Quick Gift Idea..How to Make a Fabric CD or DVD Case

It's already the end of August. YIKES!  The holidays are on their way. Can you believe it? 

I feel as though I'm often scrambling to prepare everything. But not this year.  Yes, this year I'm starting early.

 During the holidays, my go to neighbor gift is a CD of our favorite holiday tunes.  

This year I wanted to improve the presentation of our gift so I searched online but didn't find anything that I loved. So I headed to the craft store and came up with this... 

 

This would make a really easy and amazing holiday gift, wedding party favor, or photographer packaging. Just slip a CD or DVD with anything  your heart desires and you're good to go.   

Despite the lengthy tutorial, it is a quick and easy project that can be done in no time! 

Click below for the instructions!

How to Make a Lace Crown. No Crocheting Required!

If you're a photographer, I'm sure you've seen some those adorable newborn crowns.  

Here's a quick and easy way to make one.. no crocheting required.  

Made larger, these would make adorable party favors for a big girl party or maybe even for yourself. : )  Oh.. the possibilities!

                             

                   

                             

Here's how you do it..

• You will need:
• Mod Podge
• A strip of lace (For a newborn, I used about 2 1/2 -3 inches of lace) 
• Fabric Paint and Paint Brush (This is optional. You will need it only if you want to change the color of the lace.) 
• Hot Glue Gun

1.  If you want your crown to be a different color then the lace, mix a bit of Mod Podge with your fabric paint.  I did about one part paint to one part Mod Podge.  Paint your lace.

If you are leaving your lace the color it is, simply paint Mod Podge onto your lace. 

2. Let dry until the paint is a tad sticky.  (You don't want it to be completely dry). 

3. Form a circle and hot glue the lace together; be sure to keep the lace pattern consistent. 

4. Let dry by placing the crown on a cup or something else circular.  

5. You're all done!

 Loves,
Amber

5 Minute DIY Newborn Cocoon from Sweater.

This one is for all you photographers out there.

  Have you seen those adorable newborn cocoons? They are all over the place and have been for a while.  Most of these lovely cocoons are either hand knit or crocheted. I made mine just a bit different; and I must say that I love it. Alot.  

I made this lovely in under 5 minutes using one of my old sweaters.

These not only make for a killer newborn prop, it would also be a great gift for a new mom or a photographer in your life.

Want to make one too?

Let's go. : )

 What you will need:

• Old sweater with a ribbed trim (preferred).  For the comfort of the baby, stick with a cotton sweater.  You really don't want the little one to break out from an itchy cashmere, wool, or angora sweater. : )
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Sewing machine or serger
• Thread.

FYI, Because every sweater will stretch differently, I will give you dimensions for the cocoon when stretched fully. Your finished cocoon will be 15 inches wide and 15 inches long (at it's longest point) when stretched fully. We will add 1/2 inch seam allowances.

Here's how you do it:

First stretch the bottom of your sweater as wide as it can go.  Measure16 inches along the bottom of the sweater.  Mark with your fabric marker the beginning and end of the 16 inches.

Now stretch your sweater from the bottom to the neckline. Measure 15.5 inches from the bottom of the sweater up.  Draw a small mark to show where 15.5 inches is on your sweater.

Using your fabric marker, draw a slight curve like the one pictured below.  

Cut your cocoon out. 

Put right sides together. 
 Set your machine to a stitch suitable for a knit fabric.

Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew or serge your cocoon rounding at the corners (see below).  Be sure to leave the bottom of your cocoon open.

Flip your cocoon right side out. And that's it;  you're done.

Loves,
Amber