You Ought to Give me Wedding Rings

My beautiful best friend Teale Kelly married the wonderful Greg Fox on the 27th this week. I couldn’t be happier for them both! There wedding was beautiful and I was so glad to be able to be in Rochester for it. I loved that the wedding was a perfect representation of themselves. They did everything very non-traditional and pulled off an easy, comfortable, casual wedding that still had plenty of glam.

She wore a beautiful and simple off-white gown that matched her mother’s train perfectly. It was great that she was able to tie in a piece of her mother’s wedding with her beautifully apliqued train. She wore feather’s in her hair and thrift store find earrings (perfect!) as well as the big statement piece…designer red Louboutin shoes! Our good friend Sue from Surface Hair salon in the South Wedge in Rochester, NY did her hair Greg wore a three-piece suit with a pocket watch (swanky!) and a red tie to match her shoes. Sue did Greg’s hair too. They looked so great!

The wedding and reception was held at Artisan Works, an art gallery and Co-Op In Rochester. It was a really funky, unique place to hold a wedding and provided something to do for the guests that don’t dance. It was so much fun to tool around the place with the happy couple to take photos. Just outside those doors is the bar where canapes and drinks were served while the room was transformed from ceremony to reception.

Teale and Greg had one of their first dates and Phillips European, a restaurant in Rochester, where they went for dessert. They decided to go with Phillip European’s beautiful desserts instead of a wedding cake which I thought was a more sentimental…and delicious…idea. They displayed so beautifully and really beat out the wedding cake idea for me!

The Reception went until 10 and a second after-party was hosted at local restaurant and cocktail bar Good Luck. Teale changed out of her wedding gown into this beautiful party dress that was made by her good friend Kate. Kate is a seamstress and Etsy seller that makes beautiful fashion creations. This dress was made out of a vintage sequined skirt that she shortened into a dress. The extra fabric was sewn on as cap sleeves and it was all synched off at the waist with a gold ribbon. It was so beautiful with her red shoes! Beautiful work Kate!

Kate did some work on her own dress too! She’s great with re-working vintage clothes.

Kate has made dresses for Teale and I before. The first time I met Kate she had made a faux wedding dress for Teale to wear and destroy as I took photos. We took her creation to Stoney Brook Park and wrecked it under water falls in the name of art. Kate was a good sport for creating it, Teale was a good sport for wearing it in cold cold water. You’ll be hearing more about Kate around here soon!

I made my own dress for the wedding too, unfortunately since I took the photos…I dont have any of the dress! I’ll make sure I find some soon to share with you. Its made entirely of recycled neckties in black, white and gray.

Congrats to the happy couple again, and now that this busy holiday weekend/moving is through, I hope to get head first back into the shop and the blog. Remember to take advantage of Cyber Monday free shipping at my Etsy store!

How To (Felt Strawberry Short Cake)

I’ve been hard at work sewing together my niece’s christmas present…a felt tea party!

Earlier I gave you a tutorial on how to make felt strawberry slices, and as promised, here is the strawberry shortcake to put them on!

For this project you will need pink felt, tan felt, white felt, pink thread, tan thread, and white thread.

First step is to make the top and bottom of the cake. I took a cereal bowl that was the size I wanted my finished cake to be and traced it on the felt. The pink will be the top of the cake, the tan will be the bottom. To make perfect quarters for the slices of your cake, fold the circle in half and cut along the fold. Take the half circle, fold it in half again and cut along the fold. You should end up with 4 pink quarters  and four tan quarters like this.

The size of the next pieces will depend on the size of the circle you’ve cut. For the outer edge of the cake you will cut a rectangle out of the pink. Determine how tall you want your cake. Mine was 3 inches tall, therefore my pink rectangle was 3 inches tall. The length of your rectangle is determined by how long the curved edge of your cake quarters.

Pink rectangle = 3 inches tall x lenght of curve

The next piece you will cut are the insides of the cake slices. They will be cut from tan felt and have the same height of your cake. The length of the tan rectangle is determined by measuring the straight side of the cake quarter.

Tan rectangle = 3 inches tall x length of straight side of cake quarter.

You will need 2 tan rectangles per wedge, and one pink. Total…8 tan pieces and 4 pink pieces.

