25 (more) clever ideas to make life easier . We heard you loud and clear. When we published our first list of clever ideas to make life easier last year, we received an overwhelming response. So without further ado, here’s another 25 ingenious household tips and organisational tricks that will have you saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Source: chezerbey.com Got an empty kitchen shelf? Source: maillardvillemanor.com Wall mount cutlery trays and add a cup hook in each compartment for brilliant jewelery storage. Source: apartmenttherapy.com Avoid messy dresser drawers by “filing” your clothing side-by-side instead of stacking items on top of each other. Photo: William Warby on flickr.com Has putting Toy Story on constant repeat finally taken its toll? Source: realsimple.com Packing tip: Protect breakables such as wine bottles or food containers with children’s inflatable floaties. Source: whatiwore.tumblr.com Rather than bundling them in your drawer, loop tights over a coathanger and store them in your wardrobe. Source: bakedbree.com
Buy beads & jewelry-making supplies from Rings & Things 25 clever ideas to make life easier Via: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had! (Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw). Via: apartmenttherapy.com Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes. Via: unplggd.com Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls). Via: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band. Via: marthastewart.com Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match. Via: realsimple.com Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music. Via: savvyhousekeeping.com Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags. Via: iheartnaptime.net
Kumihimo - Braiding with Beads Once you have the basics down on how to create a Kumihimo braid you will more than likely want to try adding some beads to the braid. This involves a little more prep time before you get started but the results are well worth it. When planning your design, keep in mind that the finished results will differ depending on colors, size of beads and number of beaded strands. Also note that the size of stringing material will be determined by the hole size in the beads you want to use. First determine the length of braid you want. Next you will need to determine how many beads are needed. 20 brilliant things to make in a jar Via: mycakies.blogspot.com Start saving your old jam jars! From cakes to herb gardens, pies to photo frames, and even entire meals … here are 20 fantastic things you never knew you could make with a jar. (Above: red velvet cupcakes in a jar. Via: fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.blogspot.com Word on the street: salad in a jar is all the rage. Via: bakerella.com Cookies in a jar – a great gift idea. Via: rikkihibbert.co.za For a rustic vintage look, display your photos inside glass jars and bottles. Via: goodfoodbreadandmuffins.blogspot.com Chocolate muffin bread cooked in a jar. Via: pizzazzerie.com Super sweet. Via: simplebites.net Bread, cooked in a jar? Via: marthastewart.com A fabulous visual reminder of your favourite holidays. Via: bigredkitchen.com So let’s just cut to the chase – what about making all your meals in a jar?! Via: runwithglitter.blogspot.com There isn’t a child on earth who wouldn’t be wowed by these: rainbow cupcakes baked in a jar. Via: mybakingaddiction.com Via: flickr.com
Music I feel melty. | Light&Spoon EDIT 11/5/2012: We are no longer selling custom crayon pieces in our Etsy shop. We are now focusing on a new jewelry project, so please check that out and we hope you enjoy the tutorial below! Edit: We are now selling custom crayon pieces in our Etsy shop! If you have questions about commissioning your own artwork, please see the shop or email us at lightandspoon@gmail.com. Here’s our contribution to the melted crayon craze on Pinterest. Anyway! He filled in in with marker, and then we taped some saran wrap around a piece of cardstock to make a run-off barrier for the top of the umbrella. We pulled out all the blues and greys from three boxes we got on sale for $2.50 each at A.C. Then it was just a matter of putting the crayons through the gun–the pretty-but-stupid impulse-buy glue gun that barely works, so I didn’t ruin my good one. The hardest part was removing the guard and fixing the wax around it. Yay! Like this: Like Loading...
View EARRINGS parts by beadsmaker Inspired by Yulia Brodskaya I can't get over how amazing these are. I wouldn't be surprised if Yulia invented quilling. She is a 28 year old artist from Moscow who creates beautiful designs from vertical pieces of thin paper and her website is full of inspiration in color, line, shadow and technique. You don't have to be a fellow quiller to wish you were like this great lady. Even though her pieces would be amazing if they were drawn, it was the fact that they are 3d that caught my attention. I imagine one of her expert pieces would take hours, which I do not have... When my husband and I were engaged, I bought wooden letters to spell out 'save the date' and covered them with different patterned paper. (I couldn't resist showing our cute picture) The letters were already covered (I know, I didn't post a diy... I picked out 4 colors of paper that went with the colors in the pattern and had them cut into 1/2" strips. In hindsight, I would choose a letter that had a meaning. I only have an h.
DIY Beaded Collar | La Poubelle TOPSHOP – Peter Pan Necklace So I’ve been a fan of the whole “collar” thing for awhile now but I haven’t gotten on that bandwagon…until now. I was about to buy this collar (pictured above) from TOPSHOP when I was in Vegas last month…but I couldn’t bring myself to pay $28 for it. My philosophy when shopping is: spend little on trendy items, invest in the essentials. Instead, I decided to make my own version of this collar/necklace. Here’s the finished product: TA-DA! Still haven’t worn it out yet, so you’ll have to wait for a photo of it “in action”. Step 1: The supplies Beads (duh), pliers, side-cutter pliers (I think that’s what they’re called), monofilament, and some silver findings for the end of the necklace (where we’d connect the clasps). Step 2: Starting Row 1 So, if you look at the “pattern” and the actual collar….I made a boo boo. Step 3: Ending Row 1 The final loop is a little different from the middle loops so I included a photo of it. Step 4: Starting and Ending Row 2 Like this:
Pinterest Challenge: AZ Love / Nail and String Tribute to the Grand Canyon State So I found Curiously Wrought's work through her Etsy on Pinterest the other day--how cute are these?! Click through the link below to check out my step-by-step tutorial: So although mine isn't PERFECT like hers are, I seriously love how it came out! And then it made it to my wall next to my desk! The finished product: How to make Gak (Slime) We had a few days of rain around here so we made some slime to occupy our time inside. Just two ingredients and you will be able to really impress your kids! To make simply mix equal parts of liquid starch and glue together. We placed 1/4 cup liquid starch into a sandwich bag and added about 3 drops of green food coloring. Next add in 1/4 cup glue Mix well. Take it out of the bag and have fun! Looking for more ways to impress your kids? Need a way to use up the rest of the starch? You will find other rainy day activities here. Thanks Laci for asking us how to make Gak.