FASHcraft: Time Traveling Fashionista

Two of my life's greatest pleasures are spending time with my children and creation of any kind. The other night the girls and I spent some time crafting. This was not the run of the mill DIY project either, it was FASHION. As you can see from the image below serious decisions about silhouette, fabrics and adornments had to be made. We talks a lot about trusting your own taste and gut instincts! 

We each got to play fashion designer by using real fabrics, trims and adornments thanks to Author Bianca Turetsky and her book series The Time Traveling Fashionista. (TTF). I have written about these sweet stories before (catch up HERE).  She has expanded her brand to now make available for sale the FASHCraft Kits she uses when she does live readings and book signings for kids.  Bianca told me, "When I visit schools & libraries, I do this craft with the kids after my book talk and they seemed to really love it, so I wanted to find a way for it to happen even if I wasn't there to facilitate. The Time-Traveling Fashionista brand is becoming bigger than me, which is awesome. But I love being part of the process, so often Skype into the book clubs from Brooklyn if you buy a kit on etsy."

The Kit Includes:

Fabric - *There is enough excess fabric left over to do one or two more rounds of crafting!

Trims

Adornments/Jewels/Buttons

2 Templates (Dress Shapes to Use as a "pattern") 

TTF Stickers

Card stock Pages with the TTF "Model"  (Ours had 3)

"Get to know me" Sheet.

BUY THE KIT - $20

We each took a turn as fashion designer and here are our creations.

Kaleigh - Age 6

Danica - Age 11

MOM - Of course I got in on the action! PS- I want the clutch I created! 

Bianca do you have any more of this fabric?

This is a great activity for kids of any age and a great creative way to spend time with your children. The "Get to know me" Page is a great way to have a conversation about style with your girls. Creative activities like this give kids a sense of self mastery and empowerment via the ability to make choices based on their taste. When the reinforcement and feedback is positive it also builds self esteem too! A Major WIN-WIN-WIN for any mom!

Kits will soon be available as a stand alone item to purchase but you can now get the kit with a signed book!  

ORDER A KIT/BOOK COMBO HERE

Button Up: Craft Time

In my travels I am always coming across buttons. I see them by the jar in thrift stores, available in fabric stores and loose in drawers. I always sit and dream of ways to use them other than sewing them back onto a garment.

I had a peek on-line and here are a few of my FAV uses for loose buttons. Everything can be RE-Styled in some way.

Create your own clock using buttons. 

Because it is almost Christmas why not  create a festive clock using a metallic plate charger, buttons and a clock motor kit? Maybe some festive ribbon to hang the clock? VOILA - A Fabulous Festive Gift, hand crafted!

Charger: I saw some at the dollar store (Buy here in all colors for $1.59) or you can go  high end.

Clock Motor Kit ($2.00-$20.00)

Other Button Brilliance:

 You can also choose a Jar or jars smaller or that suits your decor.

 I think this is genius for a child's room, crafting studio or somewhere unique in your home.

A festive edition to your home and a great use for that old rake in your garage! Be as creative as you want and don't just stop at buttons!

I blogged before about Brooches and their many Fashionable and Functional uses. In the spirit of the season I want to share this:

Craft a tree using brooches and buttons using a colored theme. This would also make an amazing gift that can be displayed every holiday or all year round!

What you need:

*Frame

*Brooches & Buttons and other materials (EX: broken jewelry)

*Craft Paper, wrapping Paper or Fabric for the background

*Glue (type will depend on the backing you use - paper/fabric)

*Trim for the frame (or you could leave it plain) - Crafting Pearls by the yard are available.

*Creativity and a dash of imagination!

What else can you button?? 
Share in the comments below.

Christmas Craft: Grab Your Balls

My mother is a heavy duty Christmas Crafter; full jeweled poinsettia apron and glue gun in hand by the end of October. She never fails to flood my inbox with tips, tricks, how-to videos and examples of Christmas Crafts in the hope she will inspire me. Well this time it worked. I have little time to be sitting around crafting with the kids, ma job, my home and something that resembles a social life. I did tackle this fabulous Ball Wreath project yesterday and was THRILLED with the results!

It is the coolest craft if you are pinched for time or money.

