DIY Rorschach Test Backpack

This is one of those absurdly simple, low stress, maximum impact kind of crafts.  Most DIY back to school projects lean in the feminine direction, but this one could work just as well for a guy as a gal.  Use a washable white backpack (this is 100% cotton) and some black fabric paint and let your kid or teen do this themselves.  This would look fabulous in neon colors too, but I love the bold simplicity of the black and white.  They key is keeping it neat so you get a nice clean impression.  I'd give your teen a black Tulip fabric marker to take to school and let their friends write what they see on the backpack.  So it's interactive, fun and a great conversation starter. 

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How-to Make Fabric Bows

When Avalon started buying fabric bows last month, I chimed in with my mantra (insert eyeroll...here), "Why buy it, when we can make it ourselves?"  Yes, it's more fun than a barrel of glitter living with me.  Still, I persevered and Avalon agreed to humor me.  We grabbed some lovely fabric and proceeded to whip up a bevy of beautiful bows that could be used for all sorts of fun DIY projects.  Hair bows?  Check.  Shoe bows?  Check.  Bow ties?  Uh, check.  These are so easy to make and so adorable, you'll find it very addicting.  Plus, Aleene's Fabric Fusion Peel and Stick Tape means no waiting for glue to dry or burning your fingers on hot glue! What's not to love?

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DIY Tiki Fabric Lampshade

Turn a tired old lampshade into a mid century modern inspired DIY Tiki Fabric Lampshade with this cheap and easy project!  We bought this lampshade at Ikea years and years ago.  Alas, it got a tear in it on our last move.  No worries, Aleene's Fabric Fusion made quick work of giving this sad old lampshade a much needed makeover.  Avalon is redesigning her room with a beach theme, I had this kitschy pin up boys fabric from a project in one of my books several years ago.  You can easily find Tiki or mid century inspired fabrics on the internet or at craft and fabric shops, bark cloth would be fabulous here!  Avalon and her Dad made this project while I was out of town on business and I have to say, they did a smash up job!  

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DIY Dolce and Gabbana Inspired Shoes

 Ever since I bought these cork wedges a few years ago, I've been planning on adding some painted details to the sides.  Time got away from me, but as soon as I saw the Dolce and Gabbana Sicilian Folk Art Collection for Spring/Summer, I knew I had to get these babies painted up!  Inspired by folk art carved and painted details on antique wagons, the D and G version of these shoes are stunning  Haute Couture artworks  They're also on "sale" for 1600 dollars...which is still light years beyond my budget.  Sigh.

Our house is decorated in what I call Folk Art Chic, with tons of little details like these.  I even have a Folk Art Chic Pinterest board!  I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  Since the shoes were cork, I used Tulip Soft Fabric paints and a little Aleene's Spray Acrylic sealer.  It took under an hour to turn a plain pair of wedges into a fashion statement of my own.  Using stencils for the flowers made quick work of those larger details.  If you look at the originals, you'll see that they're not perfectly perfect, they're meant to look handmade.  That took a lot of pressure off of me when painting, and I've got to say, I think these details turned out even more precise than the originals!  

What you need:
Cork or fabric wedges (try to find some that are solid cork and not just a thin layer wrapped around the wedge)
Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in yellow, red, green, white and turquoise
Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer Matte Finish
Tulip Flexible Body Art Stencils in Fantasy
Scissors
Painter's tape
Small detail paint brushes

1.) Tape of bottoms and tops of shoes exposing only the cork.  Use your fingernail to press tape into the grooves and seal.  2.)  Start with the yellow arcs, these go along the top of shoe first, then add white dots using the tip of your paintbrush.  3.)  Fill in the open spaces in your arcs alternating between blue and green paint.  4.)  Paint tops and bottoms of both shoes.  Allow to dry before next step.

5.) Cut large and medium size flowers from stencil.  Place large flower stencil on the center of the largest area on the outside of each shoe.  6.) Use a stipple or stiffer brush to stencil red paint into petals.  Allow to dry to tacky before removing stencil.  Repeat for second shoe.  Use the smaller stencil on the insides of shoe to add a slightly smaller red flower in the center of the largest area as in picture. 7.) Add a yellow dot to the center of each flower with a tiny white accent. You can opt to draw the outline for the vines/leaves on with a pencil if you prefer, then paint the green details.  A finely tipped paintbrush works best.    8.) Remove tape and commence dancing!  Hooray!

