InkTober 2016: Week 1

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I do not have a craft to post today, because this past week was the first week of InkTober!

Take the #inktober challenge

InkTober is a drawing challenge that was initiated by an artist that wanted to get better at drawing with ink. He dedicated time every day for the month of October to improve that skill. That challenge is accepted by artist everywhere, including myself, from Oct 1-31st.

I’d love it if you would join us! Artists are sharing on all social media platforms using the hashtag #inktober or #inktober2016. Read the whole post

DIY Halloween Craft: Pumpkin Decor

Posted in Craft Ideas, DIY Halloween Craft Ideas, tutorial/DIY by

DIY fall pumkin decor with scented pinecones

The Craft Challenge theme for September is Halloween so I decided to go with pinecones and pumpkins. You know those spiced scented pinecones you smell when you walk into Michael’s? I can’t stay away from the things! They smell amazing. I had to get them into my craft this week. And I haven’t decorated pumpkins yet this year, so it just seemed fitting.

This craft is really easy, smells wonderful and will give your table or windowsill a nice pop for fall. Read the whole post

DIY Upcycled Charger and Cord Organizer

Posted in Craft Ideas, Duck Tape, Uncategorized, Upcycled Crafts, Zero Waste by

DIY Upcycled cord and storage organizer

In the past few years, I’ve accumulated numerous cords and chargers, as I’m sure many of you have. I used to store them in a basket, but that got messy quickly. Every time I wanted one I’d have to untangle several. That’s obviously not an effective storage solution.

I decided to upcycle a cardboard box and some toilet paper rolls to design a better option. So far, it seems to be working pretty well. I haven’t had to untangle anything, which is just wonderful. Read the whole post

DIY Paper Bookmarks for Page Corners

Posted in Craft Ideas, Paper Crafts, tutorial/DIY by

DIY page corner bookmark

I read a lot. Most of the time, I’m reading 2-3 books at once because I like to soak up a lot of information. Topics change a lot too. Sometimes I want to educate myself but other times I’m in the mood for some mindless fiction. It depends on the day.

Regardless, books in-progress need bookmarks. I love the elaborate fun markers, but I can never justify paying for something like that. So, I make my own. Read the whole post

DIY Orange Gradiant Whiteboard Calendar

Posted in Craft Ideas, Paper Crafts, tutorial/DIY by

diy whiteboard calendar craft

I’m so late at posting my Make Something Mondays craft today! It’s been a very busy weekend; so busy that it reminds me how important organization is in my life. I thought the perfect craft to reflect that would be a whiteboard calendar.

I hate buying calendars, because I’m just going to throw them away at the end of the year. I haven’t found a great way to reuse them, so if I don’t have to buy them, I’m going to avoid it. Read the whole post

Autumn Craft: DIY Leaf Relief Painting

Posted in Craft Ideas, Fall Crafts, tutorial/DIY by

DIY leaf relief painting

This month’s Craft Challenge theme is autumn. My goal is always to create something different and exciting for each of these challenges and this month is no different. I struggled a bit with this one because I’m not quite in the mood for fall yet. It’s sunny and 90 degrees in my area and leaves are still green. I haven’t quite hit the sweaters, boots and pumpkin latte craze yet.

To get there, I did a brainstorming session with a friend (thank you, Aarika). Read the whole post

DIY Leather Beaded Bracelets

Posted in Craft Ideas, DIY Jewelry, tutorial/DIY by

diy leather beaded bracelet

I’m going to apologize for this, but I’ve been on a jewelry kick these past two weeks. Earrings last week and bracelets this week. I promise next week will bring new and exciting things. Let me get this out of my system first, though.

Okay, moving on. I love leather bracelets, but I never make them. I always feel like other people can make them better than I do, so I just buy them. That had to change, because you can’t get better at something if you don’t try, right? Read the whole post

DIY Bead String Earrings

Posted in Craft Ideas, DIY Jewelry, Earrings, Gifts, tutorial/DIY by

DIY bead string earrings

I disappeared last week. Sorry about that. I needed a mini break from all organized activity. Surely you’ve been in the same boat. But I’m back to crafting this week and I have a fancy set of earrings for you to make that’s quick and easy.

These are the kind of homemade earrings that make great gifts.

  1. They look more expensive than they are (but aren’t cheaply made), so that’s a win for both the maker and the recipient.
Read the whole post

DIY Mini Duck Tape Coin Purse

Posted in Craft Ideas, Duck Tape, tutorial/DIY by

DIY mini Duck Tape coin purse

Do you know what I hate? Searching for change in my car. There are coins everywhere, but I can never seem to find the one I’m looking for when I need it. It’s the one area of my life (not money, my car) where I could certainly improve on organization.

That’s why, for this Make Something Mondays craft, I’m making a change purse.

Why did I choose to make it out of Duck Tape? Great question. Read the whole post

Tin Craft Challenge: Upcycled Soda Cans

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DIY upcycled soda cans

This month’s craft challenge is tin… which means that I struggled to think of something fun because so many crafters upcycle soup and tuna cans. Don’t get me wrong, those upcycles are amazing. Don’t believe me? Check them out. Bird feeders, candle holders, garden accessories… the list is endless.

But I wanted something a little more original. I chose to upcycle some coconut water cans, but you can do it with soda cans, carbonated water cans, beer cans… whatever you want. Read the whole post