Kokeshi Doll DIY

For some weird reason I can only wear roll on deodorant.  Because I'm a recycling nut, I never want to toss out the bottles when they're empty.  I'm also strangely obsessed with the roll on balls!  Recently a friend gave me a Kokeshi doll as a souvenir from her trip to Japan and I thought it was fantastic.  I decided to try to make one with my roll on bottles and below is the result.   I think this is a terrific project for kids and a great place to stash bobby pins and small gifts.  Have fun!

Check out the how-to video

You'll need:

Pliers

White glue

Roll-on bottle

E-6000 glue

Markers

Sticky labels

Scissors

Ribbon

Sandpaper

Origami paper

Colored paper

Black Krylon Fusion spray paint

1.  With pliers, remove the roll on ball by pinching the neck of the bottle.

2.  Peel off the label. Don't worry if it's still sticky, that's fine.

3.  After you've washed the bottle and the roll on ball, sand one part of the roll on ball.

4.  Sand the top of the roll on lid.

5.  Glue the ball to the lid (where you sanded) with E-6000 and let dry for 30 minutes.

6.  Spray paint the ball and lid black after it's dry.  

7. Wrap your roll on bottle in origami paper using the white glue to keep it in place.

8.  Glue a 1" strip of contrasting solid paper around the bottle to create an Obi belt.

9.  Tie a ribbon around the 1" strip of solid paper.

10.  Draw a face on a sticky label and cut it out.

11.  Stick the face to the painted roll on bottle.

Screw the face on the bottle and you're done!

Super Chic Chain Rainbow Loom Bracelets

Not sure if you've jumped on the Rubber Band Loom trend yet, but it's addicting to say the least.  I got mine a few weeks ago and have played with it almost every day since.  It's kind of like meditation with little rubber bands.  After perusing the internet for hours looking for interesting "adult" Rainbow Loom projects, I realized there were none so I decided to add a little chain to the mix.  I feel like I've come up with something that mom will actually love wearing.  Moms, pass this one along to the kiddos so you're not having to wear those crazy rainbow color bracelets to work anymore!  

The how-to video

You'll need a rubber band loom (they make them everywhere!)

3" of large chain

Bands in the colors you like

"C" clips for a closure (they come with the loom)

1.  With the loom facing away from you, count down 11 pegs from the top of the loom on the left row of pegs.

2.  Stretch 2 bands between peg 1 & 2.  Next, two bands between 2 & 3.  Continue to the the 10th peg.

3.  Thread two bands between the end link on your chain and then stretch it over the 10th and 11th peg.

4.  Repeat this process on the right hand row of pegs.  You will not be putting bands on the center row.

5.  Thread 2 bands between the other end link on your chain and thread it through the 10th and 11th peg.

6.  Flip your loom around and with your hook,  grab the 2 bands on the 11th peg and stretch them around the end link and on to the 10th peg.

7.  Now with your hook, reach through the peg, grab the 2 bands on the 10th peg and loop them on the 9th peg, this will start creating a chain.

Do this on both sides.

8.  Grab a "C" clip, carefully remove the last band on one side and attach it to the last band.

9. Place your hook through the last band on the other side and remove the bracelet and then add the bands to the "C" clip to finish it.

You're done.

French Cuffs and Cufflinks DIY

I like to dress up a bit during the holidays and nothing says "SWANKY" like French cuffs and cufflinks with an outfit.  They look great on both men and women and with this DIY, you can have the look in no time.  If you have a stash of vintage buttons that you need a project for, this is it.  These cufflinks are also a wonderful gift for the fashionista in your life!

Some fancy versions

Here's the DIY video

YOU'LL NEED

Long sleeve shirt

Sewing machine with zigzag

Matching thread

2 large & 2 small shank buttons

6 jump rings

Needle nose pliers

Scissors

1.  Cut the buttons off of your cuffs

2. Fold your cuff exactly in half

3. Mark through the button hole to the other side of the cuff

4.  Stitch a button hole the same size as the other on each cuff

5.  Add a jump ring to each button

6.  Connect the two jump rings together to create your cufflink 

You could use a small section of chain if you have something that is strong enough.

