It's been a while since I last got this excited about a project. Seeing the fabric coming out of the printer was just wow, so much fun. This is one of those easy projects, that cam make quite the impact. As I love everything gift wrap related, I used most of the printed labels as gift tags and some of them as labels for the boxes I store my fabrics in. All you need for this projects is: 

• cotton fabric  (something that isn't too thick)
• a printer (preferably the ink jet kind; it also works with laser jet, but the result doesn't fix as good on the fabric)
• sticker paper (or you can use a fabric glue spray to glue the fabric on a piece of paper to provide stability to the fabric)
•  labels, texts, images to print (I used the very pretty labels by Madalina Andronic and the birds by Becca Kallem ) 

1. Cut the fabric to match the size of your paper (I used A4 sheets). 2. Glue the fabric on the paper and make sure it is evened out. This makes the fabric more stable and it allows you to put it through the printer. 3. Now it's time for the fun part. Put the fabric sheet in the printer and print! Watch the magic happen. 4. Let the ink dry for a few minutes, while you admire the result. 5. Peel off the sheet of paper and cut the labels. 6. Use them in your creative projects or offer them as gifts.

I hope you will try the little project and have some fun with it! Hugs, Anca

DIY Homewear Slippers

I guess this little project could fit in quite well with the Ikea hacks of the world. It's about personalizing slippers. You see, here in Germany (as well as in Romania, my home country) it is customary to wear slippers while inside the home. And it is almost a requirement for each host to have some extra shoes for guests. Enter Ikea. They have this cheap ones, that come in all colors and sizes and are quite ideal for their purpose. But they are also kind of plain. Hence, today's project.

I like the Tidny fabric because it is very versatile. And for this project I used it in a decoupage-like fashion. You'll need: slippers, some pretty fabric, glue suitable for fabrics and scissors. 

I started by cutting out the shapes I wanted to use: flowers for the pink slippers and space related designs for the navy ones. It helps to use small sharp scissors.

Next, I simply glued on the shapes. It's best to use some kind of glue suitable for fabrics, and preferably, a transparent one so there will be no unwanted white stains when the glue dries.

And it's all done! Now you have these personalized slippers for guests to get comfy and cozy in your home. Keep on getting cozy! Hugs, Anca  

DIY recycled pasta containers

The idea of recycling/reusing sounds really appealing to me. Turning around something from it's journey to the waste bin and into your everyday life gives me a sense of superhero-like status. Well, at least for the item concerned if not for anything else. Either way, I don't get to do it as often as I like. Sure, I recycle paper, plastic, glass containers, and I even own a few pre-loved furniture pieces and lots of flea market finds. But I get really excited when I get to re-purpose something that I already have. This is why I want to share with you how I turned these cereal boxes into pasta containers. Not only do they now look prettier, but I love that I got the pasta out of its plastic wrappers and into these functional boxes. Here we go!

You'll need:

• Cereal boxes (whiskey or Pringles boxes will do, too). Clean them and prepare them for their new mission in life - to help you store the pasta as pretty and functional as possible. 
• Wrapping paper. Choose something you like; maybe it's something that makes you smile or maybe it goes well with your kitchen design. Just make it fun. I got my heart set on this wrapping paper that is double sided (I just love double sided wrapping paper!)
• Chalkboard tape (yay!)
• The little helpers: scissors, glue, scotch tape, chalk.

The whole thing is easier than pie. Really! I cut the wrapping paper according to the height of the boxes and long enough to wrap around two times. I fixed it in place with a little bit of glue and transparent scotch tape at the end. Then I trimmed the edges and put on the chalk label.

Use your favorite chalk colors to write on the labels all the information you may need, such as type of pasta and cooking time. I tried to position the labels not to high on the box, but also away from where I would normally grab it. The chalk has the pesky habit of erasing easily. Until now, it holds just fine! Sure, you could just put on the boxes pretty traditional labels, but I choose the chalk tape because I get to erase it easily and add new types of pasta in the boxes.

Now, go on and find a new purpose for something you would normally throw away. But make it pretty and functional so you'll love it and keep using it! Craft on darlings! - Anca, recycling superhero of the day!

Polka dots at tea time

It's tea season! Well, actually, as a tea lover, I believe there is always time for tea. And I do enjoy the whole experience - from boiling the water to sipping the warm and cozy beverage from lovely teapots and cups. I received this porcelain tea cups and plates from a dear friend, especially for me to paint them. And even though I am really into graphic designs these days, I settled on the simple, but very chic polka dot pattern. Not only does it have that touch of elegance, but the pattern goes very well with my flowery teapot.

