DIY Decor Week

Things started to settle down a tiny bit last week, so I had a little time to tackle my long DIY to do list!  Some were half-finished projects, others were ideas on my DIY wish list and a couple were inspired by necessity or a really good sale.  Here's a peak at what I will be sharing with you this week!

What I've Been Working On (#WIBWO) Summer 2014 Edition

Hello!  It's been awhile!  I'm sorry that I haven't update this blog in so long!  I have been having a wonderful summer, and I just haven't made the time to sit behind the computer.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you will have seen some of the fun times we've had, as well as what I've been working on.  Today I want to share with my blog readers what's been going on in my studio...

The following post is going to be picture heavy, but I just have so much to share!

I got really busy this summer working on my signature Wet Bags ($14).  I picked up some new fabrics and was so excited to ship these bags to clients near and far!

These Anchor Wet Bags SOLD OUT in just a couple of days!

Fabric Keyrings ($7), one of the first handmade accessories I debuted back in 2011, are popular year-round, but more so during the school year when parents purchase this cute and practical gift for their child's teachers.

During back-to-school time, I feature my Fabric Lanyards ($10).  These are great for teachers, students, and anyone who needs to carry a badge at work.  These are also great to hold your keys!  I wear mine tucked into my top when I go for a walk or jog.

I had a custom request a couple of weeks ago from one of my most dedicated clients for a Grocery Bag Holder ($10). This is new to AquaSeventy6 and I am happy to debut it on today's blog:

Finally, this summer I debuted a Layette Combo. This comes with 2 applique onesies, 2 applique burp cloths and a matching vinyl-lined "Everything Bag" made to order for $40 (15% savings) or upgrade the Everything Bag to a full-sized Wet Bag for just $2 more (that's a 20% savings.) These make unique and thoughtful baby shower gifts!

This is an example of the Little Man combo.

If you want to place an order for anything you see on my blog, email me at aquaseventy6@gmail.com.  Everything is made-to-order and ships first class with tracking. Thanks for reading! xoxo

Thrift Store Corkboards Two Ways

My daughter needed a corkboard to hang above her new desk and I was lucky to come across two giant corkboards at my local thrift store last week.  They were both on sale, marked down to just $1.25! They needed a little TLC, for sure, so this is what I came up with:

I was lucky enough to find a piece of fabric in my stash that was just the right size to upholster the corkboard.  Using a staple gun, I stretched and attached the fabric to the back of the frame stapling the whole way around. 

 That's it!  It probably took me less than 15 minutes total to upholster it and hang it on the wall.

I had some left over chalkboard paint from a project I did at least 2 years ago.  I don't think I ever shared it with you, but you can see it here.  I took the corkboard outside and spray painted it with the chalkboard paint, letting it dry between coats.  Easy peasy!!  I added a typography Julia Child quote with chalk and hung it near my kitchen table:

I think it looks fab...except hubby keeps reading it as "People Who Eat People"...maybe I'm too subconsciously addicted to The Walking Dead!

Can you believe these two corkboards once looked like this?

(Disclaimer:  I fully realize that these are awful photos!  This is what happens when you are in a rush to document a project!)

Elephant Applique and Patchwork Throw Pillows

My friends and family are the inspiration for most of my projects, and I am so grateful to them!  It takes so much creativity just to figure out how to run a multifaceted business from home with kids on two different bus schedules, all the while having to plan dinner, do housework, worry about bills AND try to find a way to have a fulfilling life on a budget. It's no wonder my hair is falling out...seriously, it is.  I could make a wig out of what gets trapped in the shower drain!

Even so, nothing has fulfilled me creatively than creating items to share on AquaSeventy6.  So, thank you again!

The following project was inspired by some fabric I came across while mindlessly browsing the web.  It was so beautiful that I had to share it on my Facebook page.  Minutes later, my friend Natasha asked if I could use the fabric to make her some throw pillows....OF COURSE!

