How to make your own journal from a hardcover book

I've just posted a new DIY tutorial on our You-tube page on how to make your own hard cover journal.
You can check out the channel here : RefashionTV/videos
Happy crafting!  :)

Binding the pages of the journal

Origional cover 

Fabric covered version 

Chair make over

After

My sad little saggy chair before her face-lift

I’ve finally finished the chair makeover that I started months ago! I bought it at the Jamison Rotary Trash 'n Treasure for $5.

The fabric I used was originally curtains; a friend bought them at an op-shop with me in mind.

I pulled the whole thing apart and threw out the old padding. I used quilting (bought at an op shop as well of course) to fatten up the base and back. My trusty staple gun got a good workout! There was no sewing involved in this project which was a nice change.

I was thinking about painting the wooden frame with white gloss paint but the natural varnished wood has a natural charm J

DIY Recycled Brooch

Make your own recycled brooch 

This sparrow broach is hardened by using recycled plastic between the two layers of fabric. You can find lots of cute images to use as stencils on- line such as rabbits, mushrooms, poodles.  

You will need:

-Recycled plastic such as a milk bottle, take away containers etc. (Anything that is thin enough to cut but stiff enough to support your fabric or paper.)

-Brooch clasp or a large safety pin

-Fabric scraps or paper  to decorate

        -Glue

METHOD:

1. Print off the image you want to use as a stencil and cut it out.

2. Trace the stencil onto your recycled plastic, and your fabric or paper (you will need one  to cover the front of the plastic and one to cover the back).

3. If you are using a safety pin cut two small slits in the fabric backing so that the back of the safety pin is encased. 

4. Glue the fabric to the front of the plastic backing

5. Trim away any excess fabric or plastic and let dry.

You have a new pretty to accessorize your winter coat!

Winter coat refashion

It seems we bypassed summer and the cold weather has settled in to stay already, which I don't mind. I love snuggley winter woollies. 

This coat is made from beautiful felted wool but had no shape and was way too big for me. I'm working on turning this into a tutorial on how to re-size clothing to fit.

It was reversible with black on one side and grey on the other so I chose the grey side... black makes me look like i'm dying!  I added some darts , took in the side seams and arms, shortened the hem (which i'm slightly regretting - I love long coats) then used the excess cut off the length to make the wrap collar.

And Voila!  I have a new winter staple YAY :)

Up-cycling and re-purposing things

This is the cup-cake stand from my tutorial
( how to make a cake stand from recycled pretties
http://www.dorothyandmrlee.com.au/diy.htm  ),  I  decided it
would serve better as a jewelry stand... Cup cakes don't last long
enough in my house to be on display ;)

 80's cup stand up-cycled into a jewelry stand 

Another of my cake stands made from glass plates and a little glass vase.

International Women's Day style workshop

As a part of International Women's Day, I have been asked to hold a style workshop as a thank you for all the amazing women that have assisted The Multicultural Women's Advocacy in empowering so many women from all walks of life.

We can find ourselves pouring all our energy into our jobs or our family but it's vital to take the time to revitalize and feel like a whole person, not just an employee, a boss or a mother. As women we can tend to feel guilty for taking time out just for our selves, some think it's selfish, but really we are being our own worst enemies. How can we give ourselves fully without taking care of us, so we don't get run down when it matters the most?

This is what I try to focus on when running my workshops. It's time to look at the little things that make you feel special & beautiful. 

Do something just for YOU this Women's Day :)

DIY , trench coat re-styled

New Stock at the National Portrait Gallery Shop

Peacock brooch/ hair pin 

Yellow weave necklace

Printed silk necklace with zipper detail

Leather & satin necklace

The peacock brooch / hair pin

Red leather & feathers necklace

Mauve neck piece ( on the online shop) 

All one- off pieces

Saturday's garage sale

 Visited the YMCA Garage sale in Yarralumla on Saturday, here are some of my treasures... 

Box of books for $10.
My favorite is the little dress makers guide - gorgeous!  

Wooden beaded necklaces
Only 50c each ...SCORE!

The YMCA Garage sale 

I love this floral couch! Too cute 

The next YMCA garage sale is on the 14th April,  canberra.ymca.org.au/services/ops/Pages/default.aspx 

Tux jacket refashion

tie front 

crop hem

cut & sew & gather

I always seem to buy really big sizes when I go op-shopping. This jacket was a size 22. But the way I see it is the bigger the garment, the more fabric you have to play with! 

It was a bit of a mission trying to get the lining to sit nicely - I made this jacket over a year ago and can still remember leaving it in pieces for a month, waiting for my determination to kick back in!

Trash or treasure?

1960s Fridge/Freezer
Maybe if this didn't function you could use it
as some kind of storage or display shelving?

Spinning Wheel

Vintage typewriter

Old sewing machine

Suitcases

Ok, so I know I don't need another vintage suit case and their is no way my partner would understand if I bought home a 1960s fridge but its so much fun seeing the amazing variety of stuff at Tiny's Green Shed. I ventured out there last week end for Gardening supplies for my new veggie patch and spent ages trawling through the masses of interesting stuff.

