life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

Happy weekend! For those of you who have the whole three days in a row off, I hope you get to spend it relaxing, recouping, & reenergizing. For those of you who have to work, I hope everyone you interact with is kind & nice. This long weekend couldn't have come soon enough. We're moving offices at my work so I've been packing all week. Moving boxes is a major physical change from the sitting/standing at my desk that I usually do. My body is feeling it hard. I can't tell if it's because I don't stretch enough, or if I'm out of shape, or if I'm just getting old. Probably a combo. Either way, I'm pooped. I can't wait to just chill, drink mimosas, & soak up some summer sun. Cheers!

This week's links:

• Favorite DIY of the week: PIZZA SHOES
• Ooh & also this plant ladder - I'm really feeling the need for more green in my life
• Google's Artificial Intelligence program is writing poetry & it speaks to my 8th grade self on so many levels
• Speaking of magical technology - cramp-erasing device, please be mass-produced
• This open letter to creeps getting protective of the bathrooms at Target
• Tap-dancing + Beyoncé = flawlessness

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. It's hot outside - learn how to make your own t-shirts.

bedroom wall hanging

You know that feeling when you put on a pair of pants you haven't worn in a while & you find cash in the pocket? That's how I feel about this upcoming weekend. It slipped my mind that Memorial Day is on Monday (a.k.a. no work), & in my mind it's like a bonus surprise! My sentiments on the future three-day hiatus - my feelings about every weekend, if I'm being honest - are now hanging above our bed. Um, yeah. Come Monday I'm gonna just cozy up right here. So to all the introverts, stayer-in-ers, & general snuggle-enthusiasts, this DIY goes out to you.

To make your own pro-hibernation wall art, here's what you'll need:

• Three embroidery hoops (I used two 10.5" and one 8")
• White fabric
• Gray felt
• Hot glue & gun
• Marker
• Printable template

Print out the lettering template & cut out the letters. Lay the letters facing backwards (as they're printed) on the felt, trace, & cut out.

Stretch white fabric on the embroidery hoops & secure tautly in place. Attach the felt letters with hot glue. Trim the excess white fabric. Done!

xoxo,
-m.e.

P.S. If you're looking for bigger budget-friendly wall art, try hanging engineering prints.

Affiliate links are used in this post.

out & about | a year in minneapolis

 

A year ago today I was sitting in our new apartment in a totally foreign city surrounded by piles of unpacked boxes, wondering if we had made a good decision or if we were just plain delusional. A few days prior, Heather & I had packed everything we owned into a moving truck, hitched Heather’s car to the back of it, said our tearful goodbyes, & headed far & away from Florida. Moving the way we did was one of the craziest journeys I’ve ever embarked on. While we did have emergency funds saved, neither of us had a job waiting for us here in Minneapolis. Neither of us had set foot inside the apartment we'd signed a year’s lease on. Neither of us had ever seen or traveled through the Midwest before, much less Minnesota. We didn’t know a single soul here, but we picked this place to call our new home. It was a bit rocky at first, but looking back at the situation a year later, I'm extremely thankful we made the decision we did. Minneapolis has not failed to disappoint.

These are a couple of snapshots from around our home. There's still a lot of work to do around here as far as decorating, but it feels more like home each day. Even though it’s only been a year, I’m pretty sure I'm in love with this city. I love the seasons (a luxury I had forgotten about after living in Florida for over a decade!). I love all the little shops & restaurants. I love how the people are friendly enough but simultaneously don’t invade your personal space bubble (introvert blessings). I love how everyone here seizes the opportunity to be outside when it's sunny. I love how close I am to everything I need, i.e. shopping, food, etc. I love how bike-friendly it is. I love how accepting people are of me & my partner. I just love it. 

Conclusion: Go with your gut. Even if your gut is telling you to pack up your life & get out of Dodge, do that. It won't be easy, but it will pay off in the end. 

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Tips on moving.

life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

Exactly one year ago, we - Heather, myself, the dog, & the cat - were in a giant yellow moving truck, crawling across the country to our new home in the midwest. I can't even believe we've been here this long! It feels like a blink but also like a lifetime simultaneously. To celebrate the fact that we've made it & we're not totally homeless even though we both arrived here jobless, Heather's taking us out to a new restaurant this weekend. We like celebrating the little victories. Also on the schedule: sleeping in, coffee & chocolate croissants, cleaning, & a couple little projects I've been meaning to tackle. Happy Friday!

This week's links:

• My favorite DIY of the week: these teeny air plant magnets
• Waiting for this game to come out where you literally just take care of succulents
• If you like Reese's, hang on to your britches & check this out
• I love these beautiful illustrations of women just chillin'
• Fun fact about Bob Ross' fluffy, alluring hair
• All the reasons girls can't code (haha jk lol)

xoxo,

-m.e.

gear up for pride

It's almost time for Pride season! I had a total blast last year & I'm getting antsy waiting for June to roll around. Last year's party garb included this DIY tank, but this year I've got my eye on some of this cute stuff (or may have already potentially purchased the fanny pack SO CONVENIENT). From left to right:

1. fanny pack | 2. unicorn tank | 3. rainbow socks

4. hrc iphone case | 5. squad tank | 6. swim trunks

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Show your pride with this colorful bow tie tutorial.

Affiliate links are used in this post!

five-minute headband

I'm in this weird time in my life where I really, really want to cut my hair short, but I simultaneously want long hair for the wedding. Y'know, for fun up-dos & stuff. In the indecisive interim my hair is an awkward length. Too long to make any sense, too short to look good pulled back. Headbands are a necessity if I don't feel like fussing with actually doing my hair. Rather than go out & buy a bunch of them, here's a quick way I've been making them at home (& it's helping put a dent in my fabric hoard stash!).

