Mummy Wreath

My mom was one of those people who decorated for holidays. I often hated helping to decorate, but I loved once it was out. Living in an apartment, I never really decorated for any holiday. Maybe a small thing here or there, but I am getting better at it. Right now I have THREE pumpkins, and a few other Halloween items around the apartment to get us in the festive mood for the upcoming holiday.One of these things is my new wreath that Keith loves. It's a mummy wreath!

It was so easy to make and really fun! It's made out of a foam wreath base. I wrapped bandages around it, gluing in several pieces to hold tight. After I made it all the way around, then wrapped it across both sides to create the "face" space. I then attached big goggly eyes and let it dry.

It is a silly and adorable wreath that is bring some Halloween spirit (although goofy) into our living room. More fall (and Halloween!) items coming soon! I promise.

D.I.Y. Permanent Marker Dyed Scarves

I have had several silk scarves for two moves now and when I started to unpack in my new apartment, I finally found them and decided to do something with them. So I invited my friend Erin over and we decided to craft- so we dyed silk scarves with permanent markers.

This is an easy craft but a beautiful craft. All you need is a silk scarf, I got mine here, permanent markers, isopropyl alcohol and a dropper. I also used garbage bags/table clothes to protect the table. 

First things first, iron the wrinkles out of your scarf, then fold scarf into a triangle.

Then start creating whatever pattern you would like with colors. Make sure the ink goes all the way through to the back of the triangle.

I unfolded the triangle and added more color where I felt it was lacking. I also rubbed the ink into the silk. It dyes your fingers, but I thought it really worked.

Once I liked the designed, I refolded it into a triangle and went outside. This next part is a bit strong smelling- so do it outside or in a well ventilated area.

Once outside (and on some protective tablecloth/garbage bag) use a dropper to get out some isopropyl alcohol and slowly drop the alcohol on the ink.

The ink will spread out, so continue until its well spread and looks the way you want it to.

 I flipped it over and did both sides. You might even need to open it and continue to drop the alcohol to spread more of the ink.

Erin made a scarf too. How beautiful!

Let your scarves dry. The alcohol will dry quickly. Once it's dry, iron the scarf. I put a sheet between the iron and the scarf so it did not melt, but it really worked.

This is the final project. Turned out great! This is a hand wash only project. I just washed mine this morning and it bleed just a small amount but the pattern stayed intact. This project was really fun. I can't wait to do it again.

Happy crafting!

DIY Easy Paper Banner

 Our days are numbers in our apartment and while we pack up, things are getting into boxes or in some cases, rediscovered before getting put into boxes. I found some scrapbook paper and decided to make a festive banner that will go with us to our new home. It's a really easy how-to so I thought I would share how I made it.

What you need:

• Bunting template from online or make your own. It helps if it has a fold over portion 
• scrap book paper, I had three different patterns
• scissors
• string/baker's twine
• tape (not pictured)

Use your template to cut out triangles. I cut out nine total.

Fold over the excess at the top to create a flap to hide the string.

Tape the flap down and make sure the string is under flap.

And there you have it! Simple, easy and fun paper bunting.

How to: dishwasher magnet

So, I don't like doing dishes. There I said it. However, they won't do themselves, so I needed to figure out a way to know when I needed to do them. Keith has a weird schedule this semester, and some notes I am already in bed by the time he gets in. He usually is the one to start the dishwasher and because we have such a small place and the dishwasher is right next to where we watch tv, he always starts it at night so it won't be loud while we are talking or catching up on our stories. Well, this is very nice of him but because I am usually in bed, I never know if the dishes are clean or dirty to load or unload it. So, today I decided to make us a little tool to help us out. The fantastic clean/dirty dishwasher magnet.

Here's how! 

This is what you need: a hot glue gun, scrabble letters spelling out clean & dirty (our game was missing pieces so I didn't feel too bad pulling out these letters), self sticking magnets and I got a wood base that I painted gray.

First step- position the words how you want them. Remember, they have to be facing opposite ways.

I marked where I wanted the word to end on the wood base for when I started gluing the letters.

Hot glue the letters

Make sure they line up with the line you drew

Continue until you have one word done. Turn over the wood base and start on the second word. I found it was easiest to work backwards.

After gluing letters, get off all the stringy hot glue.

