Don't MIS It: May 2012

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

DIY Thank You Cards

I am always on the lookout for great thank you notes, but lately have not been able to find any that suits me. I used an image of my good friend Piper from a recent Holga shoot. Follow the tutorial below to create your own set of stationary or thank you notes!

I always love getting a hand written note on a great card. So make some one's day, why don't ya?!

Enjoy,

Margo Isadora

1. Choose your image!
(These were all from my first Holga Camera Shoot!)

Supplies: Photo, 8.5" x 11" White Card Stock,
Colored Paper, Scissors, & Scotch Tape (not pictured)

2. Cut out letters.

3. Lightly tape your letters onto your image with mini tape rolls. (as to preserve the photo)

4. Adhere your image with tape rolls to the bottom of the white cardstock.

5. Visit your local print shop, or use your color printer at home, and copy as many images as you please!

6. Fold your cards down the top.
(I used a creaser, but it is not at all necessary.)

7. Cut your cards perfectly!

And there you have a personalized thank you, ready to go!

Can't wait to send them out :)

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institutes's current fashion exhibit, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, is one not to MIS. The show not only has a well curated selection of the women's work, but uses technology to make the viewer feel a more intimate connection with the designers. The impossible conversation, that literally goes on between the two Italian designers on video throughout the exhibit, allows visitors to gain insight to the philosophy of each designer. Film director, Baz Luhrmann, worked with Muccia Prada herself, and actress Judy Davis, who played Schiaparelli, to make the impossible exchange a reality. I was struck by Prada's humble, honest views, and further respect her work as a designer after watching her speak.

Muccia Prada in conversation behind some of her pieces.

The dialogue between the designer's apparel was equally interesting. One part of the exhibit was waist up (Schiaparelli) and waist down (Prada) because of the different parts of the outfit they each tend to embellish. Some of the clothing was in glass cubes with digitally moving vintage photographs behind them. It was such a treat to be able to see the new and vintage pieces up close!

Outfits in glass cubes with moving images behind them!

Anyone would enjoy this exhibit, even those not particularly interested in fashion. The dialogue between the Italian designers and their clothes added a new dimension to the typical fashion exhibit. Visit the Met before the exhibit closes on August 19th.

I hope to return!

Enjoy,

Margo Isadora

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
Vogue Met Gala Image

Schiaparelli in her iconic Shoe Hat.

Schiaparelli Hats ~ Prada Shoes

A piece of the exhibit with a slide show of incredible embellishments from the designers behind the garments.

*images taken from across the web

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Parsons DIY Apparel

DIY Parsons Canvas Bag

DIY Parsons Shirt

As college apparel day neared at my high school, I knew that I had to find a quick DIY fix, as I didn't own any Parsons clothing. Ironically, though a design school, Parsons has quite unfortunate looking apparel. So I decided to make my own. I used freezer paper as an iron on stencil to create a clean design for both a canvas bag and tee. Check out the easy tutorial below, to learn how to adorn your apparel with words and designs!

Enjoy,
Margo Isadora

p.s. If you have any further questions about freezer paper stenciling checkout made's great tutorial.

Stencil Supplies: Logo/Words, Freezer Paper, Exacto Knife

1) Cut out design with your exacto blade.

2) Trace the stencil you just created onto
the non-shiny side of the freezer paper

3) Cut out design on freezer paper.
(* You can avoid this double cutting and just print your design on freezer paper in the first place, but I wanted to have a stencil for future use.)

5) Iron your design on to your fabric, shiny side down. Press it well to insure there are no free edges.
(*I ironed the cutouts onto canvas, to get extra use out of my freezer paper!)

5) Same as previous. Iron on your stencil!

6) Best to use fabric paint, but I didn't have any on hand so a friend recommended that I mix 3/4 acrylic paint with 1/4 glue. This created a thicker, more durable/plasticy paint for the apparel.

* The tee was accidentally thrown in for its first wash with a load of whites. It went through the washer and dryer, no bleeding or chipping occured. Came out as good as new!

7) Paint over your stencils.

8) Before you paint on thinner (tee-shirt-like) material be sure to put a cardboard sheet in the middle of the shirt, to avoid bleeding.

9) Paint away!

10) Let paint dry for a few hours until it is completely dry,I used a blow dryer to speed up the process!

11) Once paint is dry, peel away the freezer paper stencil.

11) Peel some more!

Almost finished!

12) Lay a piece of fabric over your design and lightly iron, to seal in your design.

12) Iron

13) Sew up your bag if need be!

Parsons Bag! I added a woven belt that I had for the strap.

Finished tee!
Oh, the wonders of freezer paper!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Holga Paint DIY

My wardrobe is full of vibrant hues and I thought my Holga camera deserved a pop of color as well! Get out your old camera and dream up a design to suit it. My good friend, Piper, and I got out our acrylic paint and then taped sections off with masking tape to create straight lines, but when we pulled the tape off we were left with a messy edge. So I suggest free handing it! My geometric rainbow print and Piper's pastel stripes gave our old cameras a new life. This is a fun and easy DIY, one not to MIS. Get your Holga ready for fun summer shots :)

Enjoy,

Margo Isadora