I ordered the fabric from a trusted shop on Etsy (small business supporting small business!) as well as some coordinating fabrics for the backside.  When the main fabric arrived, I decided to cut out the print and applique it on another fabric.....and here is what was born...

Isn't it beautiful?!

Here are both sides.  What you can't see is the zipper I added to each pillow so that my friend can toss the covers in the wash whenever she needs to.

I love this pillows so much, that I am planning to recreate them for myself...if I ever make time!  I hope you all enjoyed today's bit of eye candy! xx

 Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked

Bohemian Headscarf

You've seen them on everyone from Nicole Richie to SJP.  Now AquaSeventy6 is going to help you rock out the Boho Headscarf.

My friend Jasmine custom ordered some elastic headbands from my collection.  But after breaking three needles and being on the verge of homicide I decided that now was probably a good time to discontinue the line. (Confession:  Every time I would get an order for an elastic headband I literally had to coax myself to get behind the machine. If it wasn't a broken needle, it was tangled thread.   I will probably re-imagine them with an easier to sew elastic, but for now they are history.)

After profusely apologizing, I asked Jas if she had anything else in mind, and she wondered if I could make her a bohemian headscarf.   I had never made a head scarf before, but I was super pumped for the challenge, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out!

I pleated the part that goes on the head and left the ends loose.  I then stitched it across in sections for a quilted look.

I would have loved to have shown you some different looks with this head scarf, but alas, it is 102 degrees here today, and I had to run inside before dying of a heatstroke!  Not to mention that I was still sporting bedhead and morning face...thanks to Picmonkey's airbrush tool for helping me look less like the undead.  ;)

If you like what you see, and want to place an order, email at the link above or "like" my my Facebook page for more details!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!I

BTW, have you entered my 300 Facebook Follower giveaway?  If not, click here!  Giveaway ends tonight!

Neck Tie Burp Cloths

Can you believe that at the tender age of twenty-sixteen, I am going to be a great-aunt (for the second and third time!)  My nephew (who is only 11 years younger than me) is expecting twins soon.  He's already given me the most adorable grand-nephew any tia could ever have, and now twins!!

Because we are so far away, I wanted to give my new grand-nephews something handmade to let them know that their Tia Yvey loves them so much, and is always thinking of them.

Here is my very first handmade baby item for the twins.

I've been buying fabric for the boys' gifts for weeks, and I had a couple of free hours yesterday afternoon, so I whipped up these little goodies.  I think they are totally adorable (and I hope my nephews think so, too!)

I added two tie appliques to each burp cloth.  I think this argyle print is so perfect!

I will be adding more of my handmade items for the twins soon.  In the meantime, if you like what you see, and want to place an order, email at the link above or "like" my my Facebook page for more details!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Boho Headbands

I hope everyone had a nice long weekend!  My mother-in-law was in town, which conveniently coincided with my 14 year wedding anniversary, so Hubs and I were lucky enough to get a date night!

Technically, it was a "double-date" night.  Our closest friends here in VA have the same anniversary.  In fact, we met on our honeymoon!  This is the first time in 14 years that we have been able to celebrate our anniversary together, and it was such a fantastic evening!

I meant to share the following post last week, but we were enjoying M-I-L's visit so much, that I barely had time to step into my workspace.

I've been making these easy boho headbands for my daughter forever!

They are so simple, but so adorable--and not just for kids!

As soon as I previewed them on my Facebook page, the entire lot was scooped up!  I can't wait to get working on some new ones!

 Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Teacher Appreciation Week {Fabric Lanyard}

I made this fabric lanyard months ago and it traveled all the way with me to Rome where I gave it to my cousin who met us for a "business vacation".


I hadn't gotten around to making any more until another one of my cousins asked for a couple to give to her daughter's teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.  OF COURSE!  What a great idea!  Being a former teacher herself, she knew that these would make fun AND useful gifts!

She chose the same fabric from my previous lanyard, and wanted them both identical.

The lanyards feature a swivel clasp.

They can be made in any length and any fabric.

