DSMeeBee DIY Manzanita Branches Centerpiece

Sneak Peak at my up coming wedding centerpieces! This is my mock up and I love that it is coming out just as I imagined! I love the romantic whimsical look of the manzanita branches and the glow of the faux gold mercury glass votives. I transformed a basic terra cotta planting pot, brown manzanita branches, clear glass votives, crystal strings, gold wire, ribbon, paper, and peach fabric into my beautiful romantic centerpiece! I couldn't be happier on how they came out and I will be posting tutorials on each element of my wedding centerpiece soon!  

Custom Cake Toppers - ETSY Sale

I love making custom cake toppers for unique fun brides! I had a great time making these for a California bride a few weeks ago. She sent me pictures of her and her Husband to be, her dress, flowers she liked, and the rest was up to me! 

Another ETSY Sale!

Things are picking up a little with my ETSY store! http://www.etsy.com/shop/DSMeeBee

My latest sale was 5 Thank You Bridesmaid Clutches! My fingers are a little sore but they were fun to make! I changed my previous tutorial a little and added some snap closures and some stability so the clutch doesn't sag. 

OMG Emergency Bridal Bag

Every bride’s worst fear is that something horrible will happen on their wedding day. This DIY tutorial is a cute way to tell your bride that you got her back! This is also a fun DIY project for a crafter who loves a super easy super cute project. 

Things you will need:

• ·         Yarn & Knitting Needles
• I used some left over cotton yarn from another project….I love to reuse materials from other projects. The bad thing is I keep everything and my “organizer” bids are a crazy mess!
•  I used US # 8 bamboo knitting needles.

• ·         9” Zipper
• ·         Plastic Sewing Darning Needle

Things from around the house:

• ·         Sewing Needle and Thread

Optional:

• ·         Felt
• ·         Lace
• ·         Brother Sewing Machine
• If you don’t have an embroidery sewing machine you can always cut out felt letters or stamp OMG into a piece of fabric. There is always another way!

Step 1:

That's Mee Knitting at the airport! 

In my case I wanted to give myself a knitting project so I knit my bag but if you’re not in a knitting mood or don’t know how to knit you can always use fabric and sew this bag as well.

My Bridal Bag went like this:

For me gauge was not a real consideration. I knew I could find a zipper that would fit whatever size I made. I wanted a medium to small size bag so it would be easy to carry. My bag measures 8 ½”x6” which is a nice hand held size.

Cast on 60 stitches and then I used a simple knit and purl mosaic pattern. I then used a reverse knit and purl pattern that creates a nice rib and then followed the mosaic pattern again. But you can use your favorite knit pattern and it will come out beautiful. 

After I finished knitting I left a long string so I could sew up the sides of the bag.

Step 2:

Fold your knitting in half the long way and using a plastic or metal darning needle to simply stitch up the bottom and side of the bag. Leave the top of the bag open for the zipper.

Step 3:

Leaving your bag wrong side out (the side where you just sewed out) place your zipper facing down along the top edge of your bag. You can use pins to hold it down but I didn’t feel that is was necessary. Start sewing you zipper into the top of your bag. I had never sewn into any knitting before but it was very easy and fast. I used white thread and it was almost invisible when I was done. Continue sewing the other side of the zipper to the opposite side of your bag. Unzip the zipper to access the inside if needed.

Optional:

During this you can also stitch in a lining with another fabric while you sew on your zipper. In my case my knitting was pretty tight so I didn’t really think I needed one…..even thought it would be nice.

Step 4:

Make sure your zipper is secure and unzip it. Flip your bag inside out and you should have a nice edge where you stitched up the sides of your knitting and at your zipper.

Step 5:

Using your Brother Embroidery Sewing Machine embroider the letters OMG. If you don’t have an embroidery machine you can always cut out felt letters or even stamp letters onto fabric. After you have your letters cut out a heart or whatever shape you want around them. Then using your sewing needle and thread stitch your letters on one side of your bag.

Step 6:

Fill the bag up with emergency supplies for the big day.

I filled mine up with:

• A few tampons
• Mini sewing kit
• Tissues 
• Water Proof Mascara 
• Clear Nail Polish
• Lip Gloss
• Gel Pad for Heals
• GO CRAZY!!!

This is a very thoughtful gift for any bride at her rehearsal dinner or a handy and fun DIY project for a crafty bride. I love my OMG Emergency Bag because it has a handmade touch but I can use it as an everyday makeup pouch after my wedding. ENJOY!! 

DIY Rosebud Clutch

Rose Clutch

This is the second clutch of the DSMeeBee Bridal Clutch Collection. This is a simple clutch with a Velcro closure. This clutch will make a beautiful gift for any bride or bridesmaid. Making one clutch took me about 30-40 minuets to finish with a sewing machine. The time you spend will be well worth having these hand made clutches as part of your bridal party's look.

Things you will need:

• 8 1/2” x 11” Sheet of Felt
• ½ yard of fabric (any color)
• Non-Stick Velcro
• Ruler

Things from around your house:

• Scissors
• Needle and Thread
• Pins

Optional:

• Lace
• Sewing Machine

Step 1:

Cut two pieces of your fabric with a 1” boarder around your felt sheet. Wrap the edges of the fabric around the sides of the felt sheet and pin the fabric down. Being careful to fold the corners down and pin them to be sewn. You can either use a sewing machine or sew by hand. A sewing machine is obviously faster but sewing by hand also works.

Step 2:

Cut a strip of fabric about 36” long and 2” wide. Fold the strip in half and sew along the cut edge.

Step 3:

Take the felt and fabric piece that you already sewed together and fold it into thirds with the fabric side down. You will be sewing one third to the second third to form a pocket. The third third will be the flap to cover the clutch. On the cover to the clutch roll the strip of fabric you sewed together around itself and place it where you would like your rose to be and make a small mark.

Begin your fabric rose by rolling one end 3 times around itself. Sew that piece down where you made that small mark on the cover of the clutch. At this point I found it is easiest to use a needle and thread to sew down the rose. Continue wrapping the strip of fabric around itself and stitch down the strip every few inches. When you are at the end of the strip of fabric tuck the rough edges down and continue stitching. At the very end of the strip you will need to tuck the end under the wrapped rose and stitch it to itself.

Step 4:

Fold up the cover of your clutch and measure equal distance from each end to place each piece of Velcro. (Use non stick Velcro it is much easier to sew.) After you have sewn down your Velcro now you need to sew the inside lining of your clutch.

Step 5:

As you did in step 1 wrap your fabric lining so you have a nice edge around your clutch. But only sew down one edge so you can locate and sew down the opposite sides of the Velcro on the inner lining. After you have measured and located the Velcro then pin the Velcro down. Make sure the Velcro is in the right location before you sew it down. Once you have sewn it down fold down the rest of the edges of your lining and sew them down to the inside of the felt.

Now you are done with your clutch but if you want the lace look you can sew down the scalloped edge of a piece of lace on the cover of the clutch. I think it adds a little something extra but it completely optional.

Step 6:

Enjoy your clutch! Give them to your bridesmaids or give one to a special bride!