May 2, 2012 | DIY
I still have a ton of lace fabric from that curtain I bought last month to make my DIY Lace Maxi-Skirt…so I did a couple projects before I left for Japan to use up the extra. One of the DIYs was re-vamping a pair of granny-booties with a lace covering and making them into the perfect booties for Spring. With all the flowered boots popping up in retail stores lately, I figured it was high time to do a pretty feminine lace version! Here’s how:
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Apr 30, 2012 | Fashion
Every year in late April the enormous Japan Hobby Show takes over a huge exhibition hall in Odaiba for 3 days straight. Buyers and avid crafters from all over Japan flock to Tokyo to visit the Hobby Show, see the latest techniques, pick up the newest products, engage in workshops and demonstrations, and celebrate all there is to love about crafting. I’ve never been before but luckily my last-minute trip to Tokyo happened to coincide with the 36th annual Show, so I was able to spend a day last week visiting the show and ogling everything.
I thought the giant saw outside the complex was quite apropo.
The place was packed and even though I arrived at 10 AM on the dot, I had to wait in a huge line for 40 minutes until I could get in the doors. That line of people above? It’s all one line that snakes around at the back to return on the left side of the photo. Yikes!
But once inside, there was such an array of things to be ogled!
Seriously, pretty much every craft I could think of that is popular in Japan was represented at booths and tables throughout.
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Apr 28, 2012 | DIY
Japan is just awash in adorable little accessories and things that can make even the most hardened person want to let out a big ol’ squeeeeee! every so often.
I was able to go to one of my favorite craft stores the other day (Mano Creare in the Futako Tamagawa Rise Mall…which incidentally I’ve written about for Cut Out + Keep‘s Snippets Magazine before)…and couldn’t resist buying a little kit to make a mini felt cookie-shaped coin purse.
Apparently these “Macaron Coin Cases” [read: round and double-sided, like a macaron) are currently all the rage here in Japan and are flying off retail shelves by the dozens (as well as the kits to make them!)
(photo collage from Google “Macaron Coin Case” search results)
It took me about 20 minutes, tops, to make.
Now, the finished product is super, super-tiny, so it could only fit like 1 or 2 coins…so is pretty much useless as a coin purse. But it’s so adorable I couldn’t help myself!
Now I have it hanging from my bag and I just love it! (Knowing my luck, I’ll probably snag it on something and lose it next time I leave the apartment.)
P.S. Which in fact I did about 5 days after I wrote this post draft. *Le sigh.* Oh well, I can just make another one!
xoxox
Carly
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Apr 25, 2012 | DIY
In March I was thrilled to find out I had been selected to participate in the PLAID and Martha Stewart Crafts Mother’s Day Campaign…and would be receiving a GIANT box of crafting supplies to make a DIY gift for Mother’s Day! I shared an unboxing video of all the generous items sent to me here, and like a giddy kid in a candy store began brainstorming ideas to make something wonderful, beautiful, and special with all my loot.
Then, a week after I received all the supplies, my mother had a stroke and was hospitalized.
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Apr 24, 2012 | Fashion
Last but not least…we have Day 6 of #DIY Bloggers Fashion Week and a post by Donatella of of Inspiration & Realisation.
I can’t believe how much like the original Donatella’s blouse looks…and how chic! So pretty!
Check out Tutorial #6:
This has been a really fun week, and hope you guys have enjoyed the DIY-a-day! What a marathon!
And speaking of marathons…I have a HUGE DIY project posting tomorrow that I can’t wait to share with all of you. What a way to finish a week of creativity!
Thanks for reading!
xoxox
Carly
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