Ribbon and Chain Necklace

Disclaimer: I've been sick in bed since Tuesday night and today is my first day out of my pj's and housecoat. Hence, the snazy project name, super easy project,  and slightly dazed look in my eyes~

I realized this week that I have waaaaaaaay too much crafting, jewellery making, paper, decoupaging, card making, sewing, and fabric stuff.  So, I'm on a supplies diet and am only allowed to use things I already have, make things I've been meaning to make, and finish projects I started and haven't completed.  I'm not sure how long this will last, but I had these chains just sitting in a jewellery box doing nothing so I decided to make them into something wearable.

Here's what you need for this super easy project:

Materials:
-Ribbon
-Large chain
-Wire cutters, scissors
-Fray check, thread, sewing machine

Steps:
1) Cut your chains to the size you want, taking off any extra hooks or clasps that you don't need.

2) Apply some fray check to the end of your ribbon.  When it's dry, thread it into the last link in each of your chains and fold behind.

3) Simply stitch it down and repeat on the other side.

Cut your ribbon to a length that will sit nicely and allow enough in the back to tie.  You can adjust the necklace so that the ribbon closure is on the side for something a little more precious and whimsical.

Trying to look thoughtful, but really
my energy is just fading fast~

I'm not sure if I like how long it is, to be honest with you.  I might cut the chains in half so that there are four shorter ones instead of just the two.  But I think I'll wait until I'm more myself before I decide.

Have you ever put yourself on a supply diet?  How successful were you?  Leave a comment below, I need all the inspiration and self-control I can get....especially with Boxing Day sales coming up soon!

This project was featured here:

Easy Eyelet Collar

Another super fast quickie craft for today.  I've been on the road ALL week this week, in fact, I'm probably still on the road as you're reading this.  But I still make time for crafting~

Here's what you need to make your own pretty collar:

 Materials:
-eyelet or lace pre-made collar
-standard sewing kit (thread, scissors, machine, pins, etc.)
-double wide, double fold bias tape
-snaps

Steps
1) Cut a piece of bias tape the length of one collar times two plus an extra 4-6" depending on how low or high you want it to sit on your collarbone.  Press it flat and lay it down.  Notice how one side is just slightly narrower than the other?  Centre it onto the back side of your collar and stitch down.

Line up the raw edge and sew inside the first creased fold.

2) Now just fold the bias tape over to the front along it's fold lines.  See how it naturally hugs the edge?  and because the slightly wider side is on the front you won't see any edge of the bias tape.  Just stitch along the edge making sure to catch both side of your bias tape.

3) Figure out where you want your closure to be by trying on your  necklace and marking the overlap of the tape with a two pins.  Apply your snaps as per the package directions.  My snaps are super old school.  I picked up a whole bag of them at the thrift store.  They work great though!

4) Once you've secured both sides of your snap just snip the ends of the bias tape off.

There you go!  All done!  Wasn't that easy?  And now my necklace dilemma from Wednesday is solved!

I pick up these kinds of collars at the fabric store once in awhile.  They usually have a basket with different kinds for $1 each or less.  They come in handy for all kinds of things so it doesn't hurt to have a few on hand

I have no travel for work scheduled next week so I hope to get back into full on crafty mode again soon.  Have a crafty week everyone!  Don't by shy to leave a comment~

Show and Tell: More Beaded Jewellery

Do you remember way way back (last September) when I showed you some of my beaded jewellery projects from the past?  Well, I didn't show you everything.  I was really into jewellery making for a few years and made loads and loads of pieces.

Here's a fun necklace that anyone can make:

I just strung up several strings of seed beads and added a few chunkier ones to add interest.  I didn't get all caught up in worrying about symmetry (very unlike me actually) and just let it come together on its own.

This bracelet, on the other hand, is very symmetrical and measured out:

I'm still getting used to my new camera so these shots aren't super great but hopefully you can see the interlocking circles.  There are three rows of linked circles in pink that interlock with two rows of the same in white.

I don't think I ever wore the two pieces together (at least I hope not) even though they use many of the same beads.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.  Have you ever had a hobby that took up all of your time for awhile that you suddenly forgot about?  I feel like this is what happened with my jewellery making.  I still use many of the skills I learned but I don't make complex pieces like I used to.  Maybe I'll get back into again...someday~

Show and Tell: Just a couple of things I made this week

AH!  It's already Tuesday.  I had Monday off from work and now my week is a little topsy turvey.  I thought I had another day to get myself organized, but it looks like time has run out.  So, this week I'll just show you a couple of little projects that I whipped up for myself the other day.

Another peasant dress:

I'm having a bad hair day so I had to cut my head off~

This was the inspiration:



Sorry, I can't remember the source of this image.



And it's a variation of this top that I made for my shop:

My closet is half full of peasant dresses and tops so it's not like I needed another one but I really do believe that the style is perfect for almost anyone.  I love, love, love the fabric.  It's hard to tell from the picture but there's a beautiful sheen to it and it's nice medium weight that lets it fall just right.  It sounds silly but you sewers out there will understand when I say that I wait for the fabric to tell me what it's going to be.  And this was just screaming peasant dress to me.

Wooden Beads Necklace:

I picked up these beads at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for a whopping 25 cents before Christmas.  All I did was string them onto a pretty ribbon but I find beauty in the simplistic.  I can get all artsy on you and talk about the juxtaposition of hard and soft, lightness and darkness, etc.  But the truth is that I thought the beads were nice enough on their own and didn't need a whole lot of anything else.  Plus I'm beginning to dream of far off hot places for vacation and this fits in with the island vibe that's going on in my head right now.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think~