V-Day d.i.y. & other stuff - Sweetheart Nail (attempt)

2.12.13

Doing a quick c's the d.i.y. this week in honor of V-day coming up!

I noticed this via Fab Fatale's V-day post last year and I've been dyinggg to try this out. Luckily being the nail polish addict I am, I had all of the colors for this particular DIY.

Seeing this on Fab Fatale's blog really stirred up some nostalgic memories...basically, I miss receiving those Valentine's goodies in elementary school where often times "Valentine's" were merely tokens given with no strings attached as an offering of friendship. Forget the complicated courtships and trying to define talking vs. dating vs. hooking up; I want to go back to this time where things were easy and "sweethearts" were just those boxes of pastel, chalky candies that were the envy of everyone...

...and so finally, I busted out my pastels and took a try at one of Fab Fatale's Monday Mani's.

What you'll need:

• Nail polish (base coat; preferably pastels in pink, yellow, peach, green, blue & purple; matte top coat; red for the letters!)
• Nail art brush, skinny brush, striper color or nail art pen
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls/swabs
• Nail clipper
• Nail file/buffer
• Cuticle oil
• Hand cream/lotion

So, all you really need is the nail polish. I used the following for the colors:

• Base coat - Butter London Nail Foundation (nude colored base coat)
• Pink - Essie, #472
• Yellow - Revlon, Lemon Meringue (scented! YUM!)
• Peach - I omitted this one because I just haven't found the right color yet >.< I've been eyeing Butter London's Spring 2013 color - Kerfuffle via Beautezine's swatches; in fact this entire collection would be so appropriate for this mani
• Green - Revlon, Minted
• Blue - Revlon, Dreamer
• Purple - Essie, Lilicism
• Matte top coat - Butter London, Matte Finish
• Red - Rite Stripe, Red

I also added other items to the materials list just because it is part of my routine. First part of the prep is to clean nails using the nail polish remover; I think doing this even if your nails weren't painted previously is also good to do. Clip nails to desired length and file appropriately (Fab Fatale explains that she cut her nails short for a more "soft" and "feminine" look). Use the buffer to remove excess nail residual from filing. Now time to add some color! After adding a couple of coats, top your colored nails with the matte top coat. Let dry and prep for writing your words! Fab Fatale was brilliant in that she used stamps so her words came out perfect. I was going to attempt free-handing but the lack of brushes or pens or the ability to write on such a small canvas left me with just different colored nails today...which my boss noticed. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try! Use your memory and imagination (or Google) and take your striper, nail art brush/pen and write whatever creative phrases come to mind! Take a look at P.S. I Made This's yummy take on the sweethearts for more phrases and fun!

My (half) results:

Good luck & here's to a "sweet" V-day!

If anything check out this cute video...too bad we all couldn't find love this way :)

Carpe d.i.y.!

xoxo

~c

february d.i.y. - deco badge reels

So I was brainstorming on what my first DIY post would be...and ta da!

As mentioned previously, I was introduced to deco-ing by a dear friend (visit her deco-fabulous website to see some serious bling, or "kira kira" as the Japanese would refer to it). Upon starting a new job a couple of years ago, I got a spiffy badge and a company badge reel. Of course I had to do something to schnaz up the drab badge and thus the idea to deco badge reels was born! (I came to realize that this perceived "genius" idea of mine has already been done, but I was intent on DIY-ing this myself)!

Luckily I had already had the materials to deco since my first ambitious adventure with deco-ing was to make myself a rad phone case--I'll post pics later :)

Some materials you may need:

• A badge reel (which can be bought online or via a local supplier; Hawaii: Fisher Hawaii)
• The Amazing E-6000 glue (yes, it's really called that; found this at Walmart but can be purchased at any craft store)
• Jewels & Cabochons (for bling!! search for these beauties & cuties via Etsy, Ebay or your local craft store/wholesale supplier)
• Tweezers (for jewel placement)

After I made my own, I realized how great these were as gifts so I've been crafting these for friends and coworkers. Here's one for a coworker who requested another one after her original one broke:

I'll try to post more of my badge reel creations if I can find the pics!

Carpe D.I.Y.!!

~c

Follow me on Instagram for more pics! :) @snowbunnie06

    

c's the d.i.y.

What does c's the d.i.y. mean? Aside from being a place to express some ideas, the phrase is really just a play on words that was drummed up within a series of conversations with B.Loved. (Just try saying it a few times fast; sound familiar?)

