Faux Leather Madewell Inspired Tote

Here are the results of Sewbon's leather tote DIY. I opted to use a leather-like vinyl instead of leather which makes this tote even more affordable! This bag comes together really easily, and it is the perfect size! Having the DIY version of the beautiful Madewell Transport Tote makes buying the original very appealing because I see how lovely the style is.

If you didn't already gather up supplies to make this bag, you definitely should! Who doesn't need another purse?

Charlie

A DIY to Try: Sewbon's Leather Tote

This weekend I will be giving this leather tote tutorial by Erin at Sewbon a whirl! If it interests you, you should give it a try too... I will share my results next week! Do you have any crafty plans for this weekend?

Charlie

Dainty Felt Coaster DIY

I never used to be a coaster lover until I did this DIY. Then, I discovered how easily they add character to a room. They also save on trying to get ring stains off of your coffee table!

What you need:

Multiple colors of felt

Scissors

Leather punch

Glue gun

Template

Now that you have gathered your supplies, the coasters will come together with ease. To make one coaster:

1. Print and cut out the template.

2. Using the template, cut three scalloped circles.

3. Lay them together so all the edges line up. 

4. Place a spot of glue only in the center, gluing all three pieces together.

5. Punch a hole in the middle of each scallop with your leather punch all the way around.

6. Now, finish gluing the piece together. 

7. Repeat these steps until you have a set! 

This is not the end of my coaster love. I have a few more ideas up my sleeve, so I hope some of you love coasters as much as I do! I have a feeling that some of them may even end up in the shop... an addiction has started. If you make these, nothing would make my day brighter then seeing what you come up with! 

Charlie

My Summer Reading List

All photos and excerpts are from goodreads

Where'd You Go Bernadette

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

Veronica Mars - The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first book in a thrilling mystery series that picks up where the feature film left off.
Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.
Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

The Edge of Never (#1)

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

Attachments

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "
Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.
Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

Notes From a Blue Bike

Part memoir, part travelogue, part practical guide, "Notes from a Blue Bike "takes you from a hillside in Kosovo to a Turkish high-rise to the congested city of Austin to a small town in Oregon. It chronicles schooling quandaries and dinnertime dilemmas, as well as entrepreneurial adventures and family excursions via plane, train, automobile, and blue cruiser bike.
Entertaining and compelling--but never shrill or dogmatic--"Notes from a Blue Bike "invites you to climb on your own bike, pay attention to who you are and what your family needs, and make some important choices. It's a risky ride, but it's worth it--living your life according to who you "really" are simply takes a little intention. It's never too late.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

Hollow City

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.

The Third Angel

Now, in The Third Angel, Hoffman weaves a magical and stunningly original story that charts the lives of three women in love with the wrong men: Headstrong Madeleine Heller finds herself hopelessly attracted to her sister’s fiancé. Frieda Lewis, a doctor’s daughter and a runaway, becomes the muse of an ill-fated rock star. And beautiful Bryn Evans is set to marry an Englishman while secretly obsessed with her ex-husband. At the heart of the novel is Lucy Green, who blames herself for a tragic accident she witnessed at the age of twelve, and who spends four decades searching for the Third Angel–the angel on earth who will renew her faith.

 What is on your summer reading list?

Charlie

Easter Egg Garland DIY

Just in case anyone else is last minute like me, I thought an Easter DIY was fitting! I usually don't decorate too much for Easter (because I often just start decorating for spring), but this garland works perfectly around spring decor, and on the plus side is easy to make! Go gather your craft supplies, string and fun felt colors and lets get started. 

1. Cut an oval shape from your felt colors. 

2. Decorate your eggs how ever you like. 

3. Attach circles to the back of your egg by gluing only the top and bottom. 

4. String all of your eggs together and hang! You're done!!

Tips: I like to use my Olfa circle cutter with felt. You can also sew all your eggs together on your sewing machine if you like. 

What are your favorite Easter crafts?

Charlie

DIY Wall Art - Take 2

Continuing this mini series where I attempt to cover some empty walls using only a little monies, I bring you idea number two... making a banner! I am doing my best to cover our bedroom, and the phrases continue... our bedroom wall may just end up being some kind of affirmation wall!

You will need:

Felt in 3 colors

Mini wooden rod

String

Scissors

Ruler

Favorite adhesive

Sewing machine (optional)

A print out of your saying in a font you like. 

1. Cut a piece of felt 10"x6". 

2. Fold it in half.

3. Mark an angle of your choice and cut.

4. It should look something like this!

5. Fold down an inch and sew or glue.

6. Slide the rod through and attach the string to both ends with a double knot. 

7. Now, decorate with your phrase. To create the letters, simply print our your phrase in a bold font that you like, cut out the letters, pin them to your felt and then cut again. Attach the letters using your favorite adhesive.

Now you have a cute banner to hang on your wall. I think I am going to make one for the door that says "Happy Easter". They're so simple to make and mine came together in under 30 minutes, so go gather your felt and make something fun for you walls!

If you missed the first part of this series click here.

