New Beginnings for Smart n Snazzy

That's right, I did it!  I hope you followed the whole series, if not, here's the links for every post:

Day 30 ~ Cobra Stitch Neon Bracelet
Day 29 ~ Satin Striped Canvas Bag
Day 28 ~ Upcycled Butter Container Planters
Day 27 ~ Woven Bangles
Day 26 ~ Upcycled Portable Chalkboards
Day 25 ~ Portable Reusable Upcycled Tic Tac Toe
Day 24 ~ Chanel Inspired Chain Fringe Tassel Earrings
Day 23 ~ Bubble Tiled Mirror
Day 22 ~ Our Easter Tree!!
Day 21 ~ Tropical Shells!
Day 20 ~ Whimsical Wire Flowers
Day 19 ~ Frame Your Tiffany's Bag
Day 18 ~ Anthropologie Swathed Hoops Inspired Earrings
Day 17 ~ Springy Punchy Flowery Placemats
Day 16 ~ Beachy Glass Wall Art
Day 15 ~ Impact Wall Decor
Day 14 ~ Pom Pom n Shell Necklaces
Day 13 ~ Satin Ring Tray
Day 12 ~ DIY Neon Feather Earrings
Day 11 ~ Upcycled Washer Charm Bracelet
Day 10 ~ Studded Knit Belt
Day 9 ~ Kate Spade Hello Sunshine Inspired Neon Trim Straw Tote
Day 8 ~ DIY Peacock Feather Earrings
Day 7 ~ Fun n Funky Statement Necklaces
Day 6 ` Anthropologie Acrobatics Inspired Necklace
Day 5 ~ Upcycled Bright Oversized Geometric Earrings
Day 4 ~ Pop of Spring Neck Warmer
Day 3 ~ Fringe Bracelet, Necklace & Earrings
Day 2 ~ Safety Pins n Chains
Day 1 ~ Indoor "Garden" That Will Not Die!

Craziness, right??  I'm so proud of myself for doing this.  It's amazing what a bit of motivation and determination can do!  It's really changed the way I think about things, and how I'd rather reuse things for another purpose and make something my own rather than buy it. 

That said, I still love fashion, I love the inspiration I get from trends, and I love making a statement about myself with my style.  So, I'm going to start posting about a lot more than just DIYs!! (But I still will be doing DIYs)   I haven't quite come up with a posting schedule yet, but I plan to soon!  Also, I will be doing monthly giveaways too, first one will be announced once I reach 100 GFC followers!

Is there anything special you'd love to see on Smart n Snazzy?  Let me know!!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 30 ~ Cobra Stitch Neon Rope Bracelet

Taking it back to summer camp, only chic-er!  I've been meaning to make a bunch of these and finally made one tonight.  I used some rope I bought at Home Depot, but I've also bought some jump ropes at the dollar store to use as well!

You will need rope, scissors, lighter, clasp, jump ring(s).

I ended up using about 7 feet of rope (1 foot per inch in circumference of your wrist).  Attach the clasp by folding the rope in half and looping it through.  Add about an inch to the circumference of your wrist and then attach the jump ring the clasp will attach to there.  Now, begin your cobra knots!  Keep going until you reach your jump ring that marks the end.  When you are done, cut the excess rope and use your lighter to singe the ends.  Let cool for a few seconds, and then press into the woven bracelet - it will 'melt' in. 

There it is!  I plan on making a bunch of different colors and stacking them.  I think they will look super cute with a tank an shorts this summer, what do you think?

I've really loved doing this 30 Days of DIY posts, and it's definitely challenged me.  Although a little late, I was able to wrap it all up, and I am so proud I did!  I'm working on some BIG changes for the blog, stay tuned, I'll be announcing it all tomorrow!  Thanks so much for following my DIYs!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 29 ~ Satin Striped Canvas Bag

For $4, I have a cute new striped tote for spring!  I used a satin ribbon belt with a flower attached, and a tote from Joann's for $4, along with some Liquid Stitch, and I have an awesome tote!  I've been wanting to try out Liquid Stitch for a while now, and I'm really pleased with the results. 

My supplies.  I first detached the flower from the belt.

And laid out the ribbon.  One side of it was a matte finish and one side had a shiny finish.  I decided to do two stripes matte and one shiny.  I put the glue on the ribbon, and pressed it firmly down.  When I went all the way around, I snipped the excess and put extra Liquid Stitch on the end.

Almost halfway done!  

