DIY Painted Stenciled Tote

0.diystenciltote_introphotoDIY kit company Darby Smart recently sprung onto the scene and is making waves with their fashion-forward packages of fun DIY projects you can make at home. Instead of a monthly subscription to their kits (which many other companies are using as a business model as of late), you can buy a Darby Smart kit any time, and for anyone! Inspired by Pinterest projects and catering to the community, the kits provide the materials and supplies to make chic and polished crafts for accessories, jewelry, and home decor. And at Darby Smart, anyone can become a kit designer! Designed by amazingly creative designers, bloggers, and crafters, the submitted projects are voted on by the Darby Smart community and then the most popular are turned into kits for sale.

darbysmart_monogramstencilkitI was recently sent the You-Nique Monogram Tote Kit to play with and create my own DIY stenciled tote. I decided to create a tote with a badge, with my personal mantra “DREAM IT / MAKE IT / DO IT” emblazoned on the front. Using the stencils and the glitter pen provided, I added some paints and glitter from my collection to create something with a throwback 80’s feel.    diystenciltote_pinterestinstructionsAnd that’s the piece I created!

diystenciltote_done2I had a lot of fun with the kit, which was easy to use, and I was impressed with how long the glitter pen held up and how much ink was in it. Plus – and here’s the BIG PLUS, folks – the tote is not the cheap kind of canvas tote you’d find for $5.99 at the craft store…it’s actually a heavy-duty canvas piece from Baggu, with inner snap, pocket, and adjustable shoulder strap. An extremely good value for the price of the entire kit.diystenciltote_done1

And Darby Smart is also graciously offering 2 You-Nique Monogram Tote kits to give away to my readers!

Edit 9/1/13: Giveaway is now closed and winners are announced. Thanks!

DarbySmarttotekitHow To Enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, please Pin your favorite kit from the Darby Smart website to show extra enthusiasm! (Not required for entry into giveaway)

Good luck!

xo
Carly

FTC Disclosure: I was sent one You-Nique Monogram Tote Kit (retail value: $31) to review, and 2 Tote Kits will be sent to the winners of this giveaway, courtesy of Darby Smart. I received no other compensation, and the opinions above are my own. See my full Disclosure Policy here.

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M&J Trimming DIY Challenge Projects

mjtrimming_chicstealsprojectsHello lovely readers!

Today all the DIY projects I created for M&J Trimming’s Third Annual DIY Challenge are now live on their blog. Please click on over to check them out!

Check Out My DIY Projects on the M&J Trimming Blog

Thanks so much to the team at M&J Trimming – I had a blast working with all your wonderful supplies!

xo
Carly

FTC Disclosure: I received a box of trims and supplies courtesy of M&J Trimming, to create step-by-step DIY tutorials for their DIY Challenge. I have received a $100 M&J Trimming Gift Card as compensation for my submissions. My official Disclosure Policy is here.

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DIY Mixed Media Decorated Rope Necklace

0.diymixedmediaropenecklace_introphotoI LOVE mixed-media accessories: they totally appeal to my bi-polar personality. 😉 Want a little rope? Sure, let’s start with that. And how about rhinestones? You can never have enough bling. And chain? Yup, got that. How about some ribbon, netting, embroidery thread, beads, and wire? OF COURSE!

outfit7.27.13_necklace2 I love that this piece is totally over-the top and such an eye-catching statement. (I wore it in this outfit here if you want to see how it stands out against other pieces.) It’s fairly simple to make since it’s really just a lot of gluing. Don’t be intimidated by the amount of materials…you can vary what you use for your own personal style statement! Here’s how: (more…)

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DIY Metallic-Tipped Nail Art: How to Extend the Life Of Any Manicure 2

diymetallicnailtips1 When nail polish starts chipping there are only a few options for you: take it all off, swipe another coat of same-colored polish on to try to hide it, or try a contrasting color layered over top. I’m very much a contrasting-color sort-of-person since I love incorporating different textures and colors into my mani.

glittertips2One of the easiest ways to fix a slightly chipped mani is by adding a French manicure tip: I love the luxe look of a gold glitter tip! {Click for photos of my version above)

diymetallicnailtips5Another great way is with a shiny metallic tip: so chic and polished. I love cool silver too – and this can even be accomplished with a silver metallic Sharpie you may have on hand!diymetallicnailtips2 diymetallicnailtips3 My mani is just a coat of clear – and then silver Sharpie at the ends – and a topcoat. You could also do any color you want, and pair with a gold, rose gold, or other metallic-hued pen for ultra glamour!

diymetallicnailtips4How do you extend the life of your mani?

xo
Carly

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DIY Ombre Filigree Earrings

0.diyombrefiligreeearrings_introphotoBack when I worked on the May campaign with Martha Stewart Jewelry, I actually made a couple of pieces while playing around with the treasure trove of supplies I was sent. (Only my DIY Enamel Spring Flower Bib Necklace made it to the blog for the campaign post.) But I also made these earrings, and though I don’t have a shot of me wearing them yet (Hub has been working odd hours ever since we got back from Japan), I still wanted to share the how-to with all of you.

I’ve always been drawn to the intricate nature of filigree pieces and love its versatility (I even used it for the backing of the bib necklace above!). It reminds me of ancient scrolling and iron work – perhaps more suited to Guinevere’s or Cleopatra’s time than the modern minimalism of today. Of course these jewelry findings are not true filigree (which is made of soldered wire that is curved and bent to form patterns), but instead is created with dies cutting the pattern into metal. Incorporating them into your jewelry will add a sophisticated touch with a vintage feel, and adding crystal components and a wash of color from the Martha Stewart Jewelry line is a great way to truly customize your pieces. And you only need to be able to link jumprings and wield a paintbrush! Here’s how: (more…)

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