DIY 3-D Framed Nature Picture

Inspiration and 3-D Art

I received some inspiration recently when my friend, Sharon, and I visited the North Carolina Arboretum. While there, we enjoyed some fantastic artwork that featured nature themes done in various mediums of quilting, photography and clay that were both 2-D and and 3-D. We were both so impressed with all of the artist's work and I came away inspired to try my hand at something similar. 

Some of the artists used frames and added three dimensional objects to photographs or other two dimensional objects and used fabric as a background. So, I rummaged through my scrap fabric and home decor bins looking for items I might use. Luckily, I had recently purchased some "nested" frames figuring I could use them for something and the medium sized-one had the glass broken. This was actually perfect because I removed the broken glass and now had room for the 3-D items. I covered the back with some pretty blue scrap fabric, cut a stem from a silk flower, found some pretty butterfly, caterpillar and rainbow stickers and, finally, used a honey bee broach that was a gift many years ago from one of my sisters. I knew that I was going to use that honey bee pin no matter what! I'm really pleased with how my "arrangement" of 3-D art turned out!

I placed the completed artwork on our upper foyer table and I will be placing other items with it for a Springtime display. I'm tired of snowmen and ready to move on from Winter, even if Winter is not ready to move on yet. At least, I can have some Springtime on my foyer table! If you would like to read more about the artwork show at the North Carolina Arboretum, you can click on the link here. The art show at the arboretum is called, "Cross Pollination," and all of the artwork is displayed by themes of nature and the artist gave a title to the piece of art that reflects that theme of nature. I've decided to name my artwork display, "Springtime Calling." Of course, my artwork does not compare to the amazing art displayed at the arboretum, but I did have lots of fun and enjoyment finding objects to use and pulling it all together. A touch of Springtime is just what I need right about now! How about you? 

Are you adding some Spring to your decor yet? Would you try a 3-D piece of art? Doing any DIY projects right now? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing from my readers!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

How To Style A Long Cardi

Styling A Monochromatic Long Cardi

This is not a sponsored or gifted post. All writing, photography and opinions are my own. 

Hello, dear readers. Is it Wednesday already?! It seems like this week is flying by and I figured I had better get a post going! I realize that the blogs are starting to show Spring outfits already but, in my neck of the woods, it is still winter! In fact, many schools were on a two hour delay today due to icy roads. So, I'm sticking with winter wear and styling a long cardigan that I have really been enjoying wearing lately. 

I think I cut out the tags on this cardi after I bought it, so I can't tell you the brand name. I can tell you, though, that all the clothing items in this post (not boots or jewelry) came from Walmart. This cardi is extra long, which I like, and has a sort of thickness to it that is really soft and warm. I enjoy the southwestern pattern and like how this outfit came together with a monochromatic color scheme. 

You can really get a feel for the length here. I think this cardi will also work well in the Spring/Fall to wear with dresses when I feel the need for a bit of extra warmth. I like getting double and triple duty from my clothing and always think about that before I purchase something. As I write this post, I'm sitting on the couch wearing the cardi although I changed into jeans, a different top and running shoes. That's more comfy for lounging around the house and I'm not planning on going out today. 

This peach/tan color clutch matches well with the outfit and I really enjoy the long tassel on the clutch. If I want to I can detach the tassel from the clutch and use it either on another purse or on a long necklace. Versatility ladies!

You saw the tan pants and top on another post I did here. Check out the link if you missed that post. A word about the boots. I bought these well over a year ago and, because I wear my Skecher ankle booties so much, these Franco Sarto's haven't gotten much wear. I added some cushioning today that really made a difference for me with comfort and warmth. Have you heard of the "Little Hotties" insoles? They are a thermal insole and I was amazed at how comfy they felt and how warm my feet felt without socks! I picked mine up at Walmart but I have also seen them on sale at other stores also. Just like other insoles, they have a guide to cut them to your correct shoe size. I really think I will wear these boots more now that I have these insoles! 

I actually bought two long cardigans at Walmart and the other one is solid black. I have been wearing both on repeat. These longs cardis are not only warm but are quite slimming which is a bonus. 

Have you tried the longer cardigans? What do you think of them? Hope you will leave me a comment and let me know. 

And, speaking of comments. You may or may not know that Google is doing away with Google+ in April 2019. I just learned about that a short while ago. My blog was attached to Google+, but I went ahead and disconnected from Google+ since it's going to happen anyway. I hope this has not caused issues for anyone trying to leave a comment. Please let me know if you are having issues. The other side effect of Google+ going away is that any comments left on Google+ will also disappear. Please know that this is beyond my control. This is Google's decision to do away with Google+. Again, let me know via email if you are having issues with commenting. You can always reach me at debbiestyleslife@gmail.com. 

