January 5th, 2012

I finally, finaaaaaally have started getting into my zone for DIY-ing again! I found this girl on Youtube her channel is dietblond - she has unreal style and sweet do it yourself tutorials. She also has a blog where she maintains and updates the latest things she creates! I fell in the love with her 12 Days of DIY: DO IT YOURSELF Peplum Skirt. So in love, I in fact did do it myself!
At first I wanted to make a video response but my camera is horrible and I don't have the greatest editing skills so I decided I would take step photos in the making. I did skip a couple photos though but it's pretty simple and if you have any trouble just click the link to her video above!
When I get into these crafty moods, I tend to get very overwhelmed with all the awesome things that you can make. I've decided now I will do AT LEAST one DIY project a day. I would like to do more but if you are into making things as much as me... search upon search and you're swimming in DIY lists! Enough of my rambling though here a a couple step photos and the finished product.
Materials you will need:
- Long skirt preferably with a zip in the back
- Needle and thread
- Fabric scissors
- Measuring tape and ruler
- Straight pins
- Tailors Chalk
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Seam ripper just in case

 This is the skirt, untouched (black velvet). It was my Moms from the 90's.

Took a photo of a couple of the supplies

I tried the skirt on and marked how long I wanted it to be and added another 2" for the hem

After I cut off the unwanted length *do not throw it away though

I didn't like the shape of the skirt so I took it in on both side and pinned/fitted it to my hips. The width originally was 18" and I took 2" off both side so that it would fit my waist of 27".

Close up of the pins

Skipped a couple photos. But this is basically after I took in the sides and then hemmed the bottom up 2" and sewed. Looks a bit scruffy in the photo but you get the idea.

With the fabric you hacked off in the beginning and I said to save! I measured out 19x4.5" strips - these are for the ruffles to finish off the peplum look.

I hemmed and sewed off the raw edges just to finish it more. Although the velvet fabric does not fray too bad. I basted near the top by the hem and scrunched it up to pin and put on the finished skirt.

    Front of the finished skirt!

I did have some difficulties sewing on the ruffles I used my sewing my machine at first and it was getting ridiculous so I seam ripped them off and pinned and sewed by hand. Which I recommend as it is mysteriously awkward with the machine. I feel you have more control hand sewing this bit.

Back of the finished skirt!

 Et voila! Now you have a sweet up-cycled peplum skirt.

Sorry if the photos were kind of crap. I don't have the greatest camera! I hope you liked this anyway. Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave comments/questions/suggestions! Don't forget to follow!!

Jaunuary 3rd, 2012

First post of 2K12! I have a feeling this year is going to be absolutely amazing. As I'm getting older I'm starting to appreciate everything a lot more rather than take things for granted. I remember when I was really young, my parents and I would be driving in the car in Italy passing mountains and my parents would always say, "Look how beautiful they are" and I would think to myself what is so beautiful about a big mound of dirt? I think back, I was such a funny kid. Now I am in love with nature, my surroundings. I see the beauty in everything and I'm glad my parents were a part of my realization.
I haven't been doing much lately. I should be looking for a new job, I should be brushing up for my first GED class course on the 10th, I should be making my overdue secret santa gift, I should be writing an old friend a letter, I should be getting things ready for my online shop...haha. I'll get to those things though. I'm really pleased with how well my Youtube chanel is going for me. I've got some cool people that have wrote to me, a few subs. I am just really happy about that. I like being able to share my ideas and world with anyone who is interested because I find interest in others. To learn!!
I've been thinking lately... and I want to be some sort of DJ. Yes a female DJ. I have no experience in it whatsoever. I just want to learn and become an awesome one. For now though I'm just experimenting and expanding on my knowledge of what I already have. I cut my sisters hair today. It think it has a new wave / futuristic feel to it.
Here's a couple photos!!