Wear It: Handmade

Don’t look too close at these pictures or you’ll see my goose bumps and extra long arm hairs standing straight up.    It was freezing, but I really wanted to show off this fabulous skeleton cameo necklace by Louisville jewelry artist Under Sixes and I thought you might be able to see it better if it wasn’t hiding beneath a parka and two infinity scarf layers.

I was inspired by Suzanne at Style Files to pull out some stripes this week after she shared them as one of her top 10 wardrobe essentials.  I’m also thinking this Marion polish from Julep should be a wardrobe essential.  What do you think?

(Are you a Julep maven?  You can sign up today and use the code FREEBOX to get your first box free. )

Shirt & Jeans: Target; Cardi: Banana Republic, gifted (i.e. Hand-Me-Down); Earrings: Wisconsin Gift Shop; Necklace: Under Sixes; Leather Cuff: Made by Me; Nail Polish: Julep

I put the how-to for making this leather cuff on the blog last week, but just in case you’d rather win one than make one, I’m giving one away in my awesome sponsor giveaway.  Which you should totally check out.  And enter.

So, who’s ready for spring?

~julee~

 

I post my outfits here to show off my thrifty and handmade wears. Plus, I like cute clothes. I link up each week with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy, Whatever Whenever Wednesday, Not Dead Yet Style, Real Girl Style, Dress for the Day, Lily Among Thorns and Casual Friday. If you're dropping in today, please say HI! in the comments – I would love to come check out your blog!

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Win It: Sponsor Giveaway

My February sponsors are Ah-May-Zing!  Why?  Because they are giving away a grand prize pack chock full of handmade awesomeness worth $100.  Plus, Suzanne from Style Files is giving away 4 additional scrapbook kits – and then!  Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana is giving away a $20 gift card to a local reader to use at their upcoming March event.  Are you ready to WIN???
 

What could you win? All of this:

Album in an Afternoon Scrapbook Kit (1 to the grand prize winner, and 4 to 2nd place winners) designed by Suzanne Carillo from Simply Creative.

Brown Polka Dot Infinity Scarf handmade by Em Dash Designs.

Beaded Earrings handmade by Craft E Magee.

Leather Cuff and March sponsor spot from D.I.Y. Louisville.

Latte Love and 5x7 Valentine Screen Prints from artist Miss Happy Pink.

Wedge Ad Space from Lipgloss and Crayons.

$20 Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana gift certificate (for Louisville or Southern Indiana locals). 

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  You have to be a follower of my blog to enter, and I am also asking for you to tell me if you're eligible for the local gift card giveaway.  This will not effect your chance of winning the grand prize or 2nd prizes. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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February Sponsor Spotlight

One of the most awesome parts about running D.I.Y. Louisville is having the opportunity to meet some extraordinary women both in real life and in the blogosphere.  Sharing my blog with amazing crafters and artists each month gives me a chance to sincerely champion the amazing talent behind some truly amazing ladies. 

I’ve been sharing their talents with you all month, but for today I wanted to give them a chance to share something fun and personal about themselves to help you get to know them better.  Since February is the official month of love, I asked each of them to share their favorite date night movie with us.  Here is what they told me:

Mia Bella Photography ~ Facebook

Love is in the air and one of the many things I love about photography is capturing moments between couples that evoke emotion. Doesn't your heart just swoon when you look at these two? They're not recently engaged, they've been married for years, they have two kids, but they chose to have some pictures taken to celebrate their anniversary. We walked around downtown to their favorite restaurants, capturing not only the moments between them, but also the background that means something special to them.  

One of my favorite date movies has to be Sweet Home Alabama. I could watch it over and over - I'm not sure my date would agree to that though. ;) I just love how she gives up so much to gain so much more.

 

Evon Von ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

I'm a mom and a military spouse currently living it up in Texas! My taste in movies is different, so I'd have to say that my favorite date night movie would have to be either Ted or The A Team. I love laughing with my husband and Ted had us in tears, but The A Team is all about action and my husband loves that i don't really care for girlie movies, lol.

Miss Happy Pink ~ Facebook ~ Etsy

Hi, I'm MissHappyPink! One of my favorite date nights is actually a show instead of a movie, New Girl. I giggle so much I sometimes snort while watching the show, it's so stinking cute! My hubby isn't much for chick flicks but it's one of those shows that even makes him laugh. It's silly, sweet and goofy--kind of like the designs I create. Feel free to take a peek around my shop.

Em Dash Designs ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

My name is Emily Hagedorn, and I write The Em Dash blog (www.theemdash.com) and sell handmade goods on Etsy and at local craft fairs and flea markets as Em Dash Designs (www.emdashdesigns.etsy.com).

