Disclosure: I am a member of the Cricut Blogger Network. I may receive prizes in exchange for my winning projects. Even though I am not being directly compensated for these posts, I am under consideration for a prize with Cricut Design Space Star. All opinions are 100% my own.

I've wanted to turn my Pars Caeli cloud into an umbrella design for the longest time, with no tools to make it happen. And then this wild and wonderful Cricut Design Space Star contest comes blowing into my life, and I know exactly what I want my first project to be!

This cloudy umbrella is basically a no-mistake project. Vinyl shapes can be moved and removed without leaving marks or residue. The shapes cling easily to the coated material, and the transparency of the umbrella allows you to see what you're doing the whole way through. I had my first bubble umbrella when I was six, and I've loved them ever since. These clear canvases also pair beautifully with the opaque vinyl.

So now that we've all left our intimidation at the door, here's what you need to make your own:

• Clear umbrella (this one is from Totes in a classic design)
• White vinyl sheets
• Cricut Explore
• Gold paper or vinyl
• Cloud and lining template

Step One: Design your pattern. Of course, I wanted clouds. Using Illustrator I created an .svg file. Based on the size of my umbrella, I made the clouds about three inches wide. I was happily surprised with how many clouds I could fit on one sheet. Using the vinyl setting, feed your mat with vinyl into the machine and carefully remove the cut clouds from your mat when complete.

I created another .svg file with the thin lining that rests on the bottom of the clouds. I changed the setting to paper, and fed in gold hammered scrapbook paper. These were fragile so removing them from the mats was a careful process.

Step Two: Next I wanted a GOLD lining for the clouds. I'm joining with a merry group of ten creatives for this Cricut Design Space Star challenge, and we had decided early on that we wanted our theme to be Gold is the New Black. And, do you know what's even better than finding the silver lining on a cloud? Yes, that's right, finding a gold lining.

Step Three: Press the gold paper lining to the bottom of the white vinyl cloud. 

Step Four: Press the clouds to the interior of the umbrella. This will protect your design from the wear of the elements. I kept the clouds to the lower portion of the umbrella, with three on each panel, so that I could still see through the bubble. Decide on how much vinyl coverage you want on yours.

We've had a rainy end to the summer, and this umbrella, with its gold lining reminders is the perfect way to stay happy and dry in the downpours.

If you love this idea, head on over to the Cricut Pinterest board, and repin! I am so appreciative of your support and kindness!

My team, Lucky #13, has put together a wide variety of incredible projects. And you need to check out every single one! Find the links below. Vote for and pin your favorite projects!

You can also search for our projects on this and upcoming challenges with #cricutdesignteam13

Lucky 13 team in the Cricut Design Space Star™ team:

1. Booties, Earrings, and Hearts from Andrea of Andrea’s Notebook
2. Children's shirt and gold sandals from Celina of Petit A Petit and Family
3. Cut out leather purse with cross lining from Erin & Tricia of Suburban Bitches
4. Leather cuff from Monica of East Coast Creative
5. Easy DIY hashtag t-shirts from Sarah and Jessica of Pretty Providence
6. DIY umbrella and Pineapple Scarf from MJ of Pars Caeli
7. Leopard leggings and tank from Sadie Jane of Simply Sadie Jane
8. Laptop decals from Crystal of Sew Creative Blog

  

It's Friday, friends, and that means it's time to gear up or downshift for the weekend. I've got a tri- for you to try in your home, on your blog, and in your office.

Today, will you be dressing like friend to pretend your twins for the Twins Day Festival? No? Well, then make sure you grab a hot dog, pretzel, or whatever else suits your fancy to ring in the party for National Mustard Day on Saturday. Call your sister or spend the whole Sunday with her on the 5th because it's officially Sisters Day. We'll be celebrating sisters in a big way at our house on August 18th during our annual Sisters Day (more on that later).

                                 

1. MIX UP SOME PATTERNS:

Nicole over at Making It Lovely posted an awesome how-to guide on pattern layering. I love her mix of whimsy and classical design. It makes me want to try some new pillows or a new tray in my living room to create some more interesting vignettes.

2. MAKE SOME BLOGGY CHANGES FOR YOUR READERSHIP:

Victoria over at VMac and Cheese has a bundle of fabulous ideas. Did you catch her ideas to drive more traffic to your blog? Number 2 and number 3 have me thinking that maybe I should change some things up!

On a bloggy note, don't forget to join me and many, many other amazing bloggers tomorrow (Saturday, August 4) for Blog Brunch. It's an amazing hour over on Twitter, and we're talking about Growing a Readership.

3. POKE SOME CARDS:

Lexy of The Proper Pinwheel crafted some mighty cute pinhole cards that you and I could totally create this weekend and send to each other. All you need is some great colored cardstock, a scissors, tape, safety pin, (I've got all those!) and a mirrored image of the text or image you want to create.

We're hanging out at home and soaking up one of the last weekends of summer with birthday parties, back-to-school shopping, and good old-fashioned rest.

Have a bright weekend, friends!

