Learn How to Make Cake Pops in The Wilton Method: Creative Cake Pops

This looked too cool and it's FREE so I had to share!



Learn How to Make Cake Pops in The Wilton Method: Creative Cake Pops

DIY Make-up - How to Cover Dark Circles

I haven't tried this yet, but in theory this could work. The before and after looks pretty amazing. Let me know if you're brave enough to try it!



Makeup Trick to Hide Dark Circles - How to Cover Dark Circles - Good Housekeeping

Burdastyle: Create Your Own 7 Piece Workout Collection

Workout clothing can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. BurdaStyle's Meg Healey can show you how to make your very own 7-piece workout collection! That means you can choose your own fabrics and colors so you can throw your own little flair into it… sounds good to me!

Join Meg Healy on February 27th for this new course>>

For People Who Sew

February 25, 2015

Don't forget to register for this popular course with Meg Healy! Date: Friday, Feb. 27 | Duration: 6 Weeks | Instructor: Meg Healy | Price: $90.00 $49.99 Create Your Own 7 Piece Workout Wear Collection We all know there is a shortage of athletic and workout wear sewing patterns out there, and they require specific pattern making and sewing techniques. But now with this brand new course developed my Meg Healy you'll be guided through the process of drafting and sewing your own personal collection of workout wear garments. By the end of this 6 week long course you will have a great understanding of athletic fabrics an how to sew with them. Better yet, you will have made a running tank, yoga tank, t-shirt, leggings, shorts, and yoga pants complete with matching headband! REGISTER NOW

REGISTER NOW

41 Amazing Free People-Inspired DIYs

If you love Free People, but don't love the prices here is the ultimate list of Free People inspired DIYs. Have Fun!

41 Amazing Free People-Inspired DIYs

National Wedding Month: Craft Your Wedding in 28 Days

In the wake of Valentine' Day and Christmas I am sure there are plenty of lucky brides to be out there in the beginning stages of wedding planning. If the plain jane, cookie cutter wedding isn't your thing, and you have more of a DIY style check out this series: Craft Your Wedding in 28 Days. Each day covers a new wedding related craft from DIY invitations, response cards and thank notes to centerpieces and customized wedding clothing.



National Wedding Month: Craft Your Wedding in 28 Days

DIY Kid's Dress-Up Rack

I wish I had room to put this in the girls room. I don't know about you, but the dress up clothes can get a little out of hand sometimes. Here is a simple tutorial for a DIY clothing rack perfect for the dress-up area in a play room.

Little Green Notebook: DIY Kid's Dress-Up Rack

DIY Closet Organization

I don't care how much I clean out or organize I never seem to have enough room for everything I own. I have a weakness for clearance sales, thrift shops, clothes, shoes, craft supplies… and well that's enough. In the past few years I've also lost some weight, so needless to say my closet was over flowing. I had old clothes that were too large that I simply couldn't part with and things that I just flat out didn't wear. Recently I made it my mission to clean out my clothes and shoes. Luckily, I had a couple of friends in need of clothing, so I was able to give many of my things a new home. I did a rough reorganization when I cleaned out, but I still need to do a full overhaul to make everything much more organized and accessible. Here are some ideas that I like, and I thought you might find helpful as well.

DIY Your Valentine's Day Party

As we are all well aware Valentine's Day is this Saturday…eek! Are you having a party and still have a few last minute details to nail down. Here are some cute and simple DIY ideas that make help make your shindig extra special.

DIY Valentine's Day Gifts

When I was researching my post on DIY Valentines Day Gifts for Him yesterday I came across these awesome pins for candy gifts with cute sayings. While some of these are only appropriate for your hubby or boyfriend others can be used for kiddos or friends. Enjoy!

BurdaStyle Videos Are On Sale!

Coupon code inside>>

I got this in my email and thought this would be great for someone who is just getting into making their own clothing. Sometimes just having a pattern simply is not enough, and that is where videos come in. They truly are the next best thing to having someone actually teach you in person. Having the ability to watch someone do it the right way (and make sense of some of the pattern pieces) is invaluable. Happy Sewing!

