Weekend Snippets

This weekend my family spent a weekend at a cabin at Lester Beach.  We played games, ate food, sat in the hot tub and just relaxed.

Here's a few photos of some of our outdoor adventures!

Also got to see this little face all weekend long, she's a heart-stealer that one ;)

I also bought more materials for maxi dresses which are one of my most popular items so look for some new ones up in the shop soon!!!

A Happy Video

My husband sent me a link to this video, it's hilarious. I would totally love if that happened while I was waiting for a bus. Who doesn't want a dog sled as transportation???

Studio Snippets

I recently updated my Etsy About Page, and I thought I'd share the studio photos we took!

Learn a little bit more about Heidi-and-Seek Boutique here

*Photos taken by Krysten Cathleen Photography

PS. The tank top in the first photo is a NEW SPRING ITEM! You're seeing it here FIRST!

DIY Bunhead

Y'know that sock bun everyone's talking about?  Well here's my version, minus the sock!

What you need:

Brush, comb, hairspray, hair elastic, bobby pins

Here's what you do:

1. Put your hair in a high ponytail

2. Hairspray the ponytail to give it texture for back combing

3. Tease your hair from root to tip, giving it volume

4. Hairspray teased hair to help it stay

5. Place hair in a bun shape, pinning around as you go

Voila!

Do you do a regular sock bun, or do you have other secrets for this famous bun?

My Exercise Routine

I've been thinking about sharing my exercise routine here with you, and I was reminded to do so after reading Made By Andi's post about her exercise story. (PS, if you don't already read Made By Andi, you probably should)

I have a day job, and so I had to try to figure out when the best time to work out was, considering that I come home from work, and then work on my handmade business. I've found that the best thing is to do it right away, before I start sewing because I'm never motivated to do my workout after I've already started doing something else. I try to do this from Monday-Friday, and take a break on Saturday and Sunday.



For my workouts, I use Nike Training Club. It's an app for your iPod or iPad (I've used both), and it includes tons of workout routines with a variety of moves and exercises (you never do any one thing for more than 2 minutes at a time).



It also plays music from your iTunes along with it! There are instructional videos and photos on how to do every move, and it also tracks your time and unlocks rewards like extra workouts, smoothie recipes, etc.



Instead of listening to music, I like to watch old seasons of America's Next Top Model while I work out, it sorta adds a treat element to it and makes it go by WAY faster.

As I'm getting 'older' I want to try to make exercising part of my everyday routine because I don't want to get lazy or unable to do things later on in life. I can't wait until Summer when I can be outside and go for walks with my husband, bike rides, aquafit at the pool....so many more ways to make exercising more enjoyable!

That's my routine, what's yours?

Project Restyle: Shift Dress

I've got another Project Restyle to share, this week I re-styled a black shift dress.

The first thing I did was decide how long I wanted it to be, just like in the Bow Dress Re-style.

I'm 5'8", I like to wear dresses at a total length of 35" from shoulder seam to bottom hem.  So I usually cut it off about an inch longer, to include the hem.

The dress was too long, so here's what you do to shorten it:

1. Measure 2 inches up from the bottom, and pin all the way along

2. Cut the bottom off, following the pins

3. Roll the hem about 1/2" up

4. Roll the hem another 1/2" up so that the raw edge is hidden

5. Pin the hem down

6. Sew the hem in place.

The dress was too wide, so here's what you do to take it in:

7. Turn dress inside out

8. Place another dress, in a similar style over top of the dress as a guide

9. Place pins as a guide to where you should sew

10. Sew just beside the pins on the side further from the edge.

I also cut the sleeve about 6 inches shorter, and added a cuff that I made.

Now that I've got the ball rolling on my re-styling projects, I'm really enjoying bringing them from start to finish, the final product is well worth the work :)

Studio Secrets

I was recently asked what I'm doing for studio lighting, so I thought I'd share a few 'secrets' (so to speak) with you.  So here's my DIY Photo Studio on a budget!

A friend of my husband's was using blackout fabric as a projector screen, and once he didn't need it anymore, I seized the opportunity!
Blackout fabric is the material used behind curtains to keep the light out-hence the name. It's fairly lightweight, and it can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer.  You should be able to get blackout fabric at any fabric store, this piece was $15.

