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Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

3/21/16

DIY Kids Activity Boxes


Traveling with kids is always an adventure and I've put together the perfect "activity" box to keep those "I'm bored" and "How much longer?" questions at bay (for a little while at least)!!  And if you don't have a spring or summer trip planned, these boxes are also perfect for rainy days or just creative afternoons! Hope you enjoy!!

3/14/16

DIY Washi Tape Circles

I have to confess that I collect washi tape....anyone else? I don't always use it (like ever), so I challenged myself this week to pull out my washi and get creative! In this week's video, I'll be sharing how to use your washi to create unique embellishments for your layouts!! Hope you enjoy and thanks for stopping by!! 



2/26/16

Handmade Embellishments


Is your workspace covered in scraps, papers and embellishments?? Then grab your punches and create your own unique handmade pretties! It only takes a few simple steps to create these lovely embellishments and it's probably likely that you have all of these supplies just sitting around waiting to be used!  

To get started, you will need: punches (I like pinked circles, various sizes of round circles and scalloped circles for my bases and then smaller shapes, like butterflies and hearts for the top), scissors, glue (or a sewing machine) and a few small extras (think sequins, tiny buttons, small wood veneer pieces).
To create these handmade embellishments, you will basically just layer your shapes onto one another, adhere and then voila, you have pretty embellishments!

Let's get started!
  1. Start by punching your base shape! I like to use my circle punches for this step!
  2. Next, use your scissors (or small punches) to create a small, thin layer for your base. I like to get creative with this layer and try to bring in some texture and movement by using ribbon, doilies, crepe paper and tissue paper here.
  3. Once you have the first two layers together, start adding on your "top" layer.  Here you can add additional punched shapes, like butterflies and hearts, wood veneer pieces, sequins, brads and more! I find that once I get started, I just can't stop! 
I typically use my sewing machine to really hold everything together, but hot glue or any other strong adhesive would work well here! Just be sure to glue as you go so each layer will stick to the previous layer! 
After you are finished adhering your pieces together, you will have a set of the prettiest handmade embellishments around! I love using my scraps and extras to create these unique embellishments!  Go grab your supplies and makes some for yourself!! 

2/24/16

DIY Art Journal

Sometimes I get an itch to create, but don't want to make a huge layout or complete mini book. That's where this fun little DIY Art Journal comes in. I made this fun "journal" when I was at Be Crafty with Amanda and Maggie using the cover of an old book and some book rings! We spray painted the book gold at the workshop and then I painted the black diagonal part onto the front for a little more character. I hot glued in ribbon at the front and back of the book so it had a cute tie closure! 
The inside pages are a mix of fun goodies, photos, book pages, embellishments and more.  The best part about books like this is that anything goes! You really can add in just about anything - painted pages, watercolored pages, envelopes, etc!  I find that I reach for this book a lot "just because" I want to make something! 

Here's a look at a few of my pages....
Do you keep a random "art journal"? A journal that you can dabble in, put away and pick up days or months later? It's very freeing to have some kind of creative outlet and using a smaller scale like this book is perfect for me!!  

xoxo

2/5/16

DIY Mini Notepads



If you are either always searching for a notepad or piece of paper.....or....if you are a notepad/journal-a-holic, then stop by Maggie Holmes' blog today! I'm over there sharing a quick tutorial for creating mini notepads and I'm even sharing all of my secrets when it comes to finding the perfect writing paper for your notepads!







12/12/15

DIY Tassel Necklaces


If there is one thing I love, it's handmade gifts, and this year, we are all about giving out handmade pretties!  Anna and I spent some time a few weekends ago creating beaded tassel necklaces with charms for her sweet little friends and we just love how they turned out!


Stop by Maggie's blog to see how easy these necklaces are to make! 




8/26/15

Lunch Box Love Notes


I am always trying to think of fun, new ways to use my stash and supplies!!
Since we are in full school mode right now,  I thought it would be fun to put together some cute little lunch box notes for my daughter!  These are SO easy to make, and they are SO worth the extra effort!  My daughter loves showing off her notes at school!

Hop on over to Maggie's blog to see a quick tutorial for creating your own lunch box notes!  They are sure to put a smile on your little one's faces!



8/4/15

Painted Canvas Instagram Photos


I had a strong desire to paint something last week.  Too bad I'm not a painter.  :)
Then I stumbled across this lovely new blog and this blog post and decided to pull out my colorful paints and make the most of some of the Instagram photos I had printed of our summer.  I didn't have any blocks handy (nor do I trust myself enough with any type of cutting device), so I stopped by the craft store and picked up a handful of 4x4 canvases. 

These little canvases are so stinkin' cute that I actually had a hard time at first painting them.  But, Drew convinced me they needed color, so we pulled out our paints and got to work!


The colors are so bright and so vibrant and totally scream summer.  They actually kind of make me want some ice cream (is it just me??).


After the paint dried, I used Mod Podge to adhere my instagram photos to the canvases.  So so easy! 


The kids and I have been having a little fight about where these pretties get to hang.  Right now, I have them in my craft room.  Since they are so light, I was able to adhere them with removeable poster adhesive, which is probably a good thing because I'm pretty sure the kids are going to try to sneak them into their rooms soon!

Wherever they end, they will remind us of summer and our fun memories. 
There's nothing better than your awesome life looking back at you everyday.
xoxo