Frumpy to Fancy Again!

So remember when I updated a basic $6 sweatshirt to go from frumpy to fancy?

Well there is just something I love about a simple grey sweatshirt and I think it's time I update another! Here are a couple of cute options I am considering:

stitched to perfection

beauty in the back

I'm thinking using a wide ribbon for option 2 would be really cute!

Done and Done: Part 3

Well, it's time for one of those posts where I just have to "keep it real." 

As part of my DIY series {check out part 1 here and part 2 here}, I had this grand idea to DIY a cute sweatshirt that was a combination of two of my favorite things: polka dots and sparkles... {you thought I was going to say leopard, didn't you?}.

You see, I've seen all of these cute sparkly sweatshirts around and thought to myself, 'I could do that!' And then in the October edition of InStyle magazine, a girl DIY'd her own pair of polka dotted jeans. I was on a mission.

Here's where I started:

A comfy grey sweatshirt from WalMart for a whopping 6ish bucks, a couple gold acrylic paints {one solid, one glittered} each around $1 or $2 and a round sponge. All in all this project was less than $10, {sidenote, I promise I will get better at keeping track of project budgets! Save your receipts, Katie!}

I added a layer of solid gold polka dots:

I chose gold for two reasons: #1 I had it on hand from this project and #2 the glitter I chose was a silver/gold combo, so I thought it would be a nice way to pick up the gold while the grey in the sweatshirt picked up the silver.

And here is what I ended up with:

I like how the sweatshirt ended up, but I'm not in love with it. The project itself was quite time consuming as it took 4 applications {solid dot front and back, glitter dot front and back}. The finished dots are not quite as glittered as I thought they would be, but on the other hand they shed plenty as is, so adding more glitter would just be asking for more trouble. 

I'm glad I finished a project for this week of the series, but let's just chalk this one up to a learning experience. And watch out if you see me wearing this little number... I will shed glitter on you. 

Done and Done: Part 2

I've done it again! I've completed my promised DIY for the week! {You can check out week 1 here if you'd like :)}

This time around, I found inspiration from a couple of my favorite blogs: Bower Power {Katie Bower is hi-lar-ious!} and Little Green Notebook {I think Jenny Komenda is a genius... I live my NYC dream life vicariously through her!}.

left / right

Do you spy with your little eye what I spy with my little eye? The painted edges on the black and whites add an extra POP. Now, I didn't go as far with my craft project to try the engineer print like the gals above {although that is a project on my list someday}, but I did get fancy this black and white that I look at everyday...

ugh, I know... awful iPhone photo again!

Audrey hangs on the wall in my room and serves as a daily reminder to be classy and stylish. 

So what color did I choose as my pop? 

source

PINK of course! If Audrey believes in it, then so do I!... and truth be told, I love pink and realize I need to get my fill of it while I'm single because I'm sure my future hubby won't share the same sentiment towards the girly color! 

Here's a little play-by-play:

I used paint that I already had on hand from a former project... just went back to my elementary school education and mixed red and white together to make pink! I ended up only using the paint brush to mix my paint. The foam brush was my tool of choice when it came to dressing up Audrey's sides. I went back and forth considering whether or not to tape off the sides or to freehand this project, but in the end, I decided better safe than sorry.

After taping, I got my paint on...

And after a couple of coats of bright pink and a night of drying time, Audrey was ready to back up on the wall with her fresh new facelift!

Ahhhh! It's the little things in life like a POP of pink that make me smile!

Look what a big difference a little bit of paint makes!

Done and Done

Were you guys getting worried that I didn't complete my promised DIY for the week?

left / middle / right

Well, I DID! One thing I learned for sure is I need to step up my camera game for this here blog... the iPhone just won't cut it! Sorry for the not-so-great pictures, but at least there is some proof that I got my craft on!

I also need to make a note to myself not to take pictures in the evening when it is d.a.r.k! {Thanks a lot day light savings time!} 

I really like the way the crafts turned out. My plan is to pick up white pieces here and there and tie them together with a little golden updating. I'll be sure to keep you all updated as the "collection" comes along. I even added a little surprise in the bowl {which, by the way, is much shinier and golden in person... again, bad camera and lighting... darn it!}... anywho the surprise that makes me happy:

A little surprise initial inside. Ohhhh the small joys in life!

You know what is a HUGE joy in life? FRIDAYS. Happy Friday to all! Have a great weekend! I'm off to cheer on my Jayhawks tonight for the first official basketball game of the season... Can't wait to be back in Allen Fieldhouse. ROCK CHALK.

Go for the Gold

Now that I have a little time off from travel, I think need to get back in touch with my inner crafter! 

I have eight weeks between now and when I hit the road again, so I'm making a one-project-per-week goal. {Whoa! I just said that out loud, so now I really have to stick to it.} You better believe I'll keep you lovely people posted here on da blog.

First up: Something gold...

left / middle / right

I think I'll start with the picture in the middle... I already have a 4-pack of frappuccino's just waiting to keep me caffeinated this week! 

Stay tuned for my crafty after pics!

Kiddo Crafting

Can we turn back the hands of time? By 20 years or so? I want to be little again so I can get in on these cool crafts, coloring books and such. When I have my own little girl, you better believe I will be living vicariously through her and buying her products such as these!

anthropologie

I think I might need this coloring book at my desk. It would make conference calls so much more entertaining.

The Paper Souce

This little wreath could be a cute addition to a colorful gallery wall in a little girls room... or a big girls room... or my room.

etsy

I might have to order these for real. Any suggestions on what I could do with them? I no longer have a trapper keeper to decorate, but these have got to make their way into my life somewhere or another!