In some parts of America, we hardly get a Spring. One day it's chilly and raining, and the next day it is sweltering hot. Suddenly it's time to rummage through the summer clothes, trying to find outfits that cover less and look good.
2010 summer fashion is crying out for handmade creations. This season, stay cool, cute and trendy with these blazin' hot ideas.

• 2010 Summer Styles
  

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Ah, scissors. I'm not sure I'd call our relationship a love affair as much as I would a necessary engagement of the shotgun wedding variety. Every pair of scissors I have purchased in the last ten years has either gone dull in a matter of days or snapped in half.

Is it fair to say I'm rough on scissors? Yes. Yes, it is. I cut everything from plastic bags to sticky applique patches. Many a pair of my poor scissors have made the transition from pristine sewing case to the trenches of the kitchen drawer, condemned for all eternity to open hot dog packages.

This went on for some time until a bright idea actually struck me (it happens once in a blue moon). How about I invest in a pair of really good scissors? More...

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Instructional books are a big help when you're trying to learn away from the computer. This book, Hemp Jewlery, has step-by-step instructions to lots of knots and designs. But is it worth buying?

• Sherri Osborn has looked it over for you and has the 411. See her full review.

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Skin safety is always an issue at the beach or pool, but covering up shouldn't distract from your natural hotness. Show off your new suit while you hit the snack bar with this lacy knit cover-up. It leaves something to the imagination while letting your suit & skin peek through. Our Guide to Knitting will show you how to make this new addition to your DIY Fashion closet.

• This project is for beginners. Get the free pattern to knit this slip.

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Sew Teen: Make Your Own Cool Clothes is a book that brings together some of the easiest and most stylish DIY Fashion elements. The About.com Guide to Sewing can tell you why this book has been awarded her five star review.
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Our favorite project for June is all about down-home country cookin'. Get your hands dirty this summer by baking flour beads. The dough is easy to work with, so you can make beads any size or shape. Painting the beads is up to you as well, so feel free to match your favorite pair of flip-flops.

Get together with your buds for a flour bead cook-off that yields a heapin' helpin' of yummy jewelry. These beads are perfect for making our easy bead earrings.
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Now that spring is in full swing, it's time to put away those cozy winter numbers and break out your breezy favorites. One way to increase your spring wardrobe is to convert some of your fall skirts into shorter, spring skirts.

When you are changing the length of a skirt, the most important step is to measure correctly before you cut. If you measure too high or low, you won't be happy with the results. Keep modesty in mind when shortening your skirt, too. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable wearing it on a daily basis. If you go too short, you may be left with a skirt that is only decent to wear to the pool or beach.

Learn how to change the length of your skirt with these easy step-by-step instructions.
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Believe it or not, every girl is not born with a glue gun in her hand. Once thought to belong in the garage, the glue gun has evolved into an indispensable tool for all your fashion needs.

A glue gun can turn loose beads and sequins into sweet jewelry and shoe bling. Use a glue gun to fix broken bracelets and earrings. Hot glue even works on fabric. Having a glue gun gives you instant access to a world of fashion-in-minutes. These miracles of modern electricity are endless fun for DIY fashionista's like you.

Read more about how to operate a glue gun, and then try it out as you make a pair of phone jack earrings.

What kind of projects have you pulled the trigger on? Visit the DIY Fashion Forum and tell us all about it.
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If you are heading to the lake, pool or beach this 4th of July weekend, don't forget to plan for Old You. What am I talking about?

Well, not too long ago, I was Teenage Mutant Ninja Rain, who neglected to plan for Twenty's Corporate Stooge Rain. Consequentially, I acquired a tattoo on my arm that needs to be covered to fit a business-casual dress code, which cuts into my fashion choices at the office. I just wasn't thinking ahead.

With some luck, I'll be Old Wise Rain one day, and I'll have to be her just as much as I'll soon have to be Thirty's Can't I Retire Yet Rain. While I'm not getting anymore tattoo's, I do need to start paying special attention to the skin on my face, neck and shoulders.

