Jul 17, 2012 | DIY
It’s getting super-hot out here in Portland, and I’ve graduated to as little clothing as possible during these sweltering afternoons. T-shirts? Check. Short-shorts? Check. Drapey dresses? Check. And fun accessories? In abundance! Here are a couple tutorials that have been on my radar this week, that can all help add to your Summer wardrobe:
About time someone DIY’d that Neon Cambridge Satchel that’s been making the street style photo rounds! Tutorial from Glitter ‘N Glue, and boy is bright, fun, and perfect for Summer!
And speaking of neon, try out this Neon Shirt Dress by The Fuji Files. It’s a great way to upcycle a boring old button-down blouse!
Sweet Verbena has a beautifully-photographed tutorial for a DIY Sequin Mini Skirt. So disco fab!
Looks Like Spilt Milk also posted her version of a Knit Jersey Dress with Satin Tie (from an original tutorial by Sweet Verbena). It looks so easy but beautifully chic!
For more lovely dresses, try this Side Tulip Hemline Tunic Tutorial by Merrick’s Art. Drafted from a shirt you may already have in your closet, this is a great go-to for days you want to be comfy but look a little polished, too.
Turn a polo shirt into a chic little skirt with this T-Shirt to Skirt Refashion tutorial by Second Chances by Susan. What an ingenious idea, to turn the shirt upside-down and use the neckline for the back slit!
DIY 10 Minute Cardigan from Sweater by Vanilla Joy is a great little project using hem tape for a quick finished cardigan upgrade to an old sweater.
Looking for something to keep you dry during those sudden Summer showers? Look no further than A Pair & A Spare‘s DIY Transparent Cape! How cool is that project (made with the help of Scotch Duct Tape)? And check out all the other Scotch tape DIYs on their website as well while you’re at it!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Jul 11, 2012 | DIY
Rolling 3 weeks into 1, what with computer mishaps, being super-busy with work, and school projects seeming to take over my life. But you guys have all been up to some fabulous DIYs, so let’s check them out!
I’m in love with these decked-out DIY Deko heels by Youtube user 01b0o! How snazzy are they – and think of the possibilities of pattern and design with crystals on your shoes!
Though technically not a DIY tutorial blog, ReFashionista has posted daily for 366 days her refashions of ugly thrift store garments (and even – gasp! – her wedding dress). Get some great ideas for refashioning, remaking, and upcycling your own way out of outdated hell. (And for more inspiration, see New Dress a Day, who’s also currently doing the same thing!)
Chictopian Headbandit discusses the DIY Controversy: in short, DIY vs. knockoffs, and how fashion bloggers play who create DIY tutorials deal with it. A must-read!
Did you know? A piece of fabric + a bangle = endless cute dress combinations for Summer! Watch the video by Youtube user DWDShoes here.
Now, to get on with the t-shirt refashions…
Bust Magazine turns an oversized T into a racerback tank. Reminds me of …love, Maegan‘s DIY Jersey Tank tutorial…hey, great minds, right?!
Speaking of DIY’ing your tee, why not try Refinery29‘s take on the DIY Cut-Out T-shirt? Cool, breezy, and a little bit edgy, it looks fab over an outfit or as a beach cover-up…and I love how they offered up some styling possibilities too!
Revamp your basic white tee with Short of Something‘s tutorial on striped tie-dyeing. I love the results – and all you need are binder clips, plastic wrap, and rubber bands! Ingenious.
To round up my collection on T-shirt refashioning tutorials (seriously, it’s the Summer of T-shirt Recon!!), Rookie Mag posted their DIY Ruffled Tees tutorial as well. Love the girliness of the finished piece!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Jul 4, 2012 | DIY
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Happy July 4th to all my fellow U.S.-based readers out there!
Though this day may be filled with family gatherings and barbecues for some, for others it may just be a lazy day off work and a time to relax. Here are a couple ideas for projects to do if you’re looking to fill up your day:
CRAFTS
Make a Patriotic Pinwheel Corsage quickly with some printed fabric and hot glue. (And try the accompanying Pinwheel project for some old-school fun or party decoration!)
Stamp cloth napkins, a blank apron, or t-shirts with hand-carved potato stamps dipped in fabric paint for a patriotic pattern.
Add some sparkly adornment to a canvas tote (this photo is of a tote from The Gap from a couple years ago) by sewing sequin trim onto the straps.
FOOD
Make a Patriotic Fruit Salad with watermelon, blueberries, and white peaches. Or go for a July 4th Savory Salad: watermelon, feta, and purple fingerling boiled potatoes…or mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes (both red and dark purple)…or blueberries, strawberries feta, and lettuce.
