Baking Soda Clay Here's another homemade modeling compound that good for both kids and adult artisans. Compared to the homemade polymer clay I presented a few weeks ago, it's non-elastic when wet and much "softer" when dry---that is, easy to sand smooth or to reshape, to add etchings, and possibly even to carve (I haven't tried). I've used it to make a variety of small items, particularly small bowls and candle holders (shown below in order of finished-ness). It takes paint well but I would finish painted pieces with a coat of varnish. Sanded nice and smooth! Materials 1 cup corn starch2 cups baking soda1.25 cups cold waterNon-stick potWooden spoonMed-large bowl (not pictured)Damp cloth, lid or plate (not pictured) Steps Combine ingredients in pot and stir until smooth. Cook over low-medium flame, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and let cool in a separate container either covered with a damp towel or mostly covered with a plate or lid. Sculpt. Enjoy! Materials
30 Design Ideas to Make Your Small Bedroom Look Bigger by Micle Mihai-Cristian | Bob Vila Nation interior design By Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine on Oct 30, 2012 If you are looking for inspiration on how to decorate a small bedroom, prepare to be overwhelmed with fantastic ideas. After publishing these contemporary bedroom design ideas guaranteed to “rock your world”, these charming Swedish modern bedrooms and these holiday-inspiring ocean-view bedrooms, it is time to have a look at practical solutions for small homes. For today we gathered 30 photos of small bedroom interiors, each of them displaying a clever layout. So take your time and go through each and every photo from the list below, analyzing details and slowly configuring your dream bedroom. You're reading 30 Small Bedrooms Ideas To Make Your Home Look Bigger originally posted on Freshome. The post 30 Small Bedrooms Ideas To Make Your Home Look Bigger appeared first on Freshome.com. Visit Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine »
DIY Roundup: 25 Easy and Creative Sharpie Crafts - Yes Missy! | a lifestyle blog DIY & Crafts The Sharpie permanent marker is a necessity in every DIY’ers arsenal! Aside from their everyday task of labelling and doodling, they are one of the all around most versatile tools in my DIY kit. They are so easy to use and now available in a spectrum range of colors from pastels to metallics. Sharpie markers are great for use almost any surface – paper, plastic, wood, leather or fabric. Plus, they are permanent on even the most hard-to-mark surfaces, which makes them perfect for crafting! So if you think that Sharpie markers are just for labeling boxes, you’ll definitely want to check out these amazing DIY projects from these talented bloggers. 1. Of course I had to start this list with the DIY sharpie mug. Here are a few more fun sharpie craft mug design ideas I thought came out really well. 2. A super cheap Ikea chair + Sharpie = an awesome leopard-print seat. I just love my prints, so you can imagine how my heart jumped when I saw this adorable spotted chair. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Flip-Flop Refashion: Part 1 (Braided Straps Summer is great. And warm. And full of outdoor activities and trips to the pool and random walks around the neighborhood. I love it. And my shoe of choice for these warmer months?? So, I saw a tutorial for this flip-flop makeover (great work Mother Huddle), floating around the web…….and the wheels started turning. I decided to just string all of the ideas together and create a whole series. First up? A quick and easy flip flop…….made with some braided knit fabric scraps, using the 5 strand braiding technique, shown here. These soft braided straps streeeeeetch the perfect amount, right around the back of my heel……..keeping the flip-flop snug and in place. I added little loops of fabric to the sides, to keep the braided straps in place. These little sandals are so light, they’re soft and stretchy, and my favorite part……..they’re inexpensive. ($2.50 to be exact) These flip-flops make me think of the beach……and make me miss GA. I guess I better find a sandy spot at the lake. And that’s it. Enjoy.
