D.I.Y: doily + painted feathers dreamcatcher.

 Oh yes lovelies... you just know I had to make this beauty now didn't you?

What with my affection for doilies... and painted feathers... it was only a matter of time.

It's actually a very simple approach to this gorgeous 'dreamcatcher' inspiration.

So here's how I whipped up the project:

 Supplies

+ large doily

+ embroidery hoop

+ ribbon (yarn, string, lace)

+ beads

+ canvas material

+ vinyl/leather

+ paint colours

+ glue

 Step 1: Sketch out the feathers on to canvas.  Paint the tips in complimentary colours of your choosing. (You're welcome to trace my designs here if you'd like).

Step 2: Cut feathers out with matching vinyl/leather material for the backing.

 Step 3: Insert your ribbon on the inside of the vinyl and coat with glue - pressing the feather design on top to seal it in. (Sewing the pieces together is also an option).

Step 4: String as many beads as you like on to the ribbon.. and hang from the outer hoop.

Step 5: Stretch doily across the embroidery hoop. Tighten. Trim. Glue around back edge of hoop.

Voila!

A creative and delicate delight to hang in your nest!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

Shop the Nest: more neck.clays.

 Hello lovelies!

Today I'm tucking a few more of my pottered pieces back into the SHOP.

These neck.clays all feature my signature delight of pressing doilies into the clay before firing them in the kiln.

So, here's the sweet trio for your viewing (or, buying) pleasure:

 This doily pressed neck.clay is a real statement piece.

The growing trend towards large neck 'bibs' or 'shields' in jewellery nowadays would be in good company here.

Features: unglazed white pottery (feels like a smooth pumice stone).

Suspended from metal hoops to a creamy silver coloured chain with twisting clasp.

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping).

 This sweet lil' doily textured piece has a real shine to her.

The 'honey' pottery glaze created a lovely range of creamy white to caramel orange tones here.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

Here's the final delicate neck.clay... with a more matte finish.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

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If you're interested in purchasing any of these neck.clays (or ones from previous listings) I'd love to hear from you!

needleandnestdesing[at]live.com

Hope you're having a beauty day,

creatively yours.

Mel ;o)

D.I.Y: doily bunting banner (SOLD)

 Hello lovelies!

So I'm a firm believer that bunting (flags/banners) make any room better.

This project is a fusion of my doily delighting nature and bunting bliss!

Double-win.

1) Collect a variety of thrifted/antique doilies of different sizes.

2) Fold each doily in half and cut down the middle to make two.

3) Arrange the half pieces in the banner line... and pin in place to folded bias tape (or folded ribbon). 

Note: when you start to pin the doilies into the center fold of your bias tape.. make sure to leave room for a loop at each end for hanging.

Sew (zig-zag) the dolies to the inside... then fold your ribbon over the doilies and sew the final (straight line) along the finished edge.

Doilytful isn't it?!

This delicate, antique bunting is versatile enough to hang in a baby's nook, or a granny's tea room.  Pretty-full enough to decorate a wedding, or be a photo-shoot backdrop.

 And lots more options in between!

Annnnnd, guess what?  If you share my love of doilies/bunting...but don't sew,

you can buy this beauty here!

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13 different doily halves.. along a 11.5' strip of ribbon.

Now, due to it's unique antique nature there's only these two versions for sale:

Seen above: the tan ribbon - doily bunting.

Not seen: army green ribbon - same doily bunting.

$40 Cndn. (PayPal) SOLD!

(FREE shipping)

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I'm eager to send these lovelies off to the first two doily-delighters that contact me:

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

(Will mark as SOLD here for each once sales are confirmed).

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Happy crafting friends!

Mel ;o)

P.S - Stay tuned for another SHOP update today too... reversible wood necklace pendants!

STAY at home.. mama.

So this,

this here is why I shouldn't be allowed out of the house.

Or, to be more precise... why I shouldn't get near clothing stores.

Y'all know by now I have a soft spot for lace/doilies... and the retail dealers still know they can hook me with their fine wares.

