another beauty of a quote

to be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. -- e. e. cummings


Go enjoy being YOU on this gorgeous spring day!
xoxo
R.

quote of the day.

I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars. -- Walt Whitman


So go out and enjoy the day unfolding around you!
xo.
Rachel

growing green.

One nice thing about our new house is that there is so much room outside that there is plenty of room for a garden.

So we're going to plant a garden. A huge one.
I mean it's gonna take all 4 adults that live in the house to maintain this sucker.
Just a huge, huge garden.

This is a first for A. (hubs) and I.
I don't really have a "green thumb."
I have more of a "black" thumb, really.

Meaning I can kill almost anything in a matter of days/weeks.
For example, my sister still has an orchid from my wedding (almost a year ago.)
I had 2 and they both died within a month.

But I digress.
Back to this ginormous garden we're gonna plant (once it is dry enough to till, at least. Too much rain this week :/ )

So all this talk of planting, and what to plant, and when to plant it, and so on, has got me thinking about...well...plants.

Cool ways to display them.
Cool ways to grow them.
Basically, just how they're, like, cool.

So here's some stuff that I've found and really love and want to try!

Mason jar gardens!
Old Mason jars are everywhere right now, but this is honestly one of the coolest uses I've seen for them.

Find the DIY here:
http://camillestyles.com/2011/transformed-mason-jar-herb-garden/

Man, how I wish I'd seen this last year-- how to garden with limited space. Pallet gardens!
DIY here:
 http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/gardening-without-a-garden-10-ideas-for-your-patio-or-balcony-renters-solutions-167221











I can't talk about plants without mentioning terrariums.
They are getting pretty popular, and it's probably because they are cool as hell.
I want one. But like I mentioned before, I have kind of a "black" thumb.
I don't mean kind of. I do.
So I've been afraid to actually make one and then have it all die. Because that would be devastating. It would probably break my heart and I'd never be able to try to grow anything ever again.

So for now I've just been looking at them :)
My friend Anji has a couple of shops on Etsy, and one of them has terrariums with all the trimmings.
Look at this stuff, it's so gorgeous!


This is one of Anji's terrariums. Look at all that moss!

I love terrariums because they are a fabulous way to bring some nature into your home in a contained (great for kids) and inspired way.
Anji has a moss terrarium diy here:
http://resonanteye.net/2011/12/22/moss-terrariums-a-primer/


You can get all your supplies here, or pick up one of Anji's :)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperanjii

Another terrarium from paperanji:

A gorgeous moss specimen you can pick up from Anji's shop.

You could make a terrarium in a LIGHTBULB.
Sorry, that is just too. freakin'. cool.
DIY tutorial here:
http://thehipsterho.me/2010/01/how-to-make-a-tiny-terrarium-in-a-light-bulb/

Try planting some succulents (my grandma always called them Hens N Chicks) in a snail shell for a tiny little garden!
DIY here: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2012/01/how-to_mini_shell_succulent_pl.html

And I have to say something really quick about air plants.
They are a black thumb's dream.
They don't even need soil to grow, just water and light.

They've become huge online, especially on Etsy. Just go to Etsy.com and type in air plants, and you'll be amazed by all of them. Lots of different colors, shapes, and especially ways to display them. Hang them from the ceiling, grow them straight out of the wall....the possibilities with these plants are just about endless.





So that's my (HUGE) post about all things growing green!
Hope I've inspired (or at least briefly entertained) you.

Now, I really should go and work on my actual garden instead of just looking at all these amazing pictures.

If you have a totally killer garden I would LOVE to see it!

xo.
Rachel

so i found this quote today...

and the heart that is awake soonest to flowers is always the first to be touched by the thorns. -- thomas moore




and I thought it was pretty beautiful.
That is all.

xo
R.

chevron friendship bracelets

I stumbled upon these woven bracelets while surfing the internet, and they just reminded me so much of my childhood when I could sit and braid friendship bracelets for hours.

The tutorial I found showed how to weave chevron patterned bracelets.
They looked so very cute and cool.
And this was another craft that would cost me nothing! All you need is embroidery floss* and scissors.

Have I mentioned how fabulous I think free is?
I have?
Okay, sorry. I just really, really love something for nothing.

*A note on the embroidery floss. I think it's actually pretty important to use this when making these bracelets. I didn't think so at first, so I attempted to make one with colored hemp I had lying around. It was cute, but the hemp was so rough and hard that it didn't stay long enough to fit around my wrist and was pretty un-pliable. I'm now using that trainwreck as a bookmark :)
It did give me time to practice the weave though, which was a plus.

Here's how to do it (you can also find the original tutorial here: http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-friendship-bracelet/):
1. Pick 4 colors of embroidery floss. I choose bright colors that show up well against each other. Cut 2 strands of each color, at least 24 inches long.

2. Make a knot, leaving about 3 inches of thread hanging free on the end. Tape or anchor down this end to something to hold it while you weave.

3. Alright, we are ready to weave. I didn't start taking pictures until I had done several rows, so you can see what it is supposed to look like.