My boyfriend and I have known each other since we were barely teenagers, so our date night movies have run the gamut from "George of the Jungle," aka "Brendan Fraser in a loin cloth," to lately documentaries, such as "Indie Game: The Movie." I'm glad to see our tastes have improved!

Craft E Magee ~ Facebook ~ Etsy

Hi! I'm Liz from Craft E Magee.  My all-time favorite date night movie is "Love Actually." It's just the right amount of romance, quirkiness, and comedy with the added bonus of beautiful eye candy in Colin Firth and Rodrigo Santoro!

Rainy Day Colors ~ Facebook ~ Etsy

My name is Margaret and I'm a wife and mama to two really cute kiddos. I also run an etsy shop full of colorful handmade papergoods. My favorite date night movie is probably Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey. My husband and I laugh every time we watch it.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting my sponsors this month.  Check back tomorrow for a fabulous sponsor giveaway!

What's your favorite date night movie?  Mine is a toss up between The Princess Bride and Raising Arizona.  What's better on a date than a little humor?

~julee~

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Local Feature: Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana

Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana ~ Facebook 

One of the biggest challenges for me to keep my home organized is figuring out what to do with all of my daughter’s outgrown stuff.  Clothes, toys, books, bikes, outdoor play items – it never seems to end.  Thankfully, I discovered Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consignment sales and put together a game plan for making some extra cash on the quality items my daughter no longer wanted or needed.  I also discovered that buying gently used items for her could save me a ton of cash.  Making cash and saving cash makes shopping Rhea Lana’s a win-win!

To tackle the outgrown items, I set up up two plastic storage tubs and a plastic garbage bag (or box) in my laundry area.  In one tub, I put outgrown toys and books, etc.  In the other tub, I put all freshly laundered clothes that I think are worth reselling.  In the plastic bag (or box) I put clothes and toys that I wish to donate to Goodwill.  Once the Goodwill bag fills up, I make a trip to drop it off and start on a new bag.  Just having a designated place for the items to go is a HUGE help in keeping the clutter in control.

You can check out the Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana  website for more information on joining this event (or look for a Rhea Lana’s in your town), plus you’ll find more tips and tricks for prepping your outgrown items to sell.

For those of you in the Louisville & Southern Indiana area, Rhea Lana’s of Southern Indiana will be giving away a gift card to shop at their March event.  Check the blog on Tuesday to learn how you can enter to win.

Have you ever sold items at a children’s consignment sale?  What did you do to keep your items organized?

~julee~

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Sponsor Spotlight: Suzanne Carillo

Blog ~ Etsy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter 

Hi! I'm Suzanne from Suzanne Carillo Style Files and Simply Creative. 

I'm a newbie-ish style blogger that likes to write about serious life threatening issues, like the infamous and illusive Canadian Tuxedo  or the Bachelor's tongue.  Interspersed between my serious views of pop culture and current events are outfit posts of my, what I've been told in a most polite way, is my "quirky one-of-a-kind" style (I hope that's a good thing) a few DIYs and whatever else I happen to be working on that day. I am just finishing a weekly series on my Top Ten Wardrobe Fundamentals , the most important items to have in your wardrobe.



Although my fashion blogging started just over a year ago I've been a designer/illustrator for many years. My company Bisous - pronounced b-zoo, means little kisses in French, manufactured scrapbooking products and supplies for the craft industry. I continue to design digital products for Memory Mixer scrapbooking and I design art stamps for Art Gone Wild. 



And since all of that isn't quite enough I also sell original cards, digital scrapbooking and one-of-a-kind-wearable art pieces through my Etsy store Simply Creative. Last, but certainly not least, I am available for personal styling services.



Come on over, take a peek, say hi, chill a bit and let's get to know each other. 

bisous
Suzanne

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Make It: Leather Cuff

Know what’s fun? When someone compliments you on something you’re wearing and you blurt out, “I made it!!”. Making your own pretty little leather cuff arm candy is a breeze and only takes a few supplies. Are you ready to be complimented?

DIY Leather Cuff Tutorial

1) You’ll need: Leather or vinyl, sew in snaps with thread and needle (or a snap kit if your leather is thick), strong glue (tacky glue, super glue, hot glue, or fabric glue), and a pattern piece. 2) Make a pattern from paper by measuring the length around your wrist, and approximately 2-inches wide (or wider if you like). Cut the leather from this pattern. 3) Pattern pieces: One wrist cuff and one 2inx1/3in piece. 4) Find the middle of the wrist strap and pinch it into a fold. You may add a couple small dots of glue between the folds on the underside. 5) Wrap your small piece tightly around the folds. 6) Glue the small piece tightly on the underside.  Snip off any excess. 7) Add your snaps. My leather was soft and thin, so I could easily use sew in snaps. 8) Finish both sides of your snaps.  9)  Wear it out and brag on your awesomeness.



