Laced with love necklace: Five minutes gift for Mom

DIY gift idea: Lace Necklace

Supplies:

Scraps of Laces, satin, organza ribbons in coordinating colors
Narrow sating ribbon - 1 yd
Necklace Closure - 1 set ( Here's one place to buy it)

Construction:

1. Gather coordinating ribbon scraps together, wrap one of the scraps around the neck to get an idea of minimum length, all your scraps should be equal or bigger than this length.

2. Place them together such that one end is aligned for all the scraps.

3. Tie a knot at the end with the narrow satin ribbon such that there is a loop remaining at the end.

4. Wrap the satin ribbon around the knot multiple times.

5. Loosely intersperse the different laces and strings, like you braid hair, just 2-3 knots.

6. This is what it will look like once you're done.

7. Bring out the necklace closures, here's what mine looked like.

8. For the right hand side closure, I just placed it around the loop we made earlier at one end and gently tapped it shut with a small hammer. You could use any slightly heavy object.

9. Align the scraps at the other end. Insert a piece of narrow satin ribbon through the eye of the closure.

10. Tie a knot at this end as well, just the way we did in step 3.

11. Wrap the ribbon over the knot several times. knot it again to secure. At this point it will be a good idea to take a threaded needle and hand sew over the knot a couple of times for added strength.

12. Chop off the extra ribbon at both ends.

Now place in a pretty package and give it to the woman who loves you the most.

Options:

1. Add some metal charms or beads on the scraps and secure them with a knot.

2. Add a pretty pendant in coordinating color with the help of a jump ring.

Giveaway winner and sewing resources

Here's the Fashion to Figure giveaway found using random number generator from random.org.

Comment #3

House of PinheiroApr 11, 2012 03:28 AM

The Sweetheart Dot Lace Dress was my favourite

houseofpinheiro(at)hotmail(dot)com

Congratulations House of Pinheiro. Look out for an email from me asking your contact details. Thanks Fashion To Figure for sponsoring the giveaway.

Here's a sewing website that offers a lot of free resources to sewing enthusiasts:

All Free Sewing

Its is a big treasure trove of all kinds of sewing patterns and tutorials. So check it out. They also offer a free newsletter rounding up some of coolest free tutorials from around the blogosphere so don't forget to sign up for that while you're there

Tulle earrings: Five minutes gift for Mom

I made these earrings a couple of weeks ago, and realized that these could be a super quick, super easy gift for Mother's day. These are also a great gift to make with kids above 5 years, no sewing or glue required ( Dads .. listen up)

Supplies:

Tulle scraps
Earring posts ( I got mine from here)
Upholstery thread or some strong thread ( not plastic thread)


Construction:

1. Cut half inch wide strips of Tulle. About a yard long. You don't have to be precise with the width of strip, tulle is difficult to cut, so don't sweat if your strip has uneven edges or uneven width, just do your best..ok?

2. Wrap the ribbon over two of your fingers.

3. Gently slip the ribbon off your fingers. Tie in the center with an upholstery thread or any strong thread.

4. Chop off the sides a bit to open up the layers.

5. Fluff the layers until it starts looking like a pom-pom.

6. Insert the earring post in the pom pom center.

7. To make both earrings same sized, Put one earring on top of others ( right sides together) and snip the sides into a circle. That will ensure that both the earrings are same sized.

Place on a pretty card, and admire.

Make some more in other colors. The pink ones above were made with a wider and shorter ribbon, so they are not as full as the white one.
Now wrap up a pair and send it to Mom.

Options:

1. You could also upcycle a pair of stud earrings or pearl earrings with this technique. That would also add some bling to the center.

Baby dress

There has been a new arrival in the family, and I'm having lot of fun thinking all the cute baby things I could make for her. Here's the first thing I have finished. Little Sparrow Baby dress. Its so much fun to have a brand new niece.

Whatever Clock Tutorial

Supplies:

Magnetic number sets ( or any number sets, I used these because they were available in the dollar store) - 3 sets ( Keep in mind that you will need fine 1 numbers so choose the numebr of sets accordingly)

Stretched canvas - 16X20 inches ( actually a square canvas would work better, but I had these on hand)

An old clock to get the clocking machinery, or clocking machinery

Letter stickers ( I got mine from Dollar store - you could also use a fabric marker to just write it)

Instructions:

1. Take out the clocking mechanism from an old clock. Find out the center of the canvas, pierce a hole there, and add the clocking mechanism to it. This is actually quite simple, just put all the things back the way they were in original clock. Took me 10-15 mins to do this.


