November 2011
10 posts
Spa Treatments
Let’s be honest this is the most stressful time of the year. With finals, Christmas shopping, and family functions we all could use some “me time”. These easy spa treatment recipes are sure to get you relaxed. You could also make them for a Christmas gift for someone who could use a break.
Lavender Oat Infusion
You’ll Need:
1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 cup dried...
Light Canvas
Here is another painting project I have been working on. I’ve always wanted to incorporate lights into a painting and I have finally found a way to do just that.
you’ll need:
canvas (9 in x 12 in)
silver acrylic paint
black acrylic paint
x-acto knife
paint brush
stencil
Golden- clear tar gel
Golden- glass bed gel
battery pack christmas light
This project...
Wine Cork Memory Jar
On my 21st birthday this year my friend, Diane, told me about a different way to preserve memories of good times. All you have to do is collect wine corks from different occasions when you have splurged to drink some wine. Then write the occasion on the cork and have the people around you write something special about the occasion. I’ve just started my collection but I already love looking...
Lace Cookies
you’ll need:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup finely sliced almonds
1 tsp. backing powder
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 300°F. Cream butter and white and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Add beaten eggs and other ingredients to the same bowl and stir. Spoon the batter on the baking matt (only 8 cookies on each baking sheet).
...
Digital Painting
This semester I’m taking a painting class for beginners (I was unaware that “beginner” meant years of experience). My teacher assigned a really cool project that I thought I would share. The assignment is to take a picture and on photo shop make the photo digital so it broke the picture into many little squares. You can make the squares as big or as small as you wish (the bigger...
Bow Wreaths
This project is easy and fun. All you have to do is arrange the bows, ribbons, and ornaments however you would like. The more layers and textures you add to the wreath the better it looks.
you’ll need:
craft ring 18” (at Michael’s)
bows
ribbon
ornaments
hot glue gun
The bows below add lots of sparkle to your wreath. You can find these at Michael’s.
...
Festive Turkey Centerpiece
This decorative centerpiece will be the gobble of any Thanksgiving table.
You’ll Need:
fiber filling
fleet sheets (2 red, black, white)
red sparkle sheet
fringe ribbon
pineapple (perferable with pretty leaves)
decorative button to add your own flair
Once you have all the materials you can begin your turkey centerpiece. First trace the stencil of the turkey on the red...
Hot Pads
Here is a easy way to add some personality to a kitchen. Hot pads are way classier then putting that hot pot on an old stack of magazines. My mom made one for my grandma as a gift for christmas that has gingerbread men on the fabric. It makes for a cute and personalized house warming gift or a little gift to yourself. This project requires no sewing ability which is a good thing since I’m...
Custom IPhone Case
One day I stumbled upon this blog called Dwellings by Devore and I loved her idea on a cheap IPhone case. It’s easy to spend $50 or more on a basic case. But this case will cost you no more than $10. I told my friend Max about the idea and since he has an IPhone 4 I decided to make him my guinea pig.
You’ll Need:
clear case
scrapbook paper
exacto knife
sticker letters and...
Decorative Hardware
A big impact upgrade with a very small addition. Adding a cute piece of hardware is a great way to personalize a room. I found these adorable hardware at Anthropologie and decided to add them to some side tables in my house to add some impact. For a classic look pick hardware that is glass, for modern go for some metal, and if your daring like me choose a ceramic piece.
You’ll Need:
...
October 2011
4 posts
Pumpkin Carving
It’s not quite fall unless you carve a pumpkin. This year I enlisted the help of Charlie and Max to join the pumpkin carving activities. The boys decided to both carve a design that truly meant something special them. Naturally that meant that they were inspired to carve their favorite football team. I on the other hand went for a nautical theme and carved an anchor with twist on the average...
Travel Shoe Bags
Here is a great idea for your future travels. I made this travel shoe bag last summer for a family trip through Ireland. It’s a great way to travel with dirty shoes and make sure the rest of your suitcase doesn’t get ruined.
You’ll Need:
fabric
ribbon
thread
sewing pins
sewing machine (optional)
stencil for shoe bag
The first step is cutting out a stencil for...
Plastic Spoon Wreath
I went home last weekend and decided to see what supplies were laying around. My parents thought they would be tailgating at every CU home game and bought tons of plastic utensils. Well lets just say that my parents didn’t end up using any of the utensils. I stole the spoons and decided to make a unexpected wreath.
You’ll Need:
64 plastic spoons (number will vary depending on...
Homemade Hot Cocoa
Although the weather has forgotten it’s fall, I haven’t! I have been craving the cold weather, so I decided to bring my favorite cold weather activity to me. Seeing that I can’t make it snow, the next best was making homemade hot cocoa. I have a family recipe for hot cocoa that will make you feel as though you are tucked away in mountain cabin, and bundled by the fireplace....
September 2011
3 posts
Wine Bottle Lamp
Don’t throw out that wine bottle from this weekend! Turn that bottle into a beautiful lamp.
You’ll Need:
empty wine bottle (any design or color you want)
make-a-lamp-kit bottle adapter kit (I got one at Home Depot in the lighting section)
lamp shade
The first step in this project is to drink up, please do not drink the whole bottle by yourself. Once you are done drinking...
Serving Tray Makeover
Being a college student, most of my house is full with items that my mom no longer wanted. She lovingly gave me gently used items from the depths of the basement that hadn’t been seen since she was in college. For this weeks craft I decided to give this serving tray a much needed facelift.
You’ll Need:
plastic placemat (Target for 89 cents) in whatever color or shape makes you...
paint chip wall art
Does your apartment needs some decorating? Running low on money? Consider chopping up paint chips. These are Behr swatches from Home Depot made into a simple triangle pattern. I put it inside a mat and frame I got at Target and it looks fairly respectable.
YOU’LL NEED:
sample paint chips (free from Home Depot)
frame & mat
rubber cement (or any other glue)
plain paper ( used to glue...