Choose which color will be your "outside" color. Mine is purple. You want to have an order for your colors, so that the same colors are on the outside left and outside right, with the same colors next to them, and the next color beside them, with 2 of the same color in the middle.

Sorry, I know that is really confusing. Here is my order from left to right: String #1 Purple, #2 Yellow, #3 Blue, #4 Pink, #5 Pink, #6 Blue, #7 Yellow, #8 Purple.

4. Take the outside string on the left and hold it over the string next to it in a 4 shape. ^^^

Now take the end of your outside string, loop it under the second string, and pull it up slowly, knotting it at the top (make sure your outside color is on top of the knot!)

Do this twice on each string. You have to remember to knot each string twice, or else your bracelet will have some problems (like mine does.) If you think you haven't knotted twice, be sure to check before going on weaving. I didn't catch some of my knots were missing until I was way past the point of tearing them all out (which is a real pain) so now my bracelet has a couple of, um,....funks in it. 

See, here I am knotting my outside string on the next color in the sequence, which is blue. Remember to use the 4 shaped knot for your left side strings. Knot each string twice until you get your outside purple string to the middle. THEN STOP. I didn't stop the first time (okay, so I made a lot of mistakes. Sue me :P )

5. Okay, repeat this knotting process from the RIGHT side now. When going from the right side, use a P shaped knot instead of the 4 shape. It's backwards.

^^ Here is my outside right string making the P shape over the string to its left.

6. Once both of your "outside" strings are in the middle, it should look something like this:

Now, make the P shape with the right middle string over the left middle string, and knot it twice, just like all the others.

7. Repeat this process, over, and over, and over, with each color.
It's hard to remember which color goes when at first, but as the pattern comes out you'll be able to see it much easier.

8. Once your chevron pattern is long enough (I measured mine on my wrist, and when it had just covered my wrist around the sides but not all the way around to the back I stopped weaving) knot the strings again, close up to the pattern. Now you can braid the loose strings (or not!) and just tie the bracelet on.

Finished product? A simple, cute and comfortable (the embroidery floss is really soft!) bracelet that didn't cost me a dime. :)

Some thoughts on this project: This takes a long, long time. Once you get used to the weave and get a rhythm it gets faster, but it is still kind of frustrating. I'd recommend doing making these bracelets while watching tv, riding in the car (please, not while driving though :P) or maybe while your daughter throws tantrums that you are "ignoring" in the background.

I mean, it's a whole lot of weaving. You're gonna weave until you fingers get tired, and then you're gonna have to keep on weaving.

Once you get your pattern good and established, it is possible to put the bracelet aside to finish later. Which might be wise, cause I swear your fingers will  get tired.

So what I'm saying is, if you make these as true-to-your-4th-grader-inside-yourself friendship bracelets, I assume you're making at least 2 of them. And they must be for someone you really consider a great friend, because it is gonna take you forever.

But, I am usually oh-so-bored....so I've already picked out my colors for bracelet number 2! I need to get the technique down perfect before I make any for friends....and I'm sure I'll end up wasting about a 1/3 of my life braiding these things. 

I admit, they look better the more of them you are wearing. Go checkout the post that inspired my post and you'll see their gorgeous pictures of some very stylish lady sporting several of these babies at once. I love the look of them! http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-friendship-bracelet/

In conclusion, throw-backs to your childhood are fun....and this one made me think I had a lot of patience as a kid! If you yourself are oh-so-bored-and-crafty, I suggest making these bracelets. Possibly with friends. Or by yourself with a glass of wine and some trashy tv, like I did. :)

xo
Rachel

quote of the day...

find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough. -- emily dickinson


I have an obsession with good quotes. I collect them like other people collect stamps or shoes or vintage handbags.

So I'm going to try to feature as many of my favorites as I can. 

Enjoy :)
xo
Rachel

vintage inspiration

I have had home decor on the brain for like, a month now. 

I (well, my family and I) recently moved in with my sister. She has a big house and the whole upstairs was empty, so that's where we are now. We have 2 rooms and a landing area (I've been calling it our little studio apartment, sans kitchen and bathroom), and it is in need of some serious decorating! 

I'm so so so loving the soft, vintage feel to these photos! Really wish I could get my "house" to look this shabby fabulous, but I am thinking that it would take a whole lot of work. Which is bad, cause I don't like work.

But I guess I'll do what it takes to take this place from shabby to shabby fab.

So, I'm looking around for some EASY ideas (sorry, I'm just sort of lazy, and of course on a budget).

I'll share some of my favorite vintage inspiration with you, lovelies:

 



A beat-up vintage ladder becomes a delightful bookcase!

via
http://www.kristanlynn.com/2011/05/redecorating-by-repurposing.html

Gorgeous! Mason jar key hooks. I'd love one to hang all our spring jackets on (I can just picture one with jackets and our rainboots sitting underneath!)

DIY tutorial here:
http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/04/mason-jar-key-hook.html

Vintage thread spools as necklace holders: I swear I am doing this, and all my inventory for WoodlandTrinkets will be organized AND it will look amazing!

