Hand Made | House of Earnest

Category: Hand Made

January 28, 2013

Hand Made: Eucalyptus Bath Sachets

I got home from Alt Summit yesterday afternoon after spending 4 days schmoozing, socializing, meeting with sponsors, and speaking to the (huge) crowd. I promptly decided that I needed some serious relaxation before the week begins.

In the January issue of Martha Stewart’s Living, they had a quick little idea to put a eucalyptus sprig in tea paper for a quick bath sachet. I liked the idea, but didn’t love it. Firstly, who has tea paper? Not me. Secondly, why not perk up the ingredients a tad?

I decided that there was a much easier and all-over better way to go about this using coffee filters and a few additional ingredients – lemon and mint. There are a few other combinations that I think would be awesome as well.

11 Comments

January 16, 2013

Silhouette Stitched Pillow

in Favorite Projects, Hand Made with 19 Comments

If you’ve followed House of Earnest for a while, you’ll probably know that my love for my dog is probably rivaled by my love for pillows (don’t tell her that), but this project brings the best of both worlds. A simple stitch on an open weave pillow covering is easy to configure in any shape. I considered a quirky word, but I’m kind of over ‘word’ art in my house. I thought a nice big heart would be darling, or even a more abstract stitched pattern for the design included would be amazing.

I landed on the silhouette idea in an effort to mesh something classic with something current and glam (like the metallic finish on the pillow) for a bit of design contrast.

It was very easy, and anyone with a spare 30 minutes could do something similar. I stitched it up just last night while watching Downton Abbey. I felt a little like Martha Washington or someone – darning fireside – but it was over in a flash.

Continue reading for the step by step!

19 Comments

January 14, 2013

Hand Lettered Thanks

in Hand Made with 10 Comments

hand written thank you - 3

Yesterday, I spend some spare time to practice a little hand lettering with my new calligraphy pen. I bought some white ink and have been learning (slowly) how to make the strokes and letters. It’s way more difficult that I’d initially anticipated. Partly because I already write in elaborate script for my regular hand and thought the strokes would be the same, which totally isn’t the case, and partly because I’m so new to the ink distribution and how to control it.

There is still a ton for me to learn and a LOT of practice in my future, but it was fun to try my hand (pun intended) at something new with the bonus of having some hand written cards to send to the friends to traveled near and far this weekend for party my husband threw for my 30th birthday.

Doesn’t receiving something hand made from a friend make it ten times better?

My calligraphy (if you can call it that) needs to improve vastly, but I’m excited to have had the chance to practice and all get some things checked off my to-do list in the process!

Have a BEAUTIFUL Monday out there – and try something new!

10 Comments

January 3, 2013

Hand Made: Mounted Twig ‘Antlers’

in Favorite Projects, Hand Made with 8 Comments

I said it yesterday, and it’s still quite true today that I’m feeling as wintry and rustic as a ski lodge. These little twig antlers aren’t too season specific, however, as they do hang in my home all year.

It’s inevitable that when I post photos of my living room, I always get questions about the antlers. I made them quite a while ago, but still love the natural quality they contribute to my wall. You know that I love neutrals, and with a house slightly devoid of bright color, I need a little something else to pop out (literally).

Keep Reading for the full tutorial!

8 Comments

January 2, 2013

Etsy Four: Rustic Winter

in Hand Made, Home Decor with 0 Comments

I hope you all had an amazing holiday! We’re back in action to bring you the best in home decor and DIY over here at House of Earnest. Some amazing tips, tricks, DIYs, eye candy, and party style are all coming your way!

Today, I’ve picked four of the things I’m lusting over from Etsy, so if you’ve received any Christmas Cash, these sweet shops might just be the place to spend it.

First (and Second), one of my absolutely favorite shops is One Haus Press. Both the pretty hand pressed art above stating ‘When My Ship Comes In’ and the monogram card below are from IHP. There is always something classically unique in this shop and all in mostly neutral hues (which you know is my favorite).

Third is a shop I’ve featured before, but I still just love to oogle at. Sydney Hale Co has the most beautiful typography on their labels, but it’s the combination of scents – warm and earthy – that keep my lingering through the store.