I still haven't made one for myself, but now that I've been inspired....  :)

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Fold-Over Clutch

It's been "one of those days".  You know, the kind where you run around nonstop but don't actually get to anything on your to do list?  Yep, "one of those days..."

Thankfully I finished up a new sewing project last night that I wanted to share with you.

Introducing The Fold-Over Clutch...

I'm so excited about how they came out.  Nothing satisfies me creatively as much as having an idea and seeing it come to fruition.

The clutch is perfect to use anytime, day or night.

They feature a zippered closure...

...a sewn on hook and loop tab to keep the clutch folded in place....

...and coordinating interior lining fabric.


For pricing information or to order become a fan of AquaSeventy6 on Facebook or email me at the link above.

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Boho Passport Bag

The first time I'd ever flown out of the country was on my honeymoon.  This was back in the day when you could enter and exit the Caribbean with just your driver's license and birth certificate.  Even though Hubs didn't have one, I already had a passport, and I was in charge of keeping all of our identifying documents safe.

I remember my parents using an old zippered pouch that they got at their bank while traveling.  I was given a similar one at my first gyno appointment (it was purple and originally held all sorts of woman's health information), so of course, that became our "passport case" for the next 10 or so years.  I'm pretty sure Hubs never knew it was a gyno bag.

I stopped using the purple bag a couple of years ago because it simply was too big and bulky to comfortably fit in my purse. My need for a passport pouch wasn't eliminated, though, and I ended up using a plastic baggie to hold our passports on our trip to Rome. Blah!

It finally dawned on me (too late) that I could have used an Everything Pouch!  The idea stuck, but it wasn't until I came across a fantastic fabric this weekend that it came to fruition.

Introducing the Boho Passport Bag:

I tweaked the dimensions of the Everything Pouch, so that it was big enough to hold a few (at least 4 or 5) passports, but small enough to fit comfortably in your purse or briefcase.  Those of us who bring carry-on luggage know that it is hard enough to squeeze your purse underneath the seat, so this guy is nice and flat to take up little space.

I love the vintage postmarks on the fabric, as well as the color!

I lined the inside with a fabric in coordinating colors.  I think it came out so super cute!  What do you think?

To order your own Boho Passport Bag email me using the link above or message me on my Facebook Timeline!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

DIY Fail into DIY Score: "Zikat"

Happy Sunday!  Last week I went fabric shopping for the first time in months.  I came across this gorgeous fabric by Alexander Henry:

Zikat

I was lucky enough to find it NOT on sale.  (Why it is lucky to find something at regular price?  Fabric stores tend to mark their items at around 30% off, and then publish coupons for 40% or 50% off that you can only use on regular priced items.  For example, it's currently on sale at Joann for $10.99/yd (less than 16% off), but with my 40% off coupon, I was able to snag it at $7.79/yd.)

When I got home, I knew I wanted to make this print into a maxi skirt (for me!) but then I remembered that I had only bought 1.25 yards of fabric of each of the 6 prints I had picked out.  (When I spend forever and a day waiting at the cutting counter, I tend to do the math in my head and get scared to blow my entire budget just on fabrics, so sometimes I don't buy enough, especially on designer prints.  Blah!)

I still attempted to make myself a maxi skirt, but my hips protested.  They insisted that I needed at least another half quarter yard to make it a maxi skirt and not an elongated pencil skirt! 

No problem!  I cut off a few inches of elastic at the waistband and trimmed some inches off of the length, and voila!  A perfect "Zikat" maxi skirt for my mini-me in a cast.

 

Not only does she rock this look out, she balances extremely well on one foot so that mommy can get a good pic!

She wanted the same Katniss braid I had done for her when we saw The Hunger Games a couple of weeks ago.  Love it!

And, here we are together.  (Excuse the grip I had on her arm, her leg was getting tired from standing so long and she thought she might fall!)  Of course, I had on ZERO accessories.  Isn't there a saying about the cobbler's son going barefoot?  In my case the cobbler is barefoot.

So what do you think about my daughter's $8 fashion statement??  Tell me in the comments!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!