Round 1 Projects - Please Vote!

I'm so excited to show you the Round 1 projects. Are you all ready?
These ladies have worked hard to create these INCREDIBLE things, so please take the time to vote for your favorite. Pop on over from your Google Reader and scroll down to the end of this post for the voting poll. Polls open until Monday, October 25th @ 10 pm MST. Thanks and good luck to our contestants and stars!

Project #1 - The Somerset Dress:
I call it the Somerset dress.

It is a knock off of Shabby Apple's Yorkshire dress.

(Yorkshire is in the north of England while Somerset is southern and on the coast). I made the Somerset dress in a much more versatile cotton blend.

The original Yorkshire is made of Tweed, making it hard to wear in the summer (believe me I've tried). The Somerset can be paired with boots and a cardi in the winter, or some cute Roman sandals in the summer. The elastic waist and arm bands make it comfy and moveable, a must for a busy mommy.

Project #2 - Fruit Wall Art:

When my 'star partner' pointed out these two fruit wall art pieces from Land of Nod, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I'm moving soon and I've already envisioned what I want to do in my kitchen to bring out its wonderful country charm. These two pieces of art from Land of Nod are adorable, but they are 1) huge, 26" x 26", and 2) really more geared toward a child's playroom or bedroom, and 3) $119 each.
Instead, I decided to use the fruit as my inspiration, sticking with the wooden canvas, but adding in a bit of French country primitive charm. I had the idea of using the words "pear" and "apple" above the fruit, but my star partner took it to another level when she suggested French! How perfect! I used crackle medium, several different types of scrapbook papers in more vintage hues, and cut the sweet French words out of brown card stock using my cutting machine. Everything was attached with Mod Podge and I finished it off with a burlap and twine hanger. Can't wait to hang these in my kitchen!

Project #3 - Anthropologie Teapot Lamp:
Ok people, when I saw this lamp a few months back on Anthropologie I knew I was going to have to bust it out. Apparently, I needed a special occasion. Enter "Crafting With The Stars". The Anthro version retails for $198.00, the grand total for mine? $31.99 and most of that was for the drill bit. The best thing though, that I couldn't show you today is that it's all interchangeable. Any knick knack that you have will work, you can have a crazy awesome lamp for FREE. It's genius I tell you..... GENIUS!! Muah haha ha ha (lightning bolts crashing and me with crazy hair, cause you know that I haven't changed my ponytail for 2 days.) I bought the teapot and sugar bowl at TJ Maxx and everything else at the love of my life....the thrift store, I used a vinyl branch decal on the teapot and spray painted it with Krylon Classic Gray. Also the yellow dish and mini tea cup topper were spray painted. It's soooo much better than Anthro's cause um, hello, it was 1/8th the price and it has personality plus.

Project #4 - Janie & Jack Sweaters and Boots:

It is a knock-off of this adorable sweater from Janie & Jack.

Description: These little boys' sweaters are upcycled adult sweaters! The original hemming, body, and sleeves come together to construct this cozy cardigan, perfect for fall & winter. I designed it so that the collar can be worn up or down for different looks. The navy blue sweater is complemented with brightly colored blue and green buttons while the yellow one offers a more classic look with coordinating yellow buttons. The yellow sweater is also matched with some adorable sweater boots, constructed from the same adult sweater! The sole is from some old Nike sandals that were always impossible to get on my babies, but the boots are perfect for them. They work great for a baby boy or girl.

Project #5 - Fog Fairy Top:
This breezy Fog Fairy top from ModCloth is the perfect touch of whimsy and romance bundled into one.

Delicate mesh, and intricate arabesques make the sleeves a delightful addition to an otherwise simple top.

The plunging V-neckline is framed with dainty trim, making this top all the more romantic.

When played off in a soft, lightweight black material, this top becomes a real winner for a romantic night out or holiday dinner parties. It will be the topic of the evening, aside from the winning smile you wear to accessorize your stunning new top.

Created to imitate the Fog Fairy Top, this more modest version has a cap-sleeved bodice under the airy mesh sleeve. Bias-cut jersey strips make easy work of the mesmerizing swirls and curls that adorn both the front and back of the top. Be the Belle of the Ball- the Cream of the Crop- in this knock-off Fog Fairy Top.

Project #6 - Sweater Dress and Cowboy Boots:
Bring on those crisp autumn days- this darling sweater dress and pair of cowboy boots is ready for anything!

The sweater dress is inspired by Baby Gap and is oh so soft and cozy.

Re-purposed from a wool-cashmere blend Express sweater it is budget friendly and super warm! Just like the original, the dress features a cable-knit front, rolled cuff sleeves, a gathered waist with just enough frill, and a cowl neck for extra warmth and coziness!

Don't forget to complete the outfit with a pair of cowboy boots.

