Sewing plans for spring

You should take a walk with me around the neighborhood to see how kiddy I get over spring. These past few days have been so sunny and warm, and I can't help but smile. It's the best ever! I'm a sun person through and through. I mean, rain can be fun sometimes, but most of the time, it just gets me down. 

The sun also gets me kiddy to start dreaming up ideas for my spring and summer wardrobe. I don't know why, but I'm all about warm weather clothing. People rave on and on about how autumn is the best with all the layers, but I'm a summer girl. This year I'm especially excited to sew something new as I know the summer here is longer than in Estonia, and hopefully warmer, and since I downsized considerably when we moved, it's a great start to build a new handmade spring/summer wardrobe for myself.

My parents are coming to visit in a couple of weeks, which means I can "order" some of my existing fabrics from Estonia, and I thought it would be good to gather some sewing inspiration before that.

1) Skirts & Dresses - Maxi skirts and dresses are my summer staples, so I'm definitely going to make at least one of each. I have this gorgeous black and white printed satin in my stash that's waiting to be turned into a maxi skirt since last year. And I have the perfect pleated version in my head, so expect a tutorial on the blog in a couple of months. I'm not sure about a maxi dress yet... Perhaps something along the lines of this pin I fell in love with.
I want to add another short skirt as well. I wore the Granny skirt refashion all the time these last two summers. I'd love some more variety in that department.
I've been wanting to make a simple striped knit dress for ages no, but haven't splurged on the fabric yet. Maybe this year. I'd also love to try my hand at doing a dress with some cut-outs. I think it would be a fun challenge.

2) Pants - Since I spend most of my time at home, usually crafting something on the floor, I could really use a pair of casual comfy pants. Yes, working in PJ's is pretty rad, but I tend to feel much more productive when I'm wearing an actual outfit. People have been raving about the Hudson pants, so I might give those a try.
I'm also in dire need of shorts. Currently, I have zero pairs, and I wasn't able to find anything suitable last year.

3) Tops & Tees - A few weeks ago I scored a lot of big turtlenecks from Humana, which I'm going to turn into simple tees to mix and match with the skirts. I'll definitely add another lace tee, since I loved the first one and wore it to pieces.
I have a plan to develop a very simple loose-fitting blouse pattern and share it with you guys on the blog. What do you think, anyone interested?

4) Sweaters & Cardigans - I saw this Anthropologie cardigan and thought it had a really cute but simple cut I could replicate at home. And I love the beige one above. That one's going to be a refashion (real soon). I'm also thinking of knitting a simple cotton sweater for spring. Maybe turn it into a knit-along, so all of you could join. What do you think?

Ok, that's a lot of words about sewing plans. But, now that it's out there I hope I can follow through. I feel as if I've neglected developing my sewing skills lately, and I'd really love to make an effort to learn something more this season.

Do you have special sewing plans for spring? Any patterns you want to try, or skills you would like to learn?

xo. Hanna

Ideas for DIY wrist watches

I don't know about you, but whenever I make something, I get a flood of ideas for new versions of the same idea. Are you like that as well? (No, just me?) So, I thought it would be fun to share the predecessors to the DIY watch I shared yesterday. Yep, it was not my first watch-rodeo. So, here are a few of my earlier makes in the watch department.

I made this one for Rein about a year ago. He wanted a sort of rustic watch with a wide band and a big buckle. I used an old watch of his for the head, and some studs to attach it to the wrist band. He was very happy with the result. After I had all the bits together, it was a rather simple make.

This is the watch that started the embroidered watch mania for me. For a while I was seriously contemplating doing a whole series of these for sale. But, given your massive (lol) interest in the watch auction, I guess it was the right decision not to. Seriously, though, no-one interested in an embroidered leather wrist watch? Anyone?

Last, but not least, the leather wrap watch I made for Mari Krõõt. Not a very successful make, I must admit, as the watch-head turned out to be broken, and had to be replaced. And then that one turned out to be flawed as well. I guess it simply wasn't meant to be, hah? Luckily, Mari Krõõt is a DIY queen herself now, and made herself a new one.

And, if all of this got you wanting more, you can check out my first watch DIY I did as a guest post, and take a look at yesterday's post as well.

Just in case you missed all the crumbs I've been spreading, there's still time to get that auction going and get yourself this leather watch right here!