Tips:  You can purchase leather and vinyl at fabric stores, but you may have an old leather item laying around that can be repurposed for this project.  My leather came from a torn leather skirt found at the thrift store.

Do you enjoy making your own accessories?  If you’ve made any lately, share a link to your blog in the comments – I’d love to come check it out!

Happy making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Eat It: Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup.  Sounds weird, tastes good.  This recipe was originally from a copy of Family Fun magazine.  I was intrigued to see if it really did taste just like lasagna, and Lo!  It sure did. 

I adapted the original recipe to make it vegetarian.  The veggie sausage I used had a spicy kick, so you may omit the pepper flakes to scale it back if you use the same brand.  My husband gave this two very manly thumbs up.

Vegetarian Lasagna Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil (plus more if needed)
1 package Italian Style Smart Sausages (by Lightlife)
2 onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
8 oz fusilli pasta
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
8 oz ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 tablespoon salt
pinch of pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella



In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add diced veggie sausages to the pot, break up/crumble with wooden spoon, and heat thoroughly.  (Because veggie sausages don’t have the same fat as meat, you may need to add more oil so they don’t burn.) Add onions and sauté until softened.  Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute.  Add the tomato paste and sauté until the paste turns a rusty brown, approx 5 minutes.  Add the tomatoes with their juice, the vegetable broth, and the bay leaves and bring the soup to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Add the pasta, then increase the heat to medium-high and boil the soup until the pasta is tender.  Discard the bay leaves, then stir in the basil.  Season with black pepper to taste.

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan  salt, and pepper.  After ladling the soup in serving bowls, add a dollop of this mixture to the top of each bowl and sprinkle with mozzarella before serving.  Makes about 13 cups.

Enjoy!

~julee~

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Hello, Friday

  

Hello Friday; You’ve come by so quickly that I can’t believe it’s time for the weekend already.  Hello February Umba Box with the  cutest little wood and fawn necklace from Figs and Ginger.  Hello falling in love with the fun and endearing Girlfriend.  Hello traveling to Shreveport, Louisiana for my family’s traditional Mardi Gras celebration with dearest friends.  Hello getting more and more comfortable with this television gig.

Hello you.  How has your week been?

~julee~

Linking up these simple moments with Life Rearranged, Hello Hue, High Five for Friday.

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Eat It: Valentine’s Breakfast

What’s more perfect for a Valentine’s morning than a plate of mini pancakes, a dusting of powdered sugar, and heart-shaped strawberries?  A mimosa on the side, no doubt.  Next time.

Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter to get perfect strawberry hearts.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

~julee~

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Make It: Last Minute Valentine’s Card

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  Do your kids have their class cards all ready to go?  Just in case you’re scrambling today to make a batch of last minute cards, I’ve come to your rescue.

Lynn of Good Garbage showed us how to easily turn paper rolls into a heart-shaped stamper at our meet up last week.  This works well with a stamp pad, but I found it worked even better with craft paint.  Besides, paint is always more fun to play with.  Use washable paints and this is a perfect kids craft.

You’ll need:  One paper roll (of the toilet paper sort or paper towel sort), craft paint, cardstock or paper.  Crease the bottom of the paper roll, and then fold in the top to get a heart shape.  Dip in paint and stamp on your paper.  That’s all you need for a cute and simple card in an instant.  Here’s a picture tutorial:

I finished my hearts by adding some sweet nothings with my letter stamps.

Happy last minute Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Recycled Valentine’s with Good Garbage

D.I.Y. Louisville February meet-up was sponsored by  Good Garbage: Center for Creative Reuse.  Lynn, co-founder of Good Garbage and long time D.I.Y. Louisville member, brought out an assortment of collected recycled objects for our group to use to make Valentine’s cards.

Lynn showed us a few ways to recycle everyday objects like wine corks and paper rolls into Valentine’s stamps, and then everyone used their own creativity to make cards for their someone special.  I love how unique they all are.  My favorite cards came from the kids in attendance, as they all seemed to be drawn to these plastic white disks that were a cast-off from a printing company.

A great big thanks to Lynn and Good Garbage: Center for Creative Reuse for spending the evening with our group!  Be sure to visit Good Garbage on Facebook for more information about this exciting art, craft, and educational resource opening soon in Louisville.

