DIY PROJECT: Spray Paint a Dress

When you saw my original Halloween how-to post, I know what you were thinking...where did she get such an awesome gray and black striped dress?!

(Oh, you weren't thinking that? Well you're going to find out anyway.) =)

 I found this dress at the Goodwill for $8 LAST YEAR (At Halloween, so everything was 50% off...make that $4)

 

MATERIALS:

A dress (gray ugly boring one)

Black spray paint (had it on hand)

Masking/painters tape [Thinner the size, the better]

Scissors

Accessories [To dress up the outfit!]

Oh and a wonderful boyfriend [best friends/sisters/and moms work too!]

First wash the dress-you know, with my fancy little cleaning guide!

Simply place the tape vertically down the dress.

Perfection is impossible, so try not to worry about it. I only had thick tape on hand, so I used scissors to cut the tape down the middle to make two strips.

Once it was all attached, take it outside and spray paint away!

I let it dry for an hour or two before removing the tape.

Then I left it a day before washing in HOT water (to set the paint). After it dried I washed it again using dishsoap to make it less crinkly (and smell good!)

I accessorized the dress using a black high waist belt, stockings and fedora.

Instant Gangsta just add spray paint!

Total cost (for me) $4 [For the dress!]

Have a question? Let me know! I'd be happy to answer it!--I guess you know which costume I WONT be this year ;)

EDIT// I got an email asking what my boyfriends costume is. He was Clark Kent with his super hero costume on underneath.

What's in your toolbox?

Yes it crossed my mind to name this post "what's in your wallet" as inspired by the Capital One commercial slogan. But I decided against it for two reasons. 1) this post was titled by a reader when she emailed asking 'whats in your toolbox?' 2) it would be really difficult to fit all these items in a wallet. That said, you're welcome to try and I encourage you to email me a picture of the outcome! ;)

Did I mention I love mail? No? Well I do, so email away! Questions, comments, and pictures are always welcome and encouraged! =)

Back to the question at hand:
Dear Wallet,
What's in your toolbox for thrifting construction and renovation? What 'tools of the trade' do you find most useful in your thrifting adventures?
Sally B.

First off, I love that Sally titled it 'dear wallet' ♥! Secondly, I encourage you to check out my thrift clothes cleaning post if you haven't already. It's a gem of information and already gives you some of the items I'm about to mention. Stay tuned for November when the thrift furniture cleaning post comes out!

Thrift Clothes Restoration & Decoration Toolbox
[is this name too long??]

• Sewing Kit: I'm not a sewer myself, but I do have a little travel sewing kit which makes mending tiny holes, or replacing buttons easy.
• Bleach Pen: This can save a white item from the trash bin, or can make bland shirts/pants awesome!
• Plastic Kitchen Tub: [See cleaning post for this, and other cleaning items]
• Jewelry Pliers: To fix loose or damaged jewelry or just to make your own statement pieces! [See Guest post coming October 23rd!]
• Leather Cleaner: Not only to help clean a leather item, but to moisturize it and give it new life!
• Permanent Markers: [white, brown, and black] To fix scuffs and small marks on shoes and bags!
• Guerrilla glue:  To fix just about anything!
• Rhinestones, pearls and glitter: To make anything shiny and glamourous!
• Safety Pins: Keep things together, or give it a punk look!
• Fabric Glue and Pens:  Give things new life by attaching things, or decorating them!
• Beads Buttons, and studs: Always fun for decorating or making jewelry!
• Ribbon: Makes great trim, patches and decoration!

Thrift Furniture Restoration & Decoration Toolbox
[is this name even longer??]

