Curling Iron Travel Cover

In case you missed it, I'm getting ready for a big trip overseas.  Today is my last project I needed to make to get my backpack ready for travel~

I don't need a new curling iron but I picked this one up the other day because the barrel is only about 3" long...perfect for travelling!

And with just a few curls it gives my hair major volume!  Also perfect for travelling!

For my hair, this is major~

But I know from experience that the curling iron is always the last thing to get thrown in the bag because it's always too hot.  So I made a simple cover for it with something I already had, in my kitchen, a pot holder~

It's the perfect size for this little guy.

With just a few stitches you create a pocket for the curling iron to sit in and because the pot holder has heat safe lining it will keep everything else in your bag safe, even when your iron is still too warm to pack.

Just tuck your iron in and you're ready to go!

I desperately need a haircut but have been putting it off until I reach Sydney.  I'm hoping to get the hop on something trendy from there, hopefully that will make me stylish when I get back. I have to admit I've been fantasizing about chopping it all off and going pixie, but I'm a little nervous about it all.

What do you think?  What type of hairstyle do you think I should try next?  Leave a comment below~

Lace Undies

Sometimes I just get the urge to sew...something, anything!  When that happens I usually reach for my favourite Kwik Sew pattern and throw together a pair of pretty undies.

Depending on what type of fabric I use each pair turns out just slightly different.

I love this lingerie elastic I picked up at my favourite discount fabric store in Edmonton, Alberta.  It's usually relatively cheap and it's sooooo pretty!  I got it in all sort of colours so that I can make all sorts of undies~

Undies, especially with a Kwik Sew pattern, are so simple to make.  When you find a pattern that fits perfectly you'll never buy retail again.

Have you ever made underwear?  Tell us what your favourite pattern to use is below~

Lekala Sewing Patterns

Have you ever been frustrated by the sizing of store bought patterns?  Well, Lakala Sewing Patterns just might be what you're looking for then.

Here's how it works...

Just input your measurements into the online order form and voila...

They'll even send you a free muslin pattern for you to try before you buy to make sure you like the pattern you've chosen.

They've only been open for just over a year but they have a massive inventory of different styles for women, children, babies, and men.  And get this!  I haven't found any patterns that cost more than $2.50 yet!

This is my favourite pattern on the site.  It's in the lingerie section but I think it'd be cute in a not so sheer fabric for a cute summer top.

Have you ever used a pattern from this site?  What are your thoughts?  Leave a comment below~

*This is not a sponsored post, I just stumbled across this site and thought you'd find it interesting~

Movie Monday - Easiest Pencil Skirt Ever

Not too long ago, I told you about some new patterns from Mimi G over at Hot Patterns.  Did you know that she has a YouTube channel as well?  And that you can sew along with her to make all sorts of stylish creations?

           

Check MimiG for more easy to follow projects~

Mini Gift Bags

Look at all of the pretty papers Wholeport sent me this month!

I also got a cell phone cover for my sister as a gift.

So I decided to use the paper to make my own perfectly sized gift bags!

Here's all you need to make your own gift bags:

Supplies:
-medium/heavy weight paper
-double sided tape or glue runner
-ribbon
-hole punch
-optional: scalloped scissors or decorative edge punch

Steps:
1) The first thing to do, if you want a decorative edge, is to punch the short sides of your paper.  (My paper is not square.  It doesn't matter the exact dimensions but a rectangle works well.)

2) Now grab something in a box that is small enough that if you place it in the centre of your paper, each side will fold to just over the halfway mark.  You'll use this to help you create nice crisp edges.  You can do it without the box, I tried, and trust me, it's much easier with something solid behind the paper.

On the edge that is still straight, fold up about 1.5" - 2".  Fold along the entire edge.

3) Now fold the sides up.  You should get a little triangle at the bottom.  Just crease along the bottom and fold inwards.  Crease the outside edge as well.  Ugh, this is hard to explain with word, I think the photo makes more sense~

4) Do the same on the other sides.  Add adhesive wherever the paper is overlapping.

5) Don't worry if that top edge doesn't meet exactly perfectly because now you're going to punch a hole in each side and add some ribbon as a carrier so it will be camouflaged.

Now just put your gift in and toss in lots of tissue paper to make it even more pretty.

I was also sent this little bag of ribbon that I wasn't sure of, but that's what I ended up using on the yellow cherry tree paper bag.

Play around with that top edge to create your own version.  I was originally going to punch it and then fold it inside so that the edge would show even more, but then I changed my mind.  I still have so much paper though, I'll probably keep experimenting with it all every time I have a gift to give.

Do you use gift bags or do you prefer the thrill of tearing off wrapping paper?  Leave a comment below~

Because I won't be around next month to use my Wholeport supplies I'm going to be giving them away to one of my awesome Etcetorizers!  Stay tuned next month to find out how you can enter to win!!

*This post is sponsored by wholeport.com however no compensation was received other than the products shown and all opinions are my own.

Tell a Tale: A Spear of Summer Grass

If you loved Out of Africa, you'll love this book~

Summary from Goodreads.com: 
Paris, 1923 

The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even amongst Paris society. But her latest scandal is big enough to make even her oft-married mother blanch. Delilah is exiled to Kenya and her favorite stepfather's savannah manor house until gossip subsides. 

Fairlight is the crumbling, sun-bleached skeleton of a faded African dream, a world where dissolute expats are bolstered by gin and jazz records, cigarettes and safaris. As mistress of this wasted estate, Delilah falls into the decadent pleasures of society.  

Against the frivolity of her peers, Ryder White stands in sharp contrast. As foreign to Delilah as Africa, Ryder becomes her guide to the complex beauty of this unknown world. Giraffes, buffalo, lions and elephants roam the shores of Lake Wanyama amid swirls of red dust. Here, life is lush and teeming-yet fleeting and often cheap.  

