Floral, literally

Project Runway is one of my favorite TV shows, because it demonstrates the skill of designers working on limitations like time, budget, and materials. You see, cloth is not always the material du jour. Some challenges require them to shop at non-traditional stores like the supermarket, the pet shop, a recycling center, and even the flower shop. 

The resulting looks can sometimes be blah, but many turn out to be TADA!:

via bravoTV

This one's made of orchid blossoms and leaves!

via bravoTV

It enhances the model's figure and doesn't weigh her down.

via theslapdashsewist

It's the handiwork of Daniel Vosovic, who also designed this dress for the show, inspired by a photo of a flower.

via smilingldsgirl

Here are the other dresses fashioned from leaves, buds, and moss.

If you saw a lady walk into a party dressed like this,

what would you think?

For the Birds

Let's say you were a contestant on Project Runway, and show mentor Tim Gunn said, "We're going shopping!", you'd be excited, right? But would you still feel the same if he took you to a pet shop? How would you turn blah into TADA!?  

Here's how one designer did it:

via kristensbrain

He made a dress out of birdseed!

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The dress had a muslin base and birdseed was glued all over it.

via nickverreos

The magic was how the designer laid out the seeds, beginning with a dark, dramatic collar, and graduating to a golden mini. The styling was also well-edited.

via collegefashion.net

Applause goes to designer Anthony Ryan Auld, the man with the fancy feather touch!

Sexy Sack

"It looks like she's wearing a sack," isn't exactly the best of compliments. Except for today.

via Kole Imports

A Project Runway contestant once used this plaid laundry bag as the main material for a dress. It was called the "unconventional challenge", where the contestants shopped at a New York City dollar store.

If you're not familiar with this bag, it's used to schlep all sorts of things like produce sold at the farmer's market. They are sturdy, water repellent, light and easy to fold when it's time to store them.  

Who would ever guess its potential as a dress:

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The fringe was made out of Halloween tinsel.

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 Here's a full view -- isn't it so chic and well-tailored?

via realitytvmagazinesheknows.com

Rami Kashou, an expert at draping, created this dress.  I think it's one of the most memorable dresses made on the show. Have a nice day!

Alternative Fashion

Do you watch reality TV shows? I like them a lot! 

via mylifetime.com

I prefer the exhibit-your-ability types like Project Runway because it gives you a peek at how the fashion industry works. It's focused on design, but lately, they've infused hints of its business side like production and pricing, making you say, "I never knew that."

via mylifetime.com

The season starts with a bunch of unknown fashion designers {some are established, while some are just starting out}. 

via mylifetime.com

It's set in New York City where the contestants gather inspiration, shop for materials, sew their garments, show off their designs, and yes, they all live together in an apartment. 

via mylifetime.com

In every episode, they are presented a challenge {ex. make a red carpet look} and end with a fashion show. The winner gets immunity from elimination in the next challenge, and the loser gets kicked off. The cast gets whittled down to the top three designers who show a collection at Fashion Week {every fashion designer's dream!}. The winner, aside from bragging rights, gets prize money to start their own line, plus a few more goodies to help their fashionista dreams come true.

One of my favorite challenges is the "unconventional challenge". Instead of buying their materials at a fabric store, they are brought to places like the supermarket where they must shop for items that they have to transform into a dress. Totally, blah to TADA!

All this week, I'll show you the weird places where the contestants have shopped, and the creative looks that were produced.

Okay, let's start with the supermarket. One designer bought a gazillion ears of corn to make this:

via second city style

 blah: corn husks

TADA!: cocktail dress

via queen city crafts

 On the runway, it's an eye-catching frock.

via darling darling files

The mastermind behind the dress, Austin Scarlett.

See you back tomorrow!

Tinted Bubbles

Hooray and Happy Friday!

Today's idea is something I picked up from Pinterest.

I found it so cool, I had to try it myself.

 We'll use bubble liquid and food color 

to make a patterned page.

Put a small amount of water into a blah, recycled cup and add several drops of food color. Add some bubble liquid and stir well.

Use this solution plus a bubble wand to blow some bubbles. The bubbles should land on the sheet of paper you've placed in front of you.  

When the bubbles pop, they'll make patterns on the paper. It's okay if the bubble-paint solution drips on the page.

Let me warn you that this craft can be messy. We really can't control where the bubbles go.  Some bubbles landed on my white wall -- but nothing that a water-filled spray bottle can't fix.

Once dry, this is what happens. TADA!

Next time, I'll try using a bubble gun and be less stingy with the food color for darker and more defined bubbles.

I wish you all a fabulous weekend!

Kissable Art

We're all about painting with non-traditional materials.

Today is no exception...we're experimenting 

with lipstick!

blah: lipstick that's almost empty or has expired 

 blah: blank mini canvas panels

Use the accompanying wand or a small paintbrush to apply the pigment onto the canvas {make sure to surround your work area with newspaper}. When you're done, allow this to dry in a sunny spot for several days.

TADA! A fiercely feminine piece of art!

A Watercolor Evening

As I've mentioned before, I associate summer with learning something new. When I was little, I'd go to art or dance class during my months off from school. It kept me active, involved, and social. I don't see why we have to stop learning a new skill even if we're all grown up, right?

So one evening, I attended a watercolor class. 

via Paris Breakfast

I've always wished I could create watercolor pieces just like this one. I guess with anything, I'll get there with lots of practice. But I've got to begin with baby steps.

We were a class of 6 women. Our teacher, Tina, established a relaxed vibe as she showed us step-by-step what to do.

First the materials:

via dickblick

She recommends using good quality watercolor paper like Arches. The paper one uses highly affects the outcome.

via dickblick

I used these watercolors that I've had for many years. Maybe I'll upgrade to watercolor tubes and a nicer paintbrush.

The first step is to wet the page using a damp foam brush {notice that we used blah yogurt containers to hold our water}.

Then add a generous amount of your chosen color {I was in the mood for reds and oranges}. I let the paint bleed and drip, following Tina's instructions to, "Let the paint tell you what it wants to do."

Then she encouraged us to add texture to the paint by using salt, colored tissue paper, bubble wrap, tulle, string or other blah materials that are available. Apply these in different stages as the paint dries.

Here's what I did:

It may remind you of a tie-dye t-shirt because of the color gradients and the white spots created by the salt {a technique I find really fascinating}.

It's my piece of abstract art -- a TADA! souvenir from a relaxing evening, and a reminder of the many things I can create with watercolor.

If you've got other TADA! tips for a watercolor novice like me, please share!