My Creative Blog [Search results for fashion] 

It's here! B2S Week (Back to School) here on the Real Houseviwes blog… We've got some pretty fabulous stuff planned and today we're talking about back to school fashion. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of the post because there's some crazy, exciting news we can't wait to share!
B2S Fashion 2011 I must admit, I sorta dreaded back to school shopping this year. I have four kids and three of them are in school, so I had some serious shopping to do. My oldest is the only one that is a challenge. She's just developing her style and it's NOTHING frilly, NOTHING sparkly, NOTHING little kid, NOTHING that mom picks out- LOL. I think maybe I'll share this post with her.
First off, here are the hot trends you should know about:
Hot colors — jade, teal, bamboo, coffee, & orchid
Nail polish colors — graphite, péridot and quartz
Crackle nail polish
Chunky funky bracelets — MeBands are cool & collectible
Cool high tops, bold and bedazzled (Converse has an affordable line at Target)
Funky jewelry — plastic bracelets
Chunky rings
Backpacks, multi-style and color
Large watches
Toms shoes — shoes that give back
Retro sunglasses
Trendy scarves (yes they are still in, and make great belts too.)
Ballet flats
Funky lunch bags — very eco-friendly. Think Green
Feather earrings and hair accessories
Crochet detailing
Blazers Now, you might be thinking… hmm, I need this list, not my kids, but it can be for moms and their kiddos! (Oh, and just in case you don't know about hair feathers, you should… the trend moved from magazines, to Hollywood, to edgy women, and now to our kids!)

Source: noellesalon.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
Now, let's get into some outfits. Here's the deal on where to shop… In case you missed the memo, department stores are back! I've read that, but I had to see it firsthand! JCPenney totally shocked me… My 9 year old LOVED the clothes and we did about 75% of our shopping there.

Source: jcpenney.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
Macy's has some super preppy styles, but also plenty of retro looks as well. How happy do these catalog kids look? (hehe)

Source: macys.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
I'm a layers junkie and this year all the stores are not letting me down. Now everyone knows that Gymboree is the king of too matchy matchy for me accessorized outfits, but did you know that their sister store Crazy 8 has some pretty cool fall looks? I love this outfit for my son Kade. Plaid shirt, cool graphic tee, and a puffy vest. I <3 vests!

Source: crazy8.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest

How do you feel about the return of Converse? Ok, I'll be honest… I'm a big fan of a solid color Chuck Taylor with a pair of jeans. Last year Kenz was rockin' out a black pair, but we might go a little crazier this year. Not quite this crazy. I'm not a bedazzled kind of gal, but if your kiddos are, Converse has some amazing ones!

Source: seventeen.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest

Now, what about if your kiddo has to wear a uniform?? I think they look adorable, but I know that kids still like to have some style of their own. The key to uniforms is accessories. Think belts, socks, hair bows, ties, and jewelry.

Source: gap.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
Even though my preschooler doesn't wear a uniform, I plan to order her some adorable hair accessories from Blossom Bands! Remember Bethany from her guest post? Well, click on her button on the sidebar to check out the adorableness that I'll be choosing from.

Source: littlelovely.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest
Let's talk about socks for the little ladies. Little MisMatched has awesome socks! There was even a pair with sykscrapers on them!

Source: littlemissmatched.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
I also found a fabulous tutorial to make some adorable embellished knee socks. Check these beauties out…

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
There are about a million other cute trends, but I'm hoping you get the idea. Now, one last fashion tip… Don't let yourself be frumpy mom! This is the pot calling the kettle black, but it's something I at least try to work at. I work from home and have four kids. If that isn't a recipe for FRUMP, then I don't know what is. However, the days that I actually put an outfit on I feel so much better! I don't even mean fancy, I'm talking jeans and a tee if that's how you roll, but I'm convinced that I'm a better mom and wife when I'm not in my sweats all day. This outfit is simple and cute and I think the preschool moms would appreciate me showing up in this and not my sweats and the hub's old teeshirt.

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
So, go throw on a fun mom outfit and do some B2S shopping! Let us know what you find and where you shop!

And now for the EXCITING NEWS… We were told this weekend that we were nominated as finalists for CBS News' Best Blog of the Year for Philadelphia! Insane right? To win the final honor of MVB, we need you to vote for us! You can vote once a day now through September 9th, so please vote and tell your friends and family to do the same!

So, this post was never intended to be a post… really, I only have pictures because I was texting them to Jess at the time. Here's a little back story… I'm not all that into fashion. I mean I don't dress like a dork, but I'm not super trendy or anything. Jess is great with fashion and has strong style sense. Before the Nate Show taping we tried on a bunch of outfits and she kept trying to get me to add cute belts. I just wasn't feelin' it. It looks cute on girls like this, but something about my hips after four kids, just kind of makes it less cute on me. Katie Holmes can rock the belt for sure!

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Tiffany on Pinterest
BUT… this morning I was getting ready for church and I'm usually a jeans and tee shirt girl at church, but today, went for the dress. I like this dress, but it was feeling a little blah… it needed a belt {gasp!} Ok, now get ready for some poor quality Blackberry pics… See, the dress was fine, but nothing special… missing something…

I think I must have been craft deprived lately, because I felt like I just had to make something… I saw this leftover fabric from the kids' playroom curtains and thought,"What the heck, let's give it a try…"

Two minutes later, I had kid scissors (I can't find my good ones) and Zots (remember them from a Fab Find Friday?) This probably isn't the normal bathroom vanity scene is it?

So the first idea was a chunky style belt, but it basically looked like I had fabric wrapped around my waist… FAIL!