How to make your own air dried porcelain with common household ingredients Anything that is quick, affordable and makes beautiful things is a craft winner for me . But…I often find myself uninspired for something new and different. I’ve found it in air dried porcelain (aka Porcelana Fria). What will someone make with 3 cups of white glue (PVA) 3 cups of cornstarch (Corn flour) one tablespoon of white vinegar one tablespoon of glycerin (health food or hobby shop), and 2 tablespoons of canola oil? The beautiful mouse and necklace pictured (compliments of Espirit ) is the answer! Amazingly simple and a GREAT school holiday project, get the kids into the kitchen to cook up some home made, air dried, porcelain. Let’s make it: In a mixing bowl (or non-stick pan) mix 3 cups of white glue and 3 cups of cornstarch. For microwave heating : Cook in a microwave-compatible recipient for 2 to 3 minutes on high (for a 800W oven; longer for a less powerful oven). Stove top : Cook in a saucepan over low heat for about 15 minutes. This one’s a big thumbs up from me.
41 Easy Things To Do With Mason Jars Design Your Own Mugs - AO Life Added by Caroline Rowland Caroline Rowland Home Life I love making my own gifts, but of course it’s incredibly time consuming, and we are all so busy at this time of the year aren’t we? So if you can find an idea that will take minimal time and is simple then you really have no excuse! These mugs are exactly that; and you can customise and personalise them for each individual recipient – or just make a set of mix and match designs like I’ve done here. Here’s what you’ll need… Some plain mugs A selection of Sharpie pens Masking tape (optional) And here’s how it’s done… Before you start, you might want to sketch out your designs on paper, so you know roughly what you want to achieve before you start. If you are worried about getting your design right, then you can draw it out on your mug lightly with a pencil first. Get drawing! Once you’ve finished drawing, put your mugs on a baking sheet in a cold oven. Hopefully your friends and family will appreciate their handmade, unique gift!
Re-purposing: Tshirts into 5-strand-braided-headbands I was walking through Target a few weeks ago and noticed this little knit fabric headband that was not just braided together…….but woven. I decided they were charging way too much for something that could be made with t-shirt scraps. And that means free. So there you have it. A nice and easy project to give my bad-hair-day head some love. (Or you may need one for working out. I kinda love it on my little girl . She always has little hair fly-aways that get into her face…….and this helps with that problem. It even works great with her hair down…..and keeps that hair tucked behind her ears. And yep, good for me too. Thanks little t-shirt scraps. Want to make your own? First, find some old t-shirts. Then, cut your fabric into long strips. Next, stack your 5 strips on top of each other and sew together at one end. Now, pull on each strip of fabric so that they kind of curl on the edges. But let me explain a little better. First, you’ll work on the left side. And that’s it. This post is sponsored by:
Tutorial: Sunkissed Heart Wreath Lo and I celebrated 15 years of togetherness last Monday. My heart feels like it's been kissed by the sun since I've known him. I dedicate this post, the result, and my very heart to him. This wreath is inspired by those beautiful string wedding balloon displays, like THIS one, for example.Tutorial ♥ A Sunkissed Heart Wreath You will need: 2 long skinny balloons (the type used to make balloon animals)balloon pump (unless you have gorilla lungs)white (PVA) gluewatercontainer for glueyarnpair of scissorspin or sharp thinglength of ribbon (optional)drop cloth or newspaperStep 1. Step 5. Here's what I did: Step 6. The next morning, find your heart ready to be hung up and admired! String it up with a ribbon, place it in a window and let the sun beam through it. Happy anniversary Lo. Oh!
crafterhours: Tee to Tank: A Tutorial by Jen from Upcycled Education This is one of my favorite t-shirt refashions of all time. For a number of reasons. First, let me tell you that this t-shirt to tank refashion wasn’t my idea. Jen posted this on her facebook page and I jumped at the chance to have a crafty morning with her and watch her make it. Jen blogs at Upcycled Education– a blog I recommend you peruse, especially if you’re an educator– formally or informally. Second, it is soooo quick and easy that it takes less than half an hour. Third, it uses tees you probably already have a million of and don’t enjoy the fit of but have a hard time discarding. Fourth, this t-shirt to tank only requires a tee, scissors and thread. So my girls and I spent a lovely morning yesterday with Jen and her daughter. Are you ready to see? One of Jen’s tips for this project is that you can use a tee that already fits well. In step 1 you’re making five cuts. Steps 2, 3 and 4 are pretty straightforward. So many options for the straps. And to make the straps?
DIY Knot Pillow DIY Knot Pillow