Spring Time Wreaths

I can't be happier because I finally got my apartment all ready for spring. The weather is getting warm (and staying that way) and I've really wanted to be able to sit out on my porch and read a good book. Well I finally found some cheap enough patio furniture and, even though it's already covered in pollen, I've already gotten some good use out of it. The porch just didn't feel finished though, so I decided to take a trip to Michaels and see what I could find. I walked right into a giant sale on wreath material, lucky me! I had arranged a fall wreath last October but I had nothing for spring. I decided to get one for the porch and one for the front door. Wreath making is a lot like flower arranging and it's much less intimidating than it seems. 

Here's what you need to make a cheap and cute spring wreath!:
-One (or two) wreath bases, I used the grapevine ones, but stores have styrofoam and wooden bases too
-Silk flowers, which ever colors best suit you.
-A pair of wire cutters
-Accessories, I got a small wooden sign and a wooden owl
-Acrylic paint, for the accessories if needed.
-Ribbon, if desired.

All you have to do is trim the silk flowers so each stands alone, instead of in a bunch. Once you have them it's as easy as arranging a vase. I like the grapevine wreaths the best because they allow you to tuck the wire stems in deeply so the flowers don't fall out. Keep sliding in flowers until the wreath is covered to your liking. Then add your decorated accessories and you're done! Making a wreath was so easy that I made two. They're fairly inexpensive and easy to customize. Happy crafting!

-June

Spring Break Beach Bags

I have to be honest, I'm getting so totally sick of February. It's been cold and wet all month so I really can't wait to hit the beach in a week! That's right, it's finally spring break season. This year I'm going to Clearwater with my two amazing roommates! Last year, one of my roommates and I went to Destin with our boyfriends. It was our first real spring break so we decided to make these adorable beach bags for the trip! They're really easy to make and personalize. If you're looking for a last minute easy DIY project for your own trip, look no further!

You'll need:
- A plain canvas bag, you can them in all different sizes and colors at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.
- Puff paint of all different colors
- Ribbon of your choice, for the trim. This is optional but I think it really added something else. The thicker the better.
- Trim beads. Get a little more than the length of the bag on both sides. We found this great fake pearl trim that I love.
- Unique stitch. It advertises that it's sewing in a tube. It's pretty much heavy duty fabric glue.






The first thing you'll want to do is the trim, if you decide to. Measure out the length of ribbon and trim and make sure it is long enough to go all the way around the bag. Then, using the unique stitch, glue the ribbon and the trim together so that you have one piece to work with. Once it's dry, glue the piece to the bag very carefully so that it lines up with the top edge. Once that is dry all you need to do is decorate! My roommate and I monogrammed one side and then decorated the other with things about spring break and where we were going. The hardest thing about this project is waiting for it to dry! It's also a good craft for kids to do. Have fun and give it a try. I'm also racking my brain for any ideas to do for this year's trip! I was thinking about making cute tank tops or hats but I haven't come up with anything that really grabbed me. Help me out and post your own spring break project ideas in the comments section!  Happy spring break!

                                                     -June 

DIY Monogrammed Holiday Wine Glasses

I'm so ready for it to be Christmas!! It's my favorite holiday because it doesn't last for just one day. It's like an entire month. So I decided to make my friends monogrammed wine glasses this year :) it was super easy and they came out perfect. Can't wait to break them in tonight ;).

What you'll need is a wine glass, painters tape, whatever color of spray paint your base will be, (I used white) and acrylic paints of various colors. If you want to go Lolita on this then feel free to get some Pom Pom like stuff or bedazzling gems.

The first step is the most important. Tape the rim of the wine glass and the beginning of the stem. Make sure the tape doesn't cover any part you want painted (duh!). Now I did a couple coats of white acrylic paint so that the spray paint would have something to stick to. Then I did two coats of spray paint. This is important because it will help whatever color you paint over the white to not be streaky and ugly. Now paint three or four coats of a new color, whatever color you'd like the glass to be. Now it's up to you to pick how you'd like to monogram them. I painted an ornament ball and then did the first initial inside of it. You really have the freedom to do what you'd like here and get creative! Once you're done seal the glass with four coats at least of mod podge and then two layers of spray sealant that is waterproof.

Once these are ready to use, don't clean them in the dishwasher and don't use a sponge or anything scrubby on the outside! Just to be safe. Now sit back, relax and admire your work! Cheers!


                                                                                        -June

Christmas Crafting

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of my family's annual cookie making weekend. It's such a great tradition that I've had my whole life and I always look forward to it. Because it is such a monumental year, my mom and I flew up to New England to be with our huge family. We stayed with one of my aunts last night and she asked me to make this cute peppermint patty display for the next day. I honesty didn't realize what I was getting into but now that it's finished it really looks fantastic. Here's what you'll need:

-100 peppermint patties
-100 toothpicks
-100 4"x4" squares of green tissue paper
-1 foam cone

Fold each square to make a pocket for the patty. Then cover the cone with foil and then tissue paper. Push a tooth pick into each peppermint patty, long ways. Next push each toothpick through the tissue paper pockets. Then arrange the pockets on the foam cone, starting from the bottom and working upwards until you've covered the whole thing. That's it! Pretty easy. It does take some time to cut all of the squares, but you could easily get a smaller cone and do a baby tree. Well worth it! Try it out :)

-June
 

Magnetic Bottle Cap Table

Happy November! I love this month because its the kickoff to winter and all of its festivities! What a better way to start it than to put up a post I've been anticipating since the idea came to me.