Next you will cut a looooooooong wavy strip of pink felt. This will be your layer of cream in the cake. Put two tan pieces together end to end, lay the pink strip over the top, and cut it to fit the length of each piece.  You should end up with 8 pieces of wavy pink filling, one for each tan rectangle. Stitch them to the center of the tan pieces with pink floss.

Start to stitch it all together! I started by putting the filling pieces beside the pink topping and sewing along the straight sides of the topping wedge with pink floss. From there I stitched the pink rectangle to the pink curve of the wedge.

Continue on with the pink floss to stitch the pink rectangle to the sides of the tan rectangles.

Switch to tan thread sew the point of the cake together. Stitch the tan wedge into the bottom of the cake making sure to leave a space to stuff the cake.

Stuff your cake making sure that you don’t over stuff it! You want your slices to fit together on the straight edges. Stitch it up and shape it nicely.

Next we’re going to make frosting. I went nuts with this but you can make as little or as much as you like.  You’ll start by making a paper template of a pointed leaf shape about an inch long.

This next step can be done by hand stitching one by one, or you can cheat like me! Trace out this pattern on white felt so that the points of the shape touch but don’t over lap. Fold the felt over so that you will have two layers of this shape.

On the sewing machine, sew down the center of your row of frosting.. IMPORTANT.. back stitch over every spot where the shapes touch end to end. This way, you can cut out the shapes and the stitching won’t unravel.

Cut out each shape!

The two layer piece should unfold into an “X” shape. By sewing these pieces overlapping at the edge of your cake you create frosting!

With the size of my cake and my one inch pieces of frosting, it took 5 pieces to line one edge of each slice. I frosted the top and bottom edges of each slice, as well as a small circle of frosting in the center of the top of the cake. Frost it up!

If you’ve made the strawberries as well, arrange them and stitch them into your cake. Decorate it however you like. Try red velvet! Dark chocolate! What ever your felt tooth desires

UPDATE: For the finished cake and related items please follow the link to this post!

Ho Ho Home for the Holidays

The Holidays are in full swing! I love this time of year, Especially now that allll my gift making is done super early and I can just enjoy the season. For those of you still in frantic mode, here is some cheer to put in your cup a la Etsy!

Red Nosed Reindeer Tutu Dress by TutuFairy

Before I had decided to make my niece’s their Felt Tea Party, I was planning on making them Tutu Fairy costumes. They’re so cute and they’re all over the place. I really love this one because it’s a full dress and the hem is cut beautifully. (see the link for photos of the hem.) Its longer in the back and short in the front. It’s almost like a more Formal Tutu. I could see a little one wearing this to a party and not just for dress up. I also like that it’s christmasy without being red and green. Just beautiful! There is another in the store that’s all green with little ornaments. The shape of the dress lends itself perfectly to a christmas tree! Check out their shop at Tutufairy.etsy.com

Girl and Boy Elf Pillow Covers by DesignsbyNancyT

These are super cute to jazz up the bedroom for Christmas. It’s such a quirky design for christmas! Check out the DesignsbyNancyT Etsy store.

Black and Green Kneehigh Slippers by TheCrocodileRock

I love love love these slippers! They’re on my Christmas list for sure. I’ve always loved things that hug my legs in the winter. I have a huge collection of legwarmers and knee high socks, and now I want these cute slippers. I like the floral pattern and they look so cozy. They remind me of the extra boots eskimos wear inside their mukluks. I bet they would be great inside winter boots for sledding too! Check out more of her cozy knitted slippers in her Etsy Store.

Mele Kalikimaka by TwoGuitars

Mele Kalikimaka is one of my favorite Christmas songs and always makes me think of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. These cards are beautiful, simple, and so different! Check out more great prints from TwoGuitars in their Etsy store.

Custom Silhouette Ornament by Ohanabylea

My mom always puts an ornament on our packages at Christmas, and these custom cut silhouette ornaments are such a beautiful keepsake. I’d imagine you’d have to get your order in quick to ensure it in time for christmas so get in and order now! Order at Ohanabylea‘s Etsy store.

