DIY Lace Sash Belt

Ello!
I have created a quick DIY lace belt that I wanted to share with you!                               


 Supplies you need:
- Lace Fabric (I purchased mine from Jo-Ann fabrics for 9 dollars!)

- Thread (Preferably a kind that matches your lace)

-Sewing needle

-Scissors

1. I bought my fabric in a yard length. Now, I really like the way the scallops were on the top and bottom of the lace. So, with that said, I measured the lace around my waist to see how much I needed. Since, I wanted the top and bottom of the scallops to line my waist. I cut off how much I needed for my waist, and cut the fabric in half. I sewed the two pieces of fabric together!


2. After sewing the two pieces of fabric together, create an accordion effect on the end and sew closed ends.

3. Next, cut out your sashes for the back. You can cut as long as you choose. I wanted to be able to tie a bow with the sashes or just tie a knot! Also, I cut two v's into the ends of the sashes.

This project was a DIY while I was stuck in house trying to rest! I took some pictures out of on the bridge today wearing it!  It was warmer out then I expected! I think the lace popped with my red dress!

 Have a good weekend!
-Jillybean

PUNK RACK

Us Oh Dontcha Sew-er's are proud to announce our upcoming presence at this years Punk Rock Flea Market! For those of you unfamiliar, or not from the Fillet-o-delphia region, this is a bi-annual flea market/craft show/record sale extravaganza! We will have our very own table selling vintage goodies, tasty foods, and crafted goods. All items from my Etsy store will also be up for grabs (feel free to grab a sneak peek here). We look forward to meeting as many fellow crafters as possible and having a grand 'ol time! 

Venue Information:

THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET-DOME
461 N. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA, 19123

-Kay

A-hem!

Most skirts that I buy tend to be of the granny length, cost one dollar, fray and then get thrown out. One day this all changed via the discovery of the most striking floral skirt I had ever laid my eyes on. Since I was home for a few days celebrating my birthday, I asked my mom to help me hem this special skirt (since it was unnaturally long). I feel as though hemming is a lost art and even though this may be a skill that some of you are familiar with, I know that it took me 23 years to learn it, and maybe I can expedite this process for someone else! Also, feel free to share any tips that you may know on hemming with us, we would love to hear them!

  Step 1.) The skirt was very long and already had an existing hem that was done by hand so we cut off some of the excess to make it easier to work with. We turned the skirt inside out (to allow pen markings) and measured up 6 inches from the bottom of the skirt making  marks along the way to assist in creating a straight cut. This cut is very important since future measurements will be taken using the bottom of the skirt as a guide.

Step 2.) After cutting off the excess, I then tried on the skirt to pick a proper non-granny length. I folded the skirt bottom up to match the length I wanted and placed a few pins to hold the fold so I could remember where it was when I took the skirt off!

Step 3.) Turn the skirt inside out once again and pin all the way around the skirt to match the fold length you made while wearing the skirt. Be sure to measure from the bottom as you are pinning to keep a uniform length.

Step 4.) Sew along the hem using a similarly colored thread. This was the part I was unsure about prior to my momma showing me, and I am glad that she was there! The trick is to go through all of the fabric from the fold and then sew through only a few threads from the inside of the fabric to connect it. You never want your needle to go through to the front of the skirt and you literally only need to attach it to a few threads.

You can see in the picture above that the needle literally only goes through a few pink threads from the inside of the skirt.

Step 5.) Continue sewing around the skirt to finish the hem! And rock what your momma hemmed ya!

-Kay

It's birthday month!

Bring out your party streamers, kazoo's, etc! ! It's a month of birthdays! Kay and Mia's birthday are both in the month of March! Happiest Birthday to two of my best friends! (And crafty partners!) I am so excited everyday to keep track of our projects on Oh Don't Cha Sew since day one with them!  These two talented ladies have taught me so much already! Love them! 

At home beauty tips!

