DIY Rhinestone Wire Bunny Ears

Easter is coming up soon, so what better way to dress up for the occasion than with some adorable bunny ears. I actually made these ears for an Ariana Grande concert, but I definitely plan on re-using them for Easter as well.

The ears are quick and easy to make--I made 5 pairs in a couple hours. The hardest part might be finding the supplies to make it. The wire should be easily found at any craft store. I found the rhinestone chain at Michael's, however, it was in the clearance section (which was a win for me, but it means it might be harder to find there now). I ended up buying the headbands from the clearance rack at Claire's. They had yarn wrapped around them, but I managed to unwrap the yarn fairly easily.

Sew a Set of Zippered Travel Bags

I'm excited to announce that I published my third Skillshare class last night, Sew a Set of Zippered Travel Bags. This tutorial shows how to sew 3 open wide zippered bags that make a perfect travel set. The different sizes are great for storing everything you might need, and after your trip the bags easily nest inside one another for storage.

If you're not a Skillshare member, considering signing up! It's an online learning community that currently has over 2 million members. It covers many topics too, not just crafts. Premium memberships are $96/year, however, if you sign up with my referral link, you can try it for free for your first month. My goal for the year is to teach 2 new classes each month so that I will have over 2 dozen classes by the end of 2017!

If you're not interested in taking online classes, you can still make this set of travel bags if you already have some sewing knowledge. I've posted the chart below showing the cutting measurements for the fabrics, as well as a materials list and very basic step-by-step instructions.

Men's Apron Sewing Tutorial

Need a gift for a guy in your life? Aprons are great for aspiring chefs (or just the at-home gourmet), BBQ aficionados, or as a utility apron for someone who works with their hands. This is an easy and fairly quick sewing tutorial that just requires a yard of fabric. The faux leather closures add a touch of ruggedness that any guy would appreciate.

How to Sew a Toiletry Bag with French Seams

I'm excited to announce I published my very first online class on Skillshare, Sew a Toiletry Bag with French Seams. It's a beginner-friendly sewing class where you can have support from myself and fellow students along the way. The toiletry bag you will learn to sew is similar to my Boxy Toiletry Bag from my Fat Quarter Series, but it is simplier and quicker to sew. So if you like that bag, but were hesitant to tackle it or just want a quicker-to-sew version, this project would be perfect for you.

Placemats, Napkins, and Table Runner Sewing Tutorial

With the holidays fast approaching, it's the perfect time to give your tablescape an update. I recently sewed new placemats, napkins, and a table runner because I felt like a change.

All of these projects are fairly simple and quick to sew up. The trickiest part is learning the mitered corner technique for the napkins (but it's worth it for them to hold up for a long time). The placemats are reversible to either show a solid color or the accent. The table runner is also reversible, cleverly matching my new placemats on one side and my old placemats on the other side. Plus, I like the warm neutral side to set out during the day. It *may* be because it matches the pillows I made here. Since I live in a condo, the dining area and living room are the same room.

I made my placemats a fairly standard size. My napkins, however, are simply the maximum size the piece of remnant fabric allowed (minus a bit more from a sewing error!). The table runner is just the size of fabric samples I had, which I thought was a nice size for my table.

Beginner's Guide to Basic Jewelry Making

I started experimenting with making my own jewelry a few years ago. I've always had a bit of a jewelry addiction and bought way more than I actually wear. That's probably why I was drawn to buying inexpensive jewelry to be able to afford such an addiction. Then I decided to actually try making making some of my own "cheaper" versions of more expensive jewelry I loved but didn't want to or couldn't afford to spend much on. Sometimes the process involves trying to replicate an inspiration piece, but other times I just take out my jewelry making supplies and see what inspires me.

This will be a very basic beginner guide. I wrote it mainly as a companion to my other jewelry making tutorials to explain in further detail some of the steps. It will cover the supplies you will need as well as the basic skills needed to do any of my jewelry tutorials. As a disclaimer, I am no expert. My skills are still in the advanced beginner to intermediate level and I'm completely self-taught. I just want to share some basic knowledge if you want to start making jewelry but don't know where to start. Let's begin with basic supplies. You can get most of these inexpensively from craft stores or purchase online. You can even repurpose old or broken jewelry you already have for chain, clasps, or pendants.

