Kris' Grad Gift

Today, I went to my brother's masters' graduation party, and his gift is my DIY.  I gave him a journal, and to personalize it I printed a 'K' on the cover (his name is Kris).  I had a little fun with the way I wrapped the present as well.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

- Journal

- Printer w/standard printer paper

- Exacto Knife

- Tape

- Nail Polish

- Kraft Paper

- Confetti

- Glue

- Scissors

Directions:

Begin by printing out the future journal owner's initial.  Use whatever font you like best, and will be able to cut out with an Exacto knife.   I used 'Lucida Handwriting' at size 150 in Microsoft Word.

Cut a square out around the letter, and tape the letter to the front of your journal.  I think it looks good in the bottom right corner, but the upper center would look great as well!  Paint a coat of clear nail polish first, this will help keep the color you pick from bleeding under your stencil.  When the clear coat dries, paint on nail polish in a rich solid color.  I needed several coats of nail polish, to get the solid look I was going for.  

Once the nail polish has dried, remove your stencil.  If the nail polish has bled anywhere, you can use a cotton swab and nail polish remover.  

When the 'K' was completely dry I wrote a note on a piece of handmade paper I glued to the inside.  Then I wrapped the journal in kraft paper.  I made a line down the center with glue, and than dumped a bunch of confetti on top of the glue over a box.  Then I shook off the excess, and repeated the process perpendicular to the first line.  I also included some pens with my gift, so I wrapped yarn around them, and taped them down in the upper right corner.  

Hope you enjoyed, happy DIYing!

The Better Wicker Basket

This Friday we are going to make a plain wicker basket more festive.  I bought my wicker basket at Goodwill for only three dollars, and the rest of the materials I had around the house.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- Wicker Basket

- 3 (or more) 1/2" Ribbon

- Spray Paint

- 3" Painter's Tape

- Drop cloth

- Rubber Gloves

Directions:

Start by taping off the top half of the wicker basket.  Make sure to tape the inside and outside top two inches.

Lay down a drop cloth outside, or in a well ventilated area, and place the basket on top.  Put on some rubber gloves, and spray paint the basket.  Spray the basket from multiple directions, so you are able to get in all the crevasses.  Let the basket dry before repositioning to get the inside and handle.  

Once dry remove the painter's tape.  Then start weaving the ribbon through the basket.  I tied my first loop off on the inside of the basket, in a corner.  I used a silky blue ribbon on top.  For the second ribbon row I started in the opposite corner, and I braided two tulle ribbons together, one was green, and the other was orange.  Then, I weaved the two ribbons below the blue ribbon. 

Before

After!

I will be using this basket to collect mail!  Hope you enjoyed!  Happy DIYing!

Matchstick Holder

Today I am transforming a clear votive glass into a matchstick holder.  You can pick any type of material to cover your votive with, this way your 'matchbox' can blend with your current decor!  This idea originally came up, because I had a candle lighting bit in my wedding ceremony, and I didn't want an ugly box of matches sitting up on the alter.   

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- Clear Glass Votive

- Ribbon or Fabric or Paper

- Box of Large Matches

- Glue

- Scissors

Directions:

Start by running a line of glue around the bottom edge of the votive, then quickly place the ribbon down evenly around the bottom.  Thicker ribbon is more forgiving, try not to use too much glue.  

Continue adding glue, and then the ribbon all the way up.  Make sure to line up the ends vertically.   Be creative with the way you apply the ribbon, and the colors you pick out!  This is optional, but you can add a little clear nail polish too keep the ends from unraveling.  

Finally, cut out a thin strip of the striker from a box of matches.  Make sure it is wide enough to cover the seams, and the right height to fit on the glass.  Add glue to the back of the striker board, and then place over the seams.  

Now you have a lovely way to display your matches next to your candles.  

The matchstick holder on the right in this photo I used for my wedding.  

Hope you enjoy, happy DIYing!

Wax Paper Hearts

Wax Paper Hearts

I got this idea from Martha Stewart.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- Wax Paper

- Crayons (I used reds and pinks)

- Pencil sharpener 

- Craft Paper (or large paper bag)

- Iron

- Pencil                         

- Scissors

- Heart Stencils in varying sizes

Directions:

Begin by either cutting a piece of kraft paper or a paper bag in the size surface area you would like to work with.  Then pull out a long sheet of wax paper, and fold it in half over the kraft paper (so it fits on the surface).  

Unfold the wax paper, and sharpen a couple shades of red crayons evenly over the paper.  Try to stay away from the edges.  This is my first try, and I used too many crayon shavings. I used four whole crayons.  

Fold the wax paper over the shavings.  Either fold the edges over, or scoot the shavings and inch from the edge before folding over.  This way the hot wax doesn't leak out everywhere.  

Now lay a piece of kraft paper over the whole thing, and use an iron on medium heat over the whole surface.  When you begin moving the iron over the shavings it will be bumpy at first, and when you're done it will run smoothly over the paper.  When you check the paper, if it looks like any bits are still unmelted though, pass the iron over that area again.  

This is what one and a half crayons looks like, and this amount of shavings came out nicely.  

Close-up

This is how it will look after you are done ironing.  I used an old paper bag, and the seams did leave a bit of a crease in the wax paper, so if that would bother you definitely use fresh kraft paper.  

After, you've made about 4 or 5 sheets of melted crayon wax paper you are ready for the next part.   You will need the pencil, heart template, and a pair of scissors.  I found a great free printable heart template here.  They print out at the perfect size.

Using the heart stencils trace several hearts on each sheet with a pencil.   Trace more large hearts than small hearts.  