I am always on the hunt for at home skin tips! I recently stopped in at Heaven and Earth Salon and Spa, in Pottsville, PA. I got a chance to sit down with my favorite skin specialist Helene, the Spa Director at Heaven and Earth. I have been going to Helene since high school, and she has always been so sweet to help me out!  She answered some of my questions, and offered some fun tips!

Facials
Whole Milk + Honey
Vegan version (Since I'm not a huge fan of milk!) = Silken Tofu+ Agave Nectar
    -1 C Milk  + 2 tsp Honey/ Agave Nectar
    -I left on for 10 minutes! Then, rinse off with warm water!

Scrub
Steel cut oats + Water
    -1 C steel cut oats + 1 C water
    -Scrub gently into skin.  Rinse off! (This is perfect to use on legs as well to get rid of winter dryness!)

Under Eyes 
Chamomile Tea Bags
    -Put two teabags with hot water in fridge overnight, until it reaches a chilly temperature. Wring out teabags and put on eyes for 10-15 minutes.

Pimples
1 tsp Baking Soda + 1 tsp water
    -Dab on pimple before sleep!
    -Also, Helene mentioned putting toothpaste on your pimples as well! This may seem a little crazy but it will dry out the pimple!
Redness on pimples! 
Visine + Q-tip
    -Dab on troubled area!



Extra Face Tips!

•  Remove any/ and every ounce of makeup off of face at night.
• Always wash your face at night! (The make up will seep into your pillow and stay there, creating bacteria!)
•  "Make-up will only look good if your skin looks good!" Taking care of your skin is key!

There you go! Some quick tips with at- home items!
A little bit about our friend Helene! (Featured with hair stylist, Bonnie!)

Helene started her beauty journey about 15 years ago! She was going to see Scott (Now, Heaven and Earth Salon and Spa Owner) to get her hair done. Unhappy in her sales and marketing job at Nexxus Hair Products, Scott explained he was starting a salon and spa, he encouraged to her to take classes and become the spa director! She attended classes to be an esthetician and has been at Heaven and Earth ever since! Also! Stop over here at The Painted Ladies for Helene's friend's blog. They offer fun and different eyeshadow, and special makeup tips.


Thanks, Helene!



If you ever get a chance, to go to Pottsville, PA make sure you stop in to Heaven and Earth Salon and Spa! It's right down the street from the wonderful Yuengling Brewing Company! Heaven and Earth is filled with lots of lovely art work, and neat projects. I am truly at amazement every time I go in with all the different art projects that line the walls, and hang from the ceilings!

Love, 

Jillybean

DIY Bowtie Flats

Hello!
It's Jillybean, and I am here to bring you a simple DIY to jazz up your flats!
This DIY brought me back to my years as a ballerina. (I admit I wasn't good, but I had fun!) During the later years, split sole ballet shoes were a more serious ballet slipper. But you had to sew your own elastic straps on them! This DIY is kind of the same thing!

Things you need:
1. Pair of flats. (I bought mine at K-mart for 13 dollars!)
2. Pretty fabric (You will need 2/ 8x5 squares + 2/ 1x5 inch strips, I got a half of yard at Jo Ann's for 2.50!)
3. Scissors
4. Leather Sewing needle
5. Sewing Machine
6. Straight Pins
7. Sewing Ruler
8. Thread to match your choice of flats, and your choice of fabric!

1. Measure your elastic across the top of your shoe (with your foot inside!) Cut your strips to your size. (Remember, you are going to want to make this a bit tighter, loose elastic isn't comfortable, or not that great at holding your foot inside!) I wanted a perfect line across my flats with my elastic. So, I marked off with straight pins, and a sewing ruler.  Plus, this gives you a marking for later, when you need to keep the elastic in place.

2. (Dos! Deux! Whatever!) Measure your fabric for the bows. I used a tape measure, to cut out 2/ 8x5 squares. Reason for this: You will cut the fabric in half, and sew the two pieces together! Snip, Snip, Snip! You will also want to cut out 2 strips of 1/5 inches. This will be for your top of your bowtie. 

3.  Prepare your sewing machine! Thread your bobbin, etc. etc! Sew around the edges of your fabric. Make sure they are back to back, on the top side. Sew! Sew! Sew!! 

