Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cardinal Wreath Giveaway

Giveaway entries end TODAY!!!!!

The wreath is oval grapevine wreath.  You decide vertical or horizontal, ribbon type.  I will add 11n11 if you want.  You let me know!!!!





TO ENTER

1. Simply leave a comment! on this post!
2. Go to my lil'd Designs facebook page and leave a comment.
     Automagical Entry:  If you are a fan/ or become a fan of my lil'd Designs page AND your profile pic is Cardinalicious, you are automagically entered!!!!!!
  Winner announced tomorrow!!   Good Luck!!!

Pulled Seam Stitches

I noticed that after 5 years of wear that my fave winter trench had thinned and the stitches had begun to pull across my derriere.
Instead of ripping out the stitches I decided to celebrate my creativity create an 'angel' of sorts from my fabric stash.
My major dilemma: the coat lining. I would have to rip the seam stitches apart and be careful not to accidentally sew it while doing my applique work.
For the body of my 'angel' I used lightly colored African print fabric for the wings. Mud cloth  & Orange Kente for her dress.











Her brown satin face was reinforced with interfacing and hand embroidered eyes using metallic thread. And she sports  locks made from unravelings of Mud cloth and metallic thread.
After arranging the pieces on my coat & pinning them in place, I sewed them only catching the lining a couple of times after a couple of stitches.

My 'angel' was complete but needed a little attention, something was missing. So I dropped the feed dogs and zig-zagged a little design on the mud cloth. Hand sewed the center lining seam and 

VOILA!
  My pulled seam dilemma was solved & my fave trench now reflects my design aesthetic.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

How to: DIY HALLOWEEN WREATHS BARGAINISTA STYLE




DIY HALLOWEEN WREATHS BARGAINISTA STYLE

I am a 'bargainista'.  I think from time to time that's where some of my creative ideas come from.
I refuse to be overcharged for something I can make at a fraction of the cost AND have the satisfaction of knowing I made it.    
So here is a tutorial on making simple, 'bargainista' Halloween Wreaths.

Materials needed:
1 or 2- 9' garlands depending on how bulky your garland is (I only needed one for the tute)
1- 12" wire wreath frame or 12" styrofoam wreath
Ribbon for hanging wreath
Halloween decor items: spider rings, mini skeletons (anything that adds spooky) including spider webbing.


Directions:
1.Tie  one end to the wreath form and start wrapping. It's easier to leave the garland on its cardboard.
TIP: if using a foam wreath avoid white background showing through by covering with fabric using hot glue or floral pins or tacks.



                   That was waaaaay too easy!   So you can stop here, but why?!


 Here's where your style comes to play!  You can customize to your taste.
Add as little or as much as you like. Spider webbing, rings, bugs, OR  wire skeleton from middle of wreath.
TIP: non wax dental floss can be substituted for packaged spider webbing.





                                      To hang your wreath tie a knot in about 18" of ribbon



                                                               and place wherever!


Don't they kinda look like spiders and not rats?



all wreaths pictured are available in my Etsy Shop: