Shadow Box Photo Display for Photographers Need help turning your post-vacation keepsake clutter into a divine display? Our resident do-it-yourself expert, Ashley Campbell, has just what you’ve been looking for: As spring break and summer approach many families begin planning vacations and time to just enjoy being together. Filling your shadow box with too many pictures or items and result in framed collection of clutter. Supplies: 12×12 Shadow Box 12×12 print a select few of your keepsakes double sided tape craft supplies (clothespins, masking tape, decorative labels, hot glue gun, etc.) Step 1: Create your background using the Alphabet Frames templates. Step 2: Remove the label inside the shadow box and attach your 12×12 print using the double sided tape. Step 3: Begin creating simple displays for some of your items. Step 4: Tilt the shadowbox and begin placing your keepsakes inside. Finally you can sit back and enjoy little reminders of your trip while wishing you were there again!
DIY Globe Garland I create map and nautical chart pillows here at salt labs in Detroit, MI. It seems like a natural evolution for me to be making map pillows. Maps are part of my DNA. Over the past year, I’ve been on the craft show circuit, first locally, then regionally. Indirectly my daughter, Micha, was the inspiration for creating my map paper garlands. At Renegade, people loved them. 1. start with a square of map paper (I used 5-inch squares for my garlands) 2. fold both ways diagonally (called valley folds in origami) 3. fold horizontally, then vertically (called mountain folds) 4. bring folds together as shown, like a 3-D pyramid 5. then flatten into a triangle 6. take bottom right corner up to the top, press fold with finger 7. repeat fold on left corner to the top 8. flip over and repeat process on the other side 9. fold side points of diamond to center 10. flip over and repeat on the other side 12. repeat on the reverse side, again tucking the top flaps into the center pockets Happy DIY-ing!
Making: Pages packed full of wonderful, original and exciting craft projects, perfect for dads, mums and kids One of the first shops that Harry Potter visited when Hagrid took him to Diagon Alley was Ollivanders, the wand shop to buy his most important possession, his wand. Wands can be made from a variety of materials, after all Hagrid used an old umbrella as a wand! Yours will be made from paper. But do not be deceived it will be every bit as magical as the real wands used in the film, and if you make it carefully will look just as good. . . . Because glue is used on the paper to harden it, this wand is a made of a type of papier mache. For a detailed set of instructions and an explanation of how to do the distressing, which is very easy and great fun, please see the instruction sheet which is available in both A4 and US Letter sizes.
brenna’s pinhole artwork this perfect-for-summer project comes from brenna berger at paper + ink. she documents her amazingly clever custom invitation designs on her blog, so when it comes to paper it’s no surprise that she’s full of ideas. i love the simple, modern feel of these, and the fact that they cost next to nothing to make. on an semi-related note, i recently decided to have a movie marathon of all corporate “must make it big in nyc” movies from the eighties (wall street, secret of my success, working girl…you get the drift), but now i am definitely not going to start it until i have some paper and a thumbtack ready:) thanks, brenna! -kate CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! materials: 1. paper (preferably cotton) 2. thumbtack 3. pony bead and hot glue (optional) 4. scrap cardboard (at least as big as your paper) 5. tape 6. image of choice (some options are available here) 5. cut to size and you are done!
Song Lyric Wall Art / D.I.Y. Project A couple weeks ago, I found a paint-by-number at an unbeatable price. I can't pass these things up even though I already owned this particular design. I thought that I could maybe use it to make a fun D.I.Y., but my new rule is that all thrifts that I purchase with the intent of restyling need to get done right away. I have way too many half finished projects in my life. With that little bit of motivation I came up with a fun D.I.Y. to display some of my favorite song lyrcis in our newlywed home. Here's how I did it... I displayed our piece in our bedroom, on Jeremy's side of the bed. A couple weeks ago, I found a paint-by-number at an unbeatable price.
wind-up paper butterflies are my fave (guest post from amelia) I had a baby so I’ve invited some fave guests to take over for me while I spend time with the little guy. Today’s post is from super crafter and cute mom, Amelia of The Homebook. Growing up, I had an aunt who lived in Canada. Every year for my birthday she’d send me a card and a fancy little gift. I made my butterflies into Monarchs, but you could use different materials to create any sort of colorful butterfly. Materials: You’ll need heavy cardstock, 24 gauge wire, silicone rubber bands (I found mine in the hair aisle at Walgreens) needle-nose pliers, scissors, tape, a paintbrush, a black marker, and a white ink pen. Step 1: Measure and cut your wire. Step 2: Find the center of the longer wire. Step 5: Find the center of the shorter wire, and wrap it around the base of the paintbrush. Step 8: Draw the shape of your wings and cut them out. Step 11: Tape each wing to the body of the butterfly. Thanks for the chance to finally figure out how these darned things are made, Melanie!
