DIY: Coin Magnets

We all buy souvenirs when traveling but it is also nearly impossible to not come home with a pocket full of change that just sits in a jar or drawer. So, after too many hours browsing on Pinterest I found a great solution to the problem. Turn all those coins into magnets! Not only is this a great way to display all your world travels but it is also the easiest DIY ever.

What You Need
A pocket full of change
Small magnets (I found ones that even had adhesive already on them)

What To Do

1. After you have picked out what change you want to display simply glue the magnet on to the center of the back of each coin, press in place and you are done! DIY really can't get easier than this!

Prudence

DIY Inspiration: NYFW Part 1

It is that time of year again! New York Fashion Week is arguably better and more anticipated than Christmas for the fashion obsessed. While I never fool myself into even thinking that I could ever afford anything I see going down the runway, I do always love keeping my eyes peeled for DIY ideas. The week is just getting going but I am already being bombarded with crafting ideas. Here are a few of the things that have caught my eye so far.

 

Who needs a belt? The See by Chloe collection showed how some extra fabric tied around the waist can be used as a beautiful way to layer. I feel like this is a glamorous take on the whole sweatshirt around the waist look from the early 90s

Misha Nanoo got creative with stripes. This look could easily be recreated by cutting a skirt/dress and adding in layers of sheer fabric.

Designers, so far, have been showing that the peplum isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Peter Som took it one step farther by sending embellished peplums down his runway. Since I am always a fan of embellishment this look is for sure going on my DIY list. Also, notice how he turned simple headbands into statement pieces by added some veil netting to them. With just a little glue this look would be a snap to recreate. 

Prudence

All photos from Style.com

DIY Crochet Necklace

I think I can trace my love of DIY projects back to the night I learned how to crochet. A boy I had a giant crush on when I was 15 taught me, and ever since that night I have been addicted....to crocheting, not the boy. So here is a little DIY project for all my fellow crocheting bloggers out there.

What you will need

Crochet Thread
A very small crochet hook, I used a 2.25 mm hook
Jewelery Chain
Jewelery Closure
4 Jump Rings
Pliers
Wire Cutters or something besides your fabric scissors to cut the chain to the right length
Embroidery Needle

Instructions

1.I adapted a pattern for doily pebbles from the blog A La Sascha, click here to get the pattern.
2. Make Rounds 1-4 of the star pattern. This will give you small round doily like circles. Make 9 of them. After you get use to the pattern and working with crochet thread, these actually work up very quickly.

3. After you have all 9 circles made sew in the ends with your embroidery needle.
4. Lay the circles out in the shape of the necklace, making a pyramid with a row of 4 circles at the top and working your way down to the final row of 1 circle.
5. With all of your circles laid out properly begin sewing them together with your embroidery needle.

6. Now that you have all the crocheting and sewing done you are almost there! Cut two lengths of chain 7.5 inches long, or however long you like to get the desired length of your necklace.

7. Attach a jump ring to each end of the row of four circles, attach a length of chain to each jump ring as well and close the jump rings with your pliers.
8. Attach a jump ring to the other end of both lengths of chain and attach your necklace closure to these jump rings. Pinch the jump rings closed with your pliers.
9. Wear and enjoy!

Prudence

DIY Envelope Clutch

I have been craving an over sized envelope clutch for quite sometime, so when I found some amazing leather on sale for $5 at my local craft store I knew I needed to make one.

What you will need

1. One yard of leather or fake leather fabric
2. A sewing machine fitted with a leather needle
3. Thread that matches the leather or the color of your choosing if you want statement stitching.
4. Scissors
5. A sharpie
6. A ruler

How To

1. On the backside of the leather draw the outline of the clutch. The width of the clutch should measure 16 inches across, which will allow the clutch to be 15 inches in width with a half inch hem on each side. The clutch should be 31.5 inches in height which will make the finished clutch be 10.5 inches in height when folded 3 times.
2. In addition to the drawn outline of the clutch, also measure and draw where you will make your half inch hem along the length of the clutch.  This will help function as a guide to follow while sewing.
    
   
   
   3. Cut out the clutch along the lines you have drawn
   4. Fold the clutch inside out one third of the way up.
   5. Pin the fold in the clutch in place
   
   
   
   6. Sew the clutch following the hem lines you drew and then turn clutch right side out. 
   

   

   
   7. Fold the flap of the clutch that you haven't sewn yet along both of the drawn hem lines, pin in place, and sew along the edge. 
   
   8. Now its time to finish up that one last raw edge of the clutch.  I did a 2 inch hem on the bottom edge but you can really play around with how how big you want the hem to be as it will effect how your finished clutch looks. Once you have decided on where to hem your final edge pin the corners in place and sew along the sides, going right next to the stitching you already have along the sides. 
   

   

   
   9. And thats it! I decided to not use anything as a closure but if you want to make sure that things don't fall out you could use anything from a chic belt to a metal clasp as a closure.  
   

   

   
   

   

   
   
   Prudence

Vintage Love

I'm so in love with my newest vintage find I had to quickly snap a photo and show it on here. I found this amazing vintage pearl beaded collar necklace at a local antique store. There, in between the rows of old furniture and antlers, was this bad boy. I instantly knew I had buy it I and really haven't taken it off since. 

Prudence