I was about to give up when I gave it one last shot… I just twisted the fabric into a rope and tied a knot. Hmm, this might actually work… I believe my exact text to Jess read,"I must have woke up drunk this morning because I might actually try and pull this off" (and no, I don't really drink much and don't wake up drunk!) I liked the pop of color and thought this sorta worked.

I just tied the knot and then cut the ends into four pieces to look more like a flowery-thing.

Here's the final product taken with a real camera… (My husband thinks I'm SO weird) I love how it worked with my new yellow watch… seeing a color pattern trend??

Overall, I think my little adventure in the fashion world worked out alright. My 9 yr old was mortified by me the entire time we were out, but that's alright. Moms are supposed to be embarrassing right? I did a little looking online and found this one other idea for scrap fabric that I love so much! Fabric Necklace from My Cakies

I simply adore this and she gives great directions on her blog. I will definitely be trying this soon and sportin' a cool, new necklace!

It's pretty amazing what you can do with a just a little scrap… What are you going to create with yours??

P.S. Congratulations to Janet, the winner of the Starbucks giveaway! Thanks to EVERYONE that helped us out and took our little survey. Janet, just shoot us an email with your information and we'll pop it in the mail. (therealhousewivesofbc@gmail.com)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Oh baby, do we ever have a great giveaway for you today! We've had a crush on Shabby Apple since we first heard about them on Beth's blog. I can assure you that you will too, after you take a look at all they have to offer. From dresses to skirts to bathing suits to jewelry to home decor- they have some amazing stuff! And we're so excited to pass on the Shabby Apple love to you in the form of a $50 gift card! Yay!: )
I love what Shabby Apple has to say about their company: We started Shabby Apple because we saw a need in women’s fashion that was not being met. A need to make women feel feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare. We offer flirty, stylish dresses a woman can wear just as comfortably in the office, at a family dinner, or on a date. Shabby Apple is a fashion company for women, by women, and of women

. Just take a peek at some of their awesomeness:

Costa Bathing Suit

Crush On You Swim Cover-up Skirt

The Headliner Dress

Puca Pucara Dress

Walk the Plank Dress

 Dagny Necklace
Here's how to Enter: 1."Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave us a comment letting us know you did. 2. For an extra entry: Go to Shabby Apple, pick your favorite and then leave us comment 3. For an extra entry:"Like" East Coast Creative on FB and let us know you did!
And, don't worry, if you don't happen to win, we've got you covered! Just enter EASTCOAST10OFF at checkout for 10% off! Now, don't waste another minute: head over to Shabby Appleto pick your fav!

I'll be quite honest, unless it's something I can wear on my finger or as a dress, I'm not all that into things that glitter. However, Tulip sent us some products from their Tulip Shimmer line to try out. I DO love all sorts of metallics at Christmas, so I knew that I could come up with something and maybe fall in love with glitter in the process. Well, mission accomplished!

Luckily for me, I scored two white placemats at the thrift store for a dollar a piece. Woohoo! That makes me excited. You can probably find something similar at Target or Walmart for a few bucks, as well. So with my two placemats, plus a box full of Tulip Shimmer products, I was ready to get going!

I love getting packages like these in the mail! For this project, I decided to use the Fashion Glitter, Fashion Glitter bond, and a few cling stencils. (Haha, all that glitter it makes laugh)

Here's how to make your own: 1. Decide on your design. For the first placemat, I used the sewn blue border as a guide, and then placed stencils that said"merry" and"bright" near the bottom.

For the second placemat, I placed painters tape at random increments to create a few irregular stripes (a la Williams-Sonoma). Be sure to press the edges of the tape down so that the glitter doesn't bleed underneath.

2. Brush the bonding glue on with a small paint brush where you're planning on placing the glitter. The glue is permanent and washable, which makes it perfect for any project that includes fabric.

3. Sprinkle the glitter liberally on the glue and let it dry for 2 hours. At this point, I was really thinking this was going to turn out horribly. I mean, just look at it!

4. Remove the stencils and tape. There's nothing more satisfying- and frightening!- than peeling back painters tape or stencils. I dare you to disagree.

5. Shake the glitter off of the placemats and breathe a deep sigh of relief that your placemats are so chic!

Please excuse me now while I hit you with a whole bunch of"after" shots of these beauties.

Don't you think a set of these would make a great Christmas gift? 

I was super happy with how crisp the lines came out!

Don't worry, we'll share those cute wooden tag ornaments with you next week. You can see loads of other project ideas and helpful tips when you follow Tulip here: Web: http://www.ilovetocreate.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovetocreate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilovetocreate
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ilovetocreate/
I'm officially a glitter-loving fool! What about you?!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Also, don't forget that our sponsors are running a whole bunch of awesome sales today through this weekend! Happy shopping!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linking up to: Tutorials & Tips

Are you looking for the link party for your Creating with the Stars submission? Yay! We're thrilled to have you! Click here or use the button below to link up. Submissions are now open until February 21st. If you want to read more about the contest and all that it entails, click here.

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We've had some just for adults Valentine's Day ideas on the blog (here and here), but today we're keeping it PG! (I always give Jess a heart attack when I venture into PG-13 land! lol) With 4 kids this year I had 79 valentines to prepare. Thanks to Pinterest, I spent some 1:1 time with each kiddo, browsing for ideas, and then making each of their cards. I gave them each the option to buy, but they were feeling crafty I guess.
Kira went with Arrows and Pencils with kind of a Brave theme. We got the free printables here.

Callen wanted Superheros…and again we found a Free Printable! (noticing a trend here?!?)

Little Bit Funky blog has an awesome tutorial using felt with these printables.
Did you notice that I didn't perfectly coordinate paper or add extra fancy ribbon? I've made it a goal that kid projects (even if being blogged) don't get bogged down by mommy details. It's all about the fun and that boy sure looks like he's having fun! hahah! He actually said,"Mom, look how happy I am… {INSERT CHEESY SMILE}. See, that happy!" My kids kill me.

