D.I.Y. Derby Hat!

KY Derby Hat Workshop April 30, a photo by E. Magee on Flickr.

I'm happy to announce that DIY Louisville and I are putting on a Derby Hat workshop at the Iroquois Library next Monday, April 30, 2012! For $30 we will provide the hat (or fascinator base) and supplies for you to make a fabulous Kentucky Derby hat fit for Churchill Downs! Plus, we will be demonstrating techniques and helping you create a work of art every step of the way! Reservations are required! E-mail Julee at diylouisville(at)gmail(dot)com. Let's get down and Derby!

Make your own Derby Hat!

If you guessed that my next project was a Derby hat, then you were right! Not just any Derby hat, but one for less than $25.00, and I'm going to show you how to make one too!

I made hats last year for my mom and myself. Hers was pink and mine was a light tan, and they were a big hit at my Aunt's Derby party.



I decided to share my steps to make a Derby hat with all of you in a video tutoral!



To make this hat, you will need:
Hot glue - Free (because I already had it)
Floral wire - Free (because I already had it)
1 Sun Hat - $2.50 at Target
2 Yards ribbon - $1.98
Feather plumes - $5.00
Coque Feathers - $6.00
1 yard of Netting - $3.95
Flowers - $5.00
Total cost: $24.43

D.I.Y. Bow Tutorial

Did you guess what my next project will be? Here is a hint! It has a bow!

I made this video to demonstrate how to make your own pretty gift bow. You can use any type of ribbon from silk to plastic. It is very simple to make and you will only need 2-3 yards for each bow.
I hope that you enjoy the video!

Next project

Can you guest what my next project will be?

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Hope the Easter bunny brought you something awesome! Don't forget to save your eggs so that you can make these guys!

Beautiful Book Set!

I have been a fan of Emily Martin for several years, ever since I found her blog The Black Apple. She is an extremely talented illustrator and I love admiring her work. I purchased one of her limited edition prints of The Black Apple alphabet and was so pleased with it! If I had a gazillion dollars, I would buy so much more, but when her Oddfellow's Orphanage book set came out, I could not resist! I snatched up a listing and love it so much!

The set includes a signed copy of Ms. Martin's new book "Oddfellow's Orphanage," a bookmark, a little pin with Ollie the onion, and a signed and dated print of her Circus Parade illustration. It is my hope to one day decorate a nursery with a circus theme, and the print with this set fits perfectly with that!

You'll notice from my photo that I also bought a set of her recipe cards. They are so sweet and wonderful. I just love everything about it all!

Stuff I like right now...

1. Dogwood blooms in our front yard
2. The free phone app "Draw Something" because it's such a fun drawing game!
3. Pretzel crisps... so good with hummus!
4. New kicks