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 Earring Organizer

If you are anything like me, you are constantly searching for a more efficient way to organize your jewelry.  It's sad to admit this, but my jewelry is mostly clumped into boxes and bags and I spend far too much time digging around to find both earrings from any pair. These small painted laser cut frames are the perfect (and pretty) solution to your earring storage needs. You can drill these with room for more earrings, hang some up and down and some sideways, add hooks to some for your necklaces and bracelets, arrange them on your dressing or bedroom wall and before you know it, you've got a lovely display for your closet or bedroom that helps you keep your baubles organized and untangled!  You can also opt to use two frames and sandwich some mesh screen in between, though I was pleasantly surprised at how many earrings these wires held.  I think you will be too!

 

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DIY Candy Crush Sandals

 

True Craft Confession: I bought these plastic gems at Michaels a few weeks back with plans to use them for a mosaic inspired fashion DIY.  I've had these espadrilles for a while, but I never wear them because they're kind of boring.  It wasn't until I took the pics of the finished sandals that I realized they look just like Candy Crush Saga!  Too fun!  The colors here are vibrant, not quite neon, but very punched up.  You could use clear foil backed stones for a totally different effect. I tried a variety of adhesives, but the best by far was Aleene's 7800. It sets quickly and it's thick, so the stones don't slip around on the straps while they dry.  Take your time and work methodically.  I tried picking the stones up and dipping them in the glue, but I found that spreading the glue on with a crayon and placing them by hand worked best.  When you finish, just shave off the end and your crayon will be back in business! 

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DIY Floating Pearl Illusion Necklace

It’s wedding season and if you’d like to make ‘something new’ for the bride or her bridesmaids, this classic floating pearl illusion  necklace is surprisingly easy!  We used a strand of lovely freshwater pearls that my husband purchased for me several years ago at the Tucson Gem Show.  By turning them into a floating pearl necklace, we were able to create three necklaces and earring sets, one for me, one for my daughter and one for a gift.  The key here is to use pearls with consistent size, though if you choose baroque style pearls it's also lovely, just different.  This method is so much easier than knotting or using crimp beads and the pearls really appear to float across the neck. It's a wonderful way to update your grandmother’s or mother’s pearls into jewelry the daughters and granddaughters can all treasure.  Layer them up for an even more glamorous appeal! 

You will need:

15 ½” 19-strand silver plated beading wire.

13 10mm round cream pearls

Aleene’s Glass and Bead Adhesive

2 EZ-Crimps

EZ-Lobster clasp (or clasp connected with jump ring)

Small heart charm stamped with initial (optional)

2” chain

Permanent marker

Flush cutter

2 pairs chain nose pliers

Bead board

Measuring tape (optional)

Step One: Cut beading wire to 15.5".  The finished necklace is 16” with clasp and includes a 2” extension chain so it is adjustable to 18”. You can do one of two things here, either mark the center of the wire with a marker and use the bead board to make marks on the wire at one inch intervals.  This helps keep the pearls evenly spaced on the design.  (The space between the final pearl and clasp is 1.5".)  Alternately, you can use the tape measure method mentioned in Step Three.

Step Two: Put a small drop of glue on the wire starting at the center mark. 

 I used a metal tape measure as a well to help hold the pearls in place and provide an easy method for maintaining the measurements.  (The glue can be placed about 1/8” away from the targeted mark so it can move into the pearl as you slide it over.)  Slide pearl onto wire allow it to capture the glue as it moves.  Slowly twisting the pearl as you slide over the glue helps to bring the glue into the bead.  Carefully wipe off any excess glue.  Continue to add a pearl at 1 inch intervals.  After finishing one side, repeat the process on the opposite side.  When you finish, take a moment to look at the spacing and make any slight adjustments before the glue sets.

 Allow the glue to set before handling.  While glue is setting, attaching the metal ends using chain nose pliers to secure them on the wire.

Attach the clasp to one end using chain nose pliers.

Attach the extension chain to the opposite end with pliers.  I included a small metal charm stamped with the initial of the wearer, this is a lovely way to customize this design for your bridesmaids or if it’s for a bride, you can add two charms and include the initial of the groom.  If you’d like some easy metal stamping tips, you can get them here.

 That's it!  I suggest you practice a little with some inexpensive faux pearls and once you have the technique down pat (which shouldn't take too long, trust me) you'll be ready to rock and roll.  Aleene's adhesive works on wire and also on clear monofilament and fiber, each of these will produce a slightly different finished look.  

