Saturday, January 28, 2012

Revamp old shoesies!

So, my good friend Manda from back home posted a picture of her cute shoes on Facebook and I fell in love!! Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was hmm.. how can I make a replica?! So, it didn't take long for me to realize that I had some old flats that def could use a makeover. I got them out and got out my black fabric and got to work!

These are my friend Manda's shoes.. my inspiration.

I took off the ugly bows that came with the shoes and sewed some cute new ones approx 2.5 height and 4.5 width (inches).



Then, I used some jewels that I had purchased at the dollar store (my favorite) added them. And finally I sewed the bows onto my flats and BAM! I have some new cutsie shoes!! (:




I even made an extra bow so I could sew it on to my God son's onsie as a bow tie! So cute! (:


Saturday, January 21, 2012

DIY Studded Clutch

I'm going to share one last post before I start getting ready for the circus lol. And that is my custom made clutch!! It actually could have turned out a lot better than it did but I was lazy and didn't change out the needle in my sewing machine to use a thicker one and I wanted to do a slanted flip cover thingy but you can't really see it that well in the picture.. The picture does NOT do it justice.. It actually looks better in person lol. but whatev its still cute. I think at least!

I got the idea off a picture I saw in a mag. Then I saw it on pinterest and decided I can do that!! So I did. I actually used a cardboard box measured and cut and then traced it on to my wannabe leather that I had got at Joann's when I lived in Columbus, GA a few months ago.

It looked like this.
Then, I sewed the sides closed and because my machine was not cooperating with me and made the lines a bit crooked that is when I decided I had to brain storm and think of how to make it somewhat cute. So I went with the slanted cover thingy.. 

Then I added 1 inch bronze studs and I tried to make it so that the slant was more present which it is in person but for some reason the angle of this pic didn't capture it. Anyways, here it is. I Will probably be making another one like this but I will DEFINITELY add an inside fabric and DEFINITELY use a thicker needle so that it doesn't get stuck like it did on my sewing machine..


Here is another one I had made from clear Vinyl, before I did the black one, as a folder for my papers for school. But it is definitely wearable as a clutch also!! 

whoops, I didn't see my dirty shoes and mess in the background.. I actually made those too. I'll show a tutorial later on how to DIY Stud your shoes (: But for now I'm late so I gotta go!! Thanks for following! & don't forget, if you want to try this out let me know! I'll be more specific about everything I did and can walk you through it step by step!! Thanks!

xoxo, Yessenia

DIY custom bows


So, I am really excited today.. I am going to go to the Barnum and Bailey Ringling Brother Circus!! In my opinion it is hands down the best one!!! I am going to go with my girl friend Wisdom.. I can't wait!! But anyway, I decided that I wanted to dress for the theme. I was going to dress like a clown but a cute clown. So I began brain storming and decided to make myself a cute bow to go with my costume.
That was me 2 years ago.. I scarred a few kids that year (: but this is my costume accept this time I'm going to wear a white shirt that I have doodled on and studded. BTW I stud EVERYTHING. I am obsessed! 

So I made some bows with my handy new sewing machine I got from my amazing mother in law for xmas/ my birthday. (my birthday is on Christmas Eve & yes it sucks!)

Here is my process:



I used Sharpie's new stained markers and stained the fabric before I sewed the middle pieced to the bow. Then, I added the studs and done! I wanted to have to random black and white bows because clowns are random right! But I also wanted to be able to use these bows any other time.. Well I am happy with how they turned out.. If you'd like further details on how I make my bows and what not, let me know!!

xoxo, Yessenia! 

DIY Thrift Store Trunk

Well since it is a new day and I can't sleep, like always, I wanted to share an extreme but totally rad transformation that I made to a thrift store trunk!

From this.


to that!!!!! 