Bake cookies in squares and start-shapes, and then ice in red, white, and blue frosting to piece together a U.S. flag like this inspiring Pinterest pin.
A Fourth of July Flag Cake is easy with blueberries and strawberries arranged strategically on whipped cream!
Hope your Fourth is a happy one!
xoxox
Carly
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Jun 20, 2012 | DIY
Hello there, creative DIY’ers! I’ve been busy with
my new internship, Lil Tot’s school ending and Summer Camp beginning, and some much-needed house-cleaning (uhhh my office is a royal M-E-S-S!!!) So here I am doing 2 weeks into 1 again, of DIY and great ideas across the Internet.
Feeling a little like a throwback to the 80’s this Summer? Try out the tutorial on
Jen Ell’s Revenge for a
DIY Fringe Beaded Tank that will get you feeling all nostalgic again.;-)
Have some pretty fabric laying around? Make a printed fabric
Party Clutch with a DIY tutorial from
Harts Fabric Blog and make it just your own! (And incidentally, they have
some great fabrics on their site to choose from…I think the
Cucumber Slices fabric would be perfect for something fresh and summery (literally, right?) and the
Black Safety Pin print would be great for something more edgy.)
Make something Celtic and nautical-inspired with
Clones n Clowns‘
Celtic Knot Necklace. I lvoe how it’s almost – but not quite – a perfect heart.
StyleMint has just launched a ‘To Dye For” contest: through June 30th upload a photo of your tie-dyed DIY creation to the
StyleMint Facebook Fan Page, and be eligible to win 6 months of StyleMint for free! (2 winners; 1 selected by StyleMint founders Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; the other selected through community votes)
Make a cute
3-in-1 Tankini Swimsuit from
Cotton and Curls (totally covetable even if you’re not in need of a maternity version right now – though it might be an idea to put a pin for if you’re ever in need!)
Chic as always, Chictopians L
ipglossandblack made some
DIY Scarf Shorts that would look excellent at any Summer soiree. Plus the perfect re-use for a printed silk scarf!!
So simple and elegant, this
DIY Twisted Ball Chain Necklace from
Dismount Creative is made from supplies from the hardware store. Did you know they sold ball chain? Now I know who I’m going to hit up this weekend!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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Jun 7, 2012 | DIY
Yup, it’s Thursday again, and here I am with last weeks DIY weekly roundup! I’ve been super-slammed this week (and have some really awesome personal news that I can’t wait to share with all of you!) but first – let’s see some creativity!
I’m so excited to have found Trash to Couture, who’s done some incredibly awesome DIY tutorials on her blog. Love her Zipper Tee Tutorial – such a great way to add a little bit of edge to a basic tee.
Take any old, oversized blouse and make it cute and cropped with the help of Chictopians Lipglossandblack. Just a little shape update is all that’s needed to make it more 2012 – and a major staple in your Summer wardrobe!
NEW DIY community alert! From the folks at Burdastyle, Kollabora is a Pinterest-style inspirational community, chock-full of resources, projects – AND the materials for said projects, instantly available to buy. DIY + E-Commerce? Awesome! (And this week they’re requesting people to upload a photo holding, wearing, or using a handmade project (either made by you, or made for you) to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #kollabora, and every day starting June 11 they’ll choose 3 of their favorites to score great prizes from Wool and the Gang, Colette Patterns, Mood Fabrics, and more!)
I had no idea that Karmaloop was sharing DIYs on their blog! So far, it’s been DIYs that have already been trending in the blogosphere, but they’re definitely a blog to add to your DIY reading list! (And try out their DIY Wrapped Curb Link Bracelet for a quick and easy summer project!)
Speaking of bracelets, Cheap Chic Obsession shared a tutorial for a DIY Drop Chain Bracelet, which is a little twist on the standard chain bracelet. Add a pendant, and you have a dainty pendant bracelet – which can also double as a necklace!
Update an old clutch by painting a chevron pattern on it and sealing it with Mod Podge, with the help of Short of Something. LOVE how fun and summery the result is!
I’ve also come across another blog that posts DIY’s from time to time…DARK-WINGS-CITY, the blog of designer Pedro Korshi. He offers up a number of tutorials (where the steps aren’t usually photographed, but are detailed out nonetheless), and his aesthetic is pure and minimalist. Try out his White Sandals with Clear Straps idea – not hard to follow at all, and a fabulous update for Havaianas for warm weather!
And yet another DIY blog to add to my reading list: Crimenes de la Moda, which is an amazing Spanish style and DIY blog! You can check out all her fashionable DIYs here, as well as try out her DIY Neon Chain Handbag project. Wrap that chain and stick it on a bag for an edgy pop of color!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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