(Gah!  Why am I so darn predictable!).

So this,

we were trying to just 'get out of the house' and 'let the kid run off some steam' so we opted to go to the most forsaken mall on the planet.

(You locals would know it as 'Portage').

This place is creepy.. like a post-apocalyptic walking-dead kind of mall.

Most shops are empty and barred shut.

Translated: a huge indoor race track to let our daughter run down instead of getting frostbite outside!

So, who knew I'd get sucked in by the teeny-bopper clothing shop that still remains there.

They had crazy cheap deals on everything... and entire sections devoted to lace shirts and dresses!

This is why I shouldn't be allowed out of the house.

 

Oh, and these fan-freakin-tastic aztec tights... yah, that happened too.

See, I have no willpower.

Despite no 'budget' for random clothing... I can justify/rationalise/plead the reason for why I neeeeeeeeeeed these new items in my closet.

I could blame my Ben for being too sweet as well, since he'll just respond "go for it babe, you never buy yourself anything nice".  Awww.

So there.

I'm weaker than I think.

I'm more girly than I like to admit.

But I'm dressed a bit more funky!

How's your willpower in the face of a 'SALE' sign?

frugal fashionista,

Mel ;o) 

P.S ~ how I wish I could have shown you a video of lil' Azriel dancing like a ding-dong to all the bass pounding beats of that store's music.  (We were both busting out sweet moves in the change room too!).  Exercise?  Check.

SHOP the nest: wooden pendant earrings.

 It's that time again, another dose of handmade goodness is going into the SHOP.

A celebration of those elements I adore: turquoise, wood, and doilies!

This week it's some of the earrings I've created:

 These beauties feature a turquoise pendant dangling atop a lightweight natural wooden disc. (approx.1.5" diameter).

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping!)

These delicate darlings feature a tiny white crocheted doily/snowflake atop the wooden disc.

$20 PayPal

(FREE shipping!) 

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**The $10 doily earrings (larger) are still available in the shop as well**

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So, if you want to start celebrating the weekend with a new purchase for your dainty earlobes... just give me a shout:

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

Have a beauty weekend, friends!

Mel ;o)

SHOP update: (doily necklace) + GIVEAWAY winner!

Hello lovelies.

I had been dreaming up this idea for a necklace pendant a few months ago... (using the same doilies from my earring collection).

So, when I saw this dream-catcher it further inspired me to stitch-on already and create this delicate beauty.

(Yes, on the eve of a craft show I get really side-tracked with other projects! hehe).

This sweet doily (antique bone colour) is stitched to a turquoise metal hoop.

The turquoise/jade toned piece dangles below a collection of amber beads.

A long suede strap (mahogany colour) suspends it gently.

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This necklace is one-of-a-kind.

Furthering my dream of delighting every dame with doilies!

If this is your dream statement piece for the holiday season... please be the first to contact me:

needleandnestdesign@live.com

$25. SOLD!

(FREE shipping worldwide). 

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Annnnnd now, on with more festive goodness!

Thanks to all who shared such fascinating and wonderful Christmas memories for the GIVEAWAY, I loved reading them all!

The lucky lovely winner is:

Gillian!!

Congrats to you... I know these handmade items will be happy in your crafty home!

(Please e-mail me which feather ornament you would like... with the colour option).

Thanks everyone for being such a warm spot in this nest!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion. 12. {BLOOPERS}

 Well we are up and running again here... the laptop works(!), the sewing machine is whirring, the camera clicking, and this was the result:

A cable-knit catastrophe

A doily disaster

A vexing vest...

Yes, today's edition of taking something thrifted and sewing it into something nifty narsty is all about the blunders I encounter while creating.

 I was hoping to get two outfits for the slice of one sweater here: a sweater vest, and a cozy shrug.  Hence, the full circle cut-out of the back of this cable-knit sweater I had.

I soon decided to shrug the shrug, because I could only laugh at the thought of pretending to wear it seriously.  (Don't worry it goes to other uses...)

