DIY clear cosmetics clutch

following the transparent beach bag, 

here's the matching cosmetics clutch

This clutch was intended to load my sunscreen and beach-related product, but...

...since it's transparent, I already used as toiletry bag for my plane trip and it earned a big A+!
Lightweight, transparent, holds a lot of the small bottles, and it's prettier than a ziplock bag.
and TSA approved!

what's in my cosmetics beach clutch?

clear crocheted cosmetics clutch - supplies needed:

* Ribbed Shelf Liner 24"x10' (leftover from the beach bag)
* Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter
* x-acto knife
* Hand Punch Circle 1/8"
* Crochet Hook, 2.75mm 
* White cotton yarn -  about 2 balls of crochet yarn used in 2 and  4 strands 
* white zipper 13" long

DIY cosmetic clutch template

cosmetic clutch - the how-to // tutorial:

You can use the template, or, in my case, work with what I had left.

I had just enough of the ribbed shelf liner left.
I Had to use it in diagonal, folding a square into a triangle as shown in the picture.

then I used a round lid to cut the top with the x-acto knife

cut the two sides straight

Keep the plastic folded in half, and place some tape in the middle
to prevent it from moving.
Mark the dots every 3/8" and punch the holes.

Crochet a single crochet around, working two single crochet every 5 stitches on the curved sides, so it won't be tight.

Once it's all crocheted, fold the plastic in half, and start sewing the straight parts together, starting from the rounded edge going down.

Once you reached about 2" from the middle part, fold it as in the GIF above, to create the wider base, and sew it in place.
Repeat the same on the other side.

 Time to crochet the scalloped edge:
7 dc into the same stitch - sk 1 st - 1 sc - sk 1 st - 7 dc into the same stitch

pin the zipper in place and sew it .
Done!

xox, d.

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DIY transparent beach bag

this summer is all about transparency

left pic: net a porter - collage by moi

so be it!

I wanted to make a new beach bag (although my DIY flamingo tote will still have plenty of action, I promise!) and my attention was dragged by these clear beauty.

Particularly, I loved the Dolce & Gabbana one. 

Only I wanted mine clear. 

And with some texture.

And I ended up making the bag, and having enough material to make the matching cosmetic clutch (tutorial HERE!)  that fits all my "beach needs". 

clear inspiration on Polyvore

supplies needed:

* Ribbed Shelf Liner 24"x10'
* Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter
* Hand Punch Circle 1/8"
* Crochet Hook, 2.75mm 
* White cotton yarn -  about 2 balls of crochet yarn used in 2 and  4 strands

* spool knitter

* Nylon Braid Rope, White, 1/4-Inch

(submitted on this week's Independent Fashion Bloggers: project #99 - Post a Tutorial)

DIY Chan Luu inspired tube bracelets

these bracelets are so simple to make

I can assure you that you'll make plenty, 

in just about any color to match your outfits!

Clearly inspired by the Chan Luu bracelets, although I decided to make the closure of my version a little different.

The original Chan Luu bracelets are adjustable (by using a square knot in the back), although I know my wrist size isn't going to change any time soon, and made mine with a pretty mother of pearl button and less stringing hanging in the back.

left pic : Zappos.com - collage by moi

DIY Chan Luu twist and tube bracelet: supplies needed

* embroidery floss in one or two tone of your choice (or crochet cotton yarn)
* (1) Silver Plated Curved Noodle Tube Bead 5mm x 30mm
* (1) 2 Hole Buttons Mother of Pearl 15mm
* scissors
* painter's tape (not pictured)

the tutorial // how-to:

This friendship bracelet consists in the "half knot twist", probably the simplest macrame knot.

You can use a solid color or two different colors: it's easier to follow the tutorial with two colors, though.

Prepare the embroidery floss as follow:

* color 1 (mint) - one strand 19" long (the core)

one strand 4 yards long

* color 2 (ivory) - one strand 4 yards long

pass each floss into the two holes of the button
and place the  button right in the middle

tape the button and the lower part of the floss used for the core
/ each floss will be used double stranded /

start by making the figure of the number "4" with the ivory by
passing UNDER the core and OVER the mint

the mint floss goes OVER the ivory AND the core
and UNDER the  side of the "4"

tie the knot really tight until reaches the bottom part of the button

keep doing the same knot over and over, 
always starting forming the "4" from the left side

few knots later, you'll see that the cord will start to twist!

NOTE: it will get really twisty! Don't panic, un-twist the floss, and keep going (make sure while un-twisting to place the color on the same side where it was while twisted)

Keep going until you reached the length of your wrist + some ease + 1-1/2"
(in my case the total length from the base of the button is 9")

thread the curved tube bead into the bracelet

Tie a knot at the end of the twist, then fold the last part and
create a "button hole" by making another overhead knot
Trim the floss evenly: DONE!

This is how the twist looks just under the button:
polished and clean!

make lots, stack'em up!

xox, d.

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