That's all there is too it!  I am so seriously smitten with these shoes and I can't wait for an excuse to wear them.  Is grocery shopping out of the question?  Hee.
Did you like the D and G Sicilian Folk Art Spring/Summer collection or was it a little too over the top for your taste?  Do tell!
Visit iLoveToCreate on Facebook and share your creations!
For more fashion and style inspiration, visit me at DIY Doyenne!
Cheers,
Madge

DIY Father's Day Frame

Here's a DIY Father's Day Frame you can make in a flash to show Dad just how much you love him.  I got the frame and vintage edition Hot Wheels toy cars at our local Dollar General for $8.50.  Just make the frame, print the graphic, cut to fit and place in frame.  An awesome reminder that in the race of life, the one who finishes with the most toys love wins.  Aleene's 7800 adhesive and Tulip dimensional paint make it easy to make this race car themed frame. 

What you need:

4 Hot Wheels vintage edition toy cars

5x7 frame (the frame edges need to be wide enough to accomodate the cars without overlap)

Cardboard 

Tulip 3-D Slick Paint

Aleene's Platinum Bond 7800 Adhesive

Pencil

Ruler

Heavy duty scissors

 1.  Measure center points of frame from edges, mark.  Mark around frame with pencil, this doesn't have to be perfectly perfect, but try to keep the spacing somewhat even.  2.  Use a heavy duty pair of scissors to cut small segments of cardboards to fit underneath cars.  These will help you glue them down without having to worry about the wheels moving around!  3.  Glue cardboard underneath cards and glue cars to frame.  Each car is one dash from edge, creating the illusion of movement.  4.  Use Tulip Slick Paint to go over the pencil marks.  Allow glue and paint to dry!

Print graphic sized to fit a 5"x7" frame. Cut to fit and insert into frame, you can secure it with a little Aleene's Spray Adhesive to keep it from slipping.

 

Fun, fast, fabulous and just in time for Father's Day!  What are you making for Dad this year?  Need ideas?  We've got lots of great DIY's for Dad on our website.

Don't forget to like the iLoveToCreate.com Facebook Page for more creative inspiration and visit me at DIY Doyenne for Fashion and Style!

Cheers,

Margot

DIY Tie Dye T-Shirt Bracelet

Tie Dye Your Summer is rolling on, and I've got a bracelet you can make in a flash with any tie dyed t-shirt!  This is a perfect Summer Camp craft for teens.  So easy to make and customize.  Tie dye a t-shirt, cut into strips, fold, glue and secure in fold over findings.  That's it!   It doesn't get much easier than that.  Tulip Tie Dyes are so easy to use, they're goof proof.  Plus how delicious are these vibrant colors?  Make an armful in a variety of colors and stack 'em up!

You will need:

White Cotton T-shirt (pre-washed)

Tulip Tie Dye Neon Kit

(Kit includes dye, bottles, gloves, sheeting and rubber bands)

Aleene's Jewelry and Metal Glue

Metal Fold-over Findings with Clasp and Extension Chain

Ruler

Fabric Scissors

Flat nose pliers

Wash shirt first to remove sizing.  Tie dye works best with natural fibers like cotton.  Wet shirt.  Use rubber bands to tie off shirt in banded sections.  Add dye to sections.  It's okay if this isn't perfect, trust me.  I used neon yellow, pink and orange.  Let dyed shirt set in plastic bag for 6-8 hours and wash and dry following instructions on package.

Measure a section of fabric that is approximately 3" wide and long enough to wrap wrist.  Your clasp adds about 1/2", so factor that in when measuring.  Cut fabric into four even strips.

Add a little glue along inside of metal finding.  Fold each strip in half and line up between thumb and forefinger.  Gently place in finding as shown.  You want to be sure the fabric sections hit the top of the inside of the finding so they're secured when closed.

Use flat nose pliers to compress finding over fabric.  You have to squeeze this really hard, so don't be shy!  Repeat for opposite side (try to keep the folds in the same direction on both sides) and allow the glue to dry overnight.

 These look best in groups, so make an armful!  I'm showing a group of three in the photos!

How would you style these bracelets?  Do tell! 

Visit Tie Dye Your Summer for tons of awesome DIY Tie Dye projects.  Come see me at DIY Doyenne for more simply fabulous DIY fashion and style ideas.

Cheers,

Madge