DIY Archives | Page 20 of 21

Getting my DIY On

January 10, 2013

Remember when I told you last Friday that I’d be sharing my first DIY projects of the year with you AND do you recall that saying that ‘things always take longer than expected’? Well, my projects fell victim to the time it takes for paint to dry in a super cold garage. But alas, the paint is dry and it’s time to share my first project with you.

Last year (in early spring) I purchased this metal cart for $8.00 at a one of my favorite flea markets.

My plans were to paint it and turn it into a chic little bar cart. Things started out great and I got the cart primed and ready for painting in late May and then life, work and daily obligations got in the way. The bar cart sat for months (7 to be exact) until just a few days ago when I decided it was time!

So here is my finished bar cart, all dressed up and ready to party!

I decided to paint the cart gold using two different gold finished. The base is Krylon Metallic Gold Spray Paint,

and to add a little style to the top of the cart I added a striped pattern using Rustoleum Brilliant Gold Metallic spray paint in a shiner gold finish.

ScotchBlue Painters Tape with Edge Lock allowed me to achieve crisp clean edges for my stripes and made the job easy! I love the how my bar cart turned out!

I still want to add glass handles on each side of the cart to make it easier to move around but haven’t found the right ones yet. Until I do, I’m going to celebrate my first DIY Project of 2013 with a cocktail! Who wants to join me?

I’ll be back tomorrow with the second project I completed. I think you’re going to love it!

Painted Walls Made Easy

January 5, 2013

I hope you are having a good weekend.!

I just had to take a break from organizing and wanted to share a truly FABULOUS product I came across recently. I am so smitten with this product and had to have one of my own.

This patterned paint roller allows you to add pattern to any wall in your home when wallpaper or stenciling is not an option or not something you want to do! And if painting your walls in a cool pattern isn’t enough fun, the roller can also be used on fabric and paper, allowing you to create your own custom gift wrap and textiles! Just the thought of all the possibilities has my head swimming.

The rollers are available from The Painted House via Etsy and are very well priced in my opinion!

Here are some of the other pattern choices…

Woo hoo! I see a lot of painting in my future!

Gift Wrap Inspiration: From the Most Gifted Wrappers

December 17, 2012

Happy Monday and Happy Holidays!

There are only 9 more days until Christmas and I hope you’ve got all (or at least most) of your shopping done! Now it’s time to wrap all those gift treasures and what better inspiration do you need then wrapping tips from the finalist in the 2012 Scotch Most Gifted Wrapper Contest.

Taking part in the contest was a highlight of my year and I learned lots of new wrapping tips from my fellow contestants. So, to share the love I asked all the contestants to share a few of their favorite and most creative gift wrapping tips with all my readers. You’ll definitely want to take notes and PIN these images because you are getting the 411 from some of the nations best gift wrappers! Just call it my Christmas Gift to you.

Enjoy and be utterly inspired!

image courtesy of Ellinee

Our first most Gifted Wrapper is Lia! Lia is the Creative Director of Elli Design Studio and was the winner of the Most Gift Wrapper Contest. Beautiful is the only way to describe the gifts wrapped by Lia!

Lia’s gift wrapping tips…

Use tissue paper and paper scraps to create beautiful embellishments for your gifts like paper flowers, paper bows and snowflake toppers.
When a plain store-bought gift bag won’t do your gift justice, make your own using fancy wrapping paper and ribbon.

To see more of Lia’s gift wrapping ideas and view the tutorials for making paper flowers and gift bags, check out the Ellinee Blog. You’ll also find beautiful cards and stationery products in the Ellinee Shop!

image courtesy of Jolie Colis

Next up is Carol! Carol is the owner and designer of Jolie Colis, The Perfect Parcel, an online custom gift wrapping shop. Carol can work some magic with paper and ribbon and creates some of the most stylish gifts I’ve seen.

Carol’s gift wrapping tips…

Create re-usable keepsake boxes by wrapping two-piece boxes separately, to avoid having to tear paper. It’s a pretty and green way to wrap a gift.
Personalize gift boxes with photos instead of name tags. Not only is this incredibly cute and sentimental, it’s great for smaller kids who aren’t reading yet. They’ll see their face on the gift and know it’s for them.

The Jolie Colis website is filled with beautiful wrapping images and be sure to follow the Jolie Colis Blog for even more ideas and inspiration.

You can also buy Carol’s custom wrapped boxes via her Etsy Shop.

images courtesy of Shasta Blasta

Now let me introduce Shasta! Shasta loves gift wrapping so much that she created a blog on the very subject. Shasta loves to wrap with unique papers and color combinations which give here gifts even more style.