Easy Zippered Pillow Cover Sewing Tutorial

I have a pretty easy tutorial for you today. I know I've had several posts about making pillows before, but they're one of my favorite easy projects. It's a great way to update the look of your home when you want a change. This particular pillow cover tutorial is super easy and quick and probably the most basic zippered cover you can make. Even if you haven't sew a zipper on before (it's not as scary as it seems!) you will still be able to make these. It's a fast and beginner-friendly project with just 10 easy steps. You could sew up several of these in under in hour.

The only things you will need for this pillow cover tutorial are some fabric, a zipper, and a pillow form. If you don't have a pillow form, you can easily make your own using this tutorial. Another great source of pillow forms is a store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Be sure to check the clearance section you might find some "ugly" or damaged pillows for cheaper. Then you can simply remove the cover and sew your own with fabric of your choice. The pillow forms I used for this tutorial are feather and from IKEA (another cheap source!). I had them in storage for a long time and the pillow covers were worn and badly piling so I decided to re-cover them.

Moon and Star Lariat Necklace: Quick and Easy Jewelry Tutorial

I love an easy DIY. I have so many sewing projects that I want to do, but it's sometimes hard to find the motivation to work on them. Let's face it, sewing can be a lot of work and requires a lot of setup and cleanup. So from time to time, I like to make something that is easy and fun and can take me under an hour. In fact, this necklace took me just a couple minutes to make.

Striped Denim Clutch: sewing tutorial

It seems ages since I've posted a sewing tutorial! But that's why I'm so excited to share this one with you today. This was completely a stash project for me too. The denim scraps I commandeered from my mom's stash. I think they were some shorts one of my siblings had in the 90s. I loved the print though, and wanted to turn it into a clutch. I used some white denim that I had in my fabric stash to make the hand strap. I love the hand strap because it makes it easier to hold onto the clutch itself. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out too.

The tutorial is pretty simple too. You can raid your own stash for fabric, look in remnant bins at the fabric store, or go to a thrift shop to find some cool patterned denim. You could even use fabric paint on plain denim if you're feeling extra creative.

DIY Tiered Chain Necklace

I was looking through my necklaces and realized I tend to pick a lot that that are colorful or gold in color. I didn't really have any long silver necklaces. Of course I took this as a challenge and a project I could easily make myself.

I just used what was in my stash for this necklace. Some of the chain was what was leftover after making my Chain Earrings and Chain Hand Bracelet. Obviously, I like using chain.

Easy Beach Cover-Up: sewing tutorial

Since it's springtime and the weather is warming up, I thought I'd share with you a swimsuit coverup I sewed for myself last summer. It's a quick and easy tutorial, so you can whip up your own in an hour or less before heading out to the beach!

Bunny Foldover Clutch Sewing Tutorial

I have a sewing tutorial that's perfect for Easter. This foldover bunny clutch makes a cute little purse that will easily fit your essentials. I also think it'd make an adorable alternative to an Easter basket for girls. Just stuff it full of little goodies! This bag would be a good makeup bag or storage pouch for anything small too.

Felt Zipper Pouch: sewing tutorial

Last week I showed you how I made a Felt and Fleece Laptop Sleeve. The sleeve was perfect for storing and transporting my laptop around, but it didn't have space to add my charger. I decided to use the extra felt to make a zipper bag to hold all in.

Felt & Fleece Laptop Sleeve Sewing Tutorial

I was a very lucky girl at Christmas this year and scored myself a 13" Macbook Air. It was much needed since I'm getting more serious about my blogging now. Before that I was using a 6-year old Netbook I had really just purchased for taking to class in college. Let's just say photo editing took A LOT of patience on that thing. So obviously I am very, very happy with my new laptop.

Immediately after getting it I looked into cases. I wanted to protect my new baby! The ones I liked the most were made out of felt. The Macbook Air is super light and sleek, so I liked the idea of a thin sleeve to protect it without adding bulkiness. However, I couldn't bring myself to buy it. I figure I could make it myself. I definitely procrastinated a bit, but I finally made it!

