Monday, October 22, 2012
Flash Light Shoes
I love these flash light shoes! How would I even begin to make them?
This photo is from the August issue of Marie Claire magazine in an article detailing the kooky creations of some of the designers who auditioned for the 10th season of Project Runway which ended last week. The article does not reveal the name of the designer, whether they made it or not, but I would definitely have let them compete, only to see what else they could have come up with.
I need these shoes! As a mom who likes quirky fashion, I could kill two birds with one stone. I could stomp around the house looking cutting edge while searching for all the toys, socks, cups (you name it) that wind up under the bed. Part of the caption for the photo read, "perfect for finding monsters under the bed." I could use them for that too.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tutorial: Make a Cuff from a Sandal
As promised, here is a simple tutorial that will teach you step by step, how to make a cuff from an old sandal (or a new one, if you prefer) . I took the pictures during the course of three or four days in various stages, that is why you'll see different backgrounds, sorry about that!
1. So, here are my sandals, pretty beat up. I wore them for two straight summers all the time! They've been through sprinklers, dirt, sand, concrete, you name it! They were only $10.00 which probably explains why they broke after 2 summers!
2. Turn them around and there’s a hole in the sole. This made it easier to cut them.
3. So I cut all around the sandle.
4. This is what I’m left with.
5. I fit it around my wrist to see what it looks like.
6. It’s a little too long so I cut a bit. Yours can be whatever length you like.
7. I cut the point off too.
8. I try on again. I like it.
9. Now I have to even out these strips
10. Much better
11.Now I take out my soft piece of leather and measure. I will be putting snap closures on these pieces. I need four pieces the same width as the length of the cuff.
12. These are the bottom pieces, Good side facing down
13. Now put the top pieces on top of the other two, good side facing you, to see how they measure up. The strips will be sewn, sandwiched in, between the two pieces.
14. Okay, now take the top pieces off and start with one side. Sew the strips onto the bottom of the leather piece, the one with the good side facing down. Note: I have a singer factory machine and I use a number 16 needle to sew this. I am not sure how it would go with another type of machine. Please make sure your machine is able to sew leather.) Then do the other side.
15. Now put the top piece, with the good side facing you, on top of the strips (remember, we are sandwiching the strips in between these leather pieces and then sewing). Start sewing as close to the edge of the leather strips as possible (NOTE: I used brown thread because I had it in my machine already and I thought the subtle color contrast would look nice. I also decided to add rows of stitching for a quilted effect. I liked the way it came out. Now do the other side
16. This is how it looked. A bit uneven so I had to cut around to make it an even rectangle.
17. Now to add snaps. I bought these snaps in bulk from DesireMeNow, check out her shop! The tool I bought separately.
18. The package will give you instructions on how to apply the snaps so I won't bore you. One thing I will tell you is that it is easier to apply the snaps if you make a hole before applying the snap. You can buy a leather whole punch but I just used an ice pick. Works
just as well.
Here it is front and back.
And now on my wrist.
A couple of shots worn with an outfit. I love it! You can still wear it in the fall with 3/4 length sleeves. It's a little superheroish. But hey, with all I do, I can be considered a superhero mom. I wouldn't wear two at the same time though. Don't want to be mistaken for Wonder Woman!
So get out those old sandals and start working! Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this tutorial. I always welcome feedback.
Labels:
accessory,
cuff,
DIY,
mom,
refashion,
refashioning,
rocker mom,
sandals,
superhero,
transformation
Thursday, October 11, 2012
From Sandal to Cuff
This is what I worked on yesterday. Last year I made my sister and I cuffs from boots, you can see it here and get the tutorial.
Now I am on to sandles. I have had this idea in my head a couple of months after one of these sandles got a hole in the sole. I think I purposefully buy cheap shoes so they can break and I can make something from them. Well, I love the way they came out! Tell me what you think. More pics and a tutorial coming soon!
Labels:
accessories,
cuff,
DIY,
reconstruction,
refashioning,
sandals,
transformation
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Serenity Prayer T-Shirt Reconstruction
I love it when the message and the medium come together! This was one of my very first t-shirt transformations. Someone gave me this t-shirt ages ago and, of course, I didn't wear it because it was super big. I did love the saying, though, The Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
My oldest was about two years old and newly diagnosed with autism, when I rediscovered sewing again. Sewing refreshed me as a mother of special needs kids. It gave me a much needed break from visual schedules, tantrums, ABA, etc. Looking back, I didn't consciously choose this shirt for my first recon project but how appropriate and timely was it, no? I sure needed this saying at this particular time. The shirt chose me.