Just a quick heads-up that another Match Made in Seven theme will be posted on February 28th! I think you will really enjoy this month's theme. 

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day, dear readers. Thank you for spending part of your day with me!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Take time to smell the flowers! These were from the Mr. for Valentine's Day!

Shop A Similar Look: (These are not affiliate links)

Long Cardigan (somewhat similar) here at Walmart

Pants and Top (I purchased a couple years ago at Walmart. Basic Editions brand)

Franco Sarto boots  Found these on Amazon. I bought mine at Steinmart for much, much less. 

Necklace Paparazzi similar here

Liitle Hotties Thermal Insoles  (I bought mine at Walmart. These are on Amazon)

Peach Envelope Clutch similar here on Amazon I bought mine at Goodwill a couple years ago. 

Turning Skirts and Nightgowns into Aprons and Pillows

Turning A Sewing Failure Into Something New

Hey Everyone! You've heard the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," right?  Well, today I did just that with a sewing project. Several months ago I started a skirt, realized I needed more fabric, inserted extra fabric and then couldn't finish the waistband because my little pink sewing machine broke. I finally got a brand new, full-size sewing machine for my birthday and a couple days ago I successfully sewed the waistand onto my skirt. I was so excited! That is until I tried on the skirt. Woops! I looked like a giant green and daisy pink balloon in it!! I had waaay too much fabric sewn into this garment. I kid you not. I decided that the skirt could not be worn. But, what to do

 with all of that lovely material? Being fairly new to sewing I expect to make mistakes. And that skirt was a big one. But, I really do love the fabric and so I decided to turn that skirt mistake into a pretty apron!

I basically cut the skirt in half making sure to sew over the elastic waist to secure the gathers in place. I hemmed up the sides where I cut the fabric in half and then added ties from leftover pieces of fabric from another sewing project. The ties are contrasting fabric to the daisy print but I feel that the pattern mixing works well together. I've been wanting an apron to wear in the kitchen and now I have one! See, mistakes can be turned around into something wonderful! 

I also worked on another sewing project that created a beautiful keepsake. The purple fabric on the pillow you see in the above picture came from a nightgown that belonged to my Mother. It will be 24 years this coming May since my Mom went to be with the Lord. And for those 24 years I have kept some of her nightgowns packed away in a box. I didn't want to part with them. I kept thinking, though, that I would like to find a creative way to use some of the nightgown fabric. So, I came up with the idea of cutting the fabric of one of her gowns to create a pillow using the lace on the gown as the edging. 

I'm so pleased with how the pillow turned out and think it looks pretty in the Longaberger basket with a couple other pillows I have made. And, of course, when I look at or hold the purple pillow I think of my Mom! 

What projects have you been working on? Do take a moment to let me know! I love hearing from you!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

How To Style A Violet Top

Styling A Covered Perfectly Top

(This post contains a gifted item and an affiliate link. Purchasing through this link benefits me at no extra charge to you. My review is 100% honest and writing/opinions/photography are my own.)

Hey Everyone! Today I'm sharing another Covered Perfectly top which was gifted to me. You may recall that I shared my first Covered Perfectly top back when I was still under my previous blog domain. You actually see that top each time you visit my blog as it is the blue "Fit and Flare" top you see me wearing in the right side of the picture collage at the top of my blog. Today, I'm reviewing the "Simple Comfort" top in violet which is the #1 best selling top from Covered Perfectly. 

I have to tell you that I have put this top through the wringer this last week and I can tell you that it is a very comfortable top to wear. It is soft against my skin and moves well with me. I even slept in this shirt one night and that was comfortable too!

Here is a back view so you can see it from the rear, literally! My previous Covered Perfectly top was a Medium and while it fit OK I decided to go for a large this time. This makes the top a little longer on me but gives me more roominess over my stomach/derriere. The one beef I have with this top is that you do have to choose pants that won't show through as these tops fit close to your body. Being a pear shape, the buttons/zippers etc protrude so I chose an elastic waist pair of pants to wear with this top untucked. Obviously, if you tuck the shirt the buttons/zippers won't show through. Sizing up does give more roominess. I am told that this top is also meant to be a perfect top for layering, so adding another layer would also take care of the button/zipper showing through. 

The 3/4 sleeve length is perfect and this top will be wonderful for layering with a jacket or adding a beautiful scarf or necklace. I didn't do that as I want you to be able to fully see the top. If you are interested in purchasing this top go to this Covered Perfectly link . Pauline Durban has been gracious in offering my readers a 20% discount on one or two items using code DR20. Make sure you use that code if you order through this site. After that the buy 2 get a 3rd free special kicks in and only one discount will work per order. 

