Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: magnetic chalkboard mirror these days i have a strong affinity for anything chalkboard related. it began with the vintage frame chalkboard i bought from gosia at blue bell bazaar on etsy (above, in my house), and continued with my most recent column for craft magazine about using chalkboard or magnetic paint (online here). so i was thrilled to see an email from christina at viva full house about her recent diy project. christina found this gorgeous (and cheap!) christina was kind enough to share her project steps with us so just CLICK HERE for the full project, or click “read more” below. [thanks, christina!] Materials: -Vintage (or new, depending on your desire) frame or mirror -Thin piece of steel -Primer -Chalkboard Paint -Spray adhesive -Spray or regular paint for the frame 1. 2. **if you’re not experienced or uncomfortable with cutting metal, please pick up a sheet of metal and have it cut to size at your local hardware store, or hire an affordable handyman on craigslist to do the cutting for you** 3. 4. 5. 6.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy wednesdays: envelope book tax time is fast approaching, which means many of us are busy kicking ourselves (once again) for our lack of financial organization. every year we swear we’re going to keep track of all our expenses and hold on to every receipt. well, it’s our belief that if you create a system that is simple and aesthetically pleasing, you can trick yourself into forming smart money-managing habits. we recently picked up a box of airmail envelopes from the dollar store and transformed them into this handy receipt organizer using a hole punch and some binder rings. happy organizing!derek & lauren CLICK HERE for the full instructions after the jump! here’s what you’ll need -26 envelopes -3 binder rings -small hole punch 1. punch 3 holes along the bottom of one of the envelopes and use that envelope as a template when punching the rest, so the holes line up when they’re all stacked together. 2. insert binder rings into the holes. 3. label the envelopes, a-z. 4. file!
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: kate’s recycled painting noteboard i purchase a lot of quirky art at flea markets, with the vision of a creating a massive, gallery-like collection somewhere down the road. but sometimes there are pieces that, for whatever reason, never make it on the wall and end up just sitting around. i decided to re-purpose one such painting and turn it into a fun magnetic note board! this is perhaps the easiest thing to make ever; the hardest part is finding the painting. click here for the full post and instructions or just click “read more” below- happy crafting! – kate What You’ll Need: 1. metal board (is used the BITS ikea office board, $10) 2. painting on canvas (large enough to cover your metal surface) 3. hot glue gun 4. scissors 5. magnets Instructions: 1. TIP: If your painting is on heavy weight canvas or the paint is thick, i recommend using mighty magnets or other very strong magnets to make sure things stay put.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: karyn’s twinkle blackboard karyn from make something is helping me keep the chalkboard love going today with this awesome diy project she made for her home. not content to just have a beautiful chalkboard in her home, karyn decided to get extra crafty and drill holes through which twinkle lights from urban outfitters could shine. i love the little custom spin on this project. i’d love to see someone spell out a name (how fun would it be to have one of these in your office with your company name or logo shining through?) or song lyrics- that would be super cool. CLICK HERE for the directions from karyn.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » in the kitchen with: caroline swift’s holiday treats caroline swift‘s work was the first work that jumped out at me in the press office at tent london in september, and in my personal opinion for the product and the styling (and presentation), she was the best exhibitor, hands down. we usually force people to choose their favorite recipe for this column, but when caroline sent over her seasonal favorites, how on earth could we ask her to pick only one? and in one of the hardest acts of selflessness this year, i even managed to buy some of her beautiful bowls for a friend for christmas and not get any myself! i should have my head checked! click here for the full recipe (and more gorgeous pictures) for caroline’s christmas cookies, winter cherry brownies and champagne sorbet. more about caroline below… Christmas cookies recipe (makes four large boxes of cookies) Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees C, (180 degrees C fan), at least half an hour before baking. Winter cherry brownies Makes 9 to 12 brownies, depending on size. Champagne Sorbet
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: glass jar frames i’m not a big framed picture person but every once in a while i wish i had a clever way to display a choice photo of the cats or ac. so i was excited to hear from kelly at photojojo about a fun little glass jar project they’d posted. the project couldn’t be easier (you basically just cut each picture to fit the bottle you’re using) and the results are such a playful spin on traditional frames. click here for the full project instructions and more pictures. [thanks, kelly!] Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy wednesdays: drawer divider we’re always looking for ways to better organize our lives. and after years of starting each day with a visit to one of the most disappointingly disorganized spots in our home we’ve finally decided to do something about it. as shop owners constantly awash in packing materials, the cardboard and giftwrap needed for this project were right under our noses. this diy is a good example that even if no one else in the world (other than a couple bazillion design*sponge readers) is ever going to see it, the simplest of craft projects can make a big impact on your daily routine. have fun!lauren & derek tips: **you can very easily add more sections to your drawer depending on your specific needs. CLICK HERE for the full instructions after the jump! Drawer Divider here’s what you’ll need: -gift wrap -measuring tape -cardboard -double-sided tape -ruler -box cutter, metal straight edge, cutting mat, or scissors 1. measure the interior of your drawer (ours was 25” x 14”, and 5” deep).