For People Who Sew

Expand your sewing skills with a new technique video! Save 50% when you enter coupon code VIDEOS2015 at checkout. Start sewing something new today! Shop all BurdaStyle videos now>>

What On-Grain Means with Denise Wild Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew the BurdaStyle Sheer Placket Dress with Slip with Becky MacKinnon Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew the BurdaStyle Short Sleeve Blouse with Neck Ruffle Top with Denise Wild Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Match and Cut Plaid Fabrics with Meg Healy Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew the BurdaStyle Cocoon Coat with Meg Healy Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew a Walking Vent with Meg Healy Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew on Hook and Loop Tape (Velcro) with Denise Wild Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW How to Sew the BurdaStyle Kasia Skirt with Denise Wild Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW Sewing an Original Hem (Often Called a Euro Hem) with Denise Wild Retail: $16.99 With Coupon: $8.50 BUY NOW

Coupon code VIDEOS2015 expires Saturday, January 31st at 11:59pm MST. Some exclusions apply. Only valid on videos on http://videos.burdastyle.com. Prices are as marked.

DIY Retro Last Minute Halloween Costume

The newest retro collection of 1960's inspired looks from BurdaStyle can provide some great last minute costume inspiration. If your sewing inclined some of these patterns may be easy enough to whip up on your own in time for Halloween. For those, that are not so inclined, the images can provide great inspiration for you to go on a hunt in your own closet or your favorite thrift store. 

For even more inspiration I've rounded up some images of classic 60's icons to spark your creative spirit.

1. Cher

2. Edie Sedgwick

3. Jackie O

4. Mia Farrow

5. Twiggy

6. Janis Joplin

Hope this helps some of you last minute costume people out. What are some other style icons throughout history that are providing your costume inspiration this year?

TV Inspired Halloween Costumes

Halloween will be here before you know it, and I know some of you may be not as on top of the costume situation as others, so thanks to an article on Refinery 29 here are some awesome TV inspired ideas that you can easily recreate. Over at Refinery 29 you can see their ideas for Blossom, Brenda from 90210, Hillary from the Fresh Prince of Belair and more! If those don't work for you here are some other TV inspired costumes that I found.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

2. Clarissa from Clarissa Explains it All

3. Angela Chase from My So Called Life

4. Kelly Kapowski from Saved By the Bell

5. Mental Mellie from Scandal

These are just a few ideas. There are so many more options out there, just use your imagination. What TV show/character might inspire you this Halloween?

Free E-Book - Spray Paint for Home Decor

Head on over to Fave Crafts and download your free copy of Make it Yours: How To Spray Paint Furniture, Home Decor Projects, Holiday Crafts and More with Krylon Spray Paint. 

These simple home decor projects transform the boring and old to bright and new!

Pinterest Round Up - Halloween Decor

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love getting to dress up in a costume for no reason. I also love decorating. There are tons of great store bought options out there for the less craftily inclined, but for those of us that love a good DIY project here are some awesome DIY Halloween decor options fresh from Pinterest.

What are some of your favorite DIY Halloween Decor Projects? Be sure to check back throughout the rest of the month for more Halloween DIY projects.

No Excuse

I have been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad blogger. There's no other way around it. My life took a major turn last fall and somethings kind of got put on the back burner including Jen Ell's Revenge and this blog. I just needed some me time, but now I have to get my butt in gear. I'm starting by doing a Spring Cleaning Sale over on Facebook. All tops and skirts listed are only $15 shipped anywhere in the  US and dresses are only $20.

To view sizes and item specifics please visit my Facebook Album

If you're interested in any of the items please leave a comment under the image and I will respond as soon as possible.

More items will be added throughout the next week, so check back often

In other news, there are some changes and exciting new things coming, but more about that later. For now, get your hind parts over to Facebook and check out the awesome deals!

