Fashion Design - Embellished Graduation Cap 2013

Last year, I made a 2012 Graduation Cap for my cousin. This year, my daughter asked me to make her one. My daughter's cap and gown was white and I didn't want the cap to look too Gaudy. With that being said, I decided to use clear rhinestone. I was going to use my new hot fix rhinestone gun for the entire cap, but I didn't have the time or patience. I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some swirl rhinestone stickers. I used silver fabric paint that I already had to trace the name. I used the hot fix rhinestone gun for the embellishments in the name. Quick, Simple, and Cute! Enjoy.

Jasmine holding embellished cap

Jasmine wearing embellished cap

FYI, I didn't embellish her nails. She went to a nail salon in Hyattsville, MD. Also, its not a good pic, but her hair is 22 inches. It seems much longer than that, but oh well. We purchased the Virgin Brazilian Hair from a beauty supply store in Temple Hills, MD. See Pre-Prom for more details.

Nails by Best Nails in Hyattsville, MD

Hair from Number 1 Beauty in Temple Hills, MD

Social Events - Pre Prom Gathering

Prom is here and gone! I'm so happy that's its over. If I glue another rhinestone I'm going to scream! LOL!

Earlier, I posted some of my projects for my daughter's Pre Prom Gathering. You can find them and all their glory in the pictures on this post. I made gumball bracelets and necklaces, rhinestone gumball machines, rhinestone candle holders, personalized napkins, personalized candy bags, custom candy holders, custom spotlights, mini tutus for the mannequins, and a custom video. Blah, Blah, Blah!

By the way, The photo on the fireplace and on the tables were taken by Mike Howell who also took all of these photos. I blew that photo poster up at Staples. I found a couple of yards of fuchsia fabric at JoAnn's. I got it for half off at $20 a yard. I found the white frames (I spray painted them silver) from Ikea. The dress on the mannequin is from Jasmine's Senior Year photo shoot. Jasmine's necklace was purchased from Charlotte Russe. I got Jasmine's Rhinestone Teardrop Sandal from Fredrick's of Hollywood. I got Jasmine's clutch from Macy's. I got the ceramic letter dishes from Ivy Lane Design on Amazon. I spray painted the red boxes silver to match the table. I don't know if yawl remember, but I used some of this stuff (glasses, chafing dishes, plates, vases, etc) from Jasmine's Sweet 16 party. Can you see what a little change in colors and ribbon can do?


I had plenty of assistance with implementing my vision. My cousin Crystal provided the venue. My cousin Kim was my caterer/assistant and jewelry display provider. My best friend Quincy and his wife were my personal caterers/clean up crew. My mom Lenora was my personal banker. My cousin Nikki was my personal hair stylist. My cousin Maria was my personal make up artist. My mom Rita was my personal therapist and florist securer. My sister Yvonne and cousin Dominique and cousin Nina were my personal fashion stylist. My cousin Nina provided the red velvet cupcakes from Ardeletta Swann of Heavenly Dream Creations. My cousin Charlena provided the carrot cake cupcakes. My friends John and Jackie for provided the table linens and some decor. Last, but not least Jasmine's date family for getting him there on time and looking like Trey Songz!  I know yawl thinking, well what did you do. LOL! I decorated, spent money, decorated, spent money, and spent more money! Well I did more than that, but it's not about me. It's about my friends and family making this event FABULOUS!

I hope that I didn't leave anyone out - because I'm going to feel their wrath!


Love you always, Enjoy!

me and my masterpiece

Our Gathering was made possible with the help of family and friend and the vendors below.


Cake and Cupcakes by DMV Cake Art - Bowie, MD

Make up by Maria Clark - Greenbelt, MD

Nails by Best Nails - Hyattsville, MD

Virgin Brazilian Hair from Number 1 Beauty Supply - Temple Hills, MD

Photography by Mike Howell - Bowie, MD

Jazzy Couture Dress from Ransoms Boutique - Towson, MD

Baby Shower - Orange/Citrus Theme

I assisted in decorating my cousin's Oranges/ Citrus themed baby shower. The decorations were simple yet cute. Everyone pitched in. Someone cute the oranges (time consuming), Someone cooked the food (again I say - time consuming), etc. I initiated putting the oranges in the vases. I gave up after they started floating everywhere. LOL. I made the diaper cakes with supplies that I had laying around. I made the banner with my cricut machine, paper dollies, and pre cut gold letters. I blew up the balloons with left over helium from another event. Yahoo we have a quick and easy baby shower. Now tell me we don't know how to throw a last minute party. :-)

Enjoy!

