DIY : Recycled Floral Crochet Flats

I love the richness that lace and crochet can bring to a wardrobe. While crochet flats have been on my list for as long time, finding ones that I loved and that fit into my itsy bitsy budget was quite another story! I stumbled upon these ones from Accessorize a while ago, but while I was doing the basket dance with them, they went out of stock and alas, I was without my beloved flats again!

Is it me or can DIY go a long way into my wish list? (Maybe I need a new wish list). Check out the transformation of these simple black flats into cool (goth-y?) crochet flats. Not to mention the tank top I never wore.

Here's what you'll need:

• A pair of plain flats
• Crochet fabric or an unloved item of clothing
• Fabric Mod Podge or fabric glue (here)
• Instant super glue (or E6000 if you have access to it)

Step 1: Cut the fabric off the tank

Step 2: Fabrc sleeves seemed to fit quite well over the top of the flats, so cut those off separately.

Step 3: Apply a layer of fabric glue on the top portion of the flats and glue the sleeve pieces flat onto them. Don't worry about a perfect fit at this point of time. 

Step 4: Try out different portions of the fabric to see what fit best on the sides of the shoes and glue them on accordingly. Finish up the back of the shoes

Step 5: Glue on any stray pieces onto gaps left on the shoes. Leave to dry for a few hours.

Step 6: With small scissors, trim off any excess fabric and protruding threads. Apply a line of instant glue to the fabric edges.

And there you have your pretty crochet flats - so versatile! 

A Blast From the Past

I landed in Hyderabad, India a couple of days ago and found myself absolutely free (how deliciously joyful that feeling is!) for a few hours. Hyderabad is a city that is very close to my heart for a number of reasons. I decided to make good use of the time and went about doing some exploration by myself...

Reacquainting myself after years, I found myself at Shilparamam, a beautiful flea market/Indian artisans' showcase near Madhapur area. I had forgotten how beautiful local artists creations can be and why I hadn't been there sooner!! (Mental note: pinch self) I was mesmerized for hours strolling through the lanes of stalls filled with pretty things - I could set up camp here! 

Check out the things that had me going ga-ga!

Night Bazaar showcasing everything ethnic, vintage and breathtaking! (You know I'm afflicted with Color Frenzy!)

Lovely summer scarves:

B-e-a-utiful embellished vintage bags!!

 Handmade ethnic ones - so perfect for summer!!

                            

                           

These gorgeous Gujarati work wall hangings and table runners!

Handmade carved wooden boxes that had me wanting to replace every box in my home

Dizzying array of colorful jewelry that begged for a indulgence (I gave in - keep calm and sparkle)

I would call it as good a day as any!

- Cheers!

DIY : Aztec Pom Pom Shorts

I'm suffering from a serious case of Color Frenzy. I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about - you wake up one fine morning and suddenly fall in love with a color and want everything, everything, you own to be in THAT color. When I'm not afflicted with Color Frenzy, if someone makes the mistake of asking what my favorite color is, I just "hang" - until I hear at least one "Don't Bother" - whew!

I've literally thought of printing everything I own with Aztec - until the day came when I saw tattooed fish (yes, tattooed fish! A story for another day) at the pet shop and pictured my goldfishes with Aztec over them - A teeny bit too much - and I had to pick something and go nuts all over it! Not that we need an excuse to wear a plethora of colors all at one - but Summer's here! I'm still not over the Aztec and pom-pom fever we all had last time. 

To get to the point, here are some Aztec pom pom shorts (hurrah!)

Here's what you'll need:

• A pair of plain shorts 
• Fabric glue
• Pom pom (and other optional) trim
• Fabric paint (I used fabric paint pens)
• Cardboard cut out to width of the shorts' leg x 2
• A pen
• A needle

Step 1: On a piece of paper, decide on the pattern you want. Place the cardboard piece inside the shorts leg and draw the pattern on the shorts.

Step 2: Start outlining and filling in the pattern with fabric paint. Wait till the paint is completely dry before starting on the next leg or side - the one I used took about an hour to dry fully. On very small shapes, you can put a drop of paint and spread with a needle for more accuracy.

Step 3: Paint on all four sides (both legs front and back) of the shorts and leave overnight to hang and dry.

Step 4: Take the trim you chose and cut to leg size. Place around the shorts as shown. 

Step 5: Glue the trim to the shorts a side at a time with fabric glue. Wait to dry completely.

Step 6: Do the same with the pom pom trim and there you have it!

Nothing like flashing a bit of summer color around ;)

DIY : Colorblocked Earphones

It has been a while since color blocking stuff started trending. There's nothing that's not to love about it ! Add into that the cool-ness of colored headphones (check out some here) and the messy-ness of wires and cords in my travel bags and you get an opportunity to DIY!

Here's what you'll need to do it:

• A pair of earphones
• Embroidery thread of different colors
• Instant drying glue

Step 1: Start by wrapping the cord near the plug-in beginning with a drop of glue.

Step 2: After a few wraps start wrapping the cord with differently-colored embroidery threads with an occasional drop of glue.

Step 3: Wrap up till the "y-junction" of wires. For this part, you'll need to do the 8-Wrap, that is wrap around the cords as if you are tracing the "8" shape a couple of times.

Step 4: Continue along the individual cords until you reach the ear plug. 

Step 5: Embellish, if you prefer!

Here you have it

This was so fun to make- I'm thinking of coloring up the other cords too! :)

-Cheers

DIY: The Great Gatsby Inspired Pearly Heels

My close ones love to point out the much evident fact that I have a serious love for The Shiny and The Unique (Hmmm.. all that glitter is gold?). I just respond that it is one of the good things about being Indian - we are a very bling-friendly community. One can rock some serious flash at the slightest chance without too many raised eyebrows. There are just so many occasions to bring out your sparkle love - own wedding, close family weddings, distant family weddings, related family weddings, gazillion festivals, get-togethers, the list is just too long!

As you know, I've been going bonkers over pearls (among-st other things) lately - pretty much pearl-encrusted anything. So when I saw a pair of heels that I hadn't used for so long probably on their way to donation or disposal, it was a match made in heaven. The end result - cool pearl-dipped shoes (all my favorite words) with a vintage Gatsby feel to them.

Here's what you'll need:

• A pair of shoes
• Self-adhesive scrap-booking pearl sticker rows of various sizes. (Used here- 6mm, 4 mm, 3mm, 2mm)
• Instant drying super glue
• Gold spray paint

Step 1: Spray paint the shoes antique gold to get the vintage look. I painted the soles as well, for consistency.

Step 2: Start by attaching the adhesive strips from the bottom-sides of the shoe, adding a drop of super-glue intermittently to ensure a longer life. I also added in the rhinestone stickers from time-to-time for a teeny bit of shine.

Step 3: Continue adding rows of random-sized stickers until about half the sides are done.

Step 4: Add in pearls to the front of the shoe, following its shape.

Step 5: Cover up the remaining area as much as possible, ending at the back of the shoe and the heel. I've adding a dripping-pearl effect at the heel (Nope, no such thing as too much pearl)

Step 6: And they're done! You can walk the extra mile and do a pearly clutch too (seen in background). 

-Cheers!