I really like the noticeable difference in the matte/shiny stripes.  I also glued the flower below one handle, I thought it made the perfect finishing touch.  This took about 10 minutes, plus the recommended 24 hours to dry thoroughly, and is so rad!  What do you think my ladies?

xxooxoxo

Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 28 ~ Upcycled Butter Container Planters

Hi lovelies!  I've been trying to really reduce waste and challenge myself to come up with new ideas for things that would normally be thrown away.  If you've been following my 30 Days of DIY series, you would be familiar with some of the projects like this.  These are old butter plastic tubs that I painted and (once I go and get soil) will be planting some of my plants in!

I spread out some newspaper outside and collected my spraypaint and scissors.

Take the scissors and cut out a few drainage holes in the bottom of the tub.

Here's what I did.  I also add rocks to the bottom of all my pots as well to assist with drainage, so I didn't make the holes too big.

I spraypainted the tubs black.  It took about two coats.  I also applied a thin coat to the inside, a little heavier on the top, so that the look was more uniform.

Then I took some white acrylic paint, and decorated my tubs.

 

These would look lovely spraypainted white and then decorated with more colorful paints. 

Yes, I set the plants in their little green pots inside these for the purpose of the picture.  I need to get some soil :)  What do you think of this?  Is this something you will do?  I want to find more tubs now!! 

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 27 ~ Woven Bangles

When Jessica at What I Wore posted her DIY Flossy Bangle tutorial, I *had* to make one.  So I did!  Then I made another thinner one for my daughter.

She seriously wears hers everyday.

And I wear mine too.

I have gotten more compliments on this than I have anything else I've made.  I even had a woman offer me $40 for it when I was at the dentist's office.  Being unemployed, I'm kinda thinking of opening an etsy shop.... Thoughts?  Do you love??

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 26 ~ Upcycled Portable Chalkboards

Sorry I've been out of the posting loop lately.  I've been a busy bee searching for jobs, and I had an interview yesterday as well!  Fingers crossed....  Anywho, I realized I need to seriously catch up on my 30 days of DIYs since today is April 30!  Well don't count me out yet!  Here's a quick and easy project I did with the kids the other day. 
I found some new baking sheets on clearance with the Easter stuff at Target for $5 each, and of course I picked them up.  So the question was what to do with the old ones?  Well, I picked up some chalkboard paint and some white acrylic paint and set the kids to work!

First they painted the back of the old pans white to cover up all the yuckiness.  It took about three coats.

I sat them outside on their picnic table covered with newspaper, poured the paint onto a paper plate, and gave them each a foam paintbrush.  Tip: when waiting for the coats to dry, put the paintbrushes with the paint still on them in a plastic baggy and put it in the fridge.  They won't dry out and will be ready to go again!

They had such a blast!

Finally, they flipped over the pans and painted the front side with the black chalkboard paint.  It took only one coat to achieve great coverage.  We let that dry, rinsed out the brushes really good, and cleaned up the mess.

Finished product!  Since they are metal too, you could use magnets to attach a little pouch to hold chalk and an eraser.

They came up with the idea of using their Easter sidewalk chalk :) 
I think this is great, especially for my daughter when doing her math homework.  Instead of wasting paper to do some of her exercises, she can do them on this! 
I really love coming up with ideas to reuse old things that would normally be thrown away, and I have a TON more ideas!!!  Stay tuned! 

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 25 ~ Portable Reusable Upcycled Tic Tac Toe

I came across these white plastic washers and tile setting spacers when going through the tool box, and was so excited!  I reused a bubble envelope I had received mail in, and made a portable tic tac toe set for the kids!

You will need:

• White plastic washers
• White tile setting spacers
• Bubble envelope
• Duck tape
• Electrical tape
• Scissors
• Velcro (not pictured)

Cut a little bit off the top of the opening on one side only, so that the other side will fold over nicely.

Cover the entire exterior of the envelope in duck tape.

Done!

And this is where the game board will go!

Use the electrical tape and make the grid.

Affix the velcro to the opening of the envelope.

Play!

And store the pieces inside!

What do you think?  My kids LOVE this.  It's great to bring to restaurants, it will fit in your purse so easily.  All these materials were on hand, so it cost nothing!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 24 ~ Chanel Inspired Chain Fringe Tassel Earrings

We've all been lusting after those gorgeous gold and black super long fringe tassel earrings.  I've wanted to recreate a similar vibe, without using spray paint and attempting to copy them too much.  I found some white chain at Joann's, and was smitten.

All you need is the chain, earring hooks, and jewelry pliers.

I kept folding the chain in half, and breaking it into two.  Over and over again until I had 8 chains (for one earring), for a total of 16.  Here's 8 chains with which I made one earring.

Open the hoop at the bottom of the earring hook.

Slide all 8 chains onto the hook, and close the hook. 

There's one earring, repeat for the second.

 Here's both!

 

How springy / summery are these?  Can't you picture them with a tank or maxi dress?  I can't wait to rock them!

xxooxoxo
Lia