Burlap Messenger Bag With Bow

Here is what I've been up to lately...

 We have two new purses in our shop!

One for women, and one for girls!

Like what you see? Shop now!

Because each bag is handmade by me, 

there are never two identical bags!

 So if you like what you see, buy now before it is gone! 

Have a good weekend, and thanks for reading! :)

-Sylv

Baby Gift From An Old Tee Shirt DIY

Remember my baby gift tutorial that I posted earlier this spring?

Well, I made another baby girl gift using the same steps!

For this project, I used an upcycled tee shirt for fabric...

I packaged it in a little origami box I made form cardstock, 

topped with one of my handmade flowers.

When I want to make an origami box, 

I just look up a origami box tutorial on youtube!

You could make this same project for a boy, 

using a sailboat, car, bike, whale, owl... on the shirt!

 I used my walking foot to sew on the heart. I still haven't located 

my fabric stabilizer; it sure would have been nice to have some!

Also, rather than a ruffle, I just added a stack of raw 

fabric strips as the hem. It made a neat layered look!

To make the little headband, I simply sewed the ends of a  long rectangle 

piece of knit together, then sewed a tube of knit around the seam!

Here is what my first outfit of this sort looked like:

You can find the tutorial here.

-Sylvie

This Kitchen Makes Me Want To Puke In My Mouth..

THE CASE OF THE OUTDATED KITCHEN... 

This lovely kitchen was put in in the 80s. It's the same age as me.

Only difference is I've made a few updates to myself since then, 

and this kitchen is still EXACTLY the same!! Heave. Heave.

If my kitchen was a person, it would have big hair, a black (with puffy neon words) shirt that looks more like a tent, a pair of super long-butt pants, and blue eye shadow that is like, the bombdigity! 

The counter is stained, has holes in it, and has this stellar texture- 

perfect for gathering all the food my kids leave behind! 

I keep threatening Mr. Liv that if something isn't done about that counter, he may not find any clean underwear in the magic refilling drawer anymore! ;) 

The top cupboards gather all my awesome stash.

You know, the stash that some soft sweet voice tells you is so convenient to have, while a harsh low voice is telling you to PITCH THE JUNK BEFORE IT COMES ALIVE AND TAKES OVER!!! 

The trim under the cabinets was done wrong. Well, where actually WAS done, it was done wrong! 

Yikes! I could do better myself!!

The 1980s cupboards are in desperate need of some paint, new stain, or maybe they're actually in need of being hurled to the curb!

The tile back splash is not all there, due to a cupboard moving project that I started without Mr. Liv. What? Me? I would never!!

The knobs where once brass, 
but now have a layer of chipping black paint on them... 

The appliances don't match. Now I'm no fan of fancy matchy- wahtchy, but they're THREE different colors!!! Maybe I should bust out the paint!?

The sink is one of those really cool ones that the finish wears out after a while, and next thing you know, your denture cleaner up and eats the finish off the bottom of the sink! (NO, I don't have dentures, I just have denture cleaner... Sheesh!) 

I found a lovely new faucet at a garage sale, but it doesn't fit the gorgeous sink, so I'm still waiting to find an awesome sink in someone's junk pile! 

I have these tremendous urges to put a little Band-Aid on my pride and go ahead and point out the two things I like about my kitchen... and then go on about why I haven't tackled redoing it yet.

But I'm gonna go ahead and say it... 
I need help with this big project! 
Ok, phew, it's out there! 
The first step is admitting your problem right? :)

Insert: Mandi from Vintage Revivals... 
Mandi is giving away another Epic Room Makeover!!! 
My kitchen NEEDS this makeover SOOOO bad! 

******************************************************

Dear Mandi,

   I have a problem. Her name is 1980's Gloomy Eyesore. She still is healthy, and operates well, but she is hideous and gloomy. She could really use a shot of your bright cheerfulness, as well as some serious plastic surgery. 

  I have seen the face lifts that you have previously performed, and I am thoroughly impressed with your work. You are a perfect candidate to operate on 1980's Gloomy Eyesore. Now, remember, she is very near and dear to me, as I spent many hours a day with her, and she is the center of my home. 

  I strongly believe that we, as a team, can restore her to her former beauty. We all deserve to age with grace, and I would hate to see her get left behind, in the pit of stonewashed jeans. 

  If you indeed come here with your paintbrush and screwdriver in hand, she and I will do all that we can to perform our best for you. Together with her I will make you the most delicious meal you've ever experienced. She will stand strong in front of us no matter how much we put her through. Of this I am convinced. 

  Please Mandi, come help out 1980's Gloomy Eyesore! It will definitely be a hoot and a holler and a stellar time!!!

P.S. Michigan is just plain lovely in the fall. 

       You have to experience it! :)

Love, Sylvie

******************************************************

Mandi can work wonders in any room. I spend most of my day in this room, yet it is the ugliest room in the house!  I really need Mandi and her pal Hailee to come storming in here and help me whip this room into shape! 
So why am I telling you lovely readers about this? I need your help too!
September 7- 14, I need you all to head over to Vintage Revivals and VOTE FOR ME!!! Tell all your friends and enemies to vote for me too!! I will definitely remind you all on Sept 7 to cast your vote. Thanks so much guys, cross your fingers for me!
-Sylv

Reader To Reader Inspiration

How about some inspiration for you, from another reader just like you?!

Sarah and Fotis D of El Segundo, CA used our

 Industrial Shelf Tutorial here to create their own version!

Aren't they pretty! I love the colors they chose!
Nice work Sarah and Fotis, and thank you for sharing!!

Here is what mine look like...

I still smile at these shelves every time I walk into the room!:)

You can find the tutorial, and a materials list here.

