Home is where the DIY is

Im all moved into my new studio, I love my new hood and my place is so cute.  It's nice to live alone so far, I'm sure I will get lonely but for now I am enjoying it.  I finally figured out a place in my apartment where I get internet for free, wooo hoooo.  I just hope it lasts.   

I decided to turn a old belt into some boot straps earlier today, I'm so happy with the results.  It was a Zara belt that was super long so it looked like 2 belts.  It never really fit right, so I chopped it up, added the smaller studs that I already had and wallah..... it's perfect!   

The view from the entry way with a partial view of the kitchen.  You can see my vintage pink beauty chair. 

View from behind the bed, I love the 3 huge windows, it's so bright in here!

My bed, new bed set and side table from craigslist.  I think I might paint the bed frame white.  I like the tables the teal color though.  Vintage bedspread from my grammy!

Partial view of the bathroom.  the other view has my silver tray with vintage  silver mirror, brush and comb.

The boot straps!  

DIY tote

I found this amazing vintage fabric a few weeks ago at community thrift, one of my favorite thrift stores in San Francisco.  I was going to try to make a dress with it but then this design popped into my head a couple days ago.  I decided to execute it today and share it with you.  The holidays are approaching and  this is a great gift idea/project for those of us that are short on funds (isn't everyone these days) but have time and sewing skills.  I suggest using a strong cotton type fabric for this design.  You could use scraps and sew them together as well.  You can click on the photos for more detail.

Here is the design, I folded the fabric in half so the bottom did not need to be sewn.  The bow is a bit hard to see in this photo so see the details below.

The basic shape of the tote

The extra piece for the bow detail, make sure it is wider than the bag piece. Hem the sides of the bow piece.

To make the bow sew a small piece of the fabric together around the middle.  It can me movable but make sure it is tight enough to stay in place well.

Next, sew the bow to the front piece of the bag, then turn inside out and sew the sides together.  If you are confident you can just pin the bow to one side and sew it together all at once.

Sew part of the sides of the bow down (only to the pin shown) to the front of the bag so it doesn't sag.  And then the attach the straps.  The straps were made by using a piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and ironing both sides down and then folding it in half.  You can also see the tote I used as a guide in the back ground here.  Everyone has one so I would suggest using one that you like the size of and tracing it for the pattern.

Diy Fringe purse!!

I love to make purses, they are simple and you can wear them A LOT. This is actually my 3rd leather fringe purse, you can see the first one here. I have 2 black ones. Today as I was reorganizing all my craft bins I came across all my leather scraps. I decided right then and there it was time to make the brown one. I've been looking for a darker brown leather purse but have yet to find a good one. So, what's a gal to do but make her own. I started with a brown leather skirt that I had thrifted for a few months ago. Old leather skirts, pants and vests are great to reuse for leather projects. Then I decided the shape I wanted it to take. I like my purses really big so I made it as big as possible while maintaining a nice shape. I made some fringe and added it to one of the seams (inside). Next I added a zipper and then used the waistband of the skirt for the handle. Pretty simple design, all you need is some scraps, a leather needle for your machine and some creativity. I might add some gold circle studs like the other one but I couldn't decide where I wanted them so I will wait until that comes to me.

Gotta love Ebay, sort of

I just won this vintage doctor bag on Ebay.  A rep came into my salon the other day and had one, I wanted it because it was absolutely gorgeous. 

A few days later I was thinking about it and I decided to look on Ebay to see what was out there.  I bid on the one below then realized there was no picture of the handles.  I then sent the seller a Email and asked her how the handles were.  She responded in a really rude way, and told me to read the description.  Being that I had read it AND had already bid, I was a bit annoyed and made it known in my message back to her that, in fact I had read the description and it said it was in excellent condition and not much more.  So I then find out that the bag doesn't have any handles and it is not in excellent condition.  The lady had put the wrong description up and was then rude to me for pointing it out.  Long story short,  sorry,  I got the bag for 12$ total including shipping.  Great deal, luckily I have a bunch of black leather and can make my own handles.  The only part I'm upset about it that my money is going to the crazy, unorganized, bitchy lady. 

Dec 5th update.....

I received the bag and it is amazing, after some careful fixing up (sewing the bottom seam and reinforcing some other areas) it is ready for use.  And it did come with a handle.  I think the woman had too many listings and was overwhelmed. 

Halloween Costume

I completed most of my Halloween costume today.  The only thing I purchased was the skirt at goodwill for 7$, everything else I had in my stash, including the hat making supplies.  The skirt was a long vintage skirt that I sewed up to make it poofy.  The white shirt was a mens button up that I made into a off the shoulder top, I am going to tea dye it as well.  I am also wearing one of my Bustle Belts, which is my invention.  To watch a tutorial of how to make most of the things I am wearing see the previous post.  Don't forget you can click on the photos to see more details.  When I dress up on Halloween I will be wearing cool tights as well as make up, this is just a couple quick shots.  

Shirt-Diy from mens button up

Skirt-Diy from vintage long skirt

Vintage crinoline

Bustle belt-Pretty Pirate Designs (my design)

Vintage hand dyed by me green slip

Miss Mooz boots

Hat-Diy from scratch

New handmade hat

I started making my Halloween costume today.  I have been wanting a cool mini top hat/ fascinator for a long while, but not wanting to pay 100$ plus for a gorgeous topsy turvy one.  I found a really crappy cheap one at the costume store for 15$ but it was super cheesy and tacky.  So I took it upon my self to make one, I used things I already have in my craft stash and didn't purchase anything.  I started with cardboard (shoe box and a garment gift box) then used fabric ( a nice soft brocade), feathers (peacock), trim (black with sparkle thread in it), flowers (little blue ones) and some green vintage glass rhinestones.  I was inspired by a great steampunk tutorial on threadbanger and I used it for the base of the hat as well as the shirt and skirt in the next post.  Have I mentioned I love love love threadbanger.  

DIY studded boots

I got these boots a couple weeks ago for a great deal. I also picked up some studs from a online stud company.  The studs are so inexpensive from studs and spikes compared to the first set I bought at a local craft store.  After wearing the boots I decided they were just a tad boring and decided to merge my two new purchases together.  My inspiration was 1/2 louboutin and 1/2 Tripp. By the way the Tripp boots are on super sale now (click on the link above them to see).  I love the way mine turned out and I am now looking for other things to add studs to.  If you decide to stud up some boots, make sure you get the strong metal studs and use a fabric based pair of boots.  

Super sale tripp boots

Louboutin boots sold out

Here are my take 

Requested phots up of my handmade fringe purse

I got a request from the freelancer's fashion blog to see a close up of my purse.  I made this purse a while ago out of salvaged leather pieces I found at a charity shop.  I added the studs, grommets and hand cut the fringe.  The purse is made out of 6 scraps of fairly thick leather. 

My jewelry, favorite things

I got a chance today to take some shots of my jewelry.  These are some of my favorite things. Like I have mentioned before I was starting from the top (of my body)so I already did hats and now the jewelry.  I hope you enjoy looking at pic's of some pretty things.

On the left, my granny's old glasses and the right from F21.
A large mess of necklaces
Assorted earrings 
And my gorgeous new jewelry box that my sweet boyfriend got for me on my 30th birthday.