DIY Chain Earrings

My boyfriend and I were watching Whiplash a couple weeks ago and he made a comment during one on the scenes that he like the actress' earrings. My first thought was that I could make some earrings like that. With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought it be perfect to make them to wear for a night out.


Luckily, that scene is in the trailer, so I was able to grab a screenshot to get a closer look at them. It looks very simple, a few varying lengths of chain with an accent piece.

I went to Michael's in search of the accent chain. I was disappointed that I couldn't find anything similar, but I did find some chain with decorative clear beads I liked. Using the earrings from the movie as inspiration, I decided to make my own version. I cut the decorative chain to a length I liked. Then I cut other chain pieces to be a bit shorter and a bit longer. I cut 4 pieces of chain for each earring, and made the decorative chain the second shortest.

Infinity Scarf Sewing Tutorial

I'm finally going to share with you a Christmas present I made that was a sewing project. (I had to give my wrists a break after all that crocheting!). I had purchased a couple yards of rayon challis from Fabric.com in few different prints. I just love this fabric. It feels very nice and drapes well. Two yards is enough to make two scarves, so you can make one for yourself and a friend. This scarf is perfect for an extra light layer in the springtime. I made them for Christmas, but in California the seasons can get a bit blurred.

This sewing project is super simple. It's ideal for beginners because it's very forgiving if your seams aren't prefect. I added a twist to the scarves before sewing to help with the drape, making this a Mobius Scarf. [It gets that name from the Möbius strip in mathematics]. I promise it's easier to do than it was to explain how I did it! Let's get to the tutorial...

Color Block Pillow With Hidden Zipper

Color block pillow with crochet heart garland
I think that throw pillows are a great way to change up the decor in a room. That's why I love zippered pillow covers. You can change out the pillows in the room seasonally or when you feel like a change. It also makes them easy to wash and store the covers you're not using. I have limited storage space, so storing extra throw pillows is not really an option.

To get in the Valentine's Day spirit, I wanted to make this pillow red and pink. I had scraps of red and pink twill in my fabric stash that were perfect for this pillow. I knew I wanted to add a zipper, and I was inspired by this tutorial showing how to hide a zipper in the middle of a pillow using a contrast flap. I decided to make by own by incorporating the flap into the design. It's an easy project and a fun way to add a pop of color.


Let's get to the tutorial...

Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

I've got an easy and tasty late minute gift idea for you! Christmas is just a week away and I'm still trying to finish up my Christmas gifts. I thought I'd share this cookie recipe with you as a quick gift you can put together. I think it would make a great hostess gift. Heck, I love this for myself. It's all the tasty rewards of baking with less measuring and dish washing. Plus, it looks pretty in a jar.



To check out all the tutorials in my 6 Weeks of Gifting series, check out my DIY Holiday Gift Guide.

I think one of the first (if not the first) cookie recipe I ever made as a kid was chocolate chip cookies. And guess what? I'm still using the same recipe. Do you want to know my secret for the yummiest chocolate chip cookies? Pick up a bag of Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels and look at the back. Yep, that's it. As much as I like to try and perfect my recipes and make them my own, I think this one is just perfect as is.

Fleece Ear Warmers Sewing Tutorial: Two Versions

I've got an easy sewing tutorial for you today for my 6 Weeks of Gifting series. These fleece ear warmers are cozy and perfect for running and other outdoor activities in the wintertime. They keep your ears warm while still being able to wear your ear buds to listen to music. And if you have long hair, it doesn't get in the way of your ponytail. It can be a perfect last minute gift too as you can sew up a few of these in less than an hour. I've made two different versions of these: straight-edged and scalloped. The straight-edged ear warmer is very quick and easy and would make great gifts for guys. The scalloped-edge ear warmer takes a bit more time and work, but I think the results are well worth it. It gives it a prettier and more feminine detail.

Chain Hand Bracelet: DIY jewelry tutorial + free gifting printable

I'm very excited to bring you my first jewelry tutorial! I had been debating what to make this week for 6 Weeks of Gifting. I wanted to do something that would make a nice gift, but also would be appropriate to make for yourself for the holidays. The holidays mean going to several parties, which means several excuses to dress up. A shiny piece of jewelry fits right into that.