Fashion Design - Rhinestone Shoes

Just another pair of rhinestone stone shoes that I've designed. This time I used the Rhinestone Heat Setter. I must say that I love my new toy! I plan to do something else to the shoe, because right now it looks plain, so stay tuned.

Good Side, Why did I use anything else before? Permanent!

Bad Side, Why does it take so long? Expensive!

I purchased the rhinestone picker from Hobby Lobby. I didn't need it because the heat setter picks up the rhinestones. Also, I purchased Crystal Hot Fix Rhinestones from Threadart on Amazon.com. They are much more reasonable than purchasing them from Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or AC Moore.

Enjoy!

Fashion Design - Silver Rhinestone Betsey Johnson Noir High - Top Sneakers

Someone asked me to embellish the rubber toe of their Betsey Johnson Nior High - Top Sneakers. This was a simple and quick task. Nothing major, Nothing exciting! Just glue and rhinestone. LOL!

Enjoy!

Fun Crafts - Rhinestone/Bling Lollipops & Social Events - Pre Prom Party

FYI,

This is the last DIY item for the Pre-Prom celebration that I'm going to post until after the event. So stay tuned! I had rhinestone ribbon left over from my last project, so I decided to bling out some of the candy for the dessert table. They are going to be cute on the table. I can't wait.

Enjoy!


Supplies
Original Gourmet Lollipops
Silver Ribbon
Blue Ribbon
Rhinestone Ribbon
Rhinestone
Glue Gun
Lollipop Holder

Original Gourmet Lollipops

Rhinestone Ribbon

Rhinestone Bling Lollipops #1

Rhinestone Bling Lollipops #2

Fun Crafts - Personalized Napkins (Do it yourself) & Social Events - Pre Prom Party

As you know, I’m planning a Pre-Prom celebration for my daughter. What does that mean? I’m trying new things.LOL. As you read my blogs you will see that I continue to be a DIYer, even though all of my projects haven’t been successes. 

Anyway, I’ve purchased custom napkins before and always had many napkins left over. Yes we are still using Sweet 16 napkins and my daughter is now 17 and 11 months. LOL! Also, who wants to pay for something that they don’t need. It’s a small get together and I don’t require a large quantity of napkins, so I decided customize my own. 

After searching the internet, several people have already thought of this idea. LOL! Anyway, I still decided to make stamped napkins. I found a stamp that was fitting for the event from Michaels for $1.50. The ink pads were no more than $5.00 each. I don’t remember the price of the napkins, but they were cheap.

I recommend that you practice stamping on paper a few times before starting with the napkins. Once you are done with that, decide where you would like your design and stamp directly onto the napkins. Remove the stamp carefully. With a little elbow grease you have now created cute stamped napkins.

 

Enjoy!

Blank Napkin

Stamp

Fade resistant Ink Pad

Personalized Napkins - Step #1

Personalized Napkins - Step #2

Baby Shower - Winnie the Pooh Theme

Recently, I was asked to make invitations and other paper items for a baby shower. The shower was held in Hampton VA, so I was I was unable to actually decorate the shower. The onesis shaped banner was all cut out by hand. DUH! Cricut has a baby shower cartridge. I have so many gadgets that I forgot that I had a Cricut machine. All I had to do was purchase the cartridge. Anyway, you live and you learn.

I hung the banner up so that you could get a better look at it.

Enjoy!

Winnie the Pooh Banner #1

Winnie the Pooh Banner #2

Winnie the Pooh Cupcake Topper

Winnie the Pooh Treat Boxes

Winnie the Pooh Water Bottle Labels

Winnie the Pooh Games

Winnie the Pooh Banner #3

Winnie the Pooh Invitation