Fossil Knock-off Bracelet

One of my favorite blogs to read is Flamingo Toes. This lovely lady has a quite a knack for making Anthropologie jewelry and when I was wandering around Fossil the other day I spied a bracelet and thought...I can make that!!
So here is my lovely attempt. I must admit it was quite fun.
Small disclaimer: some shots are far away because I was an idiot and didn't realize the macro function on my camera is for close-up shots. Apologies all around!

Here is their version:
It's called the Half and Half bracelet.
via the fossil website

Here is my version:



Fossil sells there's for $38, I made mine for about $7.

The supplies I used are readily available in the jewelry section of your craft store (and the fabric section).

Supplies:


-chain
-jeweled chain (can't think of a better name for this)
-cotton ribbon (ivory or white)
-embroidery floss or comparable thick thread in ivory
-big sewing needle
-jewelry wire cutters
-a decorative button (not pictured)
-patience

First: I took the cotton ribbon and wrapped it around my wrist twice, leaving two inches on each end for wiggle room.


Next: I measured across my wrist to see how much of each chain would cover the top of my wrist. It ended up being about six inches, but for wiggle room, I gave myself just over six and half inches.
Cut both chains with your wire cutters.



I cut two lengths of the jeweled chain because the one I found is not as wide as the ribbon.


Next: I folded the ribbon exactly in half and put a pin in the middle so I would know where to begin stitching the chains on.


Next: I flattened my regular chain onto the ribbon and with my threaded needle, stiched down the first link. I had to pin the chain farther down to the cotton ribbon because it kept getting tangled. This helped greatly and I recommend it!


Then: Just do a regular stitch on the rest of the chain, trying your best to hide the thread underneath where the links are joined. This took some practice, but with the thread being the same color as the cotton ribbon, it isn't that noticable.
**Tip** I would recommend a thick chain for this project. You could do a smaller chain and probably layer it up for a different look, but keep in mind the difficulty of threading and stitching it onto the ribbon.





Next: After you have the regular chain stitched down, time to stitch down the jeweled chains. I laid both chains next to one another on the ribbon and stitched over one, went under and stitched the other chain down. I didn't do one big stitch across both chains. I didn't want the jewels to be too close together.


Again, you'll want to pin down the chain farther along on the ribbon so they don't get tangled in with your stitching thread.

Next: Just continue the back and forth pattern of stitching the jeweled ribbon. I recommend a movie or music playing in the back ground so you don't get bored.




Finally: At the very end of the jeweled chain I stitched an ivory button from my stash as the closure. The Fossil version had a metal button, but I like mine better.



--Downton Abbey on my iPhone, available on Netflix instant play--


I wrapped the bracelet around my wrist again and judged where I would need a hole on the other end of the bracelet to put the button through. I just clipped a small opening in the ribbon and put fabric glue (fray check would work too) on the edges, so it wouldn't fray.
I clipped ends, applied a little more fabric glue, and I was finished.




Knock-off complete! :)








I'm going to peruse the website and the store for more bracelets and necklaces to try. This was so fun!

I'll be linking here:

well, well, well

Sorry, for no blog posts.
I've been house hunting.

And reading for my book club I started with friends.
Here is our current read:



It's...entertaining at some parts, funny at others, but over all...meh. Not thrilled.

I've got a few projects started plus my own attempt at a jewelry store knock-off bracelet. We'll see how that goes. :)

I hope to have them done and ready by the end of this week.
Why can't houses fall out of the sky like in The Wizard of Oz??

Favorite movie moments (well....some)

I wanted to make a list of my favorite movies, but that was proving difficult. So I just stuck with some favorite movie moments.
I had a hard time narrowing this list down, so in my mind it is far from complete. I've seen so many movies, some of which haven't been added to the list. (Yes, there is a list)

In no particular order (fair warning...here be spoilers)

Rocky
I love sports movies and Rocky tops the list. But I don't love it just for the underdog story line of winning against the odds. What makes the story great is the love behind it all. The relationship that develops between Rocky and Adrian is one of the best on screen! I love the way Rocky pursues Adrian.
Of course the ultimate scene is when he calls for her after the fight, but I couldn't find a video that would embed. Click here to see it.

Here is a montage of their first date. I love it!



Pride and Prejudice (2005 version)
Not much needs to be said. :) The early morning walk through the field is probably the best, but this scene is equally amazing.



Miracle
Again, one of my favorite sports movies. You know they win going into the movie, but the journey they took getting there is what makes the end great. I love Coach Herb Brooks' reaction to winning. Ecstatic joy in such a quiet way.



Shaun of the Dead
This was hard to pick just one scene from this movie. The whole thing is great. One of the best zombie movies. Not for the faint of heart if your squeamish, though. I love this trio: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright. They need to make more movies together, because when they stray, the movie tends to suck (i.e. Paul).


I recommend watching the whole thing!

Rear Window
One of the greatest suspense movies ever! I love the whole thing. Love Hitchcock movie! One aspect that I love and makes this movie one of his best is the elaborate nature of the set. It's like he built an entire apartment complex and peopled it with so many story lines. Here's a clip of the set and it ends with one of the best actors and actresses of that generation. I highly recommend this movie if you can find it on DVD. Hitchcock truly was the master of suspense.


