Wear Your Heart on Your Door

Are you and your sweetie a couple that is a little bit country, and a little bit rock-n-roll? Display your love to the world by making this St. Valentine heart a"door"nment! (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

This colorblocked heart was created with materials that I had sitting at home. As you may conclude, this is another Cheapskate Tip, guys and gals!

Materials:

- Cardboard box (the one I used had a cool polka dot print)

- Permanent marker

- Ruler

- Hole punch

- Acrylic paint

- Drafting tape

- Hot glue

- Washi tape

- Raffia or ribbon

- Silk flower

Find the flattest and most solid side of your cardboard box as your base. 

Begin to draft up the heart shape on the backside of the box. Use a bowl to outline the rounded upper portion of the heart.

Use a ruler to line up the point of the heart with the middle. 

Continue using ruler to meet up with rounded portion of the heart. Then, freehand the sides of the heart so that it is rounded and full. 

Cut along the lines and flip over. 

Punch holes on left and right top sides of the heart. These holes will be where the ribbon or material of choice will be strung through for hanging. 

Grab your drafting tape and firmly press on the dividing line with how you'd prefer to colorblock your heart. I went diagonal. 

Paint one side with color of choice acrylic paint and allow enough time to dry before pulling off the drafting tape. 

If you goofed such as I did--by watering down the paint too much--fear not. Bleed-thru is fixable. Enter Washi tape. I also used Washi tape to finish out the rough edges. 

Punch another hole and hot glue your flower and partial stem to the heart in the location of your choice. 

Dig around in your craft supply bucket to find the perfect material to hang your heart with. I had natural raffia collecting dust so I cut the desired length and began to untwist. 

Slide the ribbon, string, or raffia through the holes on each site. Glue or tie a knot to the backside of the heart to secure in place. Your course of action will depend on the material you use. The raffia was so dense that I had to glue it. 

Finito! Wear your heart proudly on your door. Proud...because you made it and you didn't spend a dime on it!

Happy Valentine's Day to all~

The Future Tellings of Life and Clothing

We made it out to the movies this weekend and saw "Her." I will spare you from leaving a full cinematic review, however, what mainly caught my attention during the slow-moving plot was the manner in which the characters dressed in this near-future storyline. The characters--both men and women--seemed to have adopted a somewhat blurred line of feminine and masculine. Androgenic, almost. Everyone sported high-waisted bottoms. Most of the women didn't wear any makeup. And no matter what...everyone wore button-down tops that were buttoned all the way up.

It was a very conservative fashion trend for a story set in the future. The contrast had me intrigued. Personally, I've noticed that each year that passes, less and less is left to the imagination with fashion. Was Spike Jonze simply appealing to the younger audience by incorporating the hot fashion trends of recycled 1980s fashion? Or, was he trying to seep in a little irony with the overall tone of the futuristic movie? Perhaps, was he trying to convey that in the age of technology, we have become so closed off to others, and a way of symbolizing this was by closing off the shirt collar, a physical pathway to the heart?

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but I very much appreciate the cinematic symbolism that our writers and producers convey in each movie. I began reminiscing about past movies that had futuristic plots. What were they conveying with fashion in tandem with the message of the story?

Clockwork Orange, 1971

Does the full-on white assembly and black bowler hat symbolize and/or accentuate the overall plotline of good and evil, and the ability to make the moral choice between the two?

Blade Runner, 1982

The cinematography is very neo-noir and the fashion is a blend of steampunk and cyberpunk--combining past, present and future styles. Would you say that each character is dressed in a manner that visually communicates the effect that technology plays on the environment and society as a whole? Does it elude to who is human and who is an artificially engineered replicant?

Matrix, 1999

Fighters in a war between humans and machines, do the characters dressed in black blur the lines between the humans the the all-powerful machine they created?

What have you watched lately where fashion seemed to have a profound influence on the plot?

Desert Snow Globe Cheapskate Tutorial

With the unusually low temperatures across most of the U.S., it was not so fun stepping outside for too long. Yet, I found myself craving snow even though it's a rare site here in central Texas. What better way to achieve the satisfaction of a snowy winter day than in the comfort of your warm home? I decided to compensate for our lackluster winters by creating a snow globe. This is not just any old snow globe, folks. It's a combination of the native plants of Texas (think: succulents/ cacti) and wishful thinking (powdery snow.) Easy to make, quick to enjoy, and no need to go anywhere! How's that for instant gratification?

