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Thursday, December 31, 2009

2-Hour Statement Necklace



The hottest trend this year in jewelry has undoubtedly been the “statement necklace” or bib necklace. Every upscale jewelry and fashion house has produced some form of this with escalated price points. I originally had a few made in India based on some of my favorite embroidery designs, but realized you can easily make your own ‘couture’ creation whenever you need an accessory fix.



To start, grab some ribbon pieces, (the standard is satin or grosgrain ribbon, but anything that won’t scratch your neck will do). Next, find some fabric scraps and start cutting out flowers, shapes, obscene motifs, whatever you wish. Then, embellish them with  jewels, buttons or trims that you have on hand.  Stitch them together or thread them like beads and add a side of ribbon to each end… Voila!  I made the necklace above as a gift to my Mom.  I cut some tulle into tiny squares and threaded them with loose pearls and glass leaves.



Not a fabric flower type? If you have a pile of beads, you can string them together between the ribbons for another variation. Old chains from belts, ribbons made into bows, all work as well. Just stagger the lengths of each strand for the 'bib' effect.  The necklace above was made from different lengths of chain samples I had on hand attached to grosgrain ribbon.  I used two loose, Swarovski crystals to attach the bows where the chains connect to the ribbons.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Holiday DIY: Greeting Cards



At the end of the year, I often panic and realize how many good friends and family I have neglected to be in touch with.  I then neurotically think about my annual holiday card as a last chance of redemption.

I have made my holiday cards every year since high school.  I know this just seems masochistic to those with busy schedules (A.K.A.  Everyone I know…) but I do have my reasons.   A) I find it impossible to find anything to purchase that is special enough for the people I care about. B) I don’t have children (yet) so I feel it would be silly for Hubby and me to send those photo cards that everyone else sends and C) I have a huge ego that tells me that the only person that can create what YOU deserve is ME.

If you find yourself as ego-maniacal as me, let me assure you that it is NOT difficult or nearly as time consuming as it sounds to create your own cards.  Granted, before I was fully employed, I would make elaborate origami, or fiber embroidered beaded greetings.  These days, I take a decidedly more minimalist approach.


The internet and printer are your friends… If you are not graphically inclined, there are images online that you can grab and manipulate from the web.  Google images are great for this.  Right click and it’s yours.  If you have any skill with editing software, you can personalize things to make it your own.  Print on cardstock with a holiday message and you’re done.



Bonus points: If you want to take it a step further, you can embellish your home printed cards.  Craft punches are fabulous, and are an economic way to make use of fancy paper (especially scraps and damaged pieces).  Add these as a 3-D element to your design.  If you have a partner, child or  trainable pet, you have yourself an assistant.  Anyone can help you punch pieces out and even glue them to your cards.  If you have loose sequins, jewels, metallic dust bunnies these also work to “bling out” your cards.

Now, if only locating the right postage stamps was this easy...
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Friday, December 4, 2009

Win a $1000 Shopping Getaway to NYC and View InStyle in 3D!


Talk about interactive magazine experience… This month’s InStyle holiday issue has a few added features that you don’t usually find in print media. The special gift giving section is set up so you can participate in an interactive three-dimensional experience with the help of a webcam and internet. Click: InStyle Gifting in 3D to download the plug-in and immerse yourself into their most stylish picks for gifts. You’ll find messages for deals, tips, and you can even make your favorite items go viral!

Once you are sufficiently wowed by this new technology (think Matrix meets Neiman Marcus, or Lawnmower Man made over by Chanel). You can be really nice to yourself and a girlfriend … Enter to win the trip for two to NYC with a $1000 shopping spree. Click through to InStyle’s sweepstakes here and when you get to New York, I’ll share my best brunch spots over a cocktail!

Good luck, shop chic and beware the blue pills!

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