Saturday, May 26, 2012

DIY American Flag Cut-Offs


Anything in USA's flag is really popular right now. Not that the American flag would be a fad or was ever not popular but you will be seeing it a lot this summer!
  These are so easy to make and for a lot less than the prices you find. Even for the non "do it yourself" peeps.
They are all adorable, but just these range from $78 to $179! 



I will tell you how I did mine. I made 4 so far and have made them all unique so bear with me on the tutorial as well as the awful iphone photos. Also, pictures will show another pair of jeans I did that I already sold but used for this tutorial.
Here is what I used:

old out of style jeans
scotch tape
red and white fabric paint
stencil paint brush
scissors
star stencil
*a pair of cut-offs or shorts to determine your length

 First, if you want cut-offs, jeans should not be too tight. If you do the longer roll ups, they can stand to be tighter.
These Hudson's are a bit tight on my rear so I will be going with the "roll up" style.

Place shorts beside and mark jeans, just how short you want them.

 Fold jeans in half and start from inseam (crotch) and cut lower than mark and angle up higher towards outer leg (just turns out better than way)

Now your ready to tape. Take two small pieces of scotch tape to make your "pattern/spacer". Tape the edges together length wise and it is now the width of your stripes
note:works with or without lint stuck all over... gah

Decide if you want horizontal or vertical stripes. I did horizontal and obviously used left leg for the stripes. 
Using the "spacer" start making rows with long pieces of tape the same width as your spacer.

Then put your spacer in between each row so that all rows will be even.
(the spacer will be moved when you paint in between each row. It's just to show where to start the next row of tape) Finish taping rest of leg and you can paint!
After leg is taped off, dab your stencil brush in red paint and paint only up and down(not side to side) It prevents paint going under tape as well as making them look more "vintage".
I chose to paint around all jean seams.

You can wait for it to dry or if you are impatient like me pull it off as soon as your done.
 

Now you have to tape again for the white stripes but you don't have to be as precise and picky. As long as you place the tape right along the edge of the red so the "negative" is painted white. (its okay not to be perfect. The stencil brush up and down makes it "vintagy" and old looking)
Now that the red is taped off, paint your white the same way! (I didn't even wait for red to dry before taping it and it turned out awesome)

Peel that tape off and your done with your stripes!

For the right leg's stars I used cardstock in a cricut and cut a star. After taking the cut star out you have a stencil. If you don't have a cricut, just draw a star and cut it out; doesn't have to be perfect!
(ignore the fact that these are a totally different pair...)

Paint the stars the same way as the stripes, dabbing up and down.


Almost done! If you are doing the fold up kind you can actually roll them  up and they will stay if they're tight enough. If you want cut-offs you will have to do some damage. Any kind of crazy kitchen tool, brick wall, sand paper etc. will fray and damage plus lots of washing and drying.

You can be done now or you can bedazzle some more!

I made a peace sign on one pair's rear pocket easily with some gun-metal brads

Just hand draw a peace sign with blue ink pen.
Can't really see in photo but as long as you can when you make them ; )

Start pushing the brads in at each point and start filling in. The brads went in really easy.
(not sure how they wash but shouldn't do much damage if its in between pocket and jeans)

Here it is done. Waaaay to easy.

There are so many ways you can do these. You can add more brads, sequins, rhinestones, etc.

You can stencil your initial (wish I did USA instead)

I've sewn actual fabric on and though time consuming, quite easy as well

I have also dipped the bottom of the cut-offs in bleach where they are half bleach half dark and they turned out really cute but don't have that pic!

Anyhow, here they are!

I am doing my last pair (the Hudson's shown in the beginning) size 28 if anyone is interested. I sold previous 3 for $40 so I will ask $40 for these!
I'll have pics of them finished if you inquire!

 
Drop by and check out new items in my store!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Inspired by the Artist Consuela

If you have ever been to my house, you know I love color.
I believe you can never have too much color. I also don't like anything boring.
That is why I love the colorful artist:
"First envisioned while lying on a sun-drenched beach in Mexico... Consuela is all about creating products that put a smile on your face."
I don't think it could have been said better.
Consuela's Cuadras

Consuela's Frames

Consuela's Boxes


Last but not least
Consuela's Crosses 

This is only a few of her pieces and look how pretty this post got!
See what I mean?

If you live in the OKC area one of my favorite stores
on May
offers products from Consuela.

My husband and I started cutting our own crosses with his hand-saw and making our own to gift, share, sell. 
Some I design with Consuela in mind, others are custom for client's home.
Here is a common favorite.
Green Shabby Chic

This was custom for a sister's birthday who also happens to be a OSU Cowboy's fan
Orange Houndstooth

A smaller one used to dress up a fireplace screen
Mexico Blue/Orange


Green Shabby Chic(w circle medallion) on client's mantle

Before the crosses became a seller, I didn't take too many pictures, but hopefully you can see there are many options.
I'll be posting them on my facebook and will soon open the etsy shop with more to sell.
(need one now? Contact me via email: pharescausey@yahoo.com) 

May today be as good and colorful as ours!


Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

During a sick day, Heidi and I made a little Valentine House inspired by one of my favorite folk artists,
She hasn't actually made a valentine house that I know of but much like that of her Christmas ones

Here are a few of her Valentine folk designs





Hope you have a fabulous Pink and Red Day!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Tiger's Snowflakes

Merry Christmas Eve!

I hope everyone has a great Holiday and has somewhat enjoyed the Chappell House Chaos.
(because I am not going this crazy with Tiger next year)

Heidi opened her advent door last night and found some cool collective erasers!


If it doesn't get too crazy tonight she has some slinky's in her door 24
Christmas Day's door is empty so until next December our advent calendar is over!
Tiger made his final appearance this morning as well

I suppose he was decorating for Christmas, but left a mess for me to clean up.

We are going to try and leave him some tiny donuts beside Santa's cookies. I am not sure if any of the elves fly with Santa, but just incase.

Merry Christmas to all and all a Good Morning.





Friday, December 23, 2011

Tigers All Caught Up

Heidi found chocolate in her advent door last night!
Tonight's are these crazy erasers

Busy today but I can show you what Tiger did this morning







Much Love!
Chappells