harry potter bow tie//tutorial

so who has seen the new Harry Potter movie?? me!! my friends and i went to see the midnight premiere. it was amazing. i was speechless. highly recommend seeing it yourself :) and i think you should make some fancy Griffindor bow ties too. i'll teach you now...it's super easy!

since i couldn't find the right striped fabric, i just made my own. but maybe you will get lucky and find some :) you will also need a sewing machine, needle, thread, scissors, and velcro.

step 1: cut a section about 1" wider than you want your bow tie width and about 4" longer than your bow tie length. then iron in each side like the picture above.

step 2: pinch the middle to form a bow shape.

step 3: insert the needle and thread and stitch a few passes to keep the bow shape. leave the needle attached. cut a small section for the middle cover and a long enough length to fit your neck. you can also you ribbon if you want to skip adding the velcro.

step 4: place the neck piece on the back of the bow and wrap the small middle cover around both. stitch the small piece tight.

step 5: sew on two pieces of velcro on either end of you neck length piece, making sure that the velcro matches up on once around your neck.

done!! enjoy wearing your fancy harry potter bow tie :)

i love how differently they all turned out :) the beauty of handmade.

xoxo

tutorial round-up

there are some amazing crafty tutorials out there lately, so i gathered up my favorites to share with you!

from the dainty squid...

sweater clip tutorial

polka dot nails

from a beautiful mess...

fabric necklace

modern friendship bracelets

from how about orange...

crepe paper flowers

making your own printed fabric

masking tape gift bags

from oh crafts...

paper punch garland

happy crafting!!

xoxo

photoshop tutorial-actions

i use photoshop actions on almost all of my photos now. it is incredibly easy and there are many free actions to download from fabulous people (links at the end).

first, start with your original photo. have it cropped and any other blemish fixed, etc.

next, find your loaded actions and pick one out :)

finally, press play! seriously that easy.

here are some links to my favorite (free!) photoshop actions...

stardixa

alice in underland

rocket launch"

paint the moon

michelle nicole

and if you want more info about working with photoshop actions, click here. happy actions!

xoxo

i feel pretty: make-up tutorial

i made more of an effort to actually do some fun stuff with my make-up this week and i sure do feel pretty :)

yesterday i tried a new combination of colors and it really turned out good! here is a little step by step on how i accomplished this look...

1. start with eye shadow primer. this is a must for long lasting, all day wear of eye shadow! i never wear shadow without it anymore.

2. take a mixture of black and dark brown shadows (a dab of each on the brush) and put in the outside corners of the lid, going about 1/4 into the lid.

3. layer the black and brown with a plum color, extending that into the middle. this gives the black and brown a softer look.

4. next take a yellowish gold color and put that in the inside corner, just slightly blending it into the plum.

5. use a shimmery white to highlight the corners and below the eyebrow.

6. finish with black or brown eyeliner and mascara!

don't you look pretty :) i also decided to go all out and wear red lipstick too! i'm not much of a lipstick person, but i do make a point to wear it sometimes.

let me know if you try this technique, i would love to hear what you think!

xoxo