{DIY infinity scarf with buttons}

 

Ready to get crafty?! With the fall season upon us (some places more than others), scarves are ready to be used and cozied up with. So, to add to the scarf collection, we will make an infinity scarf!
What you will need:
*2 yards of fabric-try to find a soft fabric that isn't too "floppy" so you can have a bit of shape and structure to your scarf. You know what I do? I frolick down the aisles (yes, frolick!) and I feel all of the fabrics and play with them to see how they would work as a scarf. So go ahead! I found my fabric in the clearance section (whoop! whoop!)
*scissors-make sure they are sharp!
*cutting mat with measurements, ruler, or tape measure-so you know your lengths and widths.
*thread-preferably the same colors as the fabric you are using. I don't have coral thread so I'm just going to use white.
*a needle
*a sewing machine-if you don't have one, it will take quite a bit of time to hand sew.
*buttons! Pick a couple different ones or keep them the same. Whatever you like!

To get started, fold your 2 yards of fabric in half the long way if it isn't already.
From the folded end, cut your fabric 7" away from that end. This will be the width of your fabric.

(if you unfold the fabric, it should be 14" total but you will keep the fabric folded so that it measures 7" if this makes sense?)
 Make sure that you cut a straight line and you keep it 7" in width all the way up when you cut.

Once the fabric is cut, you should have a strip of fabric that's 72" (2 yards) in length and 7" in width since it's folded. You can save the rest of the fabric for other scarves or whatever you'd like.

Now, get your buttons and place them in the arrangement that you would like about 1" from one of the ends.

You want to place them with the idea in mind that you will be sewing the open end about 1/2" from the end.


Once you have your buttons in the places you would like them, start sewing them down. Remember, only sew them to the top layer of fabric.
Got your buttons in place? Ok good! Now if you have seen some of my scarves before, you know that I love adding detail like lace, ruffles, appliques, even doilies! For this scarf, I'm keeping it pretty simple with the buttons as my accent. If you have your detail that you want to add to the scarf, you can add it about about 18" or so from either of the ends...or wherever else you prefer.  

When all the buttons and accents (if you prefer) are in place, you can now fold your fabric the opposite way so that it's inside out and start pinning the open sides together like shown below. Now it's time to sew the open sides together (this DOES NOT include the two ends-just the 72" length of the side). Sew about 1/2" from the end. I like to use a zig zag setting for a little extra durability. I used a "3" zig-zag pattern for my scarf. Once you have sewn the entire length of the scarf and tied off your ends of thread, it's time to turn the entire scarf inside out. The easiest way for me is to stick my whole arm through, grab the end and pull it all through. Now we shall sew both ends of the scarf. Start by folding each end of the scarf about 1/2" inward (into the inside of the scarf) & pin. Try making the ends as straight across as possible. It's easier to use a straight edge or line for guidance on this.
Next, sew the edges together about 1/4" from the end. I used a "7" stich pattern for the ends of my scarf. 
After you have sewn both ends, lay your scarf out and and fold the ends on top of one another so you can get an idea of where you will cut your holes for your buttons to go through.

Once you have figured out where you want to cut your holes (by feeling where the buttons are underneath the fabric), start cutting small slits in the end of the scarf that will overlap your buttons. Be sure to cut the slits very small because most fabrics will stretch and you don't want the holes to be too big for the buttons.
  After you have all of your holes and the buttons fit snuggly through them, you can take your needle and thread and stitch the edges of the holes if you'd like for a cleaner look and add some Fray Check so the fabric doesn't fray or become thready at the sites you've cut.

& Voila! Your infinity scarf is all done!! With this type, you can wear it several ways buttoned or unbuttoned as well as wrapped around you up to 3 times. With my fabric, I liked it wrapped 3 times.
{Enjoy you new scarf this season!}

A tid bit into the life of a nursing student...& what I {miss}

This is the first time in a long time that I have logged into my blog.

So sad! I really miss it!

I miss posting.

I miss browsing my favorite blogs.

I miss meeting and talking with fellow bloggers/crafters.

I miss crafting.

I miss my shop.

If you don't know, I am a nursing student now with a full schedule and no time to do all of these things that I miss so dearly. I had to get on here though and vent to let some thoughts out.

