52 Weeks Project

Inspiration of the Week: DIY Garlands

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:03:18 -0700

Whether you’re throwing a party, or you just need to spice up your home, garlands are the way to go. They bring color and life into any space and are relatively cheap and easy to make. So go on, follow the instructions in any of these DIYs below and jazz up those walls!

1. Confetti Garland by The Purl Bee
2. Paper Cup Garland by Mormorglamour
3. Chalkboard Banner by Delia Creates
4. Snow Cone Garland by Creature Comforts

Happy crafting!

Painterly iPhone Cases

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:59:51 -0700

Time: 20 minutes
Materials: clear iphone case, paint in 3 colors, brush

1. Start painting with the lightest color in your pallet. Loose brushstrokes will give your case more of a painterly feel.

2. Mix in your second color by blending your first and second colors together before applying to your case.

3. Finishing by blending in your third and final color. If you want your colors to be less transparent, let paint dry in between layers before adding a second coat.

Inspiration of the Week: DIY Jewelry

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:29 -0700

The next time you’re short on cash, but need to add some spice to your wardrobe, try making your own jewelry. These fantastic DIY jewelry projects below are an easy way to get started!

1. Paper Arrow Earrings by Delightfully DIY
2. DIY Shoe Clips by Honestly WTF
3. Banana Chip Clay Necklace by Stars for Streetlights
4. Painted Diamond Earrings by Creative Index

Happy crafting!

Farmers' Market Tote

Sun, 12 May 2013 18:08:00 -0700

Time: 30 minutes
Materials: tote, freezer paper, paint, sponge brush, xacto knife, iron

1. Trace your text on to the freezer paper. Have the wax coated side facing down. You can download the text I used here!

2. Cut out the text with an xacto knife.

3. Position & iron on.

4. Dab on paint, let try, then peel off your stencil.

See the Vine!

Inspiration of the Week: Paper Flowers

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:56:56 -0700

Mother’s day is this weekend, in case you forgot! Instead of buying her flowers that will be gone in a week, try your hand at making some paper flowers. These DIYs are simple, cost efficient, and not to mention way too cute.

1. Giant Crepe Paper Roses by Studio DIY
2. Paper Punch Flowers by Damask Love
3. Watercolor Paper Flowers by Kelli Murray
4. Cupcake Liner Flowers by Martha Stewart

Need more ideas for mom? Check out my Craft & DIY pin board here!

Happy crafting!

Upcycled Earrings

Sun, 05 May 2013 18:00:38 -0700

Time: 20 minutes
Materials: broken earrings, bobby pins, nail polish, E-6000 glue, clippers

1. Remove the backing from your earrings, if it’s still there.

2. Slide your bobby pins on to a thin piece of cardboard and paint with nail polish. Some colors will require multiple coats. Clear sealant optional.

3. Once dry, remove from cardboard and select what color looks best with your earrings. For those not selected, you now have plain, colorful pins!

4. Apply E-6000 glue to the back of your earring, place, then hold. You’ll only need to hold the earring in place for 1-2 minutes, then it can dry on its own.

Inspiration of the Week: Photo Projects

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:21:11 -0700

Give your photos life outside of your dusty old hard drive by trying one of these simple, yet completely awesome, photography projects!

1. Photo Transfer Candles by Inspired Ideas
2. Mosaic Photo Mural by Photojojo
3. Enlarged Photo Mural by Wit & Whistle
4. Embroidered Photos by Brigitte.de

Happy crafting!

String Art + Giveaway

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:01:00 -0700

Hi folks, exciting news! Thanks to the fine team at Whimseybox, one of you will win the materials you need to complete this project. Details below!

Time: 1.5 hours
Materials: Whimseybox, hammer, clothespin

1. Choose what shape you’d like for your art, print image, cut out. Secure with tape, then hammer nails in around the edges. *Tip* use a clothespin to keep nail in place if you want to avoid hitting your fingers!

2. Once all nails are in place, tie a knot around one nail and begin stringing. There’s really no wrong way to do this, so have fun! End with a knot.