XOXO, MJ

Happy Monday!! How was the weekend, friends? We had a gorgeous one in the bright sunny skies of Chicago with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Navy Pier was the perfect setting for wonderful childhood memories for our little ones, and we toasted to new adventures over margaritas. Ahhh, summer.

I was inspired to hear that my oldest friend makes reading this here blog one of her daily activities. I was touched really! Thanks to all of you loyal readers who hop back over post after post to see what's going on over here in Pars Caeli. You're noticeably appreciated.

We're back to Pattern Play Monday! Welcome, welcome. Today's pattern: the classic polka dot.

I'm pulling back my super long bangs (which will be trimmed this week from their near chin-long status) with this lovely sating polka dot headband. Polka dots were made fashionable as early as the 1850s when a dance of the same name became popular. I still find them incredibly fashionable, fun, and fresh, particularly in the dark/light contrasting tones.

I found these two wishlist polka dot numbers for you. The shoes are from Madden Girl and you can find them over here on sale! And this flirty one shoulder dress from Forever21 screams, "Take me to a great summer concert and then out for a glass of wine, husband." ...Or maybe that was just the private conversation I had with it. Either way, I love how they accessorized it simply and let the simple polka dots shine.

 

Are you daring a pattern today? Have any great ideas you want to share for our next Pattern Play?

Thanks for stopping over. It's always lovely to have you here.

XOXO, MJ

P.S. There are some charmed little cloud buttons over there ---------> which are inviting you to come see more! And a new feed burner, too. Please subscribe and get a little piece of my Heaven sent to you. :)

Happy Monday! It feels great to be back to the ease of Pattern Play Monday. Thanks readers for sticking with me through last week's challenges. This week is going to be lovely and full.

Today I'm wearing my favorite wrap dress with this mint candy-striped geometric. It's fresh and just what I need to kick start the goodness coming our way this week. I've been seeing so many cute geo patterns lately. Can I share some of these lovelies with you?

Geometrics make rad accessories. And this mixed media piece from Shopbop could bring a whole new level of sophistication to the simplest tank.

That fun wooden necklace is from a great DIY from Laurie over at agirlwhomakes. Check her out. I'm thinking my wardrobe could use a little some bright baubles.

The clutch is from Target (I continue my love for Target), and comes in a few different tones to add some new angles and hues to your outfits.

Have you incorporated some new geometrics into your wardrobe? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for stopping over! It's always lovely to have here.

XOXO,
MJ

Welcome back, friends! It's a celebration over here at Pars Caeli this week. Little ole me (kinda little old me, too) has a birthday tomorrow, and another year of life is totally a gift. Looking forward to telling you some ways that I love to spend remembering the day I was born!

In the meantime, I'm starting off Monday with my fav-o-rite shirt. This odd, large-scale print adorns a beautiful ruffle tank that makes me grin (I mean who thought a toucan on a shirt could look that good?). As someone without a lot of pattern in the closet, this purchase was a big, bold move last Spring from Banana Republic. I'm delighted to see that some other great large-scales have made it into the early Summer collections.

The dress on the left is from Lands End. And I have to tell you, in prep for this post, I pinned this dress, and it received nearly 60 repins in 60 minutes. I find the large leaves against the white so fresh! And the cute top on the left is made by J Crew. Who needs fresh flowers when you wear something so gorgeous?

Hope you're daring to wear something large scale today (maybe a great big necklace or shoes that really make a statement?).

Thanks for stopping over. It was really lovely to have you.

XOXO,
MJ

What's up, Monday? It's going to be a good week, friends. My happy, striped ruffle shirt told me so. And I listen when my clothes make the effort to talk to me.

It was a chilly weekend here, but we made the most of it with a few local shows and some little people soccer games and birthday parties. How about you?

Today is a reserved striped kind of day - not too cold, not too warm, not too frenzied, with just a bit of classic pizzazz.

Here are some other reserved stripes that have caught my eye. On the left from Piperlime and on sale (oh, yeah) and on the right from Gap and super comfy.

What are you daring to wear today, friends? Hope it's a great week for you.

See you back here soon!

XOXO,
MJ

PS. Don't forget to leave a happy comment if you'd like a set of chalk notes (from Friday's DIY). I'll be selecting my winner and posting it tomorrow!

If you take a peek into my color-coded closet (yes, I am a freak), you'll see a nice range of hues and saturations, with a strong preference for blues and pinks (you'll note the affection for those colors all over the place around here!). But one element that is sadly under-represented... pattern.

I love patterns, and they scare me - just like some of my favorite teachers.

And, step back, pattern-on-pattern as seen in so many cute trends like Liz featured over here, knock me OVER.

But here at Pars Caeli, we're brave and open to some of our greatest teachers, the possibilities ahead. And so I'm taking on a challenge. Want to try it with me?

Stop back here every Monday, at least until I get the hang of this (and you do, too), to see what patterns are finding their way into the wardrobe. I know that I could use a little something extra every Monday morning. Check out today's pattern on the left, a great little Spring skirt from the Gap that I love to pair with a fresh green.

I'd love to see what patterns you're sporting. Please share! Stripes, florals, polka dots - oh my!