Create 365 - Project Development

Hiya, friends!  I hope you're enjoying the Create 365 project as much as I am so far..I have a lot more planned.

What I would like to do today is put this question to you..what would YOU like to see?  Is there something special you'd like to purchase from the shop, or that you would perhaps enjoy a tutorial on?  I'm happy to add it to my planning..(I do, after all, have 362 more projects to complete ;)

Add your ideas and suggestions in the comments below.  I look forward to reading them!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Sweetheart Beret Tutorial

I love berets.  They're chic, easy to wear, and fit just about anyone!  Here are a few of my favorite ways to wear one..

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 The "Faye Dunaway".  Quintessential chic.

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Marilyn Monroe.  Sultry beret at a jaunty angle.

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 Nina Foch.  Simple and sweet.

Now that you have some ideas on how to wear one, let's talk embellishment ;)  I am currently addicted to "spiffing things up" with felt shapes and embroidery and berets are the perfect medium for this type of project!  Here's what you'll need:

1.  Begin by cutting a heart shape out of your felt.  When you have it the size and shape you like, decide where to place it on your beret.  Once you have it where you like it, pin it in place.

2.  Thread your embroidery needle with two or three strands of embroidery floss.  Begin sewing the felt heart onto your beret with evenly spaced stitches.  You can choose to do it with a running stitch, as I have done in the photo at the start of this post, or you can use an overcast stitch.

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3.  Once your heart has been secured, use your embroidery thread to create the "arrow".  Create the arrow point on the top, a stitch in the middle of your heart at an angle in line with the point, and complete it with the base of your arrow following the same angle.

4.You can embroider "sweet" in a few different ways.  I chose to do it freehand using a backstitch because I wanted it to have a "handwritten" effect.  If you prefer a different type of font, I would recommend printing or tracing it onto tear away stabilizer.  You can then just place it where you like on the beret, embroider over the letters and tear the stabilizer away when you are finished (be sure to keep some tweezers handy..they sometimes help to pull the stabilizer out from under the stitches.)

5.  Trim all threads and place on your head at the angle of your choice ;)

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The Holidays are Coming! The Holidays are Coming!

In my experience, there are two approaches to the holiday season..one that involves dread, stress and a sigh of relief once it's passed, and one that involves family, child-like wonder and a sense of joy and love.  While I will admit to the former sometimes creeping up on me, I can honestly say I try to dwell in the latter.  Truthfully, there is so much I love about the holidays.  Spending lots of time with family and friends, good food, pretty decorations, coming up with new and fun (stress free!) ideas for gift giving..so along those lines, I would like to share with you some of my favorite inexpensive or free ideas for gift giving and holiday fun!

Amazing recipe for spiced hot cocoa.  (How cute would this be with a little vintage teaspoon tied to the side?)

tatertotsandjello.com

Cookie dough gifts!  (Honestly, who doesn't love cookie dough??)  You could even put them in a basket together with the cocoa.


southernliving.com

Homemade soap (which would be adorable combined with the next suggestion..or just wrapped in some pretty fabric and tied with twine.)

bohemianrevolution.com

Embroidered towels!  I love Sublime Stitching Patterns.  These Gil Elvgren ones are my favorite.

sublimestitching.com

Ravelry is a brilliant place to get gift ideas if you knit.  Last year I made some of these lovelies.  Cute vintage pattern and they knit up in no time at all!

ravelry.com

My husband (aka "The Man") and I host a holiday party each year for siblings, cousins and good friends.  One tradition we keep each year is the "White Elephant Yankee Swap".  The only rules are that the swap gifts must be creative and/or funny and either re-gifted or under $5.  It's great for a laugh and takes the sting out of holiday financial woes!  Some favorites from past years; A copy of the movie "Jaws", An old beer box filled with Slim Jims and Big League Chew labeled "Redneck Survival Kit", "Pornaments" (which were, hysterically enough, ornaments of reindeer in inappropriate positions..courtesy of my brother) bacon band-aids and faux facial hair.

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We also have a contest for the ugliest holiday sweater (My sister in law remains the champ with the lovely gem in the photo below..)

Though my oldest daughter and I gave her a run for her money in our hideous holiday vests and who-like hair styles..

She still ended up being the victor and taking home the trophy.

I hope some of these suggestions are helpful to you in planning your holidays this year :)  What kinds of traditions are you looking forward to this holiday season?  What gifts will you be making?

Hugs and Smooches,
D