Black & White Pillow with Fabric & Ric Rac Rosettes

Tuesday after the long weekend is tough, yes?  We had such an amazing weekend with friends.  It was the kind of three day weekend that seemed to crawl but not in the when-will-this-ever-end crawl way; more like the packed-full-of-fun way. Make sense?  

And speaking of friends..........I have to post this little project I did because it's a bit timely (as in, ahem, late).  A few weeks back I signed up for Craftaholics Handmade Exchange. You get another blogging friend and exchange handmade gifts.

I was so excited to make a new friend AND give them something pretty.

I made my handmade gift.......and.......

I.LOVED.IT. as in don't-make-me-do-this-and-give-it-away LOVED.IT.

Putting it in the shipping envelope to my gift-y partner/exchanger person was pure torture. I sealed the envelope with eyes closed.  

I really, really wanted to keep it.

The sweet fabric rosettes with the modern geometric background.

And the pink ric rac rosette.  Tear.

(I used this tutorial for that. Will definitely be making more of these.)

Go ahead.  Sit. I dare ya to relax your back on that lil cushion of pretty.

So, my new bloggy friend, Kim, I hope you enjoy! I had a blast making an old fave  {PILLOWS} but added a new twist with the ric rac rosette.

Rosette Christmas Stocking Tutorial

We were all together for a weekend back in November and, as always, we got to crafting, sewing, and visiting Jo-Ann's and Target.  I gotta say, this *might* be one of my most favorite Sisterz projects.  It's so perfect for this time of year--teacher gifts, small giftees for friends or party hostesses.  Stuff it with a Starbucks gift card, or to a local salon or just stuff with your favorite holiday treats.  Even on its own, it's adorable.  So adorable, we've listed a few in the Etsy shop.

All lined up!

We started with little red felt stockings that were in the bins by the checkout at Jo-ann's.  You know the ones.  The ones where you pick up things because they are cute and inexpensive?  

First, we snipped off the felt loop and stitched on a piece of 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.  Here's where you can get creative--anything red, white, green, polka dot, plaid, striped, etc.  

See, isn't plaid cute, too?

Next, we added rosettes that we made using Christmas or holiday fabric.  We really like that pop of blue, don't you?  Rosettes are soo easy and you can find a lot of tutorials in the blogosphere.  We like Little Birdie Secret's tutorial and also Made By the Momma's tutorial.  (Prepare to be hooked!!)

To jazz it up, we also glued buttons to the center of the rosettes.  

And finally, we added gift tags with "to" and "from" stamped on them.    Get yourself one of those tag punches from Michael's or Amazon.  Martha Stewart has a line of them.  We didn't have "to" and "from" stamps but we did have individual letter stamps.  These are quite handy to have because they are so versatile.  

So slip the gift tags on and add some candy canes and voila!  you've got the perfect gift.

Enjoy everyone and happy holidays!!

Some more fun with rosettes!

I have a Love Stitched rosette necklace that I adore.  I love how it lays perfectly on my chest--just at the right length.  I love that I can wear it dressed up or dressed down for every daywear .  The best part?  It's sturdy enough to withstand the grubby, grabbing, chubby, lovely hands of my nine month old.  Love Stitched says she makes 300 rosettes a day.  Can you imagine?  I eeked out exactly four today.  And three ended up on this fabulous pin.  I am definitely going to make a necklace next!

I love this.  I just do.  Can I toot my own horn?

All Amy Butler fabrics giving it that perfect Shabby Chic, fresh look. 

I mean, really?  It is so cute.

Thank yous to Allison @ Vintage Pollyanna for photographing and staging, Little Birdie Secrets for me teaching me how to make the rosettes and Love Stitched for the inspiration!

Rosette Wreath

I've been on the hunt for a fall wreath for quite sometime, but I was not having much luck. The wreaths I found were either super expensive or kinda cheesy (fake leaves & plastic flowers aren't really my thing!). But then I found these two tutorials: Fall Rosette Wreath & Frayed Rosettes. The best part about this wreath is that I made it for under $20. If you have random scraps of fabic, try this!

There are so many possibilities with these rosettes. I think I'm going to try this necklace next! Here is a tutorial if you want to join me!