Upcycled and Fabulous: Creative Ideas to Decorate Your Old Jeans

Hello everyone

Have you ever ruined a pair of jeans with paint because you forgot to wear an apron while crafting? I know I have. In the past, I would have simply thrown them away and bought new ones. However, these days, I try to be more mindful of my wastefulness.

Recently, while watching an episode of "The Great British Sewing Bee," I was reminded of the importance of reducing waste, particularly when it comes to denim. The show highlighted the issue of our society's throwaway culture with fashion and the impact it has on the environment. I was shocked to learn about the significant amount of water required to produce denim, from the cotton-growing process to the use of pesticides and fertilizers. This is why we need to upcycle our clothing more often and reduce our overall consumption of textiles. 

Feeling totally reinvigorated and inspired by my incredibly talented friend Montse, from El Niu de L'Art, during a crafty visit to Barcelona, I decided to seize a pair of my paint-splattered jeans, along with my Cadence Fabric paints and pastes, to enjoy crafting a distinctive fashion statement.

 

What was the first thing I did?

I begin by washing my jeans without fabric softener, then drying and ironing them in preparation for adding paint and any other medium.  Now I am ready to start creating!

I chose a variety of Cadence Style Matt Fabric paints and other Cadence fabric pastes to upcycle my jeans. To add some extra details, I selected a few stencil designs and incorporated a stunning foil transfer to make my jeans stand out even more.

Now, let's start upcycling those old jeans!

I focused on just one leg as a bold fashion statement, but you could certainly style both legs depending on how daring you feel!

I designed the jeans by layering techniques. The initial layer was background shadow stencilling, which involves laying down one colour through a stencil, allowing it to dry, then slightly shifting the stencil to one side and applying a second colour to produce a subtle shadow effect.

Next, I applied a stunning foil transfer to achieve that 'wow' effect. Next, I applied subtle streaks of colour with a paintbrush using Cadence HiLite paste, which added a slight sheen to the fabric.

The next step creates an incredible texture that I adore! I used Cadence Textile Crackle Paste, which is a two-step process. I randomly applied Step One with a spatula over the leg of the jeans where I desired texture. After it dried, I applied Step Two in the same manner over the areas where I had used the first step. 

Once it dried and the delightful crackles emerged, I applied slightly diluted fabric paints to add colour and depth to the textured areas.

I built up layers by applying some paint freehand with my spatula. Next, I added colour and shading with fabric paints along the seams of the jeans. After the paints dried, I applied the finishing touch with Cadence Fabric Glitter Paste. I diluted a small amount of glitter paste with water and brushed it over the jeans design to give a subtle sparkle.  The final touch was adding a bit of stencil detail with Cadence Fashion Paste in silver. Voila! They are finished.

So ditch the fast fashion cycle and unleash your creativity! With a little effort and these upcycling ideas, you can transform your old jeans, jackets, shirts etc, into unique, statement pieces that reflect your personal style.

Don't forget to share your fabulous creations with us using #UpcycledAdventures on social media and inspire others to join the sustainable fashion movement!

Stay tuned for more upcycled fashion inspiration coming soon!

Thanks 

for 

Popping By

If you liked my jeans and have been inspired then take a look below;

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El Niu de l'Art Online School: Unleash Your Inner Artist

Calling all creative minds! El Niu de l'Art Online School caters to artists of all levels, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This fantastic platform allows you to learn Montse's unique mixed-media and home décor techniques from the comfort of your own home, no matter your location.

If you are interested please go to: https://www.patreon.com/laboratoriodeideas

• #upcycledfashion
• #diyfashion
• #sustainablefashion
• #ecofriendlyfashion
• #refashion
• #reworkedclothes
• #upcycledclothing
• #slowfashion
• #ethicalfashion
• #upcycledjeans
• #diydenim
• #decorateddenim
• #upcycleddenim

Barcelona's Creative Haven: Mixed Media Magic at El Niu de l'Art

Hi Everyone

An Artistic Escape in Barcelona: Crafting Magic, Inspiration, and El Niu de l'Art

Recently, I embarked on a dream getaway to Barcelona – a haven for creative souls! My adventure centred around El Niu de l'Art, a haven unlike any other – my personal favourite shop dedicated to the mesmerizing world of mixed media art. Stepping into El Niu de l'Art is akin to stepping into a creative wonderland, filled with warmth and a sense of belonging.