Then cut out the heart shapes.  Be careful with the wax paper, because the melted wax can easily be creased.  

The last step is rather time consuming, but it looks really good when it's done.  Find a window or a large light fixture to hang your hearts near.  I was able to string some yarn from the two hooks holding up my light on one side, and on the other from the light hook and a curtain rod.  Use a small needle and sewing thread, and make a hole near the top center point, pull the thread through the hole.  Tie a knot at the end, and hang it from the yarn or curtain rod (or however you desire to hang these little guys).  Hang the hearts a different lengths, and mix the colors and sizes around.  

Start now, you'll want to enjoy these for more than just a week or two!   Happy DIYing!  

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I always hate seeing the price of a large container of liquid laundry detergent, so I decided to find out if I can make some for cheap at home.  It's easier to find recipes for dry detergent, but I found this great recipe over at The Simple Dollar.  I used a smaller container though, so I cut the recipe in half.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- 1/2 Cup Washing Soda

- 1/4 Cup Borax

- 1/2 Bar of Soap

- Approximately 1.5 Gallons of Water

Directions:

Begin by bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan on the stove.  While you are waiting on the water grate half a bar of soap.  I used Yardley's Oatmeal and Almond, and it smelled great during this whole process!  I used a standard kitchen grater for the soap, and it was easier than grating cheese.  

Once the water is boiling turn it down to a simmer, and add the soap curls by small handfuls.  Let the handful dissolve before adding the next.  

While the soap is dissolving into the simmering water, measure out 1.5 gallons of water.   Combine with the washing soda, and borax in the bucket you will use to store your detergent.  Stir well.  

Once the soap has completely dissolved in the saucepan, combine the soapy water to the borax/washing soda water mixture you just made.  Stir well, and then let sit for 24 hours.

The mixture will thicken up a lot over the next 24 hours.  When it is ready it will be a similar consistency as hair conditioner. 

My mixture smelled better than any liquid detergent I've ever bought!  Plus the texture is kinda fun!

An added bonus, Borax can be used for lots of household chores.  You can make a household cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, a mildew remover, a deodorizer for kitty litter or your garbage disposal, stain remover, unclog drains, and tons of other great uses!   

Hope you all enjoy!  Happy DIYing!

Heart Crayons

This is a super easy, awesome Valentine's Day project.  When I was a kid I loved Valentine's Day, because all the crafts associated with this holiday are simply fantastic.  Today, I created Heart Crayons melted from crayon bits (via Martha Stewart).  We made these when I was I child, and the bucket of crayons had tons of broken chunks at the bottom.  Sadly I didn't have a plethora of broken up old crayons to use, but I do have an abundance of crayons.  As a 27 year old, I find I don't use up my crayons half as fast, as I did when I was five.  This project was so much fun though, I might be going to the dollar store to buy a bunch of cheap crayons!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

- 36 Whole Crayons (6 per Heart)

- Mini Heat Cake Tray (or any shape)

Directions:

Begin by removing all the paper from the crayons.  I found that when I removed a bit from the bottom first, the rest would slip over the tip.  Now preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Next, break up the crayons with your hands into small pieces. If you want smaller chunks, than you are able to do by hand, you can use a knife and cutting board.  Use six crayons per heart.  Play with the colors you combine!  

Stick the heart pan in the oven for fifteen minutes.  Remove when the crayons look fully melted.  Be careful when removing it from the oven.  You don't want to splash the hot crayon wax about.  If you do dribble, clean up while the wax is still a liquid.  

Let the crayons cool for 15 minutes, and then stick in the freezer for 20 more minutes.  The heart crayons should pop right  out when they are ready.   

I love the way they turned out!  If you have a little one, these would make great Valentine's for school!

Until tomorrow, Happy DIYing!  

Organizing Your Seeds!

I love to garden, and it is almost time to get some of my seeds started.  So for today's project I am decoupaging some plastic containers to store my seeds in.  I am making two containers.  One container will keep my herbs and seeds I'll start indoors, and the other will hold my flowers and seeds I start outdoors.  I bought my containers from Target, and they are the perfect size for this project.  

Before (bottom)  & After (top)

Start by cutting a piece of material for each side of your container.  I cut each side a little larger than they really are, this is so there is some overlapping on the edges.  Begin with the bottom.  Apply modge podge or a similar product to the bottom of the container, and then smooth your bottom piece of fabric down.  

Next apply the fabric to each short side, or the side with the handles.  Start by cutting slits where the handle notch is, and then cut across the middle section, making it shorter.  

Click to Enlarge

Then apply decoupage, and stick in into place.  Now make three slits on each end.  This way the fabric will wrap around the notches smoothly.  

Click to Enlarge

Apply glue to the plastic container, and then smooth the flaps down.  Start at the top and work your way down.  Leave the flap over the bottom until you glue down the other side first.  Glue the bottom down before moving on to the other side, and or the long sides.    

After your are done the short sides, you can move on to the long sides.  Apply the long sides the same way you did the short sides.  Attach the fabric to the lid last.  Then apply a thin layer of decoupage over all of the fabric.  

Now make dividers out of cardboard.  I wrapped mine in black gaff tape to make them a little more substantial.   Also cut out a bunch of hearts, these will be your tabs.  

Now get out your seeds, and organize them into two different groups.  The first group is of seeds you start inside, and the other group are the seeds you start outside.  

Then write different seed groups on the hearts, and glue them to the cardboard dividers.  Alphabetize the seeds in each section and place them in your new container!  

Happy DIYing!