Keni's NDAD Creation

Keni's piece today rocks the use of some fabric dye, and we all know how much I adore some fabric dye!  Check out her transformation...I think you're gonna like!

I received this dress for free from my sister, who got it from who knows...ha! I loved the lace, but it was just very bland looking.  So, I decided to try out my skills and creativity!

I was going to a semi-formal event and thought that this dress had some serious potential for a roaring 20s look, however first I needed to dye it!

Ooh the dye time is right around the corner!

That cream color was not working for me, so I pulled out my polyester-safe black dye and got started.  After dyeing it using the stove-top method (best for polyester mixed fabrics) the dress shrunk a bit...

This was too short for me and the event I was planning on going to (excuse my dirty mirror!), so I went to the fabric store and got a few extras (fringe!) to make this work!

 I started by cutting the slip under the lace to a shorter length, about four inches shorter.  It was sewn together with the lace so I had to use my seam ripper to detach it.

I used a light pink/nude colored fabric I picked up to add to the bottom of the slip, and had it hang a few inches below the lace hem.  I sewed it all together and then added a fringe trim at the bottom of the lace. (Again, excuse the dirty mirror!)

It didn't quite look complete, so I added a small bead trim to the top of the fringe and then sewed all of the hems in place.

Post-sew, I had a brand new dress!!

I paired the dress with some cute nude and black heels, some string pearls, sported a low side-swept chignon, and I was ready for some martinis in a speakeasy!  I hope you like what I did, cuz I love the way it turned out!!

Thanks for all you do Marisa, and all the inspiration you share!

KENI!!!  I want to dress up in lace and fringe and go to the 30s party with you!  The dress turned out divine.  I loved that when you had a small road bump (the slight shrinkage) you overcame it with some thinking on the fly.  Such gorgeous trim gave the dress a little somethin' somethin'.  Looking forward to your next creation!

Carla's NDAD Creation

I'm loving this piece that Carla submitted!  See how she tweaks her garment that was just a smidge too tight in certain areas.  It's totally giving me ideas on what to do with a few things I've been holding onto...

I was browsing a thrift booth at my local weekend market (because the best clothes are always less than $2) when the saleslady approached me and handed me this dress, saying that it would look divine on me for work.  It was actually very pretty - the fabric was light, sheer, and very breezy, while the flower print was adorable.

Upon putting it on however, I realized that my two "bosom buddies" were slightly choking at the top that the outdated buttons couldn't hold them in.

Love your nickname for the girls, Carla!  Time to see what she did to this piece...

Sigh.  I loved the fabric of the dress but there was no way that I could wear as it was!  I decided to make it work and cut off the top, transforming it into a gorgeous floral maxi skirt!

Simple and elegant, and so easy to match with anything!

The gorgeous maxi skirt rules, Carla!!  Way to get make this dress work.  Just thinking outside the box a little can really transform anything.  Now your "bosom buddies" aren't confined to the top of the piece anymore!!  Looking forward to your next piece!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! This little pilgrim is wishing you a day full of friends, family, and togetherness!!  I've been told that I look sinister in this picture, like I've got some big scheme planned, and who knows...the four-year-old me could have definitely had some tricks up that thick-cuffed sleeve!

I'm spending the holidays in Costa Rica (woo for the first vacation, vacation I've had in years!) and I'll be updating Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter with trip pics, so check in during the holiday weekend!!  I've got lots of tropical remakes on the horizon...

We go around the table each year saying what we're thankful for and I'm thankful for the company I'm surrounded by - my friends, family, and all of you!  I'm one very lucky gal.  All my pumpkin pie love, Marisa