CosmoGIRL! Make It Yourself: 50 Fun and Funky Projects

by CosmoGIRL! Magazine, CosmoGIRL! Magazine

CosmoGIRLs know: real style is personal, individual, one-of-a-kind—not plucked ready-made from a shelf. Each person has to create it for herself…and that’s where this collection of very cool projects comes in. From a ribbon-front halter top with attitude to chic vintage-inspired necklaces, from gracefully decorated ballet flats to a warming winter body treatment, these ideas are fun, fabulous, and fast to finish. Plus, all the clothes, accessories, and beauty products allow ample room for creativity, giving young designers free rein with colors, embellishments, and other detailing, so each item becomes hers and hers alone. All the projects are labeled for level, with easy-to-follow directions and appealing photos—and everything fits a teen’s budget perfectly.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Sewing, Crafts

112 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exuberant, quirky and joyous "Cosmogirl! Make It Yourself: 50 Fun and Funky Projects" by the Editors of CosmoGirl magazine is a positive and uplifting book of do-it-yourself crafts, aimed at the YA market, that's so well put together you don't have to be an adolescent girl to get something out of it. Divided into "Clothing", "Accessories", and "Beauty" with projects ranging from "easy"to "medium" to "hard" the sections on "basic techniques" (i.e., sewing and gluing) and "basic equipment", were very beneficial. I also loved the way the Editors gave tips for hand sewing and using a hot glue gun. The lists they provided to take with you to your local craft store were a big help too.
One of my favorite sections is "Clothing", with projects like "No Sweat Scarf, Top, and Jeans", and "Cutout T-shirt", because it shows how to recycle "an old outfit or garment" and transform it into something "unique" and new. While the "Accessories" section has a lot of inspiring ideas, as well, the ones I love the most are the "Jeweled Necklace", the "Monogrammed Velvet Bangles", and the "Slouchy Ribbon Bag" because they're reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.
Lastly the "Beauty" section is a cornucopia of good ideas and fun gift projects that won me over with "Surprise Soaps", "Peppermint Bath Salts", "Chocolate Mint Cookie Foot Scrub" and other lovely projects. To date I've yet to develop my d.i.y. skills enough to create anything from this book, but just by looking at all of the cool color photos and reading its inspirational message I know I'll be motivated to make something from it one day.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clothes, accessories and beauty; each project has a good supply list, an accurate (to me!) rating of easy, medium or hard, and lots of ideas for making creative instead of copycat crafts. I made the Button Brooch (an easy project) and am going to try it with the library teens next week.

The beauty section also has ideas that don't require hard to find supplies, which is a major plus when making homemade bath and body goods.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a pair of shoes in this book I really want to make, its a cute craft/project book for teen girls.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very hip ideas, with good instructions.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great ideas! Gives just enough "how to" detail to give me a project idea I can run with on my own.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Y