LA

We have a new Etsy Shop!! (news & giveaways)

A few months ago, we soft opened our Freckled Nest Etsy shop and we've been adding new handmade items every few weeks... it's starting to really come together and I'm having a lot of fun working on it!! Today I did a 'Rocky, top of the steps' dance after taking a certain photo for our next update ;) I also made a rarrr/cheering fans sound. ahem.

Our etsy shop is FreckledNest.etsy.com and it features necklaces, accessories and photo albums ideal for instant photos-- photo booth strips, instax and instagram* so far! Everything in our shop has a fun, tongue & cheek names that reference women in pop culture-- since Kyla & I are both pop culture addicts. You can see who we're referencing in the description of each item... makes a fun guessing game ;) 

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Enter the Giveaway:

Entry #1 - Share your favorite item(s) from our shop in the comments of this post.

Entry #2 - Get a second chance to win if you write a tweet about the giveaway linking to this post with a #FreckledNestgiveaway hashtag. 

Two lucky winners will receive a $25 Freckled Nest Shop credit!

Note: One winner will be drawn from the blog comment entires, One from tweets with link & hashtag. Winners will be drawn randomly next week.

These are some of my favorite things... 

PHOTOBOOTH ALBUMS ($20ea)

1. Heidi Photobooth Album  2. Vintage wallpaper cover with heart, acid free pages, fits 12 photostrips.  3. Annie Photobooth Album  4. One of my albums (with my siblings in 2007, Amber and Me in 2010)

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NECKLACES ($18-$25)

1. Celine Airplane Necklace  2. Kate Envelope Necklace  3. Our Locket Joke ;)  4. Amelie Tiny Key Necklace  5. Our photo guide to help you pick the best necklace length for your body type (32" or 36" long)  6. Sara Leaf Necklace (& packaging sample)

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INSTAX-MINI PHOTO ALBUMS ($16ea)

1. Jackie Instax Album  2. Vintage catalogue cover, acid free pages, fits 10 instax mini photos  3. Sample Instax-Mini Album  4. Diana Instax Album

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UPCYCLED FLOWERET BROOCHES ($14-$16, limited stock)

1. Floweret Brooches (made from upcycled felted wool, hand stitched)  2. Elinior Pink Brooch (& Kyla)  3. Claire Cream Brooch

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VINTAGE GOODIE BAGS ($17ea)

1. Vintage Goodie Bag Collection (Each package includes a hand crafted pouch and snap bracelet made from recycled ties and a vintage scarf!)  2. Cherry Vintage Goodie Bag  3. Laura Vintage Goodie Bag  4. Tie Cuff Sample  5. The Little Family :)

Hope you like our handmade goods & new shop,

xo!! Rocky

 

Don't forget to... Enter the Giveaway: 

Entry #1 - Share your favorite item(s) from our shop in the comments of this post.

Entry #2 - Get a second chance to win if you write a tweet about the giveaway linking to this post with a #FreckledNestgiveaway hashtag. 

Two lucky winners will receive a $25 Freckled Nest Shop credit!

Note: One winner will be drawn from the blog comment entires, One from tweets with link & hashtag. Winners will be drawn randomly next week.

My new Hats :)

Over the past year, I've fallen in love with knit and crocheted beanies and caps! I wanted to have more options beyond my olive and tan touques (Canadian word) and I found Cardboard Mansion on etsy :) Many of Melissa's hand crocheted hats have vintage twists like a turned brim or cloche design and I love the color selection and subtle femininity :) So much so that I bought five! lol

When my package arrived, each hat was individually wrapped with so much love and care! I love when Etsians make it feel like you're receiving a gift their heart :)

If you're looking for a pretty hat, I recommend Cardboard Mansion!

xoxo, Leigh-Ann

DIY: Button Collar for your Pet

[Originally posted in early 2010, Style School] I'd secretly always wished that Lola and I looked alike (you know, bowsers.) and I made my wish come true... I made Lola a button collar that matched my yellow & orange glasses! :) I've been making Lola and Tom (my two dogs) button collars for a few years and they hold up surprisingly well & we receive so many compliments at the dog park :) Lola loves hers and but after Tom's puppyhood passed, Keith said he needed something a little more buff ;)

Using buttons & just a few supplies, I'd like to show you a fun & easy way to add personality and style to your pets collar or leash :) This project best suits cats and dogs of any size and is a really fun way to give your sweetie a little flare!

