Category Archives: Fabric {My “Crafty” Side}

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Feathered Nest, Frugal Finds

Sunset Strip

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Time to get out the plastic crate from the garage. The one with the orange and black stuff in it!

It’s under the Spring/Easter one, so I have yet to go out there and move a few things around and dig it out.

I did, however, make another paint chip bunting for the month of October.

{do you ever choose paint, lipstick or nail polish for the name of the color? I do…one of the oranges on these cards was [sunset strip] so I picked that one over another one with not so [hollywood] names}

These are the easiest things to make. I’m addicted.

Just hung the blue and green one from my mom’s birthday brunch in the laundry room and it makes the chore a little more enjoyable.

So, run to Home Depot this weekend and pick up some paint chips and make one. Or have your husband pick some up for you…men seem to go to HD a lot.

They add an instant festive touch to any room. I hung ours above the couch in our great room and it’s the first thing you see when you come in the front door.

Now to venture out into the garage and get the rest of the ghosts, goblins and witches!

Have a fabulous weekend, friends.

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Frugal Finds

Business Cards For Dummies

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I signed up for Blog Sugar almost 6 months ago.

You would {think} I had enough time to decide on and develop a brand identity for Flip Flop Follies in that time and have some gorgeous coordinating business cards printed…

Did you know that you can make some {sweet} “business cards” with items from Wal-mart and Target?

Pick up a few bags of mini AirHeads candies at Wal-mart.

Run to Target for a pack of Avery address labels because Wal-mart was fresh out.

Print up your name and blog info on the labels.

Slap them onto the back of the candy and call it a day!

*****

The idea was pretty well received ~ I mean who doesn’t love a little piece of candy?

I wanted to use Laffy Taffy, but the AirHeads seemed to be a big hit.

No business cards? No problem.

An inexpensive and sweet way to get {any} message out there!

*****

Still working on the Blog Sugar post ~ so, so much to sort through and share!

XOXO

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fashion

Fall’s {Almost} In The Bag

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Pumpkin Spice lattes are available at Starbucks.

Football has started.

We’re getting closer and closer to my favorite season…17 more days to be exact.

I whipped up a little {fall} handbag for myself using a super duper clearance Target tote and a few rolled rosettes…

I just happened to have some leftover fabric that coordinated with the mustard colored bag and, again, used this tutorial for the rosettes.

I then played around with them until I found an arrangement that I liked before hot gluing them on.

Easy.

For the amount of time it took me to put this together, I was so pleased with how it turned out.

I think some little make-up bags would be darling, as well.

This would be a sweet little semi-handmade gift for the holidays ~ perfect for teachers and all the ladies on your list.

I’m on the hunt for some more inexpensive totes & cosmetic bags and fun fabric for my holiday workshop!

Happy Tuesday…have a great {short} week!

*****

Linking up to {What I Whipped Up Wednesday} over at Sugar and Dots and Sweet Saturday over at Gingerbread.

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fiestas & Fetes

{BEHR} Necessities

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I wanted to share a snippet of a simple little something that I whipped up for my mom’s brunch next weekend.

It literally took less than 20 minutes and will make such a statement when guests enter the room. I am all about big WOW factor without spending a lot of WOW!

I first spotted paint chip buntings here. This is genius…free paint chips and some ribbon or twine and you’ve got color and whimsy and decor all in one ~ necessary for any party! And you can obviously tailor to ANY color scheme.

{sneak peek at [beachy brunch] decor}

1. Pick up some paint chips at your local home improvement store ~ I went to Home Depot and got Behr paint chips.

2. Print out this template ~ I used the large size, but there are four to choose from.

3. Trace the template on the BACK of the paint chip to prevent pen marks on the front of your bunting.

4. Cut triangles out.

5. Punch two holes at the top to string the twine through.

6. Arrange your cut paint chips in a row on the floor in a pattern of your choice.

7. Get your jute twine {that you purchased at HD to make you not feel so guilty about helping yourself to a handful of free paint chips} and unroll to the desired length. I like to have plenty on either end to make hanging easier.

8. String each triangle starting from the back and then through to the other side until you have all triangles strung ~ I used 12.

9. Decide how far apart you’d like your triangles and adjust accordingly ~ mine are about 2 inches apart.

10. Hang below your fireplace mantel, across a window sill or out on your front door.

*****

It really is a HAPPY, quick and inexpensive way to decorate for a party or season.