How to Enter-NOW CLOSED
Pin an image (or two) from the project above then let me know your username by leaving a comment below. Tweets also accepted. One lucky winner will be chosen and notified Friday May 3rd at 10:00am PST, contest open until then. US & Canada only. Best of luck!

Inspiration of the Week: Office Supplies

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:59:50 -0700

Liven up your standard 9-5 with these upgraded office supplies DIYs!

1. Paperclip Bows via SurpriseDIY
2. Gold Dipped Bowl via Hello Home Shoppe
3. Glitter Thumbtacks via Lovely Indeed
4. Washi Paperclips via All Things Blogs

Happy crafting!
Rachel

Guest Post: Paint Can Hanging Baskets

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:02:00 -0700

In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd), my guest Cristin from Eve of Reduction is going to show you how to turn your old paint cans into lovely hanging baskets! You can follow the instructions below, or watch how to on youtube.

Time: 2 hours
Materials: paint cans, spray paint, painter’s tape, drill, polpropylene rope, dried foliage/plastic recyclables, potting soil, seeds/starter flowers

Instructions:
1. Begin by cleaning out your old paint cans. If there is still paint left in them you’ll need to pour in some kitty litter to absorb the moisture. Once dry, you can wrap the paint clump in newspaper and place it in the garbage. Remove paper labels from cans.
*Note: do not do this project with cans from lead paint.

2. Since the handle on the paint can doesn’t allow enough space for plants to grow, you’ll need to snip off the handle with wire cutters. Snip close to where the handle goes into the can then twist the hooked end out of the can.
*Upcycling Opportunity: I bent my can handles into two u-shaped pieces and reused them as stakes to hold my wire garden fencing in the ground

3. Spray paint the cans to your liking using outdoor spray paint that will not rust.
You may also want to use painter’s tape to mask off a design on your cans. Be sure to do this outside wearing protecting gear like a mask, goggles and gloves.

4. Once the cans have fully dried, use your drill to add holes to the bottom of the cans for drainage and to the sides of the can where you will add a new, polypropylene rope handle for hanging.

5. Measure and cut the polypropylene rope to your preferred length for hanging. Be sure to singe all cut ends so it doesn’t fray. Thread the polypropylene rope through the holes you drilled on the side of the cans and knot on the inside of the can.

6. There is a groove in the rim of the paint can where the lid fit in. To keep this from becoming a reservoir for rain, fit a piece of the polypropylene rope into this groove. There’s no need to glue it in, it will stuff in there securely.

7. Lastly, you’re going to fill the paint bucket for planting. If you fill the entire bucket with potting soil it will be very heavy and wasteful. You only need about 4” of potting soil. So, to fill in the bottom 3/4 of the bucket, it’s best to use garden refuse such as dried foliage. I used last year’s elephant grass. You can also use small plastic containers from your recycling bin to fill up space and keep the bucket light.

8. Once your bucket is full of 3 parts recyclables and 1 part potting soil, press in your seeds or imbed your starter plants!

More from Cristin—

I am the author of the new DIY lifestyle book, Living Simple, Free & Happy: How to Simplify, Declutter Your Home, and Reduce Stress, Debt & Waste. My book includes 10 upcycling tutorials all of which serve to create better storage or organization out of existing doors, dressers and baby furniture. My new book and my blog, promote the message of taking what you have and making it what you want. My projects and simple living tips help readers reduce clutter and waste while reusing under-utilized things in their home. I love to upcycle and repurpose things because it helps the environment, I spend less money (sometimes even free) and I get to be creative. Everything about that feels great! Check out my video book trailer to see some inspiring project photos from the book.

Inspiration of the week: Cocktails

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:10:00 -0700

find more drink inspiration here

1. Guava Orange Margaritas by Une-Deux Senses
2. Strawberries & Coconut Water by Drizzle and Dip
3. Elderflower & Champagne by Zested
4. Blackberry Smash by Design Sponge

Bottoms up!
Rachel

Test Tube Flower Vase

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:00:16 -0700

Time: 15 minutes
Materials: test tubes + holder, spray paint, pencils, foam board

1. Cut holes in your foam board so that the pencils can stand upright. Place the test tubes over the pencils.

2. Spray the test tubes with paint. Let dry for 1 minute in between coats.

*note that in the video I sprayed the tubes with water & vinegar. My initial plan was to make these mercury glass, but the test tubes were plastic and it didn’t work.

