What I Wore Wednesday {Made by Me}

Yesterday was a big day in our household!  My son got his braces!  I can't tell you how long we he has been waiting for this day.

Because it was such a special occasion, I wanted to get out of my uniform (jeans and a tee shirt) and sport a cute skirt I made a couple of weeks ago.

I loved this fabric from the moment I laid eyes on it.  Its combination of aqua, tangerine, khaki and brown is my summer palette.

I decided on a skirt with pockets, because EVERY dress and skirt should have pockets.  I'm pretty proud at how great they came out, considering this was my very first attempt.

I paired the skirt with my favorite aqua sandals and a long version of my turquoise and coral necklace. Love...

My second favorite thing about this skirt (pockets being the first!) is the length.

BTW, the total cost of this simple skirt was about $6 and it took me about an hour!  You can't beat that, right?!  Is anyone else on a DIY wardrobe kick?  I know my friend Autumn is!

Well, I can't end this post without sharing a photo of my big guy showing off his new metal mouth!  Love it!

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DIY Fail into DIY Score: "Zikat"

Happy Sunday!  Last week I went fabric shopping for the first time in months.  I came across this gorgeous fabric by Alexander Henry:

Zikat

I was lucky enough to find it NOT on sale.  (Why it is lucky to find something at regular price?  Fabric stores tend to mark their items at around 30% off, and then publish coupons for 40% or 50% off that you can only use on regular priced items.  For example, it's currently on sale at Joann for $10.99/yd (less than 16% off), but with my 40% off coupon, I was able to snag it at $7.79/yd.)

When I got home, I knew I wanted to make this print into a maxi skirt (for me!) but then I remembered that I had only bought 1.25 yards of fabric of each of the 6 prints I had picked out.  (When I spend forever and a day waiting at the cutting counter, I tend to do the math in my head and get scared to blow my entire budget just on fabrics, so sometimes I don't buy enough, especially on designer prints.  Blah!)

I still attempted to make myself a maxi skirt, but my hips protested.  They insisted that I needed at least another half quarter yard to make it a maxi skirt and not an elongated pencil skirt! 

No problem!  I cut off a few inches of elastic at the waistband and trimmed some inches off of the length, and voila!  A perfect "Zikat" maxi skirt for my mini-me in a cast.

 

Not only does she rock this look out, she balances extremely well on one foot so that mommy can get a good pic!

She wanted the same Katniss braid I had done for her when we saw The Hunger Games a couple of weeks ago.  Love it!

And, here we are together.  (Excuse the grip I had on her arm, her leg was getting tired from standing so long and she thought she might fall!)  Of course, I had on ZERO accessories.  Isn't there a saying about the cobbler's son going barefoot?  In my case the cobbler is barefoot.

So what do you think about my daughter's $8 fashion statement??  Tell me in the comments!

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DIY Flannel Skirts

I have to begin this post with a disclaimer:  I'm not an apparel designer. You won't see the following items in my shop.  The following is strictly a DIY project! (see below for more information)*

I mentioned yesterday that I had been working on some skirts for my daughter, since she'll be wearing a leg cast for 6 weeks. Sure, it would have been easier (and funner) to raid the mall, or an online designer for a new collection of spring skirts, but my wallet did not agree.

I popped into the fabric store last week and was stoked to find the flannel at $2.49/yd!  Yes, I am aware that flannel isn't exactly a spring fabric, nor is it used for much more than PJs and bedsheets, but I couldn't get over the cute prints.  I knew that they would cheer my daughter up, and they were right in my price range!  (It helps that the temperature is still relatively cool for the next few weeks!)

I know how to make a basic skirt, but I scoured the web for some other ideas and came up with some quick and easy variations.

This turquoise and brown owl print is done in a tiered fashion.

I went with a basic skirt for this purple bird/birhouse print.

This pink bird/birdcage print looks great tiered!

I had some left over fabric from the skulls and cherry blossom skirts to make matching Boho Headbands (which I do sell, btw!)