This snow globe (like most everything else I make) consists of re-purposed and upcycled materials. You guessed it. This qualifies as an official Art and Facts Cheapskate Tip!!!

I did not purchase anything for this project, including the snow. You can create your unique treasure by utilizing items you are storing away. Start digging! Here are the materials I used: 

• Plastic succulent greenery decor
• Salsa jar - salsa consumed, label removed and cleaned
• Jewelry bead that doesn't have a home
• Epoxy
• White feathers

The horticulture specimen of your choice will require a sturdy base so that it will remain upright. I used a cubed silver bead as my base. Shove the wired stem into the bead hole and glue. Then, glue the bead to the lid of the jar and let it fully dry.

Now, we can make it snow. I didn't want to make the type of snow globe with water and glycerin this time. I wanted some serious powder. Fluff. Airiness. I was too lazy to go to the craft store and buy the fake snow. What to use...what to use? Eureka!.........Feathers!!! Feathers would make terrific snow!

I used white feathers for a more realistic look, but I started to imagine the use of brightly colored feathers for cool ironic and artistic look. Maybe for the next snow globe project...

Snip the feathers into tiny shredded pieces.  Continue clipping until you are happy with the height of the snow laying at the bottom.

Screw on the lid and adore your newly bottled winter wonderland!

Happy Wreathing Holidays!

In honor of my ongoing saga of "How Wreath It Is," I've assembled this mid-century wreath using vintage decorative wired ribbon, a vintage Santa ornament and a new glitter starburst ornament. You will find that I'm using the same vine wreath for all looks each year/ each season. Only the materials used are changed. A mighty fine way to stretch that dollar while achieving a new look!

Infinite Style Options with One Garment - The Convertible Dress

Is your closet busting at the seams but you are tired of everything you own? Are you in a creative fashion rut? Is your closet small? Are you a minimalist? Well, honey, have I got a cure for you!

(Photo via Fascinating Julia)

The infinite convertible dress! You can see for yourself that you can create over two dozen different looks with only one garment! That's right...ONE garment! The first step is to choose a style from the plethora that are available:

Bubble convert dress via Loretari on Etsy

Two-toned ruffle mermaid-style convert dress via Miss Lee Apparel on Etsy

Retro Belted Button Maeve Convertible Dress via Anthropologie

Classic short and classic long convert dress via Two Birds

We've been seeing them on bridesmaids a lot lately. I think its a classically varietal look. What is best about this dress, is that it suits multiple body types. Each bridesmaid can choose the convertible look that she feels most comfortable in. Depending on how the dress is tied, the bridesmaid can draw attention to or detract attention from the body part(s) she wishes. They are mainly an empire cut, which is flattering on all body types. Win-win for the bride!

Speaking of weddings, bridal dresses are showing up the convertible format! What a terrific idea! Two different looks between ceremony and reception--the bride sheds some fabric so that she can boogie down!

Long-to-short convert bridal dresses 

(Via Hayley Paige)

(Via Morgan Boszilkov)

I've worn my convertible dress more in one year than any of my other dresses. I'd like to see more out there with convertibles. Convertible romper? Convertible pantsuit? Convertible tops? Bring it on!

Celebrating Death

Death itself, or the thought of death tends to invoke a somber emotion. The action of death can inflict itself upon the living (obviously) but also figuratively with the death of a job, a friendship, or a mechanical/electronic belonging.

Death generally sucks. We want our beloved to live forever, or carry on with us during our lifetime. But in Mexican and Latin cultures, death is accepted as a way of life. The departed move on, and return to visit the living in celebration.

Dia de los Muertos is an annual holiday that lasts between 1-3 days--typically beginning Oct. 31st--and is celebrated around the world. Each country varies in its traditions in celebrating this holiday. 

Not only does observing death as a celebration of its preceding life help us move on, but this ritual is an optimistic method in remembering the good, while it coexisted with us. 

In my opinion, Day of the Dead is not only an annual holiday. It can also be applied as a healthy outlook on all things that have passed on in our lives. Cherish the good times. Love what you have. Live in the present. Celebrate your life. Because, after all, nothing lasts. 

