Showing posts with label look for less. Show all posts
Showing posts with label look for less. Show all posts

Tinkerbell & Pirate

Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hope everyone had a fun-filled and spooky Halloween!  We sure did!

As you can see, my little ones dressed up as Tinkerbell and a Pirate!  I created both costumes, semi-homemade style, and wanted to share with you all a few easy tutorials and tips that I used during the creation process.

Tinkerbell:

As with any design I typically start with a sketch of the costume that I am envisioning and then go from there.  I don't like to work with sewing patterns, I love winging it and creating my own unique costumes.

The concept sketch:

From the sketch I gather my materials and get to work.

Items needed to complete this Semi-homemade costume:
  • LOTS of tulle .  (You can normally find small rolls of tulle in a variety of colors at the craft store in the ribbon section.  This way you don't have to buy it by the yard.  I used 3 spools of tulle for this particular costume.
  • ribbon (3-4 yds )
  • any lime green type of fabric (1/2 yd) (I used satin) 
  • white felt (for the backs of the petals) (1/2 yd)
  • green thread
Tutu Dress:  the tulle portion of the dress is a no sew so tutu that is extra extra long.  I tied it around chest instead of around the waist.  In addition, I tied and extra portion of ribbon in the middle of the tutu to be used as a halter style tie around the next.  check out this no sew tutu tutorial.

Petal Sash:  an apron style sash that ties over the tulle dress around the waist.  (The sash helps cinch in the tulle dress.) *each petal is roughly 8" wide and 12 " long.



 Tinkerbell shoes:

Click HERE for an easy tutorial!

Tinkerbell's hair:

I styled C's hair into a gigantic bun, she has a ton or beautiful hair so it was remarkably easy to do with the help of a few Bobbi pins and hairspray.

The flower in her hair was found at Michael's in the floral/ holiday section.  (It already came without the stem and a floral clip already attached. )  the flower itself was wire rimmed making it really easy to shape around her head.

Tinkerbell wings:

I found these in Target's Halloween costume section.  They were inexpensive and the perfect color. 
I couldn't pass them up.





Pirate Costume:

The concept sketch:
Material needed:

  • white tshirt
  • black pants (I found mine at target for 5$)
  • black tshirt
  • red craft paint (optional)
  • scissors
  • white craft paint
  • fabric for sash (1/8 yd.)
  • black felt
  • black elastic for eye patch

Red/White striped T:  I could not find a red/white striped T anywhere so I just grabbed a bottle of red fabric paint from the craft store and painted them on a plain white tshirt.

Pants: I found these at Target for $5.  I simply cuts them 2-3" shorter and then cut a zig zag pattern around the cuff

Black vest:  I cut the neck and arms off of an inexpensive black Tshirt.  Then cut straight down the front to create the opening. I also fringed the bottom of the vest with scissors.  I then free handed a skull and cross onto the back of the vest with white craft paint.  *Tip* Buy the Tshirt for the vest a couple sizes bigger than your child's normal size, it will fit over their undershirt better and look more 'vest like'

Sash: any coordinating fabric will do. (1/8 yd). no sewing necessary, just tie around waist

Eye patch:  created with black felt and elastic









Pirate hat:

I used this easy TUTORIAL to create the pirate hat.

Arrrrgh!




The kids loved how their costumes turned out, and so did I!!!

with whimsy~



Tinkerbell shoes

Friday, October 21, 2011
This year, the Cutie Patootie decided that she wants to be Tinkerbell for Halloween.  I enjoy making the kids' costumes rather than buying them.  (Ok, Ok, I do buy some of the components to the costumes, so my costumes are really semi-homemade...)

Here is a peek at C's Tinkerbell costume.  These shoes are a great example of my semi-homemade costume concept.


