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Watercolor Caftan DIY
March 4, 2016

Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-5I made this watercolor caftan towards the end of last summer (because I really needed something to wear to this pool party) and it instantly became one of my very favorite pieces. The cut is easy and breezy, with simple lines but the added detail of an interior-cinched waist to give it a little shape in the middle.
Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-11Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-6And the fabric? THE FABRIC! I ordered it from my friend Megan in Australia when I spotted it on one of her designs. I feel like this fabric might be my spirit animal. I love the colors, the abstract design, the watercolor feel, and the lightweight texture. This felt like a perfect application for it, and I still have a couple yards to play around with in the future. Hooray! 

Unfortunately, this same fabric is no longer available, but I found a few similar feeling, really incredible abstract watercolor prints by heytangerine on Spoonflower that would make this beautifully. Order the cotton lawn ultra for a similar weight and breeziness. Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-3Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-8 Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-4The v neck is finished with a 1/4″ bias tape, effectively turning the edge under without any added bulk. Then the arms and hem are a simple fold, fold, stitch. I got the idea to create the internal cinched waist from a caftan I bought two years ago, and I really love the way it adds a little definition while leaving the lines of the caftan loose and easy. I also leave it undone sometimes and it looks just fine.
Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-7 Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-9I have been waiting to post this caftan until the summer started to roll around again, and got lucky enough to be spending this weekend in Palm Springs on a girls’ trip! The landscapes are incredible, combining all of my favorite colors of warm desert sand and pale and bright green succulents. Give me the choice of the desert or the jungle, and I’ll choose the desert every time.
Watercolor Caftan DIY- One Little Minute Blog-10Here’s the basic outline for creating the watercolor caftan:Watercolor Caftan DIYYou’ll need:
2 yards of lightweight fabric
8″ of 1″ elastic

  1. Fold the fabric in half at the “shoulders” and cut to the circumference of your natural waist and as long as you would like. Mine is 28″, so my dress is 28″ wide, and just below knee length at .
  2. Measure 8″ from the corners of the fold and cut a V neck, mine is about 6″ deep.
  3. Cut the following pieces to create the internal cinch: 4″ x 6″ , two 24″ x 3″
  4. Fold and press the edges of the 4″ x 6″ rectangle down 1/4″
  5. Cut the elastic in half and pin each to the center of the long fabric strips
  6. Fold the top edge down over the elastic by 1/3, then fold the opposite end a touch, and fold it over up, wrapping up the elastic.
  7. Start stitching along the fold about 1/4″ then stretch the elastic along the inside of the tube as far as it will stretch, or about 7″.
  8. Sew while the elastic is tight, then when you get to the end, continue stitching the end of the strap.
  9. Fold the end over twice 1/4″ and stitch to close.
  10. Measure from your shoulder to beneath the bust and place the two straps and the rectangle piece down on the WRONG SIDE of the fabric, centered, at that measurement.
  11. Stitch around the rectangle, close to the edges, enclosing the piece and attaching the straps beneath it.
  12. Finish the neckline with 1/4″ double fold bias tape. Stitch to the RIGHT side of the fabric first, then trim the raw edge, fold and press flat then topstitch along the bias tape, catching the raw edge beneath. Finally, stitch as close as possible to the fold on the WRONG side of the fabric to finish the lines. For tips on sewing bias tape to a v neck, see this post, but note that is an exposed bias binding, and this caftan is an interior bias binding.
  13. Measure 16″ along the center shoulder of the sides of the caftan and fold 1/4″ twice then sew to finish the sleeves.
  14. Stitch along both side seams to the finished edge and backstitch. Finish the seam with a serger or a zig zag stitch.
  15. Hem the bottom 1/4″
  16. Done!
caftansimple DIY dresssummertime coverupwatercolor dresswatercolor fabric
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    Packing up for our 15th anniversary getaway (Costa Packing up for our 15th anniversary getaway (Costa Rica ☀️🌺🌴🥰) and grateful for this past month of relationship-focus. 

All of October the #livefreecreativepodcast episodes centered on ideas for a more intentional, connective marriage, in partnership with our fave all-natural intimate body oil @coconu 🥥 (watch my story highlight for more info!)