I love Frye boots, but unfortunately they don't come in baby size 3 and I can't afford to shop at Nieman Marcus:) So... I came up with a cozy, soft-soled version made from felt-backed faux leather. Just like the original these boots are "harness-style" with brass ring hardware and sturdy pull tabs on each side. To make them just perfect for a baby I finished the look with embellished flowers, embroidered toe detail, and an easy on-off velcro closure in back.

Project #7 - A Family of Sweet Treats:



I fell in love with the Pottery Barn cupcake costume, but I wanted it for myself, not for my daughter (I LOVE cupcakes). I decided to get the whole family in on the fun and go with a sweet treats theme for Halloween. I convinced my hubby to be a “Dunkin’ Donut” and my girls to be a chocolate chip cookie and a frosted animal cookie with sprinkles (elephant). I made all 4 of these costumes for under $20 using $3 a yard felt and some accessories that I had around the house. All of the costumes can be made without any sewing as well. The donut I sewed together before I decided this was a no-sew project, but you could EASILY glue and pin it together just like the cookie. All you need is a few yards of felt, a glue gun, safety pins, and grocery bags. I pinned or glued everything, and stuffed the kids’ costumes with grocery bags to give them depth. Inside my hubby’s donut is the inflatable swimming tube left over from our summer pool excursions. Making all the costumes only took 2-3 hours. I can’t wait to show off our oh “sew” cute costumes at our Halloween festivities!

Project #8 - Verveine Necklace:
I "knocked off" the Verveine Necklace from Anthropologie. I had to get pretty creative with this because I visited 5 different craft stores and they were all out of most of their beads and findings. So, this was put together by an old bracelet, two strands of beads from the crafts store, some organza (for the flower) and shoelaces for the braided piece at the top:)
I created it for $5...so definitely a knock off compared to the original price of $42!

Project #9 - Monogrammed and Embroidery Pillows:
Back in the spring I found the most amazing ginormous pillow for only $5. It was a blank canvas just waiting to be transformed. But it sat around my house for months and months until... Crafting with the Stars inspired me to finally do something with it! I scoured Pottery Barn for inspiration pillows and stumbled across two that would look great in my living room: the poppy pillow and the lavendar monogram pillow. I used colors that would match my living room (red, olive, and gold) for each side of the pillow. The poppy side was made using only yarn and fabric glue. The monogram side was made with freezer paper stencils and paint. I took some liberties with the lavendar plant and used a more poppy-like floral design to help incorporate it with the other side of the pillow. I love that I have a reversible pillow that I can turn around depending on my mood!

Project #10 - Wall Cubby Shelf:
My "brand inspired" craft project is the fabulous Pottery Barn wall cubby shelf. I have been eyeing this for a while, but at $150.00 (including shipping), I couldn't justify it. So this little competition gave me the nudge I needed. Let's do this project already! I knew there were so many uses for this. The decorating and storage possibilities are endless, but I wanted to use it for this purpose:
A "12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SHELF." But I wanted to make it my own, and I wanted to make it smaller, with 12 cubbies instead of 25, then put a gift in each cubby. I got all the supplies (wood, paint, nails and gorilla glue) to make this for $30.00. Yeehaaaw! It was fairly simple for someone like me, who has only been woodworking for about a year. I can't wait to show you how to do it. I had fun wrapping and crafting ribbons, boxes and paper to decorate it how I might do it this season.
My mentor and star (indeed she is) told me a story of a Christmas family tradition where you anonymously give a present, each of the 12 days before Christmas. How perfect is that! I have been wanting to think of ways to get my kids more focused on giving instead of receiving! (They are already telling me what they want!) That way, this can hang in our home, and be a reminder of service and giving, and each day, as the shelf gets emptier, our excitement will grow. I can't wait to make this a tradition in my home and for this shelf to serve as a reminder of giving! Thanks "star", and thanks to Tam for giving me the motivation I needed!

I made one for my sister while I was at it, and I can't wait to see how she uses her shelf.
Possibly other seasonal decorating? Craft storage? Up to her......



Project #11 - Fall Tweed Bag:

This tweed bag is perfect for fall! It reminds us of peacoats and brisk fall days. Made from gorgeous black and gray wool tweed, lined in red satin, and adorned with black buttons hand-stitched in bright red, this bag goes easily from day bag to classy evening carry-all. Sorry Kate Spade, I'll keep my $345. I made this version for less than $25.00.
Project #12: High-Minded Chandelier:

My inspiration for this project was the High-Minded Chandelier from Anthropologie. I liked the simplicity of the design, although the project wasn't simple. It was fun and definitely lots of learning was done this week while working on it!

Wow! Are you as blown away as I am????
And....I'm liking these better than the originals. Good thing most of them have promised us tutorials. Awesome, huh?!
So let the voting begin! Remember, polls will remain open until tomorrow night (Monday, October 25th @ 10 pm MST