Items needed:
  • Old Shoes (ballet flats or similar style)
  • Craft paint (Color of glitter)
  • paint brush
  • Glitter  (This project took 1 1/2 tubes of glitter) 
  • Mod Podge (Dries clear / better option than glue)
  • Hot Glue
  • Large Pom Poms (found in craft store / normally in a pack of 4)

Directions:
  1. Wipe old shoes clean with a damp cloth / stuff shoes with newspaper or plastic shopping bags. (this keeps the inside of the shoes clean and glitter free)
  2. Paint body of shoes with craft paint, let dry completely
  3. Paint on Mod Podge and Sprinkle with Glitter . (It is easier to do this process one small section at a time.  (Toe/Side/Back/Side)  This way the mod podge doesn't dry up before covering it. s
  4. Let dry completely
  5. Hot glue pom poms to the toes of the shoes.

There you have it!

Since I already had the old shoes, mod podge, and craft paint laying around this project only cost a couple of dollars for the glitter and pom poms.

Pretty good for a two dollar transformation don't you think?!

With whimsy~





ABCs & 123s

Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I was so excited for my latest custom order. It was not for a nursery, children's room, or playroom, but rather, an office. Elizabeth Lauren has gone commercial, ha! Well, kind of.  A dear friend of mine is a director at a preschool and is in the process of giving her office a make-over.  She was looking for artwork that was appealing to both children and adults, youthful sophistication, if you will. ;)

Painting Details:
size: 24x30 (also available in a variety of sizes)
materials: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, clear matte varnish


My client also knew that she needed 2 paintings in the new office. 
1.) She had her heart set on my Sunshine Chevron painting in a custom 24x36 size.
2.) She wanted to incorporate the alphabet.  I immediately thought of this Pottery Barn wall art.  It had that sophistication my client was looking for without being too 'kiddish'.

The color palette in my clients new office is a combination of charcoal gray, yellow, and a beautiful steely blue green.    The wall color that the art will hang on is the blue green tone.  I knew that the background of the painting(s) needed to pop from the wall.  We decided to keep it white. To soften the bright white I did a very light gray water wash on the white background, this gave the artwork more dimension and a slight aged appearance.  I also love the small yellow accents framing each individual letter/number.









This painting turned out great!

Remember, all Elizabeth Lauren artwork can be customized!  Love this painting, but need it in a different  color palette or size?  Contact me HERE to get started on your custom ABCs & 123s painting!

Love this painting just the way it is? Find it in my Etsy Shop HERE!!!

With whimsy~

Look For Less: Zebra Rug

Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Look:  Jonathan Adler's Faux Zebra Rug
Price:  $ 995
Pro:  Animal friendly, available in a wide variety of colors.
Con: High Price
Jonathan Adler Rug Zebra Black
image from here
other colors:
image from here



For Less:  Ballard Design
Price $199
Pro: Low Price, animal friendly
Con: Only available in black and white
Zebra Shaped Rug
image from here



Even Less:
Feeling crafty?  Here is an easy DIY project that can create a designer look for pennies.

Click HERE for an easy step by step tutorial.

image from here



Inspiration:
image from here

nurseries - Jonathan Adler Zebra Rug orange zebra rug Giggle.com Bedding Oeuf Furniture Eames Rocking Chair Artwork by Samantha Kurland Jonathan Adler Zebra Rug
image from here

nurseries - Octopus Stencil Zebra Rug turquoise blue nursery baby crib mid century tiger chair blue walls octopus stencils black velvet glider
image from here

with whimsy~


Look for Less: Moroccan Pouf

Thursday, July 7, 2011

A Moroccan pouf is a great way to add whimsy to any nursery, children's room, or playroom. It can function as an ottoman to a glider, a place for your little one the sit and read, or just add a fun pop of color.

I love the look of Moroccan poufs, but they can be a bit pricey.  Luckily, there are a few great products out there that can achieve this designer look for less


The Look:  Serena & Lily
Cost: $450

image from here

For Less: Tazi Designs
Cost: $240
Click for Product Description
image from here

Even Less: ebay
Cost: $99
image from here


Inspiration:
image from here

Image from here

image from here



Image from here


With whimsy~