Starbucks Cup Costume

It was Halloween, 2015. A small house party was happening at our home. We invited our tight-knit group of friends. Many costumes were picked up from a Halloween shop, others seemed thrown together just that evening. My then fiance (now husband) grouped with a couple of his buddies to be an eighties rock band, a couple friend of ours was Lucy/Ricky from I Love Lucy, and even a homemade angel costume. I was a Starbucks Coffee cup.

Let's take a step back to July 2015. I always start early when it comes to planning for Halloween. I was sipping on a venti white chocolate mocha while searching for DIY costumes on Pinterest. Let me tell you a story: I worked at a Halloween shop while I was a teenager. It was definitely fun to see all the costumes and the craze that comes with finding the perfect costume. But there was a dark side to seeing those costumes: They literally all were made of the cheapest material I've ever seen; plus they averaged at about $60 per costume. It left no appeal to buying costumes from a store. I still cringe thinking about the frayed edges.

Now, I always try to make my own costume with quality materials that are comfortable.

I had scrolled through (probably) hundreds of costumes when I stumbled upon a group of girls posed together wearing Starbucks logos on the front of their white dresses. I became obsessed with the idea of being a Starbucks cup for Halloween. 

Materials:

• White dress or tank top. I found mine at Forever 21 for about $10
• Printable Iron-on papers. Hobby Lobby but I don't remember how much
• Fabric paint in green and black
• Brown scarf for cup sleeve. $10.
• White ribbon to wear as lid. Probably only costs about $5 even if you get a whole roll.

I found a Starbucks logo on google, which I blew up to be as big as would fit on the paper. I followed the instructions on the iron on paper.

After the logo was ironed on and cooled, I used fabric paint to fill out the back of the costume to fit my favorite drink. I also wrote a cute "Caution: Extremely hot" on the bottom of the dress, because Why not?

I tied the scarf around my waist and tucked in the ends.

Finally, I tied the white ribbon around my head (but under my hair, because I liked the way it looked better.)

I got tons of compliments on my costume! I was comfortable in it and have been able to use the scarf again. 

Here's a few more photos from that day :)

Happy July!

As you may or may not know, I love making my own clothes. I find it very rewarding, last night I made this just in time for the 4th of July. This is a pretty easy diy project, my biggest problem is finding a place to spray the shirts. Luckily I have a small outside patio with some secondhand furniture I don't mind dying :)

This was a relatively inexpensive craft since I already had most of the necessary things.

This is the same process that I've used before, put I'll put up the instructions just in case :)

You'll need:

• White shirt, washed and dried, 1 size too big, will shrink.
• Spray dyes
• stickers, painters tape, etc. as a stencil to spray
• soda ash (optional, but will help the colors stay in the shirt!)

Prepare the soda ash as directed on the box, soak fabric as directed and allow to dry.

Apply stickers and painters tape as you desire on the shirt. Remember that what gets taped will be white. Tape both the front and back of the shirt.

In an appropriate area (as in, somewhere you may accidentally spray with dye), spray the shirts with the desired color. I used red on bottom and blue on top for mine :) 

Allow to dry, then flip over and spray the opposite side.

Once shirt has dried, heat set in the dryer on high setting for 20 minutes or iron.

:) Happy Independence Day America

DIY Upcycled Can Key Chains

DIY Upcycled Can Key Chains 

You'll Need:

• Clean, empty soda cans
• Manual Can Opener
• Tin Snips
• Needlenose pliers
• Hole Punch
• Mod Podge Dimensional magic
• Chain Links & key ring

Start by cutting up your can. I used a can opener on the top to get that off first. Be really careful because the metal is super sharp. The can opener leaves the metal jagged so be sure to wear safety gloves.

Take off the top half inch of the can with the tin snips.

Cut down along the side of the can with the nutrition facts, then cut the entire bottom off. You'll be left with a flat (kind of) rectangular piece of tin.

Trace the shapes you would like to cut out with a sharpie. You can draw them on the inside or the outside of the can, whatever you find easier to work with. I also recommend using shapes that do not have sharp edges. The sharp edges can pull at clothes and fabric.

Cut holes in each near the edge with a hole punch. If you are planning on gluing them together, make sure the holes are each on the proper side.

You can leave the pieces to be one sided and the other side will just be silver. I chose to glue two pieces together, which proved to be a bit tricky.
I used tacky glue, but in retrospect I should have used E4000.

