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Category: Hand Made

July 3, 2012

Have & Make: Stars and Stripes

in Hand Made, have, make, Party Style with 3 Comments

If you’re still in need of a little decor for your 4th of July cookout, here is a cute and easy bunting that uses striped paper straws. Don’t have these exact straws? Don’t worry about it! Make them out of traditional solid color plastic ones in a red, white, and blue color scheme for another take on this easy project.

Just string some twine through five straws, tie your two ends together, then reconfigure into a star shape and glue into place. It’s that easy! Tying the stars onto a separate piece of twine threaded with multiple straws ensures they’re evenly spaced.

I had a whole box of these straws, and even after two events, still had a fair amount left over. I knew there was something different from using them for drinks that could be done with these straws. I’ll probably hang mine layered up with my festive fringey string lights for tomorrow’s holiday!

Give it a try (and fold it up to keep for Christmas!)

Have a FESTIVE Tuesday!

3 Comments

June 27, 2012

Hand Made: Fringy Festive String Lights

in Hand Made with 13 Comments

I love this little project for such a wonderful, seasonal time of year when being outdoors is almost mandatory.

These fringy, festive lights are so fun, and I just love the way the little pinata-esque fringes resemble fireworks. They’re a good summer project, and I with a week until your fourth of July fete, you have plenty of time to make them.

String them up on your patio umbrella, outdoor buffet, porch, or just about anywhere. I’ll tell you that the other evening I accidentally left them on, and when I arrived home from dinner after dark, I was so happy to see them glowing with fringe fluttering around.

Click through for complete instructions!

13 Comments

June 18, 2012

A Beautiful Specimen

in Hand Made, Home Decor with 11 Comments

I’ve always loved the look of specimen type art within a curated collection, but a part of me thought it was also a little creepy to have framed dead things on my wall. Even if you’re not creeped out, artwork made with once-live butterflies can run you a few hundred dollars.

I compromised with myself the other day after seeing some faux butterflies in my local craft store and decided to make my own butterfly ‘specimen’ art.

With a gluegun and a steady hand, this pretty and nature inspired art can be customized in so many ways. Keep reading for more details on the making of this piece.

and don’t forget – the West Elm GIVE-A-WAY ends tonight at midnight!

11 Comments

June 5, 2012

Trade & Made: Marbled Paper Partygoods

in Hand Made, Party Style with 26 Comments

It’s here already! We’ve reached the ‘reveal’ of the DIY mystery trade project between Laura, of A Girl Who Makes, and I. We sent each other a package filled with craft supplies and challenged each other to make a DIY using at least four of the items included in the package. I am excited to report that my idea worked out just as I had hoped.

When I saw the amazing color combinations of acrylic paints that Laura had included in her package, I just knew I had to use them. After a quick little bit of research I did on marbling paper, I found that the ‘adhesive’ used in the project was made from ingredients I had on hand, and everything else was included in Laura’s package. I knew the paint colors I had would look fabulous marbled together for some fun and punchy summer party goods.

Now, here is the disclaimer that you must know… this was surprisingly easy. Like, I was so surprised and wow-ed about how good they turned out with minimal work. It was pretty much fool-proof. Keep reading for the complete tutorial.

26 Comments

May 30, 2012

Have & Make: Terracotta Cloche

in Hand Made, have, make, Party Style with 22 Comments

On weeknight summer evenings, after a long day of work, sometimes my husband and I just sit outside with a glass of wine and some snacks instead of a full dinner.

I love dining al fresco, but hate spending the whole time shoo-ing away bugs from my food instead being in the moment.

I thought of using a washed terracotta pot as a cloche, not just because it’s functional, but also because it’s pretty. A simple piece of rope knotted through the bottom hole acts as a handle. And guess what? Terracotta will retain the head of a hot dish, or keep a cool dip from warming up and drying out. Double awesome.

This is really a project anyone can do, just be sure to wash your old pot really well and have fun with it! (bonus points for cool colored rope or a painted pot!)

Have a SPLENDID Wednesday!

22 Comments

May 29, 2012

Trade & Made: Inside the Box

in Hand Made with 14 Comments

Last week, Laura and I shared the fun project that we’re doing with each other, for your double DIY benefit! The long and the short of it is that we sent each other a mystery box filled with various fun supplies. We’re making a DIY out of at least four of the items. This week, we’re each showing the items that we got in our boxes, and next week we’ll share a DIY that we conjured up with the supplies.

I received a plethora of amazing crafty goodness, don’t you agree?

As you look through the supplies, what jumps out at you? Anything off the top of your head that you’d make?

I already have a pretty good idea of what I’ll make, I’ll just have to do a few trial runs this week to be sure that it actually works before trying to convince you guys to do it too!