I {may} have picked up some Halloween and fall colors.

Thanks BEHR.

Thanks Home Depot.

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fiestas & Fetes, Frugal Finds

Vision

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There are oodles of fabulous party blogs out there these days. Between these blogs and Pinterest, inspiration has no limits.

I look at some of these blogs and gush over these parties and celebrations and immediately want MY next shindig to rival what I see. I guess you could say that the pressure is there to {compete} with all these magazine worthy festivities.

Yes, I do feel the pressure, but I know that I cannot, single handedly pull off the equivalent of these parties. I have no idea what the hosts budgets are, but I know that when I do parties, I must stick to my budget regardless of what other people’s financial situations may be.

I am OK with this, of course. I would rather throw a modest celebration that is perfectly thought out, carefully planned and executed rather than nothing at all.

I remember Ina Garten mentioning on her show once that all you need is simple, cohesive decor and not a huge, over the top tablescape. That school of thought has stuck with me.

Normally I hunt for party goodies year round and stumble upon trinkets here and there when I see them on clearance or reasonably priced. However, while planning my mom’s upcoming milestone birthday celebration, I have come up with a theme and the date is less than a couple weeks away!

That puts me in panic mode.

Last night Jay got home early and I headed out after dinner to fetch invitations to get them printed and in the mail by tomorrow. I headed to Home Goods, Party City, Joann’s, Target, Pier One and Ross. NOTHING to my liking. I had several options in-hand ready to pay, but was not 100% happy with any of them. I came home empty handed and knew that I had to make my 2.5 hours of alone time this morning fruitful.

{Pinterest via}

I decided to start at Michael’s and work my way down the strip mall until I found something that matched my vision.

I immediately found darling blank seashell note cards and coordinating ribbon for half off.

Went down to Ross and scored some gorgeous pieces, also on clearance.

I now have a solidified color scheme, invitations, menu and a head start on the decor.

Simple.

Classy.

Affordable.

That’s always my {vision} and I’m stickin’ to it.

*****

Happy Thursday, all!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fashion, Five-finger Discount {Free Stuff}

Lucky

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Good morning!

The lucky winner of the rosette bib necklace is…….

{letters via}

Yay, Leah! Congrats!

Leah blogs over at Leah’s Thoughts…go over and check out her thoughts on recipes, parenting, creativity, holidays, literature, and all of life’s other whatnots.

Leah, I will pop these goodies in the mail to you…..enjoy!

Thanks to all you lovely ladies for entering ~ look for another giveaway closer to the holidays.

Have a fantastic Wednesday!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fashion, Five-finger Discount {Free Stuff}

Tardy

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I’m totally tardy to the rolled rosette bib statement necklace party. And why didn’t I start making these earlier?

But I have made a few now and I LOVE how I can throw one together in a jiffy.

I am giving away my latest one along with a coordinating rosette ring.

This one features 6 rosettes in various sizes in a sort of asymetrical layout and hangs on a black grosgrain ribbon which lets you choose the length you want ~ just tie it in a pretty bow where it fits you best.

The fabric is black with bits of hot pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and white and will add a fun subtle punch of color to your wardrobe year round. It would look darling with my all time favorite outfit ~ a crisp white top, some comfy old jeans and a pair of fun flats, wedges or of course flip flops!

The ring is a one-size-fits-most deal and has a matching mini rosette perched on top. Again, will add a little somethin’ somethin’ to a casual, everyday outfit and compliment the necklace perfectly.

{not a professional hand model!}

Giveaway is open until midnight {PST} Tuesday, August 9th 2011. I will randomly select and announce the winner on Wednesday morning, August 10th 2011.

To enter, please {Like} Flip Flop Follies on Facebook if you haven’t already and leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing you’ve done this summer!

That’s it! Go enter now….

Don’t be tardy to the Giveaway Party!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Feathered Nest

Wandering

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Happy Wednesday!

Today I’m going to be wandering a bit…a little of this and a little of that.

We have a large-ish landing at the top of the stairs where the kids watch DVDs on a 13″ TV and read books. I want to make it a little more {nookie} and have pillows on the floor…maybe a basket of rolled up blankets to cuddle in during the cooler months.

