Hidden Treasures: Love Me

If you're not part of the Etsy community (yet), you're missing out on an incredible place that is totally committed to the art of the handmade.  It's a wonderful place to find everything you need, or just want, while supporting fellow crafters and artists.  It's also just a treasure trove of  great ideas and inspiration.

For something new this year I thought I'd post a treasury of various Etsy sellers each week.  Click on the thumbnail to visit the shops and see what else you can find.  And while you're hanging out at Etsy you can feel free to visit me at the Etcetorize etsy shop~

If an item doesn't have a selling amount below it just means that it's already sold.  Check out the seller's store for similar items, you never know what you'll find!

'Love Me' by Etcetorize

In preparation for Valentine's day...

Swarovski Heart on Oxidized ... JewelryDeli $32.50	Free Ball Chain Necklace-Scr... ItsAllAboutThe... $6.95	Set of 24 Hand Punched Lace ... Rosengarten $2.50
Heart Shaped Box - Natural A... DesignsbyBaerr... $48.00	2011 Spring Style Elegant We... MaggiesbridalS... $249.99	Cupid's Wish Tags - Set ... creativevision... $3.25
READY TO SHIP - Angel Love -... tiarastutus $15.00	Pink crochet wrap with red r... Berniolie $45.00	DIY Felt Tea Party Food Set ... umecrafts $5.00
GrazioliN: Sweetheart Linger... graziolin $36.00	Blush Rose Tea Pink Rosette ... RiverOfRomansk $39.80	Coral pink lace tulle pettic... vintageopulenc... $130.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Extra Special Obi Belt

It's been awhile since I've done a sewing project with you so today's the day! 

I think one of the most flattering belts out there is the Obi belt.  Not only are they pretty, but they're super simple to make.  Today I made one from scratch and added some extra special embellishments just to take it to the next level.

This is going to seem like a long tutorial, but trust me, it's a very easy project.

Here's what you need:


And a sewing machine

Steps:
The Pattern
1) First we'll make a quick pattern, because once you make one of these, you know you'll want to make more.  I used tissue paper for my pattern but you can easily just tape some regular old office printer paper together and it'll work just fine.

Draw a rectangle on your paper.  I'm a bit on the small side so mine measures 13" (33cm) X 4 1/4"(11cm).  Add another inch or two for medium or larger.

2) Now extend your rectangle another 6" (15cm) on each side but just draw a dotted line.  Find the centre of the side and draw a line that is 5.8" long (1.5cm).  Now connect each side of that small line to the corners of the original rectangle.

3) You can either do step 2 again on the other side, or you can just fold the original rectangle in half and trace the end piece.  Once that's done, just cut your pattern out

The Belt
1) Fold your fabric with wrong sides together.  Lay your belt pattern on top, pin, and cut.

2) Cut two pieces of ribbon that will go around your waist one and half times.  Lay one piece of ribbon flush with one end of your belt body and sew across with a 5/8" seam allowance.  I'm using 1" wide ribbon only because that's what I had on hand.  I suggest something narrower or gather the end so that it matches the width of the end of your belt.  (Make sure you have right sides together and the length of the ribbon is towards the centre of your belt.)

Do the same on the other end.

3) Fold your ribbon pieces towards the inside and secure with a pin just so that you won't catch it in your seams when you sew the belt together.

 4) Place the other belt body, right sides facing, on top and pin.  You will now sew the sides, leaving a small opening for turning, with a 3/8" seam allowance.  (I'm using a great taffeta fabric that is reddish on one side and black on the other.  For added flexibility I'm making one side of my belt red and the other black to make it reversible.  If you're new to sewing, just keep things simple and put right sides together.)

Turn it right side out, press, and hand stitch the opening closed.

That Extra Special Touch

To take your belt up a notch we're going to add some pretty flower embellishments that you can remove if you want.

1) Draw a flower template on a piece of paper. 

2) Place on fabric, pin, and cut.  Don't worry about being perfect here.  In fact the messier the better.  Cut out 3-4 pieces for each flower you plan to create.

3) I was going to stitch around each flower and then pull threads so that they were frayed at the edges, but I didn't care for the look.

So, instead I singed all of the edges with a candle flame.  This works best with man-made fibres.  You don't even have to touch the flame, just get close enough so that the fabric starts to melt and curl a bit.  Of course, my fabric did actually catch fire more than a couple of times.  Just keep a close eye on it as you're going, and blow it out quickly. 