Have a FUN Tuesday!

p.s. what did you do for the holiday weekend? Anything exciting?

14 Comments

May 22, 2012

Across the Country: Trade & Made

in Hand Made with 16 Comments

I’m so excited today to introduce you guys to a project that has been a little while in the making! Laura Parke from A Girl Who Makes and I are teaming up for a fun cross-country mail swap. We’re sending each other a parcel with secret assorted supplies out of which we both must come up with a DIY to share with our readers. It’s not a competition, but a fun way to stay on our creative toes and you guys get to benefit from two DIYs that might inspire your own at home projects! So here goes! The rules are simple:

Sound fun? We’re definitely excited about it! A week from today, we’ll be back to share the contents of our boxes then a week after that (two weeks from today) we’ll share what we made with the mystery items and a little step by step so that you can do the same.

I cannot wait to show you what we come up with. If you’re not already familiar with Laura, her site, A Girl Who Makes, has so many really fresh and innovative DIY ideas, but she is also a pretty amazing stylist and event designer. In the meantime while we’re thinking up direction for the Trade & Made DIY swap – go check her out!

16 Comments

May 10, 2012

Have & Make: Glitter and Glow

in Hand Made, have, make, Home Decor with 25 Comments

Who doesn’t love a little glitter in their lives? Add in the glow of a candle, and you’re all set.

This glitter candle was probably the easiest Have & Make yet. Spray the inside of a small vase or candle holder with spray adhesive, sprinkle and shake around with glitter until the surface area of the vase is completely covered. I would recommend using the larger flakes of glitter as opposed to the very fine powdery variety – you get more impact of the shimmering flakes through the glass than you would with the latter.

Style the candle simply (a little glitter goes a long way) with books, and a natural element like flowers or a plant. Look at you glow!

I felt glitter was a fitting topic for today because I’m headed off again to a bachelorette party for my future sister-in-law in Las Vegas, where everything glitters (but everything that glitters isn’t gold, if you know what I mean).

Have a SHIMMERY and SHINY Thursday. (I know I will!)

25 Comments

May 2, 2012

Have & Make: Fabric Coated Clean

in Hand Made with 8 Comments

When it comes to spring cleaning (anyone still have that on their to-do list?), wooden corn brush brooms are my favorite. Partly because they work the best, and partly because the design is classic. I covered my handle, however in a pretty floral fabric to give this old staple a little more pep.

I love using decoupage with fabric because although it absorbs the glue, it dries clear and you can still see the pattern of the weave. For this project, use any thinner patterned fabric (I used an old sheet from the thrift store) and cut a strip wide enough to cover the handle. Spray the entire length of the handle with spray adhesive, then wrap the fabric tightly around the wood. Make sure to work from one end and overlap the fabric in the same direction the entire way down.

Once the fabric is secured, go to town with your decoupage. I mean, really… go to town. Use a ton. Really saturate the fabric with it and brush until you have a smooth surface. Let the broom dry for about 24 hours, then spray with a high gloss clear coat spray paint for a hard-to-the-touch finish. If you don’t think the clear coat is thick enough, just repeat the decoupage step (allowing for it to dry completely in between coats) before spraying with the clear coat.

There… Sweet Sweeping!

Have a PRETTY Wednesday!

8 Comments

April 24, 2012

Mint Infused Bourbon with Free Printables

in Hand Made with 16 Comments

When spring rolls around, I start thinking a lot about weddings, and this year is especially prone to these thoughts because we have several good friends tying the knot.

I’ve noticed, however, that there are a severe lack of manly favors and goodies out there. So whether you’re bachelor party bound, or just getting in the Derby spirit, here is a fun little flavor infused bourbon for your spring.

With bottles supplied by Specialty Bottle (at just two bucks a piece), I bottled my own Mint infused bourbon, and for kicks threw in some homemade simple syrup. Together they make a great Mint Julip with minimal headache – everything is already included, so all the recipient had to do is pour over crushed ice.

First, bruise and crush about seven sprigs of mint into a vessel which can tightly close. Completely submerge the mint with a liter of bourbon. Let the mixture sit for a week to two weeks allowing the flavors to incorporate. Pour the flavored concoction into your vessel and cap! If you also want to make the simple syrup, it’s just one part water to one part sugar. Heat in a small saucepan on medium heat until the sugar is full melted. Let the syrup cool before bottling. How easy was that?

You can download the Mint Bourbon and Simple Syrup Printable for your own private use. They fit perfectly for the size of the Boston Glass 8.5 oz bottle from Specialty Bottle that I mentioned above.

Do you think you’ll try this out? The only special skill you need is a bit of patience, which I understand it’s kind of a lot to ask with minty flavor bourbon taunting you.

Have an INCREDIBLE Tuesday!

16 Comments