I Was Featured! Ribbon & Pearl Necklace at Handmade Jewelry Club

My Romantic Ribbon & Pearl Necklace tutorial is being featured over at

the Handmade Jewelry Club Blog!

This is an awesome blog packed with tutorials and inspiration for the handmade jewelry enthusiast or wannabe! So go check them out, and don't forget to leave a little love while your there!

Thanks Jane, for featuring me!

 I'm so flattered to share space with such talented bloggers!

Panoramic Sugar Easter Egg Tutorial

Start a new Easter tradition by making some panoramic sugar eggs this weekend! They look complicated, but really are easy and inexpensive! My friend Kathy taught me how to make these, and graciously lets me barrow her egg molds too. :o)

Ingredients for the sugar eggs:
5 Cups Sugar
1 Egg White
optional, Food Coloring

Other supplies:
Egg molds
knife and spoon
small decorations for inside
royal icing to decorate outside/inside

Directions:
1) Mix the sugar, egg white and food coloring well. It will have the consistency of damp sand.

2) Pack the sugar mixture into each half of the egg mold, and place flat side down onto a cookie sheet, carefully lift the mold away. (just like making sand castles when you were a kid)

3) Using a knife cut away the tip of the narrow end of both eggs. Try to remove the same amount from each half. (this will become your "peep" hole)

4) Allow eggs to dry for a couple hours, times vary depending on the size of your egg. The outside should be firm and dry, but the inside of the egg should still be soft.

5) Scoop damp sugar out of egg halves, leaving a "hollow" shell. Do not leave the sides too thin.

6) Using a spoon or your fingers carefully remove edge from trimmed end to make "peep" hole opening.

7) Leave egg halves upside down until inside is completely dry

8) use a dab of icing to secure bottom half of egg to board or plate covered in foil or parchment paper to keep egg from moving with constructing and decorating.

9) Use royal icing to decorate and secure items inside bottom egg half.

10) Run a bead of icing along shell edge and place top half of egg directly on top, lining up edges.

11) Use icing to cover seams and decorate around "peep" hole.

13) Add flowers and other decorations, using icing to secure them to the eggs.

14) Stand back and admire your work while realizing you are now one step closer to Martha

Some tips:
When you scoop out the middles of your eggs return the sugar mixture to your bowl to make more eggs!

When trimming out the peep hole of the semi-dried egg halves be careful, it will be dry and brittle and can leave a ragged hole if not done gently.

Icing hides a multitude of sins. If your egg cracks you can repair it with icing or if your peep hole is ragged cover it with icing or flowers.

Can't find any molds? I used a traditional plastic easter egg to make this little cutie. :o)

Send me pics if you make any - I'd love to post them and link to your blog!

Romantic Ribbon & Pearl Necklace Tutorial + GIVEAWAY!

I'm celebrating Spring with a tutorial to make these lovely Ribbon & Pearl Necklaces!

And for those of you too busy with Easter preparations to make one for yourself, that's okay too,

because I'm offering my first giveaway!

Yay me!

Yay you!

Romantic Ribbon & Pearl Necklace Tutorial

Supplies:

• 
  
  Satin Ribbon (I used 5/8)
• 
  
  Pearl Beads
• 
  
  Beading Needle
• 
  
  Thread (I used clear)
• 
  
  Fray Check
• 
  
  Bead Board, Ruler or Mat

Gather your supplies and lay the beads out to desired length.

(I like the beads to only go to my shoulders, not around my neck)

Leaving ribbon on the spool, measure 12 inches from the raw edge.

At the 12 inch mark, secure knot and take a large stitch, about 1 inch wide, from bottom edge of ribbon to top edge of ribbon with a pearl on your thread. 

On the back side of your ribbon, slide another pearl on your thread and take a large stitch from the Top down to the Bottom.

You will be creating a zig-zag pattern with your stitches, with pearls on both sides of your ribbon.

Repeat Stitching in zig zag pattern until you have sewn on all your pearls.

Your ribbon should look like this now.

Gently pull your thread to gather up your ribbon and pearls.

Now you should see your necklace taking shape!

Secure the end with a knot.

Cut your ribbon 12 inches from the last bead. Use Fray Check to seal the ends of your ribbon and prevent fraying.

Tada!

You can shorten or lengthen the ties to what ever your preference is.

You aren't limited to ribbon or pearls for these necklaces either.

As you can see, I loved making these!

The center necklace is made with a vintage french lace and soft green and cream pearls. It turned out so delicate and romantic looking!

I also made one using mocha and rose colored pearls, the effect is an elegant neutral that would go with so much.

Of course the black and white combo is stunning with it's contrast and would be perfect for an evening out!

I couldn't decide which one I liked best - so I'll let you choose!

Post a comment below and let me know which necklace is your favorite, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win the necklace of your choice!

If you mention this tutorial or giveaway in your blog - post another comment for an additional entry!

Contest will close and I will post the winner on Friday

French Seam Tutorial

Somethings to know before you begin:

Sewing French seams can require a tiny bit of math to make sure your final seam allowance is correct.

 In the examples below I have a total seam allowance of 1/2 inch, so my first stitching line is 1/4 inch and my second is also 1/4 for a total of 1/2 inch seam allowance.

If I were using a pattern with a 5/8 inch seam allowance I would place my first stitching line at 3/8 and the second at 1/4 for a total of 5/8 inch seam allowance.

below I am using a straight stitch foot, a 1/4 quilting foot works great for French seaming too.

Step 1. Place fabrics WRONG sides together and sew using a 1/4 seam allowance

Step 2. Trim seam allowance to about 1/8 inch, careful not to trim too close to stitching

Step 3. Press the seam to set the stitches

Step 4. Press Fabric RIGHT sides together at the seam (your raw edge is now inside your fold)

Step 5. Sew another seam, using a 1/4 seam allowance along the folded edge.

 (this seam encases the raw edges you sewed earlier)

Step 6. After pressing the seam to set the stitches

press your fabrics open

Step 7. Press the French seam to one side (usually the back)

and you are done with this seam!

See how nice it looks in a finished garment?

can you even see it? look close!

Ta Da! No raw seams!

Thanks for help with the pictures Slick! :o)