DIY Triangle Planter

Posted in Craft Ideas, Gifts, tutorial/DIY by

diy triangle planter

It seems like the older I get, the more greenery I want. It’s strange because as a teenager, I hated having plants everywhere (sorry, Mom). But now, I love having an herb garden and succulents are just adorable.

I’ve made some planters in the past but have usually given them to other people as gifts. I actually ended up gifting these too, but I really enjoyed making them and will definitely be making more for myself.

If you want to try making your own, follow the steps below.

diy plaster planter supplies

Triangle planter supplies

My content contains affiliate links to products I use and love. If you take action (purchase, subscribe) after clicking the links, I get some crafting money which helps me continue to write awesome tutorials for you! This costs you nothing but enables you to support my work. 

plaster planter diy project

Step 1: mix and pour the plaster

This step has a few parts.

First, oil up the inside of your mold. The oil makes it SO much easier to get the plaster out when it has dried.

Second, follow the instructions on your plaster pail to mix water with the powdered plaster in your cup. My ratio was 2-1.

This stuff dries super fast so you have a little less than 10 minutes to mix it and pour it.

Pour in the plaster and let it dry. If you’re using the same brand I am, Plaster of Paris, it should be dry in 30 mins max.

Afterwards, if you want to sand the planter you can. I like the imperfections a lot, so I just sanded the edges to soften them and kept the divots on the sides.

spray painted planter

Step 2: paint your planter

Alright, I cheated a little bit here and spray painted the first planter I made. HOLY COW did that smell linger. I hated it.

I ended up painting over it with outdoor acrylic paint. That was much better.

You might also want to consider adding a sealant if you plan to keep your plants outside or on a porch to protect the paint from the elements.

homemade triangle planter

Step 3: plant your plants

Get dirty planting whatever it is you want… herbs, succulents, or any other small plant. These are small planters, so your plant doesn’t have much room to grow. Keep that in mind when choosing your plants.

diy triangle planter

When you’re done, you’ll have some adorable triangle planters to gift or keep for yourself.

I plan to make a few more for myself. What colors do you think I should go with? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Happy crafting!

DIY Beer Candle – Cappuccino Stout

Posted in Craft Ideas, tutorial/DIY by
diy coffee beer candle

I LOVE candles and almost always having one burning when I’m home. A few months ago I found Brewed2Burn candles, which are amazing. There’s not beer in them, but they’re all designed to smell like styles of beer like stouts, IPAs, etc.

I was inspired to try making my own. As many of you know, my husband owns a brewery, so I have access to a lot of beer and have smelled a lot of it over the years.

I decided to try to replicate the brewery’s cappuccino stout, Hold the Foam. It’s one of my favorites. It smells just like a coffee shop.

If you’d like to make one of your own, grab the supplies and follow the steps below!

beer candle supplies

DIY beer candle supplies

  • melting pot
  • beer can
  • coffee (brewed)
  • vanilla scent/flavor (either essential oils or vanilla extract
  • food coloring (optional)
  • soy wax
  • stirrer
  • can opener
  • pliers
remove beer lid using a can opener

Step 1: remove the beer lid

Using a can opener and pliers, remove your can lid. Set it off to the side.

coffee grounds candle wax

Step 2: melt the wax, add the coffee, vanilla

The amount of wax you use depends on the size of your beer can. I’m using a 16oz can, so I need 13oz of liquid soy wax, 3oz of coffee, and a splash of vanilla.

Once it’s melted, pour in your coffee. Make sure you get some grounds in there too as it helps permeate the scent when the candle burns.

candle wick

Step 3: pour the wax into the beer can

Anchor your wick to the bottom of the beer can with hot glue.

Then, pour your wax and coffee combo into the beer can while holding up the wick. Put two knives on each side of the wick to hold it in place.

Let the wax harden.

diy beer candle

When you’re done, you’ll have a lovely smelling beer candle that will make your house smell like coffee.

