Tried That: TIMI Thread Earrings

The only DIY that I tackled this Christmas was several pairs of thread earrings for Michael's mom, aunts, and cousins -- following this great tutorial by Thanks, I Made It. I shared a pic of them on Instagram, but they were just so pretty that I couldn't resist snapping a few more pics to share here on the blog. Read on for a few more shots of my favorite pairs.

Tried That | Lindsey Adelman Chandelier

Like about a 1,000 people before me, I tackled Lindsey Adelman's DIY chandelier project for our living room. Before, the room donned the classic boob light. A new fixture was in order. I wanted something fairly modern but not too invasive, and I was hoping to keep the cost low. Read on for a couple more pics and how I tackled the project.

Tried That: Linen Romper

Last week, I shared with you one of my first attempts at sewing clothes. I'm back with one more project. I mentioned sometime ago that I was planning on trying to make my own romper. Well, operation romper is complete.

I used this pattern by Salme. After some tweaking -- including nixing the belt loops, reducing the thickness of the elastic waistband by about half, and shortening the shorts (I like short shorts), I am really impressed by how the fit turned out (booty shot to prove it later). However, I am again finding myself sort of regretting my fabric choice. I went with a navy blue linen, and in the end, I'm thinking the color gives off a mechanic vibe. Like a sexy mechanic, maybe? Whatever. Anyway, read on for some more shots.

Tried That: Swim Cover

It's no secret that I love sewing tote bags and clutches. Generally speaking, however, I don't sew clothes. The couple of prior experiences that I had making clothes ended in...mediocrity. Either I chose the wrong fabric or the fit was off or, um, I didn't know that different kinds of fabric called for different needles, and in the end, I just sort of felt like I'd rather spend my time making other things and/or shopping. With more fashionable and download-at-home patterns out there, I thought maybe it was time to give it another try. So I gave this tank/dress pattern from Wiksten a shot. The result: not so bad. Read on for more pics and to learn how my fabric choice -- while awesome -- necessitated calling this a "swim cover."

Tried That: Felt Flowers from So Pretty! Felt

Disclosure: Chronicle Books sent me a free advance copy of So Pretty! Felt by Amy Palanjian. All opinions and crafty execution skillz are my own.

My most recent "Tried That" endeavor is a set of super quick and easy felt flowers from the new book So Pretty! Felt by Amy Palanjian. Although the tutorial uses the flowers for a wedding bouquet (and I happen to be all good and married), I repurposed them as a gift topper by hot glueing the bases of the three flowers together and then to a ribbon. And because I couldn't resist, I paired my bright flowers with a little striped fabric wrap.

If you want to see more pretty projects and reviews of So Pretty! Felt, it's on a blog tour and will be making appearances this week on Handmade Charlotte, MINT, A Spoonful of Sugar, Positively Splendid, Hart and Sew, Rouge and Whimsy, So You Think You're Crafty, Aesthetic Nest, and Dollar Store Crafts.

Read on for some more pics of my little creation.

Tried That: Pressed Flowers

I wanted to create some kind of little momento using some blooms from my mom's funeral.  I figured it was as good a time as any to try my hand at pressing flowers.  After searching around, I landed on a microwave technique that puts to use materials most of us already have around - cardboard, paper towels, printer paper, and rubberbands. I found Modest Maven's tutorial for drying out the flowers the easiest to follow. In the end, I didn't deconstruct them like she did.  I had only taken a few, and I was scared of ruining them.  I'm displaying them between the glass panes of a floating frame.  Now, it has a home on my gallery wall.  I also made a little one for my dad.

Honestly, I still feel a little conflicted about the whole thing.  I mean, yeah, it definitely makes me sad to see these flowers knowing why they ever came into my possession in the first place, but somehow, they also represent so much love and support from so many friends and family.  And I also know how pretty my mom would have thought they were.  I don't know.  I figured I would have nothing to regret by doing it.  If they make me too sad, I can take them down.

Read on for a couple more pictures of them on my gallery wall.

Tried That: Martha Stewart's Pom Pom Blankets

Another of my crafted gifts from this holiday season was a set of Martha Stewart's pom pom blankets for my mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother-in-law.  A great semi-handmade project, and the bonus factor on this one is that the pom-poms are so easy to make that my husband was able to throw in a hand...which the in-laws obviously ate right up.

 

The Tried That series is a concerted effort to try out all the amazing tutorials that I bookmark, pin, and generally drool over daily.

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If you've ever given one of my tutorials or cocktails a try or you've just been inspired by something you've seen here on Fabric Paper Glue, be sure to share a photo. I'd love to feature it!

Tried That: Lovely Indeed's Gold Nugget Earrings

Christmas was a great excuse to finally try a couple of tutorials that have been on my list.  One such project was these lovely gold nugget earrings from Lovely Indeed.   I put together six pairs for many of the ladies in my life, and what a super easy project!  Be sure to hop over and check it out for yourself.


The Tried That series is a concerted effort to try out all the amazing tutorials that I bookmark, pin, and generally drool over daily.  

find me elsewhere


If you've ever given one of my tutorials or cocktails a try or you've just been inspired by something you've seen here on Fabric Paper Glue, be sure to share a photo. I'd love to feature it!

Tried That: Hank & Hunt's Spray Painted Animal Toys

Spray painting plastic animal toys is totally blowing up.  And yes, I realize how absolutely ridiculous that last sentence is.  But one of the first ones that I remember seeing were these fabulous gold animal birthday candle holders by Hank & Hunt for the Sweetest Occasion.   I also can't believe this is something that any human being would have on their to-do list in order to make time for (first world problems in the extreme).  Anyway, enough deprecating the entire premise that this blog is based upon.  I found 30 seconds to spraypaint myself an ostrich (Why?  Because the ostriches were on sale.), and I do believe that it is a lovely little addition to our home.


Tried That: DIY Party Animal Candles by Hank & Hunt for the Sweetest Occasion

The Tried That series is a concerted effort to try out all the amazing tutorials that I bookmark, pin, and generally drool over daily.  


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Tried That: Cinsarah Heart Map Art Tutorial

Map Heart Art DIY from Cinsarah

Last October, Michael and I went to London and Paris...

Michael at Trafalgar Square

Long-Haired Me at the Louvre

...and I came back with way too much paraphernalia (tickets, brochures, etc.) in hopes that some clever idea would strike me for how to memorialize these items.  To date, nothing had struck me, and in fact, I'd even forgotten that I'd brought all this crap valuable stuff back until we went to use a backpack that we'd taken on the trip and found it.  I finally got my butt in gear and put to use this simple map heart art how-to from Cinsarah.

So, all of this...


...became this sleek little piece of art.


I discretely labeled each item on the back for posterity.


And now, all that crap has a neat little place on our dresser.

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