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.
Life's too short not to smile ☮♥☺ Paper Clip Mini Hangers Días atrás jugando con un clip no se como me di cuenta que si lo abría un poquito, tenía forma de percha! como una perchita chiquita! Y se estarán preguntando, para que me sirve una perchita chiquita?? bueno no se, pero es tierna y ya ... además me pareció un lindo embellishment para alguna tarjeta o algún LO... o... hasta para una casa de muñecas! las nenas siguen jugando a eso, no? A few days ago playing around with a paper clip I realize that if I opened and bended a bit, it turns into a mini hanger!! En fin, la técnica es super simple, se abre un poquito se dobla de un lado y se corta el excedente con una pinza.... si no entendieron nada acá va la imagen: Only four steps! Me hace acordar mucho a la perchita que venía con el kit de febrero de Simon Says, (ahi pueden ver unas ejemplos lindos de tarjeta para usarlas)You can see some examples of cards here Love, Agus
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!
Seed Paper Tutorial | I first heard of seed paper–or hand made paper that has real flower seeds embedded in the pulp itself and is actually plantable–about a year ago while browsing through a stationary catalog. It was the coolest idea I’d ever seen–and so incredibly spring-y! Well, who knew that you could make this funky stuff all by yourself? And dang we had a good time! These would be just perfect to include with a birthday or Christmas card–don’t you think? First Step: Making the Screen Frame Here’s what you’ll need for the screen frame: 6-12 wide craft sticks–think tongue depressors Craft glue 1 or 2 pieces of mesh or screen about 6″x6″ electrical tape Glue four sticks together–like this. Lay the screen over the sticks and glue in place. Now glue two more sticks–one on the top and one on the bottom. I rested a glass bowl over the frames to hold everything in place until the glue dried. Your frame should look pretty much like this. Second Step: Making the paper pulp Here’s what you’ll need to make the pulp: water
Fork Bracelet I've always loved taking everyday items and making them into something interesting. Ever since I was a little crafty kid I loved devouring books that taught me how to make little dolls from clothespins, beads from rolled up magazines, and little fairy ornaments from wire and fake flower petals. The first time I saw my friend wearing a bracelet made from a fork a few years ago, I knew I had to try it (*ahem Carly ;)). (Please excuse my intro, if you can't hustle your website on your Youtube channel, where else are you supposed to do it? What you need:♥ A fork. I think these forks are the easiest to use, and I've used a lot of different forks. :)♥ Pliers, 3 pairs. 1 jewelry pair, 1 regular pair or needle nose, and an adjustable wrench.♥ Piece of thick fabric like denim or corduroy.♥ Strong hands. I've always really liked layering bracelets. The other wrist. Forks and wolves go together, right? They definitely go with feathers. If anyone needs help, just leave a comment. :)
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.
delightful country cookin': homemade air freshener "Don't you get fresh with me, ya hear!" Oh, I love it when adults (especially grandparents) say that to little kids. What does it mean exactly? Does it mean we'd rather children get dirty with us? Today, I'm going to ask you to actually get fresh with me. I digress. I was roaming around on Tasty Kitchen one day when I came across a recipe for homemade air freshener. To make these little beauties, you first need a heat-proof jars (I found mine for $0.99 each at Michael's), food coloring colors of your choice, and essential oil. Into each jar, drop a few drops (I repeat...a few...it doesn't take more than 2 or 3) of food coloring. Now for the fun part. Why salt? Get one cup of water boiling on the stove. Then, pour in the other cup of cold water and the salt, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Quickly pour the hot gelatin mixture in each of your jars, and then use a disposable stick or spoon to stir it into the oil and food coloring. Let these gel overnight, and then voila!
Wire Words For this week’s DIY basic, we’re getting wordy with it. Wordy accessories, that is. You’ve likely seen your share of personalized bracelets, rings, and necklaces a la the famous Carrie necklace from Sex and the City. Materials: - needle nose pliers - wire cutters - copper or brass wire (available on Amazon) - copper, brass, or gold-plated chain Gather your materials. Write or print out the word you’ll be creating a wire pendant out of. Then simply take your wire and hold it one end and “trace” your word with the end using your needle nose pliers. Cut off at the end once you’re done and curl the end in a little bit. Such a fun DIY twist on the word necklace! As you can see, we nerded out and used Brit’s Twitter handle as our “word” of choice. You can also make a really sweet bracelet using just the wire. This would make a beautiful bridesmaid gift. And as a cake or cupcake topper with words of gratitude, encouragement, or love. Lastly, the wire word art that inspired our post!
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.
DIY TUTORIAL and a giveaway! Happy Monday everyone! Today I am going to show you how to make this necklace and introduce my first giveaway! Below are the steps to make this tulle necklace. And to win this necklace, just leave me a comment below! A winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck! Step 1: Pick out your fabric and beads. Step 2: Measure the fabric around a bead and then add an inch, this is where you will cut. Step 3: Cut the fabric the long way. Step 4: You should now have a long strip of fabric. Step 5: Sew the folded fabric at the open end. Step 6: You should now have a tube. Step 7: In order to turn the tube right side out, attach a safety pin to one end. Step 8: Feed the safety pin through the tube. Step 9: Once the tube is right side out, put a bead in the tube and center it. Step 10: Make a knot at each end of the bead. Step 11: Feed another bead into the tube and knot after the bead. Step 12: Sew the ends shut. Step 13: Add flower by gathering strips of the fabric together and sewing the center together.
Wire Word Necklace Hey friend-os! Today I'd love to share a little DIY project for making a wire word necklace. A bit of a mouthful, but you get the idea! I got the idea about a month back when I spotted the prettiest little necklace on Anthropologie. I was so in love (You could say I adore-d it! You'll need: a 7ft spool of 16 gauge wire, needle nose pliers, embroidery floss (have you guys started to notice that I use embroidery floss ALL THE TIME?) So, to get started, practice. I'm afraid it's a little hard to describe the whole bending process, but hopefully the pictures will help you get a sense of how I got here. To make your tassel, wrap embroidery floss around your fingers, then remove it and tie another piece of embroidery floss around the section you made on your fingers, just about 1/2" down from the top. Next, thread a jump ring through the top portion of your tassel, and through the loop on your last letter. Thread a jump ring through your loop or letter, and thread the chain onto the loop.
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