Fairy Tale Dress-Up with Fashion Forms

We're welcoming Klutz Marketing Assistant Devin MacDonald to the blog today to share her experience with a Klutz classic. 

While I’ve graduated from the baggy hoodies, baseball caps, and cargo pants of my middle school tomboy-hood, I’m still pretty much the antithesis of a girly-girl. I can’t apply makeup to save my life, I wear the same pair of scuffed boots every day, and I harbour the not-so-secret hope that I will live to see the day when it is socially acceptable to wear nothing but monochrome jumpsuits (think construction worker, not chic and catwalk-ready). But, despite my tendency to shy away from the frilly, blingy, and otherwise fabulous, I will always have a soft spot for pretty princesses.

With a shiny new take on Cinderella hitting the silver screen this week, I found myself with a familiar urge to indulge in a little bit of fairy tale dress-up. So, I grabbed one of the Fashion Forms kits that have been staring at me from our conference room for weeks, and I decided to get my design on. 

What I find so neat about Fashion Forms is that it’s all about combining basic shapes in creative ways. So, with patterns for six tops and three skirts, you can pretty much make any no-pants look that crosses your mind. It got me thinking about which classic princess costumes I could recreate with those shapes, and—after inspiration struck—how I could transform those outfits into modern-day ensembles.

I mean, can’t you totally picture the Little Mermaid roaming the beach in romantic, flowy ruffles and a sweetheart halter on her land-dwelling days?

Can’t you see Snow White rocking a Peter Pan collar and a cute-but-classy pencil skirt while holding court with her woodland friends in a cozy little home?

What about a fit-and-flare number for everybody’s favourite Frozen queen?

It’s amazing how scraps of paper can transform into miniature outfits for a princess with a dab of glue, some imagination, and a few sparkly embellishments. It’s also amazing how time flies when you let your inner little girl out to play; I was surprised to find that I’d been at it for a couple of hours when I finally shook the sequins from my fingertips to check the time, but I enjoyed every second of it. My craving to experiment with adorable attire: satisfied. I feel like I just played the ultimate game of dress-up.

Now, to find a fashion-forward little friend so I have an excuse to crack my kit open again . . .

A Few of My Favourite Things (with Nail Style Studio & Nail Art from Klutz)

Yesterday was officially the first day of fall. And though the weather seems to be a bit confused as we finish up the last week of September, there's no denying it anymore. Summer is gone!

Don't get me wrong, fall has it's perks--Halloween, pumpkin spice and scarf season, just to name a few--but this warm-weather girl will be mourning summer's end for the eight long months till it's back again.

Whenever I'm feeling blue, a good art project always cheers me up! So, I grabbed Klutz's Nail Style Studio and Nail Art and painted my tips and toes in all sorts of pics and patterns. Forget raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, here are a handful of my tried and true remedies for when I'm feeling sad!

Exploring a new neighborhood in my city.

A good stretch and centering on my yoga mat.

 

Getting lost in a book.

Warming up with a hot drink.

 

And painting my nails with patterns and pictures that make me smile!

Pretty Summer Suits (with My Fabulous Look Book)

The season of swimming is upon us, yay! 

But with it comes one of summer's most aggravating rites of passage...

The search for the perfect swimsuit.

To find it, you have to brave fluorescent lights, bunched up underwear underneath, and the inevitable comparisons between the way you look in the suit to how the model on the poster right next to you looks in it. Swimming season has its downsides…

But when you find a winner, oh boy, is it great! There’s nothing like hitting the beach, playing in the waves and soaking up the sun (through a thick layer of UV protection, of course!) without a care for too loose straps or a recurring wedgie.

So, in preparation for my summer swimsuit search, I grabbed a copy of My Fabulous Look Book to try and pick out my ideal styles before I hit the stores.

I mixed and matched bright neons with classic black, a retro high waister with a bustier top, a daring strapless beauty with a pretty gold accent, and a Minnie Mouse inspired skirt suit that I absolutely love!

So many choices, so much time in the change room avoided. Knowing what you’re looking for is half the battle. Now my only problem is deciding which I like best!

Six Bands a-Beaded

On the first day of Christmas, Klutz gave to me…

 Beaded Bands under my tree!

Okay, so Christmas is still a couple of days away, but this is one present I'm sure glad I opened early! Beautiful, Beaded Bands has everything you need to make super chic and totally on-trend bracelets that look too good to be homemade. This year, I'm spreading Christmas cheer with these pretty little stocking stuffers.

On the sixth day of Christmas, I'll give six bands a-beaded to some very lucky friends!

And you can win your very own copy of Beaded Bands from Scholastic Canada.
Click here to enter! 

The countdown is on, only three more days to go...

Merry Christmas fellow crafters! See you in the New Year!

Holiday Fashion Fancy (with Paper Fashions)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

That’s right, now that my birthday has come and gone, I am finally ready to let the Christmas festivities begin! And with so many parties, get-togethers and family gatherings to attend, I’m planning out my perfect holiday wardrobe for all occasions.

But I don’t want to break the bank! Christmas is a pretty pricey time after all, so I’m planning out an imaginary Christmas closet for all of the thrill with none of the cost. And with a little help from the fabulous Paper Fashions from Klutz, this holiday season is starting to look very merry and bright!

Pretty peplum and a lacy skirt for those fancy dinners! A cool maroon coat with funky printed tights for a Christmas party with my friends! Santa-inspired outerwear to combat the chill! And a striped tee and jeans with a Christmas bow on top for the big day!

And here’s where the magic really happens… After I plan out my perfect holiday lineup, all I have to do is search through my closet for pieces and patterns that fit all the things I love about my fantasy fashions, and voila, my holiday wardrobe is complete!