Basically, what I did was found about 16-18 different scrapbook paper designs I liked. Then I perfectly cut them out in 6 x 6 inch squares, later I had to measure out and cut those squares to fit in different areas as you can see. Finally, I mod podged away!! I used the gloss kind because I wanted my treasure trunk to have a shiny look, but if you decide to make this feel free to use which ever finish you like, matte or gloss. I did use an extra gloss sealer over the top of the mod podge once it was completely dry. I was planning on using it as my coffee table so I wanted it to be able to withhold & it did!!! 



So, that is my trunkey!!! The best of all, I made this project with 30 dollars!!!! wahoo!! If you decide to make one or have any questions on how to make one let me know!!! I'd gladly explain further details and show you more pictures of mine!! Have a blessed day!

xoxo, Yessenia

Friday, January 20, 2012

DIY Wood letters

Since I just created this blog today ( the book I mentioned earlier inspired me to create the blog) I feel that I need to add a few things. Luckily, I have taken pictures of past projects. Yay for me!! So, here is another simple and easy one. The DIY wood letters. I know I know, everyone probably already knows how to do this... but there is always the chance that someone does not. So, this is what my wood letters turned out to look like...
And that is Monster (my cracked out cat) modeling for me above.






Supplies:
- wooden letters ( I got mine at Hobby Lobby)
- scrapbook paper
- mod podge
- scissors
- pencil
- paint brush
- colored paint

This is the time to get your sheets of scrapbook paper ( if your letters are as big as mine were, it will take an entire page for a single letter) and pencil. Lay the individual wooden letter on the scrap book paper and trace. It is important to trace with your pencil directly on the front of the paper (the side that will be showing) otherwise you will end up with a backwards letter and will just have to redo it. Yes, guilty of that mistake that is why I am telling you. Don't worry though, because it is pencil you won't be able to notice it when you are finished. 

Next, cut out what you traced. If you want the paint on the sides to show a bit I would cut the letters under or inside the pencil mark, it won't really be noticeable if the lines aren't perfect because the paint is there to cover it. & it looks cute when it kind of comes out anyways..

Now, we can begin to paint the sides of the letter. You kind of have to hold it on the middle while you paint but don't worry about getting paint on the front or the back.. The front will be covered by your design and the back.. well who looks at the back anyway right? If you're not the greatest at cutting like me, then I advise you to paint most of the front like I did. Any errors you made while cutting will be magically unnoticed whoop whoop!  Because I was in a one bedroom apartment at the time, I had no room for anything. So, I used the counter to paint. If your space is limited like mine, you'll want to tape down strips of wax paper! It works the best. 


Once the paint is completely dry, you can start mod podging down the paper onto the wood letters. Make sure you mod podge the paper onto the wood first and wait until it completely dries before you apply a coat over the top. You don't want to rip your paper! I added 2 coats of glossy mod podge to the tops and even to the sides of the letters! It made my paint and paper really pop!
And.... TADA!! you have cutsie wooden letters to display!!! Notice the red is showing a bit on the bottom curves of the Y.. It almost gives it a 3D effect because the red is showing.. thats the outcome of cutting under or inside the traced pencil line.


Thanks for stopping by!!!! Oh and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to message or comment! I'd be glad to help!!! 

XOXO Yess

DIY Cork Board

So, like the good student that I am.. I was reading a required book called, "My Reality Check Bounced" by Jason Dorsey (great book BTW) and it got me really pumped and exited for my future career goals and dreams and so fourth. So, I decided that the only way to motivate me to study everyday and be able to finish my last semester of college with a BAM was to make an inspirational board. And thats what I did.

This was such an easy project that literally anyone can do. It also works to convert a boring office space into something a bit more sassy. Mine turned out a bit bold but it gives the room a new energy.

From this.
To that!






Supplies:
- old or new cork board with a border
- Mod Podge
- old magazine scraps
- brush
- left over paint

Big difference huh?! Obviously, you can choose to use whichever color of paint that works with your room and also, you could even try using colored paper instead of the magazine scrap approach that I did. Have fun with it!!
I still need to add more inspiration to the board. I made those bows yesterday also! Arn't they fab!!