Me and Lola are clearly related!! (Keith custom painted my glasses with my favorite colors... we're planning to do a DIY post together about how you can do this too). Check out our dressed up little family...

Supplies:

Select a nylon pet collar that fits your Cat or Dog (these kind do not work as well, choose the metal buckle kind). You will also need buttons, embroidery thread or strong/thick thread, pointy needle and scissors.

Little Suggestions:

• Pick out buttons in a color scheme that suits you or your pets style.
• Lola's collar took 18 buttons but each collar varies depending on the collar length and button sizes.
• Choose thick/strong buttons, avoiding any with cracks or weak spots.
• If your pet has dark fur, bright buttons look best. For light fur...dark buttons are a hit.
• Try to choose buttons that span the width of the collar or leash (not too much overhang).

1/ Lay the buttons out on the collar so that you can measure the right amount and visualize your pattern and flow :) Be careful not to put buttons over the collar holes or too close to the buckle closure.

2/ Once you're happy with your button choices and layout, slide them off the collar and keep them in a row in front of you.

3/ Cut an embroidery thread the length of your full wing-span (arms out, from hand to hand), then use this technique to avoid tying extra knots; it makes things way easier :)

4/ Start at either end of your collar and begin sewing the buttons onto the front side. I used a long/strong needle so that it was easy to aim & push through the holes.

5/ You will use the same thread to attach the buttons one by one (no need to tie a knot behind each button, that would make the collar weak). If you run out of thread along the way, tie it off as shown here and start a new thread the same way as the step 3. It's important to stitch 3-4 times per button, pulling the thread snug with each stitch (do not yank too hard though).

Tip/ As you continue sewing on your row of buttons, you might find it hard to grip the needle or pull it through tough spots. My solution for this is to use office supply rubber fingertips... it's better than a thimble! (Sometimes I cut one side so it can sit looser on my thumb).

Rubber fingergrips are helpful for any type of stitching or embroidery :)

6/ When your thread runs out or you're done stitching, take half of the thread (3 strands) out of the needle-eye. Leave half in (3 strands). On the backside where your stitching ends, weave the needle under the nylon a little bit (or under a stitch works). Then take the needle off and tie the two threads in 3-4 knots (don't tug crazy-hard, just firmly). Trim the thread tails near the knot. Now go dress up your furry friend, you're a great pet mom (or dady)!

Pet Leash:

Your button leash will be made exactly the same way as the collar, except that it will take more buttons & thread. On my leash, I sewed buttons on one side starting at the clip, heading all the way up to the beginning of the leashes handle loop. If you think your dog will want to chew at the buttons on the leash, then it would be better to start the pattern a little higher so that it's out of your buddies reach ;)

A few collars I've made... (Tom's first puppy collar... we saved it :)

Safety Tip: Please check your pets collar monthly to make sure your stitches are holding up. Lola and Tom's collars start to look beat up after about half a year, then I give them makeovers :)

I'd love to see pictures of your sweet pet wearing your handmade Button Collar-- please share a photo link in the comments (or email me) if you wanna show it off!

xox, Leigh-Ann & the Pups

DIY: Needlebook

This little Needle Book is the perfect place to keep your pins and needles-- with room for expansion :) It take only 15 minutes to make, tucks away easily in your tool kit and can be the perfect little gift for a friend! Hope you enjoy this fun craft that's super useful, enjoy!

1/ Pick a Color Scheme and Gather Supplies. You Will Need:

• One Piece of Vinyl, Leather or Non-Fraying Fabric
• Sheet of Felt (we'll cut three 3.5x5" rectangles from it)
• Button with Shank/Stem
• Two Pieces of 16" Thin Cord, Hemp or Ribbon
• 1 Bead
• Embroidery Thread

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Large Needle that fits cord
• Needle for Thread
• Alligator Clip
• Piercing Tool Optional

2/ Cut your vinyl to measure 4 x 5.5 inches. Cut felt into three rectangles measuring 3.5x5" each.