Lastly, there is something about the foot of snow we have on the ground here in Ohio that has me itching decorate my house like a ski lodge. I’ll hold off for now, but I’m still loving the aged wood in these vintage childrens skis from Mojomerchantile.

Have a lovely Wednesday out there, friends!

p.s. If you’re just getting back into the real-life swing of things, there are a few things you might have missed around here! We’re doing a giveaway with Sierra Mist, gave thoughts on resolutions, and had a party DIY featured on Style Me Pretty’s new ‘at home’ blog!

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December 31, 2012

Easy, Quick New Years DIY

in Hand Made, Party Style with 1 Comment

If you’re looking for a little last minute pizzazz for tonight’s festivities, make your own confetti following my easy DIY posted over on Style Me Pretty! There is little excuse not to make some as all it takes is a hole punch (or just some scissors for square pieces) and some ribbon. You probably have both left over from Christmas, so let’s get going!

What’s more, Style Me Pretty has a whole new little adventure with the SMP Home which is going to be getting even more awesome soon – Check it out here!

Have a SPARKLY evening, all!

1 Comment

December 18, 2012

Simple, Seasonal: Snow Garland

in Hand Made, Seasonal with 3 Comments

I think I’m especially liking the idea of this right now for two reasons. Firstly, because my scheme this year is all about fresh, natural winter whites, and secondly, because we haven’t had any snow here in Ohio and I’m really missing it.

This project is really pretty simple, just some thread and some cotton balls stringed up in a row, but it’s the execution here that counts. Draping multiple strand together, or incorporating into greenery makes all the difference and turns a simple strand of household items into a snowy accent.

Grab a darning needle (those blunt plastic ones in the yarn section of the craft store) and do this activity with kids on Christmas day! They’ll be proud of what they’ve made and your house will be a winter wonderland.

3 Comments

December 13, 2012

Hand Made: Lacquered Pattern Trays

in Hand Made with 8 Comments

It’s been a while since I posted about these DIY lacquered trays while I was in India this past July. I got so many emails requesting a tutorial, I decided now is the best time because these make really cute handmade Christmas gifts.

The reason I stalled on posting this tutorial for so long was because the plain trays are pretty unique. Usually, I prefer to only post with materials that anyone can get a hold of, so I felt it was unfair to post a tutorial using trays from a more obscure source. Mine are from Muji, but you can use any plain wooden tray that you find which doesn’t have any other type of adornment on it already.

Anyway, on to the trays!

A few coats of decoupage followed by a few coats of clear spray glaze are what give these trays their shiny surface. I love the contrast of high shine with the texture provided by the linens used for pattern. Wrap them up to show them off because they deserve to been seen.

If you’d like the step by step, continue reading for the full tutorial! If you just like to gaze at pretty pictures, stay right here!

8 Comments

December 11, 2012

Simple, Seasonal: Salt Votives

in Hand Made, Seasonal, Simple with 18 Comments

As promised a couple of weeks ago when I told you guys I’d have some seriously simple, but wonderful decor ideas, here is one that may not even require a visit to the store. A little rock salt, some tealights, and assorted drinking glasses can make you look like a holiday rockstar in no time flat. Arrange the candles among small side tables in your house or down the center of a table grouped together for big impact.

It doesn’t get any simpler, but isn’t the outcome so pretty? If you’re interested in previous ‘Simple, Seasonal’ posts here was the first!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Tuesday!

P.S. the eleventh merry day of the 24 Merry Days is going on today over at Design Crush! Head over for a magical giveaway!

18 Comments

November 20, 2012

DIY faux ceramic wine collar

in Hand Made with 4 Comments

Wine gets a bad rep for being boring as a hostess gift. I, for one, will stand up for wine and say that I LOVE receiving it as a gift. For those of your friends or family who really love wine and a unique bottle would make their day, go ahead with the wine, I say!

But… Make it special. Put a little thought into the presentation with the handmade faux ceramic ‘cheers’ tag for the bottle. This one took about 5 minutes to make, then 30 minutes to bake (in an oven) so there is no excuse not to flourish the gift with a little trinket.