Experimenting with Neck Ties and Bow Ties

Wow! It’s been over 2 weeks since I’ve blogged. I’m terribly sorry. Between traveling for work, taking care of a sick dog and a sick husband I’ve been busy. I haven’t even had time to sew. One of the last projects I was able to work on is my experiment below.
 
I created it using six coordinating men’s neck ties. They will be available for sale in my shop soon. No two will be exactly the same, and each one will come with some sort of belt or sash for the waist, or you can swap it out for your favorite belt.
Oh…and before I forget, by request, I have started making and selling men’s bow ties! In traditional Jen Ell’s Revenge fashion they aren’t the typical prints and patterns that you will find in the store, and many of them are recycled out of other clothing or fabric scraps. To make them extra fun, all of them a reversible, so you get two for the price of one!

You can purchase one for yourself or a loved one here.

DIY – Make Your Own Undies

I have made a lot of things in my life, but undies are truly a new adventure for me. I’ve been meaning to make them for a while now, but just never did. Now, after losing weight some of my existing undies are getting a bit baggy, not to mention I’ve been wearing things more fitted and high waisted. Regular bikini undies or thongs can leave some unsightly panty lines, so I needed something that comes up higher and helps alleviate the dreaded panty lines. Once I made the first pair I couldn’t stop. I also wondered why on earth had I not done this before, because in all honesty, they are quite easy.
Materials:
Old undies to cut up and use for a pattern
Sewing machine
Scissors
Stretchy fabric
Picot Elastic or Fold Over Elastic
Instructions:

Cut all of the elastic edges off your old undies and cut them apart at the seams. Once you get done you will be left with a perfect pattern. I didn’t take a picture of mine. Suffice it to say that they were quite sad looking, but they fit great, hence the reason why I had not thrown them away. Pin them down on your pretty new fabric and cut out one front, one back and one crotch piece*. For mine I chose to use a polyester knit for the main part of the undies and a cotton knit for the crotch. I used the poly because I didn’t want my clothing to cling to it.
* You should have two layers of fabric in the crotch area. I left one layer (the outer (pretty) layer) attached to the front piece and cut off the inner layer, which is what I cut out of the cotton. If you look at the image you can see that the front pieces are longer and will go between the legs and attach to the back piece.

My first step was to sew the front, back and crotch piece together. You’ll line up the crotch seams with the front and back right sides together, and then put the crotch piece behind the back piece. Stitch straight across this crotch seam. Please excuse the threads, I screwed this step up the first time.

Next, you’ll lay them out with the front and back spread out right sides down. Flip the crotch piece so that it covers where you just sewed the three layers together, line it up to the back piece, pin and sew down with a zig zag or stretch stitch.

Attach the elastic to the leg seams. This is where the fold over elastic(FOE)cot elastic comes in. If you’re not familiar with FOE here’s a little video with instructions for sewing with FOE. Be sure you get both layers when you are sewing through the crotch area.

Line up the side seams with right sides facing and sew them up. If your fabric has 4-way stretch then use a stretch stitch or zig zag, otherwise a straight stitch is fine. You can also use a serger, but since they were for me I didn’t bother.

Add elastic to the top. You can use the FOE, picot elastic, or be like me and use some pretty stretch lace.

If you’re like me, you can’t stop at just one pair.

This is a great way to use up your stash, scraps and even old tees. The crotch pieces on all of these came from t-shirt sleeves that were cut up and turned in to tanks and summery tops like this:

The polka dot fabric is something that I ordered, but when it came in it was quite thin and flimsy so I never really used it. The burgundy that is peeking out is some random fabric that I found in a scrap bin. It has a weird texture, but it holds it’s shape and clothing doesn’t cling to it, so it was perfect for undies.
If anything is unclear feel free to ask questions. I can’t wait to make some more, so if you need more pics or explanation I will be glad to give it.

Labels: diy, tutorial