D.I.Y. Project: Placemat Clutch Bag

One of the most overused phrases that I love repeating over and over again despite being heard everywhere is: "DREAM BIG!" You see I've always had this immense dream of living a luxurious life. Ambitious as it may sound, I fantasize of waking up in a 7-star sea-side hotel somewhere half-way around the world, being fetched by a Mercedes SLS all the way to the airport to ride a private jet back to my modern-contemporary-designed mansion where I keep several Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags! Okay, now snap back to reality... I have only touched a Hermes bag, and consistently drooling to own one when heyday comes. And being still en route to success, I always try to save money the best way I can and "make-do" with what's left - even if it's just a lowly plastic placemat!

D.I.Y. Project: Placemat Clutch Bag


Materials Used:
A Plastic Placemat [we bought for only 24 pesos (USD $0.58) at Bargain Exchange, Robinson's] Velcro straps, Super glue, Decorative button, a Ruler you're not going to use anymore, and something to heat up your ruler (like a Candle and a Lighter)


This is how you do it:
1.) Fold the sides of the placemat and secure with superglue:

I chose the rougher side of the placemat to be the exposed side as it looks less plasticky.

2.) Fold up the placemat 5 inches from the bottom and secure with superglue on the sides. TIP: To fold the placemat with ease, heat the edge of the ruler first and press the heated edge against the placemat. This will create a mark to guide you:



Sorry for the crappy nails, the cracked nail polish was falling off, and I haven't redone my nails yet. It looks like an overly abstract nail art though, don't you think?

3.) Then fold up the placemat 5 inches from the top. This will serve as the flap of the bag. You will need to heat up your ruler again for this:


4.) Once the flap is finely folded, it's time to attach the velcro straps. These will be the lock of your bag:


5.) Then glue your decorative button at the bottom of the flap. The button will make the bag look like it has a magnetic snap lock. My personal term for this is: pseudo-lock. Hah!


♥ Congratulations! You've just created your own ENVELOPE CLUTCH! Let's see what could fit in this little bag:


2 phones, a digital camera, a wallet and a cologne bottle... yet this bag still looks pretty slim!


Does this bag look familiar here in my blog? Of course! I've worn this bag a couple of times already!
One. To Day 6 of the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2012 last May:

and~
Two. To the Dolan Batang Pinoy Superheroes and Animé 2012:

...A bag made from a 24-peso placemat! Bahaha! With a bag this cheap, I can now save lots of dough to buy a Hermes Birkin -a fake one at most. LOL! Just kiddin'. I better stick to my dream of owning original designer bags. Maybe not now, maybe in my 80's? *dunno* Well at least I know in my heart my dreams will come true. *wink!*

Dolan Batang Pinoy Superheroes and Animé 2012!

 Kids, kids, kids! They simply color my world. Why do they have to grow up? Just imagine how cute the world would be if we see children in police uniforms and doctor coats, chasing criminals and doing surgeries. Even seeing these adorable little creatures take a pee makes me smile.  =) So what else would I say when a business friend invites me to a kiddie event? HELL YES!

Outfit: Blue Square-Print Button Down, Blue Clutch Bag, Gray Shorts, Black Belt, D.I.Y. Fringe Block Necklace, Metallic Blue Heel Less Shoes

Since it was a kid's event, my outfit was kiddie-inspired.

Two of the contestants of the show are sons a business friend (Ate Beth). And though the venue was at an SM Megamall Cinema, the seating allocation in relation to its price was a little unusual. The closer you are to the stage, the pricier the ticket.

Thank you Ms. Beth Andres for our gold patron tickets!

We also ate at a kiddie food chain before the show! Yay!

My boyfriend and I on opposite sides, beside me was Ate Beth with her sons Richard and John Jude:

The mechanics of the contest was quite simple: Each of the contestant would showcase their costumes onstage and project their chosen superhero or animé character and the judges would choose who among them has the "bibo" factor. The contestants were divided into two categories: Baby Category (0-6 years old) and the Kids Category (6-12 years old). There were 80 contestants. Those who were included in the Baby Category should be accompanied by their parents onstage.

Go John Jude and Richard!

John Jude (Kids Category) wore a Cyclops Costume while Richard (Baby Category) showcased his Mulawin Outfit!

That's Richard on screen!

Some of the intermission numbers on the show:

If I'm not mistaken, this Superman guy is Herbert Chavez, the man who underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries just to look like Clark Kent, because of his obsession with the man of steel:

Some of the girls of the Kids Category:

Two of the female contestants brought their whole baranggay with them. Their loud cheers tore out my eardrums! Haha:

Congratulations John Jude and Richard for winning three special awards!

But wait there's more... The hosts asked for five moms to come up on stage for a mini-contest. The challenge: Mommy-modeling showdown!

Ate Beth did some super-heroic moves just like what her kids did:

And guess who won the mommy showdown:

Congratulations Ate Beth for winning the mommy showdown! Moreover, congratulations for being a supermom to your kids! You have raised them well not only to be contest winners, but also to be winners in life!

Oh, when will I get to see kids in costumes again?