DIY Wrapped Bracelet

What I love about this project is your ability to create a custom colored bracelet. Since you wrap embroidery thread around them you can essentially use any color under the sun. 

materials needed:

-tacky glue

-embroidery thread

-bangles

-scissors

1.)Apply a bit of glue to the end of the thread.

2.) Wrap the glue part around the bangle and hold down for 10 seconds with your fingers.

3.) Wrap the thread around the bangle. You can alternate colors or only wrap the thread around half.

4.) Add a bit of glue to the bangle.

5.) Wrap the thread around and hold for 10 seconds. Cut off the extra and wear.

Hello Bulletin Board

I love bulletin boards. They let you display things in a inspiring and impermanent fashion. They also help you keep important things insight and in mind. I've already filled up two large boards with pictures and quotes. I wanted to use the space above my desk to hang photos I liked but I wanted to do it in a creative way. So I created this "hello" bulletin board.

All you need for this project is cork contact paper, a ruler, pencils and scissors. If your doing round letters like "o", you will also need to use a compass.

Draw the letters out on the cork with a pencil. Use a ruler to get perfectly straight edges. Then cut out the letters.

Peel off the contact paper and apply to the wall. 

To add some color to it pin up pictures, newspaper clippings you found interesting, whatever. Old magazines are perfect for this (I used an old Teen Vogue). Display outfit inspiration, quotes form an interview with your favorite celebrity (I have a Lorde quote on the edge of the "O") or that chocolate cake recipe you've been dying to make. 

(magazine clippings)

(give me an "O")

(give me a "E")

("Hello Sunshine")

Washi Tape Coasters

You can do almost anything with washi tape. It's a patterned tape made of paper, that feels like masking tape. If you don't own any you can find it at a craft store or Target. 

For this project you will need:

-white tiles

-felt pads

-washi tape (in complementary colors)

It's very simple. All you have to do is cover the coaster using tape in your desired pattern remember to leave extra hanging off the sides. It helps to use  a credit card to smooth down the tape.

Once you've covered the whole thing fold the tape over the edges. Cut the extra to be the same length and then fold the extras under. 

Put felt pads on the bottom and violà!

When it Rains it Pours Garland

I went to paper source this weekend to stock up on paper and stamps. Hanging in their window was a darling paper clouds. So today, seeing as how its rainy I decided to make my version of their cloud garland.

Materials needed:

-paper (card stock, colored paper and old book pages)

-scissors

  -glue

-bakers twine

Make a template out of card stock. Trace it on to grey paper and cut out.

Glue bakers twine on the back of the cloud. Then glue a second one over it sandwiching the twine between them. 

Do the same thing with the rain drops, leaving about 4" between the drops. 

Let glue dry, then hang.

Watercolor Bookmarks

I've been feeling in a rut with books lately. I like reading and I have plenty of good books to read but I just can't get motivated so I thought these water color bookmarks might help. 

I started by cutting out a 2x4 rectangles. Then I painted them with watercolors, let them dry and used washi tape to make a pattern on them. I wen't over them in another coat of the same color. Then I pulled of the tape and, voila! It was incredibly easy.

(P.S They would make a great fathers day present, made a set to give my dad)

My Favorite DIY Blogs

1.)lovely indeed, a DIY blog with a bit of travel and design. I love her game series that just finished up, I really wan't to make the instagram playing cards.

2.)minieco is a darling blog all about paper crafts. It's great if you like crafts centered around paper.

3.)oh happy day, is a DIY and travel blog. The author lived in Paris for a year (ah, so jealous of her) so she has great advice for traveling and living there. 

Citrus Stamped Wrapping Paper

  I remember when I was little using old vegetables to make stamps. So making this lemon stamped wrapping paper brought back memories of "simpler times".

  It is a really easy project, all you need is paint, a paint brush, butcher paper and a fruit or vegetable to stamp with. I choose a lemon because of their distinctive pattern (and because I had a half of one left over egg lemon soup).

  It's most effective to paint on to the thing your stamping with rather than dunking it into paint. If you wan't various levels of color like I did for mine don't repaint after every stamp.

  This was a fun DIY (isn't it odd how we replace DIY for craft now?) and I'm thinking about using it to make labels and bookmarks.

Business Card Holder

  Upon first inspection you wouldn't even know these business card holders are DIY. They are incredibly easy to make, you only need five minuets, some leather and button studs. You can find the directions here.

These business card holders can be used as stocking stuffers or a stylish way to present a gift card. All you have to do is cut out the leather and punch the holes in it.

Nowadays it seems like making something that looks stylish and is functional requires artillery of weird crafting tools and hours of time. There is a sense of accomplishment in making something for and by oneself. This would make a great father's day present. 

A Relaxing Bath

 While browsing Pinterest I found this recipe for a relaxing bath. You add a hand full of epsom salt, 10 drops of lavender essential oils, and 1/2 a cup of baking soda.  It is supposed to "draw out toxins, lower stress related hormones, and balance your pH level". Also it smells fantastic. Bath's are a great chance to unwind if you are really stressed out. Separate yourself from distracting things like your phone and just take some uninterrupted time to think.

Homemade Bubble Bath

 Is there anything more relaxing then a warm bubble bath and a stack of magazines? Not that I know of.
Bubble bath is one of the easiest home spa things you can make but it never occurred to me how simple it is until I ran out of bubble bath yesterday. I used the first recipe.

The recipe is incredibly simple with it's only ingredients being being mild hand soap, honey and egg whites. It was as good as or better than what you would buy at the store.

Making it only took about a minute but it was way easier than running out to get some. I'm sure if you wanted to add a scent you could use a drop of essential oil or another natural scent.

Origami Lotus

 I've always been daunted by origami but these origami lotuses are super easy to make and pretty. It is perfect for beginners.