2. Stick the letters to form the statement "Whatever I'm late anyway" In the bottom right corner. It will help if you get a feel of how much space these letters take beforehand. I wouldn't want to stick them and then have to move them around.

3. Use superglue at the back of the magnetic letters to stick them near the left bottom corner.

Keep a couple of things in mind here, if you have colorful numbers like mine, make sure you are not grouping the numbers of same color close by. That may not look visually appealing. Also keep in mind the way numbers are arranged on a normal clock, you want to have an effect that numbers have fallen off their position and got scattered near the bottom, think about how they would fall from a real clock.

I'm not sure if I achieved the look properly. I think if I do it again, I would use a single color letters instead of colorful. Initially I thought they look better, but on a second thought, they don't give the clock a 'serious clocky' look...you know.

You have the room to do some fun things here, think about a broken "1" hanging where "10" should be and rest of the "1" somewhere in the heap with "0". This is where you can give your own spin to the clock so have fun with it.

Hang your clock and conversation starter all in one with pride in your living room ( or wherever). We have already had some fun discussions about this clock with our guests.

Not a skirt!

Why yes...thats a skort. I have been meaning to try sewing a skort forever and only now I got around to doing it.
I like how it turned out...I was thinking of adding a nautical or floral applique but I had to do an Elmo because a certain missy is crazy about Elmo.
Tutorial and more pics are coming soon.

Sewing technique tutorial - Box Pleats

Box pleats are a very common form of gathering a skirt or a dress. Unlike regular pleats (which go either to the left or right) these are symmetrical on both sides. Actually one box pleat is a combination of two small pleats going in opposite directions. Today I'll show you a very easy way to sew clean box pleats. I have chosen this green fabric to illustrate because:
1. It has stripes of varying width so it will be easy to demonstrate how the pleating worked.
2. And much more important - This is such a cheerful color.
I'm also using a red thread to easily show my seams but please, please use a matching thread when sewing in real life. The seams are not supposed to show ;-)

1. Mark how wide you want the pleat to be.

2. Fold fabric such that the marks coincide on the right side.

3. Sew a 2-3 inch long seam over the marks ( wrong side)

4. Now you have a kind of tube on the wrong side of the fabric with point A at the seam and point B exactly opposite point A.

5. Press the fabric such that point A meets point B.

6. On the right side sew a rectangle ( minus top edge) such that the first seam falls in the center of of the rectangle. Press.
Box pleat....

And why did I suddenly need to share this tutorial with you....

Well I have it on good authority that you are going to see a tutorial very soon which is using them. Its always good to be prepared, isn't it?

A little bit of India: Bollywood

This is the fifth post of the series "A Little bit of India" read the first part of the series: A little bit of India - Diwali, the second part: A little bit of India - Saree , the third part: Republic Day and fourth part A little bit of India - Holi.

Aishwarya Rai - Bollywood Actor and Miss world 1994

There's nothing that has captured Indian consciousness like Bollywood. Anything related to Bollywood is met with enthusiasm and widespread curiosity. Whether it is fashion styles that Bollywood is popularizing, the rumors about the link-ups and break ups, star studded endorsements...Bollywood has got the golden touch.
Bollywood has inspired weddings, fashion and lifestyle for generations. If you are in India you just can't escape the effect, but now that I live so far away its much easier to think objectively about it.

Here are some of my favorites movies from Bollywood. I thought of doing a top 10 but then realized that my favorites may not necessarily be 10 so I just stuck to what I loved and decided not to care about numbers. Most of these movies, I have seen more than 1 time and liked them even more second time around. Like everyone, my favorites are just that...my favorites. They may not be the box office hits, or the most critically acclaimed movies. Most movies I like have at least one or more of the following
 a)  Great story and tight script b) Superb music c) Witty and sharp dialogues d) humor e) Charismatic persona

