Disney Darling

Good morning to all of our gorgeous readers!!!

Today is October 30th, so you know what that means riiiiight?... 

TOMORROW IS HALLOWEEN! AHH! Halloween is a DIYer's holiday dream come true, so many opportunities and possibilities to take something drab and make it fab! What's that you say? You don't have your costume yet? Well fret not little darlings, your favorite bloggers have come up with the perfect easy (and adorable) quick costume fix. May we present to you...

Inspired by the surplus of red bows and polka dots on the market right now, we figured there is no better time than Halloween to unleash your inner Disney-kid and dress up as the inconic and beloved MINNIE MOUSE! 

So grab your supplies and follow along with the tutorial below to create your perfect new mouse-tastic costume.

Here's What You'll Need:

     

• A skirt in any fit/shade of red you prefer (ours is an oldie pleated style in a darker red from Foreign Exchange)
• Any white fabric/acrylic paint from the craft store (a true white!)
• A round sponge brush that will create your preferred polka-dot size
• Minnie (or Mickey) Mouse ears (it doesn't matter if there is no bow or you don't like the current bow, we can always fix that!)
• A pre-made large bow or ribbon in a red polka-dot print you like
• A basic black top (the black crop top featured in our minnie model's pictures was also from Foreign Exchange)
• Black tights (optional)
• Black mary-jane heels
• Two red clip-on bows

*It may seem like a lot of materials, but many of these are optional and customizable to your own Minnie Mouse preferences! We love these choices because the outfit is playful, yet still appropriate for more subtle venues like bars or restaurants.

Making Your Skirt:

Step 1: Lay out your skirt on a flat surface and put a thick piece of cardboard in between the front and back. ***It is crucial that you do this or your paint will bleed through!!!

Step 2: Use the sponge brush dipped in the white paint to create even polka dots all around the bottom hem. Paint in short, quick dabs to create your desired dot, but don't use so much paint that it ruins the fabric/won't dry.

Step 3: Once all of the bottom dots have been created, go one section at a time and dab on random polka dots. If you are DIY-ing a pleated skirt like us, save the insides of the pleats for last, when all the other dots have dried.

*TIP!*: Use a blow dryer to speed up the process, since you can't move on to another section until all dots are dry!

Step 4: Once the first side of the skirt is completely dry, flip over and repeat steps 1-4. Simple as that!

Making Your Mouse Ears:

Step 1: We love the look of authentic Minnie Mouse ears, so we were lucky enough to nab a $5 pair from the Disney store (only because they were on SALE for Halloween...we love a bargain) in the kids costume section . If your ears come with a bow you're not so fond of, simply remove the bow as carefully as possible, making sure not to rip any part of the headband. *Save that bow though, you never know what future DIY it will be perfect for!

Step 2: If your new bow is attached to another headband like ours, remove the bow and reshape it so that it is nice and perky. Once you're happy with the shape, hot-glue the bow directly in between the two mouse ears. The bow should sit slightly in front of the ears.

Putting the Outfit All Together:

Now comes the fun part... getting all dolled up! (Or should we say moused up?!) Pair your revamped red skirt with a fun, solid black top. We love a slightly cropped look with sleeves for a retro vibe! Pair your skirt with black tights to add an element of class. Black mary-jane heels pair well with the tights, but make them more Minnie-esque with red, glittery bows! These glitter bows are from Sidecca and they clip right on without any glue! And now for the finishing touches... your mouse ears, a matte red lip, and big flirty eyelashes take you from modest to magical!

And there you have it Minnie Lovers!! Get out there and find your Mickey Mouse in this adorable, quick festive ensemble. 

 

People all over Long Beach thought Nichole's costume was to "DIY"-for, and we know yours will be too! We can't wait to hear all about your own "Minnie-moment", so send us a pic and we'll love you forever! Stay playful!

XOXO, Hanah

Call Me Fabulous...NOOO...Collar Me Fabulous

Collage Made at Polyvore.com

Well Helllllooooo My Fabulous DIYers,

This fall is all about the detailed embellishments that complete an overall look, and over here at "So Happy" we just about DIED when we discovered how easy it is to transform any look with our next DIY.  Let's just say we are a little collar obsessed and you will be too once you figure out how easy it is to make the perfect statement with a collar necklace.  That's right... a removable collar, in the form of a necklace.  Why... you ask?  Because it's not only the hottest trend taking over the streets but it's the perfect way to perk up and dress up those fall knits that we are so eagerly waiting to wear (come on Long Beach sun, go away already!!!).

So here is what you will need:

Chain

Clasp

1/4 yard of Felt- 

I used the wool felt (the expensive stuff, because of course they had better colors, but you are totally fine using the Eco-felt or felt squares)

Decorations for your collar 

(this part is optional because you can have total creative freedom, I went for a more Chanel inspired look so I used: vintage-inspired buttons, gems, trimming, and various sizes of pearls)

Pattern-

This will be the style of collar you want.  Below is a peter-pan collared necklace but I encourage you to experiment with ALL styles of collars

Glue Gun

Jewelry Pliers

 Sewing Pins (optional)

Step 1: Create a pattern based off the style collar you want.  

This is definitely the hardest part because you have to play around with different collar shapes on paper.  Here was how I wanted my collar to look: (I love the playfulness of a peter-pan collar)

So in order to get both sides symmetrical, fold that pattern in half and cut it out and make the appropriate adjustments to size (I highly recommend trying on the paper collar in order to size it to your neck).

