diy

Door Mat Revamp

Oct 11

Maybe this is something that comes with age, but I find it harder and harder to throw things out. This directly conflicts with my need for everything to look nice. I bought this door mat a few years ago at Target and it has gotten its fair share of use, and it looks terrible. Not because it worn out, but because it’s the only thing on my little stoop. I don’t have plants or any cute decorations, just my hideous worn out mat. So rather than throw it out, like I so badly want to do, I repainted it.

I had so many clever ideas, but when it came down to it, I just wanted it done. So, I improved with some acrylic paint and just mimicked what the previous design was. Good enough, for me. Cheap and quick. Boom.

Wedding DIY: Table Numbers

Sep 18

My friends Mindy and Chris got married this past weekend and I couldn’t be happier for them! Mindy looked so beautiful and Chris looked handsome as ever! The wedding was set deep in the Redwoods and 99% of the decor was DIYed or thrifted. I had the pleasure of contributing the table numbers, so I thought I’d provide a tutorial on how I made them. I loved how they turned out! I really only made the metal numbers and helped assemble, Mindy tracked down the scrabble tiles and made the fabric flowers, it was a real group effort!

What you’ll need to make metal numbers:

Pre-sanded metal

Light Paint ( I used white)

Dark Paint ( I used brown)

Steel Wool

Vinyl Stick On Letters and Numbers

Step One: Give the pre-sanded metal two coats of light colored paint and let dry.

Step Two: Rub on vinyl sticker.

Step Three: Using your dark color paint over the sticker and metal piece. Apply two coats, then let dry.

Step Four: Peel off sticker.

Step Five: Use steel wool to lightly distress. Keep strokes in one direction and weather edges a bit more than the rest.

Now for the easy part!

When you are done with the metal numbers, assemble your centerpiece. For each table you will need a reclaimed plank of wood, a fabric flower or embellishment of your choosing, the metal numbers you just completed and scrabble tiles that spell out your number. Arrange and secure with a hot glue gun. So simple!

DIY: Chalkboard Frames

Jun 08

I have a lot of frames laying around. I have novelty frames from High School, special occasion frames from trips or birthdays. I have a lot. I also have a lot of frames I’ve painted black. Again, I have a lot of frames, especially one I don’t use.

While I like the end result of this project, I would recommend wearing gloves. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty, but chalkboard spray paint dries on your hands really gunky and it isn’t a pleasant feeling. That being said, this one is easy, but it takes a few hours.

All you need is some frames, you don’t intend on using, some chalkboard spray paint and chalk.

Step One: Prep your frames by sanding them down. This is especially important if they are glossy.

Step Two: Spray your frames with an even coat of chalkboard paint. Twice (for good measure). Let it dry. I let it sit for quite a while, just to be sure.

Step Three: Rub your chalk sideways, covering the whole surface, then rub off with either your fingers or a towel (or chalkboard eraser, if you have one on hand).

Step Four: Draw whatever you’d like on the frame with chalk.

Upcycled: Woven Hamper

Jun 05

I have had my eye on this basket from West Elm for months and couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger if I had a perfectly fine hamper at home. Mind you, I don’t know where this hamper came from, was it a hand me down from a family friend? Left over from an old roommate? I have no idea. Not too long ago, the adorable Miss Rachel Denbow posted a really cute hamper upcycle on A Beautiful Mess. So, I decided I could do one too! It was super simple and made a huge impact.

I white washed mine by diluting white paint with some water and gave it two coats. Then I used 1 inch tape and created the pattern above. I diluted some yellow paint and painted over the tape, then removed it. Easy as that! :)

DIY: Easy Jute Clutch

May 30

I thought this jute envelope clutch would be a nice summer accessory! Not to mention it was ridiculously easy to make! It took a few episodes of True Blood (I hand sewed it) and two dollars.

What you’ll need:

Half yard of jute

Half yard of fabric to line (I used an old t-shirt)

Scissors

Needle and thread

Paint and a paintbrush

Step One: Figure out what size you want your clutch to be. I used a piece of paper to measure. Triple the length of the clutch cut accordingly. You should now have one long piece of jute and a matching lining piece.

Step Two: Pin your edges together leaving the top free. Sew the edges of the jute and lining together and turn inside out.

Step 3: Fold your fabric to form your clutch (use your piece of paper if you need to). Leave some room at the top to fold over. Sew the edges to create a nice pouch.

Step 4: Cut your top section into a triangle (or whatever shave you’d like).

Step 5: Sew the edges together and your clutch is complete.

Step 6: If you are so inclined, decorate as you please. I used tape to create a chevron pattern and painted over it with white.

Step 7: Pull the tape off and you have yourself a super simple envelope clutch.