Tiny's is at the Resource Management Center on Mugga Lane, they also have another center in Mitchel. On the last Wednesday of every month all proceeds go to charity. 

There was heaps of vintage bikes, sewing machines, free clothes (you have to be pretty determined as they are in big cage/bins that you dig through), furniture, pianos, frames ... I love it, I find it totally fascinating.

Cool D.I.Y project

A very stylish friend of mine forwarded me this link for a super easy DIY cape:

Tutorial from 'P.S I made this' 

I will definitely be having a go at this one
x  Tahlia

Just thought I'd share with you a video I came across on how to refashion a sweater:

The design options are endless.  Its so much quicker than making something from scratch and you can really make it your own. 

'After 5' Style

What to wear is on the top of all ladies worries when you’re headed to an event where there will be lots of people you don’t know. – "What if I’m too dressed up?! What if I look toe casual!!" It’s always better to be over dressed than under dressed... Then you can say you have another event to go to afterwards that you’re dressed up for!! Here are 3 types of looks for you to adapt and personalize for After 5 or cocktail events that will get your style mojo going. 

The Tailored Suit

Tailored pants are a great option that ladies tend to forget about. Once you have a great pair of pants that fit you well, the options are endless. It’s worth spending a little more to get quality fabric in the perfect cut for your figure so that you can simply pair them with a whole range of different tops and accessories.

Marchesa strapless top,
Net-a-Porter

Grace Hill evening pants
Jackets are fantastic for adding a bit a class to an outfit. There are so many shapes available from cropped and boxy to tailored and classic. Depending on your body shape and which style you choose, they are fantastic for nipping you in at the waist-(try a single button jacket), covering up shoulders for conservative events while remaining stylish and covering lumps and bumps that bias cut dresses often accentuate.

Jayson Brunston  dress jackets, The Beauty Tutor

Jayson Brunston  dress jackets,
The Beauty Tutor

The Cocktail Dress

Cocktail dresses are the most popular outfit for after 5 events. There are endless options, and styles but a cocktail dress generally means a semi- formal dress that can be from above the knee to above the ankle in length.

Left to right: Mod cloth - Winter Waltz dress,  Jaicee Events blog , Lady Love Song Dress - Mod Cloth

 

The Maxi 

Maxi dresses are glamorous and easy to wear. They are very convenient as a one piece outfit, just select complimentary accessories and some heels and your outfit is complete. 

Maxi dresses are not as formal as a ball gown or a full formal dress. They are made in more casual fabrics rather than satin or lace. To avoid feeling overdressed choose a maxi with a bold print which scales down the formality. 

Jovani dress - The Style Spy, Sonia Kruger dress - Myer

Whatever you choose to wear be comfortable and confident. If you wear something that simply isn't you, it can ruin your evening by worrying constantly about how you look! Look for your favourite colours, and wear what you love.

Selvedge to Selvedge - CIT Fashion Grads create pattern making philosophy

Selvedge to Selvedge is a concept created and implemented by Alice Sutton and Amy Taylor, CIT 2012 Fashion Design graduates. Their pattern making philosophy experiments with using the whole yardage of fabric needed to produce the garment with zero waste. The effect of the concept on their designs for their labels (Edition and Aylor)  is an innovative and fresh look.

These young designers are not only supporting the growth of an environmentally conscious fashion industry but inventively making their mark on the future of fashion. 

Edition - Connect to Me Dress

Sample of  zero waste
 pattern making 

You can check out Alice and Amy's pattern making philosophy here:selvedge2selvedge.blogspot.com

Eco Christmas Market

As consumers we are becoming more ethical and aware of how we shop and live. The Eco Christmas Markets are all about giving a better way of living with an array of ethical, fair-trade, local, or up cycled beautiful things!

So if your looking for unusual or alternative gifts or just want to see what new and exciting environmentaly friendly products are out , then come check it out! 

The market is on Sat 10th Dec from 10-4pm at the Canberra Environment Center

  What's in store : vintage bikes, organic wine, recycled bottle cushions in eco-friendly fibers, fair trade bags, pots of mixed herbs and veggies and much more.

Photo shoot for Material Pleasures

I thought I would share with you some work I have been doing for Material Pleasures. Last Saturday I styled some shots for the store at what I thought was an un-used old train line... we had a few unexpected trains run past :/ 

Vintage dress

We finished the shoot safely though our very brave model Kathleen nearly broke her leg trying to balance on the rocky mound for the graffiti shots! 

Material Pleasures is a fashion addicts dream. They specialize in reselling pre-loved designer clothing for a fraction of the original price and their show room is HUGE!  I write for their blog as well to keep everyone updated on the new treasures that come in (the turnover is so fast! They get in about 500 new pieces every week!)  materialpleasuresgirl.blogspot.com

Camilla Kaftan

Jeannie Lynn Paske's Obsolete World: A Haunt To Watch Over

"They would not be so excluded"

 Next time your perusing the web looking for something interesting to indulge your eyes in, check out obsolete-world.blogspot.com  Jeannie creates these amazing, quirky illustrations.  

Jeannie Lynn Paske's Obsolete World: A Haunt To Watch Over:

'Long Absent Travelers'
I want one!

'Given the Chance'