May 25, 2011 | DIY
This week is starting off certainly better than last – I’m on another round of heavy-duty antibiotics so hopefully I’ll beat back this infection in my jaw this time – I just finished up a huge number of projects that have been looming over my head for weeks – and the weather’s turned nice and summery here in Portland. (Finally!)
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So onto what’s been going on in the DIY blogosphere this week…
Lindsay from Delighted Momma made these boho-chic recycled bangles with some hemp cords and old bangles. What a lovely summery twist on an old staple – and can you imagine how gorgeous they would be stacked, wound with a variety of colored hemp cords? (Find every color of hemp cord you may ever want here.)
I’m so glad to have found Fashion Attack, an amazing DIY-er who’s made a number of fashion-forward video tutorials, including those fringed YSL shoes, a fur handbag out of a pillowcase, and an over-the-knee boot. So inspiring!
Lisa Salzer, the designer of Lulu Frost, stopped by StyleList to make a video on how to make a DIY sparkly necklace inspired by her latest collection, using rhinestone chain and long bone hairpipe beads. I just love it when a designer shares her secrets!;-)
Curbly‘s video for making a handbag out of a recycled book makes me want to whip out a box cutter and a lovely old tome. Olympia Le-Tan embroidered clutch, here I come!
Dismount Creative fashioned a faux enamel pendant necklaces…using nailpolish! What a brilliant idea – and a great way to add some colors to metal stampings and blanks and incorporate them into your jewelry.
Refinery29‘s Slideshow of 9 Ways to Tie a Summer Scarf will hopefully help me infuse my normally sloppy summer style with a little bit of chic.
A Matter of Style‘s Neon Candy Bag Tutorial – made from clear plastic folders from the stationery store – now gives me something to do with all those colorful folders I’ve accumulated from the Dollar Store! And I love her branded “M” on the closure – so amazing.:-)
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at the art of draping, follow Sew Petite Gal‘s lead and make a simple, one-shouldered DIY draped Grecian gown. Perfect for summer pool parties and evening soirees!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation 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!
xoxox
Carly
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May 17, 2011 | DIY
Again having to condense a couple weeks into one LOTW. Time is just whizzing by, and there’s not enough hours in the day to check out all the great DIYs and ideas out there. But first, some food for thought:
found on Outsapop
DIY is just re-appropriation of ideas. Sure there are firsts, but we won’t be the lasts – give credit where credit is due, and the world will pay you back tenfold. Or so I believe.
Have you seen LookUnderHere‘s Youtube channel? Some great DIYs in there like a turband, bandeau, and wired headwrap. Definitely check it out!
Speaking of video DIY’ers, Secret Life of a Bio Nerd (of Threadbanger fame) is doing a giveaway! You still have until May 21 to get your entry in. Check out how to enter here.
MIchelle’s Style File posted a Color-Block Bracelet Tutorial. Love the use of the lanyard hook as the closure!
img from Heart + Bleecker
The new luxury is the small wardrobe. Fashionising remarks on the post-modern convergence of style + minimalism in the face of cheap excess.
Did I miss this? Awesome punky DIY Neon Rhinestone Necklace from Glitter n Glued. Bright and super-fun.
I can’t believe I haven’t seen this before! StyleCaster‘s Hardcore DIY Statement Tassel Necklace is another take on the hardware necklace. Super-creative, and check out everything in their Hardcore DIY series which will have you hurrying down to your nearest hardware store to fashion a new spin on your accessories.
I’ve just discovered the blog Syl and Sam and I’m in love with all their DIY’s! Their amazing perforated leather skirt tutorial has me itching to whip out my leather punch!
Sara from Short of Something shared her own version of the elastic shoe-band (similar to my DIY Elastic Shoe Bands that I shared last year). I love the chic ballerina feel hers has!
Katarina from She sells sea shells made over a sweater with lovely leather patches. The inclusion of leather updates the sweater for 2011 and gives it a modern Wang vibe. (Alexander Wang, that is.;-)
Got an extra rug? Or 4 of them? Make your own DIY Bodycon Dress like Geneva from A Pair and A Spare did. It’s so colorful and summery!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation 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!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Apr 26, 2011 | DIY
It’s been a week full of DIY around the Internet! (Or maybe I’ve just been exceptionally diligent in my daily DIY searching???) Well, judge for yourself…
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I think maturing enough to learn to not judge yourself through other people’s standards is a pretty hefty feat. I still struggle with it! So onto DIY…
Honestly, WTF shared an upcycle for Earth Day: their DIY Market Bag, made from an old t-shirt. I love the update of adding a fringe to the bottom – very boho chic!
Fix all those busted-out knees in your jeans once and for all…by adding fabric scraps peeking through the holes instead of covering them up. Our Designed Life has the how-to here. (photo from StyleSpotting)
Adventures in Dressmaking posted Mending and Makeovers where she took a dress and a tunic she doesn’t wear, and converted them into shirts. A great way to refresh garments that you don’t wear anymore!
Urban Outfitters is sponsoring an Urban Renewal DIY Contest – where you can share a project that is “remade” from a pair of pants, a skirt, a dress etc. Enter now!