Thanks for stopping by!

xo. Hanna

Style Inspiration: Back to School

1 - dress // 2 - cardigan // 3 - shoes // 4 - socks // 5 - bag // 6 - necklace // 7 - hat

For today's post, I thought I'd try out something new. So, Modcloth contacted me and asked me to take part in their Uniquely You campaign. The task is to take one item they give you (in this case the Red, White, and Cute dress) and create an outfit around it using up to 7 other items from their shop. I'm not usually the type to spontaneously hop on a campaign train, but, since I haven't done an inspiration post in ages, I kind of liked the idea of giving it a try. 

This autumn is the first one in 20 years when I'm not going back to school. Yes, I've been in school for the last 20 years of my life. That's a lot! As much as I look forward to this new season in my life, I kind of miss the back-to-school feeling. I remember my first days in college. Everything was new and exciting and I felt so grown up, and, also, like everything was possible. Funny, I actually feel the same way right now, although I'm a little older, a few degrees smarter, and not in college anymore. If I was a little younger, and was going to college, this is the outfit I'd love to wear. Heck, I'd wear this outfit now.

To all those of you going back to school this year, what are you most looking forward to this school-year?
To those of you no longer in school, how has the September feeling changed for you?

xo // Hanna

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(This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a sale, I will earn a small profit. This does not affect my taste nor opinions.)

My wedding moodboard

You can find all the images here

Now that our wedding is just a few weeks away (insert excited clapping and jumping up and down here), I thought I'd share some of my wedding inspiration with you. We're on a tight budget, so we've had to figure out ways to save yet still make it our dream wedding. And as you probably guessed by now, there are going to be a lot of DIY elements at our wedding. There are still a million details to figure out and make, so these 5 weeks will fly by in wedding mode. If you know any good wedding ideas or tutorials I could use, share them in the comments below.

xo Hanna

Words for the week // No.2

For this week, I chose this powerful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It's easier to be afraid and only see the obstacles along the way, than to be brave and see the opportunities ahead. I must admit, I've been more scared than brave lately. With my voice problems this past week and my last and most important final being on Wednesday, worry is quick to step into my mind, and I think we all know how that can spiral into self-pity and sadness. Both of which do absolutely no good nor help me solve the problem. So, I need to stop worrying and start believing that everything is going to be fine. I just have to keep my dreams in mind and let them lead the way.

What challenges await you this week?

Friday Favorites: DIY fun for the weekend

You know the feeling when a major exam is finally behind you and you're heart rate is back to normal? I successfully made it through 2 finals this week and I'm feeling such a big relief, I just want to spend my weekend creating and enjoying myself. I think I've earned it :). So, I thought I'd share some fun DIY ideas with you so we could be creative together.

1. I love the armcandy Kinsey made. I'm not sure my arms are made for wearing it, but I would sure want to try, because it looks so awesome on her.

2. Cat person or not, this is a great method for making cute prints to spice up a boring tee. I've been meaning to try out potato stamping for ages, and this tutorial reminded me to put it on my to-do list.

3. If there anything I can't resist, it's lace and floral. I love this shoe makeover from Tea Rose Home!

4. It's colorful and has a musical charm, so I'm sold of course. You can find the tutorial here.

5. If you're looking for an easy-to-make tote bag to carry all your summer gear, this is the tutorial to try.

I hope you're inspired to make and create this weekend! Have fun!

Summer sewing inspiration

Images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Despite the rain and cold outside, I'm getting excited about planning my summer sewing. It's sort of my end of term tradition to drool over pretty summer clothing and dream about all the pretty clothing I'll be sewing for myself once the finals madness is behind me.

My main goal this summer is to sew through as much of my existing fabric stash as humanly possible. With the prospect of maybe moving to another country and having to part with my sewing machines and fabrics for an unimaginably long time, I need to make the most of the time that's left.

Here's a list of my sewing plans for the summer:

1. Tops and Tees - I have some vintage lace curtain fabric that I want to make into a loose lace blouse. I'm loving the lace top trend this season, so I'm definitely going to make some for myself. I'd also like to add some more casual t-shirts and blouses to my wardrobe and use up the jersey in my stash. Plus, I have a couple of fancy blouse design ideas I'd love to bring to life. We'll see...

2. Dresses - I'd love to have a cute chambray number in my wardrobe, although I don't have the fabric for it yet (buying new fabric isn't exactly stash busting, I know). I'd also like to make some cute floral dresses and experiment with cut outs and low back necklines. There are definitely a couple of maxi dresses in my near sewing future. They're perfect for our summer weather - all my maxis get a ton of wear. Must make more. Oh, and then a couple of fancy dresses for performances.