Charlie

Felt Pansies

In an attempt to bring spring inside (without really bringing it inside... allergy queen) on this snowy day, I made some felt pansies.

I fell in love with these little pots at the craft store. Something about mini versions of big things makes me smile! Add some floral foam, felt and wire and then poof! You have a tiny, fake potted plant perfect for your coffee table.

I also placed extra flowers and leaves on the wreath for the front door. Pansies are the perfect spring flower because they can stand up to the freezing temps that always happen during spring in Michigan!

Charlie

Be Fearless

found here

Anyone else find it really hard to allow yourself to do nothing? I find it nearly impossible. I know I can't do nothing today, but I am definitely going to try to do nothing soon!

Happy Weekend!

Charlie

Mini Scalloped Envelope DIY with Template

I love when things come in mini sizes (2.5"x3.5")... especially envelopes, they're just so cute! I often use them to send thank you notes with orders, though they would make a cute edition to the gift bag DIY from earlier this week, or to leave little words of encouragement around for people to find! I guess the possibilities are kind of endless because they would be great for Project Life and art journaling too.

You will need: 

cute scrapbooking paper (you can get 3 out of a 12x12 sheet)

template

scissors 

instant bond adhesive (tape runner, two sided tape, etc)

bone folder

1. Print your template and cut it out.

2. Trace the template onto the back of scrapbooking paper.

3. Cut it out.

4. Fold on the fold lines, sides first and then the bottom. Crease them with the bone folder.

5. Add adhesive where the bottom flap overlaps the sides. Be careful not to glue the envelope shut!

6. Fold down the flap and you're done!

Now, go gather your things and make lots of envelopes. I promise they're super simple and lots of fun. Don't forget to grab the template!

Charlie

50 in 2014

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Dexter is Delicious - I am not sure why I am continuing to read this series. I guess it is just because I hope that it could be good again. This book was ok... but just ok. If I wasn't listening to it while I sew, I wouldn't be able to finish it.

Dexter Morgan's happy homicidal life is undergoing some major changes. He's always live by a single golden rule - he kills only people who deserve it. But the Miami blood-spatter analyst has recently become a daddy - to an eight-pound curiosity named Lily Anne - and strangely, Dex's dark urges seem to have left him. Is he ready to become an overprotective father? To pick up soft teddy bears instead of his trusty knife, duct tape, and fishing wire? What's a serial killer to do? (excerpt from goodreads)

The Whole Stupid Way We Are - This book... THIS BOOK... It stays with you. When I finished it, I was so mad about the lack of information that I felt like I wasted my time getting to know these characters. Then, for the next week or so, they just stuck with me. I would wander off in thought thinking about Skint. Bravo N. Griffin, I love books that linger! 

It’s Maine. It’s winter. And it’s FREEZING STINKIN’ COLD! Dinah is wildly worried about her best friend, Skint. He won’t wear a coat. Refuses to wear a coat. It’s twelve degrees out, and he won’t wear a coat. So Dinah’s going to figure out how to help. That’s what Dinah does—she helps. But she’s too busy trying to help to notice that sometimes, she’s doing more harm than good. Seeing the trees instead of the forest? That’s Dinah. And Skint isn’t going to be the one to tell her. He’s got his own problems. He’s worried about a little boy whose dad won’t let him visit his mom. He’s worried about an elderly couple in a too-cold house down the street.
But the wedge between what drives Dinah and what concerns Skint is wide enough for a big old slab of ice. Because Skint’s own father is in trouble. Because Skint’s mother refuses to ask for help even though she’s at her breaking point. And because Dinah might just decide to…help. She thinks she’s cracking through a sheet of ice, but what’s actually there is an entire iceberg. (excerpt from goodreads)

Shiver - This book has been on my to-read list for some time. I was nervous to read another book about wolves, which was a stupid concern. Maggie Stiefvater did a beautiful job coming up with her own version of a wolf and did an even better job weaving in a love story. It is beautiful, and not like Twilight in my opinion. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the next two!

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. (excerpt from goodreads)

Have you read any of these? Do you plan to? What are you reading? I love book recommendations!

Charlie

Simple Fabric Gift Bag DIY

This bag is super easy to make and it gives your gift an extra little boost. Plus, this bag can be reused for lots of different things. You could even make one just to carry your groceries!

What you need:
Utility fabric - bag fabric
Thread
Scissors
Ruler
Sewing machine

1. Fold the strap piece in half, wrong sides together, and sew. Do this for both.
2. Fold down one inch and sew on both pieces.
3. Attach handles on the wrong side on the fabric.
4. Pin fabric right sides together and sew around.
5. Sew to square corners (I did 4").Then cut off the excess.
6. Turn inside right and you're done!

You can change the size to fit the size of your gift. I just so happened to be making something for a bigger gift! If you have any questions, please let me know... and if you make one I'd love to share it here, send me pictures!

Charlie

Currently

I am...

beyond happy that March is over!
making a new spring wreath.
reading Just One Day.
catching up on Project Life.
wishing I was on a warm, sunny beach.
listing new earrings in the shop.
trying to figure out a plan to make April the best month yet!

What are you up to?

Charlie