Do It Your Freaking Self - Movie Inspired Archives - Page 3 of 4

DIY Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pillow Pal

on November 22, 2016

Does anyone else have a pillow that they take everywhere? I do. Well… not a pillow per se, but a pillow pal. Yep. I’ve got one and I have no shame. I have a Stitch Pillow Pet that I take with me any time I have to spend the night somewhere that is not my home and I love it. The kids I babysit do too!

So… when my Nightmare Before Christmas obsessed friend had her housewarming party and casually (but not really) mentioned how Disney had yet to come out with a Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pillow Pal, the wheels started turning. Using mine as a guide, I made one for her as a christmas present and I gotta say, it turned out pretty awesome.

Do you have a Nightmare Before Christmas/Disney obsessed friend? Is it you? No judgements! Make your own after the jump!

Zero Pillow Pal

Time: Weekend Project
Cost: Under $20
Cozy level: 9

ByChelsea

Hogwarts House Crochet Ear Warmer

on October 24, 2016

Show your house pride and keep warm this winter with a handmade Hogwarts house crochet ear warmer! Handmade Harry Potter style for the whole family!

As the weather cools down out come my yarn stash….

When I moved to Los Angeles I packed up my car. If it didn’t fit, it didn’t come with me. What did fit was an entire suitcase full of… yep, you guessed it. YARN. I learnt to crochet as a kid and it’s been one of my favorite ways to make handmade gifts as well as to calm down after a crazy week. I’m pretty much in love with all yarn work and I honestly feel like it is something anyone can do in some way shape or form. This cinched Crochet Ear Warmer uses only 2 stitches and is a wonderful beginner project just in time for the cooler weather. Even better…. they’re in Hogwarts house colors so I’m super excited to wear these babies all around Universal Studios this winter and feel like a real Hogwarts alumni!

Time: 1-2 Hours
Cost: $10 makes a lot of them
School Spirit Level: 20!!!

ByChelsea

Potato Stamp Matilda Wormwood Hoodie

on October 17, 2016

When most kids were having their “go outside and run around the neighborhood” phase, I was in my “stay inside and read a book” phase. Yes folks, I was not the most active of children. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. But before you start worrying about my health just know that I was at dance class a lot. Like 3-4 nights a week a lot. I just wasn’t a big fan of being outside or sweating or things that go with that.

Okay, so that stay inside and read a book phase…. I liked to read a lot. I remember staying up all night to finish books and somehow making it up in time to go to school or church the next day. I still do that in fact. I fell in love with the character of Matilda Wormwood who shared a love of reading and learning. Matilda was magical, mysterious and overall amazing. So of course while I was creating a hoodie based on another Roald Dahl work, I felt like I needed to honor Matilda in the same way.

Time: 1hr
Cost: $15 or less
Literary level: Genius

ByChelsea

Felicity Fox Hoodie

on October 13, 2016

If you tuned in earlier this week, you would have read several sentences extholling my love for one Felicity Fox, because yes, she is a badass.

I was at the thrift store last week and found this amazing golden hoodie that was just SCREAMING to be turned into something, and as I was planning on continuing with the fox theme anyway so….. I bought it and turned it into this super fun Felicity Fox inspired apple print hoodie!

Yes, you heard me, apple print. What is it with me using food as stamps? Well, for one thing, its cheap. I don’t want to pay $12+ for a stamp that I can make with a 50¢ apple AND get a snack out of it. (I ate the unpainted half). Want to make one in time for halloween or just to have a conversation starter?

Time: 1 hour + dry time
Cost: $15+ (depending on cost of hoodie)
Wes Anderson Level: 12

ByChelsea

DIY No Sew Fox Ears Headband

on October 10, 2016

You guys, for some reason I’m in love with foxes this week. Honestly, fall means orange and fuzzy and stealing yummy treats from my friend’s kitchens, which basically means fall = foxes. Right? Maybe?

Okay, so the real reason I made these ears is because I found myself watching The Fantastic Mr. Fox a few nights ago and pretty much fell in love with Felicity Fox. Let’s be honest here even though Mr. Fox tries to run the show, Felicity is there to reign him in and basically be the voice of reason for the entire fiasco.

Yes folks, she is a badass. If you’re feeling similarly inspired by the Wes Anderson adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, grab some felt and a glue gun. Its about to get foxy up in here with these DIY Fox Ears Headband!

Time: 15 Minutes
Cost: $5-10
Foxy Level: Like… 2?

ByChelsea

The Best Pokemon Halloween Costumes You Will Ever Need

on September 28, 2016

*** This post contains affiliate links. Clicking and shopping from these links helps support this website (and my cupcake addiction****

Pokemon fever is still in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for the perfect pokemon halloween costume that doesn’t involve too much effort (because you also have to make the kid’s costumes too). And let’s be honest, as cute as Pikachu is, not all of us want to be him for halloween.

