Repurposed: Vintage Doilies

There are a few things that I keep an eye out for whenever I go thrifting; aprons, vintage linens, tea towels and lacy doilies are just a few. So far, they work well as coasters or just under a potted plant, but with spring here, and my creative juices flowing again, I started thinking about what else I could do with the massive amounts of doilies I have acquired. Here are a few fab DIY projects I am dying to try.  They seem to be all the rage this season. . . what new trends are you noticing?
- Alea (Ladybird)

never be late for tea again!

mood lighting

add a bit of flair to a simple pillow

great DIY tutorial, so cute, can't wait to sport my own.

starch, cut, instant snowflake!

*swoon* love the patterns this lamp creates; you can buy them here.

DIY: Fabric Braided Belt

I am constantly finding such cute vintage dresses at thrift shops that are a bit too wide and shapeless. The colors, patterns, and fabrics make it out of the question to leave them on the rack, so the natural fix is to belt them. I have a few braided jersey belts that I have purchased for much too much at American Apparel, and thought it would be an easy project to make myself. With some thrifted men's tees, a scissors and some untangling help from a friend, it was like making a gigantic friendship bracelet with Ladybird.

You need:
Tee-shirts in the colors you want your belts to be
Scissors

Directions:
1. Use a belt that fits for a guideline as to how long to make your fabric strips. The braiding process makes it a little shorter than what you start with by about 3-4 inches.
2. Cut the bottom hem from the tee and discard. Cut a strip about an inch thick at a slight angle, so that when you get to your starting point you can keep going, making a coil-like pattern of one long strip.

3. Once you have a very long strip, cut three strips the length of your original belt + extra 3-4 inches, plus room to tie in a knot or a bow (another 8-10 inches). It is easier to make it shorter if it is too long, and not possible to lengthen it if it is too short, so keep this in mind when you cut your strips.
4. Tie a knot on one end and braid tightly until you get to the other end, securing the knot as you go with a friend, a foot, or some strong tape. It will braid itself on both ends, which was the trickiest part, so make sure to untangle as you go so you don't end up with a web of knots.

5. Tie a knot on the other end and cut the loose strings evenly on each end.
6. Belt your dress and admire your natural waist!

-Twill (and Ladybird)

The Shop: Window Displays

In thinking about what I would want for my own shop, I have been looking a lot at window displays. I love the creativity and ingenuity of Anthropologie displays. Each shop has their own dedicated team, they are given parameters, but allowed to interpret the challenge in their own unique way. How can you not love a shop that staffs their own artists?

Milk Jug Igloo

Repurposed Plastic Bottles

Bee-utiful

Bee-Cause (Photo Credit)

Design* Sponge Love.

Woven Joy

Tea With Style

I just passed by my local Anthropologie, and their spring windows are sure to make the winter melt away!
-Ladybird

Recipe + Vintage Teacup : Ginger Tea

A few years back, while living in Spain, a friend of mine made me this home-brewed bliss. Feeling a little in need of some warmth, I made some today. It is perfect for a cold, sore throat or just to cheer you up with a zing.
















Ingredients:
fresh ginger root
lemon
honey

Peel the ginger root and cut into large chunks.

















Place the chunks in hot water, let boil or simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add lemon, turn water down.

When ready to serve, add honey. Yum!

-Ladybird

DIY: Chalkboard Frames

I am an avid list maker, with a big problem. . . that my lists tend to be scrawled out on tiny papers, that I then stuff in my pocket, purse or lay on a table. Which means, they are more or less useless. So I knew that I needed a better solution, and I loved the idea of having a chalkboard. This is an easy DIY project for those of us lucky enough to pound nails into our walls. If you are not so lucky check out Twill's cute solution!
-Ladybird

















Materials:
a thrifted frame
spray paint
chalk board paint
mini-paint roller (or brush, but the paint roller is ideal for a smooth surface)
chalk

1. take the frame apart from the inside chip board.
2. spray paint the frame and paint the chip board with the chalk board paint. Let the chalk board paint dry and do a second coat.

3. Wait for everything to dry and put the painted chip board in the frame. Draw. 

DIY: Repurposed Wee One's Bib

 It is getting down to the wire, and I am still working on handmade gifts. That is the problem with making things yourself, it is easy to just go buy something, but it takes a lot of time to make things. This is one that I just made over the weekend for the plethora of friends who recently popped out their little wee ones.

