MyMemories Review + Promo Code + Giveaway!

Recently, MyMemories - a digital scrapbooking software company - contacted me about trying out and reviewing MyMemories Suite Version 2.0. At first I thought, scrapbooking? But I'm a fashion DIY blog...but a few seconds later, it suddenly dawned on me that scrapbooking and fashion can totally go hand in hand. So, I decided to give the scrapbooking software a shot. Here's what I thought of it, and what I made with it. There's also a giveaway AND a promo code for my readers, so keep reading!

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

glamour kills diy: Cut Out Shoulder T-Shirt

 

I think any DIY'er knows that t-shirt reconstructions are the most basic clothing DIY's in the history of clothing DIY's (or something like it). I personally love taking Men's shirts and adding a feminine twist to them, so when Glamour Kills (one of my favorites!) asked me to DIY some of their shirts, I was all for it. Back in May, they also invited me to their Manhattan office in Soho to DIY some of their shirts (I actually wore this shirt that day).

Funny story: I actually knew about GK back in high school - Mark, the founder of Glamour Kills, started selling shirts at local shows back in 2005. My hometown isn't that far from his hometown, so I remember seeing Glamour Kills shirts around school and at shows. Who knew that 6 years later I'd be visiting the GK office to DIY some shirts? It's crazy how things work out.

 

Supplies:

- T-shirt

- Matching thread

- Sharp scissors

- Sewing needle
- Pencil (not shown)

I used this "Metal" tee by Glamour Kills, in a Men's Medium.  At first, it's not exactly the most girly shirt, which is exactly why I chose it.

1) Draw a half circle on the shoulder; start off small - you can always cut off more later. 

2) Cut out, and try on. If you like it, then keep it! If not, adjust and cut some more.

3) Fold the shirt in half, so you can trace the cut out shoulder onto the other sleeve.

4) Gather the sleeve at the bottom of the cut out shoulder, and secure by sewing several stitches.

5) Every few stitches, I wrapped the gathered fabric in the thread; in other words, instead of inserting the needle back through the fabric, I inserted it through the cut out shoulder, and wrapped the thread around to accentuate the fabric. This created a bow like look, as you can see above. Then I continued sewing a few more stitches for extra security.

Repeat Steps 4 and 5 on the other sleeve, and you're done!

 

 

 Easy :)

If you follow me on Twitter, I just posted a picture of 2 shirts that Glamour Kills recently sent me from their latest line. I already know what I want to do with them, so keep an eye out for those!

DIY Colorblock Bag A.K.A. How to Paint Leather with Acrylic Paint

70′s-style colorblocking is a hot trend for Fall 2011, seen on the runways and now beginning to trickle down into street style and retailers.  I was hankering after a colorblocked purse, but didn’t want to pay a lot for it.  Thankfully, thrift stores are a wonderful source of older handbags, and I found an adorable cross-body bag for a mere $4.99.  But it was rather beat-up and needed a little makeover, so I figured it was time to break out the brushes and do some leather painting!  Though technically when you paint leather, what is most recommended is to use paint that is specifically formulated for use on leather, like Angelus.
However, if you are feeling squeamish about buying an unfamiliar product online, or they don’t ship to your country, or you want to use some acrylic craft paint that you already have on hand, fear not!  Leather and suede can actually be painted with acrylic paint, with fairly good results if you take the time to prep the piece properly.  So here’s how to add some vibrant color-blocking to some leather or suede pieces you already own:

How to Add Some DIY Colorblocking to a Leather Bag

You Need:
*leather or suede handbag
*acrylic craft paint

And…
*water
*small bowl for paint
*paintbrush
*masking or painter’s tape
*soft cloth
*rubbing alcohol
*fine grit (like 800) sandpaper

How To:
1.. Use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any shiny parts to the leather you will paint.  We need to rough up the surface so the paint will adhere.  (Not necessary on suede items.)
2. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth to remove residue.
3. Wipe the area with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol to remove any surface finishes or protective coatings the leather might have.

4. Mask off the parts of the bag you will be painting with tape.
5. Now the bag should be ready to receive paint.  Mix the paint with water in a 1:1 ratio in your bowl, and paint on the mixture using long strokes. It will look streaky at first, but this is necessary to allow the leather to soak up the paint.
6. Add 2-3 more coats, allowing the paint to dry partially between coats. Do not allow the paint to dry fully; the leather needs to remain damp between coats.  After each coat, flex the leather so the paint won’t crack.