And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably doing a lot of things last minute, so do yourself a favor and get yourself Amazon Prime so that last minute costume gets to you in two days (with free shipping) without the hassle of braving the store. If you don’t have prime, get it FREE for 30 days and get access to all the cool stuff amazon has to offer!
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

So! Whether you’re a trainer, a pikachu, a charizard or squirtle, here is everything you could ever have to look for in Pokemon Halloween Costumes.

What are you going as this year? The girls I sit for have changed their mind three times already, so it’ll probably be a last minute scramble for us as well.

ByChelsea

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children DIY Gallery Wall

on September 26, 2016

I don’t know about you guys, but one of my favorite things about Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the photos that came with it. If you haven’t read the books yet and are just waiting for the movie to come out first, it’s important to note that the entire series was inspired by found vintage photographs that looked a bit… peculiar. Throughout the book series, these peculiar photos are interspersed with the story, giving the reader a visual on the characters even without a film. The cool part is that these photos are not photoshopped, but are probably photography tricks old timey photographers used.

With the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children premiere and halloween looming, I though it would be a perfect way to credit the work by creating a gallery wall. Here’s the thing… they always look super complicated. On pinterest you see all of these frames strategically hodge podged and you sit there thinking… I would totally mess that up. Yep. Right there with you. BUT!!! It’s actually really easy… and cheap! Come with me on a decorating adventure will you?

Time: 2+ hours
Cost: Under $10
Peculiar level: 8

ByChelsea

Super Style: Comic Book DIY Hair Clips

on September 16, 2016

My friends recently arranged a huge group pinup themed photoshoot here in LA and I’m super bummed to say that I missed it. On the plus side, I did find myself inspired to make these Comic Book DIY Hair Clips, so add one to the yay column?

I mean seriously, how cute did these turn out? I hesitated a bit when it came to adding the tulle, but I think it was a wise decision! You can wear these for a costume, or for a comic themed wedding, or super hero themed pin-up shoot, or … I don’t know, what do you think?

Comic Book DIY Hair Clips
Time: 30 Minutes or less
Cost: Under $5 for 6
Nerd Level: 5

ByChelsea

DIY Embroidered Doctor Who Blanket

on September 12, 2016

Is it fall yet? Because I am ready. In the coming weeks I’ll be pulling out my yarn stash and start blogging about scarves and hats and other warm things and I could not be more excited. I’m also starting to pull out all of my geeky fall items (most of which are Doctor Who and/or Harry Potter themed). This DIY Embroidered Doctor Who Blanket is a product of inner Whovian coming out and I must say, it gives me the warm fuzzies…. inside and out!

Also can we talk about the ridiculous amount of Jammie Dodgers I ate while making this? If you’re not a whovian you probably won’t understand, but these cookies are a self destruct button for the TARDIS… well, not really. But they’re great for fooling Daleks and buying more time and just happen to be a delicious cookie! I’m so glad that I can get these at my local Cost Plus World Market because they also make really great gifts and party favors to my geeky friends.

This Doctor Who Blanket is a bit longer than my other projects (a couple of hours max), but it’s really impressive. All of your friends will be jealous that you made your own blanket(-ish). These also make really great and impactful gifts.

Time: 6+ hours (depending on length of quote)
Cost: $15 or less
Geek Level: 6

ByChelsea

Willy Wonka Inspired Edible Shot Glasses

on September 9, 2016

One of my favorite scenes from the original Willy Wonka was when Gene Wilder was singing “Pure Imagination” and he sat down to take a drink (and a bite) out of a daffodil tea cup. That movie was a huge part of my childhood and introduced me to the world of one of my favorite authors Roald Dahl. As an adult, different parts of it come back up and the film (and book) have taken on new meaning.

We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of dreams.

I remember when I was old enough to realize that a person in a film is actually an actor and not really that particular character. It kinda blew my mind. Then as I got older, my dad started pulling out Mel Brooks films and I learned about the man that ran the candy factory. That he was also Young Friedrich Frankenstein and the Waco Kid. He was Leo Bloom and the mock turtle. He was Gene Wilder.

I hate getting all sentimental over celebrity deaths and I’m not the person that is going to sit in front of my TV or stereo and cry because we lost one of the greats, but I do believe that it is important to recognize contributions to art and society. So thank you mister Wilder. These edible shot glasses are for you.

Willy Wonka Inspired Chocolate Edible Shot Glasses

Hit the jump for the full tutorial!
Continue reading

ByChelsea

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