Pink and Black

I think pink and black is such a sexy color combination.

It's the direction I'm taking for this blah to TADA!

packaging project I'm sharing today.

blah: a black sack that once held

Halloween erasers 

TADA!:  a gift wrap idea for small items like jewelry or

other accessories. 

We'll need a gift tag of course!

 blah: an empty shopping bag -- the zebras

are a nice design element

Cut out the zebra into a circle {glue on to cardboard backing 

to make it sturdy} and TADA! -- gorgeous gift tag! 

After writing your wishes at the back, slip this

into the netting -- no glue or tape needed.

  

Stylish and whimsical, 'no?

Have a happy Tuesday!

Presents and Packaging

I hope your weekend was beautiful!

This week, it's all about embellishments to make your presents pop.

Today, I'll show you how to make this mini wreath,
using a technique from this project.

blah: cardboard that's no longer needed

Cut two circles {use cans/bottles in different sizes

 as a guide} to form a letter "O".

Wrap some yarn around it, securing each strand to the 

cardboard with hot glue.

Scrap paper, whether cut-out or craft-punched, 

make divine decorations. Other options include

small fabric flowers, pompoms or sequins.

Attach these to the circle with hot glue.

Secure this to the wrapped gift with yarn, ribbon or glue.

Add a card or gift enclosure and TADA! -- a present 

to make any little {or big} girl happy.

Wear Some Candy

I hope you enjoyed my rundown of Project Runway's fashion made out of unconventional materials.

Today, I'm featuring the current season's unique shopping trip.

via lifetime.com

The contestants went to Dylan's Candy Bar, owned by Ralph Lauren's daughter. Similar to previous challenges, they would be judged on craftsmanship and creativity in incorporating candy into their designs.

This dress was declared the winner:

via buddytv.com

A cocktail number made to look like stained glass. The colors are made of crushed candy glued on to a cloth structure.

via mylifetime.com

It's a creation of Ven Budhu, one of the most talented designers this season.

via fredflare

This turquoise dress came in second. Notice the intricate details at the front and back of the dress?

via lifetime.com

It's Sonjia William's handiwork.

via nymag.com

The dress has a collar made of gummi sharks, the bodice is filled with jelly beans, rock candy, and foil-wrapped chocolates.

Just like candy, don't these looks make you happy? Have a wonderful weekend dear friends!

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!

via nickverreos

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:

via nymag.com

The fringe was made out of Halloween tinsel.

via nymag.com

 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!