Hold On to Your Dreams

Photography by me

Hello and happy pending-weekend bloggy friends! A little bit ago I shared a week's worth of my photos as the Inspiration Daily content each day of that week. I have to admit that it was pretty nerve-wracking for me since I'm generally much more comfortable spotlighting other people and keeping myself out of it. Anyhow, your response was so lovely and several of you asked for me to keep sharing, so I thought I'd try out having Fridays as my personal photo post day. I hope you will enjoy them (and thanks for putting up with me if it's not your thing). xo Ez

DIY Embellished Iron-On Transfers with Free Printable

Hello lovelies! I recently dreamed up these created two Embellished Iron-On Transfer tees as Christmas gifts for two little sweeties in my life. It seems that anyone with a love of cute might appreciate receiving them though, so I've made them both available for you to print and enjoy in your own crafting/gifting projects. I chose to use t-shirts for my project, but you could create yours on any natural textile - tote bags, aprons, cushion covers, stockings, and more.

First we have the Tutu Cute Snowy Owl Iron-on Transfer:

SUPPLIES:
Iron-on transfer paper for your kind of printer (inkjet or laser)
Light colored t-shirt or textile goods (cottons and natural fabrics are best)
Iron
Scissors
Light-weight fabric piece (such as chiffon) at least 8” x 8” per project
Sewing needle
Thread (in a color that matches your fabric)

HOW TO:

Download Free Owl Iron-on Design

Print owl design (choose between printing a single design or three). Print only the page you want.
Follow usage directions found with your iron-paper for printing, cutting, and ironing.

Print the circular template on this page onto standard paper. Alternately you can create freehand circles or trace around an object in your home that is about 2” across.
Use your circular template to cut out 7-8 circles from your light-weight fabric of choice.
Follow directions for assembling a fabric flower found on Hey! Jen Renee blog.
Add a few additional stitches to the center of your flower, piercing your needle through all layers a little ways into your flower. This will cause your flower to flatten slightly into a tutu-like shape.
Attach your flower tutu to your prepared owl textile by sewing through both your owl design and your flower tutu several times. Once it feels secure knot your thread to finish.

And then we have the Little Washer Robot Iron-on Transfer:

SUPPLIES:
Iron-on transfer paper for your kind of printer (inkjet or laser)
Light colored t-shirt or textile goods (cottons and natural fabrics are best)
Small metal washers from your local department store. 3+ per project.
Iron
Scissors
Sewing needle
Thread (in any colors you'd like. I used red, yellow, and green)

HOW TO:

Download Free Robot Iron-on Design

Print robot design (choose between printing a single design or three). Print only the page you want.
Follow usage directions found with your iron-paper for printing, cutting, and ironing.

Attach individual metal washers to your prepared robot textile with at least 5 stitches around each
washer. Be creative with placement. Once your washers feel secure securely knot your thread to finish.

I hope you will enjoy making your own versions of these projects. I'd love to see your finished results if you do. xo Ez

Update on Thursday, November 11, 2010 by Ez

A special note: Please use caution when crafting for small children. Some parts in this project are small and could pose a choking hazard if not secured well enough.

In Search of the Perfect Coat

{This Bridge & Burn Coat is a top contender}

Okay guys...I'm looking for a chic and warm winter jacket and I need your super sleuthing skills. Will you help me? The style I'm shooting for is polished, but not fussy. I gravitate towards pieces that are more masculine (like motorcycle and military cut coats) but don't want to look like I'm wearing a costume. I'd like it to be a jacket that I can wear for years (so nothing that's overly trendy). Ultimately I hope to spend less than $200 on it, but am willing to go higher if it is the coat of my dreams.

So what do you think? Can you help me on my hunt? If so (hooray), please post links to your picks in the comment section here and I'll share my favorites and let you all know what I end up buying in an upcoming post. Sound good? Let the search begin! xo Ez

Today I Love: Stylist Randi Brookman Harris

Stylists amaze me! I mean, having the ability to take raw elements such as a stack of books and chairs, or a pile of fabric and ribbons and create visual magic with them is, well, magic! Stylist and creative director Randi Brookman Harris is one such talent and I just can't get enough of her work (especially the lavender and orangey-red shots - swoon). These are only a few images (a teaser), so head over to her portfolio for more eye candy. You know you want to. xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 11. 11. 10

Image credits: 1. Grapes , 2. Untitled, 3. Untitled, 4. Pears