Here Comes The Bride

Last December, I was honored to fashion a garter set for my niece, Laura and I featured it in my post,  Wedding Garter For Laura.

This past June, I designed and hand sewed a garter set for my niece, Natalie.  I chose a vintage pink pearl earring as my inspiration.  I incorporated dupioni silk and recycled vintage pink pearls to create each individual rosette on the garters and then added a touch of tuille.

There are so many tutorials on how to make fabric flowers so I thought I would give you one of my favorite blogs on flowers, bows and more literally, Fabric Bows And More! You will find so many creative ways to make and use flowers in your designs at this instructional and imaginative site.

Below are Natalie's garter and toss garter....

I also had the pleasure of creating a card box for the bride and groom.
My supplies were simple....dupioni silk, pleated ribbon, strands of pearls, silk flowers and love.

I covered the boxes in silk and then wrapped the box tops with pleated ribbon.  It needed a little more style, so I added a band of pearls around the pleats (scored them at Michaels!) and finished off the card slot with more.  The silk flower was glamed up with even more pearls as shown below.

And voila.....

Let me know what you think.....

PS.  Please excuse the photo backdrops....I'm working on projects in every room in my house.

                                     

   

Wedding Garter For Laura

If you have been following my blog, you may remember the Wedding Wish Tree that I created for my 'niece' Laura's.  I also offered to design a wedding garter set for her, including a garter that she would wear and one for her to toss that was old, new, borrowed and blue.

The vintage rhinestone earrings are old and blue, and the dupioni silk and stretch lace are brand new. Laura borrowed my heart while I was hand stitching her garter....

I used Singer Lace Flat Stretch  11/4" that provided the exact amount of stretch for the garter.

 

I hand-stitched 3 delicate rosettes from 100% Dupioni silk for the bride's garter and 3 smaller rosettes for the toss garter.  I then adhered icy blue vintage rhinestone earrings to the bride's garter.  Laura was thrilled and I was honored to gift them to her.

Perfect for the bride-to-be!

Let me know what you think....

Santa's Reindeer???

I'm loving all the reindeer I am seeing everywhere. 

From the Wisteria's Snow White Reindeer to Ballard Designs' Jute Reindeer to The DIY Show Off's paper mache reindeer on a bed of pine,  it appears that having reindeer in your Christmas decor is a must have this year.

 

I recently found two 'gold' paper mache reindeer at Michaels and I was inspired to make them over after reading Hometown Girl 's Quick How To: Glitter Ornaments....oh so beautiful!!!



So, I purchased one to try out her technique.  Here sits Reindeer #1 awaiting his makeover....



I used my go-to Burroughs' Encyclopaedia vintage pages. I tore them into small pieces and then pasted them on with water-downed Elmers Glue in a random fashion.  Here sits Reindeer #1 with his new vintage coat.

I was very pleased with the overall look and decided to buy Reindeer #2.  Here he sits on my desk awaiting his makeover....

I then applied a coat of the Elmers Glue mixture and sprinkled both reindeer with Martha Stewart Crystal Coarse Glitter.  I am a first time 'glitterer' and I now have glitter everywhere.  



I added brilliant green satin ribbons with two  petite vintage rhinestone brooches.  Here they sit all dressed up awaiting Christmas...

Let me know what you think....











Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway - Rosebud Lips

I am so honored to be featuring  Rosebud Lips today.



Lauren, the designer and owner of Rosebud Lips was inspired by her mother who always believed in her. "She was the first with rosebud lips, and then passed them on to me... now my baby girl has them too :)" and so the name Rosebud Lips.  Don't you love it!!!

One lucky follower will win a $25 gift certificate to Rosebud Lips

Lauren makes accessories for you to cherish now, and pass on down the line.  You will find handmade necklaces, hair accessories, bridal accessories, belts, children's items and so much more.  Even more impressive than her beautiful accessories is Lauren's generosity.   Each item that is sold through her shop directly benefits Mercy Ministries of America .

Here is a sampling of her gorgeous accessories....

Her delightful children's collection features handmade silk rosebuds embellished with antique jewelry.  Rosebud Clips, Petite Headbands, Corrie Rosebud Headbands and Evelyn Rosebud Clip are just a few of her whimsical children's pieces.

   

 

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue Collection is Rosebud Lips spectacular bridal assortment.  The lace is borrowed from a dress, the silk is blue, the antique brooch is old, and the silk is brand new!!! 

Tiffany Blue Bridal Bouquet, Couture Bridal Garter Set, Rosebud Petite Flower Girl Hair Band, Lalia Rosebud Bridal Veil that are just some of her exquisite pieces. 

   

 

Matilda Jane is an adorable collection of headbands, hair clips, mobiles, belts and necklaces in an array of beautiful colors and styles.

 

So, you know what to do now, visit Rosebud Lips and select one, two or three of your favorites and come back to Larissa Hill Designs and leave a comment.  Plan on spending some time at Lauren's Etsy shop....it is amazing!!!

Remember, you must be a follower of Larissa Hill Designs in order to participate in the giveaway.

Lastly, take a minute to visit Lauren at her new website, Rosebudlips.com

   

 

     

 

Vintage Bassinet Makeover

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, Lynn asked me to recover a bassinet that had been used by her family for 3 generations and her daughter is now expecting her own daughter.  I was honored and of course, a bit nervous. 

We decided on a flax colored linen as her daughter wanted a non gender specific color.  I struck pay dirt stumbling upon a delicate pleated linen curtain at Bed Bath and Beyond for the coordinating fabric.  The already pleated curtain saved me tons of time from having to sew pleats.   Repurposing is one of my favorite things to do!

Believe it or not the inspiration for the design came from a linen tea towel by Two Girls in Avignon http://twogirlsinavignon.com/

You can find inspiration just about anywhere at anytime.

I struggled initially putting the piece together as I wanted the interior to be removable for washing. 

Here it is prior to the slipcover...

I lined the inside with batting and then used the pleated curtain to finish of the liner.  You can see the detail in this photo.  I trimmed the removable liner and covered the buttons with the flax linen.  It is removable for washing.

Take a peek inside to see the pillow I made awaiting a monogram for her expected arrival.



The flax linen skirt was designed with deep reverse pleats and a touch of green with a grosgrain ribbon.

Here is the beautiful expectant Mom and 1st time Grandma with the bassinet. 

Let me know what you think....