3/ Layer and center 3 felt pages on top of vinyl and clip 4 layers together along the right side.

4/ Thread your large needle with the colored cord.

A/ To begin sewing your spine, fold the vinyl/felt layers in half to find the center (another example). Then about a half inch from the top, poke the needle through from the back to the front.

Tip/ If you find it hard to pull the needle through, use a piercing tool to wide the hole a little bit. An even better solution-- use rubber fingertips to grip the needle while tugging.

B/ Complete the stitch, bringing the needle back to the inside, then tie the tails in a double or triple knot. Trim the short tail and continue stitching.

C+D/ Stitch 3 straight stitches, ending a half inch from the end.

5/ To tie off cord: From the inside, lace the cord under the last stitch, double knot it and trim the tail. Remove the alligator clip.

6/ Using embroidery thread and a small needle, stitch your button onto the front of your NeedleBook near the center along the right edge (1/2 inch in from edge). Stitch button till secure, then double knot and trim ends from the inside. See another example here.

7/ Now tie your second cord around the button and tie a few knots. Aim the knot along the button towards the center of the Needle Book so that the cord directs/wraps easily once finished.

8/ Guide your cord tail under the middle stitch of the spine, towards the back of the Needle Book.

9/ Fold your Needle Book along the stitching and wrap your cord around the button 3 times or so (this is how you hold the Needle Book closed).

10/ With the cord still wrapped around the book & button, tie a double knot 2 inches from the end of the cord (or wherever feels like a good place). Feed the bead onto the cord up to the knot then tie another double knot on the other side of the bead. Trim the cord tail so a short amount remains. My measures approximately 8inches long once I trimmed it.

You're done! Add a few needles and straight pins to the felt pages and you're ready to use it or give it as a fun little gift! :) xo, Leigh-Ann

Illustration Sunday: I try drawing.

I've been asked a few times, "What's something you wish you could do" and I have 3 answers, "drawing, singing and dancing". These are the three things that feel really un-natural to me and I have the most trouble with (ie. I'm bad at).

• Cool Dancing: I'm good in the car (read: AMAZING in comparison) because I don't have to coordinate my top and bottom but put me on a dancefloor and it's hard to watch. *cough*Elaine*cough. I am however good at mock-dancing. I can impersonate funny moves with a comical spin. I'm currently rocking the TeenWolf dance :)
• Singing: I love singing, some tend to dislike when I do it outloud. I've accepted I'll never gueststar on glee but I still have fun with it and belt it when I'm alone ;)
• Drawing: I'm trying and practicing-- I like drawing fonts the most and little doodles but I really wish I could go beyond that and draw instinctually like my drawing friends, Moorea, Zoe, Elsie, Keith, Michelle, Elizabeth, etc. I really admire them!! :)

Today I needed a little break from work so I searched through a few jars of buttons that my Uncle gave me. Filtering buttons is one of my favorite ways to relax quietly... that, and testing my pen collection for dead ones. I like the repetitive action that strikes a "score" every so often. After I picked out my favorite buttons, I decided to try drawing them and felt like I was gonna be good at this. It didn't turn out like I expected and I kinda giggled at my apparent big head. I'll keep practicing ;)

Draw with Me: If you love drawing, I'd love to see your version of the buttons picture up top! Leave a link in the comments (or email me) if you participate :) I'll post them here next Sunday w/ a link to your blog (unless you don't want me to).

What's something you wish you could do?

DIY: Winter Button Wreath

This wreath is one of my favorite Christmas Decorations (seeing as how I only have 3 out)... I like that wreaths can stay out longer since it's more of a winter decoration than just Christmas :) This craft was part of a button Christmas Craft series I did in 2008 and I wanted to share it again today :)

How to make a Winter Button Wreath

1) Cut out 2 identical cardboard donuts and glue them together. Mine were about the circumfrence of a human head but you cut yours to whatever size you'd like.

2) Gather lots of buttons. White is probably the easiest to find... to avoid too much variety though, I dug through my jars and found all the similar vintagey-plastic ones.

3) Start by hot-gluing a flat layer of buttons. Let the buttons hang over the inside & outside edges of the cardboard donut.

Tip: Clear the hotglue web off each layer of buttons, it gets ugly otherwise.

