7 Awesome DIYs to Try

More lovely DIYs are amongst us (all these makers online amaze me). And these picks are not to be missed!  You'll notice this version has a hint of back-to-school theme to it (backpacks, dorm ideas, a homework station, etc.)  Check out the links below! Happy making!

1. DIY Pull Down Shade
Our friends at IKEA are inspiring us with this with a little illustration action using one of their TUPPLUR black out blinds.

2. Liberty Backpacks
We've all had one I'm sure at one time or another - the draw string backpack, perfect for a day at the beach.  The ladies at Purlbee have a cute version to share complete with Liberty fabrics and neon strings.  Click here for the how-to!

3.  DIY Rope Bowl
This project looks easy enough with the use of some rope and a sewing machine.  Make it more personal by addid little drops of paint.  Click here for the how-to.

4. DIY Hand Soap & Printable Labels
Make your own organic castile liquid soaps with vintage-inspired printable labels. From LiaGriffith.com

5. Kitchen Chalkboard Clipboard
Nvever forget a grocery item again - make a "rembmer to buy" chalkboard out of an old clipboard.  From Anderson and Grant.

6. Wood Crate Homework Station
With school on it's way back around again, this clever (and easy on the eyes) homework station does the trick. Visit lovegrowswild.com.

7. The Zip Stitch Chair
HomeMade Modern created this cool zip stitch chair made from thick plywood. All for under $20! Great for a dorm room? Click here for the instructions!

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9 Weekend Project DIYs

Happy summer weekend! What you up to? I'm wishing I had that hanging bed (above/below) already set up in our backyard patio that's what I'm up to.  If you're searching for a nice little project, I've collected some good ones this week.  See below for the links. Let me know if you try one! 

1. DIY Pallet Swing Bed
How dreamy would this be to relax on on a lazy dazy summer afternoon? Get the how here to from The Merrythought.

2. A Copper Tube/Cement Base Lamp
A relatively easy project that looks difficult (and rather modern). From Look What I Made.

3. DIY Shelves With Belt Straps
A nice version of the shelf belt strap DIY, this one with thinner belts and shelf. From At Home In Love.

4. Printable Take-Out Menu Organizer
Chelsea of Lovely Indeed has the tips and printables for this rather cute take-out menu organizer.  Get the downloads here.

5. Washi Tape Pencils and Notebooks
Get out your favorite washi tapes for this fun little project even the kids could do.  Visit Lia Griffith for the how to.

6. Paper Wreath Garland (Printable)
Make this adorable paper leaf garland for your next garden party with this printable and how-to from Hello Hydrangea.  Get the download and instructionss here.

7. DIY Sea Salt Soap
This is one of my faves (definitely hope to make) - sea salt soap.  (Love the mold).  From Hello Home Shoppe.

8. Elk Camp Solar Lanterns
A clever DIY project for taking camping.  A solar lantern from the folks at Camp Wander.  Get the how-to here.

9.  What is summer without a good jean cut-off DIY?  This one is really cute with it's lacey addition. Get the instructions at Pearmama.  Also while there, be sure to check out her Aztec cut-off version - another fun idea.

Have a great weekend!

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DIY Flower Bicycle Baskets | Two Ways

It's only mid summer and it seems all the flowers in our garden are on their last legs. Why does it seem to go so fast? Over the weekend in a "how can I make these flowers last moment" I came across a basket thinking how they could be arranged. Pretty soon I was decorating it and thought I want some on my bike. So just for something to do, a bicycle flower basket decorated two ways for a nice ride in the park.  First with roses:

Petals fell off fast

trim stems and weave into basket

Then with wildflowers...

Which do you prefer? Roses or the wild daisies?  How do you make your summer flowers last?  Happy Thursday!

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6 DIY Tables to Try

We've been long overdue for a dining room table and I've been starting to consider making our own since it seems hard to find something we really like and that will go with our chairs.  So I'm loving these wood table projects I've been seeing out there and have been collecting ideas as I see them.  Here's a few projects that I've been considering.

1.  (Above): Table with Hairpin Legs by Homemade Modern. 2x12s were purchased at Home Depot which were then put together with legs from hairpinlegsforless.com.  Get instructions here.

2.  Reclaimed Wood on IKEA legs. Vika Moliden legs are used for this project which uses reclaimed wood from a local lumber store.  Instructions at instructables.com

3. This clever table was created using cast iron pipes and fittings by the folks at Cartolina.  Get the downloadable plans and instructions here.

4. Five 2x8 boards and LERBERG trestle legs from IKEA were used for this DIY by Ez of Creature Comforts. Get the how-to here. 

5.  Another version using the LERBERG IKEA legs from Stylizimo.  Get the how to here.

6.  This table uses black iron pipes also (just a bit of a different version) - love the bench too! Get the instructions at HomeMade Modern here.

Have you made your own table? Maybe have a link to share?  I'd love to see alternatives.  Let me know in the comments!