What do you think, has this become a timeless classic?  Would you make and wear a DIY Floating Pearl Illusion Necklace?  We'd love to see it if you do!  Join the conversation on our Facebook page and visit me at DIY Doyenne for more fashion and style!

Cheers,

Madge

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 Pinch and Twist Technique

 This DIY Pinch and Twist Beach Cover-up Shirt can be created in under ten minutes!  As a fair skinned gal, I always cover up at the beach and often with a large men's shirt.  They're comfy, cool and can be worn in the water.  It was super easy to give this plain white shirt a little pizzazz with Tulip Fabric Spray.  This is a whole new way to approach tie dye, using a spray instead of a bottle and your finger tips instead of rubber bands.

You will need

100% cotton man's shirt

Tulip Fabric Sprays in Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold and Fucshia

Tulip T-Shirt Form

Tulip Craft Gloves

Tulip Surface Cover

DIY Pinch and Twist Technique from DIY Doyenne TV for iLovetoCreate.com

1.) Make sure your shirt is pre-washed to remove sizing.  2.)  Grasp shirt in spot where you want to center your pinch and twist.  Twist shirt in a clockwise direction.  3.)  Hold silver spray 12" from shirt and give it a few spritzes.  4.)  Repeat to make three total pinched sections.  5.)   Repeat with gold spray turning your twists counter clockwise. 6.) Repeat a final time using pink spray and turning clockwise.  7.)  Allow shirt to dry for 72 hours before washing and 4 hours before wearing. 

 We'd love to see what you make with Tulip Fabric Sprays and the Pinch and Twist technique, be sure to join the iLoveToCreate.com Facebook page and share your projects with us!  

Visit DIYDoyenne.com for more fashion and style and DIY Doyenne TV from Margot Potter on YouTube!

Cheers,

Margot (a.k.a.: Madge)

DIY Screen Printed Canvas

 Small canvases are very inexpensive at the craft stores.  With just a little effort, they can pack a big design punch!  This time around I've used some graphic Ikat style fabric, which we stretched and stapled around the original canvas.  Then I created a pretty permission free graphic (you'll find it below) that I burned on a screen using the Tulip Screen-It.  This was so easy to do and if you follow the video instructions on the ILTC website, you'll have a stunning screen you can use up to 75 more times! Simply fabulous!

You will need:

12"x12" blank canvas

Black Tulip Soft Fabric Paint

Aleene's Repositionable Tacky Spray

Tulip Screen It

Painter's Tape

Staple Gun and Staples

 1.) Print your image in black ink.  Set yourself up in a light free room with the ScreenIt and a small lamp with the yellow bulb provided in the machine.  Turn off over head light and turn on yellow bulb.  You'll need to spray the platform, place the screen on the platform.  Use squeegee to remove any air bubbles.  Spray your image, place image down on screen, use squeegee to remove any air bubbles.  Place cover on top, turn machine on and burn screen for 8 minutes.  8 minutes later, turn top of machine 180 degrees, turn back on and burn screen for an additional 8 minutes.  2.)  Soak screen in a tub of cool water for 10 minutes.  Gently rub the emulsion off of the burned areas with your fingers while screen is submerged.  Remove from water and use a soft sponge to remove remaining emulsion from the burned areas, you can do this on your printing platform.  3.) Set the screen on a towel to dry.  4.) Cut fabric to fit around edges of canvas.

5.) This is a two person job, really, but you can do it alone if you work slowly and methodically.  Stretch fabric tight and staple, start with the center and work out to sides, three staples per side is good.  To get the sides done, you will need to cut a little square off of one side of the folded fabric, then tuck, fold and staple.  6.) Tape the screen flat to the front of your canvas with painter's tape. Make sure there are no bubbles, you don't want the paint to spread outside of the printed areas. 7.) Place canvas on Screen-It platform.  Squirt out a thick line of paint and squeegee it across the screen.  8.) Remove tape and screen and let your canvas dry.

 Here is the image I used, just right click and save to your computer.  Print to fit 8.5x11 in jet black ink.

It's so much fun to screen print, you may find it just a little addicting.  I'm thinking about using my screen on some t-shirts and maybe even some pillows for our outdoor porch.  Have you ever screen printed?  What would you like to create with the Tulip Screen-it?

Get more great DIY tutorials on iLovetoCreate.com and find more DIY Fashion and Style at DIYDoyenne.com!

Cheers,

Madge

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