30 Day Photography Challenge

As this a new blog and I am not the greatest at keeping with something I've decided to do the 30 Day Photography Challenge, found here. The original challenge was for the month of June but I think I need to do it. Which I'm hoping get me into the habit of posting daily.

Day 1: Self-portrait

Day 2: What you wore today

Day 3: Clouds

Day 4: Something Green

Day 5: From a high angle

Day 6: From a low angle

Day 7: Fruit

Day 8: A bad habit

Day 9: Someone you love

Day 10: Childhood Memory

Day 11: Something blue

Day 12: Sunset

Day 13: Yourself with 13 things

Day 14: Eyes

Day 15: Silhouette

Day 16: Long Exposure

Day 17: Technology

Day 18: Your Shoes

Day 19: Something Orange

Day 20: Bokeh

Day 21: Faceless self-portrait

Day 22: Hands

Day 23: Sun flare

Day 24: Animal

Day 25: Something Pink

Day 26: Close-Up

Day 27: From a distance

Day 28: Flowers

Day 29: Black and white

Day 30: Self-portrait

On a completely different topic, I had my third aerial yoga class on Saturday. I was the only one in class so my teacher taught me some more advanced things. I learned foot locks and hand holds. I love the exercise it gives me. However, it's been a long time since I've had any physical exercise and I hurt, a lot.

What are you challenging yourself to?

3-Button Sweatshirt Tutorial

This started with my obsession with Pinterest. I came across this Pin for a 3 Button Sweatshirt from Etsy. I did my normal thing and say, I can make this. I searched high and low for a tutorial and came up empty handed. I thought, well it can't be that hard to make from an old sweatshirt. While it isn't an exact replica, I'm very happy with the outcome.

I tried to take pictures from start to finish so you can try it yourself. If you get lost please ask and I can try to guide you through.

This is my finished project.

Here is how I did it:

I started with a large sweatshirt that I picked up from the Salvation Army for $2 (I figured if I totally screwed up it wouldn't be a big loss.)

I took my seam ripper to it, taking off the pouch, bottom cuff, sleeves and sleeve cuffs. Note: You do not have to take off the sleeves however I liked the looks of the seams on the outside.

I cut the front of the sweatshirt up the middle and was left with something looking a little like this:

I wrapped the front so the 2 pieces overlapped each other and pinned in place. I then pinned and chalked the sides.

I basted the sides, I recommend basting a different color thread than the shirt and different from the color you will be using. It will be easier if you want to take the stitch out. 

Then I had my husband help me to pin the sleeves to take in.

I chalked the basting stitch to see it better on the black material. 

 

Using my chalk line, I started sewing. The material on the right side of my chalk line is going to be cut off.  

 

 I cut off all the excess material and sewed the sleeves back on. Originally my plan was to take the shoulders up, but the sleeves went long enough to be full length if I had done that.

Then I decided on button placement. I chalked the outsides of the buttons so I can use my buttonhole maker on my sewing machine.

Once my button holes were complete, I pinned in place once more and chalked through the buttonholes to place my buttons. I hand sewed on my buttons.

                                             

 I need to wash it so that it takes the chalk off the shirt.

I think I want to find a pattern for a sweatshirt and modify it so I can make it from new material.

I hope you enjoyed! If you make your own, I would love to see your finish project. This is the first in my series of Pinterest Inspired Crafts.

I'm linking it up to:

href="http://laughloveandcraft.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l514/LSchwietz/SharetheWealthWednesday-1.jpg"/> Pin It

Try Something New

I tried something new on Saturday. I tried Aerial Yoga.

In no way am I that advanced yet. I'm just beginning so the fabric is tied into a hammock.

I have my second class tonight and can't wait. For those of you who know me probably know that I hate being picked up and turned upside down but for some reason I actually enjoy this. I think it's because I feel like I have more control.

That's all for now. I have some new craft projects coming soon!

Have you tried anything new lately?

My Long Eared Loves

I want to introduce you to my Long Eared Loves.

Bailey & Isabelle

Bailey

Bailey was a Christmas present from my In-Laws. He doesn't sit like this for us anymore, but he does like head rubs.

All stretched out.

Pushing the mouse out of N's hand so his head is under N's hand instead.

Sleeping in the fireplace

We had moved out of our apartment and had talked about getting a second rabbit. About 10 months ago we had decided Bailey needed company.

We spent a couple afternoons at the MSPCA and eventually came home with this little girl, Isabelle.

The day we adopted her

Side note, my roman shades no longer look like this, Miss Isabelle used them as a chew toy. The draw backs of having house rabbits.

Snuggling with N.

Bailey and Isabelle snuggling together. 

Our rabbits are extremely spoiled. They have their own room, which is shared with the beer fridge and the husbands beer making supplies. There are cages in their room, but they are almost never shut in their cages, we gate them in their room nightly and when we aren't home. When they aren't in their room they have free reign on the kitchen/dining, living room and their room (in which they spend a majority of their time).

Pinterest....completely addicted

Before my wedding I was wondering what I was going to do with all the time that I spent googling, researching and DIYing things for my wedding. I was at a loss on what was going to occupy my time. Then I was introduced to Pinterest.

In the short amount of time I have been on I've discovered about 20 different crafts to try, more purses to sew, clothing to make and I would have to bake/cook for about a month to try all the different recipes that I've pinned. I've also created a nice long honey do list for when my husband has use of both hands again (more on this later).

Here are some of my favorites:

Thus it has come to me spending countless hours on Pinterest, repinning and pinning this, that and the other. I've come to look through craiglist on a daily basis, searching for old windows, discarded furniture and even getting my husband into it.

I have a few projects in the works from Pinterest inspiration and hope to share those with you soon.

What are some of your favorite Pins?

*Post inspired by Andrea from [Iron] Bowled Over: House United 

Quick gifts

We had a house warming party to attend on Saturday that I had rememered but had forgotten to pick up a gift. Saturday I went to my favorite vineyard, Zorvino's, right up the street and picked up 2 bottles of wine. I picked up their Bacca Z, a blackberry wine and their Fragole Z, a strawberry wine. Both are very yummy.

I decided to dress up their gift and made wine bags.

Then I remembered I have champgne flutes left from a project and placed everything in a basket.

The wine bags are very simple to make. I took my measurements from my wine bottle. Take a rectangular piece of fabric, fold the top down 3/4", stitch around the top using a 1/2 seam allowance. I like to use a contrasting thread, but you can always use a coordinating thread. Then fold the piece of fabric in 1/2, right sides together, stitch down the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Flip right side out, slip your bottle of wine in and tie a ribbon or string around the neck of the bottle.

Amy Butler Blossom Bag

I've finished the Amy Butler Blossom Bag. It's taken me a long time because I would work on it a little bit at a time. I had finished cutting out all the pieces the other day and I sat down today determined to finish it. It is by no means perfect and there are defentaly parts where I could improve upon. But it is my first post-wedding project that took more than 5 minutes.  

It's hard to see but where the flap attaches, but it could use some work.



I did not change the pattern or make any amends to it at all. However, I did use an apparel fabric instead of a home decor fabric for the exterior. The interfacing that the pattern called for is called Peltex 70. What a amazing interfacing, it is very stiff but still fexible at the same time. If you want to try the pattern out for yourself you can find it here at Sew, Mama, Sew! or you can but Amy Butler's book, Amy Butler’s Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful

It is much bigger than I anticpated but I'm excited for a new purse!