Memories of France

All this week, I'm creating new necklaces out of my

old necklaces and my inspiration: travel.

Blah: a long necklace that I bought from a

street vendor in New York City.

With a pair of pliers, I can reconfigure it

to create a new look.

Tada!: a pearl necklace that's more streamlined & formal.

It reminds me a lot of Marie Antoinette, of stylish

French women and Chanel:

When I get tired of the all-pearl look,

I can add other beads to update the

necklace once again.

Have a great day!

Memories of Puerto Rico

Thanks for stopping by today!

I've got another necklace idea inspired by travel.

When I make jewelry, I like to organize my

materials in empty egg cartons. I group

beads that I think might work together.

Blah -- beads from old necklaces & a

pendant I purchased in Puerto Rico.

Tada! -- a long, single-strand necklace

that highlights the beauty of the pendant!

Souvenir Necklaces

Where have you traveled lately?

I like to travel & I like keeping souvenirs ranging

from fridge magnets to inexpensive art.

I also like to make my own souvenirs that

don't scream, "I bought this in Rome" or

"I found this in San Francisco".

Some souvenirs are subtle but tell a story.

Remember this necklace?

It's a simple chain with different beads -- each

bead reminding me of a place I've visited.

This week, I'm making more of these necklaces.

They allow me to travel without having to hop on a plane!

Today's blah: these tiny people charms.

They're really earrings. I bought them in Brazil

but the shopkeeper said they were made in Peru.

They remind me of what I love about Latin America:

warm, friendly & hardworking people with very

colorful cultures and cuisines.

Here's how I turned them into a Tada!:

Instead of wearing them on my earlobes,

I attached them to a gold chain.

I added small gold hearts and pendants

that work as open lockets, too!

More tomorrow!

Festive & Fragrant

Hey, hey, it's Friday.

Happy first day of October also!

We've been prettifying fabric softener sheets

all this week, and I've got one last idea:

Blah: used dryer sheets

Tada! Festive party decorations inspired

by these Mexican paper flags:

Image via wide open spaces

A pair of scissors is all you need to make

these random cut-outs.

{I wanted to add colors to it but the ingredients in

the dryer sheet kept from absorbing my chosen dye.}

And because these sheets are still fragrant even

after use, your party space will be

smelling good, too.

Have a great, great weekend!

Scent Sachet

Happy Thursday!

I can't believe it's the last day of

September already.

All this week, we're giving fabric softener

sheets a make-over.

What starts as a blah...

Can instantly made into a Tada!

It's now a scent sachet!

Embroider one side with a pretty design,

stitch the ends but leave a small opening.

Then add some luscious lavender buds,

close the open end & add a ribbon.

Hang it in the closet, stuff it in a

drawer or suitcase for

clothes that smell scent-sational!

A Bridal Hairpiece

When I do the laundry, I like to use fabric softener sheets to

keep clothes, towels & sheets soft and smelling fresh longer.

After, I'm left with a sad sheet like this:

A used dryer sheet. Blah.

Well, it's time to turn it into a Tada!

Cut two small strips.

Stack the strips and fold together.

Sew a running stitch on the folded end

and pull the thread to make a ruffle.

Sew on pearls & crystals, add some tulle and

attach to a comb with hot glue.

Now you've got a pretty comb for the

bride or her attendants.

Tada!

Belt in Bloom

If you use fabric softener sheets like me, you're

usually left with limp sheets like these

after doing the laundry:

Blah.

Tada! Turn it into a flower!

Make a few more flowers & sew them on a piece of ribbon.

Use it as a belt.

Or as a headband.

Or to embellish a present.

Or as a floral curtain when you

make several strands.

Wasn't that fun?