Once dried, flip it over and peel of the sticker on the self-sticking magnet. I attached one on each corner.

 

It holds like a champ .

This is a pretty easy thing to make and it's so useful. I am not sure why I haven't made it before!

Happy crafting!

Spring Wreath

I give you the next installment for Craft Month, my spring wreath! 

Look at how cute this is!

 What you need:

• A wreath blank
• green fur yarn
• flower ribbon
• hot glue gun
• scissors (not shown)

To start, hot glue the end of the fur yarn to the Styrofoam wreath mold. Then start wrapping. This project take patience. A LOT of it. Every few inches put a drip of hot glue on the back and wrap the fur yarn over it. Careful not to burn your fingers on the hot glue. (I did...)

Keep wrapping and gluing. Every once in awhile run your hand over the fur that is already wrapped around to fluff up the fur. 

Keep repeating

And repeating....

Once you finish wrapping the wreath, cut out the individual flowers. I cut out around 12. Hot glue them to the front of the wreath, wherever you would like. Then tie on a ribbon to hang and:

Ta-DA!

This project does take time and patience. I really enjoyed it though and the final product is just so cute. Happy crafting!

D.I.Y. Fun Washi Pencils

Wow, how has the time slipped by? It's been awhile since I posted. The last few weeks have been what I called "Birthday weeks" so I have been busy, do a lot of nothing but eating cake. BUT, I am back! and this time with a super simple d.i.y. to make your office supplies stand out.

I should give you some background, I am a coordinator at work. This means, my office is sometimes seen as the hub of my team. This also means when they need any office supply, they come in to ask me to borrow it. Sometimes I see it back, sometimes not. So, once I started to noticed my pens disappearing, I bought those obnoxious colored duct tape flower pens. So far, they have stayed in my office. I am going to try something similar with pencils.

Okay, you ready for this super hard D.I.Y? What do you need:

•  A pair of scissors
• pencils
• Washi tape 

First things first, grab your tape and put the tape snug against the metal part.

Roll tape out, until it gets the end of the pencil and cut with scissors as close to the end of the pencil as possible.

Carefully push the strip of tape down, so it covers the pencil. My tape didn't fit all the way around, it only took up about half of the pencil diameter, so I need a second strip. Be careful while pushing down to get out any folds, bumps, etc.

Repeated on the second strip.

Make sure there aren't any bumps, folds or awkward line up for the two pieces of tape.

There you have it:

Fun new pencils that hopefully no one will steal :) enjoy!!!!

D.I.Y. Upcycle T-shirt Scarf in under 10 minutes

That's right, I said it. A t-shirt scarf in under 10 minutes. Even the crafting challenged can do this easy project. I made a few for my mom and aunts last Christmas, and they all really liked them. Ignore the bad photos to go along with this post though, we are still getting our house into livable shape AND photographing your own project is a skill I need to work on.

Materials: This is easy!

• good scissors
• a t-shirt. I would recommend the larger the better, this was an X-L I thrifted and washed. I also recommend one without a logo/printed on, that stiffness that usually comes with design/logos make ones of the steps really hard.

So now what do I do? 

Lay the shirt flat, cut the hem off at the bottom and set aside. This project is so easy, you don't even need straight cuts.

Start on the left side of the shirt and cut horizontal strips about 1 inch thick. Again, they do not have to be terribly even. Cut until you reach a pocket/design/or sleeves and discard top half.

It should look like this when you are done. 

Take each strip and pull on them gently. These will make them longer and roll them so make them fit better in your scarf. Make sure to do this to every strip, and pull until it is the length you want. 

Remember that hem from the beginning? Yeah, bring that back and cut it on one side to make one large strip. Bunch all the stretched strips together and at the back tie the hem around the bundle. Just make a simple tie, with a long enough ending that sticks out to end the scarf. Then start wrapping the hem around the bundle. I usually do about 5 wraps.

Then tie the lose end of the hem to the original knot end of the hem sticking up. Cut off excess and tuck strips under the wrap. 

 

 

This is the finish product folded in two. 

Here is it is on me, after a long day, hence the hair. 

Anyway, this project is really simple. The hardest part is the hem wrapping, which once you get it is a breeze. Enjoy making these bad boys for the upcoming cold weather (let's hope! 80 degrees in October is just wrong!)