 Anywho, back to this vest thing... it was originally just going to be an exposed back.  But after hemming it for that purpose, it stretched way down past my posterior (you'll have to trust me, it looked silly).  My doily-brain then kicked in and said "hey, slap a doily in that hole for a real pretty back feature!".  So I did.

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This is probably the point in the story where you start to think "didn't she just post last time about how her Ben hates vests?"... and yes, he took one look at this and went: 

"Seriously?  A vest.. and a doily??  Are you trying to torture me?"

At which point I used my stunning logic and retorted:

"No, no, it's not a vest... it's a sweater-vest!"

(He wasn't convinced either).

....

 We laughed.  This whole project has been a blunder from the start, really.

The cable-knit went all puckered out around the doily... so that was silly.  My gal there thought it was worth pranking the photo-op too, more bloopers!

 Now, back to that 'shrug' section.. I took the sleeve of the sweater and cut it into thirds.

The top (larger) piece was quickly edged with fleece for a funny lil' knit hat for the Hud'.

The wrist cuff became a simple 'cup-cozy' (not that I'm giving coffee to a baby).

The middle could easily make an infant toque... 

(For more ideas of how to upcycle a sweater you can check my previous projects with them here!)

So there you have it, full discloser from this nest.

Not everything I touch turns to gold... sometimes it just plain sucks.

Right now I'm just glad that my other cable knit sweater survived the chopping block.

It's keeping me nice and cozy on these crisp Fall mornings.

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The moral of the story?

Experiment. Fail. Try Again.

Creativity will fly from these ashes.

Mel ;o)

shop the nest:: (NEW) doily earrings!

 Hello lovelies!

Things have been quiet around the shop here lately (as I've been creatively engaged on various other projects)... so I thought it was about time to open the doors again.

Sharing the doily-delight again... 

 While I still have the original white doily earrings available, these NEW variations have a warm taupe tone to them (like the colour of driftwood found along the shore).

$10 Cndn (FREE shipping worldwide)

For those of you who are more dainty and delicate doily delighters... these wee wonders may suit your style.

Also in the antique taupe tone.

$7 Cndn. (FREE shipping worldwide).

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If you would like to have both sets in your nest you'll score a better deal ($15 total for both pairs).  You can e-mail your order preference at needleandnestdesign@live.com.

I have PayPal located at the sidebar for your convenience -------------->

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Yes, the shop is still open, but get them while supplies last!

(Any other items are still available by order there too).

Have a beauty-full day,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #10

 This edition of taking something thrifty and making it something nifty... has tickled me right down to my toes.

Is anybody else starting to see a theme here lately?  It looks like I can't get enough of slapping lace (or doilies) onto every garment I own...

...even my shoes:

 Yep... I had thrifted these shoes last summer.  (Side-note: I think buying second-hand shoes is one step above the grossness of buying used underwear... but if the shoes look new, I'm sold!).

So, I liked the green tones and thought the giraffe motif was cute, except for when I tried to wear them with any outfit!  My propensity for buying patterned-everything sometimes backfires... especially when the shoes won't work with any other pattern.

 I grabbed those neglected flats... and painted them in a deep periwinkle blue (mainly to show off the lace going over the toe).  Then, I used a gold paint for the sides of the shoe... all fancy like.

 If you're interested to create your own version: just cut the lace out to fit over the toe of your shoe.  I used hot glue (seen in yellow) to seal it to the rubber edge of the shoe.. and trimmed the lace afterwards.  The (red) cut lines allow the lace to fold under the rim of your shoe where you can glue it to the inside as well.

Pretty basic.

Pretty pretty.

I heart lace.

And, as you can see from all these past upcycling projects, my wardrobe is slowly growing in to one large, lacy, handmade entity!  Sew sweet.

Mel ;o)

thrify & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #8

 Well this latest edition of taking something thrifty, and making it more nifty, has me seeing spots... er, polka dots!