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: kate’s mirror stencils this third project using paint is good for people who like to change their house around a lot. these mirror stencil designs are easy to put on and take off, and they leave no marks on the mirror so you can change the design over and over again. if you have any contact paper left over from the window film project, you can put it to good use on this one! happy crafting! – kate CLICK HERE for the full instructions after the jump! What You’ll Need: 1. contact paper (found in drugstores and hardware stores, used for lining kitchen drawers, etc. get the clear kind) 2. exacto knife and sharp blades. 3. marker 4. paint (house paint or acrylic paint ill work) 5. mini foam roller 6. mirror (or glass) Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. note: the blade does not cut the glass, so you should have no permanent marks on the mirror. if you are unhappy with your design or want to change it down the road, simply scrape off the paint with a paint scraper or straight blade and wipe the glass with glass cleaner.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: eco-happy pom pom gift topper how fun is this diy wrapping tutorial (using old plastic bags from target!) from creature comforts? i need to go find something to wrap. click here for the full instructions. Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy wednesdays: wine bottle candle holder regardless of how crazy our lives get, we always need to spend time with friends and family. we’ve recently started hosting a regular sunday dinner at our apartment, where we invite a couple friends over to hang out, catch up and eat some homecooked food. all these guests mean a lot of empty wine bottles. but instead of recycling them, we decided to recycle a project we posted last year. using the same technique we showed you to make the bud vase trio, we simply cut these bottles at different heights to create a bunch of new vases, and some great new candle holders. and there it is. an entire tablescape for next sundays dinner. click here for the full project instructions, or just click “read more” below. have fun!derek & lauren editor’s note: i just wanted to extend a big congratulations to derek and lauren on their new book, show me how: 500 things you should know: instructions for life from the everyday to the exotic! it’s full of fantastic practical advice- check it out here!
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy wednesdays: custom house of cards charles and ray eames are big heroes of ours, and their house of cards is something we look at often—not only for visual inspiration, but as an example of a perfect design object that is smart, playful and modern. this week we gathered some images from the weekly photo assignments we post on our blog, smarts&crafts, to create our own custom house of cards. it’s a great way to keep track of the things that inspire you, and would also make the perfect holiday gift! click here for the full post and instructions or just click “read more” below. have fun!derek & lauren Custom House of Cards here’s what you’ll need: printer 3 sheets of photo quality ink jet paper 3 pieces of 8.5” x 11” cardstock rubber cement x-acto knife and straight edge rounded-corner punch (optional) scissors 1. resize a selection of photos to 2.25” x 3.5” each in a photo editing program such as photoshop, and print them out onto photo quality ink jet paper. we printed 24 photos, and were able to fit 8 per page.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: kate’s tin travel candle i can’t get enough of these altoids tins! they are so useful. this week, there was a small earthquake in my area and it got me motivated to start getting prepared for emergencies. i covered this tin with pretty paper to make a nice travel candle (mint scented…get it??), but you could make a bunch of these quickly for emergency kits, camping, etc. enjoy! – kate CLICK HERE for the full project instructions after the jump! What You’ll Need: 1. altoids tins 2. candle wicks 3. wax (i used microwaveable soy wax from a craft store) 4. mod podge (a glue/sealant available at craft stores. it is non-toxic and non-flammable 5. decorative paper 6. pencil 7. scissors 8. paint brush 9. wax coloring or scents (optional) Instructions: 1. clean the altoids tin thoroughly. 2. trace the top and bottom on your paper and carefully cut out shapes. 3. measure the width of the sides for the top and bottom. for the bottom, measure to the bumps on the front side where the top and bottom connect.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: eco-friendly notebooks this fun, eco-friendly project comes from meghan mcclain and jill thomas of potbelly sandwich works. meghan and jill got a green committee going at their office (fantastic!) and decided to celebrate their inaugural meeting today with a fun project. the girls created these lovely notebooks by reusing office paper found around the company and scraps of vintage wallpaper and chipboard for covers. so rather than letting paper (that’s been printed on one side) go to waste, they found a way to reuse it and create something new and beautiful. meghan and jill kindly shared their full project steps and materials with us so click here to view the full post and instructions, or just click “read more” below. thanks so much for meghan and jill for sharing- best of luck with your green committee! Meghan and Jill’s DIY Recycled Paper Notebooks: What You’ll Need: 1. How to: 1. 2.