A few years ago I was introduced to the idea of deco by a dear biffle (aka BFF). While it was certainly not the start of my DIY obsession, (I used to make "outfits", yes hand-sewed, for my Barbie dolls), deco-ing has become my most recent endeavor that I have invested in.

I hope to post a how-to sometime in the (hopefully near) future, but if you have the itch to join the deco craze, and have to have a blinged out piece to call your own, check out Kira Kira Creations!

So here's to DIYs, hand-crafted creativity & fun! When the opportunity arises, you must seize the moment before it escapes from your creative genius! Carpe DIY :)

~c

hello blog world!

hi there,

i have been a longtime lover of diy projects and am an avid believer in fashion and the mantra of reuse, recycle & reimagine. some of my fav diy gurus are p.s. i made this, honestly wtf... & i spy diy just to name a few. this place will be a venue through which i can discover, explore & share crafty ideas that i have stumbled upon or come up with on my own through my own "eccentric" creative genius. i am in no way attempting to take credit for the diy ideas of others, rather i am trying to replicate the process and share my take on it with you. this space will also be a mood board of sorts to express the jumble of thoughts and "likes" that are at the moment untapped and stuck in my head. i have been playing around with the idea of blogging for a long time, but it was with the help of a dear friend that i realized i needed to seize the opportunity now otherwise nothing would ever come to fruition. for this i must give a shout-out to B. Loved: thank you lovely lady for inspiring me and encouraging me to finally start up this personal diy documentary; i couldn't have done it without you!

before i leave you today, i want to share something that may give insight into one of the many directions that this blog may take or tell you a little bit more about myself. another wise friend of mine introduced me to kokology, a self-discovery exercise. it's a great way to get to know new people or even just yourself...

A Glazed Expression
Arts and craft class is almost a right of passage in our society, a grueling test of the human spirit in which young initiates strive to force rubber cement, pipe cleaners, modeling clay, and papier-mache to bend to their will. And few of us can claim to have managed to avoid the experience of creating an object--be it ceramic mask, napkin holder, or the obligatory ashtray--only to be confronted by and empty expanse demanding that you do something, anything, to decorate it.

A plain white coffee mug of your own design sits ready for the kiln and is staring at you in blank anticipation. You have chosen to use blue glaze; now, if only you could decide on the pattern....

Which of the following patterns do you paint in blue on the mug?

1. Stripes.
2. Polka Dots.
3. Checks.
4. Wavy lines.

so which one are you? it's amazing how much you can learn about yourself from these questions so choose wisely and truthfully! check below for your "results"--were you surprised? I'd love to hear your thoughts! (i picked polka dot and i was relatively surprised by the results, but my friend thought it was spot on!) i can't wait to make it down to a pottery place to actually make one!

so if any of this sounds of interest to you or someone you know spread the word & lets c's the diy!

~c

p.s. i would also LOVE to hear about all of the things you other diy-ers are up to so don't hesitate to share or send some suggestions/request/whatevers! you can also find brief updates via my tumblr! carpe diy!

KEY TO "A Glazed Expression" (from my friend KK, or it can also be found here)!
Blue is the color most deeply associated with the inner workings of the mind, from imagination to intuition to intellect. The white surface of your coffee mug provides a blank slate and give s your mind free rein to express itself in the most comfortable, natural way. In this sense, the pattern you selected reflects the structure and strengths of your mind in its approach to creativity and problem solving.

1. Stripes: You favor a direct and clear-cut approach, making you a keen decision maker able to resolve problems and put plans into action instantly. It's only natural that people perceive you as a leader and pillar of strength in difficult times.

2. Polka dots: Your strength lies in the adaptive, artistic nature of your mind. This may make you appear to be a little offbeat, perhaps even eccentric to some, but you make a real contribution to the world as a creator with a unique vision.

3. Checks: You excel at mastering the demans of the everyday, but in no way does that make you average or ordinary. Few people are able to organize their lives with such quiet efficiency. And the result of your efforts is that you always seem to have the time, wealth, and compassion to share with those in need.

4. Wavy lines: You gift is in generating an atmosphere in which it's easy and comfortable to feel and express love. It's not that you crave attention or affection, but people just naturally feel good about taking care of and supporting you. And all that goodwill has a ripple effect, touching the lives of those around you in subtle ways. Ask the people who know and love you--the world is a better place for your being in it.