Enjoy!

-Sylvie

Simple Maple Rosemary Steamed Carrots Recipe

Maple Rosemary Carrots

Vegetables that taste like candy!? I'm all about that! :)

Making candied carrots is super simple.

On Monday I shared my spaghetti squash recipe, and I served it with candied carrots.

 I love meals that sneak in vegetables! 

Ingredients:

Carrots peeled and sliced small

Pure Maple Syrup

Dried Rosemary

(All amounts will vary depending on how big a portion you'd like!)

Directions:

Place a layer of carrots in the bottom of a microwave safe dish and with a lid.

I like to use my microwave steamer (which is basically a bowl with a lid that has holes in it). 

Pour maple syrup over the carrots just enough to coat the carrots. They do not have to be completely submerged, just pour enough to cover the bottom and give the carrots all a syrup layer. 

Cover with lid and microwave high until the carrots are tender when poked with a fork. About 10-12 min, depending on the strength of the microwave.

Drain the syrup off the carrots and sprinkle with dried rosemary.

Serve warm, enjoy! :)

-Sylvie

Washi Tape Cake Flags

Washi tape is a type of tape made from Japanese washi paper.

It really has been big in the crafting world lately. There are so many things that you can do with it, and there are so many varieties of it!

Here are some fun ones from Pretty Tape.

I recently ordered a couple rolls from Inkkit including this salmon roll:

This is the first project that I tried out with it and I love them!!

They were super easy and fun!

Want to make some of your own?

You will need:

Washi Tape

Toothpicks

Scissors

Here is how to make them...

First, rip off a piece of tape 2-3 inches long. Place a toothpick in the center, 

 fold the tape around the toothpick,

 and trim an arrow shape off of the ends of the tape using scissors.

 That's it! Repeat, repeat, repeat...

 Play with different colors and sizes of tapes to make different flags!

Aren't they a super easy, simple, and cute addition to a cupcake!?

Enjoy! :)

-Sylvie

Super Simple Spaghetti Squash In The Microwave

Spaghetti squash is a good, healthy, and easy alternative to pasta.

It is also a easy way to sneak a vegetable into your kids diet!

I make spaghetti squash in the microwave! 

It is easy, fast, and convenient. 

The squash texture is almost exactly the same as pasta. 

The flavor is very similar to pasta, but a little bit sweeter.

Here is what to do...

Cut your squash in half the short way and scrape out the seeds with a spoon.

Put about 1" of water in the bottom of a microwave safe casserole dish.

Place the halves open side down in the water. (Like the one on the right)

Microwave on high for 13-16 min (times will vary with different microwave strengths).

You know your squash is done when it looks wet 

and easily shreds into a spaghetti shape with a fork.

Using a fork, scrape all of the insides out with a fork, discarding the outer skin.

Use a splash of the leftover water to pour over the "pasta" 

to moisten any dry patches.

And that's it! :) Serve just as you would spaghetti from a box!

 I made mine with Maple Rosemary Carrots.

( I will share that recipe later this week...)

The kids didn't even notice all the veggies they were eating! :)

Enjoy!

-Sylv

Little Girls Ruffle Linen Skirt

We have been having cool fall weather around here...

That means less swimming and more sewing! :)

Today we have a new girls ruffle linen skirt in the shop!

Isn't it a darling lil thing!?

You can read more about it in here in our shop.

The first skirt like this that I made was for myself, 

and it continues to be a favorite item in the closet. 

Every time I wear it, I get compliments!

Makes me want to wear it everyday! ;)

Hopefully (if the weather stays cool) we'll have more inside days

and I can make a few more in different sizes...

Thank you for reading my blog! :)

-Sylv

Tall Girl Messenger Bag In The Shop

Do any of you own a shop with handmade lovelies in it?

Do you ever pour your blood, sweat, and tears for hours into something 

beautiful, and then list it for sale- with much hesitation?

That is what I just did...

I made this lovely purse for our shop, and well,

 I just might stay up all night making another for myself!! :) 

 Isn't she lovely!? This one was made for tall girls/women 

with an extra long strap. A shorter one will be coming soon!

We also sell a smaller version of this for women, as well as a 

mini one for little girls! You can find all of them in our shop here.

Thank you for reading my blog! :) 

-Sylvie

Quick Hat Redo

Here is a quick little nap time project I did today...

I picked up this lil girls hat for $0.20 at the thrift store! 

I didn't love the old ribbon, and the flowers are just not me... 

 So a quick makeover and now I love it! :) $0.20!!!

 The ribbon was just hot glued to the hat, so I pulled it off, and hot glued

a new ribbon on from my bin! I made the bow by folding a large loop 

in the ribbon, and then a small loop around that. I hot glued it all in place,

and that is it! :) From summer hat to fall, just like that! 

Here is an little girls fall outfit idea for what to wear with it...

Hat: Thrifted

Sweater & Shoes: Zara

Burlap Purse: SylvieLiv

Ruffle Tank & Leggings: TJMaxx

Skirt: Target

Have a good week!! :)

-Sylvie

Orange Inspiration

I really have a thing for orange lately.

Not the fruit, the color!

One moment I'm thinking "Oh how about nice crisp white and cream

for the birthday theme!" and next thing I know, the orange cupcake

liners are out and in the muffin tins! Impulses I tell ya! ;)

Cake Topper Tutorial, Cloud Frosting Recipe

Here are a few of my favorite orange things from around the web...

1.Doll Family, 2.Singing Bird, 3.Washi Tape, 4.Market Tote.

I actually just ordered a roll of the orange washi tape;

 I can't wait to get it in the mail! :)

What about you?

Do you have orange fever too?

-Sylv