Saving your skin from the sun has more to do with future planning than trying not to turn red and crusty for a week. Do yourself a favor and wear stylish beach wraps and enough sunscreen so that Future You doesn't have to invest in a jug of wrinkle cream. She'll thank you for it in twenty years.

Here are some great ways to stay sun safe without looking like a dork at the beach:

• Crochet a Beach Wrap - These short capes are in and can be made out of a yarn that matches your suit or sandals.

• Wear Sunblock Every Day - If you wear a light sunblock on your face everyday of the year, an occasional burn at the beach won't have too much impact. Work it into your makeup routine.

• Go Kitschy Vintage with a Floppy Hat - Audrey Hepburn had it right. Wearing a glamorous floppy hat will instantly transform a bikini and sandals into a crafted style. Make your own to perfectly coordinate.

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Over the past few years, Capri pants have returned from the early 60's to become a staple in every spring and summer wardrobe. A strong look for Capri's in 2008 is the cargo Capri. These have adventurous pockets on each leg that are handy for toting all of your keys, cards and compacts.

Cargo Capri's in khaki colors can look adventurous or playful, depending on the top you match them up with. Go with a t-shirt for the casual look that Jessica Alba sports them in, or dress them up with a button-down blouse. Whether you prefer hiking in the woods or a theme park this season, ditch the purse and leave it up to these handy pocketed Capri's.

You don't have to pay big bucks for Jessica's look. Make your own Capri's from pants you have at home with these easy step-by-step instructions.
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Rips happen. Even the most careful closet caretakers can experience torn clothing. It may be your favorite pair of jeans that are worn in the knee, or a shirt sleeve that lost a fight with a screen door. Sometimes, it's that prize thrift store find that doesn't come home with you due to a slight tear. Don't worry, there are professionals here to help with this chronic syndrome.

A no-sew fix is moments away, using some fusable tape and an iron. Watch this video from the About.com experts on how to fix your rips and tears.

Also Try These Easy Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Mend a Torn Lining
• Sew a Ripped Seam

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When you change up your own clothes and jewelry, it's only natural to start taking notice of what other crafters have done. At Etsy.com, you can view the handmade goods of artisans from around the world. Seeing what everyone else is making not only gives you the opportunity to buy handmade. Browsing handmade goods can spark inspiration for your own creations, like these cool arm warmers by Jen Teixeira.

Some would argue that the items found at handmade websites like Etsy.com are overpriced. In a world where shirts can be purchased for $5.00 at your local discount store, is there still a place for handmade goods? Is it worth the price for a unique item made by hand? Tell us what you think at the DIY Fashion Message Board.
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Get your Independence Day on with your buds this July 4th. Dressing up for the fireworks or family picnic doesn't have to be cheesy and unfashionable. Try these patriotic touches to show your pride without sacrificing your common sense.

• Star Spangled Style.

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Buy, sell and trade your DIY fashion creations at our message board, or just go ahead and whine about how difficult that last project was. You can even post photos of you and your style. Whatever you've got to give, we've got something to say about it.

Recently on our message board, our friend, Cind5, brought up the subject of DIY Fashion books. Through a back and forth conversation involving our DIY Fashion community, we came up with lots of resources for Cind5 to use when looking for books on DIY fashion. Good luck with that, girl!

Visit your DIY Fashion Message Board and ask us your own burning questions. I'm willing to bet you'll get more than a few answers.
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Did you know that you can screen print at home? Using very few materials, you can screen print just about anything onto shirts, pants...even hats. This is a great way to print out lots of shirts for school events, teams, or just to craft your own funky look.

Learn how to screen print with these easy step-by-step instructions.
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Father's Day is coming up, landing on June 15th this year.

Okay, so most dad's aren't interested in fashion. But you can use your good fashion sense to show him just how much you care. Make a shirt that is in the style of the 'I love NY' logo.

Get several free stencils and learn how to screen print or spray paint shirts. You can make shirts for all Dad's kids, or even make one for dad that he can sport in honor of grandpa.

This kind of casual shirt looks good with a pair of jeans. If you only have a large t-shirt to print on, resize it by making it into a fitted tank top.
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