Be careful.  The edges will be hot for about a minute or so.

4) Hand stitch long gathering stitches in a circle in the centre of one of your flowers.  Gather, secure, and repeat the process with another flower on top without cutting your thread.  Do this with 3-4 flowers pieces.  This won't be visible so, again, don't worry too much about it being pretty.

Gather some more from the back if you want a fuller flower and secure with  hand stitching.

5) Hand stitch a stick pin closure onto the back of your flowers if you want the option of removing them from your belt.  If this isn't a concern you can just hand stitch your flowers right onto your obi belt.

And now we're finally done!



Totally BLAH~

 Version 1:



Sophisticated and Pretty

Version 2:



WOW!!!!

Pin It

And when I flip it to the black side I'll have even more options!  I can take off some flowers or add more on.  You could make them in contrasting or matching fabrics.  Really, the possibilities are endless.

 What do you think?  I think this'll be the perfect accessory for my new LBD  .  I know it looks like a lot of steps when you write it all out but it actually all comes together very quickly.

I'll be posting this project at all the linky parties throughout the week. 

Make sure to click on the tab up top to check out the parties for even more fun ideas.

Inspiration Shot:Variegated Flowers

I seem to be instantly drawn to anything that has a variegated colour story to it.  You name it, embroidery thread, sweaters, bargello quilts, and more.  And even though I'm totally allergic to any and all flowers, I still love to get up close and photograph ones like below.  I love how you can see the whole range of one colour all within a single plant.  Isn't nature wonderful?

(I'm not entirely sure but I think this is a snapdragon.)

Show and Tell: LBD

Last week I made a little black dress.  Why?  Because everyone needs one.  I do have one LBD already but it's a very casual summer dress and I wanted one I could wear in colder weather for professional work meetings and other events.

I used this Vogue pattern because I liked the neckline:

It was super simple to make and went together in matter of hours.

The light was kind of funny when I took the photo so you can't really see the detail.  Here's a close-up of the neck line:



(Ignore the double-chin effect, it's just a weird camera angle.
At least that's what I'm telling myself!)

I kind of wish I hadn't top stitched the neckline.  I'll most likely pull that out, I think it makes it look home made.

I used some fabric I found in the bargain bin at Walmart last year and I got the pattern on sale, so this dress was a super steal.  Pattern, fabric, and notions all together probably only cost me around $6-$7.  Whoo hoo!  I love a bargain.  Especially when it's for something that I know I'll get a lot of use out of.


How many of you have the perfect LBD in your closet?  Leave a comment and let everyone know what you love about yours. 

Don't forget to check out the linky parties this week.  Just click on the tab up top.

If you're into Valentine's Day there are loads of project ideas at the parties right now.

Hidden Treasures: Amy Butler World

If you're not part of the Etsy community (yet), you're missing out on an incredible place that is totally committed to the art of the handmade.  It's a wonderful place to find everything you need, or just want, while supporting fellow crafters and artists.  It's also just a treasure trove of  great ideas and inspiration.

For something new this year I thought I'd post a treasury of various Etsy sellers each week.  Click on the thumbnail to visit the shops and see what else you can find.  And while you're hanging out at Etsy you can feel free to visit me at the Etcetorize etsy shop~

If an item doesn't have a selling amount below it just means that it's already sold.  Check out the seller's store for similar items, you never know what you'll find!

'Amy Butler World' by Etcetorize

For those of us who are inspired by the mid-west modern stylings of Amy Butler.

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING / Medium... KaraMiaSofia $16.00	Diaper - Craft Bag - Reversi... annyandme $68.00	In Touch Clutch (tm) in Wall... downstairsDesi... $28.00
Plush Owl with Amy Butler fa... aprilfoss $40.00	Turquoise n Lime Limited Sli... hatz4brats $17.50	Red Orange Rose 18x18 Pillow... PillowMio $19.00
READY TO SHIP-Beautiful Key ... loveyduds $6.50	Amy Butler Kashmir Wristlet ... shuswapbags $14.95	Set of 12 Paper Pinwheels in... ElizabethSt $12.00
Tiny dancer baby slippers wi... emaleighscupbo... $15.00	purple blue green springy fl... lovejill $20.00	Large Fabric Bin - Wall Flow... Sistersnfriend... $17.99

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.