4) Add a few more flat layers. It's good to have a variety of button sizes so that the you can kinda lay them down like bricks. I always started from the center of the circle and moved outward. 

5) Add another layer, but don't completely overlap the buttons below it. Start inward a bit, add your layer as normal but end it before the edge of the layer below it. So it's kinda stepping/pyramiding upward. This will give it a rounded look :]

6) Keep doing this till you only have a layer 1 button wide in a circle.

Note: Steps 4-6 might have you concluding that I drank too much egg nog; I'll try to explain it better. (If you got what I meant in 4-6, move on to step 7). Okay. So lets say you do your first 3 layers four rows of buttons wide (in a circle). Next, your 4th layer should be 3 rows/circle of buttons wide and should be showing the buttons below it on the inside and outside of that circle. Good? Then, your 5th layer should be 2 rows/circle of buttons wide. And showing the buttons below it on the inside and outside of that circle. Lastly, your 6th layer should be 1 circle of buttons wide. And showing the buttons below it on the inside and outside of that circle. And that is your last layer and your wreath should look rounded :)

7) Pick a few pretty ribbons, wrap it around the top a few times and tie it in a bow :)

8) Hang it where you'll get the most smiles :)

Merry Christmas friends!! I hope you get the best hugs ever this Christmas :)

Love Leigh-Ann

Joy & Alec, No.8 and a Tutorial

Joy and Alec were married in November 2008 and were ready to do something fantastic with their professional wedding photos :) Joy mailed me 86 photos in various sizes (taken by Whitney Lee Photography in Austin, Texas) and asked me to make a classic but rad album using their wedding colors and a simple, beautiful design :)

Joy and Alec are so full of love & cuteness and their Wedding looks like it was SO fun! Kazoo's, board game center pieces, and a really ugly cake they threw in the dumpster (lol, easily a great photo opp that made it into their Wedding Album). Joy, I've loved getting to know you thru the design process...your name couldn't be more perfect for you :] Thank you Joy & Alec, Enjoy :)

Joy and Alec also sent me pieces of their handmade tablecloth/backdrop to incorporate in the album. I used the red lace and b&w; zebra paper as the skin inside the album :)

After Joy saw Chloe & Sean's album, she remembered a Q&A her and Alec had done and asked for it to be included in the album. While I typed their questions and answers with my little red typewriter, Lola barked so much, it was hilarious ;)

Full Set HERE :)

I save this as the last step each time, it's so exciting to put my seal and the album number... I'm kinda a dork about it :)

Tutorial: How to Make this Cover

I learned this album cover technique from Ali Edwards at Artistry in Vancouver a few years ago.

1. Use raw chipboard letters (pre-sticky works best) and stick your title onto a cardboard album cover or panel. Press them down good. I used this technique to line them up nicely :)

TIP: If your letters have a colored/smooth surface (like my 22), sand the gloss off with a nail file.

2. Paint the album and letters the same color with acrylic paint. Get in the crevices, and do 2 or 3 coats, letting each dry in between.

TIP: For the red album, I squirted paint directly on the album and spread it out... But I found it worked better (and didn't dry blobby on the album) to use a paint plate & dip my brush instead.

3. After your coats are dry and solid, give your album a coat of Matte Modge Podge. Let dry, then do one more coat. It works best to apply the modge podge in sections and all in one direction.

here *she* is

The Red Velvet Girls asked me to be their June Guest Designer (ahhhhh...hello, YES!?!!) and they sent me these supplies and said "Go Nuts". I made this puppy lovin' album over 3 days and I LOOOOOOOVE it! Lola looks so pretty and it was fun working with a *new* color scheme (i'm way into aqua and green...). * I photographed it in the sun in one of Lola's favorite places, her backyard...and while i was snapping photos i got freckles on my shoulders and Lola came and sat on the lawnchair to watch. Totally cute! And theeeeeen she drooled on the album! lol!

This juicy kit was awesome! Way worth the $28.50! And it comes with the 8x8" mini album cardboardy thing! I used practically everything in the kit and just added a few of my own things (thread, old buttons, chipboard letters, black rub-ons for my signature, 1 sheet of paper, red marker and paint).

my notebook

lots of finished mini's