Materials:
Terry cloth (can be thrifted towels)
Vintage fabric, thrifted linens or a pattern you like
Snap closures, I love the little pearly ones
A hammer
Sewing machine
Scissors

Cut out in terry cloth a shape that you like (I used an already made bib as a template)

Then fold it over and place it on a folded over side of your fabric, cut that out. 

Lay the pieces together and attach with stick pins

Then sew it together and cut off any extra bits.

Hammer the snaps on to the ends
Then wash the bib, because terry cloth sheds like a hairy dog. You are done!

-Ladybird

DIY: Deck the Halls

When you are a twenty something gal, it is hard to go purchase all the fixins for that "just right" tree (see Twill's perfectly thrifted finds). So for the last few years I have been doing what my mother and my grandmother taught me, making the decorations myself! Last year a few friends of mine made a night of it with mulled wine and a few tapas. We had lots of fun making silly ornaments to decorate the communal tree. Here are a few ideas for inexpensive ornaments, that take just a little time and ingenuity. Then just deck that perfect pine with these homemade little bundles.
-Ladybird


the stand-by popcorn and cranberry garland




my favorite ornament to make with kids, so easy and they smell fab!



you can DIY: felted balls, acorns and little strings, just add glue!



with a little trip to the local thrift, you could make this on the cheap!





photo ornament! love.

 


another kid friendly choice, or just you and some friends




manly



DIY: Reusable Gift Bags

I cringe at the thought of all the waste that goes into the gift giving holidays, from the plastic bags you get to carry your purchases home in, to the plastic or paper encasing your gift, and then the wrapping paper and bows and ribbons. I am still one for style, but lets try to do it in a more eco-friendly way! First, just say no to plastic bags, you can find so many cute options for a reusable grocery bag or shopping bag, there is really no excuse. Second, buy re-used or local gifts, not only does it cut down on the gas needed for transportation, but also will help your local mom and pop shop. Next, find fun solutions to wrapping gifts.

This year, I decided to make drawstring gift bags. They are so cute that they become part of the gift.

What you need:
Vintage bed sheets or fabric of your liking
A sewing machine
Scissors
Thrifted string or ribbon
A safety pin


First, cut out a rectangle of fabric, using the top edge of the bed sheets (this part is usually already folded over, making it perfect for threading the drawstring!)

Next, with the reverse side facing out, fold the fabric so the two cut edges touch. Sew these together.


















Then, turn the seem that you just made so it is in the middle of the now tube of fabric, lay flat and sew up the bottom, it creates a T.

Reverse the fabric and cut two small slits, one on each side of the middle seem, making sure not to go through both pieces of fabric, as you just want to cut the top layer. Then attach the safety pin to the ribbon and thread the ribbon through one hole and out the other. Cut off the extra ribbon.














You are finished!

Make them yourself or come to Mighty Swell where we will have them on sale! Have fun greening your holidays!

- Ladybird

DIY: Bookish Holiday

I found this amazing 70's book, "Treasury of Christmas Decorations." It has some classic ideas, and some that may be best forgotten. Decorating for seasons is a love of mine, ever since my mother spray painted a branch white and let us decorate an "Easter tree." I love coming up with interesting repurposed decorations.

While I was at the grocery store, I picked up Real Simple, and perused it. There was a really great holiday decoration that I knew would be perfect for my tiny little pad. Being a book nerd, this seemed to fit both the holidays and me to a T! I changed it a little, as I like to do, enjoy!


What you need:

10+  hard cover books in red and green or all of one color  in various sizes (I only had 8 on hand, but my tree will keep growing as I find more books)
2 glass jars (or 5 small brown hardcover books)
1 small strand of LED lights
1 pair of vintage glasses (or a bow)

1. Put the LED lights into one of the glass jars, set the two jars next to each other, make sure the strand can reach an outlet (Base can also be made just using 5 or so small brown book, for more stability)
2. Open all the red and green books to the middle
3. Stack in size order on top of the glass jars (or neutral books), starting with the largest on the bottom
4. For a nerdy finishing touch, make the glasses the bow to the top of your tree, Ta Da!
-Ladybird