Klutz's newly boxi-fied format makes it easier than ever to wrap and give crafty do-it-yourself-style gifts this year. Wrap it up!

Disney Princes Purses - Handmade for Halloween

Halloween can be a great time to get crafty, from carving pumpkins to making decorations and baking spooky treats! But when it comes to costumes, especially when you're young and this Halloween business is serious stuff, sometimes a homemade costume just won’t cut it. I remember the horror on a school friend's face when she walked in to class in a mom-made Raggedy Ann, only to find herself in a sea of store bought fairies, pirates, and princesses. I thought her costume was the coolest, but I could tell that she was silently wishing her mom had hit up the store instead of the sewing machine.

When I heard that super-cute little Miss Emilia was going as Cinderella this Halloween, I jumped at the chance to add a little craftiness to her costume. I shared my copy of the brand new and boxy Make Your Own Disney Princess Paper Purses and we gave this little princess some accessories worthy of her namesake!

Little Cinder-Emilia got down to business, donning her royal gown and breaking out her fabulous zebra print scissors to cut out accessories.  She decked out her royal purse in pom poms, sequins, and stickers, and laced the purses up all by herself! She was even kind enough to make two more purses to share with her friends!

If you need more ideas for Klutz-made Halloween fun, check out what I got up to last year! Stop by my One-Stop Halloween Shop for tons of fun, 100% Klutz decorating and costume ideas, or check out how I made my pumpkins pop!

Can't Beat Klutz (with Fashion Forms)

One of the lucky perks of being 100% Klutz is that sometimes I get to try out stuff that hasn't hit the shelves yet. And, boy oh boy, getting first crack at those coveted kits is a great thrill for this craft-hungry gal!

You can imagine my excitement when I was presented with a very early production sample of the swoon-worthy, boxy, new Fashion Forms. This update on classic paper fashion fun is any style-savvy girl’s dream! Tiny, three-dimensional dresses, skirts, and shoes for you to make in all sorts of exciting prints. With a little help from Klutz, I figured I'd soon be well on my way to my own fashion label!

I got to work popping out pieces and setting up my mini-design studio. But my ambitions fell short when I discovered that this early book only had three sample pages of instructions inside. I paused for a second to regroup. Sure, the intricate paper outfits on the box looked complicated, but this is Klutz we're talking about, so I knew there would be some fun trick or handy tool to make it all a breeze. But, as I sorted through the materials and devised a plan of action, I realize that it wasn't the missing instructions I was worried about. What I missed most was the inspiration I get from the Klutz craft masters.

The first thing I do when I crack open a new Klutz book is to scan through the pages and earmark crafts and designs I want to try. And without that special Klutz magic to be my fashion muse, somehow things just didn’t quite come together.

I am so glad that I get a second chance, complete with pages of expertly-made Fashion Forms for me to choose from, because that’s when my clothing line really started to shine!

And that, my friends, is why Klutz can’t be beat!

Don't believe me? See for yourself!
 

And We're Back (with Fancy Friendship Bracelets and Glossy Bands)

It’s back-to-school and time for new beginnings... A new grade, new things to learn, and a new outlook on life! Time to wind down from the whims of summer and get into the swing of the new season.

And then there’s back to school fashion... 

Oh, the anticipation of that first week of outfits, every day a new opportunity to paint the picture of your fashion self. Will you make a statement with some bold prints or linger in summer's neons and florals? Me, I'm just excited to finally break out the knits!

But there's nothing better for this crafty girl, than getting to wear one of her creations. As a part-time crafter, full-time wallflower, it's nice to be able to tell the world a bit about me without having to speak. So show everyone what makes you you this school year and rock some 100% Klutz accessories made just by you.

 Squeeze and swirl, peel and stick these Glossy Bands for a one-of-a-kind accessory. Bright colours and groovy patterns add a pop of colour to your autumn neutrals. Switch these sticky bands from wrist to Ribbon Bangles and Headbands (and Hairstyles) for all your fall moods.

Braid and knot Fancy Friendship Bracelets into all sorts of shapes and patterns. Choose from five colours of cord and all sorts of beads and charms to really finish them off. So pretty and polished that no one will guess that you made it yourself. Be sure to make a bunch, because these beaded beauties are perfect for stacking!

Whatever you wore for your first week back-to-school, hope it was fashion fabulous and 100% you!

Fall Fashion Fancy (with My Style Studio)

The weather seems to have teamed up with those dreaded commercials to bring the spirit of fall to these lazy, hazy, last days of summer. So I give in; I’m tired of fighting! Instead, I’m embracing the finer points of this time of transition… namely, back-to-school clothes!

 

I whipped up a crop of fall fashions to combat the chill with My Style Studio. This fully featured kit is packed with tons of supplies to help you style the season. Peel-and-stick, templates and tracing paper to start off, textured rubbing plates to create tons of cool prints, and the finest tip marker you’ve ever seen for the perfect finish.

 Here are a few faves from my fall fashion line…

Tall boots, houndstooth, and button down vests;  

Peter Pan collars, pencils skirts and summer maxis with a fall jacket.

And sure, my fall lineup is just fantasy, but with three weeks of summer dreamin’ to go, there's still time before I don my fall duds for good!

Pretty Painted Tips

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Here's a Valentine's treat

That's just for you!

Valentine's Day is all about giving, but that doesn't mean you can't treat yourself too! Why not celebrate with some funky Nail Art? This book is packed with tons of tips and techniques, patterns and designs, plus a rainbow of non-toxic, peel-off polish, so you can change your tips to match your mood. This month, I'm full of sweet kisses, swoon-y daydreams and little love notes. Next month, who knows?

Unless you're ambidextrously blessed you might need some help to make a matching set, so grab a friend and get busy. Valentine's Day is only a week away!