Curling Ribbon Coasters Years ago when I was a college student, I had a part time job in a card store. One day on the job, I was fiddling with the curling ribbon we used for balloons. As I twisted and curled it in my fingers, I found myself rolling it into a tight spiral. As it grew and I added more colors, I soon realized I had a really cool design forming, and without too much effort I would have a spiral of color large enough to use as a coaster. I bought some rolls of ribbon and that weekend I sat down and made several fun coasters by carefully coiling the ribbon around itself. Ever since then, whenever I get balloons or gifts that are tied with curling ribbon, I save the ribbon in a special box in my craft room. Selecting the ribbon You probably haven’t been saving up used curling ribbon from balloons and packages (not yet, anyway), so you might need to buy some new ribbon to start on this project. Winding the ribbon Now for the fun part. You can see a lot of potential fun here with patterns and colors.
TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art - makeanddogirl.com - StumbleUpon Last week, I posted a preview of the simple, inexpensive wall art my mom and I created. Now I’m excited to show you how you can make a one-of-a-kind coffee stirrer masterpieces too! I’m big on projects that anyone can do. Here’s all you need to get started: 1. Additional Supplies: 5. Okay, first things first. So, once you’ve got your palette, it’s time to paint your frames and your coffee stirrers! My mom and I did our painting as the sun was setting, which is always a questionable decision. I was going for the reclaimed driftwood sort of look. Once your coffee stirrers are painted, it’s time to trim them to fit into the frame(s) you’ve chosen. I found the quickest way to do this is to measure one stick to be the length you need it and then use it as the guide for trimming all the others. This next part is fun because you’ll start to see your piece come together fairly quickly. After I finished the set of three, I realized I didn’t like the red splashes of color. What’s left?
String Lanterns Jessica of Wednesday Inc shows us how to make those gorgeous twine chandeliers from the inspiration shoot she shared with us this morning. Using balloons, glue and twine, you can also make these lanterns for your wedding – and then bring it home and use it as your very own mid century lampshade. What you will need are: balloons, glue, yarn, tray for glue, corn starch 1/2 cup of Corn starch, 1/4 cup of Warm water, clear fast drying spray paint, hanging lamp cord or fishing line (depending on your desired final product), and a lighting kit if you’re looking for a fully functional lantern. Jessica recommends using a sharpie to mark on the inflated balloon how much room you need to leave for the lighting cord. She also recommends coating the balloon with vaseline prior to wrapping the yarn coated with glue so it doesn’t stick on the balloon once it’s dry. Are you getting excited to try to do this at home as much I am? Instructions: 1.
the DIY FAVES So, Savannah and I are becoming aware of your DIY love, so expect to see more of that here. We will have makeup & hair tutorials as well as clothing, jewelry, and home DIY projects. We are excited to share these with you so be on the look out. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite DIY projects. Hope you enjoy! the PALLET DAYBED - I loved this so much I made one myself and you can see it here. I hope you are inspired.
you knew i was going to make one. they are all over pinterest....(i still am not signed up for pinterest because i don't have time for one more thing but browsing is fun!) so we made one. i took a box of 64 crayons and took out the blacks and browns.i used another small box and doubled up on the good colors i liked and hot glued them to the top of our canvas. then we turned our blow dryer to hot on high. not long after you set the hair dryer by the crayons they get shiny and then the wax starts to melt! and it dries really quickly too. seriously. what could be happier than this?? GREAT project. loved it today is the first FULL day with ALL my kids in ALL day school.yeah...i am smiling as i type that. it's good. it's quiet. i am rockin' it. removing wallpaper.....making code for craft weekend stuff.....doing my hair....going to lunch..... it's all good. hooray for school!