Have you ever had a project that chose you?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Taking a break (couple of weeks) from Nelesc Designs
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(I wish my creative space looked like this! (from flickr) |
Just letting you know that I am taking a small leave, a few weeks, from my etsy shop, Nelesc Designs, in order to adjust my kids and myself to their new school schedules, and to organize my creative space.
I will, however, continue to work on custom orders I already committed to and update this blog and my facebook page (Nelesc Designs).
You can also see a gallery of my past work at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelesc
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at shopnelesc@aol.com.
Thank you & sorry for any inconvenience.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
An unexpected accessory
Daniel is now 5 and I guess this is the magic age , at least for him, where it has become apparent to the world that Dan is different. He doesn't necessarily look like a special needs child, except that he is tall for his age and still does not talk, insists on throwing himself on the floor, makes sing songy noises, and occasionally sticks his hand in his butt and smells it! lol. Okay, perhaps he does look like a special needs child! If you know my story, I don't necesarily scream to the world that Dan has autism. I don't want it to define us but lately, it seems, he has been screaming it for me.
Daniel absolutely enjoyed the carousel ride so I decided to get on line again to give it another go. The attendant on the carousel, a sweet older gentleman that reminded me of my father in law, discreetly asked "can I ask you a question?" I could tell he was treading very carefully, "is your child special needs?" I don't know what was coming next. Were we getting kicked off the ride? Had Dan's noises bothered the other carousel riders? I have to admit, I was getting a little defensive. I said "yes he is, why do you ask?" "Because he could ride for free!" He said. Wow! That was awesome! Those rides are freakin' expensive so I was overjoyed. With the tickets I had bought I would probably only be able to ride one other ride but now we were able to go on two or three more, woot hoot! This is one instance where I didn't mind Dan standing out. lol.
So I went to the customer service booth and got my cute little orange paper bracelet that said to the world that yes, Dan is different, we were indeed special and we deserve a little slack. I wish the world were more like this sweet little carnival.
I told my mother in law the story. I mentioned earlier in this post, that the man that had asked the question looked like my father in law, Auggie who is now deceased. I knew she was going to say it, "Auggie was always very compassionate, I wonder if that was him, through that man, watching out for Dan." Maybe it was.
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Dan and I riding the train |
On my recent vacation to the Jersey Shore, I stopped by a cute little carnival that I knew my little Dan would love, sensory seeker that he is! Little did I know that I would be offered this unexpected accessory, a bracelet, which indicated to the attendants at the rides that I was traveling with a special neeeds child.
Daniel is now 5 and I guess this is the magic age , at least for him, where it has become apparent to the world that Dan is different. He doesn't necessarily look like a special needs child, except that he is tall for his age and still does not talk, insists on throwing himself on the floor, makes sing songy noises, and occasionally sticks his hand in his butt and smells it! lol. Okay, perhaps he does look like a special needs child! If you know my story, I don't necesarily scream to the world that Dan has autism. I don't want it to define us but lately, it seems, he has been screaming it for me.
Daniel absolutely enjoyed the carousel ride so I decided to get on line again to give it another go. The attendant on the carousel, a sweet older gentleman that reminded me of my father in law, discreetly asked "can I ask you a question?" I could tell he was treading very carefully, "is your child special needs?" I don't know what was coming next. Were we getting kicked off the ride? Had Dan's noises bothered the other carousel riders? I have to admit, I was getting a little defensive. I said "yes he is, why do you ask?" "Because he could ride for free!" He said. Wow! That was awesome! Those rides are freakin' expensive so I was overjoyed. With the tickets I had bought I would probably only be able to ride one other ride but now we were able to go on two or three more, woot hoot! This is one instance where I didn't mind Dan standing out. lol.
So I went to the customer service booth and got my cute little orange paper bracelet that said to the world that yes, Dan is different, we were indeed special and we deserve a little slack. I wish the world were more like this sweet little carnival.
I told my mother in law the story. I mentioned earlier in this post, that the man that had asked the question looked like my father in law, Auggie who is now deceased. I knew she was going to say it, "Auggie was always very compassionate, I wonder if that was him, through that man, watching out for Dan." Maybe it was.
Labels:
accessory,
autism,
fashion,
special needs,
special needs child,
traveling,
vacation
Sunday, September 2, 2012
PELO BUENO Tops for Girls
I also have PELO BUENO shirts for little girls with big hair because we need to teach our little girls with big hair that all hair is PELO BUENO (good hair).
Although I love, love, love, my boys, this is when I wish I had girls; to model my clothes! So it's my cute little nieces to the rescue. I love these girls like they were my own.
Although I love, love, love, my boys, this is when I wish I had girls; to model my clothes! So it's my cute little nieces to the rescue. I love these girls like they were my own.
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SIZE 7/8 RED. I have more sizes and colors |
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SIZE: 10-12 BLUE. More sizes and colors available |
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