{How To} Paint Lilly Pulitzer Prints

Okay so this isn't EXACTLY a How To... You can't really teach someone to paint over the computer.  Or actually at all.  I think it just takes practice, patience, and raw talent (that's the part I'm missing...)

I may not have raw talent but  I am still happy with my first attempt at She She Shells!

What do you think?  Like I said that pure, raw talent is missing so it isn't perfect but you can still tell its She She Shells and the colors are pretty - so I am happy :)

This is the 14" wooden 'K' from Hobby Lobby.  It was only $3.25 and then it was on sale for 30% off! I am going to mod podge it this weekend and attach thick ribbon to it so it can hang on my bedroom door.  I'll post that once it happens :)

So I knew I wanted to try and paint a Lilly print on something.  After browsing the wood rows at Hobby Lobby I figured a flat letter would be the easiest and most useful.  If you want you can try a smaller letter for your first time.  But I was like, "Go big or go home!"

So I had the letter but still needed to pick a print.  I landed on She She Shells because its new from this summer, its one of my favorites, and it only has 4 colors (<--- that last one is the real real reason, I have about 50 favorite prints...)

So I googled:

And headed to JoAnn Fabrics (closer to me than going back to Hobby Lobby).  I got the paints that matched the best, kind of hard to tell when they're in the bottle though.  The paints were something like 60 cents each, super cheap!  I also picked up a few detail brushes and a 50 cent foam brush for the white background since it was such a large area.

If you are going to try this, go for a darker dark blue.  I think mine was a little too light.

All I did was look at the googled picture and free handed it.  I didn't use a pencil first or anything but feel free to try that method too!

Good luck and share your results with me on Instagram! Tag @preciousprep_ (that's preciousprep_ with an underscore at the end)

Lilly Pulitzer Binder Covers DIY Free Printable

Find me on my new blog, Sugar Spice and Sparkle!

I've fallen in love! With Lilly Pulitzer!  That's right - ever since my first After Party Sale (ok and maybe before) I have been full on ADDICTED!  The prints are just so pretty and the clothes are gorgeous and I want them all - yep every single thing!

Since it is back to school time I need to get some (more) Lilly in my backpack! I bought my first Lilly agenda:

Made myself a matching pencil case (slash makeup bag!) Get yours here!:

And got this iPad case for $14!!!!:

My matching iPhone case from the APS is on its way :)

So my notebooks need a little jazzing up if they're going to fit in!

Using Microsoft Powerpoint and images of Lilly prints found on Google, Pinterest, etc. I made these beauties:

And now my backpack is complete :)  And it is one happy little Lilly filled backpack at that!

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to see more Lilly!

You can download the pictures below, then open them in Powerpoint and insert a text box in the white space.  You will be able to add your own text in your favorite font and color! 

Share your beautiful binders with me on Instagram using #preciousprep and tagging @preciousprep_ in your photos!  If you don't have Instagram then at least let me know you downloaded them in the comments below!  I love to talk to my readers!

Thank for reading! :)

Simple College Packing List

Its that time of year again!  Back to school!

Love it or hate it - it is almost here and for those of you heading to college (first time or otherwise) you gotta get packin'!

Since I need to start packing myself I decided to make a simple list and share it!

This list is more of a starting point than an all-inclusive list.  Sometimes those super long lists can be too overwhelming!  This one is a great place to get yourself started and I'm sure you'll think of more as you go.  If I left out anything major leave me a note in the comments and I'll add it!

Of course I had to make it pretty :) Have to make packing fun in any way you can!

I'm fairly seasoned in this whole packing for college/going to college deal so PLEASE ask me questions in the comments if you're feeling unsure of anything!

Click here for some decor ideas to get you started.

Click here for the BEST binder covers!

Click here for customized keychains, makeup bags, pencil pouches, and totes!

Happy Packing!

{How To} Accessorize for Less

This post is not about crafts per-se... however through Pinterest, Instagram, and this blog I have learned that a lot of my fellow crafters are like me!  And I LOVE a good deal - hey the more money I save, the more I can spend on fabric ;)

So hopefully you will enjoy learning how to find an AMAZE-FEST USA deal on... wait for it .... EBAY!

There are SO many great things to find on eBay that are brand new - not used items.  And for cheap!  Like really cheap.  Let me explain:

So many good deals! Where to begin?!?

Ok I'll start here: So we all love Michael Kors Watches, am I right?  However we all do not love the price tag.  One of my biggest pet peeves is people not doing their research when making a purchase.  You can go to the mall or even Amazon and find a 'boyfriend' watch for around $30.  Which compared to over $200 seems like a great deal!  But!  If you just do a little looking around on the internet you'll find these (and more!) for $5.39 + free shipping.  Yes you can thank me later ;)  All links will be below the pictures.

Watches

Ok so now that I have your attention, on to the next one!  I really want to make one of these:

Marley Lilly

But they want $37 plus shipping for one of those things!  So I know not everyone can embroider their own stuff but there are embroidery shops that will embroider for you.  Anyways I am going to (try to) embroider this on my own and I got my clutch for [drumroll please] $2.99!  This was a bid item but you can search on ebay and easily find more for sale!

Here is how mine looked after embroidery:

Not too bad, eh? Click here to order one from Precious Prep!

I found this amazing shop on Etsy, and I think you all should check it out because it is a really great deal and product!  

StyleThisLife

However, being the deal-seaker that I am I had to try and find an even lower price.  I haven't gotten these items yet so I can not vouch 100% for their quality but it is a good deal :)  I got 10 tassels and the bracelet for $7 total!

Tassels - $6
Bracelet - $0.99

Now if you are like my mom, you think these are hideous... but if you are like me you think they are on trend and the perfect statement necklace.  Statement necklaces can be SO expensive!  And here these are for just $4.32!  So yes I got 2 :) haha

Rose Necklace

 Another popular statement necklace is the bubble necklace!  Get this one for just $4.25!

Bubble Necklace

How cute is this bag?  It is kind of nautical which is why I LOVE it!  And for only $8.50 I REALLY love it!

Tassel Bag

Now, I'll admit, these are significantly different than the inspiration: which is the Lilly Pulitzer bow belt:

Lilly Pulitzer

But as much as I love LP, $48 is WAY too much for a skinny little belt! In my opinion of course :)  So here is my alternative which is, although different, still extremely cute!  And how much cuter is it when you know you only paid $1.58 for it?!?!

Bow Belts

Well holy smokes that was a long post! BUT I hope you enjoyed and that you are headed to eBay to find some deals of your own!  PLEASE share what you find!!  Tag me in your Instagram pics of deals :)

xoxo Katie