Etch the silver sides of two identical pieces with a file, apply glue. Press and hold together 30 seconds, then secure with a  clip. Leave to dry for at least 48 hours.

You can also cut out longer strips of tin and fold it in half. Still glue and clamp for 48 hours.

Once glue is dry, apply the dimensional magic mod podge. It has a small applicator tip that you can squeeze the mod podge out and apply it as necessary with. Use 2-3 coats per side, allowing to dry completely between each.

One other technique you can do is cut longer strips of tin and twist for a spiral look.

Bend the chain links open with a pair of needlenose pliers and hook them as necessary. Hook them together or onto an old keychain.

You can also hook the soda can tab onto it as well for an extra little addition.

I really love the result of these and especially how cheap and thrifty they are. I bet you will love them too.

**Update: I've made a few more of these with stronger chain links! Look at how cute

I would love to see your versions of these cute key chains! Or what other creative ideas other people have. Don't forget to pin me

DIY Magnet Board

I noticed my makeup drawer getting a little cluttered the other day. I already have it organized into a makeup box, but I thought it was about time I got some of the eyeshadow singles out of the drawer and up onto the wall. 

I've seen posts for the magnetic makeup board for a long time now. I like the fact that it doesn't only have to be used for makeup, but can be used as a magnet board in an office or bedroom. Hubby likes that it feels less cluttered on the bathroom counter. It's practical for me and him.

For the board

You will need:
A flat metal sheet with dull corners and edges - don't cut yourself or the fabric.

Enough fabric to cover the baking sheet entirely, ~1/2 yard - 1 yard depending on the metal you use. The fabric must be durable enough to be glued.

Glue. I used hot glue. Make sure the glue you use is safe for the fabric you choose. 

Optional: Frame to fit metal, acrylic paint, brushes

Start by lining the metal with fabric. Lay the metal down flat on the face down fabric. Fold and glue the fabric around the back of the frame and make sure to pull fabric taut. Set aside to dry.


For the magnets

You will need:
Tacky Glue
Box of magnets, found in craft stores and craft aisles.

Use the tacky glue as directed on whatever you want to make into a magnet.

DIY engagement ring holders

I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and their frames were on sale, I went looking through the regular picture frame area and found these adorable little frames - about 3" x 3". I couldn't help myself but to buy a couple. I saw no use in putting itty bitty pictures in them but I figured I could do something with them.

Materials

• Small frames
• Nail
• Pliers & needlenose pliers 
• Super glue, or E4000
• Glue gun/glue sticks

Optional: ribbon

Get your nail and hold half of it with the pliers, grab the other side with the needle nose pliers and bend it so it has a curve.

Disassemble the frames. Remove the glass and throw away.

Glue four big dots on the backing of the picture frame (the dots will go on the front). This is because without the glass the backing will be loose, and putting the glue dots helps it stay in place. Once the four dots are in place, make a glue dot in the center or upper center of the picture frame. Attach the nail by the head. here and add additional hot glue if needed.

Reassemble frame.

Attach a ribbon bow with hot glue or leave it plain. These are perfect for the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. You will love it.  This also makes for the perfect engagement gift! 

Lace Spray Paint Shirts

Materials

-Clothing to dye (light colors will work best, white, yellow, light pink.. etc) - clothes may shrink, buy big!
-Spray dye - I found them at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 per color
-Lace or doilies
-Soda Ash... also found at Hobby Lobby in the fabric dye aisle. $5.99 for  two 1 gal batches.
->1gal bucket with lid.
-Clothes pins

• Prepare your fabric first! Wash your clothes normally. 
• Wearing gloves, mix soda ash with water in the bucket. The soda ash usually has directions, but the measurements should be  1/2 cup soda ash : 1 gallon of water. 
• Soak fabric in soda ash for 20 minutes. 
• Allow the fabric to dry on a flat surface before spray dyeing.
• After the shirt has dried, or almost dried, lay lace or doily on clothes. Secure with clothes pin
• Spray the shirt with the dye per directions on the dye.
• Once the shirt is colored to your liking, dry flat.
• When dry, heat set in the dryer on high setting for at least 20 minutes

This has definitely been one of my favorite projects. The many different ways to customize these are perfect. You can easily cut out words or other pictures even to spray around and create so many shirts! What's better than custom shirts?

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