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Summer Lighting

23 May

© Tulipanka Photography (Glowing Jar Project - From Panka With Love}

As silly as it sounds, there’s very little that makes me more excited for summer than the thought of sitting outside under a canopy of Christmas lights with a glass of wine and good company.

I’m beginning to think that these amazing little DIY jar lights from From Panka With Love might be even better. I stumbled across them on Pinterest this weekend, and I immediately had a flashback to the summers I used to spend chasing fireflies around my grandma’s neighborhood in Indiana.

The jars sound relatively easy to make, although like one commenter said, five hours for the larger jar seems like a bit much. Even if you just stick to the small variety, these would be such a beautiful addition to any evening summer hangout, don’t you think?

{Photo © Tulipanka Photography}

Top (Hat) of The Morning

14 May

DIYable: top hat lighting - Mr. Kate

I counted yesterday. I’ve technically been to London at least six times. “Been to” is a relative term, though. So far my longest stint in London was 13 hours … overnight … during a layover on my return from Egypt. I’ve even done some sightseeing. Once on a bus from London City Airport to Kings Cross tube station, I passed by Big Ben and the Eye of London — but it was more like a scene from the Griswalds’ European Vacation than an actual tour.

That said, during my last layover there, I had just enough time to see my sister’s new apartment, grab a pastry and a coffee and discover this amazing idea: top hat lighting fixtures! How adorable are these? I spotted them at this yummy little pastry shop in London’s Angel neighborhood. So naturally, I had to find a DIY. Here’s one from blog Mr. Kate that sounds pretty easy.

A perfect souvenir from another layover in London.

{Photos via Mr. Kate}

To Knit or Knot to Knit

9 May

DIY Chunky Finger-Knit Pillow from Design Sponge

DIY Chunky Finger-Knit Pillow from Design Sponge

Over the holidays, my mom, who fostered my love of crafts at an early age and continues to do so today, bought me and my sister knitting kits. Now, in the case of my sister, this was a hilarious gift. She’s a go-getter and lover of life and adventure but not the sort to spend her very small amount of free time pushing a plastic needle through loops of yarn. For me, on the other hand, this is precisely the kind of thing I live for. So over the next few days, I knitted up a storm. I knitted while watching TV. I knitted on the phone. I knitted outside. In other words, my knitting project momentarily took over my usual iPhone-surfing, TV-watching ADD and replaced it with something productive. Like being forced to be without a cellphone, it was kinda nice.

Now I’m anxious for a new knitting project to escape to. This DIY Chunky Finger-Knit Pillow from Design Sponge seems like a good option. What do you guys think? Are you a knit or a no-knit personality?

{Photos via Design Sponge}

Just in Case

16 Apr

DIY Project: Suitcase Vanity and Towel Holder - Design Sponge

I missed last month’s Rose Bowl Flea Market, but I have just the thing in mind to pick up next month: A cute little suitcase like the one in this adorable DIY from Design Sponge. My bathroom is tragically short on space — and decorations — so I think this would be just the thing to spruce it up!

{Photo via Design Sponge}

Bleach Made Beautiful

4 Apr

Bleach Painting on Textiles - A Beautiful Mess Blog

I’m so used to trying to avoid getting bleach on my clothing that I never thought I could actually use it to my advantage. This DIY bleach T-shirt treatment from A Beautiful Mess Blog (great name, by the way) is just lovely!

{Photo via A Beautiful Mess Blog}

The Ups and Downs of Planting

26 Mar

DIY Project: Recycled Pallet Vertical Garden - Design Sponge

DIY Project: Recycled Pallet Vertical Garden - Design Sponge

 

I have what is likely the least green thumb on the planet. If any of you have been watching “New Girl” and saw that episode in which Nick finds out he can’t even care for a cactus, that’s me in a nutshell. Still, I always have high hopes for planting projects — especially this one from Design Sponge that seems like it requires relatively low effort for a beautiful result.

And it’s yet another great project you can create using recycled pallets!

{Photos via Design Sponge}

A Mad Men World

19 Mar
Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks), Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Lane Pryce (Jared Harris), Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse), Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks), Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Lane Pryce (Jared Harris), Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse), Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

I’m way too excited for Mad Men to begin its new season this Sunday, March 25. And to add to my obsession, I just discovered this absolutely fabulous blog dedicated to Mad Men crafts! Who knew such a thing existed. Think tutorials on how to make Joan’s attention-grabbing pen necklace, classic martinis, even Peggy’s scooter-embroidered kitchen towel. I had no idea even half of these things appeared on the show. Guess I’m not the only woman who’s mad for Mad Men.

Books As Craft Projects?

12 Mar

The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

While the idea of destroying a good book for the sake of style makes me sad, I’m a little more lenient about the practice when it comes to books that aren’t so “good.” I find plenty of these: old books that have a beautiful patina or cover, but a subject matter like “Carrot Farmers of the North Atlantic.” In these cases, I think it’s totally justified to make one of the fun and crafty items found in Lisa Occhipinti’s “The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life.”

In fact, some of these projects just might serve to put these so-so books in the spotlight more than if they were just taking up room on a bookshelf. What do you guys think? Is it OK to turn a book into a craft project?

Anyone Got a Penny?

1 Feb

DIY Scratch Off Cards

I have to agree with Bonnie from the “Going Home to Roost” blog. Those little scratcher cards are probably one of the best things ever. That’s why I’m so thrilled she reposted this DIY project from Martha Stewart that shows you how to make your own scratchers — without all the over-the-top graphics and color, of course.

I can think of so many fun ways to use this technology. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I may put one or two of them to use very soon.

[Photo via Going Home to Roost]

DIY Streamer Backdrop

17 Jan

If you’re having a party, getting married, or just want to set up a fun photo shoot with friends, wouldn’t this ruffly, colorful streamer backdrop make for such a pretty decor piece? You can find the DIY instructions here.

{via 100 Layer Cake}

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