I wish I knew how to patent things because this one is truly awesome, and an original. Fun fact, did you know bottle caps are magnetic? Neither did I. I knew when I had my own apartment I wanted to make a bottle cap table. I was reading up on them and the idea started to sound like a pain. Traditional tables include having to set the caps in resin and it can be messy. Also, you better love your design because you're stuck with it. I diverted all of these problems with my brilliant idea of a magnetic bottle cap table.

The best part about it is that you can change out the designs you make. I started out by making a peace sign, a butterfly and then just a standard pattern. I had planned on making a jack-o-lantern at Halloween but I sadly only had one orange bottle cap. I decided for fall I would stick with an owl, because they're my favorite. Once December rolls around I'm going to make a Christmas tree and then a snowman in January. The possibilities are truly endless and this is a fun way to switch up your annual decor.

This project didn't cost me much at all. I had most of the things I needed on hand. I found the actual table at a yard sale for three bucks. The most expensive part for sure is the magnets. They'll cost about $15. As for the glass, I had a piece that was 1 inch short. I compensated for that by creating a border out of corks that I dyed darker. It also acted as an edge to hold the glass in place, win-win! If you want to make one of your own, here's what you'll need:

A table, any size you'd like.
A piece of glass about the size of the table.

Corks for the boarder, if desired.

About 150-180 magnet disks

Spray paint, I used black.

150-180 bottle caps

 Craft glue
Felt

I noticed that Garden Ridge sold the same type of table I had if you can't find one to use. First, spray paint the table if needed. Once dry, fit the piece of glass on the table. Draw the outline of the glass onto the table to measure your border. Then adhere the corks around the table to form the border. Next, cut out circles from felt the same size as the magnets. This is important because the magnets aren't quite high enough to reach the bottle caps, so the felt will help them magnetize. Next glue the magnets felt side down onto the table about 3/4 of an inch apart. Wait for them to dry and then start designing your table!

I hope y'all enjoy my modern take on a bottle cap table and try it out for yourselves! Happy fall y'all!

-June

*Sorry for all of the Pin Marklets, I can't get rid of them! They're multiplying on their own..

It's October?!

I can't believe how neglectful I've been to my newborn blog. Moving in to a new apartment is a lot of work, but what's even more frustrating is how expensive all of the cute things I want for it are. Good thing craftiness is in my blood, or I may be bankrupt.

My first blog of the month is going to be my fabulous DIY headboard. I used four sliding closet doors that my parents didn't need anymore, some wood stain that I had from other projects and then bought a $30 metal artwork piece from Garden Ridge to complete it. The hardest thing about this project is waiting for the stain to dry. 

 

If you don't have these types of doors, you can always go junk hunting at yard sales or ask neighbors and friends. Upcycling, its the way to go! A word of caution though; if you've never stained wood before, its pretty messy. I got splatters all over me and I looked like a dalmatian for days. That being said, I'm so excited for fall because I have a ton of cute decorating ideas to share. Stay tuned!!

-June

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Holy crap July really flew by! I've been anticipating August this whole year though, so I welcomed its arrival. I move in to my new apartment in less than three days! Needless to say I'm as stressed out as can be making sure Ive packed everything and that all my projects get completed on time. Once I get my room set up, I'm going to be posting a crazy amount on here with all of my summer projects that I've been keeping to myself. But tonight I have finished one of the easiest crafts of all time and it's hands down one of my favorites. I go nuts for the little details of a room that really tie everything together. This one only takes a few materials:

- 1 Glass Mason Jar

- 1-2 Bottles of soap (I used bath and body works)

- A flat head screwdriver (or chisel) a hammer, scissors and pliers.

First take the flat top of the mason jar and draw a dime sized circle in the center of the back side. Draw an X through the circle. Place on a piece of scrap wood and line your screwdriver up with the first half of one of the lines of the X. (The screwdriver probably isn't wide enough to do the whole line at once so you have to break it into two parts). Use the hammer to hit the back of the screwdriver into the lid until you pierce through to the other side. Repeat on the rest of the X marks until you have cut out an X shape in the middle of your lid. Use pliers to bend the triangles back to make an open box in the top of the lid and then hammer them flat.

 Take your soap dispenser and remove the pump. Push the pump through the hole you made in the lid. Test to see if the pump is short enough to fit in the mason jar. If not, trim it with scissors until it fits. Fill the jar with soap (If you want it all the way full you'll need maybe 10-12 oz. One dispenser from B&BW wasn't enough). Screw on the lid cover and voila! You have your very own mason jar soap dispenser. How's that for handy. And it only took me probably 10 minutes. I made one for my bathroom and one for the kitchen. You could also make some for lotions also. I might even make some as gifts this holiday season.. I love how these look and they'll match any color scheme. I hope you give this one a try!

Craftfully yours,

-June