Something to Hug

I’ve left Sydney Australia for Upstate New York and am once again experiencing winter! I keep my dogs in my bed, but stuffed animals can keep the heat almost as well. Heres some cute and cuddlies available on etsy…

Yoki the Fat Dragon by DIYFluffies

DIY Fluffies offers PDF patterns to make your own stuffed animals. I particularly like this dragon and two little fat penguins. You can purchase and download patterns to make these yourself from her etsy store. If you’re not so handy with sewing, this same designer has a second store that sells Fluffels…jewelry and monster-y stuffed animals that come ready-made.

Genius Fabric Plush Stuffed with Recycled Bags by Art Tales

These stuffed animals aren’t just cute but good for the environment! Each stuffed animal is made from found and repurposed fabric, rough stitched and created sans-pattern, and stuffed with plastic bags. Such a great idea! It’s nice that each animal will have its own tale to tell. Her shop is full of animals, monsters, and monster-animals. Stop by and scoop one up in her etsy store, or follow along to see whats coming on her blog.

Holiday Pogo and Sleepsack by Pogoshop

The creator of these little snuggly pogos lives in a  hand-built log home in the fores and draws on her natural setting for the creation of the stuffed pogos for sale in her etsy shop.These stuffed animals are also made from up-cycled materials, using wool sweaters and eco-friendly bamboo fiberfill.

Each one is hand-made and you won’t find any two alike so get into her shop before your favorite goes missing for christmas!

Gertie Guinea Pig by PeriwinklePark

This is another DIY plushy. Buy and download this PDF knitting pattern from the Periwinkle Park etsy store. I have little guinea pigs and I love this piggy…especially since he looks just like one of mine! I have a texel guinea pig who’s fur looks like curly sheep’s wool…this guinea pig is made with a mohair yarn. I have no idea how to knit, but if you can…go get this pattern!

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale!

In celebration of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Megnificent Made will have FREE SHIPPING to all of the US and Canada! This promotion will last November 27-November 30!

Notebook Style Fabric Book by Megnificent Made

Fabric notebooks are great little keepsake gifts and come in loads of beautiful fabric combinations. When you order a fabric notebook, you have a choice of two varieties. You can get the Writer’s Pack which includes pens, pencils and lined paper. It’s perfect for journal writers, students and even just chronic list makers! The Artist’s Pack comes with drawing pencils and sketch paper and is the perfect carry along for those that like to doodle.

Vespa in Paris Custom Coloring Book by Megnificent Made

Custom Coloring Books are a great gift for kids this Christmas! We take your photographs and turn them into coloring book pages for your kids to add their creative touch to. Kids love coloring in the people and places they know and love. Select from the store one of the many adorable fabric books you would like and it will come with 14 custom coloring pages and crayons. An extra 12 coloring book pages can be purchased for $4. For more information on how to select photos and send them, look in the Customer Help section of the blog.

Silver Sparkle Camera Wristlet by Megnificent Made

For the ladies in your life, or even for yourself, pick up a Camera Wristlet! These cute little purses are designed to hold a digital camera. I’ve found that when I dress up to go out, I often can’t fit my camera in my little purses. I hate to ruin an outfit by toting around a camera bag so here’s the solution! It’ll be great for the holiday parties when you’ll look your best and also have your camera to capture your holiday memories!

Get in there Friday through Monday and take advantage of our Free Shipping deal!

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope you all enjoy the holiday with family and friends…Eat as much as you like!

My mom is a fantastic cook and I’ll be sharing her thanksgiving recipes this coming week that you can try out during the upcoming season…Including a pumpkin spice triffle!

 

Southern Paradise

Before leaving Australia, Graham and I were trying to make the most of our time together. We took a quick weekend trip to the Nan Tien temple in Wollongong south of Sydney. It’s the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere and an absolutely beautiful, peaceful place.

Nan Tien Temple known as “Southern Paradise” is the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. The temple focuses on the exchange of eastern and western cultures; the interchange of the traditional and the modern; and also the adaptation with the local communities. Not to mention, the nurturing and educating of devotees and the general public. Over the past ten years, Nan Tien Temple has become one of the favourite venue for religious study groups, school excursions and community group outings. Nan Tien Temple offers regular events, such as meditation retreats, excursions, art and craft classes etc. Nan Tien Temple is not only a place of Buddhists attraction in Sydney but also one of the most well known international tourist attractions. It attracts more than a few hundred thousand visitors from all over the world all year round. In addition, it plays an important role of propagating the Buddha Dharma and promoting the exchange and harmonization of the eastern and western cultures as well as all religions.