Amidst the wonders-and dangers-of Africa, Delilah awakes to a land out of all proportion: extremes of heat, darkness, beauty and joy that cut to her very heart. Only when this sacred place is profaned by bloodshed does Delilah discover what is truly worth fighting for-and what she can no longer live without.

Review: When I opened this book and read the publisher's information (yes, I'm that geeky) I almost didn't continue because it said it was a Harlequin book.  But the cover art and the excellent book reviews I had read has so intrigued me that I decided to give it a change for at least a chapter or two, and I'm so glad that I did.

This book will whisk you away to a time and place that was filled with adventure, romance, and intrigue.  The main character, Delilah, is one of those woman who every woman wishes she were and every man wishes he could have.  She's beautiful, witty, rich, outspoken, and even, from time to time, quite smart and independent.

Delilah develops all of her smart aleck tricks from years of trying to hide her broken heart.  It's starting to sound like a Harlequin romance, but trust me, it's quite a bit deeper than that.

When Delilah is forced to relocate to the wilds of Kenya for a year we meet a woman who is loving and kind, open minded, someone who believes in compassion, equality, and respect for others.

Of course she gets into all kinds of drama with the others in the established expat community, all characters who only add to the story.

I'm not sure if it was the time period, Delilah, or the African setting but I really did enjoy this book and looked forward every time I picked it up to going back in time.  A time when people dressed up for dinner, even though they were living in the bushes of Africa, a time when men knew how to come to the rescue of a damsel in distress, and a time when even proper ladies knew how to have one heck of a good time.

Source

Have you read this book or anything else by this author?  Leave your impressions below~

Batik Pillowcase Top

I was itching to sew something quick and simple the other night so I threw together this cute little top for my upcoming travels.

If you're very astute, you might remember that I previously used this lightweight cotton for my Crochet Inset Dress as well as some board shorts for my nephew.

For this simple little top I used this Butterick pattern.

I'm pretty sure I got it from the bargain bin at the second hand shop.  I just thought it had lots of good basic pieces for summertime.

In order to fit everything onto the remnant I had left I had to decrease the width of the pattern pieces so my top is a little smaller than the one shown on the pattern envelope, but it'll still do the trick and get me through those lovely, super hot +40 degree temps in Sydney~

Do you keep every little scrap and use it all up until it's done?  Or do you dislike it when too many of your clothes are made from the exact same fabric?  Leave a comment below~

Holiday Tops

Last month I showed you some of my wishlist items from PersunMall...and guess what!  They sent me some of them!

I could easily make my own peasant top...but not with all that embroidery.  I love the extra detail!  I got a size small but it fits more like an extra small.  Good thing I've been laying off the pasta lately!

Embroidery Shirt

This cute little top will be great to have when it gets warmer out.  It comes in all sorts of colours but it only comes in one size which is most definitely a small.

Chiffon Top

I think these earrings are my favourite thing that I received...and I hardly ever even wear earrings!  They're just so pretty and light.  They'll fit perfectly into my backpack next month.  They also come in a lovely red/orange combination.

Bohemian Earrings

Check out PersunMall and tell me else you think I should put on my wishlist~

*This is a sponsored post for www.persunmall.com however no compensation was received other than the products shown and all opinions are my own.

Movie Monday - Blinds to Skirt??

I have to admit, I would probably use a different fabric, but this tutorial is a great step by step 'how to' on making a very cute skirt.

              

Check out StitchlessTV for more great sewing tutorials!

         

Isn't "86 year old Eric" adorable?!?!  And you really won't believe what she make with kitchen scrubbers.
Click through for major creativity~

Twist and Tie Bikini Top

If you live in North America, you might think that making a bikini in the dead of winter is a bit of a strange thing.....unless you're about to travel to the other side of the globe so that you can remember what the warmth of the sun feels like!!!  (Australia here I come!)

If you're heading out on vacation soon and want to make your own bikini, all you need is about a metre of spandex and a standard sewing kit.  Believe it or not, my fabric had been sitting on a shelf, cut into a dress, half finished for the past several years.  I decided I was never actually going to finish the dress, so I ripped what little had been sewn together and pieced together a whole new outfit!  Yay, for decluttering!

Steps:
1) Keeping in mind that I'm very small up top, cut two rectangles approximately  6.5" X 16".  If you're lucky enough to have some womanly curves, then expand your rectangle.  (16" corresponds to the approximate width across the chest from one side of the breast to the opposite side, not quite all the way under the arm)

2) With right sides together, sew your two rectangles together.  Break your stitching on the top and bottom seams about .5" before the side seam.  Also, don't forget to leave a spot open for turning.

3) Turn your fabric right side out.  Slip stitch your opening that you used for turning.  Each corner should have a small opening in it.

4) On the outside, stitch about .5" away from each side, creating casings.

5) Set your bra piece aside and cut one loooooong drawstring about 1.75" X 32" (or longer if you need it).

6) To make your drawstring, just fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew with a 3/8" seam allowance all the way down.  Then just use a safety pin and feed the fabric into itself until it's right side out.

7) Feed one end of the drawstring UP from the bottom casing on one side of your bra piece.

8) Twist your bra piece and then feed the other end of your drawstring UP the casing on the other side.

It doesn't look like much but it's surprisingly comfortable and I feel very secure in it.

For the bottoms I just used my favourite Kwik Sew undies pattern that I know fits perfectly.

If you're looking for something with a bit more flexibility try my Endless Options Bikini Top.  It's just as easy to make but you can wear loads of different ways~

Are you heading out on a hot weather holiday this year?  Leave a comment and tell us where you're going!