What could speak to Spring more than a bouquet of pretty pastels, made into jewelry? With Martha Stewart Jewelry you can now easily make beautiful enamel jewelry, no powdered glass, no kiln, no firing, no fuss. (more…)
Awhile ago I posted some photos of a dress I made for my Labor Day Party – which was nothing more than a sheet cut apart and sewn together artfully to make a finished dress.
I made it from a light chambray-colored sheet I found at my local Goodwill, cutting it apart in a way to utilize the finished hems. 
It’s breezy, nautical, and chic – a perfect way to end the Summer…or commemorate the START of Summer on Memorial Day!
So what I made it for Labor Day…I think it works equally well as a breezy dress no matter what the day – so I’m wearing it for my Memorial Day barbecue too!
Whether it’s Labor Day, Memorial Day, or any other day, this pretty dress with cascading ruffles can be customized to any style depending on your sheet and your use of trims; mine is a chambray sheet with striped grosgrain ribbon trim and rope ties; you could also do a white sheet with lacy trim and satin ties for a completely different look!
Any questions on the pattern/instructions – let me know! I’m happy to help:-)
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxo
Carly
Wow, that title looks weird when you write it out like that;-) But there’s really no other way to describe this!
Have you noticed that over the past year or so, there have been a ton of women’s tops that highlight the boobage area? Like this one, this one, or this one, for example. Perhaps Wildfox started it off with their double ice cream tees back in 2010. (I even made a similar DIY Ice Cream Applique Tee inspired by that very trend!)
However, I wanted to make something with stark contrast, that was a little slick and a little sweet at the same time. Sleepy eyelash eye masks have always been a favorite of mine, so I decided to re-create that effect onto a T-shirt, with some shiny vinyl PVC. It’s adorbs (and yes, highlights the chest area, LOL). And if you have a sewing machine, it’s so easy. Here’s how:
You Need: (more…)
I ran out of my old deodorant awhile ago, and was wondering what to do about it. I had been hearing a lot about “natural” deodorants, and wondered if they worked any better than store-bought. With all-natural ingredients and no aluminum, they are undoubtedly better for you. I found some links to various recipes here, changed some ingredients to create a stick-type product, and decided to try my hand at making my own DIY version. Here’s how:
Recipe: (more…)
Mother’s Day 2013 is almost upon us…how are you doing for finding that perfect thing for that special woman in your life? Flowers, chocolate, a handmade card expressing love, even a thoughtful gesture can go a long way in showing her how much she’s appreciated! If you’re looking for something to give, here at the very, very last minute, are some Mother’s Day Gift ideas to DIY for that lovely lady:
DIY Vintage Photo Throw Pillow with Freezer Paper
Try using a treasured photo of Mom’s, family photos, or a snap of you + Mom together, for an extra-special way to preserve memories.
Real flowers wilt and die…a bouquet of these will last forever! Love the Scrabble tiles anchoring the bouquet, adding a personalized touch.
These are super-chic and can totally be customized for Mom with a coat or two of paint, glitter, or tape.
Or how about this pretty piece of Washi Tape Triangle Art for Mom? The end result is amazing and all you need is a little tape.
This tote could be made in Mom’s favorite fabric (or even in fabric printed with family photos – see #1). Of course there are a ton of DIY Bag and Tote tutorials out there on the internet if you’re looking for a different style…this site offers a great roundup.
Making perfume is surprisingly easy…and a solid perfume locket allows the wearer to carry it around all day, refreshing as needed. You can get all your supplies at your local natural foods store, and fill a locket…or a necklace vial…or a ring…or a compact case…the possibilities go on and on!
DIY Chevron Patterned Party Tray
Find a pretty fabric – and glue it to a tray for a whole new look. (You could even decoupage it with Mod Podge instead of using an acrylic sheet to make it permanent!)
(Hint: If you’re looking for a low- or no-cost alternative gift, Moms also really appreciate a meal made for the family by their partner, kids taken care of and put to bed, and a long, uninterrupted bubble bath all their own…without any little floaty toys or random kidparts and splashes in it. Just sayin.’ 😉
Do you have any favorite Mother’s Day projects to share? Add them in the comments section!
Hope you and all the mothers in your life enjoy a wonderful and relaxing Mother’s Day!
xo
Carly
What could be more Summery than beautiful photographs of must-visit vacation spots? And nothing can herald the coming of this season more than wearing said photos on your person: an apparel-fueled mental vacation, if you will.
Get A Life is a series of photo-printed tops for men, sold at Wal-Mart for very affordable prices (around $9 and up, and now available on eBay by the hundreds). Their pieces are made of a stretchy polyester, which makes them wonderfully-suited for women’s clothing (especially bodycon styles!). These T-shirts, since made for men, are already oversized (read: TONS of workable fabric!)…and very easily remade into something perfect for a woman…and perfect for fun in the sun. Here’s how:
You Need: (more…)
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
DIY Paper Gardenia Bouquet
DIY Geometric Paperweights