I’m not a religious person but I do think that religious places are beautiful and I love visiting them. Nan Tien features a number of different temples, each ornately decorated and allow you to give different kinds of offerings. Some had incense, rice, candles or flowers and each offering stood for a aspect of life that could use some cleansing or prosperity.

In the first temple Graham made a donation, I made a prayer and then received this itty bitty scroll with good advice Behind me you can sort of see the statues and decoration but cameras weren’t allowed :/

The second temple was set up higher than the first and was surrounded by smaller buildings for teaching and seminars. There is a room for learning caligraphy, restaurants and tea rooms. This temple had a big bell and drum (I wanted to hit it so bad!) and had a beautiful view of the mountain side and the Pagoda in the distance.

This was NOT ALLOWED but I couldnt help it…it was so impressive! Each little light on the was a small recess with a statue of buddha. The lights were lit in prayer. Here you could light a candle in prayer or tie a wish to a small tree. All over the grounds of the temple were lily ponds surrounded by many small buddha statues and each one was very different. Apparently, buddha isn’t one person but rather a name to refer to someone who has reached enlightenment.

After leaving the temples we climbed a very big and steep hill to ring this gratitude bell. I wasn’t feeling grateful when I got there but it was a beautiful view and a beautiful bell. From there you follow back down the hill to the Pagoda. I was surprised to find that the pagoda is a very tall mausoleum filled with small compartments for ashes. The bottom floor is a temple and each level up has small compartments with brass plates naming those buried there. On the grounds there is also a crematorium.

It was a great trip and I really recommend a go if you’re in the area!

How To (Felt Strawberry Halves)

I’ve been hard at work sewing together my niece’s felt tea party. I’ve used some wonderful patterns from UmeCraft on Etsy, but I won’t share her secrets! Sorry!

I’ve promised to keep you posted on the progress of the tea party and I’m currently in the middle of crafting a strawberry shortcake. This tutorial will give you an idea of how to put together the strawberry slices for the cake (tutorial to come for cake!)

For this you’ll need some red, pink and green felt. I used a cream color embroidery thread for the seeds, green on the leaves, and red thread to pull it all together.

Your basic shape is a heart! Make sure the bottom is rounded and not a point, and that the lobes at the top are nice and wide and rounded. To start off, stitch in your “seeds” scattered around the surface of the heart.

First, ignore my nail polish. Sewing is harsh on nails…and I’ve never been diligent that way. Fold the heart in half with your seeds on the inside. Start whip stitching within the dip in the top of the heart. You’re going to sew along the humps at the top of the heart from the folded side to about where my white knot is. I like to start further away from the seem at the side with the fold, and as i sew outward start placing my stitches closer to the edge. When you turn your strawberry back out again, it will make the curve at the top of your berry rounder and smoother.

Tie off your knot and turn your berry inside out. There should be a nice curve at the top! Place the berry down on the pink felt like you see here. I just cut around them but if you prefer, use a fabric pen to draw the outline of the berry onto the pink felt.

This pink piece will be sewn to the open side of your strawberry. Cut an elongated red heart to stitch into the center of the pink piece. I hate tieing knots so I try to do all of this in one swoop! Before finishing off the stitches, stuff the strawberry and seal it up.

If you like (it depends on how you attach the berries to your cake) you can and a green star shape to the top of the berry with green thread. Free-style cut them and they’ll look more organic!

I will post soon how to make the felt cake to go with these berries…but they’re beautiful all on their own!

Up-heaved

The Megnificent Made Etsy store will be closed for a few days (11/22 – 11/24) while I move from Sydney to New York. The move will be for a few months while I work out the mess of visas and residency. Behind I will be leaving Graham and our piggies but will have the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends in New York through the holidays and then some. Bitter sweet as always!

I intend to sell and post from New York so bare with me while I get my feet on the ground again!

2 for Tea

Cups of Tea Screen Printed Cards by Larara

LaRara is an artist working in Sydney Australia that sells to local shops, occasional markets, private commission and on her etsy store.

I really love her illustration work and this eclectic little collection of tea cups is charming! She also has a set of cards for sale with a variety of wooden chair designs. Her shop has a great inventory of thank you cards and holiday cards, so get your orders in now!