As I taught and implemented some simple tips, I noticed a measurable difference in my own partnership with Dave, and we’re so excited to continue building on that with this next week away together. 

Some of my favorite takeaways from the episodes are these: 

• Take care of yourself so you can take care of your relationship! (Ep 155)
• “Foreplay is everything that happens in between sexual encounters.” -@kristinbhodson (Ep 156)
• Have more fun simply playing together! (Ep 157)
• Learning to love one another is an ongoing process. (Ep 158)

The biggest takeaway is that great, loving, balanced marriages don’t happen on autopilot. They require an investment of intentional time, emotional energy, and commitment and can be so worth the effort!

Use LIVEFREE for 15% off your order of @coconu (it’s a perfect sexy stocking stuffer 🎁😉) and tune into the show for all of these tips and more.
    Slip-sliding into the holiday season this weekend. Slip-sliding into the holiday season this weekend. 🎃🦃🎁
Here’s a quick reminder that the most meaningful gifts of the year might not be under the tree (or on a cargo ship in the ocean. 😜🚢)

#lessstuffmoreadventure
    How well do you know your partner, TODAY? Do you How well do you know your partner, TODAY? 

Do you know their current stressors? Dreams? What they love to spend time doing and what they wish they could set down?

The Gottman Institute has found that one of the foundations of a solid, long-lasting relationship is what they call “marital friendship”. 

Marital friendship looks like getting to know your partner and then CONTINUING to get to know each other as life changes, circumstances shift, and your own core identities and understandings progress. 

This week on the #livefreecreativepodcast I share some ideas for building and updating your personal “Love Map” and even include a free, printable PDF to get the conversation started! 

Tune in on your favorite listening app. 💕
    Hi there! It’s been a little while since I intro Hi there! It’s been a little while since I introduced myself and thought I’d take a minute to share: 

1. I’m an RN patient educator turned online educator and intentional living specialist. I’m applying right now for a Master’s Degree program in Applied Positive Psychology, and look forward to adding new research and understanding to what I share in my podcast, online courses, and retreats! (🤞 I get in!)

2. I have been married 15 years, have 3 kids, 2 cats, 6 chickens, 1 dog, and love the mild chaos of our small and quite full house, #ourrichmondfixerupper.

3. I teach and share principles for wellbeing and living life on purpose in four main ways: 
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6. I’ve been sharing online for over 14 years (first blogging, then Instagram…) and sometimes feel more disconnected because of the perpetual nature of these platforms. I crave the true connections we can make as humans in the real world and love using IG as a jumping off point to meet and gather, teach and learn with women in other, longer-lasting ways. 

7. I’m an Aquarius , enneagram 7, Generator, and a nuanced, unorthodox Mormon who truly believes we are all meant to walk our own pathways in this life, discovering our truest selves and finding alignment with her wholeness. ✨

Okay, that’s enough about me. Did you learn something new? 

Now, tell me something about you!! 

(Headshot by @heathermildenstein at Fall 2021 #livefreecreativecamp)
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Tune in to episode 157 of the #livefreecreativepodcast to hear more about these 5 practices! 

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In our little home (1400 sq ft) I am always on the lookout for forgotten spaces we could maximize with easy and affordable design solutions.

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Sending you a bit of confidence and creativity to use your own home to its fullest most meaningful potential! ✌️

#ourrichmondfixerupper
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Sometimes there are no rules.”

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Sometimes, even over a dozen years into this hobby-turned-business-turned-career, I wonder what I am even doing. If I’m doing it right or well. 

And then I remember: we’re all just sort of making it up as we go and doing the best we can with what we have. 

Dancing along to the beat of our own heart, and hopefully spreading joy along the way. 💛
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    Last week we hosted our first annual #Coopstock ba Last week we hosted our first annual #Coopstock backyard bash! 🐓🎉

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Follow along to learn more about Hen Up® Organic Chicken Food by visiting https://clvr.li/HenUpCoopstock (also linked in my IG story and profile!)
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