7. Now it’s time to use undiluted paint.  Spread on using long coats again, flexing after each coat.  Allow to dry between coats – you may need a couple.  It took 3 for my seafoam color to become truly opaque on my dark brown bag.
8. Remove masking tape once completely dry.

You’re done!  No protective coating is necessary, though if you’re worried about water-fastness, a layer of matte Mod Podge might be a good choice.
Wear with neutrals or mix it up with crazy colors for a Fall look!
**Whether acrylic paint will work on vinyl or manmade leather surfaces is fairly dependent on the surface; it’s mostly trial and error for faux.

Some other on-trend color combos to try:

Evergreen + Royal Purple + Orange                  Mustard + Gray                    Gold + Burgundy                    

Black + Cognac                       Seafoam + Cream               Teal + Silver

Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox

DIY Miu Miu Sneakers + Vans Giveaway

Do you remember the last time you Sharpie-d or embellished a pair of sneakers? For us, it had been far too long so when we saw Miu Miu‘s latest glittery sneakers for fall, we were anxious to bling out ourown pair using a pair of classic Vans as our canvas. But honestly, what fun is it unless you can DIY a pair too? Leave a comment and we’ll select a reader, at random, to choose their own pair of DIYableVans. More details after the jump!

You’ll need:

• a pair of white canvas Vans
• 8 ounces of Mod Podge
• 1.5 ounces of coarse gold glitter
• 1 small and 1 medium flat brush
• assorted rhinestones in settings
• heavy duty adhesive
• small plastic tray
• tape

Start by taping the edges of the shoes, covering the rubber soles. Cover both toes with tape as this is where the rhinestones will be glued on later. (Click images to enlarge)

Add one part course glitter to two parts Mod Podge into a small plastic cup or tray.

Stir the mixture thoroughly with a paintbrush. The consistency should be rather thick but not pasty. Apply a layer of the glitter mixture to the shoe. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes and add a second and third layer until hardly any white space is showing. Use an exacto knife or the edge of your fingernail to scrape off any glitter that might have dried onto the grommets or soles.

Remove the tape. Using adhesive, glue the rhinestones on the toe in any pattern.

Sport your new Miu Miu inspired glittery sneakers with or without laces!

Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to DIY your own pair of Canvas Authentic or Slip-On Vans! (Sorry, limited to US & Canada residents only. Winner will be announced and contacted by email on Friday, September 9th. Good luck! xx)

(top image by Bruce Weber via Tumblr, rest of images by HonestlyWTF)

пополнение в индустрии DIY

DIY: Button Statment Rings

It’s September and that means it’s time to add another statement piece to your collection…. obviously! I heart almost every piece Nicole Richie designs for House Of Harlow 1960, especially her oversized rings. As amazing as these rings are they’re also an easy DIY. My friend Jenni, from I Spy DIY, did a project a few months back where she transformed buttons into earrings. #SuperFab This got me thing…let’s transform buttons into statement rings!

Buttons, buttons everywhere!! Someone please tell me why I’ve collected all these buttons.

Materials: Buttons, Clippers, Glue, Rings With Flat Tops (available at the jewelry supply store)

Use your clippers to remove the shank from the back of the button.

Once you’ve made the back of the button flat, use an ample amount of glue to secure the ring to the back of the button.

Here’s another hint: If you can’t find a flat ring base, Ring Pops are a fun alternative. After you’ve removed the candy and cleaned the ring base,  grab your Kylon spray and paint it.

Once the base has dried, glue on the button.

I now thing I have enough new statement rings to get me through the month.

diy: Lanyard Double Chain Bracelet

This project brings back memories, in more than one way. 1) I loved lanyard when I was a kid, and I clearly remember making sooo many keychains and bracelets. 2) This DIY reminds me of S&P's first ever project, the Braided Chain Bracelet, from last summer. And 3) ...Well, my entire bedding set during my Freshman year of college were these exact colors. My comforter was reversible neon green and bright blue, and I even had hangers and towels in the same colors. By the time I graduated I was more into the darker jewel tones, but I still can't resist a good pop of color.

Supplies:

- Chain, twice the length of your wrist

- Lanyard, 1-4 colors

 - Scissors

- Jewelry pliers

- Jump rings

- Toggle or clasp closures

1) Cut two strands of lanyard, about 60 inches each

2) Fold both strands in half and tie a knot. Separate the strands like above; I used two colors so it'd be easy to follow along.