As I browsed through my favorite blogs, I feel like I have missed so much going on!

(Whether that's true or not-that's how I feel)

Don't get me wrong, I have had some really awesome experiences since starting nursing school

{seriously}

 but most of my time is spent in the books.

Here are some photos of my life as a nursing student lately...

{Injection day!}

{first day of clinicals}


{getting those community service hours done}


{Oh those care plans!}


{Watching some Project Runway-my "me time" after clinicals}



{Downing that coffee}

  {clinicals}


{This is why nursing students gain so much weight!}


{my home on fridays}


{If I could, I would stick an IV of caffiene in myself!}

Just a tid bit into my current life.

I withheld the photos of the study material because that can give anyone a headache!

Don't forget I'm a wife and a mommy as well. Whew! It can be done though.

Hopefully I can get back to my shop, my blog, and the crafting soon.

Are any of you in a similar boat as me or miss something that you have had to put off for something else?

Light vs Dark styled photoshoot featuring accessories from Love Sparkle Pretty.

I was recently asked to create some accessories for a photoshoot with the theme of feathers and "Light vs Dark." My friend Kayla of Kayla V Photography is the mastermind behind these beautiful photos! I love how this concept turned out and Amanda Child was the perfect model for this look and Melanie Honeyblossom did an amazing job with the makeup!

I had so much fun creating pieces with feathers and using other items such as vintage buttons for the rings. :) All accessories but the white headband were handmade in my craft room and I'm so happy to see them in these awesome photos!

Take a look & ENJOY!

{Leave some love if you will}

Photography Credit: Kayla V Photography <--Click to see more from this shoot!

Headpieces, Earrings & Rings: Love Sparkle Pretty

Makeup Credit: Melanie Honeyblossom

Model: Amanda Child

{Have a beautiful day!}

{DIY Tutorial: from buttons to earrings!}

It's so sad that I have not been able to blog lately and it will be like this for some time since starting nursing school. :( I am sorry for absence but I have to set my priorities in order and blogging isn't on the top of the list. I have also put my etsy shop on vacation a few weeks ago because of my hectic schedule but I plan on opening it up again-hopefully soon.

Today though, I wanted to share an easy DIY tutorial to create some pretty earrings because I just made these and you can to!

I went to Joann's and grabbed a bunch of buttons which were half off and since I don't sew too many things that require buttons, I wanted to transform these into something else. So, I figured these could be some really great earrings. 

With that thought, I also bought some flat earring posts and backs.

First, I took the backs of the "buttons" off using heavy duty cutters.

Then, I glued the earring posts to the backs of the "buttons" using E-6000.

I then let them dry, and TA-DA!

A pair of earrings!

Simple as that.

{Owl themed surprise party!} :)

I have been working on this post for a while now and it's finally done!
About a week and a half ago, I got together with my brother's girlfriend--Cheyenne to work on a last minute surprise party for our friend Megan. Megan just recently left to Rhode Island State University on a full ride soccer scholarship (pretty cool right?!).
Cheyenne and I wanted to throw a party and invite Megan's family and closest friends to say "ta-ta for now" and since Megan loves owls, we went with a super colorful owl themed party!
We were also on a super tight budget so a lot of things were DIY and purchased from the dollar store but still came out pretty cute!
Here are some photos of the decor and the super exciting surprise party.



See this cupcake tower? It was totally DIY from the dollar store!
See my post right here about how to make your own! :)

Read about these fun and colorful cupcakes in my last post right here


  These little owl pictures that we decorated in the window were actually folders (3 ring binders) that we found at the 99 cent store and we cut them up to use as decor...hey, it worked! lol
These flowers were picked from my grandmothers garden and I arranged them in this blue vase--also bought from the dollar store. :)

Cheyenne painted this tree on this large piece of neon paper and I cut out the owl and letters to glue onto the enormous goodbye card.

Megan had tears in her eyes when she read all of the wonderful wishes to her. :)

Candy, polka dots, pink and green crystal confetti and paper straws! 

I told you this party was super colorful & crazy! 

Balloons outside in the pool. It turned into a pool party :)

Oh, and this little gecko named Sparticus! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The initial surprise...

I got it on video but my computer is being weird so I can't post it right now.
Ta-Ta for now Megan!

We love you! :)