I was able to get my daughter up on her crutches to model one of the skirts for you:

Did I mention that these only cost $2.49 each to make?!? (Even less for the basic skirt style!)

Thanks for popping in and taking a peek at my newest DIY!

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*Why the disclaimer? When you are part of a community of handcrafters, sometimes your interests and designs overlap. Even though none of us own the rights to any particular craft, I personally find that it's important not to encroach on a friend's niche market.

Tampa Trunk Show and an Announcement

Happy 2012, my beautiful friends!  I am so sorry that it has taken me a whole 6 days into the new year to wish you well!  Also, I am even more sorry that it has been almost an entire month since my last post!!

What a crazy holiday season it has been!! I spent the entire month of December making items for AquaSeventy6's final trunk show of 2011, in Tampa, Florida.  After a 12 hour drive, and three days of last minute preparation, I am happy to announce that the show was a success!

It was such a pleasure to put this show together with my friend, Marcy, owner of K.a.i-y.a. Designs!

Here is the AquaSeventy6 table!

Checkbook Covers, Everything Pocuhes, Key Rings, and Headbands.

Button Pendant necklaces, Cuff Bracelets, He Loves Me Brooches and Hair Clips, Business Card/ID Holders, and more Headbands.

Ruffled Wreath, Felt Wine Bag and Clutches.

Fabric and Bead Necklaces and Scrappy Scarf Necklaces.

Here is the K.a.i-y.a. Designs table.  The Superhero tees and onesies were a BIG HIT!

Just look at these super cute headbands and reindeer tees!

I actually wanted this adorable Christmas skirt and top combo for myself!

Our hubbies took over as bartenders for the evening. 
Sangria Terreo was number one on the menu!

After a long, yet productive evening, Marcy and I
were finally able to pose for a photo!

I wish I would have photographed some of our guests, but by the time Marcy and I came up for air, the crowd had dwindled down, and our tables were sparse! We were very, very blessed.  Thanks to all of you who joined us that evening!!

Finally, I wanted to take a moment to announce some changes here at AquaSeventy6:

I started this blog in 2010 in conjunction with my very good friend, Autumn, who shares my passion for second-hand, refurbished, vintage and handmade items.  Together we featured our DIY projects, tutorials and our handmade items for sale.  As of January 2012, we decided that we each had so much to share that we would divide and conquer.  I will keep you updated on Autumn's journey and link her new site as soon as its up and running.

Autumn, your contribution to our site will be greatly missed, but I can't wait to see how you transform your skill and passion into another beautiful endeavor.  Love you tons!






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Featured: 5 of our Projects on 3 Great Sites!

It's always a good week when our projects are featured! This week, not one, but THREE of our projects were featured on  One Pretty Thing's Before and After Round-up!

Autumn's Aubusson Desk & Duck Egg/Old White Buffet and Yvette's Skirt from a Man's Dress Shirt

Creative Itch featured Yvette's DIY Placemat Clutch on Sew Cute Tuesday

And, last but not least, our blog was given some love and Autumn's Thrifted Chair Revamp popped up on On A Whim!

Take a moment to visit these super sweet sites today!

Man's Dress Shirt Becomes Flirty Skirt!

I just love repurposing and upcycling!! Last week I came across a tutorial that I knew I just had to follow.  I started out with a man's dress shirt. 

Hubs would have killed me if I used one of his, so this was $4.99 at my local Goodwill.

A little nip and tuck, and an hour later I had this:

Cute, huh?

Here I am in an attempt to model my new skirt:

It's not easy to get an 8-year-old to take a clear photo!

The only thing I did differently from the tutorial is that I didn't make the belt loops. I used a 15x33 men's shirt, and if I were to make this again I would probably look for a 16x35 (I normally wear a size 6 or 8 skirt) to have a bit of a fuller skirt and more sleeve length to work with for the belt/sash. I would also probably make the skirt a couple of inches shorter by cutting the waistband a little lower.  I didn't do it this time around because I wanted to keep the pocket in tact.

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