Aandhi

If we could smell a movie I bet this movie would have the light fragrance of a Mogra ( sorry, I don't know its name in English). Husband and wife separated because of a demanding career in politics accidentally run into each other and realize that the love never really died. They relive the moments of their initial romance only to find a deep connection between themselves, but the question of career is still there. What will get sacrificed this time? Love or Career? would it even matter now? Its not the story that makes the movie...but its the way characters are defined, soft and mellow from outside but very strong and stubborn on the inside. Very much connected at the heart, but their ambitions makes them run in different directions. Aided with superb music and seemingly simple dialogues which really stick with you, this it just is a beautiful movie whatever way you slice it.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Its your typical Bollywood movie - Boy meets girl, they fall in love, bad things happen but love triumphs in the end. They live happily ever after. Beyond that, there's nothing run-of-the-mill about this movie. Great cinematography of the best locations of Europe, extra-ordinary music,The hero ( Shahrukh Khan) is charm personified and the heroine ( Kajol) moves effortlessly between spunk and enigma. Together they set the screen on fire without a single kiss...and go on to create one of the most successful on-screen pairings of Bollywood.
It is just one of those movies that one can't help but be biased about.

Source: whatsonindia.com via What's-On-India on Pinterest

Here's my favorite song from the movie:




Andaaz Apna Apna
Goofy comedy at its best. This movie starts when two street romeos set out to achieve the unattainable - The heiress who is looking for a suitor. They do get to their goal but not before meeting a bunch of thugs, goons and villains en route. Add a set of twins, a sassy secretary and some retro music to the mix and you have concocted a movie that will have you laughing right until the last scene. I haven't met a person who didn't like the movie but it still was a flop, which is a big mystery to me.

Hera Pheri
Another great comedy of all times. Three broke friends trying to make money by brokering a kidnapping. One is extremely cunning, one has loose lips and the other one is trying to come into money without sacrificing his principles. The drama that ensues is hilarious.

Chak De india

This movie touches a subject that is way out of focus for India - Women Sports ( and non-cricket at that). A battered women Hockey team (the team, not the women) with teammates worried more about showing each other their place instead of winning the game. A coach accused of match fixing during his own heydays and an unattainable goal of winning the women's world cup in hockey. Even if the end is predictable the ride is not. A very well made movie with a tight script. You will never know when the movie got over.

                                                  Source: amazon.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Omkara
An adaptation of Othello ( Shakespeare) - but what an adaptation! The movie is set in the most rural of the villages in the heart of India where the protagonist is one of the strongmen of a renowned politician. The adaptation and direction is so skillful that it will be hard to believe  that Omkara ( Othello) could be anything other than a rural Goon who is sort of good at heart. Very well made movie. The story is poignant which is not surprising coming from the master himself. What made this movie however is the superb direction and acting from lead actors. Shakespeare got the treatment he deserved.

Chupke Chupke

Source: en.wikipedia.org via SK on Pinterest

This movie features some of the greatest stars of Indian Cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, the elite of Indian Cinema. But thats not the USP of the movie - the best thing about this movie is that how down to earth and real it feels. Contrary to regular bollywood tales - which challenge, logic, reason and viability all at the same time, this story manages to remain convincing, something that could happen to anyone. The story line is very simple - A newlywed husband gets really pissed off at how his wife keeps praising her brother in law ( sister's husband) for his wisdom and wit. He bets that he will fool the brother -in-law - so begins The Prank, which fools not only The Brother-in-law, but a lot of other people in its wake. Great music, witty dialogues and tight script make sure your attention is right there on the screen for whole 2 and half hours.


A Wednesday
This is one of the few recent films that impress. Mumbai chief of police gets a call that there are bombs planted all over the city and they will get detonated unless four deadly terrorists are released from prison. He has only a few hours to negotiate with the conspirator and save the city from another explosion without giving in to the demands. How does he do it and who is the mastermind behind the plans? If you understand Hindi this movie is a must watch. Without any songs/dance, gorgeous women this movie goes about telling the story, as it unfolds. It is as different from mainstream Bollywood as it can get, yet everyone I knew loved it. Simply because it told a great story, enacted by two great actors of Indian Cinema Anupam Kher and Nasiruddin Shah. A masterpiece.

Source: 10ka20.com via Nandita on Pinterest

I will leave you with this picture of Madhubala who is considered the most beautiful actress in Indian cinema by many ( I'm one of them). If you have any opinions about Bollywood, I would love to hear them in comments.