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Best of DIYs | Easy Tiny Envelopes

Two years ago we ran across Ruth Bleakley's work and asked her if she'd do a DIY for us.  She sent over this easy (and adorable, we might add) envelope project that has become one our most favourite on the blog. It's a clever idea for making a template that could be translated using any size envelope. If you missed it, here it is:

Easy Tiny Envelopes
By Ruth Bleakley

I discovered this envelope making method completely by accident when pulling soggy rain-soaked mail out of my leaky mailbox - I had a total *eureka* moment when the envelope I gingerly opened up completely unfolded at the seams revealing an envelope "template" perfectly.

I've seen many envelope tutorials online, some offer downloadable templates, some show fancy paper folding techniques and some suggest specific measurements to create your own D.I.Y. envelopes. I'm going to show you how to replicate any interesting envelope that you might already have, no measuring involved!

1. Choose an envelope you already have that you like the size and shape of

2. Soak it in a bowl of water (lukewarm is probably best) for about one minute, or until the glue releases from the paper easily. It will not take as long as you think!

3. Pat the now unfolded envelope dry - it doesn't have to be completely dry, just not drippy - and trace it onto a thin piece of cardboard - chipboard works well, as would something like a cereal box. Try to be accurate at this stage and trace neatly.

4. Cut the template out with a pair of scissors, and you may want to label it so that in the future you (or whoever you live with) won't say "what is this strange piece of cardboard?" and toss it out!

5. Use your new wonderful template to trace out an envelope design on any and all types of paper! Think gift wrap, maps, magazines, old calenders, stamped cardstock - you name it! I like to trace using pencil on the side that will be the inside so the marks won't show.

6. Carefully cut out your envelope with scissors and fold it up - I like to do the sides first, then use the folded sides as a guide on where to fold the top and bottom. Use the handle of your scissors or a bone folder for really crisp edges.

7. Use a glue tape roller  to stick your envelope together, or glue stick but I find glue stick gets brittle after just a few months, go ahead and get a glue tape roller, they're like $5 and you can find them in the adhesive section of an office supply store or craft store.

8. *Bonus Points* if you've ever wanted to be able to lick and stick your envelope flaps, check out this Lick& Stick glue I originally bought from Paper Source (they don't seem to carry it anymore). If you can't find it, you can also D.I.Y. your own envelope glue (2x craft bonus points!)

9. Ta-da! Admire your finished work! Ideas for use include: penpal & swap envelopes, gift card envelopes & storing small things in your studio - if you happen to make some yourself, I'd LOVE to see them! Post a link in the comments.

Ruth Bleakley is a paper addict who probably became a bookbinder soley as an excuse to obtain more paper. She lives on Cape Cod and also designs nautical invitations and stationery (more paper!) under the name Concertina Press.

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Fun DIYs to Try for the Long Weekend

With the Canadian and American long weekends next week, here's a few fun summery DIYs and recipes to try if you're in the mood for making something!  From a cute mod podged Chinese paper lantern to printable labels for making jam, loving all of these summery ideas:

1.  Decorated Chinese Lamp | Made with Love by Agus
2.  Color Block Cocktail Popsicles | Confetti Pop
3.  Free Printable Labels | Fashion for Home
4.  Free Printable Labels | Fashion for Home
5.  Color Block Cocktail Popsicles | Confetti Pop
6.  Bubblegum Ice Cream Bars | Babble
7.  Lemonade Cake | BHG
8.  Washi Tape Pendant Lights | Living and More Magazine (Photo Alexandra Grablewski/Styling Paul Lowe)
9. Confetti Backdrop | Confetti Sunshine Blog

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Free Download: Botanical Prints

Speaking of botanical prints, this weekend I made us some wall art for our kitchen as we were all getting tired of staring at blank walls and longed for a little more coziness inside! I've been admiring vintage botanical prints for some time and found some really pretty ones that I thought might work - nice for the summer?  I fixed them up a bit in photoshop and created pdf's to print out (thinking to share with you also if you so wish)!  These are all 8.5" x 11" making it easy for any printer.  I just taped mine up temporarily with gold striped washi tape till I can pick up some frames (probably white - like the RIBBA's from IKEA that I photoshopped the images into below). I'm thinking of also trying to make some poster sized ones with some of these as well - hope to share those with you soon too!  (Wouldn't these also make really pretty wrapping papers)?  Links to downloads below.

Download:

Fig. 1 | Fig. 2 | Fig. 3 | Fig. 4 | Fig. 5 | Fig. 6.

Images courtesy of Biodiversity Heritage Library.

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DIY + Book Giveaway: Monogram Card from Put Your Stamp On It

The folks at Chronicle Books have sent over a lovely DIY - perfect for a last minute Mother's Day Card Idea an excerpt Meagan Lewis' book, Put Your Stamp On It!  As Lewis explains in the little video clip (below), people may not realize how easy it is to make your own stamp.  So with that said, she's offering us her instructions to hand-carve an adorable monogram stamp and then alos how to emboss it while you're at it!  And then afterwards, enter (by leaving a comment here) to win a copy of the book!  Good luck!

