Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sparkly Sequin Shoes DIY

Just saw some amazing sequin shoes in Teen Vogue this month and thought, why not make a pair?  Sequin shoes have been around since Dorothy traded in Kansas for flying monkeys!  The key to this project is painting them metallic before you add the sequins.  Fortunately DecoArt Dazzling Metallics come in every color under the sun!  Also, it's crucial to use E-6000 glue for this project.  It's flexible when it dries and it's washable.  Have fun! 

Dakota Fanning in Teen Vogue wearing $400 sequin shoes
My version!
Watch the video tutorial here
You'll Need
Slip on sneakers
Sequins
Paintbrush
Newspaper
 1.  Set up your shoes on newspaper
2.  Paint your upper shoe first (don't worry about getting some on the sole)
3. Paint the soles and let them dry for an hour or so
 4.  Squirt out some E-6000 glue in one area (not too big)
5.  Spread it evenly with a toothpick
6.  Generously sprinkle sequins in the glue while it's wet and tap them on to the glue as you go
7.  Repeat the process until you're done adding sequins to the upper shoe
8.  Add another coat of paint to the sole and you're done!
 My assistant, Danielle, rocking the sequin shoes
I'm pretty sure she took them home!

Couture Cardboard Cuffs DIY

This spring it's all about big, bold, beautiful accessories!  Celine made wonderful cuffs from crushed metal that truly inspired me.  I decided to celebrate Earth Day and spring's hottest trend by making some big, colorful cuffs out of recycled cardboard and a little paint.  To harden and protect them I used Americana Triple Thick Glaze from DecoArt, which is my new obsession.  It's amazing stuff!  I hope you like making these as much as I did!
My new assistant Danielle rocking my cardboard cuffs!
Celine's crushed metal cuffs (and my inspiration for this project)

Watch the video tutorial right here
YOU'LL NEED
Cardboard (I like recycled boxes from the post office)
Ruler
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Krylon metallic gold spray paint
Paintbrush
 1.  Draw 1" to 2" wide strips on your cardboard and cut them out
2.  Rub one strip along the edge of a table to curve it
3.  Hot glue it in a size that will fit over your wrist
 4.  Pleat two cardboard strips (about 1/2" folds or less)
5. Glue a pleated strip to the edge of your cardboard cuff
6. Continue all the way around
 7.  Spray paint the entire cuff in Krylon Metallic Gold and let it dry
8.  Paint the bangle in an Americana Multi Surface Satin color that you like leaving some of the gold showing on the edges
9.  When the paint dries, coat the entire cuff in the Americana Triple Thick Glaze and let it dry for at least one hour.
Meet my assistant, Danielle!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thurs-DIY!

It's Thurs-DIY and this week does not disappoint! Hop around and see all of the amazing, magical projects my friends have created this week. I'm SURE you'll find something to inspire you!
You must check out this amazing stamped & leatherbracelet that Margot Potter made for me. I absolutely love it! http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/diy-runs-scissors-bracelet/
Cathie Filian makes over a thrift shop hutch, just beautiful!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxzENZccC2k&feature=youtu.be
Debi Beard created this amazing Mermaid Tiara! I'd get in a bar fight with Ariel for this!http://debisdesigndiary.com/diy-mermaid-tiara-and-amazing-give-away/
Make No-Sew Hand Towels (or any kind of no sew appliqué) for Mom's Day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Is8k1BAZ_E
Kathy Cano-Murillo rocks Piñata Inspired Animal Charms and I'm madly in love with them!http://www.craftychica.com/site/2014/04/pinata-inspired-animal-charms/
Cathy Attix creates a super cool metal stamped unisex bracelet that would be the cherry on top of any outfit!http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/metal-stamping/
Jader Bomb makes a rainbow of stenciled coasters that look good enough to eat!http://jaderbomb.com/2014/04/19/stenciled-coasters/
 Check out my 80’s inspired Color Blocked Wedge Flip Flops. (I made them with dollar store flip flops and E-6000 glue)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5UKrMMV1E
Heather Mann shows us how to use up those scraps of fabric with this super cute DIY Knotted Bracelet!http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/04/tutorial-knotted-bracelet-made-from-recycled-fabric/

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

No Sew Appliqué Hand Towels DIY

Need a quick Mom's Day gift?  How about making some of these personalize, no sew appliqué hand towels.  I used some fun printed cotton fabric and the new Stitch Less glue from E-6000!  It's easy and you can apply this technique to t-shirts or pillow cases, whatever you want.  
 