Shasta’s gift wrapping tips…

Look at alternatives to traditional ribbon to wrap your gifts in. One favorite idea is to create paper ribbons by wrapping gifts in contrasting paper bands.
When you want a bold topper for your gift, create a paper fan topper that will add lots of pizazz!

Shasta’s blog, Shastablasta Wraps Presents Well is where you’ll find more gift wrapping tips, craft projects and lots of amusement.

Shasta also has an Etsy shop where she sells letterpress cards and craft items.

photos courtesy of Stationery Station

Our next Most Gifted Wrapper is Sheryl. Sheryl is the owner of a great stationery and paper store in Chicago called Stationery Station. Sheryl has been wrapping for years and love

Sheryl’s gift wrapping tips…

Layers, Layers, Layers are the way to create beautifully wrapped gifts. Create belly bands by layering several scraps pieces of paper together and wrapping them around a package.
Use unusual and unexpected items like dried flowers, ornaments and craft beads to embellish your gifts.

If you live in Chicago, make sure to stop in and visit the Stationery Station or check out the Stationery Station website for more inspiration!

images courtesy of Michelle Beshaw

Next up is Michelle. Michelle is a uber talented Theatre Artist and Puppeteer from Brooklyn. Having worked at one of my favorite stores, Kate’s Paperie for years, Michelle knows the ins and outs of creating beautiful gift wrapping. Her forte’ is elegant embellishments.

Michelle’s gift wrapping tips…

Use glitter as a way to embellish plain paper and gift wrap accents. The white swirls on the gift above were created with chunky white glitter!
Another way to add interest to your gift wrap paper is by sewing papers together to create layers ( see package with red velvet ribbon).

You can follow Michelle at here blog, Michelle Beshaw Blog or find more of her inspiration on her website, Michelle Beshaw!

Two of the other contestants were not able to take part in this blog post as they are SUPER busy wrapping gifts and running businesses this time of year.

Michelle at Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, KY. Michelle is co-owner of this incredible toy store and can wrap any size and shape of toy that comes her way!
Brenda is keeping busy managing a Papyrus store in California. If you’re looking for beautiful wrapping paper, Papyrus is definitely a store you want to check out. I just purchased a few sheets of beautiful paper there last week.

And, of course I couldn’t end without giving you a few gift wrapping tips of my own. If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I love to take everyday items and use them as part of my gift wrapping. The unexpected is what gives my gifts their style!

I picked up a pack of pretty holiday paper plates and immediately thought they’d look great as a gift topper. I punched a hole top and bottom, inserted ribbon and wrapped my box. If you’re someone who decorates with a theme, you could also use the plates as part of your holiday dining table décor or even as ornaments on the tree.

Looking for a fun gift tag or package topper idea, how about paper wine bottle tags? I picked these up at HomeGoods for $1.99 for a pk. of 10. Wine tags already have a To: and From: area so they are an ideal option as a creative gift tag!

Whew, that’s a lot great ideas to absorb! Now it’s time to get wrapping so get going!

I’ll be guest posting tomorrow over at Rhonda E. Peterson’s blog Stylish Places Designed for Living so be sure to check out the fun holiday decorating ideas I’ll be sharing!

Confetti Crafts

November 26, 2012

Happy Monday!

Isn’t it so much fun now that the Christmas season is in full swing! This time of year has my brain over flowing with all kinds of holiday decorating ideas and crafts.

One of the projects on my to-do list is to come up with a DIY Christmas card idea using Confetti! I thought it only appropriate that my holiday cards this year have something to do with CONFETTI given that the name of my businesses and blog start with the word Confetti. In my search for inspiration around the web, I stumbled upon some really great confetti crafts! I know you’re going to love these ideas not only because they are easy and fun, but anything having to do with Confetti is sure to put a smile on your face!

What a great way to add a little pizzaz to clear balloons! I’m so doing this they next time the occasion calls for helium!

Super cute and so colorful!

I saw glasses similar to these in Anthro but think they are fab as a DIY project.

A great use for all those punched pieces at the bottom of my hole punch!

I love this idea. Just cover an inexpensive composition notebook with plain paper, add confetti dots and you’re got yourself a cute little notebook!

Plain white envelopes tricked out with some fun confetti dots. (the end of a pencil eraser is the perfect tool for this)!

Another fun party idea! If you plan your dots just right you might be able to use the tablecloth for a game of Twister too!

Confetti Garland would be a fun way to decorate a Christmas tree!

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And this card idea for Valentines!

I’ve been inspired by all these ideas so stay tuned as I’ll be sure to show you the end results of my Christmas Card project!

Anyone else out there making their Christmas cards this year?

I’ve made Gift Wrapping Easy for You

November 24, 2012

Because I love gift wrapping so much, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite gift wrapping supplies and created a cute little GIFT WRAP KIT available for purchase through my Etsy Shop.

