May 15, 2012 | Media
I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Portland’s own Museum of Contemporary Craft awhile ago to contribute an article to Cut Out + Keep‘s online magazine Snippets. And it’s finally live!
Thanks so much to Cat and the whole Cut Out + Keep team who included me!
Though the museum is small, it does highlight the strong craft movement and history of a variety of disciplines, mainly focused on the Pacific Northwest. It was really interesting to gain a sense of time, place, and handiwork as displayed there.
Have any of you ever been to Portland’s Museum of Contemporary Craft?
xoxox
Carly
~If you have a friend who loves Portland, museums, or crafting, please share this with them! Thanks:-) ~
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May 13, 2012 | Fashion
Colorblock Chiffon Top: DIY of a thrifted top (tutorial here)
Leopard-Print Bra: Warners (similar here)
Rings: from Japan; Cartier, Tiffany
Clear Bangle: unknown
Black Box Clutch: no label, thrifted
All-In-One Dress (worn as a Midi-Length Skirt): Norma Kamali
Metallic-Heel Low-Heeled Velvet Pumps: R&E
Nail Polish: Essie Lilacism
This year low-heeled shoes are back, and though I’m usually drawn to super-high heels I decided to give my feet a reprieve with this low pair. (more…)
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May 12, 2012 | DIY
Awhile ago I found this lovely bright chiffon blouse at my local Goodwill. 
It was a couple sizes too large for me and a little outdated in shape; I decided to upcycle it into something more fitted and modern. Colorblocking has been on-trend for a couple seasons now, so I decided to add some contrasting fabric to the collar*. Here’s how:
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May 9, 2012 | DIY
I think I haven’t posted a Links of the Week roundup in over a month!! Can it be? I’ve been so busy while in Tokyo taking care of my Mom, trying to keep up with classwork for the two online classes I’m taking this semester, and not often able to connect to the internet, that surfing online to find some great DIY has been pushed to the back-burner. But now I’m finally home again and am gladly catching up on all my DIY reading! Like:
Ever wanted a pair of jeans that were uniquely you? Well now you can get them, by DIY’ing your own custom jeans with GetWear. Choose from a variety of washes and shapes to design your perfect pair, including rise, buttons, embroidery, pocket style, and thread color.
Though I normally restrict my roundups to fashion, jewelry, and accessory items, I couldn’t resist including this amazing DIY Faux-Woodgrain Laptop Cover made from Con-Tact paper, by Fine & Feathered. Retro cool in the best way! (And you could definitely re-appropriate this idea for any hard-sided clutch you have!!)
Speaking of Con-Tact paper, Soccer Mom Style has come up with another great project using it: DIY Heels with Metallic Detail. So chic and elegant – and the possibilities for what to add this metallic paper to are endless!
I always love discovering a new DIY blog; Creme de la Craft has made my week. Every week, she posts a new tutorial utilizing everyday objects. Her DIY Neon Pyramid Necklace (using straws!) is a great project to start with!
Whimseybox is a craft-of-the-month club that every month sends you a goody box full of crafting supplies for just $15! They also share some great projects on the blog to give you some ideas for what to make with your box full ‘o craft goodies. Check out these Washi Tape Slap Bracelets that use pretty tape to makeover that old 80’s staple.
Summer’s almost here and it’s time to break out the fun sunnies to complete your outfits. How about customizing your own pair, with some Mod Podge, paper, and Madigan Made’s how-to post on Mod Podge Rocks?
Natalie’s Creations posted this great video tutorial for how to make a Dolce & Gabbana-inspired lace dress…from a t-shirt and a curtain panel! Creativity at its best!!
Add an oversized corsage to your look, with Stripes & Sequin‘s DIY Ban.do-Inspired Bloom Pin. This would make a lovely and chic addition to any outfit.
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/diylotwfeaturedbutton-2.png” /></a>
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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May 4, 2012 | DIY, Fashion
1. Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy, $14
2. Diane von Furstenberg Alana Vintage-Inspired Cat’s-Eye Sunglasses
, $150
3. Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit, $22.95
4. Celeste Stein Missoni Tights, $19.95
5. Arancia Dolce Sweet Orange Replenishing Bath Foam by Palatium $45 marked down to $27…PSST! Get 40% OFF with code ChicEmpress here, valid until May 13, 2012!
6. Crafting with Cat Hair Book, $15.95
7. Knitted Dove Eyelet Elly Jacket, $88
8. DIY Decorated Basket Handbag
9. Cherry Tangerine Arrangement by Floral Art, $85 (delivery to L.A. area only…or take inspiration from the arrangement and DIY your own!)
10. Cupcake Bath Bombs, $32…or just DIY your own with this how-to: DIY Cupcake Bath Bomb
11. Carol Hochman Rosewalk Garden Bermuda Pajama Set, $59
12. Morning Dew Earrings by JooJooLand, $45
13. Dolce Vita Women’s Nels Flat
, $149
14. ASOS Leather Bright Laptop Case
, $63.60
15. DIY Flowered Hair Clip
Mother’s Day is just around the corner…are you still looking for the perfect gift for Mom? I love that this holiday happens to coincide with, so I always match my gift to the lovely, flowery season. Above is a small collection of ideas for great gifts for the woman close to your heart: from handbags to accessories, bathtime indulgences and clothing, the Mom with a great sense of humor or avid gardener…it’s all there. Plus, a couple of these ideas are DIY-able…so I’ve just linked to the tutorials.
And for some more DIY home decor inspiration, check this video out for some items that would be great (and easy!) to make for Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it with anyone looking for Mother’s Day Gift ideas!~
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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.
(more…)
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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.
(more…)
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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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