I love this Frida Kahlo printed fabric
The perfect way to brighten a kitchen!
Here's the video tutorial
YOU'LL NEED
Dishtowels
Printed fabrics
Iron
Paintbrush
Scissors
1.  Pick fabrics you like with fun prints
2. Carefully cut out the shapes and patterns 
 3.  Apply a thin coat of the E-6000 Stitch Less glue with a paintbrush to the back of the cut outs
4. Place them on your towels exactly where you want them
5. Iron the cut outs in place and you're done!


Saturday, April 19, 2014

Color Blocked Wedge Flip Flops DIY

Summer is just around the corner and if you're anything like me, you'll be running around in flip flops  every moment you possibly can!  It's just too hot to wear socks when it's hot outside.  As much as I love flip flops, they keep you the same height God made you......and for me, that's just not very tall.  Fortunately this tutorial will help all the height-challenged-flip-flop-wearers gain an inch or two and still be comfortable.  It's so easy, too!  All you'll need is a little E-6000 to tackle the job.

They look just like a sherbet ice-cream sandwich!
Here's the step-by-step tutorial
YOU'LL NEED
3 pairs of flip flops in the exact same size and style
E-6000 glue
Scissors
Something very heavy to place on top
  1.  Decide how you are going to layer your flip flops
2.  Remove the straps from the 2nd and 3rd pair with scissors 
3.  Using a generous amount of E-6000 glue, adhere the middle flip flop to the underside of the top flip flop with the straps
4.  Glue the bottom flip flop to the underside of the middle flip flop
5.  Place a heavy object on top.  I used a dictionary, but you might want to use something even heavier.
6.  Let them dry overnight and you're done!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Nesting Easter Eggs DIY

It's that time of year when every chocolate bunny runs in fear from me!  It's also that time of year when I stock up on plastic eggs and wonder why I need 400 of them.  This year I tried something a little different with my egg and painted them like nesting dolls.  I thought it would be a fun gift for my nieces and nephews but instead I fell in love with them and decided to keep them for myself. I roll that way sometimes.  For this project, all you'll need is some Americana Acrylic Paint in a few different colors.  How creative you get is up to you!  
Comfy and cozy
Watch the step by step video tutorial
YOU'LL NEED
Paintbrushes
Plastic eggs in different sizes
 1. Start by painting the face with Americana Flesh Tone
2. When dry add the hair with Dark Chocolate
3. Next, add the eyes
4.  Add the cheeks directly under the eyes
5. Paint either a tiny heart or red dot for the mouth
6. With white add a dot in each eye for sparkle
7.  Decorate the face with more white dots 
8.  Start with a headband across the forehead
9. Create an onion dome shape in dots around the head
10. Finally add some dots under the chin and you're done!
A family gathering




Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Shoe Makeover-Downton Abbey Style!

The ladies of Downton Abbey have discovered the Spectator Pump and today I'm showing you how to get the same look with just a little bit of paint and a pair of shoes in need of a makeover.  It's easy with some Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paint and a couple of ribbon bows glued on with E-6000!
Spectator pumps are the most popular shoe ever created (besides the sneaker) and reached their height of popularity in the 1920s.  Since then we've seen a version of this shoe in every fashion season since.  Try this project on a pair of white sneakers if you're not a fan of heels.  Have fun!
The "Lady Mary" Shoe
Classic Spectators for men and women
Here's the step-by-step video
YOU'LL NEED
Basic shoes 
Paintbrushes
Permanent marker
Ribbon bows
1.  Draw the design on the toe of each shoe
2.  Draw the design on the heel of each shoe
3.  Fill in with an Americana Multi-Surface Paint in a color you like and let dry 

 4.  Mark with a pencil every 1/2 inch around the edges of your painted areas
5.  Paint black dots over your marks as shown
6.  Draw in your stitches with a permanent marker on both sides of the painted dots
7.  Glue small ribbon bows on the toes of each shoe with E-6000 glue so that they are 
permanently adhered and you're done!