Each kit has over 45 pieces of gift wrap embellishments:

* 5 ribbon bundles–assorted styles and widths
–two-tone narrow ribbon=1.5 yds
–narrow green velvet ribbon=2 yds
–red diamond satin ribbon=2 yrds
–red and white chevron ribbon=2 yds
–apple green grosgrain ribbon=2 yds

* 3 paper gift bags
* 3 metallic clips including pom poms and star
* 17 gifts tags–15 decorative tags and 2 blank tags you can decorate for any occasion
* 1 holiday themed rubber stamp
* 4 mini ornaments/bells
* 3 round paper dollies
* 1 embossed metal word tag
* 4 mini clothespins–perfect for clipping on a gift tag, bow or other accent
* 4 decorative brads
* 2 Vintage Christmas postcards (postmarks between 1909 and 1922)
* 3 Vintage findings–unique pieces that can be added to gifts as an accent or used in other holiday crafting projects (vintage findings vary with each kit)

PLUS, there are a few surprises thrown into the mix!

ALL ITEMS ARE PACKAGED IN A DECORATIVE HOLIDAY TIN perfect for storing your wrapping and crafting supplies! (Tin styles vary with each kit)!

This gem of a kit includes everything you’ll need to make your holiday gifts bright and cheery!

Shop ConfettiStyle Designs

Thanksgiving Decor–5 Last Minute Ideas

November 20, 2012

I ventured into the grocery store yesterday and was quickly reminded that shopping within days of a major holiday is not such a good idea. Along with me, there were lots of last-minute shoppers trying to get the job done. That whole process got me thinking that there are probably lots of people out there who have put off pulling together their Thanksgiving decor as well! If you happen to fall into that group, don’t fret because there are lots of quick and easy looks you can pull together in time for Thanksgiving. To give you a little inspiration, I’ve rounded up five of my favorite Thanksgiving DIY projects.

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Fresh flowers are a must for the dining table but this look will jazz up your table more than a vase of flowers ever could. Purchase several bunches of fall flowers, snip the flowers heads off and glue them to the outside of pumpkins. You’ll want to create this centerpiece an hour or two before your dinner so the flower heads will stay fresh.

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It’s easy to pull together a Thanksgiving look for your mantel just by adding a few fall pieces to the decor that you already have.

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Let nature do the work when it comes to creating a fun table centerpiece. I love how the leaves add layers and dimension on top of a simple fall tablecloth.

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This is a great project to get the kids involved with. Cut leaf shapes from different colors and patterns of paper and felt, and use double-sided tape to attach them to the edges of a plain white tablecloth that’s been accented with a band of ribbon. Crafty chic for sure!

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And finally, gather some pinecones from the yard, add eye ring screws and create a garland for the mantle!

Here’s to being Thankful for so many creative ideas!

Holiday Wreaths–Easy DIY Looks

November 14, 2012

I ran into Hobby Lobby over the weekend and was amazed at how much of their Christmas decor has already sold. It’s obvious that people are trying to get a jump on the holiday so, if you are the DIY type, now is the time to start planning and making your holiday wreath. To give you a some inspiration, I’ve rounded up 5 of My Favorite Holiday DIY Wreath Projects to share with you. What I love about each of these wreaths is that they are unique, elegant and EASY!

How to: Wire different sizes of silver stars to the upper part of a fresh wreath! I love that the entire wreath is not decorated, giving it a more whimsical feel.

Paper Christmas Wreath {tutorial}

Isn’t this paper wreath magnificent? You can learn how to make one for yourself here!

How to: To craft this door adornment, wrap Styrofoam balls (in two different sizes) and a Styrofoam wreath form with colored yarn. Then use a glue gun to affix the balls onto the form. Note: If you’re hanging your final creation outdoors, be sure to spray it with a protective finish.

Here’s the same concept, created in different colors with a few glossy ornaments added in for contrast!

How to: Wrap small boxes in coordinating papers, tie with a simple ribbon and glue to a wire or wood wreath form.

And finally, the ever popular book page wreath. I love the organic feel of book page wreaths and that you can create different looks just by how you place the roll and place the pages. I created my own version last year which you can see here!

For instructions on making a basic book page wreath, head here!

Happy Crafting!

all images can be found on my Merry, Merry Pinterest board!

Country Living Fair 2012

October 31, 2012

Last weekend my friend Dorothy and I attended the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain outside Atlanta. This is the 3rd year that Country Living has brought the fair to Atlanta and the weekend couldn’t have been more ideal.

What I love most about the fair is seeing all the amazing handcrafted and vintage goods. The selection ranges from rustic to chic and there is something for everyone.