DIY Circle "Minnie" Skirt

This was my first time working with elastic where it turned out elastic!  Most of the time I end up sewing the elastic and having end up with zero slack to even put it on!  Now after finding this pin and reading through the tutorial and following it step by step I've successfully made my first elastic skirt!

Original Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/231724343298826745/

Pin Rating: 5

Last month I posted this photo of the a circle mini skirt that I made for the Color Me Rad and mentioned I was going to do a tutorial of it on the blog.  One month later and I'm sitting her writing my blogpost and I still don't have a blog tutorial!  I started making a Vine video as I was making my 2nd skirt and then realized I had made a mistake in my fabric measurements therefore throwing the whole video out the window.  So instead of holding off on this blogpost I decided to just post some photos of the finished product.  The original pin I gave a 5/5 pin rating so be sure to check out the original tutorial by Dana Made It.  She has great step by step instructions and even tells you how to make measurements for a pattern.  I did manage to make a vine on the pattern though, so enjoy it below!

As seen on my Instagram account.

Here's a head to toe shot.  I didn't really put on a dressy top, but thought this T-shirt was fitting. :)

Don't you just love the way the skirt ruffles at the bottom??

No Carve Lace Pumpkin

Pin rating: 4.5
Original Pin: www.pinterest.com/pin/241998179948381288/

Another Halloween related blogpost today!  I love love love Halloween.  Or maybe I just love the holidays.  I believe October kicks off the holiday season right?  Today's post is similar to last year's no carve pumpkin decorating I did.  Don't remember it?  Click the link to check out my Bedazzled pumpkin post.  I picked this no carve pumpkin design for a few of reasons.

Spekuloos Spread Cupcakes

Pin Rating: 5
Original Pin Here but it doesn't link to the original baker/blogger so if you want to check out the photos and step by step, go here: http://bakedbree.com/biscoff-cupcakes-with-biscoff-buttercream

I kid you not, I am eating one of these cupcakes as I write this blogpost.  They are delicious.  If you're a fan of Biscoff spread or cookies, then you'll be a fan of Spekuloos Spread.  My friend recently went to NY and brought me back some Wafels and Dinges Spekuloos spread.  Normally you would have some of the spread on top of waffles but I decided to look for a recipe to make them into cupcakes!  I ended up making them for my brother for his birthday rather quickly so I didn't stop to do step by step photos.  

However, I believe Bree did a fantastic job of the step by step process and this was too good not to share.  This is the perfect fall cupcake to have at your Halloween parties so be sure to check it out! Don't have Spekuloo? Use biscoff spread like they did in the original recipe. Also try checking at Trader Joes in your area if you have one. 

*Edit* Adding the recipe below for conveinence.

1st project with the Fiskars mat

As I'm sitting here still debating if I should make a dress or a skirt I couldn't help but use my cutting mat and blade for the first time so I decided to try it out on the little remnant piece of fleece that I had recently purchased.  I had bought the piece hoping I can turn it into a pillow case of some sort, but unfortunately the piece was long instead of wide.  Lucky for me, it was the perfect scarf length!  So what better to make with some fleece than a no sew scarf??  All I did was trim the edges and then fray the bottom by 2.5 inches.  And of course I couldn't help make a video to show how easy it was to use the rotary blade.

My Trip to JoAnn and What Should Be My Next Project?

My trip to JoAnn last week was a short but exciting one. If any of you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed I posted the add for 50% off Fiskars products during the Joann Labor Day sale and saying I was going to get it. Well, I did! I had to leave for a camping trip that afternoon so I made sure to go to JoAnn in the morning.

As soon as I stepped through the doors I couldn't help but notice the new spot for the licensed fabrics. Up front and plainly in sight. It definitely got my attention! I strolled through the aisle and was pretty giddy about what I saw so I snapped some photos because I really wanted to share with everyone the new selection of fabric that they had. I'm sure some of you may have already seen it since I'm not sure when the last time I was in JoAnn's was but I'm sure you can be excited about it again with me. :)

DIY Map & Junk Mail Envelopes

I never paid attention to the inside of the junk mail envelope until I started working with EcoMonster.  She showed me the beauty of the inside of the junk mail letters and how to use them for scrapbooking paper or designs for cork coaster.  Today I'm posting some quick photos on how to convert your own junk mail into fun and beautiful envelopes.  I recently used this envelope to send to my pen pal.  :)  Yup, you heard me right, my pen pal.  I joined the Post Mark Society via www.postable.com earlier this summer and have been exchanging letters with my pen pal.  It basically a pen pal group for bloggers created by bloggers.  :)

One thing I love about pen pal letters is that you don't see too much of it anymore since we have the internet, emails, Facetime, etc.  Another thing is that you can let your personality shine through your letters and envelopes!  So after so many camping trips this summer I have a nice pile of park brochure maps stacking in my room.  The quality of the maps is pretty durable so I decided it would make the perfect envelope!

What you'll need:

• Junk mail envelope
• Park Maps (or any other sturdy scrap paper you have laying around)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Pen

EcoMonster's Opening Night Event Recap

Last Friday I had the pleasure of working with EcoMonster to help out with her Opening Night & Silent Auction Event.  It was also the kick off event for the Cat Walk - a new vending opportunity in San Jose. It was super busy and a little hectic leading up to the event, but it was a fun filled night and great times with good company.  Here's a photo recap of the event.  (I linked the vendors' Pintrest pages where I could.)