Find the DIY here:
http://www.designsponge.com/2010/06/diy-project-haylies-spool-hooks.html

VINTAGE HANKIES!
Oh, how I love them. Don't these ones look adorable, all ironed and lined up? They'd be so cute hanging from a clothesline, or to make a vintage bunting/garland to hang over the door!

via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dottieangel/4430978844/


So many pretty things. I wonder how my husband would feel about all the girly vintage stuff taking over our rooms....eh, who cares what husbands really think anyway?

Hope I've inspired you a bit as well :)
More crafts and lurverly photos to come!

xo
Rachel

*top photo via http://www.tidystuff.com/vintage-bedroom-ideas-with-beautiful-design/

Woven T-Shirt Headbands

I found instructions for do-it-yourself woven headbands made from old t-shirts and they were so cute, I had to try them for myself.
Three things I LOVED about this project:
1. It's so easy!
2. The results are pretty darn cute.
3. I had everything I needed already at home...in other words, this project was TOTALLY FREE! (and really, that's the very best part.)

Here's my finished result ^^

 I'll take you through a quick step-by-step.
What you'll need: a t-shirt or soft pants, scissors, needle and thread. That is quite literally it. I know, it's fabulous.

1.First find a soft old t-shirt that you like the color of (I used the legs off a pair of jersey tee pajama pants. Sexy, right?...Alright, I know they're not. That's why I'm cutting them up. I liked working with the legs of the pants because the strips you cut out are really long and mostly all the same length.)

2. Cut the material into strips. (I cut the legs of the pants off around the crotch, then cut up one side of a seam inside. Then I cut the strips, trying to keep them all about the same width. I didn't use a ruler, so mine came out a little uneven, but it didn't matter in the end.

I ended up with 12 strips of material (not counting the 2 strips that had the seams, which I tossed.) You could end up with more or less, depending on how wide you cut your strips. Obviously, one pant leg is enough to make at least 2 headbands.

3. Take 5 strips of material and stack them, laying flat on top of each other Stitch together the ends (you can do a clumsy stitching job here if you're not used to sewing--I sure did.)

4. Now lay the stitched ends down flat and fan out the strips. You may need to tape or anchor down the end so it won't move around while you're weaving. Pull the strips till the edges curl up so they look nice and round.

5. It's time to start weaving! This is so easy, but it does take a minute to explain/understand if you haven't done it before.
Start on your left side. Braid the strip on the FARTHEST LEFT with the one to the RIGHT of it. Then braid the new, middle strip with the one on the RIGHT of it.
Take this "middle" strip (the one that is in the middle of all 5 strips) and pull it over to the right. Now you're going to do the same braid, but BACKWARDS. So grab the strip on the FARTHEST RIGHT and braid it with the one to the LEFT of it. Then take this middle strip and braid it with the one to the LEFT of it. Take the strip that is now on the LEFT of the right side and pull it back over to the left side.
Repeat this process over, and over, and over, and over, until your strips are woven all the way down.

Here's mine when it's almost done of the way down ^^

6. When your headband is long enough (remember, it should be smaller than your head so that it will fit tight!) stitch these ends together too. Trim off any excess material.

7. Stitch this end and the other end and stitch the 2 together. Again, these don't have to be pretty stitches. We are gonna cover them up in a minute.

8. Once the ends are stitched together, your headband is actually functional at this point. Now, to cover up those (unsightly, in my case) stitches. Take a piece of material that is WIDER than your ends and will cover them, and stitch it onto the back side. Wrap it around and stitch the other end to the backside, being careful not to let any stitches come through the front of this "cover piece."

Now, let's see the results!

You can use the cover piece to clip bows and flowers to. So cute for little ones! Here is my headband (I made a me-sized one first, Ellie-sized is next up!) with one of my daughter's clip on flowers:

Thank you to Ashley for the fabulous tutorial from this website (you can also follow her tutorial here, as I am sure it's less confusing than mine):
http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/06/repurposing-tshirts-into-5-strand-braided-headbands.html

Happy crafting :)
xoxo

Rachel

Welcome to my blog!

I've never done this before, so please be gentle. {ha, ha, wink, wink}

I hope to feature several posts a week about all manner of awesome things, especially fun, crafty ideas for d-i-y home decor and fashion (on a budget, of course!) I'm sure I'll also be sharing other fabulous websites and blogs I find as I stumble my way through the internet.

I also run 2 shops on Etsy, one for vintage finds and one for handmade, one of a kind glass bottle jewelry and other treasures. Check them out if you are a fan of either vintage or handmade jewelry (unless, of course, you found me from there. If so, check back often anyway :))

hiphistoryvintage.etsy.com

woodlandtrinkets.etsy.com

Anyway, welcome to my little corner of the internet. I hope you find something that can make your day a little brighter, or your world a bit more beautiful!

xoxo

Rachel 

Coming tomorrow: My adventures with upcycled t-shirt headbands! They're gonna be cute, I swear (and if they're not, there will at least be some humorous pictures of me modeling the not-so-cute results.)