More Valentine's Stuff

Valentine's Day is sneaking up on us! I know it's overly-commercialized, but it's hard not to like a holiday that's all about LOVE, right?

For the headband "flower," I wanted to do a sort of "inverted" yo-yo. To make one, just cut a long strip of fabric and sew up one side with a long basting stitch -- it will pretty much just gather itself. Pull the threads a little to cinch it some more and then just sew the ends together on the sewing machine. For the middle, use a regular button or one covered in the same fabric, and then sewed the "flower" part to the button (or the shank of a covered button) with needle and thread. Attach the flower to the headband with hot glue (like I did) or your preferred method. By the way, I got the headband (part of a set of six) as the Claire's Boutique Outlet for not too much. I guess you can find supplies for your crafty obsession just about anywhere.

Also that cool corduroy skirt with the tulle pettiskirt is from Target! $10! And it looks like it will still fit next year. I love that place.

Head over to One Pretty Thing for more Valentine's ideas. You can select the "Valentine's Round-up" category from the drop down menu, check the box for "only show similar posts" and then scroll back through all Rachel's previous Valentine's day roundups. Also, check out this amazing wreath that artist Alisa Burke made out of junk mail. Now THAT is serious talent and creativity. Amazing!

You Can Make Clips! It's Super Easy!

Oh how I love making alligator clips, especially now that my child will allow them in her hair. I made the two shown above in about 15 minutes flat. It only took that long because I was distracted by trash TV in the background. Here is how I do it. First of all, I like to use a single-prong clip, which I order on Etsy, but double-prong works fine, too. And I like them to be partially lined, rather than fully lined, because I need the extra room to add in no-slip grip. Here's what I mean by partially-lined:

So gather up a few items: an alligator clip, some 3/8 inch grosgrain ribbon, Terrifically Tacky Tape (the red stuff) and some Fray Check to seal the ribbon ends (my preferred method). You can get the tape at Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart, that I know of. I like to go ahead and pre-cut the ribbon. Wrap it around the clip to determine how much you will need, and then cut it and seal the ends with a drop of Fray Check. Let it dry for a minute.

I cut two pieces of Terrifically Tacky Tape the length of the ribbon. Smooth the first piece down along the left side of the ribbon (see picture) and peel up the backing. Do the same with the second piece of tape along the right side of the ribbon.

Press one end of the ribbon down onto the back side of the clip, making sure to center it.

Continue pressing the ribbon onto the clip until you have finished lining it. Keep it centered, and smooth and press it flat as you go.

There: now you have a lined clip.


When making clips for fine baby/toddler hair, add something to make the clip "no slip." I use solid white shelf liner that I have only been able to find at The Container Store (fortunately the $5!!! roll will last literally forever). You could also use a little piece of velvet ribbon. I cut a little piece of shelf liner, back it with some Terrifically Tacky Tape and press it onto the ribbon-covered side of the clip.

Apply any embellishments you want with a hot glue gun, and you are finished. Some fun things I've used on clips are: buttons; scrapbooking button brads with the prongs removed; felt shapes; crochet flowers or embellishments; silk flowers, like the one above (it's center is made from a scrapbooking brad); beads; and combinations of these things. Have fun with it, and let me know if you have any questions!

I'm Back . . . Woo

So I finally got a chance to make something. I really have spent the last two weeks de-Marthaing and putting everything into nice, neat binders. Now that I am finished, I decided to work on a project I've wanted to do for a while -- a covered canvas to hold hair clips, following this easy peasy tutorial by the lovely Julie at Joy's Hope. I used Michael Miller Waterlily fabric in blush and some green grosgrain ribbon from Michael's. I also found an old frame, which has been sanded, painted and is currently drying in the garage. I'll update when it's framed and in place. This is seriously the easiest project on the planet, and I got the canvas at Michael's for $8.99, less 40% off coupon. This could be a gift that looks much more expensive than it cost to make.

Cute Clips

This afternoon I put together some barrettes for my little girl using Anne's awesome tutorial. I think they turned out so cute! Now I just have to convince the child to leave them in her hair.

Five Etsy Favorites: Wool Felt Hair Clips

Here are five of my Etsy favorites who make the sweetest, itsy bitsy, hand-sewn wool felt hair clips. I want one of each for my little girl and also one for me.

Just in time for Valentine's day, a fancy heart from Paola72:


Sweet pink piggy by Maya Papaya:

Pretty flower with hand-painted initial by Details Shop:

Cute Japonesque bunny by Siiri:

Dainty hand-embroidered flowers by Neskat:

My New Etsy Fave: Crafty Kits

Have you noticed all the Etsy sellers who have begun selling do-it-yourself kits for their particular craft? What a great way to try out a new project without investing too much money! I recently bought a covered hairclip kit from one of my favorite sellers, Carefree Glimmer. The $6 kit includes four barrettes, four fabric covers for the barrettes, eight coordinating decorative buttons and 18 of her fabulous, famous felt flowers. Add your own needle, thread and imagination, and voila: adorable hair clips handmade by YOU! I am so excited to get started.

PS -- I really like Anne's blog, too.

My Pretty Pony

Here are some of the extra-large ponytail holders I made over the weekend. The fabric is upcycled clothing from Savers (I hadn't been in a while, so thanks Anne for the inspiration), which is cool because it makes these stand out from all the other ponytail holders out there. I think they make great stocking stuffers, "just because" gifts or as an add-on embellishment to a beautifully wrapped gift. You can get them in my Etsy store.