 I had this frumpy old dress rolled into my fabric stash for years... and the other day I went to grab it for a sewing project - and realised it was still a dress!

Light cotton. Ric-rack trim. Zipper up the front.

Modifications:

Taken in at the sides.

Angle cut around the bottom of skirt... with doily edging from an old table runner.

Crochet Peter-Pan collar added on.

 See... angle cut bottom!  Love those wee pockets.

Annnd, Azriel and I getting all silly... since that's how we roll.

Past thrifty.nifty projects found here.

Hope you have a fun-filled weekend friends!

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #7

 Yee-haw!  It's time for another edition of taking something thrifty and sewing it in to something nifty.

Today's feature: a pair of lacy lounging casual pants (trousers to some!). 

 So I've never sewn pants for myself before, and was eager to try. 

I had some of this beautiful turquoise linen cotton left over from my doily infinity scarf d.i.y...  and also had this canvas coloured lace table-runner material.

I love how the 'star' lace detail dangles ornately around my ankles (though going down stairs in bare feet almost tangled/tripped me)!

Truth be told, the plumber low-rise nature of these pants shows that I still need to work on my 'in-seams'... but I'm sure I can improve for the next attempt.

I'm still learning, one stitch at a time.

Hope you're inspired to upcycle your wardrobe too!

To catch up on previous thrifty & nifty projects you can go here.

the frumpy fashionista,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #6

 Well friends I did it again... this 'lace-crazed' brain took something thrifty and sewed it into something nifty... for only $3.fifty!  Sure it rhymes, but it's also true.

 I recently saw this lace curtain panel while thrifting and thought "time to make another skirt".

I had some wide elastic waist band already... and two large silky tan pillow cases to use for the lining of the skirt.  Good cheap fun at this nest.  

 Voila!

My very own lace maxi skirt! (Who decided these trendy skirts should be called 'maxi'?  All I picture is a giant feminine pad?!)  

Anyways, I'm pretty happy with it - despite the usual sewing blunders along the way (at which point Ben hears me saying "eeeeeeeediot!" at my sewing machine).  Case in point: that gold lace waist was the perfect cover for an atrocious sewing line.

Yes, most of my projects are really the attempt to camouflage the bloopers and highlight the successes!

 Sooo, here's a success: the pretty scalloped edge at the bottom of the skirt thanks to the curtain hem.  Let's just pretend I sewed that part.

Annnnd, because I'm crazy.like...that...^  I also used the leftover lace to make yet another infinity scarf.  Two upcycles for the price of one!

Yes friends, we made a tablecloth into a skirt... and now a curtain. 

You know I did this just so that if I ever get complimented on it I can use Carol Burnett's great line: "I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it!".

Hope you're inspired to wear what ever's hanging around the house, 

and if you want to catch up on previous upcycling posts you can go here! 

Have a great weekend,

long & lacy mama,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #5

 Hi friends!

Here's another edition of taking some thrifted old threads and upcycling them into something nifty.  Today it's a light lace top for summer.

Lately this hot.humid weather is feeling like a bear hug from a sweaty sumo wrestler...ick.

I was looking for something easy.breezy. to stitch and wear.

 Two vintage lace squares (scarves?) would do the trick.

Here's a peek at this fast and frugal project: 

 Place the lace squares together (facing in) and run a stitch up the sides, as well as the shoulders.  Leave room for armholes and your head!

Now you knew I'd have to include doilies too, didn't you?  I cut out a couple lil' darlings to add a finishing touch to the shirt here:

 You can gather the shoulder area with that fancy term called a basting stitch, and sew secure afterwards.  I used the doilies as belt loops on the side hip area of the shirt.  Cute, right?!

This was a fun. simple. sewing project for even a hack like me, hope it inspires you to beat the heat too.  Imagine using all sorts of colourful thrifted scarves for these tops?!

Happy upcycling friends,

the doily diva,

Mel ;o)

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P.S.  You can catch up on the previous episodes here! 

P.P.S.. this is your LAST day to enter the GIVEAWAY ---------->>