So fancy!

Corset Back Blazer DIY Made with Safety Pins!

When I was a fashion designer, I put at least one lace up corset in every collection I showed.  They were always my best sellers!  Though not the easiest garments to make, because of the boning and structure, I enjoyed creating them for my collections and boutique.  This corset back blazer is a very simple way to get the same effect with just a few supplies I'll be you already have.  Use this technique to fit a loose blazer or create the look of a smaller waist on a fitted blazer. It's up to you.

Watch the how-to video

 If forget which collections these photos are from, but as you can see the corset played a very big part in my work.

 YOU'LL NEED

2 yards 1/2"wide ribbon

20 large safety pins

Ruler or tape measure

Pencil

Blazer that needs some sprucing up

 1.  Find your princess seams.  They are the seams between the side seam and the center back seam.  If you don't have princess seams in your jacket, just mark a line 1/2 way between the center back and side seam of your jacket.

2.  Mark up 6" on each princess seam of your jacket. 

3. Make line10 dots starting at the 6" line straight up the princess seam.  Mark another 10 dots 1" away from the first line of dots.

4.  Repeat this on the other side

5.  Using your two sets of dots, pin in the safety pins with the end of the pin facing toward the center of the jacket

6. Make sure they are evenly spaced

7.  Do this on both sides 

8.  Starting from the top two safety pins, lace your jacket like you would lace a shoe

9.  Have someone help you tie your jacket while you're wearing it so that you don't tie it too tight.

Enjoy!  

Mustache Necktie DIY to Celebrate Movember

Mustache Necktie DIY to celebrate Movember

Now just in case you don't know what Movember is, it's a month long event involving the growing of mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer and other male cancers.

Today while I was shopping I almost bought a pair of mustache sunglasses to show my support.  However, at the last minute I realized that I can't wear sunglasses at night so I decided to make another accessory that I won't have to take off when I'm inside.  

That's when I came up with the Mustache Necktie!

For this project I used Jen Goode's new Jumbo Design Wheel Mustache Stamp….It's awesome and so is Jen!  Check out her bloggers in this Movember blog hop here: 

http://www.100directions.com/mustache-mania-creative-ideas-mustache-diy-projects/

You'll Need

Cream or white necktie

Colorbox ink pad in black (or a color you like)

Jen Goode's Jumbo Design Wheel Mustache Stamp

Lesley Riley TAP (Transfer Artist Paper)

Home copy machine

Iron

Scissors

Create your mustache design using the Jumbo Design Wheel on plain white paper 

Place your mustache paper in your copy machine and 

copy the design on some Lesley Riley TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) on your home copy machine

 Once it's copied, trace around the tie and cut out the TAP

 Iron it on the necktie and you're done!

How easy is that!
Now get out there and show your support, OK! 

Shrinky Dink Butterfly Necklace DIY

Shrinky Dinks are BACK and better than ever!  You can now print images on Shrinky Dink Ink Jet paper on your home computer and create everything from jewelry to keychains.  

Make a double strand!

Here's the how-to video

Print out these images on 8 1/2 x 11 Ink Jet Shrinky Dink Paper for your own Butterfly Necklace.

Boho Glass Plates DIY

After searching for fun dishes at every flea market and thrift store, I decided to make my own from 99c store glass plates.  I wanted something handmade that someone could actually eat off of them and this process worked perfectly.  All of the spray paint and decoupage is on the underside. Using positionable spray adhesive is the key when applying the doilies.  Watch the video to see exactly how it's done.  I've included the images for these dishes, so print them out and make a whole set.

Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

Here's how to make them! 

YOU'LL NEED

Large doilies

Gold spray paint

Spray paint in a color you like

White spray paint

Positionable spray adhesive

Scissors & Craft knife

Images 

White glue

I printed this image at 51%, but it might be different on your printer.  

 I printed this image at 148%, but again, it might be different on your printer.