I’ve been featured in the first-ever installment of Cut Out + Keep‘s new blog series: DIY Fashionista!

If you’ve never heard of Cut Out + Keep before, they’re an awesome tutorial-sharing site for all crafty-minded people out there.  Not as tech-oriented and hone repair as Instructables, wayyyyyy better design that Craftster, and it’s a wonderful source of inspiration and amazing projects.  In the interview, I talk favorite designers and brands, shopping destinations, and offer some advice for making and customizing your own things!

Thanks so much to Cat and the team at Cut Out + Keep for the feature, I so appreciate it!

Check Out DIY Fashionista on Cut Out + Keep

xoxox
Carly

Have you guys seen the “DIY the Look” series from tutorial-sharing site Cut Out + Keep?  I’m just loving the creativity, the style, and most of all…the celebrity looks on the cheap!!

Find out how to DIY your favorite celeb’s look from head to toe…they have some great breakdowns including Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, Evan Rachel Wood, Audrey Kitching, Emma Watson, and Gwen Stefani, for starters.  (You may also see some tutorials in there from yours truly!!;-)

Get your craft on and re-create your favorite look!

Check Out the DIY the Look Series from COAK

I’ve been overwhelmed with classes last week and am finally getting back into things, though this week doesn’t look much better.  Hopefully I’ll have a DIY Links of the Week post up tomorrow – hang tight!

xoxox
Carly

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There I am – halfway down on the left: “Craft in the City”

It’s taken me a little while to post this, but I hope you’ll forgive…

I contributed some tutorials to the latest issue (issue #23) of tutorial-sharing site Cut Out + Keep‘s Snippets Magazine!

In The New York Issue I shared projects that are – what else? – New York-inspired…

Like these projects inspired by Gossip Girl:

Mesh Rhinestone Earrings

Crochet Necklace

Starburst Safety Pin Blazer

And this project inspired by Sex and the City:

Pink Leopard-Print Luggage

And this project just because I love New York!!

I Love NY Tote Bag

Please check them out and let me know what you think!  And also check out the rest of the issue…it has a great interview with Harley Quinn from “Gotham Girls” (LOL!), Meg (formerly of Threadbanger fame) and her guide to crafting in NYC, and some wonderful tips on refashioning your clothing!

Read the Full Issue Here

Thanks so much to Cat and the team at Cut Out + Keep for the collaboration!  I truly appreciate it!

xoxox
Carly

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My hubby has a ton of white shirts that have seen better days…and sometimes I steal one or two of them to makeover for myself.  But men’s shirts are so shapeless and boxy, and I want something that isn’t as boring as it looks straight out of the package!  With a few strategically-placed hooks and some elastic cord, this is a quick DIY makeover that will turn any boxy and shapeless top into a form-fitting gathered tunic or dress.  Minimalist sex-appeal at its best!
You Need:
*white tunic-length t-shirt (mine is XXL)
*8 hooks from sew-on hook-and-eye sets
*white thread & hand-sewing needle
*white elastic cord
*marking chalk (not shown)
*measuring tape or ruler

How To:
1. Lay your t-shirt flat, back side up.  Measure about 2.5″ down from below where the sleeves meet the sides.  (This is what worked for me – you may want to try the shirt on you to make sure this is the area where you want the corseting to end.)  Mark.

2. Measure below that mark 1.5″ and make another mark at each side.  Repeat twice so you have 4 marks total, evenly-spaced at 1.5″ apart.

3. Hand-sew the hooks on at each part.  Since we’re sewing onto the back and the t-shirt fabric will be pulled to the front, make sure the hooks are facing outwards.

4. Try the shirt on.  Take the elastic cord , fold it in half, and match its center to your bellybutton.  Keep these lined up, thread either side of the cord into the bottom hook on either side of the shirt.

5. Pull to the front, pulling the shirt fabric with it.  Cross the cord over at your center, then back into the next hooks above.

Continue to lace the corset-front in this manner, and rearrange the extra fabric of the tee as you go to look neater and more tucked-in to the corset area.

6. Tie the ends of the cords at the top of the corseting in a bow; trim the ends.

Wear with something not overtly sexy – this shirt has all the sex appeal you need!

This project was featured in a recent Crafty Superstar interview on the tutorial-sharing site Cut Out + Keep…

click here to read the interview questionnaire & my other projects!

(I’ll be re-posting all of them here on my blog soon.)

Thanks to Cat and the whole COAK team for the interview!  I’m so flattered to have been featured:-)

Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox

Carly

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