• Steam Cleaner: Give new life to upholstered furniture by steam cleaning it.
• Tape Measure: You know, to make sure it fits...
• Dust rags & Q-Tips: Used for dusting, staining and painting.
• Wood Oil: Give new life to old wood!
• Wood Stain: Bring something from another century, into this one!
• Spray Paint/Can: Hello to a new life!
• Sandpaper in varying types: So you can stain, oil and paint your new goodies!
• Leather Cleaner: To make your goodies shine like new, and keep them healthy for a long time!
• Permanent Markers: To fix small scratches or scuffs.
• Walnut: (Yes, the nut) Try it, use it on a wooden surface with knicks! It fills it in, even colors it. A little touch up stain and you're good to go!
• Wood Glue: To put things back together.
• Light Bulbs & Batteries: You know, to get these things to work!
• Screws, Nails and a general toolbox: For all the little things. No fancy tools, just a hammer, screw driver, and mallet.

Do you have more to add? Let me know what my toolbox is missing!

DIY Project: Mail Organizer

Dear Wallet,

I lost the mail today. And then the car keys, and then my shoes. Oops.

Signed, Aria

First ever DIY project on Dear Wallet,! Not to be a killjoy, but it's not a brand new tutorial. In fact it comes from my OLD blog (Lillian Pearl Designs). You can check out the orignal post there, as well as a few others that may or may not eventually make their way over to this blog! I have a long list of to-do's, but wanted to start you out with something that's not only cheap and easy but super helpful as well!

 Insert the Mail Organizer. I know what you're thinking, a DIY project to organize the MALE in my life?!Oh you weren't thinking that? Oh the other thing...that those stacks of unopened mail that you have in every corner is not only cute (hello free decor..!) but also aids in the avoidance of bills (yay...more bills?)..ya..me too. I too have fallen victim to the adorableness that is junk mail, until I realized if I put it somewhere that created an eyesore I tended to do something about it. Like pay the bills and throw away said junk mail.*shockterrorblasphemy*  It sounds crazy, but it works! I tried a basket, which worked just fine. Until I needed the I needed the real estate for my growing vase collection. So I wanted something for the wall. I googled, and goodwilled, and shopped till my head hurt (is that possible?). But then one day I found a frame, and it all fell into place.

Insert old ugly frame lacking glass. For some reason this gem was still sitting in my craft box waiting to bethrown away DIYed into a new life. Here's what you need:

Frame (mine was 11.5"x9.5"-but your's can be whatever works for you)
I needed sand paper, nails and wood glue because it was falling apart
Spray paint (I used white)
Screw hooks (I used four)
Cardboard/mat board
Spray mount
Fabric and scrapbook paper
Hot glue (or guerilla glue, or your favorite strong glue!)

Said frame was made of wood laminate and falling apart. So the first thing I did was sanded it lightly for prepping and used the nails and wood glue to put it back together. After which I reattached the hanging hook so it could hang in the correct format (horizontal). I placed the screw hooks by eyeballing it, however I suggest measuring. After this I took it outside for a coat or two of spray paint.



While the frame was drying I started on the inside of the frame. First measure the opening of the frame and cut a piece of cardboard to fit. I used spray mount to place scrapbook paper on it, folding it over the back and gluing in place. (Like a present!)



Then I cut two more pieces of cardboard half the size of the orignal, height wise. (Mine were 3.5"x9" each), then get your fabric out. Lay it out and spray mount the cardboard on one side, pressing it on the fabric. Then spray the other side and fold the fabric over so it fits tightly on the 'top' edge, and leaves about an inch overlap on the bottom, and side edges.



When everything is dry you can begin assembling. First measure where you want your 'files' to go. I decided since mine were 3.5" high, to measure 3" from the bottom of the frame so the top file would hide slightly in the bottom file-I used a pencil to draw a line. Using the glue, I attached the 1" overlap of fabric to the board above the line (so that the board edge was touching the line, and the fabric was flat above it-see pictures)! The bottom piece will attach on the very  bottom of the bigger board in the same way.



Once the pieces are assembled and dry, place it inside your frame. Carefully pull the files out of the frame through the front, until they are where you want them.  (Mine are no more than an inch away from the board, it creates a tight pocket with plenty of opening to place stuff). Cut the fabric down in the back (if needed) and glue into place. Close the frame up, and attach to the wall!



You could easily add ribbons, buttons, and tabs to further customize this project! The project cost me NOTHING, because I had everything on hand! Now let me see your versions!