What you need:

*Wire Coat Hanger

*Assortment of Christmas Balls (preferable Plastic or "Unbreakable") - 50-80 depending on size

*Ribbon

Time: Under 30min

I ventured out to the local Dollerama and threw down about $6 for assorted silver balls (Packs of a dozen balls for $1/ea), then to RiteAid and spent another $4 for larger balls. $1 for thick wire trimmed ribbon. I had a white metal coat hanger on hand.

TOTAL COST: $11

*Re-Style Tip: You can use your OLD Balls from last year or years gone by to create a Christmas Memory Wreath if you are re-designing your look or colours for Holiday 2012. It would be AMAZING to use Vintage ornaments too for a Retro-Wreath! Truly One of a Kind. Total Cost : $0

Step 1: Shape the hanger into a "circle" first and then un-fasten the top.

 Step 2: Thread the balls on. Mix and match textures and finishes and place them on the wire in no particular order. Symmetry is not the goal here.

Step 3: Re-Fasten the hanger at the top

Step 4: Add your bow

Step 5: HANG and Enjoy

 I used a monochromatic palette of Silver tones and textures. You can you ANY color and textural combination to suit your personal taste and holiday decor. My friend Jensine opted for a mix of Silver and White.

Whatever combo you choose this Christmas Craft is bound to be a BIG hit! Make a few extra's as a gift to bring to your host/hostess this Thanksgiving  (USA) or to the host/hostess of your Christmas Cocktail Party! 

Are you Christmas Crafting yet? 

Share your ideas below.  

Get Your Sparkle On: Pink Sugar Crystals

Jeweled Phone Case - My new MUST HAVE Accessory!

Facebook has seriously been an invaluable Social Networking tool. I get to see the current lives of people past, keep in touch with family and meet amazing people like Christina Bias, of Pink Sugar Crystals. She became a fan of Evolution Vintage and this is how I found her. She is my Sparkle Sister who graciously gifted me with a custom creation, a jeweled iPhone case with my personal "L" monogram (exactly the way I sign it). She bedazzles her butt off on everything she can get her hands on; phone cases, lamp shades, lighter cases, jewelry, and MORE! She is a hard working MOMpreneur who's studio is in Portland, Oregon.

The Bling Beauty: Christina Bias

I caught up with Christina taking a break from painstakingly creating my FAB phone case to chat about Pink Sugar Crystals. 

LG: Tell my readers about Pink Sugar Crystals and what inspired you to start your business?

CB: An esthetician by trade, I've always had a love for fashion and beauty. Have all ways been artsy and crafty. When I became a stay at home mom, I thought of a way to raise my child and work from home. After designing my first cellular phone case I became addicted and Pink Sugar Crystals was born. Going strong 2 years and I fall more and more in love everyday with what I do. My amazing customers keep my creativity going and I love them all. 

LG: Where does your love for sparkle and shine come from?

CB: Every since I was a little girl, I would wear all my mother's jewelry. The more sparkles the better.

LG:  What products do you add sparkle too? Is there anything you won't bling?

CB: There is no accessory or item that I wont try to adorn with crystals or charms. I am always open for a challenge.

LG: Can you explain the quality of crystals/stones that you use? 

CB: custom designed pieces are created with only Swarovski Crystals as they have the most brilliance. What makes Swarovski Crystals so brilliant as they are considered "fully leaded" at 32% unlike Czech fired-glass and acrylic rhinestones. 

British Standard for crystal: 

Fine crystal - 6% to 10% lead oxide 

Lead crystal - 10% to 24% lead oxide 

Fully leaded crystal - 24% or more lead oxide 

Precision cut and polished, Swarovski crystals are faceted in the same way that diamonds are faceted or cut. The absolute best in man made glass-lead oxide crystals. 

LG: Do you take custom orders? who would a reader go about submitting one?

CB: Custom orders are the most exciting because, much like an architech designing a custom home, I take pride in working with the customer to create a piece of art made not only by me, but also by the customer. E-mail custom requests.

I'm Obsessed with my case!!

LG: Tell us about your process. What goes into making a "Pink Sugar Crystals" Item? What is your turn around time for orders?

