Crafty Woman: Darling Little Notebooks

Absentminded as I am, I am always scribbling things down as soon as they come to mind…on my wrists, little slips of paper, several notepad apps, and of course, actual notepads. So, I've really come to appreciate tiny little notebooks lying around my house and in my bag.

When I was assembling (assembling!) a birthday present for a dear friend a while back, I just had to include this quick little DIY bit!

They are actually really quite fun and easy to create. I just needed three tiny composition books, a quick rifle through my crafts drawer and I started gluing things on. Simplicity is key here!

For the first one, my favourite, I covered the notebook with card-stock, added concept art from the movie Tangled and then covered the spine with some decorative tape.

The second one I painted black and added some printouts of a cozy room I found on Pinterest (of course!). Third, my Union Jack inspired notebook is covered with a bit of leather and ribbons laid out in a cross pattern, tying off to the side.

These are pretty great for carrying around, tucking around the house or gifting, so I'll definitely be coming back to this DIY every now and then! 

And that is how you make these delightful handy dandy little notebooks! Blue's Clues, anyone?

—Sabbie

P.s. This doesn't mean I'll give up writing on my wrists, though!

Crafty Woman: Flight Chandelier

Lighting is such an important aspect of interior design and décor that I wonder how so many people manage to neglect it so. The right light bulb(s), the perfect fixture and an ideal location make for a happier and more productive environment.

I usually use a bunch of lamps around my room but I also have a standard ceiling fixture that I wanted to make the most of. I really do love the classic crystal chandeliers out there but I was hoping to make something a bit more in line with the whimsical and crafty character of my room. So, voilà!

I had been seeing some gorgeous paper plane mobiles around Pinterest and Etsy but it was only when my friend suggested it, did I realize this could be translated into a chandelier! And it was actually really simple to create:

1. Cut out a whole lot of different sized rectangles from parchment paper (I think I used almost 100 to cover a 12" wide fixture! But it didn't take more than a couple hours of folding in front of New Girl to get to this.). I wanted two different styles and sizes so I cut about half my pieces at 10cm x 10 cm and the others at 15cm x 10cm.

2. Then I folded the smaller pieces according to this basic style, for narrow planes. And the wider ones were done according to this tutorial.

4. I used Weldbond to put a dot of glue on on the main fold of each plane to just help hold it together.

5. I strung each plane by alternating styles with about 4 planes on each string. You can use white string (like I did) or fishing line—either should be fine! Just double knot the end of each string and thread through the planes with a needle.

6. Lastly, I just hung all these strings from the frame of my standard ceiling fixture, adjusting the height of each string by eyeballing it before tying the knot at the top to secure each string.

And there! An easy and fun little chandelier-thing to brighten up your room. I used parchment paper planes because I love travel and the translucent paper worked best for my room. But you could use pastel tissue paper flowers, origami boats and cranes or maps folded into planes—anything really! It's such a versatile craft so…no excuse for a desolate standard light fixture!

—Sabbie

Chasing Spontaneity

I used to think spontaneity and creativity were synonymous. Being weirdly random and deviant, i.e. no routines or schedules, seemingly guaranteed whimsical genius for me back then. I avoided structure like a plague or a noose. Turns out, I was horribly wrong.

left, right

I ended up spending way too much time waiting for inspiration to just strike but the truth is, creativity has less in common with lightning strikes than is often thought. It's more of a vague mist most of the time. 

Instead of waiting for ideas to drop from the sky, turns out keeping up some creative routines that work for you is the key. I am definitely working on that. Right now, I'm trying to wake up earlier (the morning feels very, very foreign to me after years of night owling) to sit at my desk with a hot drink and my sketchbook. I am such a believer of sketchbooks as you may remember, so I'm really enjoying the challenge of starting each morning with a totally blank page and nothing but my own thoughts.

left, right

So, it seems like this whole creative habit thing is working out pretty well, too bad I didn't try it sooner—it would have saved me a lot of frustration! Whether it is a time with a morning drink, some yoga, end of the night journalling, whatever is your thing, simply pushing yourself to actively pursue creativity can be just the thing you needed all along.

—Sabbie

P.S. Here is a wonderfully inspiring little video on creative habits. It really helped shift my perspective on things!

Crafty Woman: Scavenger Boots

There is something so satisfying about taking a generic little thing and turning it into something more one-of-a-kind. I have this obsession all my life, where I'll try to turn everything I buy into something that feels so much more my own.

I finally got around to revamping some generic lace-up boots that I picked up. I had wanted to try out this awesome DIY, so I waded my way through various outlets to find the bits and pieces I needed.

And all I needed was a random, pretty but boring pair of boots, some lace scavenged from the bottom of a forgotten old slip, two bargain bin belts and feathers I'd bought and was dying to use. Oh, and superglue.

I am just having so much fun parading these around the house, I can't wait for autumn so I can actually wear them out!

