What We Wore: Spring Cleaning

I went through my closet recently to get out some of my dusty spring and summer clothes. It feels like a life time ago that I wore something without tights or long sleeves. In riffling through I found this top, and remembered how much I loved it. So here is my spring cleaning outfit. Urban outfitters skinny jeans, vintage tooled leather purse, thrifted woven ballet flats, re-purposed vintage blouse and vintage sunglasses from a rummage sale in Portugal.
-Alea

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.

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

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



The Shop: Etsy!

 Hey Fab Readers, Twill and I are working on starting an etsy shop. Below are the pictures of our first ware for sale! Some handmade, up-cycled headbands made from vintage fabrics. We will have more vintage clothing and accessories soon.
-Ladybird

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

Repurposed: Vintage Linens

Whenever I am thrifting, I always make sure to check for vintage linens. I especially love vintage floral patterns, stripes, and plaids. For my favorite pillowcases, I wash them and use for their original purpose as an extra pop of color on my bed, but there are many fun ways to repurpose vintage linens as well! Check back tomorrow for a DIY for gift bags made from vintage fabrics.

-Twill

Vintage Fabric Garlands

Vintage Flag Banners (for a wedding, tea party, or brunch)

Reusable Shopping Bags

Lightweight Vintage Sheet Kimono-Style Robe

Vintage Pillowcase Dresses

Zippered Pouches from Vintage Fabric

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

Repurposed: Vintage Books

I love repurposed vintage! My friend owns a purse made out of a book, which is so adorable especially because she is a teacher. So I thought about what else you could make with a vintage book. Enjoy!
-Ladybird

hardcover turned purse

upcycled journal with golden book cover

Anthropologie window display

made by me using vintage magazine paper

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