Scalloped Shorts

My friend Tyler posted this clever DIY video to my facebook wall a couple of weeks back. She's one of few of my friends that enjoys crafty stuff as much as I do. So she came over and we made an afternoon of scalloping some shorts. Mine were originally bootcut jeans, purchased from Goodwill for a few bucks. 

I love this fresh take on summer cut-offs. So flirty and feminine. 

A little bit of fray check on the ends helps to ensure these shorts don't get eaten up in the dryer. A straight stitch following the scallop pattern would be an even better way to keep fraying minimal.

Check out the video for more details on how to get a nice, even scallop. *Note* We used an air erasable fabric marker to trace the scallop design rather than pinning it on like she does in the video. I think that makes it a little bit easier.

Have a great weekend!

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Birdsong Patterns Giveaway + Discount

One of my newest sponsors is hosting a great giveaway today. Birdsong Patterns is the go-to store for fun accessories. They sell pdf patterns that you can download and print right at home to create girly bows, totes, pillows, and more.

Owner Deanna is offering one lucky reader a 5 e-book collection of her choice. That's any 5 of the many patterns in the shop.

How to Enter

Leave a comment on this post with your email (so that you may be contacted if you've won). If you'd like to tell us which item is your favorite, please feel free, but it's not a requirement. Use this format to share your email if you're nervous about giving away your email on the web:

sweet(dot)verbena01(at)yahoo

Additional Entries

If you'd like to enter more than once you can...

1) visit the Birdsong Pattern Shop and "favorite" the store, and leave a  separate comment here saying so

2) "Favorite" one or more items in the shop, and leave a separate comment here saying so 

Discount for all SV Readers!

Plus Deanna is offering a 15% discount for Sweet Verbena readers for a limited time. Just use the coupon code :

 SWEETV

Good luck! 

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Seven Nine Giveaway Winner

 The winner of the Seven Nine Giveaway is...

Sonya from Miss Bossy Pants! Congratulations Sonya. Have fun picking out your prize (:

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One Year Blogiversary

Well it's official. I've been blogging one whole year now. I'm certain this means little to anyone who isn't me, but I felt it was worth mentioning. Mostly to say thank you. Thank you for all the unending support you've thrown my way. I've been so amazed by the encouragement that people so freely give. My hopes and expectation for Sweet V have been far surpassed in only one year of blogging.  Whether you're a frequent commenter or you just pop in from time to time, I so appreciate you. So thank you again to all my readers. I couldn't and wouldn't do it without you.

The image from my first post. See it here if you'd like.

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Pleated Skirt Upcycle

I found this great pleated skirt at Goodwill a few months ago. The length was a little awkward at first. Not long enough to be a maxi on my tall self, so I cut a good 8 inches off and serged the new end. 

Drawing inspiration from some of these and other great skirts on Pinterest...

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I decided to give my skirt a pop of color. Using Rit's color guide formula, I found the perfect combination to get a fresh, minty blue. Who would've thought yellow and teal would come together to make mint blue? As it turns out the ratio of 1 tsp. teal to 1 tsp. lemon yellow to 1 cup of water creates the pretty hue. 

Brandon, a few friends, and I just got home from Galveston Island. It was so nice to get some sand and sun after a long, tough semester. Louie came with us of course and he loved the beach. He was running around like a crazy dog through the water and got a good roll in the sand. 

Here he is in all his wet, sandy glory. 

Are the dog pictures getting old yet? (;

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