Here's a (sadly blurry) before and after:

I really recommend this DIY as it is sooo easy but looks so great. And you can really put just about anything you want on any boots you want. Basically, you can create some footwear that really feels like an extension of your sole—I mean soul ;)

(I know, I'm terrible).

—Sabbie

P.s. Mr. Kate also has this more hard-core Free People-esque boho boots tutorial here.

Binge Crafting

Now that I've started, I can't seem to stop...

Wrote a looong letter for and made a bracelet for this darling here!

I'm especially obsessed with making bracelets, be they of thread or metal. So fun and easy too!

Simultaneously, I am trying to revamp some boots and am planning to trace a world map by hand (I know, it's kind of a...weird project). 

It's rather exciting collecting random bits and bobs for all these crafts too—it lets me indulge my inner hoarder. And I'm finally making a dent in my Pinterest crafts board! Now if only I could get out that sewing machine and finish all those dresses I started years ago…

On Feeling Craftier Than Ever

Hi there!

I haven't been on here for a while but I certainly have kept busy and creative! Or at least, I tried my best!

So, I love Chapters. Of course, right? Most people seem to. But I feel both giddy and overcome with hopeless longing every time I visit. The main reason being the dizzying array of exquisite-looking leather journals. There are so many beautiful options and really, I want every last one of them, but the price tags…oh, the price tags for something that was just robotically manufactured in some far-off factory. So, naturally, I had to try my hand at making my own! And here is the result!

Not too shabby, eh? The best bits are that it cost me next to nothing (I just used some leather scraps lying around), it's super simple and there was no sewing involved (thank goodness!!) I will definitely giving this another shot in the hopes of perfecting it but in the meantime, do check out the post that inspired me at Lark and Linen!

Tech-less Crafting Weekend :)

A few weeks ago, I embarked on a brave new journey. I decided to stay at home and—wait for it—not use my phone or my laptop or even the tv. *gasp* All year, I've been connected more than ever, with emails and alerts from my school or professor stressing me out, group projects to be coordinated, and  all my best friends to be kept in touch with.

Suddenly, it really started to feel like too much after all. So, I cleared my schedule, stashed my tech in an obscure cabinet and settled down with some Vivaldi, Austen and a list of crafts to be completed. Bliss.

Here's what I created during my tech-less weekend…

A pretty quick and easy update of a run-of-the-mill clutch. Pretty much just removed that boring old button and superglued some robin's egg blue (broken) earrings in its stead.

I usually hate nail art but, this once, I gave it another shot and voilà! I fell in love with with style I found on beloved Pinterest. 

And that's a quick (not really) garland I made from dusty old flowers someone brought to the hospital when my brother was born, an age and a half ago!

Also, I had a darling friend over for tea. That's right, a good old fashioned tea! We made some surprisingly good mug cakes—desserts I am determined to perfect and master.

So, in conclusion, I'd say I'm hardly a technophobe (I am a millennial, aren't I?) but I must admit, there were more than a few moments where I wanted to snap up my phone or to log onto Pinterest or even just catch up with the news. But, I resisted and oh, it was so worth it!

Will I be trying this again? Heck yeah!

Glee and Creativity

Hi there!

When I was first starting my sketchbook, the empty
pages felt dreadfully intimidating. So, I made
myself wipe my paint brushes on this page. Before I
knew it, I had all these layers of colourful paint!

So, lately I've been contemplating my sense of creativity. You know, my imagination!

I mean, I've always been creatively orientated and pride myself on having kept my imagination somewhat intact over the years but, ever since college started…I realized that as important creativity is to interior designers, it's just not cultivated enough in college! The profs want us to be artsy and weird but there's barely any room left for that! What, with all the time spent drafting straight, carefully calculated lines, we barely have any time to colour outside the lines!!

And I think this sort of thing is something a lot of people can relate to! I've heard everyone from high school freshmen to 30-something office workers complain about how unimaginative and "unartsy" their lives have become! For most of us, life seems to inhibit our creativity as we go on in it!

My sketchbook cover was accidental. I was planning
on painting something with acrylic paint but
after the first coat, I realized it wouldn't stick. I
scratched at it with irritation but realized it actually
looked like branches. Voilà!

I've been looking back on my last year in high school, where art classes and social sciences filled my days! I often love to reflect on how art helped me discipline my mind to free itself (makes sense, eh?) but that is a long post for the future!

For now, I'd love to introduce you to my most prized possession—a manifestation of my mind and soul. It is my sketchbook from last year! Before you scroll down, I just want to explain myself. While I loved sharing my sketchbook with some people, it made me highly uncomfortable to have anyone say "I wish I could draw" or even worse, "I wish I was creative". Because the honest answer is yes, you can and yes, you are! It's something that is cultivated. Something to be nurtured and promoted, making it handy to have a sketchbook! My own sketchbook became my #1 accessory and really, a sort of scrapbook. This is something I want to bring back into my life and hopefully inspire others to embrace or share this habit as well! I hope you can look closely at a page or two and realize that there was no greater plan.