All you need to make a headband is a piece of fabric measuring 21 x 4 inches, a 2-inch piece of elastic, & sewing equipment (either sewn on a machine or by hand).

Take your fabric & fold it right-side in lengthwise. Sew up the raw edges to make a giant tube. Turn the "tube" inside out.

 Turn one edge of the "tube" inward so the raw edge is on the inside. Place one end of the elastic just inside the "tube," & sew in place. If your elastic isn't as wide as the opening of the fabric, fold the fabric around the elastic, kind of like a pleat.

Do the same for the other side, joining the elastic. Done!

Do I want long hair for the wedding? Or do I want short, edgy hair in the meantime? Ugh. I can't decide. There are TOO MANY things to think about!

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Want more fast fashion? Make this quick infinity scarf.

life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

Happy Friday! We made it! This weekend I'm totally going to get a bunch of things checked off my to-do list (grocery shopping, cleaning, organizing), then I'm going to drink wine & paint. Yay!

This week's links:

• Be the coolest kid in the café by learning to talk coffee
• Tips on jumping into DIY-land head first
• Alanis Morissette used to be my jam - listen to her updated version of Ironic
• This dog is b-a-n-a-n-a-s
• This wedding is virtually everything I want out of my big day
• The sweetest little recipe cards

xoxo,
-m.e.

laundry hamper liner diy

Fields of dandelions going to seed & temps reaching the 90s has it feeling like summer here, but my sudden urge to clean absolutely everything in the apartment tells me its still spring. All I want to do is organize. Spring-cleaning is in full swing. Last weekend we packed away winter clothes (see you next year, comfy over-sized sweaters), installed an air-conditioner in the window, & worked on making sense of our second bedroom. This room doesn't really have a central theme (unless random junk is a theme, in which case it's spot on), but it does house our laundry items.

It's also one of Donut's favorite rooms.

Heather likes to hand-wash her more formal clothing, so she wanted a separate basket for them to prevent any mix-ups on laundry day. I wanted to make her a liner for her cute wire basket from Target so that she could easily carry her clothes from the spare room to the sink for cleaning. It's basically a giant reusable shopping bag, but instead of straps, the handles are the opening for the basket's handles (if that makes any sense).

 To make this liner, all I needed was a piece of fabric that was as wide as the diameter of the basket & as tall as the basket, plus half of the radius - extra on all sides for seams. Basically enough fabric to wrap around the basket & cover the bottom & sides. In addition to the fabric I also used bias tape, notions, & my sewing machine.

First I folded my fabric in half to form a tube, & stitched in place. Next I sewed across the bottom, making what was essentially a giant pillowcase. 

Here's where the part about it being a shopping bag comes in. I took both corners of the bottom of the bag & folded them down, like when you wrap a present. Then I stitched across the points. This gives the bag more dimension & creates a flat bottom.

Next I folded the top of the liner down a few inches - enough to comfortably wrap around the edges of the basket & stay in place. After sewing it in place, I cut openings for the handles of the basket.

I pinned & sewed 1/2" bias tape around the cut openings. Built-in handles!

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Recognize this fabric I used from a past tutorial?

Affiliate links are used in this post!

follow these | bloglovin

So I've talked about my girl-crushes on Instagram & about who I obsess over on Pinterest already. Because an object in motion stays in motion, I'm going to chat about Bloglovin'. Which is basically the only way I stay up-to-date on what other bloggers are up to. Here are some of my faves that you should be following if you're not already. From left to right:

1. fall for diy | clean lines, cute projects
2. a beautiful mess | you know those girls. you love those girls.
3. p.s. i made this | can I just say I love all the collage that's happening on this blog?
4. hearts & sharts | literally one of the funniest women out there
5. persia lou | not enough people are crocheting anymore!
6. hello glow | where I get my fill on healthy beauty tips
7. aunt peaches | consistently awesome
8. wecanmakeanything | (that's us!)

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Mother's Day is coming up! Cute gift ideas for you to draw inspiration from.

clip-on bow tie tutorial

Last week we went back to Florida for Heather's sister's wedding. Her color scheme was beachy & beautiful in navy & coral (making mental notes on the navy for our future nuptials). I had the pleasure of making Heather's color-coordinated coral bow tie, & a mini clip-on version for her nephew! Too cute, let me tell you what.

To make this clip-on tie, I used:

• This clip-on bow tie pattern page 1 & page 2
• 1/4 yard fabric
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine & notions
• An iron
• Fabric glue
• Embroidery thread
• A necktie clip (I cut mine out of an old kid's necktie, but they can be purchased in bulk on Etsy)

Using the pattern, cut two bow tie shapes from your fabric. Turn your pieces right side in, & pin together. 

Using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew the two pieces together, leaving a small gap in the middle. Turn the bow tie inside out through the gap, & hand-stitch the gap closed.

Iron your bow tie flat.

Now to fold your bow tie. Fold it in thirds, with the narrowest points meeting in the middle.

Cut out the small strip piece from the bow tie pattern. Fold in half lengthwise & right-side in, & sew down the side, making a tube. Turn the tube right side out. Wrap the tube around your folded bow tie, & stitch in place tightly.

The tie clip is generally used in neckties only. Most kids bow ties join on a strip & wrap around the neck, but to me that = choking hazard! Especially for Heather's nephew who definitely works hard & plays hard. That being said, the necktie clip is too wide for a bow tie, hence the snipping of the excess plastic. I used an old pair of scissors to cut the edges down, then sanded the cut ends to round off the sharp edges.

To adhere the clip to the bow, use a dab of fabric glue & let dry. For added adhesive, stitch around the clip & through the bow with embroidery thread.

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Check out the adult version of this tutorial here. Not a bow tie person? Rock a DIY necktie!