Arsenic and Old Lace
How can you not love this movie? Cary Grant is simply amazing and the story is terrific. One of the best dark comedies.


L.A. Confidential
Spoilers in this clip, so if you haven't seen the movie and want to, I suggest waiting. I love the feel of this movie. It takes cop drama a whole different direction. It's a smart movie and it has some of my favorite actors in it. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey (not in the clip).
Here is the thrilling final scene.


Band of Brothers
Possibly my favorite movie ever. I know it was a mini-series, but I see it as a nine hour long movie. I know it front to back, close to memorizing all the lines, read the book and have four other accounts waiting to be read. I admire these men. Their bravery, camaraderie, ambition, courage, and dedication. My favorite scene comes from the battle of Carentan, a small village in northwestern France just off the Normandy beach. It was held by German forces and this is the account of the 101st Airborne's attempts to take back the town.
The reason the scene is so amazing is Lt. Dick Winters, played by Damian Lewis. He became their leader simply by being the big brother. Plus he kicks butt.




There are many more movies I love and if I get around to it, I'll post those too. Hope you enjoy watching these and then watching the movie!!

Tshirt into a tote bag

I made this cute little tote bag for the summer. I love this color and the pattern.



I found the tshirt on the clearance rack at Target. It was an XS and I am so far from that, but I loved the pattern. I bought it and held onto for some future project.

Supplies:
-one t-shirt with a pattern you love
-extra t-shirt for the inside (mine is a craft t-shirt from Michaels)
-rotary cutter
-sewing machine
(**Disclaimer: a few of the photos are dark because I do most of my crafting at night--apologies!)

Here's the skinny:

1-Cut off the sleeves on the patterned t-shirt.

2-I then laid down my ruler and decided where I was going to cut for the top of my bag. I chose right under the collar seam. I was trying my best to preserve some of the beading.

3-I laid the yellow shirt on top of the much bigger inner white shirt and used my rotary cutter to trace the shape for the inner lining. There probably is a more accurate way of doing it, but that's the first thing that crossed my mind! (Forgot to take a picture of that..oops!)

4-Turn the yellow shirt inside out, pin the bottom closed and then sew it closed and do the same for the white shirt except sew up the bottom and the two sides--leaving the top open just like the yellow shirt.

5-While both are still inside out, fit the yellow shirt into the white shirt. The design sides should be facing one another. See the pic.
This may take quite a bit of maneuvering and shifting around to get the seams to line up.


6-I then set the bag aside and cut up scraps from the white shirt to make handles for the bag. This is just a simple tube. Sew up three sides and turn it inside out. You may need to use a pencil or chopstick to help get the tube right side out.

7-I pinned the yellow and white layers together while they are still inside out. I then sewed up the seams making sure to avoid any of the beading still on the shirt.

8-I then pinned the handles to the bag and sewed them on. Again I just eyeballed it. I think it looks better without being particularly precise. I measured very little while making this project.


Fin!

I like the way it turned out. Even the funky shape of the top of the bag from where I cut the sleeves off. You can of course adjust it so you have a more uniform looking bag. That's the beauty of making one your self. It's totally unique!






I hope this tutorial helps and you can make one for your summer activities!!

I'll be linking here:

Father's Day gift idea

I came up with this idea for my dad's birthday but that day came and went so now I'm making it for Father's Day! (June 19th, btw)

My dad and step mom live in the suburbs of Seattle. It's a beautiful place!! My husband and I love visiting there. The aquatic life and cool temps make it a great area.

Hubby on the water:

And my dad:




They love living there, so I made a little something that was near and dear to my dad's heart.

A picture frame of the map of the area.

This can be done with any map of your favorite places.









Frame:


I didn't take any pics of the process but it's super easy to do.
Supplies:
Wooden frame from walmart (in the craft section)
Black acrylic paint
Road map of your favorite place
Modge Podge


I purchased the map from my local Borders that was going out of business so the map cost me $3. Score!!Step 1-Paint the back and sides of the frame. I chose black because it's masculine and it's a simple color. Let it dry completely.

Step 2- Lay out your map and cut (or tear) strips that you want to use. I cut mine because I wanted specific sections of the map for the frame.

Step 3-Brush on Modge Podge on one section at a time. It dries pretty quickly so don't cover it all at once. I finished the right and left sides first and then applied the top and bottom so I could get the lines straight. I slit the corners and folded them over to give it a clean edge, too.



If you use the tearing method, you can apply all willy-nilly to your hearts content!!

Step 4-Apply another coat of Modge Podge over your pieces to seal it. This prevents any pieces from coming back up and gives it a nice polished look.

Step 5-Let it dry completely. I gave mine a full day but that's only because it is so stinking humid here right now!!!

Step 6- Wrap and give it to your dad! (or whomever)


This would make a great activity for the younger crowd. And it doesn't have to be a map, it could be tissue paper or scraps. Fabric might even look cool.
My husband thinks I should embellish it with a "You Are Here" sticker and put it on their city. I'm thinking of adding one!!


I'll be linking to these parties: