Handmade Motherdaughter Tutu

Right after I completed and shipped my last batch of custom orders (4 PIPA Bangles) , i took one week break from making jewelry to making tutu for my 3 years old and myself! Cause my son has turned 1 year old (I know, how did that happened, right?) and we decided that it's time to take some family photo, and I thought it'd be nice if I could wear a mother-daughter outfit with my daughter, but making a 3 years old to wear what you want is tough, but it's not impossible! I brought her onto my laps one afternoon before she takes her nap (can't do this after her nap, she's usually grouchy after wake up I don't know why), and shown her pictures from Pinterest, then I made her choose what color would she like for her new tutu (take note, I didn't asked her if she want's a tutu, I asked her what color will she like. :P), she told me she would like a purple color tutu (yipee!)

So off I go to purchase 3 shades of purple tulles - lilac, purple and purple red.

I only know how to make no-sew tutu - I have used stretchable headband as base for my daughter's tutu, and ribbon as base for my own. Both tutus has 2 layers of tulles, I have used 1 roll each for my daughter's tutu and 4 rolls each for myself (that's ALOT of work, especially I could only work after kids are asleep, tying those tulles repeatedly is boring I could fall asleep anytime!)

But the outcome is acceptable, aren't they lovely? My daughter won't take it off her, that put a smile on my face!

Oh just another note - I haven't been wearing heels since I was pregnant with my daughter, that's about 4 years plus now, one thing about wearing adult tutu is that, you must have a pair of heels at least 3" tall, I am glad that I finally have a reason to buy myself a pair of heels (oh how I've missed wearing heels lol!)

And here, my boy whom just turned one, breastfeeding mom's consuming coffee latte, just a cup a day alright? Don't get too worked up on that. Cheers!

How To Make a DIY Santa Belt Buckle Ornament

How to make a DIY Santa Belt Buckle Ornament

Christmas is around the corner and I made a Santa's little helper's tutu for my almost 3 years-old daughter, the only thing left was the Santa Belt Buckle Ornament - I am at my full term pregnancy and I am not as mobile as I would like myself to be, so instead of going around to shop for buckle, I've decided to DIY one.

Here's the Step By Step on How to Make a DIY Santa Belt Buckle Ornament.
Tools and Materials:
- Marker pen
- Ruler
- A magnetic stripe / credit card (you will only need a half of it)
- E6000 Glue
- Craft knife
- 2" width Black Satin Ribbon
- 75mm width white Satin Ribbon
- Rhinestone Adhesive Sheet

Get ready of your magnetic stripe card.

Magnetic Stripe Card

 A standard Magnetic Stripe Card should measure around 8.5cm wide.

 Measure 4.25cm and draw a line at the center.

 Cut repeatedly on the drawn line.

Fold back and forth so that the magnetic stripe card would break off naturally.

Orient half of the magnetic stripe card as shown in the picture.

Measure 5mm inwards from all borders. Draw lines with your permanent ink pen.

Then, measure 0.5" inwards from both the horizontal lines at the top and bottom, draw lines.

Cut out the rectangle. Tips: once you cut through the top and bottom lines, you may go ahead to cut the center part of of the rectangle, make sure you cut lines at the sides as well, but with the broken center part you could fold back and forth repeatedly until the sides break itself.

Repeat the same for another side of rectangle.

Measure the height of the rectangle, it should be almost 2". With this measurement you could go and hunt for a Black Satin Ribbon that suits your project, I find 1.5" ribbons are too thin so I opted for 2" Black Satin Ribbons.

 Now it's time to add some "blings" to the belt "buckle". You will need E6000 glue, 75mm white ribbons and rhinestones sticker sheet.

Apply glue directly on to the magnetic stripe card, then stick on the white ribbons.
Tips: Follow the inner edge of the magnetic stripe card when you stick on the ribbons, that way you could trim away the excess ribbons easily later.

 

Trim away the excess ribbons, and since ribbons often fray when cut, use lighter to reseal all the ribbon's sides.

Choose the surface without protruding characters, then apply E6000 glue onto the white ribbons, finally cut and stick the rhinestones sheet onto all beams.

Slid in the 2" black satin ribbons, it is a little too big for the buckle but I personally find it better off this way so that the buckle doesn't move around too much when worn.

Gorgeous, ain't it? I hope you find this tutorial useful!

Watch the slides show / video version of How To Make a DIY Santa Belt Buckle Ornament too if you are keen, enjoy!

Corra @ de Cor's

Etsy find of the day - Lace Statement Necklace

Lace Statement Necklace

Paint the town red with this Red Floral Lace Statement Necklace made with venice lace and chains. USD$40 from EPUU.

Happy Stacker Ring Toy, To-Do Project for Year 2012

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I was drooling over Happy Stacker Ring Toy pattern (by Heather Bailey) from Southernfabric's Etsy store, and then you-know-who bought it for me. :)

Not having any sewing experience, I don't even know how to start, but common sense says: Need to get fabric first. So I was shopping over Etsy.com to see what wonderful fabric deals I could possibly secure.

Then I found fabriccloset on Etsy. :)

I simply don't know where to start, it was wise that I've sent a convo to the shop owner, Krista, to consult her if she could suggest something for me to make the Happy Stacker Ring Toy. It took her few hours (thanks to the time difference!) to reply, but I didn't quite favor the color theme she suggested, so I went ahead to browse around her store. It was really fun shopping at her store because Krista really has ALOT of fabric that's worth looking! She had also been totally helpful and responsive throughout the whole transaction, not only she was patience over my silly questions (I told you I am totally new!), she was also 100% flexible about working out a workable plan for the both of us - such as suggesting total fabric in yards I could possibly have at what shipping rate, and being so understanding that since this is my first attempt on fabric craft, she customized most of the orders for me (instead of full yard of fabric, she allowed me to take only half a yard or less).

When I finally concluded what I would like to order, Krista found that it actually exceeded lowest shipping rate, to maximize my interest, she disclosed that she could ship 2.5 and 9 yards of fabric at that same shipping rate, of which I really should not waste the fabric allowance. After a thorough consideration, I decided to top up my orders but not exceeding my own budget. I topped up 2.5 yard + 31" of fabric in the end, and Krista told me there were still 5.5 yard of fabric allowance left! Since I already am paying for the shipping cost, I offered other friends to tag along their orders if they are interested - and for all you know, the offer was snapped almost immediately! (I love my wise friends, haha!)

I officially placed the order on 23th January 2012, then it arrived yesterday (8th February 2012). And I am so relief that I didn't get taxed for buying these beautiful fabrics from the United States. :)

Parcel arrived - Priority mail @ flat rate charges.

Total yummy!

A glance of what we have gotten

Karen's order: Joel Dewberry, Kate Spain, and Michael Miller Fabric Bundle, 4 Half Yards

Yee Lin's order: 1) Sparrows in Bark, Joel Dewberry Aviary 2, 1 yard; 2) Lodge Lattice in Lilac, Joel Dewberry Aviary 2, 1 yard

And these are MINE!

And I'd be more than happy to list down what I've bought:
1) Green Peacock Eye, Modern Affair Collection, Art Gallery by Patricia Bravo, 1 Yard ($6.50 per yard, 1/2 yard)
2) Nearby Floral in Candy, Michael Miller, 1 yard ($8.75 per yard, 1/2 yard)
3) Alphabet Soup Squared in White by My Mind's Eye, Riley Blake, 1 Yard ($8.50 per yard, 1/2 yard)
4) Alphabet Soup Main in White by My Mind's Eye, Riley Blake (18" for $4.25)
5) Trees in Jelly, Just Wing It by MoMo for Moda, 1 yard ($7.75 per yard, 1/2 yard)
6) Meadow Lace in Goldenrod, Joel Dewberry Deer Valley, 1 yard ($2 per yard)
7) Dots in Baby Blue, Moda Essential, 1 Yard ($7.75 per yard, 1/2 yard)
8) Sprigs in Light Green, Girl Friday by Cosmo Cricket, (31" for $4.25)
9) Birds and Apples in White, Timeless Treasures, LAST FAT QUARTER (1 fat quarter for $2.50)
10) Bohemia in Lilac, McKenzie, Dena Designs, LAST FAT QUARTER (1 fat quarter for $2.50)

Phew, such long blog post. I hope you find this resourceful! I am not sure when will I kick start the project, but looking at these beautiful 100% cottons, I dare not to take the risk for now, so will first practice to make something out from cheaper fabric first.

Hopefully it won't take me too long for the first attempt, will keep you posted! :)

Happy crafting all!
Corra @ de Cor's Handmades

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