Kaden is 8 and it's one of those ages where you have to decide if Valentines are cool or lame. Thanks to Minecraft, he decided they were cool!

We just made them together using Google Images and two Minecraft Fonts (find them here and here). Sweet"Cool", Simple, & fun for me and my guy to make together!

Last, but not least was Kenzie… at almost 11, valentines are almost a thing of the past, but since school still does them, they had to be Epic (at least in her mind). Eric and I don't let the kids have Facebook accounts or anything, but we did let Kenz get an Instagram account (set to private). You might see her commenting on my pictures 24-7: ) Anyhow, Instagram is very cool in her class this year, so we made Instagram Valentine's… but wait, there's more… we also added a scratch off element! Booyah! (Haha, sorry, I got a tad excited)

I'll warn you… all these pics were taken with my phone, that's another part of kid crafting,"No annoying Mom pictures"…
Here's how we made them… We started off with a picture Kenzie took on Instagram (Fried Egg A-la-Kenzie). Using my I phone, I took a screen shot.

We saved the picture and pulled it into Picmonkey where we covered the eggs with a little Valentine's note. We put a few different comments in the area below the picture…

We printed our design out on plain computer paper. Kenz liked the scratch off idea we saw on Pinterest, so… we added that too! First, take a clear (or white if you don't have clear- we didn't) crayon and color over the area to scratch off.

Then we mixed together silver paint and dish washing soap. We used about 2 parts paint to one part soap. Then you just paint it over the colored area. (Let it dry a full 24 hours before moving them around. They need to really cure, so they don't wipe off too easily)

Blogger mommy might have suggested we make the scratch off area in a fun shape or something, but plain old mommy bit her tongue: )
We attached the Instagram print onto cardstock- and of course, we did it in happy face fashion…

And then it occurred to me that most 5th graders don't carry coins, so we used a little washi to attach a penny on the back of each card. Kenz and I both liked this little touch!

It took us about an hour to make all 27 pretty awesome Instagram-Scratch-Off Valentines. It might be the last year we get to make them together (who knows what middle school will bring), so it was an hour very well spent!

So, 79 Valentines later, I had one really fun afternoon of crafting with my kids and 4 sets of pretty cool Valentines. What kind of cards are your kids giving this year?

There's nothing like a good, old-fashion upcycle, is there? Remember when my hubs and I recently renovated our kitchen and in the process took down some of our cabinets to make room for open shelving? I know I could have sold them, but I love the thrill of coming up with a new use for something rather than having it sit around waiting for a purpose. Planters are soo expensive, and so the thought occurred to me that I could use one cabinet to make a planter box! A virtually free project makes me one happy girl.

The cabinet was nothing special to begin with. Can you see why I wanted to get these things out of my kitchen?! First, I removed the door and all of the hardware;

and then lightly sanded down the entire cabinet. I just wanted to rought it up enough so that the spray paint would"stick" to it. If your cabinet is really glossy, make sure you give it a good sanding before painting. Next came the spray primer. I used this red one because it was all I had on hand.

I used my favorite shade of blue (Rustoleum Ultra Cover 2x in Satin Lagoon) and lightly sprayed the box with three coats.

I wanted to make sure it had good drainage, so I drilled several holes along the bottom of the box. The holes are small enough that dirt won't easily fall through, but large enough for the water to seep out. There is no perfect number of holes, so drill away until your satisfied!

I also added castors to the bottom because this thing was bound to be really heavy once I added potting soil and plants and I wanted to be able to move it around whenever inspiration struck (which happens really often at my house!)

Polyurethane is your best friend when it comes to protecting any surface from water damage. I applied several coats, letting each coat dry in between. My poly is well-loved, can you tell?I've had this planter sitting on my deck for about a month now. My cabinet is partially made of particle board and is beginning to show major signs of wear. Make sure your cabinet is solid wood OR coat both the outside AND inside with at least three coats of poly. Trust me- I know!

To protect the inside of my box from damage, I lined it with heavy plastic sheeting (found with the dropcloths in the paint section of Lowe's or Home Depot), and secured it with duct tape. Then I poked holes in the bottom of the plastic sheet, again, to aid with drainage.

Then came the fun part! Filling it up with potting soil and gorgeous flowers! I love how it came together and the way it adds a pop of fun color to my deck.

For less than $15, I had a brand new planter box! Even better, I repurposed something I already had and gave it new life.

I love it even more now that the flowers have grown in. So pretty! What would YOU do with an old cabinet?

Have you seen the french braid trend that all of the celebrities are sporting lately? I love this look! The braid is such a cute, girly style, but the way these women are wearing it is totally updated and sophisticated.

(My personal fav of the three is Drew Barrymore's version: messy and up off her face. Adorable.)
Anyway, I was a complete tomboy growing up. I loved sports, sports and more sports. I look back at my youth and remember it fondly, but I was soooo not into fashion or style of any kind. I never really cared to learn how to do hair or make it look nice. So, now, when it comes to styling my daughter's hair, I'm kind of at a loss. I end up doing a lot of pony tails and pig tails. Nothing too special. (Luckily I have a daughter who looks cute no matter her hairstyle). Well, here's where our good friend Jane B. comes in to save the day.

Jane never fails to look good. She's always put-together, accessorized, trendy and stylish. She is also awesome at doing hair. (You should see how great her hair looks EVERY TIME we see her). She let us snap a few pictures of her doing the side french braid so we could teach you how to do it! So here goes…
How to do a French Braid Hair Band

Step 1: Make a deep side part in the hair

Step 2: Divide the section of hair you want to braid from the rest of your hair. Tie remainder of hair back so it is out of the way.

