Southern Fried Northern Chic: June 2014

I do have a really cool project to share, but first a little update. Surgery to remove the Melanoma was June 5. They biopsied a few lymph nodes and all was clear, so I am officially cancer free and just recovering from the surgery. It was on my left hand, which is my dominate hand, so I have not been able to sew or do much these past few weeks. Even now I am pecking this out awkwardly with my right index finger. I am relieved and grateful. Luckily, my Aunt is also a skin cancer survivor and has been visiting us to help! It has been awesome having someone to talk to who has been where I am. Plus the kids are having a blast!

Since I can't sew right now, here is a quick scrap project that will also protect your skin from the sun!

Let's make a pretty sun hat! First, check out your local shops for an inexpensive sunhat. I found this one for about $5 at Walmart.

It's pretty, plain and has sparkles! Next, get a bunch of your scraps. For the flower on the hat use the tutorial here. Then cut three strips 1 1/2 inches wide by width of fabric. The length needed will depend on if you do a tight or loose braid. I used about 26 inches to do mine, its tighter but not super tight.

Sew the strips at the top, making sure they all face the same direction.

Then fold the strips to make tubes with the pretty side of the fabric facing out and start braiding. This is so the design on the fabric shows! I tape the top down to the table to keep it steady while I braid.

Then break out the hot glue gun! Start by gluing the sewn end down, then slowly and gently glue the braid around the hat. When you reach the beginning again, cut about 1/2 inch over, glue all three strips together so they won't start to come undone, then gently place over the start point.