I went to my new BFF, Pinterest, and took a little nook look…

{via}

{via}

Now I want a little Mama Nook! Love this bright and airy one…

{via}

Or this cozy one…

{via}

I love the idea of a reading nook where you can sit and read trashy mags and sip your morning coffee. Anyone read Bethenny Frankel’s {A Place of Yes}? Been meaning to pick it up.

*****

I’m on a gift wrapping kick. I am kind of over the whole gift bag thing. Yes, I know it’s easy and a good way to recycle but I love the idea of a good old fashioned wrapped gift.

How about these for inspiration…

[Martha]

[Vintage Vibrant]

{via}

[Scary Clown Balloons]

{via}

Last time I was at {99¢ Only} I picked up a roll of brown packing paper. Going to use it LOTS for Christmas this year and wanted some early inspiration, but you can do ANYTHING with it. How cute is the balloon bow?

I seriously had to {exit} Pinterest. Everything just kept getting cuter and cuter.

Just enter {reading nooks} and {gift wrapping} and you’ll see what I mean.

*****

I am working on a little giveaway and hope to have it posted by Friday. Since the last several giveaways were Havaianas, I thought I’d do a little homemade goodie. I hope that you’ll check back and enter to win! 😉

Let me just say that in the process of making this little goodie, I burnt my fingertips to a crisp. My glue gun is in the naughty corner right now. Not user error at all……..

To make matters worse, what I thought was glue was actually a blister and I pulled it off….um, ouch!

*****

Is anybody else anxious for Fall? I am finding myself searching for autumnal and Halloween inspiration already. Which is good because if I wait too long, I am more likely not going to be able to carry it out. If I get the ideas early, I can get a head start on all this {F}alloween cuteness.

Note to self: DO NOT LOOK UP FALL OR HALLOWEEN DECOR ON PINTEREST!

{at least not today}

*****

Today is Day 9 with Jill…last night I did it at 10:08pm. I was NOT going to bed without doing my dumbbell rows and butt kicks.

*****

Kinda wish I was going to BlogHer this weekend in San Diego….if you’re going, have a blast in my hometown!

*****

I think this Hump Day afternoon calls for a nice iced coffee…you should have one too!

Toodles!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Fashion

Perfect

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I’ve been wanting to make a rosette bib necklace for some time now.

There are a bajillion tutorials out there in blogland, but the most recent one I’ve seen being here.

I had the fabric {and felt} on hand and picked up the rustic chain at Joann’s.

Maybe I will branch out when I make others and add more rosettes in varying sizes, patterns and colors and posibly a few buttons or what not…but for now I am satisfied with this simple piece.

Perfect for Fall and Winter for the perfect friend.

Hope she likes it.

And I hope you have a great week ahead!

Fabric {My "Crafty" Side}, Feathered Nest

Scared

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This morning I had about 45 minutes to kill before picking up the chickadees at summer camp. I decided to run into Goodwill and survey the furniture.

I reeeeeally want to start refinishing furniture, but the truth is I’m scared.

I like crafty stuff that is quick and painless and done the same day. I think this {fear} of unfinished projects stems from when Jay laid slate tile in our entryway in San Diego. He did a BEAUTIFUL job, but it took a couple months for the project to be completed. To his credit, we were both working part time, planning our wedding, etc.

But, in general, I’d like to hire someone to come lay the tile, grout, seal and be done. I don’t like the place to be torn up for too long. I am working on this….

Anywhoo, back to Goodwill. Today was 50% off blue tag day. I spotted a couple nice chairs with $19.99 {blue!} price tags.

They had great bones and the fabric could easily be replaced. I am picturing red or orange with a fun updated fabric…

Like this…

or this…

{both via allthingsthrifty.com on pinterest}

I am IN LOVE with this table and chairs.

But we don’t {need} two chairs. I tried to tell myself they’d be great to pull out at parties for more seating.

The truth is we already have at least 2 other pieces that I can practice on……wah!

But if you’re into refinishing furniture and these chairs look like a steal to you at $10 a piece, please let me know soon! I am {this} close to packing the kids in the car and driving across town to pick them up.

I just need to keep telling myself that there will always be old furniture available.

Right?

Right.

In the meantime I need to get over my fear of buying a sander. We have talked about going to Lowe’s or Home Depot several times to pick one up and have never made it.

Part of me is scared that I will LOVE upcycling old furniture and our garage will turn into a garage sale/Goodwill graveyard.

Either way, I need to get my hands on a Black & Decker and find out!