CB: Trade secret of Pink Sugar Crystals and my own personal mantra: Lots of Love, Passion And Patience. Turn around time can vary depending on the type of item being customized. Cellular phone cases usually require, on average, 3 weeks or less to complete.

LG: Please share a DIY TIP For my readers.

CB: If your are working with hard surfaces, I would highly recommend E6000 as an industrial strength adhesive. 

I have to say I am personally OBSESSED with my custom case and suggest EVERYONE get their sparkle on!

A Fab phone case ranges from $75.00-$360.00 depending on the size/type of crystals and custom design.

CONNECT with Christina via

E-mail

ETSY

FACEBOOK

Fabulous! Shout out to my girl Jensine for the RAD manicure XXO

Courtney Bingham: Creatively Crafty

I am always on the hunt for tips and ideas to feed my naturally creative nature. I am totally enamored with women who juggle multiple creative ventures and business. I recently came across one budding business woman in Courtney Bingham! She is a creative DIYstress and designer in the swimwear industry. I know with my over crammed schedule I need to reach out for a fabulous one-stop-shop for creative tips and tricks and she is building her brand to help busy women like me. She also helps women take their beach look from the sand to the sidewalk with her line Cover-ups. They also do double-duty; you can cover or you can actually SWIM in them if you decided not to bare all on the beach.

Nikki Shoots Courtney's Fab Cover Up's

She is currently building her brand via her Website 

And a Video Series on her You Tube Channel

My FAV Video: How do create a chic bulletin board

I caught up with Courtney while she is travelling around the country with her rocker boyfriend, Bassist Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe (they are currently on TOUR with KISS)

LG: Where does your love for DIY come from? 

CB: Ever since I was a little girl I always loved doing arts and crafts. As I got older and moved out on my own and got my first apartment I didn't have a lot of furniture, curtains, pillows, etc. I couldn't afford to buy all of the things I wanted so I experimented and taught myself how to make things on my budget. Now when you go into my house everywhere you look you will see something I have made or covered in fabric from ottomans to lampshades. 

LG: What is your FAV DIY project(s) right now? 

CB: Experimenting with floral arrangements! Along my travels I love taking pictures of gorgeous over the top expensive flower arrangements, whether in hotels or restaurants. When I get home I try to recreate them for a fraction of the cost utilizing my local wholesale flower mart and then blog about them. I also love thinking up cool ways to make vases or boxes and pots to put the flowers in. 

LG: Are you starting a DIY Vlog (Video Blog)? or Video Series? How can my readers find all your amazing crafts & tips? 

CB: Right now I have just started posting how to tutorials on youtube, Courtney Bingham is the channel. I am trying to put up a new video once a week. I am currently in development for my own tv show, "The How 2 Girl" a 30 minute lesson on how to get the look you want for less.

LG: When and why did you start designing the cover up's? 

CB: I started making my own when I was 17. I brought a Brazilian bikini and I knew my mother wouldn't let me wear it so I sewed a cover-up out of swimwear material to try and hide it from her. I had to return the bikini to the store but I was left with a cute cover-up, I made more for myself but always knew I wanted to have my own line. I designed this new line in February 2012 and launched it online in July. 

LG: Who is the "Cover up's by Courtney" woman? 

CB: The Cover Up's by Courtney woman wants to feel comfortable and sexy at the same time. She loves going to the beach and the pool and is wants to feel confident. She is chic. She likes leaving things to the imagination. She buys staples for her wardrobe and is a trendsetter not a follower. She likes to stand out in a crowd. 

LG: If you had one piece of style advice as it pertains to beach gear (swimsuits & cover-ups) what would it be? 

CB: Accentuate what you've got. No one has "the perfect body" there is no such thing. Work with what you have, purchase a swimsuit that is the right cut and fit for your body type. For example, I love triangle bikini tops but they are not that flattering on me, so I always stick with bandeau tops. As for my bottoms, I am working on getting a fuller booty so I cheat and look for the cuts that accentuate it instead of making it look flat.

There is still time to ROCK a chic Cover Up by Courtney this summer, Use this EXCLUSIVE CODE: EV9002 and SAVE 15% through AUG 5th!

I don't know about you but I am excited to see what she will bring to the table AND to the beach next!

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