My lighting 'secret' is an interesting one, I'm using two utility lights from a farm equipment store (which happens to be owned by my father-in-law, but you should be able to get these at any hardware store).

I also recently bought a wireless remote for my camera, and I'm really happy with how my Etsy photos are looking using this setup.

I hope this is helpful, it's been frustrating trying to figure out good locations for Etsy photos, especially in the wintertime when outside isn't the best option and natural light is hard to come by.  

I also know how expensive real studio equipment is (I have access to one studio light, but you really need two to create a well-lit photo), so I made something else work!

There you have it!  Do you have any studio secrets?  I'd love to hear them!  If you have any other questions for me, visit my contact page for ways to get in touch :)

Spring Air

Today I just wanted to share this pretty Spring Treasury, you can see my braided scarf on the bottom row there, I want Spring so badly! The weather has been warming up but I'm sick of wearing a coat and winter boots and of having staticky hair. Bring on the Spring!

A Happy Valentines Day

This winter, we noticed something special going on at a neighbor's house.  At Christmastime, there was garland strung on the fence, and a bright colored sing which we couldn't read from a distance.  We were curious and upon further examination, found that the sign was wishing us a Merry Christmas and encouraging us to take one of the Candy Canes that were hooked onto the garland.  What a sweet idea.

At the beginning of this week I noticed there were brightly colored hearts adorning their fence, and today I couldn't help but take a closer look.  What a lovely way to brighten up the neighborhood :)

The hearts share a verse from the Bible, John 3:16-"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day :)

Daily Doses

I've recently made a new sewing schedule, and it's working out great!! I've found the doing prep-work for items before hand makes a HUGE difference!
I've also got a new photo studio area set up in my basement which works great to be able to snap photos of finished products right away!

So expect to see 'daily doses' of new items in my Etsy shop more regularly from now on :) These Heidi Hoods and more up in the shop!

Project Restyle: Bow Dress

Today I'm sharing a Restyle Project! Hopefully this will be a reoccurring trend, I have TONS of clothing I've purchased at thrift stores thinking I would alter them, and I currently have 3 of my storage shelves FULL of these 'projects' waiting to be done.

This week's project is a cute bow dress.  Here's the before and after!

First thing I did was decide how much shorter I wanted it. I took hem allowance into consideration, and it came to 35" total.

Here's what I did:
1. I realized that the dress kind of curved up on the sides, so I folded the dress in half
2. Because the hem was curved, I measured 4" up from the bottom at a few different spots and put a pin in as a guide for cutting.
3. Cut extra fabric off

4. For the hem, roll bottom edge up about 1/2 an inch
5. Roll it over again so that you don't have any of the raw edges showing
6. Pin the hem down, one pin about every 3 inches

7. Sew down the hem

8. Iron hem to ensure it is straight

Voila!

Etsy Update

Four new Oversize Leather Clutches up in the shop!

Etsy Update

Remember that picture of braids I posted last week? Well here's what I've done with them! Braided scarves! I love the braid detail on these, it's so pretty wrapped around your neck. These and more up in the shop!

Realization

I thought I was taking a test photo...

This is the progression of me realizing that instead of turning on a 10 second timer, I've turned it on to take 10 pictures in succession....please take note of the last face on the right side of the top row-Realization.

Etsy Update!

Introducing....Upcycled Leather & Cotton Clutch Purses!

I'm smitten with this new product, these are super fun to make, I'm having a blast choosing colors for fabrics and zippers, LOVE it. These five are up in the shop RIGHT NOW! Which one is your favorite?

Saturday-by hourly photos

10am-Motivational cleaning music

11am-Heating up leftovers for me and husband

12pm-Watching The Office during lunch

1pm-Working on new clutches

2pm-Listening to Harry Potter audio book while sewing!

3pm-Prep pieces for clutches

4pm-A little detail

5pm-Cooking supper

6pm-Ready to consume: Vereneki with cream gravy, sausage and peas!

7pm-10pm-Girls night out!

It was a very productive day, and fun to end it with a girls night :) Tonight is the superbowl, where I am looking forward to eating good food and watching commercials and the half-time show! What are you up to?