As a commemoration, I have crafted this sugar skull ornament for Day of the Dead. It was a deeply meditating experience in creating this skull. I started out not knowing what materials I'd be using, nor did I have a vision of how it would turn out. I just let my imagination guide me. In the midst of creating, I thought about all that I've lost, figuratively and literally. By the end of the crafting process, I felt I could let it all go. I was able to celebrate the changes in life. Each time I look at my sugar skull, it brings me peace. It also reminds me to rejoice all of the people, animals and things that I do still have with me.

Make your own meditative sugar skull ornament. Use any material you desire. Let your thoughts and celebrations run wild!

Materials used:

- Felt

- Glue

- Embroidery thread
- Rhinestone stickers

- Silk rose

The sugar skull ornament made a wonderful addition to my Day of the Dead wreath. (Same grapevine wreath used as here, here, and here.)

(All Photos via Art and Facts)

Baby, Baby, Baby!

I apologize in advance for deviating from the usual random, lighthearted content in this blog by publishing this particular post. However, as random as I may be, this subject matter has been on my mind. Thusly, I felt it was warranted to let loose here.

As you may have deducted from previous posts, Hubby and I are quite busy...and broke. We have two houses on our plate, one of which is the victim of DIY renovation. We have very little time for ourselves.

With Hubby and I between the two and three-year mark in our marriage, we seem to be getting a constant one-sided pressure...from EVERYONE. I can always predict when someone segues the conversation into the dreaded seven-words. "Are you two planning on having kids?"

Obviously, a question of that nature is quite loaded. Each couple has their own set of challenges and thoughts. To answer such a question is in many forms difficult to provide an answer.

There are many couples couples out there itching to create a family after marriage. However, I believe there are couples who possess other goals beyond the baby fever. For the couples who belong in the latter category, goals and reasons to put the baby-makin' on the back burner can be complicated.

For us, I suppose the short answer of such a multifaceted question is that Hubby and I just don't have that achy, shaky feeling to procreate. Sure, we love kiddos and understand what they bring to a couple, transforming them into a family unit. However, we also understand that they are non-stop work and attention, and complete life transformers. Telling someone that we just don't really care to procreate results in complete dissonance.

We find ourselves wondering if we are the only ones in the world that have kid ambivalence. It's not that we completely despise the thought of children, but we don't really crave the idea either. We have discussed the child-or-not-to-child topic ad nauseam. In fact, our advantage/disadvantage list would be a more extensive version of the list below, but just humor me.

Pros to kids-

1) Funny

2) A unique version of you and your loved one, blended into one cute pint

3) Teaches you patience, love and imagination

4) Carry on your family genes into the world

Cons to kids-

1) Expensive

2) Undeterminable chance of the child souring, even with quality parenting

3) Test of your patience, freedom, and sanity

4) Aren't there too many people in the world already?

I sought help with a good, reliable friend that would be unbiased with this subject matter...the internets. Are we highly unusual people mixed into society's stream? This article, on Cup of Jo's blog seemed to put my mind at ease. The variety of comments below the post, even more so.

For now, I digress. We aren't planning for children. We don't have life lined up the way we'd prefer to if we were to have children. We have many other diverse concerns associated with bringing a life into the world. And most importantly,we don't seem to possess the type of bone-traveling passion that would warrant such a major decision.

[Exception to the rule: Sometimes life throws surprises our way. A child may not be planned but worked its way into your life. Just as I thought 10 years ago, (before meeting Hubby,) I thought I'd never get married, I'm now married and love every minute of it. The same has happened with friends who have not planned for children but have has "surprise" bundles of joy and are converted advocates for kiddos.]

For all of you folks with children (who ask your friends/ family sans children if they will have children,) consider the complexities of life-altering choices. Everyone is different--with different goals, passions, desires, incomes, illnesses (mental or physical), available time, location, or careers--children should be (and are typically) factored into this equation. The equation is very complex, and answering the dreaded seven-word question is mind-boggling.

For those of you who were previously ambivalent with the idea of a planned family, what brought you clarity toward a decision? I'd love to hear from you.

Photos via bigstock.com, sodahead.com, fugly.com.