Giving Thanks: DIY Edition

Hey BFF'ers! Thanksgiving is almost here, and putting aside the thought of turkey and stuffing (yes, it's tough!), I thought I'd share this fantastic DIY way of showing your appreciation this year. These personalized quilted Thanksgiving cards, by CraftyPod, are a great way to share what (and who) you are thankful for.

From different combinations of fabric to...

...your very own personalized quilted Thanksgiving cards!

Happy DIYs! ;)

Blogger Highlight: Lovely Undergrad

Biffles, as you all know, I love frugal finds and DIY crafts! If you don't want to drop tons of cash (like me!) to decorate your room, invest in high-end beauty products, or find fun things to do, Lovely Undergrad is an awesome resource for ideas and inspiration! A college student herself, Jessica shares her tips on everything from spicing up a plain room to great books to read and cute wardrobe ideas... all on a small budget! Here are a few of my favorite inspirations:

Try scouring a flea market for this birdcage photo display. Just use clothespins to attach photos!

Edamame: a healthy and cheap snack!

An AWESOME alternative to a traditional nightstand

This bulletin board was made from a door! Insane.

Great theme!

Get your make-up organized!

From salvaged chain gate to adorable headboard with just a blanket or quilt!

Hope you guys found some inspiration here. It's true that with a little flair, you don't need a big budget to get organized and add some style. Check out Lovely Undergrad for more tricks and ideas. DIY away, BFF'ers

;)

Halloween Costume Ideas

Giannyl is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.

Check out this video from Giannyl on how to make an "Alice in Wonderland" costume.

Learn How to create a cheap "Alice in Wonderland" costume. For more Sewing & Embroidery How-To Videos & Articles, visit WonderHowTo.

Blogger Highlight: New Dress A Day!

With a little bit of creativity, you don't need to shell out big bucks for a new outfit! Using only $1 and some sewing prowess, this blogger turns shapeless, old school gowns into a brand new dress or top. So catch the DIY fever and turn your old closet rejects or vintage market finds into a gorgeous new addition to your wardrobe! Here's one of my favorite transformations:

This...

...into THIS!

For more design inspirations, check out Marisa's blog, "New Dress A Day"
;)

DIY - Jean Book Bag!

Got a pair of old, torn jeans? Not sure what to do with them? Recycle them by learning how to turn them into a stylish book bag!

Things You'll Need:

* Old pair of jeans
* Scissors
* Needle and thread or sewing machine
* Belt (optional)
* Decorative fabric paint or glitter (optional)

Lay out the jeans you want to use. To make a bag with a straight bottom, cut a straight line just above the crotch area, cutting off the legs and bottom seam. To make a V-shaped bag, simply cut the legs off from seam to seam.

Turn the jeans inside out and use needle and thread or a sewing machine to make medium-sized stitches along the edge, making sure to take care at the seams (thick seams can damage a sewing machine).

Once you have sewn the bottom securely, cut your straps from your leftover denim legs, cutting them into whatever thickness and length you want. You can either sew them into the inside of the jeans or tie them securely to the belt loops on the outside.

To decorate, add a belt to the belt loops and cover purse with colorful fabric paint and glitter. You can also find patches to sew or iron on. Now you have finished your bag!

Tips & Warnings

* The length of the straps will dictate what kind of bag it is; long straps will make a shoulder bag or tote, short straps will make a satchel or small purse.

* If you do not own a sewing machine, learn how to sew medium stitches at http://www.alternative-windows.com/stitches.htm.

* If under the age of 18, make sure to have an adult supervise and help you.

* Do not try to attempt to machine sew the thick, denim seams. Doing so will potentially break your needle. Instead, sew the seams by hand and the fabric with the machine.