LA | Freckled Nest | LAfromFN

DIY: Leg Warmers

Ahead of schedule, Winnipeg's first snowfall happened yesterday and I'm transitioning to a cold weather wardrobe. Oddly enough, I wore shorts on Monday. Weird week.

I made these leg warmers for a class a few years ago... inspired by today's persisting snow, I want to share this 15 minute DIY with you :) Legwarmer up.

Step 1/ Choose a long sleeve shirt or sweater that has a bit of stretch and suits your style :) You'll also need less than an arms length of 1/4" flat elastic, a safety pin, scissors, straight pinks and a needle & thread or sewing machine.

Step 2/ Cut off each sleeve under the arm, square (90˚) with the sleeve edge. Turn both sleeves inside out.

Step 3/ At the wider opening of the sleeve, roll the raw edge down approximately 1 inch and pin in place. A half inch from the top, folded edge, sew a straight line around the fold, leaving a two inch opening so that you can thread the elastic into the casing.

Note: If you're using a sewing machine, remove your 'table feature' on your machine so that you can feed your sleeve around the 'freearm', to avoid sewing through both layers. See above.

Step 4/ For a perfect fit, measure the elastic around your leg  below the knee and adjust the elastics tightness/stretch so that it will hold the legwarmer at the right place on your leg. Mark the portion that fits your leg, then add 1.5" extra elastic so that you have overlap to sew the elastic together. Cut a second elastic with the same length and marking for your second legwarmer.

Step 5/ Fasten a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed the pin end into the fold/casing. Once you've fed the elastic all the way around, exit the pin through the same opening. Make sure to hold the end of your elastic as you feed the pin through, so that it stays on the outside of your legwarmer.

Step 6/ Sew the elastic ends together at your mark (from step 4). Then unfold the elastic ends (like butterfly wings) and sew them down so that your legwarmer doesn't have a bumpy joint. Then sew shut the 2 inch opening from step 3.

Because your legwarmers were originally sleeves, the wrist part is already hemmed and now goes at your ankle:) Quick & easy and a fun way to reuse an older shirt or sweater. These would also look cute tucked into a tall boot, appearing as knee socks.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I'll answer there :) And if you make a pair, tweet me a pic @LAfromFN... I'd love to see yours! :) xo, Leigh-Ann

Our 8 New Necklaces (Giveaway Closed / Winner = Danni)

"Jocelyn" - Arrow Necklace, $19 • named after Shannyn Sossamon in A Knight's Tale

I owe the start of my indie business career to Etsy, and I'm forever grateful that such an amazing handmade-loving website and community exists :) In 2006, I opened my etsy shop featuring large handmade photo albums and now, I run the Freckled Nest shop with Kyla, happily selling long necklaces, instant photo albums and beautiful things that we think others will love too :)

We recently added 8 new necklace designs to our shop, along with the option to choose your own accent and 1 of 2 lengths of long necklaces so that it perfectly compliments your body type :) I can't believe we now have 31 necklace styles in our shop... we're growing!

My current fave is the tailor sheers. I'm a bit of a scissor addict... seven pairs tucked throughout my house, two at my desk and a pair in my purse too ;) Enter the giveaway below and let me know which necklace is your favorite?

>> GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED // GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED // GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Today I want to share a Freckled Nest Necklace with one lucky reader! Enter to win your favorite necklace by...

1. Choosing your favorite necklace from the 31 options in our shop. Leave a comment below with a link to the necklace you'd choose if you win [one entry]

2. Tweeting about it! Leave a second comment linking to a tweet that shares the giveaway. You can even use the tweet below if you'd like: [one extra entry]

Paste & Tweet: I just entered @LAfromFN's jewellery giveaway on #FreckledNest. I'm crossing my fingers b/c I picked my fave necklace! http://tinyurl.com/win-necklace

Thanks for entering-- the contest will close on Saturday, Aug.11 & the winner will be announced right here :) Open worldwide, shipping included.

 

These necklaces are new to our collection!

"Enid" - Glasses Necklace, $21

Named after Thora Birch in Ghost World

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"Latika" - Intricate Filigree Necklace, $21

Named after Freida Pinto in Slumdog Millionaire

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"Coco" - Tailor Shears Necklace, $19

Named after Audrey Tatou in Coco Before Chanel

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"Pola" - Diamond Necklace, $21

Named after Marilyn Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire

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"Penny" - Bohemian Filigree Necklace, $21

Named after Kate Hudson in Almost Famous

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"Dorothy" - Toy Key Necklace, $19

Named after Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz

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"Penelope" - Arrow Necklace, $21

Named after Rachel Weisz in The Brothers Bloom

Kyla just got a tattoo that inspired by this necklace and our Indie Compass drawings... it's beautiful :)

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Thanks for looking at our newest necklaces... I'm looking forward to seeing your favorites! xo, Leigh-Ann

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 ;) 

*

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)

*

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

 *

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