Nothing impressive. Just brain regurgitation. No filter. No fear. No judgment. 

That's what makes the perfect sketchbook.

A sort of scrapbook of my visit to Disney World, last March. (Yes, those are crayons melted there!—used a candle). 

A very beautiful ad for Elte rugs! In the background (right) I wrote stories about the
people I imagined owning each rug, and lyrics to Wild Horses (left).

On the left, some brainstorming for an assignment. Right…not sure. Just cursive writing!

Completely random, idle thoughts. And a swatch of whites I mixed up. Idly.

My attempt at what I thought was a "proper" sketchbook page. 

A page coloured in completely with old cosmetics!! (Nail polish, makeup
pencils, powders, etc.). Totally recommended!

Some napkins I doodled on at a boring, loud party. Embroidery done for school.

Some dresses copied out of Kate Spade's amazing book, Style.

A random page of working out dreams, assignments and friends :)

Remnant of my summer obsession with pirates! These are the lyrics to my fave
pirate song, Hoist the Colours.

So, there you have it! Some of my favourite pages from my crazy sketchbook (which actually burst from all the stuff I put in there!)

I hope someone out there finds it inspirational and realizes how sketchbooks are really just unguarded thoughts and ideas put down. A record of life.

Also, I'd like to end this post by saying:

Hugs and Stuff,

Sabbie!

P.S. I will totally share my new sketchbook as I develop it. Hey, I want to practice what I preach by making time for art, again!

As The Lights Twinkle

Aren't fairy lights magnificent? I just ADORE them!! They are so whimsical and sophisticated at the same time. So fun and versatile, you can bring them out during the holidays or a wedding and keep them up all year long! You can entangle them somewhere in your backyard or drape them in your bedroom. Where ever I find these beautiful, beautiful lights, I just fall in love!

Fairy lights. My kind of party lights!

Warm fairy lights just add instant warmth to any space at all! Isn't this

nook crazy comfy looking?

I usually insist that warm lights are the way to go but the cool lights on 

the left are too wonderful to say no to!

Sometimes a lot of fairy lights are in order!

But a simple string is so enchanting!

Isn't this an easy way to add to your sweet dreams?

—Sabbie

P.S. It's kind of random but the first time I actually noticed and appreciated fairy lights was in this little moment from 17 Again:

Crafty Woman: Making Chandeliers!

Hi there!

So, as I tried to point out in my last post, I try to keep my room evolving. You know, keep up with new ideas, new phases, etc.

My next move, I think, will be to install a new light fixture. Even my little brother can distinguish that there is something lacking in the current set-up: A great blank, white expanse of popcorn ceiling only punctuated by an out-of-proportion run-of-the-mill little lamp fixture. Yeuck!

However, interesting light fixtures are often ridiculously overpriced. It's way too easy to fall for these amazing chandeliers that one just can't afford. Luckily, the internet offers a plethora of DIY alternatives! There are literally ways you can make replicas of your favourite designer fixtures! The best part? You can take pride in knowing that you not only (cleverly) saved yourself some cash but you got to flex your creative muscles and can take pride in what you made yourself.

Above: Capiz Shell Chandeliers are quite beautiful but also pricey. The one on the left is from West Elm and the one on the right was made by LisaRoy. I am actually making a smaller version of this chandelier for my room (and also following these slightly different instructions). Isn't it cool that the DIY is made of wax paper?! I actually began it by ironing the sheets together and began painstakingly cutting the "shells" with scissors. Yikes, I know. I'm looking for a hole-punch now!

Above: And, of course, rope chandeliers are ever-charming! The one on the left is from West Elm again. It's quite nice and has a geometric quality to it, but I actually prefer the DIY one created by Remodelaholic. This is a really interesting way to have both a traditional, formal shape and a trendy, casual material. Lovely!

Above: Lots of people admire the classic crystal chandelier, right? But I've always dreamed of making my own and am planning on following The Pink Little Notebook's instructions to make something similar to her project, as shown above, for my parent's room.

So those are my own top three DIY favourites, all found on a fab little index that I totally encourage you to take a look at!

20 DIY Chandeliers to Brighten Up Your Space

My top pick for ingenuity on that index? The Test Tube Chandelier! :

It's just so fantastic! Just imagine someone walking into your space and seeing this… I couldn't actually find instructions for this piece, just a sold-out message on Etsy, though. But maybe I'll figure it out one day!

Happy Crafting,

Sabbie

P.s. Come find me on Pinterest at: http://www.pinterest.com/sabbienarwal/ 

I'm building it up but I have found some pretty neat fashion, interior design and vacation inspiration!