Step 3: Gather three small sections from the center and start to do a normal braid.

Step 4: As you bring each piece over, grab another few strands of hair and add it to the existing section. Make sure to pull the hair tight as you braid.

Step 5: Continue grabbing pieces of hair to add to each section as far down the head as you'd like. If you want to leave the braid down along the face, continue braiding the entire length of hair. For adults, you'll want to braid just enough to pin back underneath the hair you tied back originally.

Step 6: If you have thick hair, use a hair tie to hold the braid, and then pin in place. If your hair is thin, just pin it directly. Then let the rest of your hair fall over the braid you pinned back.

Tada! This is the finished product and it looks awesome! Too bad we didn't have anywhere to go after doing this little photo shoot.: )
A big thanks to Jane B. who did a fabulous job, and to Monica, for lending that beautiful head of hair to us for these photos.
Don't forget that this style looks adorable on kiddos too! This is Monica's daughter (and Jane B's dog Bella.)

Give it a try, and if you do, send us a picture!

Do you know what Pantone is? No, it's not a well-known shampoo. Pantone is the a leading authority on color and inspires fashion, home design, make up and graphic art trends. But we all know that what all I really care about is how Pantone impacts home design. This year, Pantone chose Tangering Tango as the color of the year, and this is why: “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”
I'm really digging this color, as you may remember my recent admission of a design crush, and think it is a super fun way to brighten up your homes. Let's take a look, shall we?

Source: blog.hgtv.com via Jessica on Pinterest
I love that coral artwork, and look! It's paired with blue.: )

Source: hgtv.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Such a cute headboard!

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

How about a statement furniture piece?

Source: lonnymag.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: shelterness.com via Jessica on Pinterest I'm not a huge fan of this room, but I do like the pops of orange on the pillows and the chair. That chair has gorgeous lines. Just sayin'.

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Source: redoitdesign.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest There is so much to adore in this room, but did you notice the base of that lamp? Oh, it's just too much!

Source: mydreamtolife.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest Another fun idea is to use tangerine tango in your party decor. It would work so beautifully in Spring, Summer and Fall!

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest Using this fabric on pillows would be fabulous!

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest I can't get enough of this print, and might just have to incorporate somehow into my life. Not only is it cute, but isn't it so true??!
So, are you ready to Tango?

Yes, it's Thursday and yes, this is our Fab Find. We normally do Fab Finds on Friday, but we wanted to highlight a special event happening tomorrow. So here's a heads up!

To see the details, click here for large print.

Both Monica and I are alums of PCS and are happy to do anything we can to help support the school. I actually got to take a few eighth grade girls into the Macy's in Center City, Philadelphia to do a"professional pull" with another alum (who is studying Fashion Marketing) for all the clothes in the show. It was a really fun experience, and I can truly say that all the clothes in the show are fabulous! And I will certainly be heading back to Macy's for a dress for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary party in September- they had some awesome stuff!

So, if you're looking for something to do tomorrow night, and want to support a GREAT cause, go for the show and be inspired!

all Italian, 16th century, silk velvets image is my own
I've been doing some research on some new/old velvets I received this week and in my wanderings about computer land I found some tasty morsels'. amazing old shoes! I'm sorry but Manolo Blahnik has nothing on these beauties. Trish over at Trouvais is going to love these!

Chopines shoes, circa 1600, Venice image above and below via V&A
Shoes of this type are called chopines or pantobles. The design was based on shoes worn in Turkish baths. Could you imagine wearing shoes made of wood covered with silk velvet and trimmed with silk ribbon and gold lace?

images of shoes and dress via book "20,000 Years of Fashion" by Francois Boucher
Here are a couple of more chopine shoes, they don't look very easy to walk or balance in especially when you're wearing a gown like the one below.

I think if I had to wear that heavy gown laced up my neck while balancing on the front part of my feet I too think I would need a minion to balance on!

French, made 1750 — 1760 image via V&A
Women's high-heeled mules, commonly known as slippers. These have a fairly high heel and a pointed toe. The velvet uppers are decorated with metal thread. The embroidery was all done by hand and without electricity to see by, amazing piece of artwork.

England, made 1650 — 1660 image above and below via V&A
Pair of women's mules or backless slippers are made of velvet embroidered with silver-gilt thread. From about 1550 to 1700, embroidery became very fashionable and mules were often decorated in this way. Talk about luxury!

Pattens, Great Britain, made 1720s — 30s image via V&A
Pattens were worn to lift the shoe out of the dirt and damp while balancing on the iron ring. The shoe would have been fastened into the patten by means of ribbon-laced latchets covered in velvet. Sounds convenient huh?

image via Christie's auction catalog
Pair of 18^th century green silk damask shoes and a pair of pattens, both with gilt braid. These pattens don't have the iron ring but you can see how they would have fit under the shoes, that hump would have been up under the heel.

image via Christie's auction catalog
Yellow silk brocade shoes from the 18^th century. Aren't they wonderful? Shoes like these can cost anywhere from $7000 to $14,000 at auction today and no, I didn't buy them!

image via "Marie-Antoinette Style" by Adrien Goetz
Aren't the shoes amazing all grouped together?

image via my feet!
Unfortunately it's time to come back to my reality of snow and functional but ugly footwear. Nice huh? So which century of footwear are your favorites?
I hope you are all staying warm and dry on this very snowy day!

How to Make Domino Jewelry
Level: Beginner/Easy

Vintage wood dominoes (click to learn about the history of dominoes )
Jewelry made from recycled materials is earth-friendly and all the rage. The exciting part about making jewelry from recycled materials is that the supplies you need are most likely already right in your own home!
One type of jewelry that is super-stylish and easy to make is domino jewelry. Dominos are fun to craft with and they can easily be made into either pins or pendants.

