156 Days to Go: Wednesday Giveaway!

May 17, 2012 | No Comments

I’ve been home working like a busy bee with book edits but took a quick jaunt to downtown LA to pick up a few supplies…there are some fun projects on the horizon and I was missing a few key ingredients!  I parked on one of those rooftop structures and made my way to the elevator.  This is what I saw when it opened.

New Dress A Day - Sketchy Elevator

Hi sketchy elevator!

I did a double take and questioned getting on it because I thought it was going to kidnap me, but then a mother and daughter got on too.  I figured if the elevator kidnaps me, it’ll kidnap all of us.  We luckily survived the one story ride.  And stairs…nowhere to be found.

I was in bead, bauble, and button heaven!!

New Dress A Day - Racks of buttons!

Whole lotta buttons going on!

I grabbed some thread (colors I had run out of and needed), replacement zippers, elastic, and fabric!

Garment District!

Garment District!

I needed to grab more fabric for curtains (I’m finally curtain-ing my apartment!!) and totally scored at Michael Levine.  (I went to their pay-by-the-pound area as well and found a few keepers!)

New Dress A Day - Fabric - Michael Levine

My fabric stash!

A quick and successful trip was had before it was back to the books…literally.

I bought some of those buttons above as well as fun floral stud earrings and a sewing kit to give away today.

New Dress A Day - Button Giveaway

Goodies!

Because there were so many fun earring colors, I just couldn’t go with that gold pair alone.  I snagged a few more summery options as well to make this a goodie day where eight people will win (1 earring/button/kit winner, 7 stud winners).  I’m a sucker for stud earrings and couldn’t resist.  My green tomato pin cushion made the perfect grassy looking display!

New Dress A Day - Floral Earrings

An earring garden!

To win, leave a comment below of your #1 & #2 fave summery color options – magenta, mauve, gold, copper, turquoise, and mint are what you’ve got!  I want you to hopefully get your choice if you end up one of the multiple, random, lucky winners!  Winners will be chosen on Monday, 5/21!

157 Days to Go: Copycat – Gryphon

May 16, 2012 | 27 Comments

I saw this piece about a year ago and it always stuck with me.  Maybe it was how it looked so comfortable, or how the price tag was $400?  I had an insta-DIY moment where I knew right away I was going to make one of these.  Just like it and WAY cheaper.

New Dress A Day - gryphon copycat

Gryphon Copycat

So, I finally found a hoodie with a color that looked super close to the Gryphon one!  Guess how much this one was?  $1.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Before Shot - Baja Hoodie - 157

Day 157 - Before

If their baja hoodie was weaved of cashmere, then $400 makes sense, but for a piece you can literally get on the Venice Beach boardwalk, in Mexico, or at a garage sale, this was a no-brainer.  Sidenote – the materials (thread/embroidery floss/yarn) might even be in your craft stash already, making this project cost whatever you snag the hoodie for.

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158 Days to Go: $1 Remake

May 15, 2012 | 27 Comments

Today’s dress was a total winner!!  I mean metallic silver with glued on glitter?!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Before Shot 2 - 158

Day 158 - Before

Here’s the close up of that glitter…

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Fabric ECU - 158

Glued glitter directly onto the fabric

Let’s just say that it wasn’t the most comfortable garment to try on, but it was a dollar and it had a whole lot of potential.  Where are those jazz hands?!

Continue reading…

159 Days to Go: $1 Remake

May 13, 2012 | 19 Comments

I was totally attracted to this piece because of the fabric – it was as if this skirt was made with leftover upholstery fabric someone used for their couch!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Too Big Before Shot - 159

Day 159 - Before

The colors/texture/thickness/patterns were amazing, however there were a few pretty big issues.  Lots of stragglers…

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Skirt - Raw Edged Skirt - 159

Stringy Edges!

…and a few big holes.  Holes right at the waist!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Skirt - Holes in Skirt - 159

Gaping holes at the waist!

These are all totally fixable and a brand new skirt will be ready to wear in no time!

Continue reading…

160 Days to Go: Happy Mother’s Day!

May 13, 2012 | 11 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmoms, godmoms, soon-to-be-moms, dance moms, and the friends/family/teacher-like moms out there.

I got to enjoy sending some snail mail to my own mother this year since she’s now out of state…cross stitch Mother’s Day card, check!!

New Dress A Day - Mothers Day Card - 1678fc

My mom's card!

I’m going to have her take a pic with her card and post it later (hear that mom?!) UPDATE: Here’s the pic!

New Dress A Day - Cross Stitch Mother's Day Card - DIY - Vintage Dress

Hi Cute!

I just couldn’t resist this crafty little card with just a hint of street cred.

Another post coming later today :)