TRY THIS - Make a Date with Paste

I find myself longing to sew, paint and draw, but sadly I'm unskilled when it comes to manual crafts. I'm tempted to say I've two left hands but aren't southpaws well-known for their artistic dexterity? While I can turn a phrase, turning-up a trouser leg is well and truly beyond me. 

However, it is possible for the craft-less to conjure a project. Glue stick at the ready, I cobbled together these party invitations all by myself. Old black & white postcards spotted at Oxfam in Ealing are my foundation. Interesting bits and pieces cut from magazines and free catalogs are added. Place, paste and like magic it seems even I'm crafty.

        

Party details - date, time, place - are simply handwritten on the back of the cards. Popping with personality, I think these rival any store-bought variety. The 12 old postcards were 10p apiece and the glue stick a pound. The feeling of DIY pride - priceless.

These unique little mementos remind everyone that we're off to Zedel's CLICK HERE in March to celebrate my friend Susan's 70th birthday - paper scene stealers that perfectly suit the stylish septuagenarian tucked in our handbags.     

TRY THIS - The Arts & Crafts of Style

I found these hand-made, recycled wrist warmers at a tiny market situated in what's called the Undercroft in Deal, Kent CLICK HERE. A twice-a-week affair, it hosts 6 to 10 tables offering everything from homemade baked goods to wee watercolour paintings. Sue Evans, a local crafter, created these lovely gloves by cutting up a used jumper and 'felting' the sleeves. This, as she explained, is the simple process of washing wool on hotter and hotter settings until the desired effect is achieved. Sue fashions wrist warmers, along with bags and hats from interesting, colourful 2nd-hand cardigans and pullovers.         

I wear these 2 ways. Over a pair of thin leather gloves they look rather stylish - call it Dickensian Chic - and effectively combat winter's chill. I also pop them on indoors. Curled up on the sofa, enjoying an old film or Bargain Hunt (oddly compelling), these soft arm accessories are akin to slippers for your hands. Add several hand-made one-off pieces, like these, to your wardrobe to ensure stylish individuality. Cost? A fiver.

TRY THIS - DIY Sparkle Shoes for NYE

I find my mates clever style sirens -- this, for example, from my friend and actress Alma Costa (follow her @alma_costa). Perfect project pre-NYE! Take it away Alma -    

"If you don't have an unlimited budget it's easy to get the blues as the party season approaches. Shop windows are filled with beautiful, sparkly things, your inbox is stuffed with all the latest holiday fashions from all your favourite shops and as you do your best to find presents for your loved ones, it becomes an exercise in will power as you try to avoid the "one for me, one for you.." trick.

So I decided to quit sighing, take matters into my own hands and bring some sparkle into my wardrobe.

I got the idea from some fancy Jigsaw shoes CLICK HERE and applied it to a boring pair of black court shoes that needed updating.

All you need is some wood glue/PVA, glitter (make sure it's the finer type as the bigger type doesn't work as well) and a little bit of time.

Mask the bits of the shoe you don't want to cover in glitter, this is important because the stuff gets everywhere! Use masking tape for a better result, I didn't have any so my masking looks awful but it did the trick.

1. Lay some paper down to limit the mess. 

2. Cover the heel in a layer of glue using a paint brush (the flatter the brush the better).

3. Shake that glitter all over the heel and don't be stingy! Any glitter that doesn't stick to the shoe will just end up on the paper and you can pour it back into the glitter pot, limiting waste. Make sure the whole heel looks covered.

4. Repeat point 3 once the first layer is dry.

5. Once the second layer is dry (I did this the following evening) cover the whole thing with one final layer of glue. It will look all white, but don't panic! It will dry clear and leave you with a gorgeous glittery heel.

Party heels sorted without BUYING another pair of shoes. Happy New Year to you!"

TRY THIS - Lens Case of Double Vision

I found this camera lens case at the Oxfam in Ealing. Currently the Flippin' Fashion Industry (FFI) is advocating a 2-handbag-at-once style. In street shoots and fashion editorial, the double bag look is being pushed on us like grandma's meatloaf. Of course the FFI wants us to carry 2 expensive handbags at the same time; more bags, more sales, more profits, more more. Next season will it be three bags, or four, or even better, will the FFI decide we should sport a double-dress look or a triple-top style? While I don't like being manipulated by a multi-billion dollar industry that's occasionally guilty of demeaning the women it claims to serve, I do actually like the look of a modified double-handbag. So -- I attached this gorgeous little leather lens case to a beautifully woven over-the-shoulder number I already had in my collection. The lens case features a bright red corduroy interior and is now home to my loose change. I think it's a cool customized look that's, as they say, bang on trend. The lens case was 99p. Hey FFI, how's that look?        

TRY THIS - Customized Keepy Uppy

I found this once-strapless bustier at a charity shop in Richmond - a picturesque riverside spot with loads of charity shop choice. I don't do strapless for two good reasons...but I knew I could rework this Banana Republic top to suit my figure. My husband often buys vintage neckties in job lots so he's always got a bag of rejects on the go. From the bag, I retrieved 2 ties similar in colour and weight. While wearing the bustier AND a bra that clasp behind my neck, I pinned the neckties so they covered the undergarment. I then took my pinned top to the tailor, who sewed the necktie straps into place. This customized garment is perfect, a lovely shoulder bearing look that nicely hides the necessary uplift underneath. If you're in Richmond shopping, plan lunch at Stein's on the river CLICK HERE. While sausages are their specialty, they've something delicious for everyone. The bustier was £8 and my tailor charged a fiver to affix the straps.       

TRY THIS - Save A Fave From The Grave

This is one of my favorite tops - a Max Mara that's been with me for 15 years, soft silk, versatile black and cream stripe, and the first thing I ever bought (on sale) at Selfridges. And I ruined it. I'm embarrassed to admit I was eating a dounut (wait, it gets worse), while driving (there's more), and plopped raspberry jam onto the front of this beloved blouse. I took it to the dry cleaner, who only made it worse. Now there was a red jam stain and the fabric around it was faded. Heartbroken but determined, I had to save my marvelous Max Mara. So I bought some brocade ribbon at VV Rouleaux (www.vvrouleaux.com) on Marylebone Lane in London and asked a tailor to carefully sew it over the jam damage. Once placed properly the ribbon served to enhance the blouse as well as hide the stain. No one knows it wasn't made this way. Suffice to say, I no longer drive. Sadly I still eat dounuts.