I created this domino pendant from a copy of a vintage St. Patrick's day post card
To make domino jewelry you will need dominos (either the old fashioned wooden kind or the newer, plastic kind), miscellaneous papers (think collage elements such as copies of vintage images, ephemera, scraps of pretty paper and words or text cut from an old book or magazine, wallpaper scraps, old cigar box labels, etc.), scissors, a decoupage medium, a sponge brush or small paintbrush to apply decoupage medium, jump-rings (for pendants) or pin-backs (for pin brooches), and a strong adhesive glue.
Optional additional embellishing materials include colored pencils, pens, markers, glitter, sequins, small beads, flat buttons, and bits of lace.
I usually like to decorate only one side of the domino and leave the numbered side (the side with the dots) untouched or mostly uncovered. That way when you are wearing your pendant you can turn it over and show your friends that it's a domino!

For this domino pendant I used an illustration and text from a damaged antique book
To begin, first choose your base paper. That will be the largest piece of paper that will cover only the front, or plain side of the domino. This will be the foundation for your finished design. To create your paper base, lay your domino on top of the paper and trace around the domino with a pencil. Then remove the domino and cut out your base paper.
Using a small paintbrush or sponge brush, apply a thin coat of decoupage medium to the plain side of the domino following the directions on the decoupage medium. Next adhere your base paper to the domino and gently press to adhere, being careful to remove all bubbles and lumps — and set aside until completely dry.

Mod Podge is one type of Decoupage Medium
Now comes the fun part! Select images or snippets from your papers and arrange them in a collage-like manner to your domino's base paper. Use a very thin coat of the decoupage medium to adhere your elements to your domino. Let your creativity be your guide.
Here's a tip: I like to start with the larger pieces of paper and then add smaller snippets to that piece in a layered fashion.
When finished, set aside until completely dry. Once your artwork is complete, apply another coat of decoupage medium to seal the piece and let it dry completely. To make a domino pin brooch, adhere a pin-back to the reverse side of your domino with a strong adhesive. To make a domino pendant, adhere a jump ring to the top edge of your domino with a strong adhesive.

Another pendant made with an illustration from a damaged antique book.
With a few basic materials and a little creativity, you can create your own recycled material jewelry that is fun to make and fun to wear!
P.S. — Oh, and be sure to learn how to play dominoes before you make domino jewelry, as you can be sure people at least one person who sees your awesome domino jewelry will ask you, "How do you play dominoes, anyway?" (click here to learn!) Laura
( Click here to see more of my domino jewelry! )
Advanced Technique: Resin Coated Domino Jewelry

Level: Advanced To achieve a glossy, glass-like finish you can coat your domino with resin. Working with resin is an advanced technique that requires a bit more time, patience, as well as safety precautions.

I used a copy of an antique Valentine to make this domino pendant, and then coated it with resin
What is resin jewelry?

The Dick Blick Art Materials website describes it best: " Resin jewelry is made from liquid plastic that turns solid when a hardener is added....Resin has a wonderful appeal for its glass-like properties from crystal clear to translucent glowing hues."
Click here to learn more about the properties of resin.
Before you begin: Resin can be hazardous. It is extremely important to carefully read and follow all directions that are included with the product you are working with. It is also recommended that you do not work with resin around children or pets. You should also read all MSDS (safety data sheets) for any hazardous mediums that you are going to work with. I recommend purchasing materials from businesses that include the MSDS safety data sheets with your purchase.
Before coating a domino with resin, complete all the steps above under the How To Make Domino Jewelry, stopping after applying the finishing/sealing coat of decoupage medium. (do not adhere pin-back or jump rings to your domino.) Allow finished domino to dry overnight.
Working in a clean, dust-free, and temperature controlled area (according to resin packaging directions), prepare the resin exactly according to package directions. Be sure to cover your workspace with newspaper to protect all surfaces, and have paper towels on hand in case of any spills or messes.
Allow resin to set and dry according to package directions. Once completely set and dry, follow the directions above to adhere your pin-back or jumpring to your finished domino.

Image was embellished with glitter before resin was applied

Check out my new jewelry book!

Hey! If you're new around here- welcome! We're super glad you found us and we hope you'll stick around a while. Use the icons on the right to take the plunge and follow us. We love all things DIY and we'd love to share our projects with you! -Monica & Jess ******************************************************************************** Phew! The days that our segments on The Nate Show air are just so surreal. It's sort of like watching someone else there on the TV, you know? Even after four times on the show, it's still so strange. Plus, it's a shame we didn't lose any of our dorkiness over the past few months. We were so busy working our rear ends off to make the stuff look good, that we sort of forgot to play it cool. Anyway, if you missed yesterday's show, you can see the super-fun reveal segment below:

Isn't Nate the cutest? And he seriously could not have been nicer to us. Love him. This room gave us a run for our money, but it came together so beautifully. We love that it took us out of our design comfort zones, and also made us try a few things we'd never done before.

One of the things I'm most proud of is this ugly-$15-beat-up-leather-turned-handsome-houndstooth scene-stealer. Yes,, you got that right. One of our greatest strengths, especially as a team, is that we're not afraid to tackle any project, and this is proof! First of all, reupholstering usually means sewing a bit, and we don't sew. Secondly, we've never even attempted upholstering anything.at.all. So, why not give it a whirl for all of tvland and Nate Berkus to see? Ha! We're crazy.

I'm not even going to try to explain to you what we did in tutorial-fashion, because quite honestly, it was a whole lot of trial and error with some yanking and grunting thrown in. But I can tell you a few simple things that really helped the process go smoothly.

