MissAmy |

I bought this Catherine Malandrino sweater on clearance at TJMaxx a while back.  It was $20 – originally much more expensive.  The tag said dry clean only.  Truthfully, if I have  to dry clean a sweater it’s just not worth owning.  C’mon, even cashmere is hand washable.  So, I threw it in the gently cycle & dried it flat.  Weeeelllllll, this happened to the bottom band:

So, I veeerrrryyyy carefully removed the band with a seam ripper.

This is what it looked like with the band – very egg-shaped.  Not flattering at all:

Now it looks like this:

Skechers sneakers ($20), Target leggings ($7), Catherine Malandrino sweater ($20, TJMaxx clearance)

It’s a bit more forgiving.  It could even be belted now.  I guess I’ll try to wear it as many times as I can before washing again & I will definitely be hand washing next time.  In a way, I like how it will eventually degrade & evolve into something else on its own.  I don’t mind inconsistencies in clothing – I was around for the grunge era after all.  I actually like imperfections.  They make clothing (and us) unique.

I had these leopard print sandals that weren’t about to do anyone any good in the state they were in:

So I decided to use the fur for to make a bracelet since I really liked the leopard print.  First, I VERY CAREFULLY cut the strap from the sole with a rotary cutter.  May not want to try that at home, kiddies.  Maybe a slightly straighter blade would be safer.  Anyway, be careful!!!  I didn’t cut myself so that made me happy!

After that, I cut the straps into four equal strips:

Next I used my snap kit tools & made holes for the snaps.  FYI: I won’t be using the tools again to make the holes as the holes they left were too big & in the end the snaps could easily get pulled out through them.  Next time I will hunt down my exacto knife & use it to make a small X where the snaps will go.  Just a tip if you want to try this – learn from my mistakes!

When you get the snaps & snap tools you’ll get instructions on how to install the snaps so I won’t waste your time with step by steps on that.  Do remember that when you are hammering them so they lock into each other that you will need a very sturdy surface to do it on.  I ended using a metal vice after trying my glass desk (stupidly) and my pergo floor.

Anyway, this was my end result:

I really dig it but wish the snaps were sturdier.  As of now I have to be very careful when unsnapping.  But that’s the beauty of DIY – I can rework it again when they fall apart!  If you make your own let me know.  I’d love to see your version!

I just got two news DIY/sewing books.  I’m super excited to try some of the projects out!  I’ve also been hoarding some DIY materials, all ready for some recon.  See below for the various things I plan to give a second life:

I’m looking forward to making the time to do some DIY’s.  It makes me so happy to recycle an old favorite that doesn’t get worn anymore into something that will!

This is such a great DIY – so easy!  Just slice up the sides of a tank, buy some hook & eye tape & sew it up the sides.  Voila!

I saw this in one of my magazines.  I think it would be a cool & easy (ish) DIY:

Just add spikes to a black shoulder bag that you already own!

Just my thoughts on some possible DIY’s inspired by the last issue of Elle:

All you need to DIY this: a cardigan, thick satin ribbon, thread or glue (to attach ribbon) & a couple of vintage looking brooches

I would love to see this one DIY’d.  You could actually start with a basic straight mini & then sew elastic over top of it to get the criss-cross effect.  It would probably look good in all black, tone-on-tone.

This could be a totally non-sew DIY.  Start with two blazers in slightly different lengths but with  similar collars.  The one that goes on the bottom will get cut to be sleeveless.  I actually picture it to get a halter style cut to remove bulk from underneath the top blazer.  Then layer the topper on & voila, you have a menswear inspired outfit with a twist!

I’ve been on a headband embellishing kick.  There will be two more headband tutorials rolled out over the next couple weeks.  Anyway, instructions for this red feathered one below:

Gather supplies: headband, feather, glue gun & sticks.  The headband came in a pack of several at Walmart & the other bits can be found at Joanns or Michael’s.

I glued the first feather down with the quill pointing up.  I trimmed off the really pointy, stiff part.

Continue overlapping the feathers, cutting the stiff parts, etc…, until the headband is covered.  It can be pretty messy so go slow & be careful.

And that’s it!

After having a bit of a hard time trying to pick an outfit that “goes” with the new gold leafed shoes, I decided to treat them as if they were just “gold shoes”.  Metallics match EVERYthing, right?  Especially if you add the same color in other accessories.

DIY gold leaf shoes, Seven jeans,  Kohl’s tee & jacket, thrifted necklaces, pin from Grandma

Here’s a quickie DIY I did. I really liked this Free People top but wasn’t into the collar anymore. Plus the elastic on the sleeves killed me & made the top really freakin’ hot.

Before:

After:

Simple – cut a larger collar & cut off the elastic.  Simple tee.

Nine West flats, Kikit jeans, Hanes tank, Free People top ($15/TJMaxx), Claire’s headband

Here’s another fairly easy way to embellish some old shoes that you’re bored of.  Gold leaf!  I worked with this stuff when I was doing decorative & faux painting.  It’s a little counter intuitive.  You need to let the “glue” dry before you press the leaf on.

Anyway, this is what the shoes turned out looking like:

I found them at the thrift store & really liked how the cork texture would play off the shiny gold.  Plus there were flecks of gold already in the cork which I thought would also complement.  Here’s the step by step:

1. Assemble your supplies: Metal Leaf Adhesive Size & Gold Leaf (both of which can be found at Joanns, Micheal’s or probably any other craft store), shoes, low tack painter’s tape (find at Home Depot).  Lay down newspaper to catch all your gold dust.

2. Tape off parts of the shoe that you don’t want the gold leaf on.  I stuck with the subtle stripes  that ran through the cork.

3. Paint on the adhesive & let it dry.  The bottle says 1 hour but I usually just wait until it becomes clear.

4. This is the fun part.  While wearing gloves you will apply the golf leaf & tap it on with a clean, dry brush.  The gloves are so that oils from hands do not tarnish the gold.  Also, if you handle the leaf with you bare hands any moisture can stick to it & make a big mess.  The gold should stick to the dried adhesive.  You’ll want to burnish it in further with the dry brush.  If parts don’t stick you can go over them again with the adhesive & more leaf later.

One interesting note about the cork that I was using: It took double coats of the adhesive before the gold would stick.  Why?  Because cork is very porous so I had to build up the adhesive.  Just a note, in case you like the cork idea.

5.  Gently peel the tape away from the shoe.  As I did it, I tapped the dry brush on the edge to prevent the gold from peeling from where it was supposed to stay.  Once you do this once or twice you’ll get the hang of it.

With mine, I got a patchiness on most of my stripes which I rather like.  If you want a perfect shiny gold look you may have to go over it a couple times.  The gold will layer right on top of the existing glue once you add more adhesive.

I may use this technique on other accessories as well – purses maybe & all sorts of  jewelry for sure!  What can you picture adding some glisten to?