then,I applied a bit of hot glue to the very lower tips and tucked them within the flower.

I had some pretty shimmery peach tulle that I cut into petal shapes. Instead of cutting them in individual petals, I cut them out in 4s (like a x shape, how you would fold a piece of paper to cut a snowflake). Then, I cut it in half to make 2 blossoms opposite each other. I folded it to make a double layer of tulle. I layed the flower flat and put the x shape 4 piece petal on top and then the double pieces I glued within the flower. I would have done much more tulle pieces, but I only had this tiny scrap of tulle.

You can see how I added felt circles to the back of the vintage clip on earring. To remove the clip on, I soaked the earring in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes and the glue holding the clip on just dissolved.  Because many vintage earrings and brooches are concave, I glued the felt circles on the back to give a flat surface to work with. Makes placing it much easier and sturdier. I then hot glued the earrings in the center of the flower, holding the petals down flat so that I didn't get glue all over the place.

For the back, I glued a felt circle on to cover up the stitches and make it more secure of a base. Then, I glued on the barrette and then, glued a piece of fabric over that (not shown).

Now you have it, a pretty flower! You can use the flower as a hair piece with a barrette like I have done or use a headband or tie, or make several for a bouquet, add it to a basket, make Christmas ornaments, or silvery elegant black ones for Halloween...Great for dress up for the girls, a wedding, a fairy wand... you can add feathers, beading on the petals, more tulle, ribbon, leaves, a lady bug or butterfly... anything to make it your own. I would love to see what you do!

More fun creations at Kimba's DIY day and the flower will be in my shop later today for those more interested in purchasing rather than buying!

*Post is linked to seven thirty three's Sugar n Spice girly linky party.

Love. Paper. Moon.

Oh handmade vintage weddings, how I love you. Especially the ones in autumn.

Seriously, if I could be a glamour bride for Halloween, every single year, I would.

 

 

So, I bring you Ebony and Andrew's 1920's art deco wedding as seen on Vintage Glam. Ebony also has an Etsy shop of similar  handmade art deco inspired goodies, Madame Chapman (at bottom of post). Wedding photography by Marzena Wasilewska

 

 

Ebony hand painted her teacups as wedding favors for her guests, Andrew hung the garland frames, and Ebony hand embroidered and arranged her art deco cascading bouquet. I truly adore their paper moon they made for their photography prop. Also, the beautiful bride's flawless finger waves and bridal wear is amazing in itself. Truly a stunning, yet simple wedding. I am now considering making a paper moon for the boys room...hmmm. What wedding type elements can be incorporated into your life today?

 

 

 

lost in her eyes print of hedy lammar by the bride, ebony (madame chapman) 

 

custom keepsake portrait hand embroidered brooch by madame chapman