We were able to take the arms off of the chair, which made sanding and staining, not to mention reupholstering one hundred times easier to do. I sanded and sanded and sanded and then stained the arms and legs in a deep walnut. I followed that up with a coat of water-based poly to seal it all up. We used about 1 1/2 yards of fabric and two small boxes of nailheads, both of which we found at Joann's. We sort of viewed reupholstering the chair as wrapping a present, and got started on the least noticeable areas. Once we got going, the process got easier and easier.

It took us about 2 hours off and on to get it right, but we were so happy with the results. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close!

My favorite part, for sure, is the nail head detail along the back. Not only does it look awesome, but it covers the seam so well!

Isn't it lovely? Now, we have to decide who gets to keep it. You can be sure we'll be flipping a coin for it.: )

So, my recommendation to you is go ahead and give that project you're a little afraid of a shot! Sometimes it's worth the risk. Or, if you'd rather not, that's ok too. Let the pros do it for you- we highly recommend Jet Upholstery to get the job done for you. That way you can be sure it'll come out perfect, without having to stand in compromising positions next to your best friend (not that that happened to us!: )
What project are you hesitating to tackle for fear it might not turn out right?

>Linking up to: TT&J, Sundae Scoop, Sunday Showcase, Saturday Night Special, Show & Tell Saturday,

Big HUGE Happy Father’s Day to you, your daddy, your husband, grandpa, brother… ETC! These men deserve to be celebrated!! And that brings us to the fact that today is THE BIG DAY that we announce the winner of our Massive RYOBI Power Tool Giveaway! Luckily, our little Rafflecopter form did the dirty work for us and pulled up our winner in the most random of fashion! Congrats to (drumroll please!)… Hilarie Sullivan!

Check your inbox asap! We were so honored that so many of you participated in the ‘Blog Hop’, and were surprised by how quickly we had our winner (Congrats Stephanie Richardson for winning the matching contest!). We got tons of positive feedback and are so glad that everyone enjoyed surfing around each blog! We just might make it harder next time!!! In case you missed it, the premise of the contest was to match each blogger with a popular project of theirs. Here are the correct answers!

Interiors by Kenz ~ Pa inted Faux Moulding & Headboard Twist Me Pretty ~ Pink Room Reveal Vintage Revivals ~ Swig Sugar Cookies East Coast Creative ~ Large Photo Frame Whatever Blog ~ Melted Crayon Artwork Domestic Imperfection ~ Paisley Stencil Table Home Stories A to Z ~ Tiered Garden Planter Sarah Dorsey Designs ~ Painted Rug Pretty Handy Girl ~ Backlight Bookshelf Sawdust and Embryos ~ Shading with Stain Technique The Idea Room ~ Lemon Sugar Scrub Kara Paslay Designs ~ Mason Jar Chandelier All Things Thrifty ~ Everything I know about Spray Paint DIY Village ~ Dog Bowl Chairs One Good Thing By Jillee ~ Yogurt Dots Nine Red ~ Striped Painted Table
There’s an overwhelming amount of creativity and talent in this group, and you should definitely hop on board and keep up with each one! You’re sure to be inspired to the fullest.
And HUMONGOUS thank you to RYOBI Nation for supplying our giveaway prize! For even more inspiration, check out these great projects!

Just curious- what gifts did you guys give for Father's Day? We're doing our celebrating next weekend for my hubs, so I'm still looking for good ideas!
Do share!

This giveaway has now ended...
Thanks to everyone who entered!
Happy Monday, everyone! I am so excited to announce that my friend Monika of Splendid Willow and I have teamed up to offer you
a Perfect & Splendid Giveaway!
This is my very first giveaway here, and I am so thrilled...
You all know Monika,

for her creativity, originality, and for her beautiful home.

As a native Swede now living in Seattle, Washington, Monika draws from her Scandinavian roots for inspiration and design ideas. Not only is Monika a talented decor enthusiast; her eye for style extends to fashion as well. If you haven't already, take a look at Monika's newest venture...

Splendid Willow Avenue , an on-line boutique, carries the high quality and fashionable rain and lifestyle gear of Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen.

And from this fashionable line, Monika has very generously offered a pair of Ilse Jacobsen rubber boots, considered design icons in Scandinavia!
These high-end boots are handmade in Europe and are just starting to get into the U.S. market in a serious way. They are stylish, warm (lined with cotton fleece) and designed for long hours of walking in rain and cold weather.

the 'perfect gray' boot?
This Perfect & Splendid Giveaway is for a pair of Ilse Jacobsen's stylish rubber boots, any model, size and color! (The tall boots retail for $179 + tax.)

three different models to choose from tall, mid, and short
The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
To enter:
1) Become a follower of A Perfect Gray
2) Go to Splendid Willow Avenue and have fun looking at the boots (and the rest of the gear)!
3) Leave a comment to this post telling us which color you pick. (You can get all models in all colors.) Please make sure you leave your name and e-mail address, especially if your comment does not link to a blog.
For additional entries (please, make sure to comment for each entry):
a) Tweet about the Perfect & Splendid Giveaway
(1 additional entry).
b) 'Like' Splendid Willow's Facebook page.
(1 additional entry).
c) Mention it on your blog (2 additional entries).
There is a maximum of five entries per person.
This Perfect & Splendid Giveaway ends on Monday, March 14th at midnight, Eastern Standard Time.
Our winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced on Tuesday, March 15th.

Well, looky here....we caught the lovely Paula of Two Ellie sporting her camel Ilse Jacobsen boots!
Please join me in thanking Monika for...

Good luck, everyone!

