Sequins are a Labor of love

Today, I finally finished the long term project that I've been working on for AGES. Literally, for ages. I have successfully sequined the sleeves of a t-shirt that I bought from Old Navy. One arm is slightly tighter than the other arm, but it's not a big deal to me really. It's not really uncomfortable, but it's different becuase the sleeves aren't really movable. You know? The sequins overlap like scales and I designed it to be like a fish caught in a fishnet. At first I wanted to do like this rainbow thing, but that would require that I actually sort out all the sequins into thier respective colors, and just no. Absolutely not. I am planning on wearing this in the summer with a pair of skinny jeans. What do you guys think? Is it too ostentatious? Too flashy? Or do you like it. Leave your comments below! I do apologize for my dirty and disgusting mirror. I didn't even realize all the fingerprints until I took the pictures!

I just sewed the sequins on with plain black thread and then interlinked them by layering the sequins. To do that, follow these instructions. First, push the needle through the sequin hole, then push the needle through the fabric next to the sequin edge. Pull it back up through the fabric and add another sequin. Now, take your needle and push it back through the original sequin hole. Now, push your needle through the fabric so it comes out at the edge of the second sequin. I will post pictures to help.

Toodles

Swap Haul Fo'Sho and some pictures of NEWLY pressed pigments

So, I know that I'm not a gangSTAR, but you know. I try. So, the pigments that I pressed with my good friend Mika well... fell apart. They are like dead right now. They are kinda hard on the top part, but then like still soft underneath. I don't even know. I'm really lazy so I'm really NOT going to pull them apart to press them again because yeah. I'm lazy LOL. They're still usable.... kind of. Well, I'll press them later this week becuase I'm expecting some more pigments and those pan things to arrive. I'll be posting pics of those stuffles later this week as well as a HUGE eyeshadow overhaul. Meaning a reorganization for the win!

Just some tips for pressing pigments with Biosilk

Please do use Biosilk when pressing mineral makeup that does not have any natural binders in them. Sure, you can use Biosilk to press regular pigments, but do you know how expensive this stuff is? Its 35 dollars for like 12oz. Thats the size of a shampoo bottle. UGH. I will be posting a review next week on it when I use it in my hair kay loves?

1. Please wear disposable gloves. Like the ones that doctors have. You can get them at the drugstore. I mean ANYTHING. Plastic bags would be better than using your hands. You know why? Becuase Biosilk + pigment= stuff that wont come off with just soap and water. Seriously. I had to use so much Ponds Cold Cream, Rubbing Alcohol, to get it off my hands, the sink, my mixing tools, the SOAP BAR. This is serious stuff right here.

2. Use disposable mixing tools. I get it. I'm a cheap ass. Major cheap ass. I MAKE mini spoons out of aluminum foil. I take spoons and knives from McDonalds to use as spatulas to crush down lipsticks. Hey man, I'm not above taking those paper cups from McDonalds that they give you to hold ketchup or mustard from those huge pump dispensers. But DO NOT reuse. Why? They'll be a pain in the ASS to wash. See above note.

3. DO NOT. I repeat DO NOT try to press them with a quarter until the mixture is almost dry. Like when you touch the top, no pigment adheres to your finger. The whole mixture should feel like.. sponge cake. When you add the Biosilk to the pigment, you cannot add too much. This isn't alcohol pressing where you do some frosting or cake batter consistency. You want this to be like... wet sand.. or crumbly cookies. I tried to press it when it was wayy too wet. BAD IDEA.

4. If you are impatient like me, dry them using a hair dryer or the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Farenheit (spell check!). I'm in the USA so I believe we use farenheit unlike the rest of the world. When you're done mixing and preparing the pigments, turn off the oven and shove your pigments in there to let it cool. Once the oven cools down, make sure the pigments are dry enough and PRESSS!

5. Lastly, protect your work surfaces. Unless you like the look of finger stains everywhere, do protect.

Some pictures, then off to the fun stuff: swap pictures!

Toodles ♥

NEW WINNER OF THE MLK GIVEAWAY

Hey everyone! Kiki Xiong has not responded with her addy so here is the new winner of the 2nd place prize: DANA YOSHIMIZU

Please respond with your addy in the next 5 days at chunkyxmunki(@)gmail(dot)com

Thanks!

Guess and coach handbag giveaway!

http://beauty-bow.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-timeyay-so-let-me-tell-you.html

Click to enter!

Swap Haulage + Quick Reminder

Happy Valentines Day and Happy Chinese New Year everyone! I hope everyone is having a good day right? Just a quick reminder to Kiki Xiong. You have not contacted me with your addy so please do so in the next 2 days or else I need to pick a new winner! Don't worry everyone. I apologize for ending the contest early, but I will be putting up a new one in September, when I have time =] Stay patient!

Yesterday, a new swap haul came in! This person is SO generous. I forgot to take pictures, but a different one of like 100 magnets also came in. I made a new palette for myself out of a DVD case. I expect to perhaps press some more pigments this week because yet ANOTHER swap came in and I'm just waiting for my end to reach her. LOL I am expecting SO many packages this week, so I will update with more hauls and pressing pigments day and pictures soon!

I swapped a white scarf + extras for a Sephora brand shadow brush and a Revlon lippie in Goldpearl Plum. OMG i got so many extras.

I am FLIPPING out over the million fragrance samples, the new ELF brushes etc. I have the eyeshadow brush and the lip brush. The brownstone is a sample and it's like a cross between a brown and a light taupe.

Toodles... for now!