Getting Ready

I've got the frames and I've got the fabric.

Now for the pattern....

I have a few different versions I want to make with these but I think that I'll settle on an eyeglass case for the one and a classic coin purse for the other.

Linked to: 
Annemarie's Haakblog

1940s Bra Sew Along Update

Judging by the snail pace at which I've been proceeding, you could hardly tell just how excited I am about Anna's 1940's bra sew-along......

But after what seemed like an endless bout of illness in the house and some very persistent printer problems, I'm ready to get started.

 First step accomplished: PDF pattern is printed and ready to be cut.

If you want to get your hands on Anna's pattern, you can find it here. There's a great selection of over 100 vintage lingerie patterns in her shop, vintage lingerie notions as well as all sorts of other fabulous vintage patterns.

In The Mail - Styrofoam Head

I got a styrofoam manniquin head in the mail the other day and I couldn't resist putting a large flower crown on it and playing around with it.

Did you know that these adult-sized female display heads are much smaller than an average adult female head?

Really, what's the point in that?

I have actually tried to get my hands on a canvas head block online but that has proven to be a bit difficult because the ones I've found are overseas and there's a hefty shipping fee attached to a thing that heavy!! (Seriously, have you seen what they charge for overseas shipping?!)

I have also attempted to make my own canvas head form out of a pattern of my own making and stuff it. 

My first attempt was not quiet successful as the shape is more of a hot air balloon rather than a head and it's on the small side as far as size goes. 
But I learnt a couple of things that will make my second attempt more succesful. (And I still use it in a pinch when I need something to try something out on a 'head' and there are no models in sight.....)

I may share that first canvas head form in a post one of these days. If there's anyone out there who is having the same difficulties as me in getting their hands on one, maybe they'd like to give it a go as well and benefit from my attempt.

And untill I make a new -better- one I'll be using my new styrofoam head to take pictures of headbands and hair flowers and maybe a hat or two that I've got planned.....

Linked to:

Homework, Annemarie's Haakblog

Gold Leaf Crown

A quick pic, snapped just before I packed it up and shipped it out....

I just love these gold leaf crowns! They're so grecian to me but at the same time I can see endless possibilities in wearing them either as part of a special occassion outfit (eg a wedding or fairytale-styled photo shoot) or as part of a costume (eg the obvious greek godess or an elven princess, a wood nymph, etc).

Teal Blue Flower Brooch

Linked to:

Annemarie's Haakblog

Blue Flower Boutonnieres

Easy DIY for Kids - Castanets

We had so much fun making our very own castanets the other day.

We got our inspiration here but I've seen other versions on pinterest since.

 They're super easy to make and lots of fun to play with.

All you need for each castanet is a strip of fairly sturdy cardboard and two bottle caps. 

Recycling diy at its best!

It's really easy to replicate from the pictures but I'm including instructions -because some days you'd just rather follow instructions!

1. Cut a strip of cardboard to your required measurements (ours is just over 13cm by 4cm or just over 5 inches by 1.5 inches)

2. Fold the cardboard strip in half. 

If desired, you can decorate the cardboard: draw on it, paint it or do whatever you latest craft-crush dictates.

(Alternatively, you can leave this step for after the castanets have been completed.)

3. Now you want to glue the bottle caps onto the cardboard.

If your little crafters are very little, make sure they are gluing them on the inside of the folded cardboard piece. 

Put glue on the jagged edge of one bottle cap and place it on the edge of one end of the cardboard strip. If your cardboard is the thick kind you can press the bottle cap into the cardboard for a better grip.

Let it dry.

4. Glue the second bottle cap on the other end of the cardboard strip, in the same manner. Make sure that it is aligned with the first bottle cap. You want them to click together when you're done, so they have to be positioned to correspond.

Let the glue dry.

If you've left the decorating-your-castanets part for last, now is the time to go wild and have fun with it.

That's it!

They are finished and ready to play with!

Definately a minimum effort, maximum fun kids craft.

If you are looking for more fun craft inspiration, you can find lots on my Kids Crafts pinterest board.

Linked to:
Annemarie's Haakblog, Today's Creative Life

Stacey's Wedding

I'm happy to be sharing some beautiful wedding pictures that Stacey sent me the other day.

Stacey and Andy tied the knot in September on what can only be described as a glorious day, and in the utmost of style.

I'm honoured that she chose my white organza FairytaleFlower hair flowers for both herself and her beautiful daughter, Kira. 

You can see lots of amazing photos from their happy day on Stacey's photography blog.

All photos by Endless Photography.