Well, we both were inspired to put together our perfect Spring outfit because of this cool contest being held on another blog. The winner gets 2 FREE pieces of jewelry and $200 towards your perfect outfit. Yes, please, count us in! Oh, I could browse my favorite store sites all day and find a million things I like, but I'll be realistic, I'm not going to be able to buy these gorgeous things anytime soon. But it's fun to design a fun outfit, and I'm crossing my fingers that I'll win! (Shhh, don't tell Monica!)
Jessica's Perfect Spring Outfit

(Clockwise from top left)
1. Necklace from Jess LC
2. Ruffled Pintuck top from Banana Republic (on sale now!)
3. Jeans from Banana Republic (also on sale!)
4. Hobo Bag from Piperlime
6. Bracelet from Jess LC
7. Shoes from DSW

*Can you tell I'm a neutrals kind of girl?: ) Also, this proves to me that I am no clothing stylist. Now I know I'm doing what I should be doing.

Monica's Perfect Spring Outfit
Ok, just to give this a little perspective… When I told Eric about blogging an outfit he said,"You know nothing about fashion, why would you do that?" He didn't mean it in a rude way, he was just being honest because I am pretty Plain Jane and comfy when it comes to my clothing choices. My number one staple in my closet is sneakers! They're my favorite and of course they'd need to be a part of my perfect spring outfit.

(Clockwise from top left)
1. Sweater from Hollister
2. Belle Classic Shirt from A&F (on sale now!)
3. Astor bead necklace from Jess LC
4. Earings from Jess LC
5. Sneaks from Zappos (I actually have these in yellow & grey)
3. Chunky bracelet watch on Ebay
4. Hobo Bag from Melie Bianco
6. Crop Jeans from A&F
7. Glasses from Banana Republic

*Can you tell I'm a no frills kind of girl? I will most likely be the only woman in the retirement home someday still wearing cool sneakers!

Have a great Monday and have fun planning your perfect spring outfit!

We absolutely could not do what we do without the support of some amazing people and businesses! As we head into Fall, we wanted to share a few of our Fall favs from some of our favorite people, Be sure to take notice of the coupon codes and special deals going on right now!

1. You know I've got baby boys on the brain, so I'm totally loving htis Joshua 1:9 Boys Print from Red Letter Words.
2. This adorable Dearborn Orange paper pack includes the perfect colors for Fall and with all those amazing patterns, you can create some really cute stuff! Use the discount code EC2blog20 for 20% off your order. Also, for a limited time, pay only $50 for 50 different paper packs - that's amazing! You can see what we do with our printable scrapbook paper here. Seriously…endless possibilities!

   

3. If you're local and need some professional design advice or just help getting started, Bare Root Designs is the place to go! Great design classes and rekindling the art and love to sewing are just a few of the things offered1 Make sure you check for upcoming events and classes on their website.
4. I actually almost squealed when I saw this Wall lighting with Opal Glass Shade from Lucent Lampworks. We can testify first-hand that Brad's lights are legit- gorgeous AND well-made (we've even used a couple custom lights on Knock It Off!) Save 10% off your order with the code EC2tenoff.

   

5. We are all about stenciling walls, but have you thought of stenciling furniture? This trendy-cool Small Step Up Triangle Stencil from Royal Design Studio is the perfect size for that boring piece of furniture you have sitting around that you just didn't know what to do with! Use the code ECC10 to get 10% off your order.
6. Window films from Artscape are such a great way to gain privacy or to add style to a plain window. They're easy to adhere and are non-permanent, plus there are some really cool designes like this New Leaf Design.

   

7. Again with the orange, but this time it's on something you can wear! This Tangerine Braided Headband from Henle Headbands is sweet and simple, but a little punchy with that orange color. I'm digging this color for Fall, for sure! And be on the lookout- I wore a Henle headband in one of our episodes and it was so cute and really comfortable!
8. Of course, along with a baby comes the need for a diaper bag! I've never been disappointed with Thirty-One gift bags and kind of think this Casual Cargo Purse is just the diaper bag for me! And if you hurry, you can c hoose any purse for 50% off when you spend $35 dollars in August! Done and done.: )

   

9. Welcome to our newest sponsor, Misty with Stella & Dot! Stella & Dot sells gorgeous jewelry, bags, scarves and more. And f or every $50 spent on Stella and Dot website before tax and shipping between NOW and September 9th, you will receive AN ENTRY TO WIN the gorgeous Frida Necklace Hello, color and more color. A fashion forward statement piece that brightens up any look and outlook. Wear it with a t-shirt and jeans or wear it out for an evening on the town. The Frida is 17" long with 2" extender, hematite plating, and lead and nickel safe.
10. Have you read Smart, Blonde & Crafty, yet? The completely FREE August & September edition has a great question & answer article with Karianne from Thistlewood Farms, lots of creative kids snacks for back-to-school and fun game ideas for your little ones. You're sure to find loads of inspiration on every page.
11. Fall is my favorite time of year to burn candles! We cant get enough of CJS Eco Chic's Heirloom Candles in scents like Brown Sugar & Fig, Apple Cider, Amaretto Spice and Cranberry Apple Marmalade. And get this: A l arge 16 oz candle is only $13!! Plus, because these candles are soy, they last a really long time!

12. Our favorite thrift store, Liberty Thrift is having their 15th Anniversary Sales through the month of August at all five locations! Check out the specials page. to see what they have going on this week!

