Get Creative

December is the perfect month for parties and dressing up, and one event we will never miss out on is a good old Ugly Sweater Party – we just prefer to call it a Pretty Ugly Sweater Party instead! We kicked off this annual tradition by taking a trip to our favourite thrifting destination to pick out the perfect pretty sweaters, then gave them a personal twist.

There’s something so fun about browsing the many colourful racks at Value Village to find the ideal piece that you know nobody at the party will have. This year, we decided to make our knit picks even more unique by hand-stitching some holiday love. You can even find unexpected props and decor items (like pom poms and tinsel) at your local Value Village too if you’re going for a simpler “tacky” DIY, but we wanted the challenge of hand stitching this time around!

See the steps below to find out how we turned our Ugly Sweater Party pretty with the help of Value Village!

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What you’ll need //

Yarn
A darning needle big enough to fit your yarn
Vintage sweaters from Value Village
Scissors
A chalk pencil (optional)

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Think of the knit pattern as a grid and you can use simple needlepoint techniques to embroider simple phrases and images. If you don’t feel comfortable free-handing your design, you can plan it out first using a chalk pencil.

Tie a knot at one end of your yarn. Use a darning needle to come up from the back of the sweater and all the way through. Now go back in and out following along the grid of the sweater knit, you can even count the stitches to make sure you evenly space out your lines.
Make sure you don’t pull too tight after each stitch or you’re sweater will buckle. Finish your design on the backside of the sweater and tie off your yarn.

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This post was sponsored, but all opinions are my own. To inquire about sponsored posts, please email jess@shineinfluencers.com 

Get Creative

Welcome back weekenders! You may have noticed we took a little break from the #pastelcraftclub series last week, but we’re oh so happy to be back just in time for the impending seasonal shift. That’s right – cozy Fall DIY’s are coming soon, and we thought it was only fitting to do a roundup of some of our favourite summer 2016 projects as a farewell to the sunshine.

From fruity furniture to hand-labelled panties, we think this list has something for everyone, and we highly encourage you to try all 6 projects if you feel inspired…

See you in two weeks for some brand new pastel DIY fun!

1. Day of the Week Panties by Studio DIY //

This project is a bit more complex than we’re used to, but the results are way worth it. Who else grew up obsessed with their day of the week panty packs?

2. Five Minute Chic Bento Box by Sugar and Cloth //

There’s nothing better than a perfectly packed lunch, and these bento boxes are so charming and SO easy to make that we simply couldn’t resist falling for them.

3. 3 Tiered Copper Planter by A Bubbly Life //

We can’t get enough of greenery right now. Plants everywhere please! This staircase-like planter stand is a simple yet elegant way to showcase your favourite potted plants, plus it’s super affordable to make.

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4. Fruit Shelves by A Bubbly Life //

Feeling fruity? Us too! Why would you even bother having a normal shelf in your home when you can have one that looks like a fruit slice?! Total no brainer.

5. Romantic Bath Salts by Glitter Guide //

Floral baths are a year-round indulgence that we simply can’t live without, and this concoction is the perfect way to instantly up your bath time game (plus they make a great gift!)

6. Word Embroidery by A Pair and a Spare //

Clothing is getting wordy this season, and we’re all about it. We sense a serious embroidery addiction coming on… Collars? Jeans? Socks? The possibilities are limitless!

Imagery by Paige, words by Alyssa.