"Ruffles can make anyone a Lady" - I LOVE RUFFLES ♥

Yesterday I was in the checkout line at the Big M in Potsdam and there was the March 2011 issue of Brides Magazine.  Of course they had to feature a ruffled wedding dress on the cover and since I love ruffles I am dedicating this post to my favorite ruffled wedding dresses.  I just want to apologize to the BF in advance, if he does happen to read this post.

The above dress on the cover is this dress by Wtoo Brides and surprisingly the price wasn't outrageous according to brides.com $1000-$1500.

Style No. 16819 Liane

Now for some others I love!  A mix of new and old designs, but I would probably make my dress anyways b/c it would have so much more meaning to me.

Melissa Sweet - Billie ($$$$$$$, but I still love it)

Melissa Sweet - Katya

WINNIE COUTURE BRIDAL

Style No. 8354

And that was only just a brief selection!  I think it would be amazing what I could do with ruffles if I made my own dress :)

♥ Upcycled Vintage Jewelry ♥

Remember the rhinestone jewelry I got at the flea market awhile back?  I finally created something out of it.  I have a wedding to attend this weekend and needed a little bling.  Big chunky rhinestone jewelry seems to be making a comeback, so what better than to find some old vintage jewelry and re-use it. 

So I created the rosette headband, using an old headband I had hanging around as well as some satin and some black netting.  I used the vintage earrings, just took the backs off them and hot glued them to the headband.  I didn't have the heart to tear them apart and they look very nice whole.  So total cost of the headband was $3.

I also created an elastic ruffled bracelet out of the brooch, again out of scraps, I am not sure how crazy I am about this but we'll see if I actually wear it.  The cost of the bracelet was $3.  

Lastly since it is only going to be in the 30s this weekend.  I made this ruffled scarf out of velvet and satin.  It is so soft and very luxurious looking and will definitely help keep me warm!  Have a good weekend everyone, I know I will!

Happy Friday - Upcycled Men's Wool Blazer Ruffled Scarf

Yesterday I went to the North Country Neighbors Flea Market in Potsdam and as always found some great deals.  I bought an old mens size 1x Wool Blazer (sport jacket, whatever) for I believe $4 dollars, it ended up being less than it was marked when I got it to the register.  It had several different colors and styles of plaid and hounds tooth in it, so I figured it would make a cute scarf. I ripped it apart and cut it into strips and crochet them which I didn't like the end result, so I cut apart the sleeves and used them to make a ruffled scarf.  I had to cut the sleeves into strips and then sew them into one long piece (there is still a lot of the sleeve left).  Here is the result:


                                          

sorry this one is a little blurry

The bad crocheted version (looks kind of like a rats nest):

Another great flea market find.  I got these two rhinestone pieces, a brooch and a set of clip on earrings for $6.00 and I am trying to figure out what to make with them.  I don't think I have the heart to take them apart for the stones so they will probably stay whole and used in another way.  Check back again to see what I make from them!

                                       

I should have just called this Ruffled Scarf Week

Last night I finished up the red scarf, which was definitely a learning experience.  I ended up cutting the scarf into two long scarves to lighten up the weight so it would help it ruffle up and I added 2 more rows of elastic thread and then clipped the edges to give it a frayed look and I think it turned out cute.  Fabric selection is key.  I think the red striped fabric was just too heavy!

Once I finished the red scarf, I started working on the "fancier" teal scarf which turned out very nice, but a little short.  The pictures don't really do it justice but by the time I finish making these its pretty late at night and I'm in no shape to take pictures of myself wearing them. : ) 

The inspiration for this scarf came from one I purchased at Isle of You (another great store, with lots of unique clothing) for $25.  This example cost of about $5, and the larger one will probably cost $10.  

I haven't forgotten about my furniture projects, I haven't made it back to Lowes yet, hopefully I will have an update on them this weekend. Thanks for reading, I hope I have inspired you as well!

♥ Ruffled Scarf 2 and Misty Hollow ♥

For Ruffled Scarf 2 I went to Misty Hollow yesterday and got great coordinating fabric.  For everyone who hasn't been to Misty Hollow in Potsdam, if you do any type of crafting they have the best selection around.  They have just about everything.  Beautiful fabric, a great selection of yarn, jewelry making, wood carving, block printing, calligraphy, scrapbooking supplies, baking supplies and so much more.  I have never been disappointed in a trip there especially since it saves me a trip to Joann Fabrics, that doesn't have near the selection on art/craft items.  If they don't have it they are more than willing to order it and if they think its a good item they will also try to keep it in stock.  Yesterday, I asked about elastic thread b/c originally I had ordered it and there is only 10 yards on a spool so it would be great if I could find it somewhere local.  They were very intrigued and had never heard of it before, so I showed them the bed sheet scarf and they loved it as well.  They opened there notion supply book, found it, ordering it for me and will call me when it comes in.  You can't get much better service than that!

So back to ruffled scarf 2, the fabric I used was significantly heavier than the original bed sheet, so when I sewed the two elastic thread rows down the scarf, I don't think it was enough to pull it together.  I am going to try tonight running at least 2 more rows with the elastic thread in hopes it will pull it together, check back tomorrow for the results!  It will be a beautiful scarf if I can make it work!  The images below are a very rough version of what I'm hoping will work in the end!

Cute Upcycled Floral Sheet Ruffled Scarf

So I got this pretty floral sheet for free.  I tried cutting it into strips and crocheting it into a scarf or basket but it just didn't show off the cute flowers enough for my liking.  So I decided to try making a scarf out of it, this was also my first attempt using elastic thread, which I discovered is amazing!  I had been warned that it can be very hard to work with and was a little scared, but I had no issues what so ever, I used my machines bobbin winder to put it on the bobbin and sewed using a regular stitch and it turned out perfect.  (Surprisingly considering for me normally anything the can go wrong does)

All I did was cut a strip of the sheet, about 10 inches wide.  I sewed a half inch from the edge all the way around and then with the elastic thread on the bobbin, made two rows of stitches up the entire length of the strip, about 1/3 of the way across and then again at about 2/3 of the way across.  Then I just snipped the edges to give it a frayed look.  Throw it in the dryer with damp clothes or a damp wash cloth and the elastic will shrink right up.  I am going to make a fancier version to wear at an upcoming wedding so check back soon!