Finally, the perfect pattern

Step 2: Pin and cut!

Pin the folded pattern to the felt at a fold and cut out the collar.  Be sure to cut out the pattern a total of two times so you have a top and bottom piece to the necklace.

Step 3: Grab your chain and glue.

Designate which cut out will be the top layer and bottom layer.  Lay out your chain on top of the bottom layer and secure down to felt with hot glue.  Be sure to leave yourself some chain room to be able to adjust necklace lengths.

Secure the chain with a lot of hot glue!!

Follow closely along the edging. 

Step 4: Glue the top layer on.

Glue the remaining top felt piece on top to sandwhich the chain.  Be sure to really outline the collar with hot glue so there are no lifting sections.  You want the top piece as secure and lined up as possible.

Step 5:  Embellish!!

This is where you have complete total freedom to make your statement!  Use hot glue to add any type of embellishments in any color.  You can't go wrong and the more you layer the better.  I went for a very vintage Chanel inspired statement necklace so I busted out my black gems, pearls, and vintage buttons that me and my crafting BFF Hanah just happen to have lying around. 

Here was my creative process below :

I told you these buttons are amazing

Found the string of black diamond gems from Joann's Fabric Store (on SALE, YES!!)

I fell in love with a black and gold braided trimming so I added it to the top of the collar.

The black marquee cut gems are just fabulous!

Playing around with how I want the collar to look was the best part!

Finally, after an hour of indecisiveness every pearl and gem found its perfect place.

Step 6: Add your clasp.

Once your embellishments are glued in place add your clasp to the end of the chain so it hooks easily around your neck (easily done with jewelry pliers)

What I love most about this collar is that you can take this statement necklace from outfit to outfit.  Here are some wardrobe inspirations for this collar necklace:

Collar on Collar- Who ever said you couldn't have two collars?

Paired perfectly over a crew neck sweater

Dress up any plain dress- the sky is the limit!!!

Well, I am pretty sure we can call you FABULOUS after this DIY!!  Be sure to stop by and send us your love by posting your own designs of how your necklace came out!!

XOXO, 

Nichole

The Cold Shoulder

Happy autumn fellow refashionistas!!!

If you're anything like us over here at SoHappyICouldDIY, you're more than ready for chunky knits, knee high boots, and anything pumpkin-flavored! There's only one problem though: it's still a sizzling 80-plus degrees here in Long Beach, CA!!! Lucky for you, we've figured out a simple way to trade in those slouchy tank tops for a more polished button down that won't leave you feeling overheated. May we present to you...

 (pictures courtesy of Pinterest and burdastyle.com)



 Collared button downs with sultry-yet-subtle cut-outs are making an appearance this fall on both the runways and the streets. We love the geometry and complexity of the runway looks from 3.1 Phillip Lim and such, but feel the simplicity and casualness of the street looks are perfect for our collegiate SoCal-style. So grab your lifeless, oversized button down and let's get to chopping!

Here's what you'll need:

 

• A slightly loose button down blouse with a collar (it can be any fabric/print/wash you want!)
• Fabric chalk, or a colored pencil if you're desperate!
• Good fabric scissors
• An iron and ironing board/surface
• A handful of straight pins to make your sewing easier 
• A sewing machine capable of any basic straight or zig-zag stitch
• Thread that matches or complements your blouse

 

Step-by-step tutorial: 



1. Put on the blouse, fully buttoned, and mark your cut-out with chalk on just ONE shoulder. Start at the top by the collar and slightly arch down to where you want the cut-out to stop on the sleeve. The shape of the cut-out is complete personal preference and will take some time to get just right. Make sure to allow at least 1/4 inch to sew a finished edge!

REMEMBER: You can always take more off so err on the cautious side to avoid making your hole too deep.

 

 

2. Once you are happy with the chalked outline of one of your shoulders, use your fabric scissors to cut the shape out. Try the blouse on and mark anywhere you need to reshape... OR if you're happy with your cut-out, move on to the next shoulder!

 

 

3. To create a cut-out completely symmetrical to your first one, lay the blouse on a flat surface and then fold it in half lengthwise so that the cut shoulder is perfectly aligned on top of the uncut shoulder. Use this as your template and cut the second shoulder, simple as that! Try the blouse on once more to check for evenness and symmetry, and just to overall make sure you are happy with the new shape of your top.

 

 

4. Turn the blouse inside out and, on an ironing board or appropriate surface, iron back 1/4 inch of the unfinished cut-out edges all the way around. This will ensure an even and easily-sewn edge.

5. To make the sewing process even easier, pin all the way around your freshly ironed edges. This way they won't move or flip up and disrupt your stitches.

6. Using a sewing machine and your thread of choice, apply whatever simple stitch you are comfortable with to finish all the way around the edges. We chose a zig-zag stitch because it is the most secure one on our ancient sewing machine, and it will be nearly invisble anyways with all that shoulder cleavage you'll be showing off!

 

7. FINALLY... try on your shirt one last time to make sure the cut-outs are even and hang well and that the finished edges are flat. If you like what you see then...

 

 

Congrats little miss crafty! You just took your fall wardrobe from safe to SPICY. You may be giving the cold-shoulder in your revamped shirt, but everyone will be DIY-ing for this steamy fall look!

XOXO, Hanah