Have a great day!

Debbie

Saturday Scriptures:God's Love

Let all that you do be done in love.I Corinthians 16:14

February is always dedicated to all things love due to Valentine's Day on February 14th. Today's scripture also speaks of love, but it is love that goes far beyond the candy hearts, chocolate loving, romance driven idea represented by Valentine's Day. This scripture speaks to the love that comes from God and this love can work in us and through us if we allow God to have reign in our lives. God's love assures us that there is a peace that passes all understanding that is offered to us moment by moment. God's love assures us that we can be forgiven for wrongdoing through the sacrifice made by Jesus for humankind. God's love assures us that nothing can ever separate us from Him. Long after the chocolate hearts have been consumed and the rose petals have faded and fallen to the ground, the love that God offers will still be there. It's not consumer oriented like Valentine's Day because God's love cannot be bought or sold. It just is. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift through Jesus. And, Happy Valentine's Day to all. 

Blessings,

Debbie

Saturday Scriptures:Finding Joy

Finding Joy In Daily Living

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13


Joy is often to be found in the small things of daily life if we take the time to be mindful of them. I've been reading recently about mindfulness. How focusing on the present, rather than on the past, can ease anxiety and discontentment and help us to have clear thinking. This is the online definition I found of mindfulness:

1. 1.

   the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.

   "their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition"
2. 2.

   a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

(Source: Google online dictionary)

Part of finding joy is being able to notice when God has placed a gift right in front of us. I know for me, the noticing part often is overshadowed by other concerns on my mind. I think about things that have gone wrong much more than things that have gone right. For instance, today I was talking with my husband about aspects of my teaching career and my focus was on some of the many things that "bugged me" during those years rather than on the many things that gave me joy during those years. Each event was important and had merit in my life, but, even so, I find it interesting that my focus, my mindfulness, is often on the negative rather than the positive. Can you relate? 

Today, I choose to find joy in the present moment and focus on some of the many gifts that God has placed in front of me. Things like the beautiful Primrose flower sitting on my foyer table with its pink blooms that remind me that Spring is coming eventually. 

And the sweet faces of my fur babies who bring such joy to my heart as they scamper about climbing on their cat towers, chasing each other back and forth and snuggling close to the Mr. and me. 

These are gifts that keep on giving and remind me that God blesses my life in many ways both large and small. 

May you find joy today by being mindful of the gifts, right in front of you, that God has given you. 

Blessings,

Debbie

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Match Made In Seven

Match Made In Seven; A New Collaboration 

Welcome to the monthly edition of  Match made in Seven! We are an international group of fashion bloggers who meet once a month. One of us chooses a theme in turn, and that can be anything. A book, music, a color, a movie. And then we style an outfit based on that theme. The theme of this month is chosen by Nancy and is: Punk! Also, take a look at the other bloggers and how they have interpreted the theme this month. (See list at end of post).

debbiestyleslife.com

Hey Friends! I promised you something new today and this is it! A new collaboration with six other lovely ladies from across the globe. Together, we are a "Match Made In Seven" and will bring you a new interpretation of a particular style on the last day of each month. I'm excited about this collaboration and have had the greatest fun this month trying to figure out how to dress "punk" which is what Nancy chose. I'm about the "unpunkiest" person you will ever meet, but I have done my best. Just call my style interpretation, "Punk-Light!!"  And please make sure to check out the other blogger's posts. I'll provide links to them at the end of this post. 

debbiestyleslife.com

I have scoured Pinterest this month looking for punk style inspiration. Luckily, I had a black swing dress and a blue jean jacket on hand that I thought would work well together. I found these fun gigantic hoop earrings that I thought might work for the "chain" part of the styling. My choker necklace attached to a long fringe pendant added to the look. The choker has metal on it, also. 

In addition to the hoop earrings, I also invested in some mesh stockings to wear under my slouch boots. 

I wore my hair up and let the shorter layers on top sort of hang down and do their own thing. And I went darker on the eyeshadow and added a bolder lipstick color. 

You know, I kinda like this look! Maybe there's been a little punk in me all along and it just took this collaboration and Nancy's choice of theme to prod me onward! 

Ok, it's your turn! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my "punk-light" styling! And be sure to hop on over to see how Nancy, Emma, Anna, Bettye, Sonja and Darlene interpret this style. Enjoy and have fun!

Darlene of https://aquamarinastyle.com/

Sonja of https://www.yustsome.nl/

Bettye of https://fashionschlub.com/

Anna of https://www.muttonstyle.com/

Emma of http://www.style-splash.com/

Nancy of https://www.nancysfashionstyle.com

Until Next Time,

Debbie