Here's looking at me kid

DIY | Rigid Ribbon Headbandwith video instructions

Are you like me and have problems with ribbon headbands sliding off your alien shaped head? Okay, maybe your head isn't shaped like an alien's, but still, you might benefit from a rigid headband, right? Well, I've been experimenting with creating some headband stlyes, and thought I would share an idea with you! Imagine a ribbon style headband, with the security of a rigid shape, and the styling capabilities of a hair comb. Bam! I gotcha girl. Check out the supply list below to get started on making your own!

I found all of these supplies for a great price at a local craft shop. The velcro you use should be at least the width of the ribbon you are using, and the headband form should also be a similar width. Grab some glue (hot glue works great for this project, actually!), scissors, and get going! Watch the video below to see how I made my headbands. (Oh, and by the way, isn't Harriot the Head Mannequin looking lovely in her new yellow headband?!)

Do you have any favorite ways to wear headbands? If so, I'd love to know! I must admit, I'm rather out of headband practice since I last great out my bangs in 6th grade. Teach me your hairstyling ways! Oh, and if you try out this DIY, I'd love to see how it worked out for you!

Touch of Evil | A Video Gallerydirected by Alex Prager

You could call it art for the ADD afflicted, and that might explain why I found it so interesting. I couldn't stop rewatching these intriguingly sinister bits of cinematography directed by Alex Prager as featured on the NY Times. Touch of Evil features the top film performers of the year in short clips inspired by infamous characters some of us will recognize immediately.

You'll definitely want to watch and rewatch these dreamy videos, and take a moment to figure out the inspiration behind each one. If you don't know the backstory, don't worry! Each one is provocative enough in its own right to inspire a day's worth of dreams.

screen shots taken from Alex Prager's Touch of Evil short films

Easy Wrapping Ideas from StephanieLife, Love, Babies

Phil and I are sitting here on the sofa, listening to the new She & Him Christmas record (I know, I'm a cliché blogger girl.), sipping spiced tea from our holiday mugs, and staring at the unwrapped presents under the naked Christmas tree. Oh man. Motivation, where are you?! Procrastinating a bit longer, I popped over to my friend Stephanie's blog to see what her cute family was up to. Good thing I did, because her simple, but savvy wrapping ideas were just the inspiration I needed to stop what I was doing, pull out the patterned paper and Scotch tape. But first, I had to share a bit with you. ;)

Now. It's time to delve into my button collection! I'll be back later with an outfit post.

Crochet: A Love Story

I've long admired the handiwork of crafty ladies on the internet with their knitting needles and crochet hooks. With just the memory of a 10-year-old impatient version of myself tediously making half-finished pot holders for my loving mother, I never thought I would have the gumption to create the gorgeous projects I admired online. Until last year, when I thought, eh, why not? Why not give it another go?

I have had an embarassingly short attention span when it comes to projects. Who knows whether this attitude was fostered by blog headlines that began with "Quick and Easy DIY!", or the self-imposed pressure to crank out project after project to file away under the blog label "do it yourself." I'm quite certain that the day and age of hours wasted on the internet and instant gratification was steering me away from my desire to craft beautiful, useful things for my home that would take longer than an episode of Law and Order (SVU!) to complete.

I do believe that quick projects have their place, but my own heart belongs with the detail-oriented work of a craftsmen. I've enjoyed engaging in time-intensive projects alongside Dear Ol' Daddio, like restoring my 1950s bicycle, or turning piles of old barn siding into sturdy and beautiful tables for my home. But what did I have to do when the cold-weather induced reclusive feelings come to visit me this time of year?

So, I decided to give my camera trigger finger a rest and put these lazy forearms to work with an aluminum hook and a ball of yarn. Sure, these projects take a long time. But the quality and feeling of accomplishment that results is worth their weight in... yarn.

Last Winter I started and finished a ginormous chevron coverlet for our bedroom (yet to be debuted on this blog), and have already decided to make a mini version this year. (See top picture for my progress.) Want to join in on the needle arts fun with me? Check out these swoon-worthy projects below. With just a little bit of patience and dedication, you'd be surprised at what you can accomplish!

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This would make a really cute baby blanket, or perhaps even a table runner. Their shape reminds me of quilted yo-yos, which have been a favorite of mine for quite sometime. Fine out how to make these at Julia Crossland's blog.

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I'm a big fan of the granny stitch, not only for it's lace-like aesthetic appeal, but for the quick fashion in which they are created. I told you, I'm impatient. :) Isn't the scallopped edge a darling detail? Find out more at Attic 24.

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I first tried by hand at this project last year by following along with this series of You Tube videos. I was amazed at how beautifully the coverlet turned out, so much so that I decided to try a smaller version this year. For this version, I combined this simpler style with the one I made last year (I liked the way the edges were finished better in that one), and so far I love what I've done! Also check out The Lazy Hobbyhopper who shows picture instructions on her blog.