Inspiration of the Week: Dip Dyed

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:01:04 -0700

If you saw my project earlier this week, you know that I’ve been in the mood for color (it is spring after all!). Dip dyeing is a relatively easy method that can transform ordinary objects into something special.

1. Dip Dyed Mugs by The Merry Thought
2. Dip Dyed Ribbons by Ruffled
3. Gold Dipped Feathers by Frock Files
4. Gold Painted Vases by Style Me Pretty

Happy dipping!
Rachel

Dip Dyed Napkins

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:00:19 -0700

Time: 5 minutes + dry time
Materials: Rit dye, cloth napkins, bowl, water, sink, salt

1. In a plastic bowl or bucket, mix your dye with hot water and salt then stir.

2. Dip in your napkins and let sit for about 1 minute. Rise until water is clear then wash & dry.

Inspiration of the Week: DIY Fabric

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:00:47 -0700

Whether you’re starting with a fresh, blank canvas or you need to breathe new life into an old item, the possibilities of printing your own fabric are endless!

1. Printed Fabric by Poppytalk
2. Toilet Paper Roll Printing by Lime Riot
3. Batik Paper Making by Paper Source
4. Painted Heart Jeans by For the Love Of

Happy printing!
Rachel

Key Lime & Vanilla Macarons

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:55:06 -0700

Time: 4.5 hours
Materials: recipe book, ingredients (specific to your flavor choice)

Macarons are one of life’s greatest pleasure, which is no wonder why most places charge about $2 a cookie. After receiving one of the best books for Valentine’s day, I decided to try and make my own.

The ingredients are simple, yet specific. I used almond meal/flour instead of plain almond flour as called for and mine came out flat! Although they didn’t come out of the oven as I envisioned, they were still pretty tasty (vanilla + key lime is an excellent flavor combo). It is, however, still a bit disappointing to spend so much time baking, only to have it not be a success.

Have you tried making macarons before? I’d love to hear how it went!

Inspiration of the Week: Washi Tape

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:00:00 -0700

With tons of different adorable patterns to choose from, it’s hard not to be inspired by these simple, yet gorgeous projects. Never worked with washi tape before? At around $3 per roll, pick up some here, here or here and get started!

1. Tape Picture Frames by Design Sponge
2. Personalized Power Adapters by Pencil Shavings Studio
3. Cupcake Toppers by Trendenser
4. Paper+Tape Vases by Decor8

Happy taping!
Rachel

Dotted Vase

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:45:00 -0700

Time: 10 minutes + dry/bake time
Materials: glass vase, paint brush, glass paint (vitrea 160)

1. Use the end of a paint brush to make your dots. Wipe clean after each color.

2. Once you’re pleased with your design, leave to dry for 24 hours then bake for 40 minutes at 325˚F.

Inspiration of the Week: Popcorn

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:13:00 -0700

Whether you’re planning the snack menu for your next party, or you have been searching for the ultimate salty + sweet combo, this week’s inspiration is for you!

1. Birthday Cake Popcorn by The Endless Meal
2. Caramel Almond Pretzel Popcorn by Everybody Likes Sandwiches
3. Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn by Cravings of a Lunatic
4. Party Popcorn by She Wears Many Hats

Happy snacking!
Rachel

Dotted Party Favor Bags

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:01:00 -0700

Time: 5 Minutes
Materials: cloth bags, pencil with eraser, paint, ribbon, wax paper

1. Fold up a sheet of wax paper and place in the bag. This will prevent your dots from bleeding through.

2. Dip your pencil eraser in paint use as a stamp. Wipe clean between each color.

3. If you want to add ribbon, just make four vertical slits and string through.