~julee~

 

P.S. – You can find more information about D.I.Y. Louisville Craft Cooperative HERE.  If you or your company would like to donate supplies or sponsor an evening with our group, email me at diylouisville @ gmail dot com.

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Make It: Felt Valentine Card Holder

This Valentine tote is perfect for carrying little love notes and sweet treats on Valentine’s Day.  You can make one too with just a few simple supplies.

 

Felt Valentine Card Holder Tutorial

1) You’ll need one sheet of 8.5x11 felt, plus an optional small piece of felt for embellishment.  Ribbon (~40-inches), scissors, ruler, and hole puncher.  Cut two identical heart shapes from your felt plus two strips for the handles.  From one sheet of felt I was able to cut 2 hearts approximately 5.5 inches across, and 2 strips sized 1.5x11.  2)  Mark the center point of your heart, and then mark 1-inch up both sides, stopping near the top.  3) So that your holes will line up evenly, flip your hearts so that right sides are facing, and use a hole punch to cut circles at each 1-inch mark.  Do the same for the strips, making sure the number of holes are even.  4)  This is what your pieces should look like cut with holes, ready to assemble.

5)  Starting at the bottom center, line your side strip up with your heart.  Use your ribbon to stitch the pieces together with a whip stitch (a basic over-and-over stitch).    Leave a tail of ribbon so you can tie off when you’re finished.  6)  When you reach the top, cross the ribbon over and whip stitch back down the other side.  Using the same piece of ribbon, attach the second side strip the same way.  You will start at the same bottom center hole as the first strip.  7)  Once both sides are completed, tie off your end at the bottom with either a bow or knot.  8)  Stitch or use a fabric glue to attach your handle at the top.  Add your embellishment.

I have a tendency to overstate and complicate when writing directions, so if anything doesn’t seem clear, leave a comment or drop me an email.  Also, ignore the fact that my heart looks like it was cut out by a second grader.  Imperfections add interest, right?

Happy Valentine crafting, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Make It: Popcorn Valentine

I am so excited to have Kim on the blog today to show us these adorable Popcorn Valentine treats she made for her kids’ classes this year.  Read how she put these together, plus she’s sharing her free printables full of “corny” sayings.  (C’mon, you saw that coming.  Am I the only one who loves wacky Valentine puns??)

This year my goal in creating school valentines, was simply to not use candy or sweets. My kids get so much candy from their school parties every year. I thought about what I could do in the way of a treat and finally settled on popcorn, since it’s my kid’s favorite treat. I shopped around and found these mini bags of microwave popcorn at Aldi’s, they come 10 in a pack for 1.99. I then grabbed some scrapbook paper from the dollar spot at Target and threw in some of my own ribbon. Oh, the best part, I designed these free printable tags to be used with the popcorn valentines. There is a more traditional Valentine’s Day colored set with sayings that all involve “pop”, and a more “boy” set that has non-traditional colors. I printed the tags on cardstock.

The first step is to gather your supplies. You’ll need popcorn, scrapbook paper, cutting tool, glue stick or double sided tape, embellishments and your free printable found here and here.

Measure your scrapbook paper to cover the white part of the popcorn bag. You can get about two bags from each piece of 12x12 paper. Trim off about 5 inches from one end of the paper strip.  Wrap the paper tightly around the popcorn and glue the ends or secure with tape.

Next,  add any embellishments you like. On the pink one I added some zebra ribbon and the green one got a strip of orange paper and some polka dot ribbon. Trim your printable tags down to size and glue or secure with tape to the front. I’ll have my kids add their names to the bottom of the tags before they give them to their classmates. I think these would also make great gifts for friends or coworkers too!

You can download the free printable files here and here.

 

Thanks to Kim for sharing this cute idea!  I love the idea of giving something other than candy to classmates.

Happy Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Hello, Friday

     

Hello, Friday.  Hello 10-degree snow day that should have put extra time in my day, but somehow seems to have sucked away time instead.  Hello to my new addiction to all-natural ginger ale whose coldness felt gloriously soothing on my scratchy throat all week.  Hello to another guest appearance on WDRB in the Morning  and a goofy picture in which Craft E Magee told me to just act normal.  That’s impossible, so hello to my normal goofy face.  Hello delicious soup made from local ingredients and to proudly supporting my friend Lynn and our city’s amazing thinkers at PosSOUPbility. 

Hello weekend.  If you see Spring, please tell her to come quick.

~julee~

 

Linking up these simple moments with Life Rearranged, Hello Hue, High Five for Friday.

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