3) Fold the chain in half. Insert the two middle strands - one of each color/side - into the center link of the chain.

4) Take the outer blue strand and insert it directly through the next empty link. It should end up "behind" the chain.

5) Fold it over the chain and towards the left, and insert it through the next empty link. Keep repeating, and you'll end up with something like this. Make sure you pull pretty tight; the slippery finish of lanyard makes it likely to unwravel and loosen from the chain.

The chain might be kind of wonky while you'r doing this, but just keep on going. You can straighten everything out later.

6) Repeat until you reach the end of the chain.

7) Take the inner blue strand, and bring it under the chain and through the next empty link. I placed an arrow where the first "stitch" was.

Closeup.

8) Keep repeating until you reach the end of the chain. You'll want to pull tight like you did with the first strand, but make sure not to pull TOO tight. You'll later be weaving the neon green through the blue lanyard, in order to connect the two sides.

9) Take the outer strand of the second color - in this case neon green - and start weaving the lanyard through the chain. You're essentially repeating steps 4 and 5.

10) Repeat until you reach the end of the chain.

11) Taking the inner/second neon green strand, insert it through the next empty chain link. From here on you'll be inserting it through the adjacent blue stitch, then bringing it back into the chain.

I found it was a lot easier to work with upside down!

Green goes through the blue...

And then down through the next empty link.

Pull tight, and repeat.

12) When you're done with both sides, tie the strands off with tight knots, and trim.

13) Add the jump ring and bracelet closure of your choice.

14) Go back to the other side of the bracelet, unwravel the first knot you made and cut the two loops. Tie them off with tight knots and trim.

15) Add the other half of the bracelet closure.

                                             

Finished bracelet.

I had to make a black and gold version...the classic color combo that I love so much. The black lanyard kind of reminds of me patent leather, actually.

I'd really recommend using a thick, heavy duty curb chain for this. However, keep in mind that this probably means it's a bit hard to cut. You might need a wire cutter or jewelry pliers - but probably a wire cutter - to trim the chain. If you get the chain cut in a hardware or craft store, I'd also recommend maybe having the employee further trim the chain for you in the lengths that you need (again, twice the length of your wrist), since you're there anyway. I lucked out and happened to have two strands of this chain left in the length I needed...but I know this chain is impossible to cut with a pair of scissors or pliers. In other words: don't hurt yourself trying to cut this really heavy chain!

I'll really want to try this with leather cord in different colors...or just more lanyard. Maybe make some in fall colors? Mustard yellow, eggplant purple and burnt orange sounds good to me.

I'm doing another Q&A, so if you have any questions - DIY or otherwise - just leave a comment or send me an e-mail at kirsten.studsandpearls@gmail.com!

Also, if you'd like to be added to the mailing list, you can also leave a comment with your e-mail address, or also send me a message at kirsten.studsandpearls@gmail.com. I send out an e-mail whenever I post a new project, so this is useful if you're not always on Facebook or Twitter.

xo,

Category Archives: DIY

DIY Math: Late Summer/Early Fall 2011 Trends

Written on 9.02.2011 by carlyjcais in Bracelets, DIY, How-To, Necklace, Sewing, Shoes, Tops

Nude shoe + Leather paint = Colorblock Pump

(photo: ASOS PATCHI Cylindrical Heel Platform High Shoe)

90′s-style clunky boots + Belts (glued on with Loctite Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic Glue =Motorcycle Boots

(photo: Balenciaga Cut-Out Flat Boots)

White blouse (back cut away) + Lace curtain (thrifted) = Lace-Backed Blouse

(photo: PUFFY Roll-Up Sleeve Lace Back Shirt)

Shirt collar (cut off a white shirt) + Scrapbooking stickers (fixed with Aleene’s Glitter and Gem Glue) = Embellished Collar

(photo: TopShop Cream Mixed Stone Collar)

Sweatshirt + Chiffon (hand-stitched to seams, laid over front) = Mixed-Media Sweatshirt

(photo: Alexander Wang Silk-Chiffon Paneled Sweatshirt)

Black cord + Brooch (pinned in center) = Bolo Tie Necklace

(photo: Vintage Zuni Thunderbird Bolo Necklace)

Embroidery thread + Grosgrain ribbon + Bangles = Colorful Wrapped Bangles

(photo: JewelMint Garden Patch Trio)

T-strap sandal + Glitter (adhered with Mod Podge or Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond = Glittery Sandals

(photo: Jeffrey Campbell Foxy Glitter Sandal)

Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly