Wardrobe refashion: seam ripper edition

I have really been trying to buy less stuff, it's not really working but I am trying. I have also started a bit of wardrobe refashion to spruce up my closet. I have a bad habit of buying dresses on clearance, usually at target. Sometimes when they are a great deal I buy all the colors of one dress.  Enter this pair of floral dresses I am in love with.

Super cute right? Well as you can see on the gray dress I have already altered it into a skirt. As cute as the dress is on my carpet, I have a few more curves and the top of this dress always ended up boxy and unflattering. I have been lusting after all the cute skirts on Pinterest and with only a seam ripper I have converted these dresses into cute ultra-wearable skirts. These were the dresses I would try on and then take off to put on something different. Now the skirt can be a bit longer (the dress was pretty short) and I am already picturing pairing this with my go-to hoodie. Mmmmhmmm.

My roommate suggested that I now also have a crop top. Haha. NO. But maybe I can come up with some way to use the fabric. 

Skirts! Love. 

I worked on this project while watching 'heroes of cosplay' on syfy. Anyone watch it? I'm kind of hooked. 

Basket full of sunshine

Like many other Pinterest addicts (admitting it is the first step, right?) I save all kinds of ideas that I may never use. But once in awhile you actually USE an idea and it just feels like a big ol' win all the way around. 

In this instance I had a friend who was having a rough time and I wanted to cheer her up. I just wanted it to be something fun and a little silly. A cheer up and a thank you for being such an amazing friend. Enter the bucket/box/bag of sunshine idea I have seen done several ways on Pinterest.  A simple idea of finding a cute container and filling it with all things bright and yellow and sunny. I love it because it is easy to cater to whoever the gift is for and having a theme (yellow things) makes it an easier way to find fun gifts if you are short on ideas. I hit up two stores and filled a whole basket full of sweets, drinks, fun items and silly games. It was fun to put together and it was well received. Brighten someone's day today!

Hoppy Easter

See what I did there? Well so much for "hoping" right back on the blog bandwagon. 

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I spent a good chunk of it in my car alone, but hey that's the price you pay to get to go see your cousins's adorable twin girls. Babies! Silly hormones. 

I did get to try a new recipe from Pinterest. I made blueberry white chocolate chip cookies and they were amazing! Often times my cookies don't turn out as lovely as I would hope so this was a nice change. They were a big hit for Easter and I think the flavor is perfect for spring. Maybe add some dried cranberries to make it red, white, and blue worthy for 4th of July! 

Here is the recipe 

http://www.stetted.com/index.php/2013/07/25/blueberry-white-chocolate-cookies/#_a5y_p=1417149

Misadventures in mobile blogging

Well there is no excuse for it but my long 'break' from blogging is at a close. A tumultuous year is settling back into old patterns and allowing me to return to those things that have been left patiently waiting for me. To sum up this last year in two simple events:

1.

I have become a full time cake decorator!

My dream of working with my hands in a creative environment has come true. I am learning new stuff everyday and am so inspired by the amazing work of decorators near and far. Many posts will now be cake related! (Yeah even more than before!)

2. <warning extreme cheesiness ahead>

I fell in love. Wow that sounds cheesy when typed out. But this last year has been the happiest of my life. So much has happened and changed but all for the best. Now that I am engaged (woot) I can have a legit Pinterest wedding board and all sorts of fun stuff. Wedding posts will probably happen- I am hoping for a super DIY/hands on wedding, but no bells will be ringing until 2016 at the EARLIEST. So stay tuned.

Yep that's pretty much the two big reasons. And also my computer is on it's last legs. Will be rocking the mobile posts for a while until I get a new one. With those major life events on top of the roller derby, awesome friends, weddings, babies, and general life fabulousness I have missed this blog, my little corner of the internet. Well now I'm back. Let's do this thing!

Movie inspired craft: UP

Beware! Extreme cheesiness ahead!

The crafting bug has been gnawing at me lately and lots of my ideas have been revolving around my sweetie, who will be leaving for the peace corps this summer. He doesn't even know where he is ending up yet but he has asked if I will come and visit him. I had the idea to make a money jar that said "Plane ticket to...?" but then I thought of a better idea- UP.

We both love the movie Up so I decided that I would make a Paradise Falls money jar.

I already had a mason jar I wanted to use and I had found a map-patterned piece of scrapbook paper that I wanted to use for the lid and label. So it is not an exact match but this is one of those times where it is really the thought that counts : )

 

Supplies: 

-Mason jar with lid (do not need the solid center part)

-lightweight cardboard

-paper for lid cover and label (as fancy or simple as you wish)

-mod podge

-marker

-Scissors

Optional: 

-fancy scrapbook scissors for the label

-exacto knife to make the lid cover cutting easier

      

 1. Trace the top of your jar onto both the cardboard and paper

 2. Cut a money slot for the lid cover
 3. Glue cardboard and paper together

 4. Cut a label for your jar. Write your message and mod podge it on (I tried to copy the lettering of 'Paradise Falls' from the label in the movie)

 5. Fill with money! (I cheated and transferred the contents of my several 'coin dishes' that I have around)

I sent the last picture to my sweetie who liked it so much I am making another one for him.

This would also make a super cute gift bag- complete it with a copy of the movie Up, add an Ellie badge and tie a balloon to the bag.

Spring Thrifting

I should be spring cleaning (Christmas stuff is still up outside!) But I have been unmotivated while snow remains on the ground. At least I am getting back to some of my normal routines now that I am learning to balance life's distractions a bit better.

After a less-than-great day at work I had the huge urge to hit the thrift shop up. I have a couple of projects in my head that I want to get off the ground and the thrift shop seemed like a good start. Well I didn't really find the project supplies that I wanted but I did make a good haul!

 

A bright knit hat (much like my favorite purple!), a vintage slip, a French scarf, and 2 bowls for $3.70!

This is still the cheapest thrift shop in town. It takes a bit of digging and the turnover is not the best but it is worth it when you find something!

Love this scarf! I will have to spend a bit of time washing everything. I have plans for the slip- getting really into vintage lingerie at the moment. And it might be FINALLY getting too warm for the hat but I am sure there will be chilly days yet.

Happy Thrifting!

Dragon Eggs!

Did everyone have an epic Game of Thrones day?! (And a Happy Easter?) Season 3 premiered last night and I made a set of three mini egg cakes as a hostess gift.

Mini chiffon eggs with Bavarian cream in the center. Two have buttercream frosting and the third is chocolate ganache. They are decorated to look like the three dragon eggs from Game of Thrones. And yes, they were quite delicious.

I have been neglecting my little corner of the internet. Finally getting some time to dust off the cobwebs a bit. I hope it keeps up because I have lots of cool things and ideas I feel like sharing. Happy April!