May 2016 ~ DIY Outfits

Tuesday 10 May 2016

You’ll need:

non-toxic gold spray paint
champagne flutes or wine glasses
painters tape
plastic or ziplock bag

Rip off a 6 inch piece of tape. Center the tape over the base of the glassware, rubbing the bottom edge against the glass. Pull the sides up at a slight angle. As long as the bottom edge is taped smoothly, it’s alright if the top edge of the tape ripples or folds.

Bring one side of the tape across the middle of the glass. Although the spray paint I used is non-toxic, I tried to keep the outline far below the lip line.

Bring the other side of the tape across so the two pieces meet at a point. Tape on a ziplock or plastic bag while still exposing the bottom edge of the tape.

Lightly spray multiple and even coats of paint onto the glass from a couple feet away. Be sure to always spray paint outdoors in a well ventilated area. Allow to dry completely before removing the bag and tape.

Your gold plated champagne flutes are finished! Remember, these are not dishwasher safe and should be hand washed only.

Happy Crafting!

DIY Gold Dipped Glassware

14:44 DIY, HOME

Grab a handful of sparkle and let’s get gilding!

You’ll need:

chambray or denim shirt
assorted buttons
flat back pearls
assorted rhinestones
Jewel-It washable glue
a pair of flush wire cutters
a toothpick
a disposable wooden spoon or plastic container

For shank style buttons, start by cutting off the backs with a pair of flush cutters. Vintage buttons are most commonly made of lightweight metal and plastic so cutting off the shanks is very easy. For embellished collars, make sure there are two sets of embellishments so that the design is symmetrical.

Squeeze a dollop of Jewel-It washable glue onto a wooden spoon or small plastic container. Jewel-It is the best bonding agent when it comes to glueing hard-to-hold jewels and embellishments onto fabrics. Use a toothpick to dab glue onto the back of a button, rhinestone, or pearl.

Position the embellishment on the tip of the collar and work outwards

Note that the glue does not set right away and takes quite a while to dry so be careful not to nudge the pieces around too much.
Repeat the same design on the other collar tip and that’s it, you’re done! Allow to dry at least 24 hours before handling or wearing and even though clothing can be washed after using Jewel-It, I would recommend dry cleaning the shirt only.

Another option is to embellish the pocket of a denim shirt using the same technique. Happy embellishing!
Happy Crafting!

DIY Embellished Denim Shirt Collar

04:28 DIY, OUTFITS

Tuesday 3 May 2016

You’ll need:

flat interior paint
a stencil
a dense foam roller with rounded ends
a stippling brush
painter’s tape
paint tray
paper towels

Start masking out the baseboard and ceiling of the wall with painter’s tape. Make sure the wall is clean and dust free. Then, pour a small amount of paint into a paint tray. Tape the stencil onto the middle of the wall. Load the foam roller by rolling it in the paint and back and forth in the tray until it is evenly saturated.

Blot off excess paint onto a folded paper towel. There should be no visible paint on the roller surface – the less paint, the better!

Using light pressure, roll over the stencil with the roller. Excessive pressure and too much paint will cause paint to bleed under the stencil.

Continue to add light layers and check the work by carefully lifting a corner of the stencil from the wall. Replace the stencil and fill in any missed areas with a stippling brush using a blotting motion. The stippling brush can always be used in place of a roller for smaller executions. It’s as easy as blotting in an up and down motion with a minimal amount of paint on the brush.

To continue the pattern, simply line up the stencil with a previously painted row. To paint the bottom and top edges of the wall, bend the stencil and blot with the brush.

Allow the paint to dry completely before hanging any artwork on the wall. See how fun it is to create an accent wall?
Happy Crafting!

DIY Stenciled Wall

05:29 DIY, HOME

Monday 2 May 2016

I mean, does it get any easier than gluing gemstones onto a pair of shoes?! This one is a must do, y’all!

You’ll need:

leather sandals
8 27 x 18.5mm rectangular Swarovski crystals
8 27 x 18.5mm rectangular Swarovski settings
Glue
pliers

Place the crystals in their settings. Use pliers to close the prongs to secure the crystals.

Squeeze a large dollop of glue onto the backside of the crystal, without getting any glue onto the setting. This will ensure that you won’t get any glue seeping out from the sides.

If the stone slides, use a large binder clip to keep it in place until it the glue sets. Finish adding the rest of the crystals and allow to dry overnight.

Happy Crafting!

DIY Jewelled Sandal

17:05 DIY, OUTFITS

Sunday 1 May 2016

This tutorial is a great way to learn a super simple hand stitching technique which can also then be applied to other leather wares. Have I piqued your interest yet?

You’ll need:

leather iPad sleeve
30 inches of stainless steel curb chain
5 yards of waxed linen cord
all purpose rotary punch
an embroidery needle
wire cutters or bolt cutter (optional)
scissors

Start by setting the rotary punch to the smallest hole setting. Create a hole in the upper right corner, making sure to punch just outside the seam but without cutting into the outer edge of the leather sleeve.

Each chain link is approximately 5 millimeters apart, therefore the holes should be spread apart with the same distance. Continue punching holes around the perimeter of the sleeve.

Thread the needle with the waxed linen cord and tie a double knot at the end. Pull the thread through the first hole and pass the needle through the same hole again, making the first stitch.