4. Show off your new sewed pieces to your mom, or get her to hold yours up for you and show them off. (I think my mom was thrilled at how well I picked up using a sewing machine!) 

At this point, you are so close to wearing your new flats out! So take a snack break if you choose or hang out with your lovely furry friend for a second, and carry on! 

5. Get your two piece of fabric to use for your top of your bowtie, and wrap them around your square piece of newly stitched fabric. (Little Jill Note: Fold your fabric over and under like an accordion to create more of a effect, and it also will make it easier to wrap the fabric around.) 

6. After you wrap the two around the fabric, take the pieces to your sewing machine. Sew right across the fabric. 

7. Take your elastic strands, and slip through the back of the bowtie. (Little Jill Note: I sewed a quick x- shape across the back to hold the elastic and the wrapped fabric in place on the elastic strap. But this step is completely up to you!) 

Now! You should have two elastic straps with bowties attached! Cute right!?

8. Thread your special leather sewing needle, and acquire your thimble. Keep your straight pin in the side of the shoe as long as you can to prevent the elastic from slipping, and not making a straight line. 

Repeat on the other shoe, and boom! A totally new flat!

Feel free to perfect your dance moves like myself or just wear them out!  Hehe enjoy!

Happy Crafting!
Jillybean

Snowy Brunching + Vintage Shopping

 It was quite a snowy Saturday morning when Mia, myself, and Noelle ventured out in their hometown, (20 minutes from my hometown) for a quick morning brunch and vintage hunting trip. 

First, we went to Sisters Restaurant where they were running a yummy breakfast special, Peanut Butter Cocoa french toast, and Butterscotch Pancakes. (This isn't vegan, just an FYI! I had coffee and home fries! But, how good does that all sound?) After staying until Sister's 1pm close, we finished up our coffee and headed down the street.  We headed to our first spot, Manjones Vintage and Collectibles.

Manjones is run by Nancy and Ann, the two cousins started their store just about a year ago.  When you walk in Manjones, it's safe to say you might just fall into a tizzy, and stay in their mock powder room for the rest of your days. Teal, pink, lace, and velvet keep the little section incredibly cozy. Us three ladies might have stayed in that room alone for about 20 minutes! I was thrilled to find some old perfume bottles, which have become my new collectible. The next two sections focus on the living space, and kitchen. Pyrex, pretty painted glasses and juice containers fill the shelves. You can even get your hands on vintage cookie jars! The clothes section however, is where we all snagged a cute piece! 

I did get a quick interview with Ann!

J: How long have you been located here in Hazleton?

A: 1 year! 

J: What are some good vintage clothing techniques you live by when choosing vintage pieces?

A; I try to look for pretty hats, dresses that age well, and are in good condition. I also try to keep elements of old and new, and that can be flattering!

J: Do you run this store by yourself or with others?

A: I run this store with my cousin Nancy, who shares an equal passion for vintage and collectibles.

J: Have you lived in Hazleton your whole life? 

A: No, I was living in Florida for most of my life, I just moved back to Hazleton 2 years ago!

J: Did you own any other vintage stores?

A: Yes, in Florida I owned 3 stores! 

J: Where do you find all your pretty vintage and collectibles?

A: We find most of our pieces for the store at estate sales! 

Thanks for taking some time to talk to us, Ann!

Next, we were on our way to Remember When on Broad St. Both of the stores can be described as department stores for vintage for sure. Remember When was equally as big, and seemed more focused towards women's clothing. But still did have a fair share of men's clothing as well.  When you first walk in, you see glass counters filled with jewelry! I fell in love with two pieces at this store! I have to say the one dress, is my all time favorite by far! Unfortunately, the owner said she will be moving soon! The store is 30% off as of right now.  The owner said she hopes to locate to Savannah, Georgia by May or June! Luckily, the owner said her daughter started an etsy store for her! If you click Remember When above, it will take you right to their etsy store, if you can't visit locally!

Happy shopping! 

Jillybean