By Milton

It’s Gossip Girl time again! Last time I showed you how to recreate the red and white striped headband that Blair Waldorf wore in the episode “All About My Brother”.  This time, I recreated the headband she wore in the episode “Women on The Verge”. I used 50mm Double Face Silk Ribbon  in silver and a Rhinestone Appliqué.  To make it, you can view the instructions in my previous Gossip Girl Blog .  They are very easy to follow.

Gossip Girl’s Season Premiere is on Monday, September 1 8/7c, so let’s get ready for more drama and lots of accessories!

By Dara

A few nights ago I had a phone conversion with a friend of mine.  He’s been going out with his girlfriend for almost three years.  Actually, their third year anniversary is coming up pretty soon.  Like most men, he’s pretty clueless about finding the perfect gift.  So he ask me for some advice. 

I wasn’t too sure myself what a perfect gift for her would be.  However, after listening to my friend go on and on about how much he cares for her and wants to be more stable before settling down, I finally thought of a great gift.   

I told him to give her a promise ring.  However, I told him not to hand it over that easily.  The next day we headed over to ikea to pick up a small spice jar.  It pretty much looks like a miniture cookie jar.  Then we went back to my place, where I had a closet filled with M&J Trimming supplies.  We measured and cut 8″ x 8″ of silk fabric using mandial pinking shear scissors.  This scissor helps keep the fabric from fraying.  Then wrapped it using 1mm rattail.  It help to keep the fabric in place like how you see in the photo.  For decoration we used some matching braided buttons (#11884).  It looked really nice on the rattail. 

Finally, we placed my friend and his girlfriend’s picture inside the jar using double sided tape.  He placed the ring inside and filled it up with candy.  We also added a tag and it was ready. 

The idea was for her to think that all he gave her was a pretty jar of candy with their picture inside.  However, it’s not until the she finishes the candy that she’ll realize he give her a promise ring.  It might take her a while to finish the candy before she finds the ring.  Like love, all good things takes time and patience. 

By the way, that’s not a picture of them that you see.  I had to recreate the gift since he’s giving her the one we made together this weekend.  You can use this idea for wedding favors or bridal gifts also.  Minus the ring of course. 

By Kristin

Getting married at the beach?  No?  Well, maybe you want a comfortable pair of shoes for the reception.  Flip flops are the perfect answer!  They’re cheap and can be decorated to match your dress very easily.  I was able to pick up a pair at the local dollar store and decorate them in only about 45 minutes.  M&J Trimming has this great glue called Flip Flop Glue (item # 37866).  It’s made so that your decorations won’t fall off during regular wear and tear.  You can decorate your flip flops with buttons, ribbons, sequins, or my personal favorite… rhinestones!  I decorated my pair in Light Rose and Crystal AB.  Why not try decorating a pair for your own big day, as a gift for the bride or maybe for your bridesmaids and flower girl.  It’s a fun project and you will be able to wear them after the wedding during your honeymoon, or for a day out on the town.

It is M&J Trimming’s 72nd birthday.  Who better to spend this special day with than our valued Customers?  For over 72 years, M&J Trimming has been supplying Customers with top quality products.  Our priority is to provide you with the largest fabric trimming and garment embellishment resource. 

On this special day we’d like to thank our you for being our valued Customers.  Over the past years our relationship has grown to become much more than “Supplier and Customer”.  We have become a family and family only offer what’s best to each other.  We promise to continue providing you with only the finest quality merchandise.

To celebrate this special day, we’d like to offer you a 20% discount on everything you see at MJTRIM.com.  That includes Swarovski rhinestones and sew-on jewels.  However, this discount only applies for our birthday, August 14th, 2008. 

Sale Start Date:  August 14th, 2008 @ 12am EST

Sale End Date:  August 14th, 2008 @ 11:59 EST

Click Here To Start Shopping 

M&J Trimming would like to introduce you to our new Swarovski Crystals Rhinestone Catalog.  This catalog includes our entire updated colors of Swarovski rhinetones  It also includes our collection of the newest sew-on jewels, most popular rhinestone fringe, easy to use iron-on rhinestone appliques, and supplies.  This catalog is free.  All you have to do is provide us with a shipping address and you’ll receive your free catalog within five to ten business days. 

Click here for your FREE rhinestone catalog

With more and more demands for Swarovski rhinestone sales, M&J Trimming couldn’t just sit back.  We’ve decided to answer our valued customers’ request for more sales on Swarovski rhinestones.  Take up to 20% off large packs of rhinestones on select colors.  Hurry because every party has to come to an end.  Which means this sale won’t be around for very long. 

For more details, please call 1.800.9.MJTRIM.  Our Customer Service Representatives are standing by to answer all questions you may have. 

Click here to view the prices and colors

Swarovski Rhinestone Sale!

By Eleah

An easy way to add an element of green to your table is to create a covering made from a natural fiber cord such as jute or hemp.  As mentioned in Milton’s Earth Friendly Jute Belt blog, Jute is 100% biodegradable and requires little to no chemicals for production.

I picked up a cute little set of 4 juice glasses and a matching carafe at a local second hand shop.  If you want your set to be eco friendly try your second hand shops, stuff you already have or look into sets made of recycled glass (an ever-growing industry). 

Supplies:

• Carafe/Pitcher + glasses
• Scissors
• Glue gun + glue sticks
• 8mm Jute Cord (00650-JUTE) (5 ½ yards for the carafe, 1 yard/glass)

Directions:

1. Glue one end of the 5-½ piece of cord to the base of the Carafe.  Leave a little bit of the end unglued so that you can later point it upward and wrap the cord over it as you secure it around the circumference of the Carafe. I also started mine slightly above the actual bottom of the carafe so that it does not touch the table surface.  This is optional. 
2. Continue to lay down about 3 inches of glue in the desired path of the cord.  Keep snaking it around until you get to the end.  You should be able to pull up part of the glued down cord with the end of a pair of scissors and tuck the raw end of the cord into it so that it is hidden.  
3. Repeat the same steps with the glasses.
4. You’re done!  Now you have the perfect set to serve wine or water in to your guests!

                 4.5″X6″ Curly Acrylic Handle                              4″ X 6.5″ Wood Handle

                                Style: 28232                                                Style: 23900

               Wooden Bead Handle                                         Bamboo Handle

                    Style: 32943                                                         Style: 30032

M&J Trimming is featured in this month’s issue of Contry Living magazine.  Our unique handbag handles were featured on page 36 of the August issue.  Be sure to pick up the issue at your nearest news stand. 

By Kristin

Your flowers are picked, the tuxes are rented and the invitations have all been sent out.  You thought you were finished with the wedding plans when you remembered that you need gifts for your attendants. 

Like most brides, I gave my girls jewelry to wear on the day of, but made sure it was something they could wear again and again over the years.  It seems that a lot of web sites offer jewelry you can buy, but I find it all looks the same after a while. 

This week’s blog is devoted to making a custom necklace that your bridesmaids will love.  It’s fast and easy to make and perfect for a summer or fall wedding.  The colors are also very easy to change according to the colors of your wedding.  I just chose green because it was so pretty and vibrant.  Use this tutorial to make a necklace inspired by mine, or copy it exactly, the options are endless!

Materials:

• Size 3mm Organdy Ribbon - 20″
• Size 4mm Swarovski Beads - 10 beads
• 60mm Dyed Shell Pendant - 1 pc
• Filigree Flower Charm - 1 pc
• Size 12 Flat Back Rhinestone - 1 pc
• 2 Clamshell Clamps
• 1 Closure
• 2 Jump Rings

Hardware:

• Tweezers
• E6000 glue
• Flat nose Pliers

Instructions: 

1. The first step is to glue the rhinestone into the center hole of the flower charm.  Dab a tiny amount of glue into the hole using a pin or toothpick, and then drop the stone into it with the tweezers.  Let this dry for 10 minutes.
2. Once the rhinestone is dry, you can glue the charm to the center of the shell pendant.  Put a little bit of glue on the back of the flower (not too much or it will ooze out the sides), and stick it on the shell.  Let this dry while you work on the ribbon necklace.
3. String a bead onto the ribbon 2″ from the end, and make a knot on either side to keep it in place.  Make a knot about 1 ½” - 2″ away from the bead you just did, string on a bead, make another knot on the other side of the bead, repeat until you have all the beads knotted and strung leaving 2″ on each end of the ribbon.
4. String a clamshell clamp on the end of one of the ribbons and make a double knot right at the end, dab a little glue here and let dry, repeat with the other side.  When the glued ends are dry you can clamp the clamshell closed.  This will give a nice finished end to the ribbon so it doesn’t fray over time.
5. Using the pliers add an open jump ring to the cent of the ribbon and add the pendant, close the jump ring.
6. Use the pliers to add the closure to the end clamps as well.
7. Wrap up your completed necklace in a pretty box for your bridesmaids to wear on the big day.

By Milton

Fashion has gone green and so should you.  This week I designed an easy-to-make belt made from all natural materials.  The strap of the belt is made from Jute, the buckle from wood and the braid end from cotton twill tape.  This belt is the perfect accessory to a pair of light linen pants, jeans or a classic navy blue or tan A-line dress.

Originally from India, jute is an all-natural vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads.  It is second in production to cotton and has a variety of uses.   It is one of the strongest natural fibers and in today’s world, it doesn’t hurt that it also happens to be 100% biodegradable.  This environmentally sound product requires little to no fertilizer or pesticides and is mainly exported from India and Bangladesh.

Supplies:

• 36mm Jute Braid (39853): Measure your waist and add about 7 or 8 inches to determine how much jute you will need.  Remember there are 36″ in a yard and usually materials are bought by the yard.
• 2 inches of medium brown 1″ twill tape
• 1 ½” Wood Buckle in Dark brown (29695)
• Glue
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Wrap the jute braid around your waist, add about 4 inches and cut to size.  If you want this belt to fit around your hips you will need to make it longer.
2. Take your piece of twill tape and apply a medium layer of fabric glue to one side, fold it in half and wrap it along one of the cut ends of your jute braid.  It should cover up any raw ends of the braid, which will prevent it from fraying. Cut any excess twill tape from the sides.
3. On the other end of the jute braid, guide it up through the bottom of the buckle and then back down so it comes out on the flatter bottom side.  Fold it over about 1 ½” and apply fabric glue to secure it.  Fabric glue generally requires a few minutes of pressure until it begins to dry. Most fabric glues dry within 15 minutes. 
4. And now you have your new eco-friendly belt!