3. Bottoms - I'm thinking of making a pair of short culottes in a pretty pattern. I have a super pretty mint polka dot fabric in my stash that would be perfect for it. I'd also like to add a pair of colorful trousers, and versatile skirts to my wardrobe. And, at least one pretty maxi skirt.

I'm so excited about getting started!

What are you planning to sew for this summer? Is there something you'd like to see a tutorial on?

Favorite Things: Getting inspired

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I've been feeling a little uninspired lately, or rather uncreative....no, that's not the right word either. I have a million ideas floating around in my head, but I can't seem to get going on making them in reality. I keep jotting ideas down in my notebook, but most of them stay just that - a scribble in my little black notebook. Is it possible to be inspired and uninspired at the same time?

Well, I thought that maybe the best way is just to let them be for now. Gather inspiration elsewhere and take the pressure off. I think all of us creatives feel the pressure to create sometimes. Especially when you're a blogger and you feel you should be creating new content. I've sure been feeling that pressure lately. The sad thing is that whenever I feel that way, I lose all the fun in blogging. So, my goal for the rest of the month is to get back into the fun of blogging.

Have you ever felt uninspired to create? If so, how did you get over it?

Weekend DIY Inspiration for Nesters

I don't know what it is about spring, but like birds, every year I start nesting. My head is filled with ideas for our humble abode and all I seem to see in the interweb are beautiful home decor DIYs. 

Remember the tulips I planted a while back? Well, they are growing and I can't wait for them to bloom. It got me thinking about adding even more plants to our home. And what about these adorable succulents in they're cute DIY cups.

I'd love to have more fresh flowers around. Partly because they are pretty, and partly because I just want to make these glitter vases and display them.

...or these adorable painted vases. I like colorful vases, can you tell?

Our apartment is seriously lacking wall art, and it's something I've been meaning to get around to for almost 2 years, but no improvement so far. The idea of a cross-stitched canvas has been haunting me forever. So when I saw these amazing cross-stitched wall art DIYs starting to pop up, I almost squealed. I love love love the huge cross-stitched peg board from Dream a little bigger (pictured above) and this floral mural (pictured below).

I also love this abstract piece from Ink & Adventure. I'm terribly bad at drawing, but this seems like something I could handle.

Oh, I wish I had time to do all of the above this weekend! Unfortunately, spring is always the busiest time of year for me (as you can see from the lack of posting this week), so all that good nesting energy gets pushed back. Before I know it, it's summer and the nesting phase is over. I hope this little inspiration post will remind me to start a nesting project when I have some spare time to DIY. And, I hope it inspire other nesters out there!

Refashionista Inspiration: Take a bow

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I don't know about you, but I've been feeling a little bit uninspired lately when it comes to refashioning. Hence, no original refashion today. So, I thought it would be the perfect moment to gather up some inspiration to your's and my viewing pleasure. I feel more inspired already! I already have a shoe refashion planned for this weekend. We'll see if I can carve out some time to make it happen or not, but it's so good to feel the ideas filling my mind. Bow are just the perfect combo of classic and cute. And the variations are endless really. I think I need to make a bow blouse as well...

Inspiration: My tulle skirt in progress

Making this tulle skirt of mine is quite puzzling, so I hope that you don't mind that I'm doing two more posts about it! Here you can see where I made it on the last time..

Today  started making the layers between the upper ruffled part and the underskirt. For the start I took my huge piece of tulle, folded it many times and cut it into several triangles. (My kitty was very helpful) 

The triangular shapes didn't come out as great as I hoped, because the tulle was really rumpled. So I had to reshape each piece anyway..

Then I sewed the triangles together..

Then I gathered it slightly and attached to the underskirt.

Then I made second layer and attached it too.

I Sewed the tulle layers about 6 cm away from the edge, so I could place the elastic band there later. This is going to be the tricky part, so you'll see it in the next post!

Easy Refashion: Lace embellished vest

I've always said that the easiest refashions are the best. So I wanted to share a super easy refashion idea with you today. There is more than one way to use store bought lace collars. You could also add them as embellishments on vests, jackets, even skirts or dresses. It just takes a little bit of imagination, and a couple of straight seams or hand stitches.

I bought this big lace collar on sale at my local fabric shop and used it to refashion an out-dated corduroy vest. It adds a little romantic flare and gave this vest a hippie feel. I love it when a simple refashion gives an old garment a new life!