13. And finally, we have to give a shout out to our favorite photographer, Stacy from Salvatori Photography. If you're in need of amazing photos and are in the area, you need to call her! She took family photos of us as we revealed the gender of baby #3 and this one of my son is a total gem that I will love forever. She's totally booked for Fall, but it's never too early to schedule your session for Spring! This girl is busy, so get on it, people!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now is the time to think Christmas presents, people! It will be here before you know it, and trust me, you can't go wrong with ANY of these incredible items. And remember- this is just a sampling of what they offer. Head over to their sites and give them all some EC2 love!: )

We have another one of our Haven Conference pals visiting today! Story time: Jess and I were at Haven and noticed one of the cutest girls ever. We're talking adorable outfit, super no-fuss look, but yet perfectly put together. Then we both had a discussion about how I probably should go change my outfit because I tend to lean towards the overly casual side of fashion (what? My Phillies tee wasn't a good choice?). Anyhow, the adorable girl ended up being even cooler once we met her. Let us introduce you to Jamie!
Jamie has some awesome projects on her blog, but recently she hit a major home run with this cool kitchen organizer.

It is modern, awesome, and was featured by Design Sponge. Yup, we're talking the real-deal folks! So without further ado… Welcome to EC2 Jamie! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I blog over at C.R.A.F.T., where I Create Really Awesome (mostly) Free Things (it's a nifty little acronym) for your home (junk drawer organzier), wardrobe (pillow case skirt), kitchen (jalapeno hummus), and kids (dot painting)! I 'm super excited to be guest posting on East Coast Creative today… I met these awesome ladies in real life at Haven in July. I like them and their blog even more now: ) Today's tutorial is a great summer time craft since it is fun for kids and adults… It's a puzzle cube!

You'll need:

• wood glue
• q-tips
• paint
• wooden cubes

You can get these at Hobby Lobby or any local craft store: Here's what I did to make my cube puzzle…

Let me explain:

• Step 1: Count out 27 cubes
• Step 2: Build your 3x3 cube so you have something visual to work with…
• Step 3: Use a q-tip to carefully start gluing your cubes together. It gets kind of tricky.
• Step 4: A few times I glued only 2 cubes together so I could keep the 3x3 cube shape, and better see what I'm working with.

Now, it's time to paint… I picked an Americano theme only because those are the Plaid paints I had on hand. I don't suggest painting with q-tips… I tried since the Q-tips were out and I didn't want to dirty a paint brush… trust me on this one, it's not worth it: ) Not to mention, why I tried to paint and glue on a magazine, another dumb move… I could have at least opened the magazine up for more surface area!

I used sand paper after the cubes dried because a few pieces were clumpy. I like how it turned out. Take a few pictures like the ones below so that you can remember how the pieces go back together!

Fun and easy, right? If you like the puzzle cube, check out more C.R.A.F.T. projects to keep you and kiddos happy, entertained, and creatively inspired this summer! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks so much Jamie! I think this would look really cool as an accessory in my family room. It's functional and trendy looking. My ten year old now has a project to keep her busy this weekend! Thanks Again!

Take an old mill and some stables in Wales, and convert it into a pretty family home and you're sure to win the English, Best Period Renovation Readers' Awards, which is what former fashion designer Linda Cobbett did. And here's the result.

Source: Period Living

'ChillNorway was founded in 2004 by two sisters, Line Gaarud Houge and Nanna Gaarud.

It was important to them that the brand reflects a central message to all women'letting go is critical to living a healthy life. It is OK to leave the house untidy or be late for a meeting. As working moms, the sisters are always trying to strike the balance between work and play, thus have created a brand that translates playful relaxed comfort to their clothing.

The typical ChillNorway woman, although into fashion, is unpretentious. She is all about the comfort. She is sporty and feminine.'

Hey there! We hope you all got to see our Nate Show episode yesterday. If not, no sweat, we've posted them here on the blog! Okay, now get ready for Day 1 of our 12 days!! We're super excited to share today's project with you because it didn't get much face time on the show, but is an awesome project that you'll want to try! Holiday Handwritten Lamp Shade

We love this DIY project because it's adorable, BUT it's also removable! No need to ruin a perfect lampshade just for the holidays. Come January 1st, you can say adios! Here's how I (Monica) did it… While shopping through Jess' house, I found these great lamps that Jess had thrifted and added IKEA shades to. I immediately thought they would look awesome in her Christmas basement!

The best thing about these IKEA shades is that the completely unroll! Score! (If your lamp doesn't unroll, don't fret, just wrap the fabric around it and then cut. A tiny bit more tricky, but good news! You have more than 48 hours to do it! I was in a bit of a rush!) For this project I actually used a khaki sheet from our first Nate Crate Challenge, but you can use any fabric or kraft paper for that matter. You want to trim your fabric so that there is about 1/4 inch excess on all sides.

Once the fabric is cut, use a glue gun or adhesive to attach the fabric to the inside of the shade. If using a glue gun, I promise you a few blisters. I think I still have two! Yikers! Do this step as neatly as you can because it will be slightly visible when the light shines through the shade.

The next step is to grab a Sharpie or fabric marker and write on the shade. I prefer a Sharpie, because the point is a bit sharper (duh, it's called a Sharpie! Sorry.cheesy, I know) For Jess' shade I wrote the first verse to Joy to the World, but you could write anything. A poem, quote, story etc… The only tip here is to stagger your words. I started the first line with"Joy to the World"… and the second line with wherever the first left off, unless it was too similar. And, If you're like me, you might hate seeing your own handwriting, but other people probably think it looks fine.

(Sorry about the frumpy shirt I borrowed from Jess' husband's dresser. It was about midnight at this point!) Once the writing is done, just reassemble your shade and admire your handiwork! It makes a cool impact, with a modern touch. If you like a more traditional feel, you could write in a more script fashion.

So what do you think? I pretty much love it! (and I think Jess does too!)

So, there you have it a simple Holiday Handwritten Lampshade! Now, how many of you are going to search through your house for just the right lamp??
Thanks again Nate for letting us share all the inside scoop of our Nate's Crate DIYs! Check back Monday for the fabulous accent branch Jess created for me!