A Weekend of Mixed Media Delights

The company couldn't have been better – a fantastic group of ladies and the incredible Montse, my friend and the mastermind behind El Niu de l'Art. Fueled by inspiration and Montse's infectious enthusiasm, the creative energy flowed freely throughout the weekend.

The creative spark ignited during my Barcelona trip with El Niu de l'Art is still burning brightly! There's something truly special about a relaxed Saturday dedicated to upcycling, and today, I decided to embrace that magic.

Why Upcycle Ornaments?

• Sustainable Twist: Give pre-loved ornaments a new lease on life, reducing waste
• Unleash Your Creativity: Experiment with different techniques and colours to create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your style.
• Relax and Recharge: The calming process of upcycling is a perfect way to de-stress and disconnect from the digital world.
• Budget-Friendly Fun: Transform a charity store find or forgotten ornament from your attic into a beautiful new decoration, saving money on store-bought pieces.

So, armed with the inspiration gleaned from my weekend and the amazing techniques I learned from Montse, I unearthed a forgotten ornament from my craft stash. This neglected piece underwent a spectacular transformation. I love it, love it, love it!

El Niu de l'Art Online School: Unleash Your Inner Artist

Calling all creative minds! El Niu de l'Art Online School caters to artists of all levels, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This fantastic platform allows you to learn Montse's unique mixed-media techniques from the comfort of your own home, no matter your location.

While Montse's online courses are in Spanish, the beauty of the projects lies in their visual nature. We can still glean valuable inspiration from her videos! By focusing on the clear demonstrations and the listed products, we can translate the techniques into our own projects. If you are interested please go to: https://www.patreon.com/laboratoriodeideas

Let's Get Social and Upcycle Together!

The upcycled magic doesn't stop here! Follow along for more upcycling inspiration. I'd love to see your upcycled creations too! Share them on social media using the hashtag #UpcycledAdventures and inspire the creative community!

Thanks

for

Popping By

DIY Handbag Makeover: Upcycle with Cadence Paints

Hello Everyone,

Today, I'm excited to share a fun upcycling project with you, which I hope will inspire you to try it out!

Get ready to add a pop of colour to an old handbag with this easy DIY project!

I recently organized my wardrobe into categories: keep, upcycle, donate, and beyond repair. From the latter, I salvaged buttons, buckles, and zippers for future projects. Deciding what to upcycle was challenging, but I opted to revamp an old green handbag with my Cadence leather paints, choosing metallic hues of champagne, gold, and copper - it turned out fabulous!

Transforming an old, neglected item from the bottom of my wardrobe into a unique designer handbag was surprisingly simple, and I'm going to share how I accomplished it.

Let's start designing our handbag makeover!

I chose to use my Cadence Metallic Leather paints, along with various stencil designs, a soft paintbrush, a stencil brush, and a palette knife. 

The initial step was to thoroughly clean my handbag and ensure it was completely dry before beginning.

I used a soft brush to apply the paints randomly over the handbag's surface, gently merging the colours as I progressed. The paints were a pleasure to use, spreading and blending with ease. After achieving the desired effect, I used a hairdryer to dry the paints, preparing for the next step.

Next, I applied stencil designs with black paint – this is the moment to unleash your creativity and transform an old bag into a personalised statement accessory!  

I applied stencilling to both the front and back. I enjoy creating slightly different versions of the design on each side to provide myself with fashion styling choices.  

I mixed a bit of water into the black paint and, with a fan brush, flicked droplets across the surface. Next, I used a palette knife to dab on the paint randomly, adding extra details.

Voilà! Now you have your very own unique designer handbag!

Upcycling a handbag with Cadence paints is a fun, affordable way to create a unique and stylish accessory. With a little creativity and these easy steps, you can transform your old bag into a piece you'll love to carry. So why not give it a try? 

Thanks 

for 

Popping By

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