Tips&Tricks:

• Make sure the cups and plates are clean - grease and dust free. 
• Choose a pattern that makes you happy and use the cups everyday, so that they will bring you joy. Or make them for someone special and offer them as a gift. Draw a shape you like, write a lovely and thoughtful message, make it fun!
• I used a golden porcelain marker to apply the design. I let it dry for a few hours and fixed the pattern by baking the cups and plates for 30 minutes at 160 degrees C (in a non pre-heated oven) and let them cool in the oven. You can also use a sharpie and bake the result in the same way. 
• If you draw a line that you're not quite happy about, you can correct it by quickly wiping it with a paper towel or some nail polish remover.
• The design keeps quite well, but I only wash the cups by hand. 

This is such an little easy project, perfect for a creative weekend. You can use any kind of cups, mugs, plates, bowls, vases - just have fun with it and enjoy the process. Craft on. Hugs, Anca

When in London - Freezer Paper print T-shirt

Painting is an innate and ancient activity. Back in the caves times we were painting rocks depicting the world around us plus our own feelings, so yeah, whether ages ago or today, art is the same: it's the reality of each of us, our own experience, our soul there on canvas, on paper, fabric, walls, you name it.

And if you are art, why would fashion be something else? I always believed you are the fashion and fashion is you. You should be able to choose what to wear according to how you feel and what you truly like. And if you don't know what you like, making your own art and clothes is a brilliant way to learn.

Let's have another look back, not so far now, when we were kids. During childhood we experienced the unbridled joy of painting, with or without a brush, but this is somehow lost when we get older. Perhaps we have been told we couldn't paint, perhaps our minds are too busy being worried now. And even fashion stops being a fun means to express one's self.

Well, there's never too late to change that. I say, start now, start painting, making and creating your clothes, your mood, your environment. If you've ever been told you weren't talented, forget that. If you work hard every day and don't have much time, make time to be artsy, you won't regret it.

So, welcome to a series of painting - refashioning - upcycling easy fashion tutorials. I hope you'll have fun creating things that help define your uniqueness, explore and relax, ultimately.

Here's a very easy project - printing with freezer paper and fabric paint. You'll need:

T-SHIRT (old, new, it doesn't really matter as long as you like it);
DRAWING/IMAGE you want to print;
WOODEN OR PLASTIC BOARD;
FREEZER PAPER;
X-ACTO KNIFE or any craft knife to cut on the outline;
SPONGE;
IRON;
FABRIC PAINT.

I chose a drawing I made a while ago, after one year of living in London. We practically had two weeks of summer last year, from which just one without rain. Thus, the drawing. Now I get why they love tea here, it's the best thing to enjoy considering the weather.

First, let me tell you why I used freezer paper. It has a wax coated side which acts like a soft sticker when ironed onto fabric, so it adheres on the spot, prevents the stencil from moving  (like normal paper, foam or plastic sheets would) and it's very easy fuss-free to peel off. So draw (or inkjet print) on the shiny side of the freezer paper and then cut using the tip of the knife. This part takes a while, but you just have to follow the line and be patient.

Then I iron the stencil on the T-shirt, medium heat, no steam. Next up, place the board inside the T-shirt, then dip the tip of  a small sponge in paint and press it against the surface. Be gentle and cover the margins well. When it's dry, simply peel off the stencil and there you have it, a cool T-shirt made by you, with your own idea.

Hope this project made you feel more confident and longing to create more. I think fashion should always be meaningful and at hand. Would love to see some of your ideas printed like this.

What fashion project are you willing to take next?

Love, Cris.

DIY Embroidery Bath Towels

January being officially the burn-out month, I believe it's the best time for pampering, colourful craft projects and taking time for yourself. Today's diy project has it all. I received these towels for my birthday as a gift from an online shop, where I usually buy pretty fabrics. They are good quality, but kind of plain. Just the right start for a diy, don't you think?

You won't need much for this project, just:

- Bath towels

- Embroidery thread

- Embroidery needle

- Scissor

- Choose an embroidery pattern - the one I made is called the herringbone stitch (you can discover and learn more types of stitches here)

Choose your colours, listen to some good music or an audio book (I'm currently listening to Amy Poehler's Yes Please), start stitching and enjoy! 

Have you ever thought of stitching as therapy for happiness? Well, you should. As it is both relaxing and satisfying - you get to have something pretty when it's all finished. 

What I like about the herringbone stitch is that it's quite easy to make - no advanced embroidery skills required - and it looks pretty enough on the back side.

Enjoy the process of crafting. Pamper yourself when you're done. Craft on. Hugs, Anca