Get some great ideas on how to DIY Your Own Sunglasses from Broke Ass Stuart. The name of this blog totally made me LOL, but there’s some excellent ideas in there! (photo from deodeereblogazine.com)
Frugal Fashion Addict posted her lovely DIY Vanessa Bruno earrings. They remind me of some DIY flowered earrings I mad based on some I’d been seeing in Japan back in 2008. Frugal Fashion Addict, we are definitely thinking along the same lines!!;-)
I love this crafty-cool Art Supply Pouch tutorial from Cheez Beeper Bebe. Imagine making them not just for pens and pencils, but how about for DIY tools? Sewing supplies? Makeup? Or even making a zippered clutch like all those bloggers have been carrying around recently? How cute would that be?!
None of my mens’ shirt to tutorials use a pattern since I like to keep things as simple as possible, but you certainly can use a sewing pattern when cutting out the pieces for your dresses or shirts. Burdastyle member HowJoyful posted her men’s shirt upcycle by using a BurdaStyle pattern for the top half of the dress. How’s that for ingenious?!
Cocorosa did another pair of embellished tights: this time, using beads that look just like candy sprinkles. Check it out here!
This DIY Leather Bow Cuff from Melissa Esplin is so cute and whimsical. I’ve seen so many in Japanese fashion magazines that I’ve been drooling…now need to buy when she’s detailed how to make! LOVE.
New!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
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And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation 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!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Apr 19, 2011 | DIY
So two weeks have passed since my last DIY LOTW, and it’s high time I shared some links that have caught my interest since then. Lots of projects and ideas are in my inspiration folder for the past couple weeks…
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Yup – that’s pretty much where I get my inspiration…from nature. Where do you get yours?
Dismount Creative shared this super-simple way to make a pair of el-cheapo shoes with a faux woodgrain sole…look much more expensive than they are. With a Sharpie, no less! Check it out here and give all your ugly Target and Payless shoes a clean makeover.
Though it has nothing to do with DIY, I just loved this illustration from Retrogasm: History of Fashion Silhouettes. I kind of want to add 2011 to is: loose blouse + poufy 80’s-style pants!! 😉
Smashion Babble posted the hottest nail colors for Spring 2011. I think they need a coral-red-orange to add to the list!!
Chic Intuition‘s DIY Balmain Ripped and Safety-Pinned T and Slashed Pants are so simple but so effective. Where are all my razorblades??
LOVE this D&G-inspired music clutch by Cut Out + Keep user Andrea. Music to my ears hands. LOL
Soccer Mom Style is at again – this time with a trio of DIY Alexander McQueen-inspired miniaudieres! GREAT idea to use separate rings to emulate the look of the knuckleduster…and a brooch pinback! Genius!
(And we all saw Honestly, WTF‘s tutorial for the DIY Miniaudiere, right? Best use of a sunglasses case I’ve ever seen!)
Naughty Secretary Club posted 20 Favorite Green Craft projects for Earth Day. (April 22) 3 days left – so get your craft on!
We all know how much I love a men’s shirt makeover!;-) Here’s a cute project that turns an old shirt into a sweet skirt from Hawadare!
Recent favorite affordable and cute shopping destinations:
And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation 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!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Apr 6, 2011 | DIY
I was fully intending to finish this list up and post yesterday, but started feeling woozy with a sudden head cold and hit the hay early. Today, barely hanging on with the help of some Airborne and Nyquil, I soldier on.
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Sometimes we all get caught up in the what-if’s or how-do-Is? Myself included. Sometimes we all just have to take the plunge and figure things out as we go.
Donatella from Inspiration & Realisation made a goregous color-blocked Mondrian Sweater with the creative use of fabric paint. Totally on-trend for the colorblocked brights we’ve been seeing everywhere for Spring! She’s also an amazingly talented knitter and crocheter – so def. check out all her other projects too!
Kristen from Glitter ‘n Glue shared a quick DIY for making a paperbag-waisted skirt from a pillowcase. Lovely and bright – and another great idea for refashioning a skirt from a pillowcase.
Beautiful – but it gives me the willies to imagine wearing it: this Victorian dress made from insect parts has just been restored. From Refinery29.
Smart n Snazzy added a DIY Carabiner strap to an old purse to give it a much-needed makeover…and is currently challenging herself with a full 30 DAYS of DIY! A project a day – so inspirational. Check out her blog daily for each new one.
Though Martha Stewart‘s main focus is home, garden, and lifestyle, once in awhile she posts a doozy of a DIY for something wearable. See her Gallery of Sewing Projects: Clothing and Accessories and her ideas for DIY Totes and Purses. And did I mention her Gallery of Handmade Jewelry and Accessories? Perfect!
Natalie’s Creations made a video on making a Prada-inspired striped dress…out of T-shirts! Too awesome for words!!
Modanista Junkie made some lovely bow hair clips…and I’m sure you’re all dying to know how! Check it out here for the how-to.
DIY T-strap bra from Love Aesthetics. Simple, beautiful, and oh-so-Wang.
I’d normally post some Chic & Cheap shopping sites at the bottom of this…but I have to roll into bed and get over this cold so I’m wrapping this up quick.
And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation 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!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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