Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

lonny-inspired ikea hack

 Lonny
 People have gotten SO creative with the $30 Rast dresser from IKEA.  If you'd like to take on a Rast hack, how about these bedside tables from this month's Lonny? These are custom, probably one-of-a-kind, and I'm sure they came with a price tag to match. But with a little painter's tape and paint, you could make something pretty similar.


The instructions for the pattern on these cabinets from Emily at name 5 things (also an IKEA hack) would probably be really helpful in laying out the geometric design.

If geometric isn't your thing but you're in the mood to hack the Rast, Jenny at Little Green Notebook posted about two of the best ideas I've seen:

via LGN  
L | R

The faux Draper is to die for
I love IKEA hacks!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Crafty Fail


Photo courtesy of my iPhone

I have loved these gold chevron canvases for a long time, so I finally decided to make them for my master bedroom this weekend. It was a lot more time-consuming than I thought it would be... with no payoff because the paint seeped under my (high-quality) painter's tape! Bummer! I was super, super careful, but the tape just wouldn't adhere to my canvas.

I'm not giving up! My next idea is to try freezer paper. Ever used a stencil on canvas? Think that will work? 


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My Patterned Silhouettes


I was so inspired by the fun silhouettes I posted about yesterday, I literally went down to the craft store immediately to get supplies to make my own. I love how they turned out! Here is how you can make your own, with just a little time and less than $10!


Instructions:


1. Here's what I used:
  • 2 11x14 canvases
  • 4 sheets of patterned paper (2 of each pattern)
  • Paper slicer
  • Gold acrylic paint
  • Glue stick
  • Foam paintbrush
  • 2 sheets of white cardstock
  • Printer
  • Paint software (I used Adobe Photoshop)
  • Scissors
  • Pop dots

2. After gathering my supplies, my first step was to paint the sides of the canvases gold. I wanted a little gold border around the edges, so I also painted a border around the top. Two coats.



3. I cut the paper to 10.5x13.5 to have a little 1/4" gold border around the edges. I needed 2 pieces of each to match up the patterns on the edges. I put the seams in different places so they would be less obvious--you can't see them unless you know they're there. I tried using archival liquid glue, but it peeled right up. A glue stick did the trick. I also turned the canvases over and put a heavy book on the back while the glue dried so the paper wouldn't curl.


4. I made the silhouettes on Photoshop using this tutorial, but there are a million other ways to do it. This is the most labor-intensive part of the process, but if you are familiar with Photoshop, the tutorial is great.



5. I printed the silhouettes out in reverse (so the ink would be on the back), then cut them just using regular scissors.

6. After cutting the silhouettes, I put a bunch of pop dots on the back, especially around the edges. Pop dots are raised foam adhesive squares, they're pretty easy to find at the craft store.



Stick the silhouettes to the canvases, and voila! Beautiful silhouettes.

Let me know if you try this project!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Upholstered Wall


 BHG

How great is this DIY upholstered wall? That is some seriously awesome tufting. I love the lounge look of the low seating and the recessed lighting. What a cool space!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

10: Cinnamon Wreath


 my home ideas via apartment therapy

I can only imagine how great this wreath must smell! 

Yum, yum.

Easy instructions here.


Monday, December 6, 2010

8: DIY Tree Skirts


This tree skirt is my favorite (goes with the stockings I love). It would be pretty complicated to make yourself... layering a bunch of coffee filters might give a similar effect, but would probably be too fragile for laying on the ground. 

How about something a little simpler to DIY?


Poinsettia Tree Skirt | Garnett Hill 

It would be pretty easy to DIY this one, almost no-sew. Though cutting and positioning all the little felt leaves would take some time.


Burlap Tree Skirt | Ballard Design

A few yards of natural (or colored) burlap, rounded with a few inches of fraying at the end... almost no-sew, except a seam down the middle.


 Real Simple

This one is so simple, it's barely do-it-yourself... more like done-for-you. There is no sewing or even cutting involved-- just lay scarves around the base of the tree and secure with safety pins. I think I'd use scarves in the same color family. Can't get easier than that!


Thursday, December 2, 2010

5: Cinnamon Ornaments

 Martha Stewart

Cinnamon ornaments are far and away my favorite kind of ornaments because they smell so great. When I was younger, the little Christmas tree in my room was covered in them. When my husband and I were dating and living in different states, I mailed him a little tree and cinnamon ornaments hand-stamped with the logo of our alma mater. We still have a few on our tree now.




They smell fantastic, but the brown cinnamon color can be a little boring. I was so happy to find this tutorial from Martha Stewart on decorating cinnamon ornaments with glitter. I had never even thought to cover or paint them, and I really I love the bird theme.


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

4: Handmade Garland

Last year, I lived in an apartment that wasn't big enough for a tree, but did have a staircase. I bought a bunch of pre-lit garland and decorated it with all my tree ornaments. This year, I wanted something a little more fun and unique.



I strung small black ornaments on some twiny stuff I found in the jewelry section of Michael's, spaced about every 4 inches with knots on either side.




Garland doesn't have to be green or hung on a stair rail. Here are some other cute ideas for DIY garland:




Wee Wonderfuls via Ohdeeoh





Monday, March 29, 2010

diy upholstered headboard



casasugar posted a tutorial for exactly the headboard i want to make for my bedroom. now i don't have to hash the steps out for myself! gorgeous.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

burlap table runners




i would have used these for my wedding, had i discovered them sooner!

 
coompax-digital magazine