Hey kittens! If you're in the NYC area and want to join me for a craft up this coming sunday well you're in luck! I'll be co-hosting a craft up with my girl Sonia (@alwaysinstyle). We're starting at 3:30pm and going until we run out of materials... or get too tipsy to glitter anymore.
If you're interested in coming simply RSVP to me lesley@lesleykat.com to get the address. While you're at it, check out my DIY Pinterest board.
Hope to see you there!
Under a shady tree, next to the pond on the east lawn in central park a fabulous group of ladies united for crafts, chats and snacks. We could not have asked for a better weather. The craft dujour was the wrapped ball-chain bracelet which is great for all skill-levels of crafty folks. Its easy and quick to make with beautiful results. Jenni (@ISpyDIY) made like a half dozen in the couple of hours we were there. We even had some visitors including a ridiculously adorable frenchie puppy and an equally adorable little girl from one blanket over.
Thanks to @alwaysinstyle and @ISpyDIY for organizing, and guests @MissWhoeveryUR, @mizlizzle @frooblor and Erica (get on your twitter, lady!) who came out. A special shout out goes to M&J Trimming for hooking us up with some supplies for the event. We are planning on getting another craft-up together after summer so keep on the lookout for that. Perhaps a tie-dye craft up?
Now to let the pictures tell the story...
Hey Kittens! You all know that friendship bracelets are super hot right now. This weekend I am attending a sweet craft up with a handful of amazingly cool girls, bloggers and possibly a super secret press guest. Come check it out! See details below.
Since there's no actual address, I have created a location HERE that can be easily accessed on iPhones/any google map. We have some supplies provided by our lovely sponsor, M&J Trimming, but if you have your own thread bring it!
Other things to bring:
• Something to drink (if happens just to be a flask of whiskey, your secrets safe with us) Snackies are welcome too!
• Embellishments including, but not limited to: rhinestones, beads, charms, hex nuts, etc...
• Something to sit on like a towel or a blanket
No RSVP required! Just show up and hang out! Feel free to bring friends and puppies. If it rains, there may be a relocation or date change. Stay tuned.
PS. Feel free to pass any of this info along. The more, the craftier!
Shatter, crackle, whatever you call it, and whether you like it or not, there is no escaping this nail trend. I wasn’t a huge fan of it when it was big in the 90’s and I’m still not today. This is mostly because of the color options. Back in the day there were two choices, white and black. Now, it seems like every polish brand is coming out with their own line of crackle effects thus increasing the color options tremendously. Well kittens, I’m still not sold. I like to be in control of my own colors so I of course DIY’d a work around.
How’d I do it?
We interrupt your regularly scheduled mani monday to bring you a very special Lady Gaga inspired DIY nail art creation.
While I don't think Judas is Lady Gaga's best video to date (Bad Romance is unbeatable in my book), I do think the beauty world can take a few little gems away from the creative direction and styling. The one thing that caught my attention right off the bat was her amazing long, embellished velveted nails. Now, 99.9% of people could not function properly with 2 inch nails covered in velvet and adorned with linking chains. I have simplified the concept to just textured, velveted nails.
Supplies:
• Zoya, Veruschka matte velvet nail polish
A dark green matte that dries quickly. The color doesn't matter as much as the finish. You don't really want to see glossy bits peaking out from under the velvet. If you don't use a matte, it's not the end of the world.
• Flocking material by Doodlebug Design Inc. I chose black, but it comes a wide range of colors and can be purchased at craft or scrabooking stores.
• A small bowl or ramekin with a wide opening
• Paper, for easy cleanup
• Fluffy makeup brush (optional) Be sure to wash it afterwards before using it again for makeup.
Do be aware that these nails will probably get messed up pretty quickly so they're great for a night out, but don't make it through showers very well. The flocking does come off easily with nail polish remover; you may need to use more cotton balls than usual.
Click through the gallery for step-by-step instructions.
Would you rock velvet nails?
If you need an idea for some last minute gifts but are feeling a little uninspired, may I suggest making them. I made a ton of these dough ornaments that I found on Kaboose crafting site. They're easy to make and with a little patience and the right tools (paint, glitter, glue) you can turn flour, salt and water into beautiful hand made ornaments.
To find out how to make these
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I don't know about you but I'd rather spend money on my costume rather than decorations for Halloween. You can easily drop a hundred bucks on special lights and skulls and weird things that make noise. I came up with the idea for these lanterns by seeing something similar at a restaurant. They're really cheap and easy and you can reuse your holiday lights.
Supplies:
Strand of holiday light (any color!)
Scissors
8 1/2 x 11 paper and printer
tape
Find some artwork you really like. I downloaded mine from the internet. It's not stealing... it's um, borrowing. You can browse through Martha Stewart's archives. I'm sure she had TONS of free printable decorations. Print it out on your paper and follow the instructions below. You can also draw them for a more custom look.
(click photo to see it bigger)
This morning @HeatherPark asked me how I would make a belt buckle to add to a halloween costume. I came up with this little idea. It can be adapted to any sort of halloween costume accessory you need!
Items needed:
cardboard
scissors
Xacto knife
rubber bands (tie the rubber bands together to get more length if needed.)
paint/markers/print out for whatever you want to put on the front
long narrow rod. I used the end of a paint brush
here's the instructions: GO! (click image to enlarge)