Embossed Monogram Stationery Set

Personalized stationery makes a thoughtful and useful gift. Use a monogram from the template provided or create your own. This project requires embossing—a fun and relatively easy way to give cards or envelopes an elegant and polished look. Similar in effect to thermographic printing and engraving, embossing is accessible and inexpensive, and requires relatively few materials. The embossing powder is heated and transforms the stamped design into a raised and shiny print.

Materials
• Basic carving materials (artist carving rubber, linoleum cutting tool, scissors, craft knife, cutting mat, metal ruler, graphite pencil (6B), bone folder, paper)
• Double-stick tape
• Clear embossing (a.k.a. “watermark”) ink pad or pigment ink pad
• Cards and envelopes, a solid color other than white
• Scrap paper
• Embossing powder, white
• Fine-point tweezers
• Embossing heat gun
• Monogram Template - click here to download

Step 1
Choose the size and number of letters for your monogram. For a monogram 11⁄3 in/35 mm tall, set your copier to enlarge the template by approximately 150 percent. For a two- or three-letter monogram, make an enlarged copy of the template and cut out the letters. With double-stick tape, mount the cut-out letters onto a new piece of paper. Make sure the letters are straight and spaced evenly apart. Create a new copy so that you have a single sheet from which to trace and transfer the design to the rubber.

Step 2
Apply ink to your stamp with the clear embossing ink pad and print onto the card. Because timing is critical when embossing, stamp only one card at a time, and complete the following steps before repeating the process.

Step 3
Place a piece of scrap paper underneath the stamped card, then pour the embossing powder onto the wet print. Cover the print completely and generously. You can shake it ever so lightly to ensure the powder sticks to the print.

Step 4
Gently tap the card over the scrap paper to get the excess powder off. You will see that the powder has stuck to your printed monogram. Any remaining powder can be carefully wiped away with your finger (or, for pieces stuck in isolated areas, removed with fine-point tweezers). Any powder on the card will melt and stick to your card, so you want to make sure you get all the unwanted powder off! Excess powder can be poured back into the jar of embossing powder.

Step 5
Hold the embossing heat gun at an angle to the card, away from you and the hand that is holding the card in place. Turn the heat gun on and move the nozzle around to distribute the heat around the print. You want to have the heat gun about a finger’s length from the print. The powder will take 20 to 30 seconds to melt and seal. Once you see one area of powder melt, move the heat gun to any other areas that have not yet melted. Turn off the heat gun and leave to cool once the entire print has melted. Your print is now permanently sealed to the card. Set the card aside and allow it to dry. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each card.

Extra hints: embossing colors
In this project we used a white embossing powder. It turns opaque when embossed so the color of ink underneath will not show through. If you would like the ink color to show, you can purchase clear embossing powder and print with a colored pigment ink pad. When embossed, the clear powder will melt and the color of the ink will show through and appear shiny and raised.

Please enter to win a copy of Put Your Stamp On It, by Meagan Lewis by commenting below.  We will announce a winner Tuesday, May 14th!  Deadline to enter - 6pm Monday, May 13/13. Good Luck!

Put Your Stamp On It
20 Adorable Projects Plus Instructions for Hand-Carving Beautiful Stamps
By Meagan Lewis
ISBN 9781452115719

Update:  We have a winner! Congrats to Julia Marchionna! Please contact us for details!  Jan

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DIY - Hand Dyed Shibori Pillows

Hi there! It's Mariah from Everything Golden, here to share another DIY pillow project. Last month I shared how to make landscape pillows printed via Spoonflower. To compliment the landscapes, I've hand dyed some fabric using a relief dye method called Shibori. Here's how you do it...

What you'll need: 1. Any natural fabric such as cotton, silk, hemp, linen or wool. 2. Fiber Reactive Procion Dye 3. Salt 4. Soda ash 5. Triangle blocks 6. Nails 7. Small rope

I recommend you start by dying swatches to help you choose your final color and technique. It also helps to take notes so you can replicate your favorite outcomes in the future.

How to prepare your dye bath:

Combine 2 tsp dye, 4tbs salt, 2 tsp soda ash and add a very small amount of warm water and stir until you have a paste. Then add about 1 cup warm water. Use rubber gloves and only use old kitchen utensils designated solely for dying.

Instructions for Triangular Folding:

1. Wash your fabric
2. Fold the length of fabric into four and press with an iron. Fold back the corner 45 degrees. Spray the fabric and iron again. Continue folding back and forth concertina-wise until you have a neat triangular pile of fabric.
3. Cut two triangles out of wood, about 4" on each side(this could be bigger or smaller depending on how large you want your pattern to be.) Then, hammer a nail on each side.
4. Clamp down your folded fabric by tightly tying rope around the nails.

5. Dip each side of the triangle into the dye, the deeper you dip the smaller the triangle pattern will be.
6. Undo the clamp, rinse and hang to dry.

Instructions for Spiderweb Binding:
1. Wash your fabric
2. Pinch areas of the fabric and tie with your rope
3. Submerge your fabric in the dye and let sit for a few minutes
4. Remove rope, rinse and hang to dry

That's it! Now you can express your truly individual style in your home!

Visit Mariah Golden Palmer at her blog, Everything Golden.

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