I’d love to hear what you think! What kind of beer would you use for this project? Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

DIY Citrus Mint Lip Balm

Posted in Craft Ideas, Gifts, tutorial/DIY by

citrus mint lip balm diy

A few years ago, I started experimenting with my own lip balm recipe. I’ve made a new batch every few months, give it out to family and friends, and try to get as much feedback as possible. This batch hasn’t been distributed yet, but I think it’s the best one yet!

Growing up, I loved the Dr. Pepper lip balm from Lip Smackers! It had a hint of color and smelled/tasted fantastic. Little did I know, I really enjoyed that brand for it’s texture. Now, I strive for something similar, minus the hint of color. I’ve experimented with many flavors and have found a few I like including orange cream, peppermint, and grapefruit. Obviously, I’m a fan of citrus and mint so I decided to combine the flavors for an orange mint lip balm.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

citrus-mint-lip-balm-supplies

Materials Needed for Vanilla Orange Lip Balm

My content contains affiliate links to products I use and love. If you take action (purchase, subscribe) after clicking the links, I get some crafting money which helps me continue to write awesome tutorials for you! This costs you nothing but enables you to support my work. 

beeswax in the microwave

Step 1: melt the beeswax

Place your beeswax into your bowl and put it in the microwave.

Microwave in 30 second intervals with a few seconds between sessions. This takes about 3 minutes altogether.

wild orange lip balm oils

Step 2: add your flavors  and jojoba oil

Add 10 drops of peppermint oil and 30 drops of wild orange. Then add 1oz of jojoba oil.

You can play with this a bit if you’d like. I prefer a little tingle in my lip balm so I wanted a good bit of peppermint. However, I didn’t want that to over shadow the orange. This is perfect for that. If you prefer the smell of peppermint but don’t like the tingle as much, then add less peppermint.

Mix well.

lip balm making

Step 3: pour the lip balm mixture into tubes

Using your mini funnel, pour your beexwax and oils mixture into the tubes.

Let it sit.

citrus mint lip balm diy

When the wax has hardened, you can use or gift it. These make great stocking stuffers!

I’d love to hear your feedback. Do you like the flavor combo? What others flavors would you try?

Goodwill Lantern Upcycle

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

Goodwill lantern upcycle

I love Goodwill. It’s like a goldmine with all its discarded goodies. Among these goods was this roughed up lantern. Look at the chipped paint and ugly flowers. Ugh. That has to go.

Goodwill lantern purchase

It’s definitely in rough shape but I knew I could save it, so i bough it… for $2.99! I immediately went to buy spray paint and headed home to beautify it.

lantern improvement supplies

Lantern improvement supplies

  • paper (optional)
  • pencil (optional)
  • scissors (optional)
  • razor blade (optional)
  • spray paint
  • old lantern

If you can remove the glass, the first four supplies aren’t necessary.

cover lantern glass with paper

Step 1: remove or cover the glass

If you’re lucky enough to find a lantern with removable glass, then celebrate and remove it because this project just became a lot easier. I spray painted the outside before I realized I could take the glass out. Duh!

If you can’t remove it, measure it, cut paper to that size and tape it on. You’ll have to repeat this on the inside as well.

 

spray paint the lantern

Step 2: spray paint the frame

Spray paint your lantern and let it dry.

Flip it and repeat until the whole lantern is covered.

 

Use a razor to clean lantern glass

Step 3: remove spray paint from glass

If you get spray paint on the glass, don’t worry! It comes off. Get yourself a razor blade, hold it at a 45 degree angle and, with light pressure, scrape away the paint. Be careful not to scratch it.

You might want to clean the glass before decorating it.

Goodwill lantern upcycle

Since it’s fall, I added some craft pinecones and turned on my flameless tea light. It’s beautiful!

lantern decor

Don’t pass up the “junk” in thrift stores. There’s a lot of value in the old and unfinished. Sometimes you have to rummage for them, but they’re there.

Happy crafting, and upcycling!

5 Easy DIY Earring Ideas

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

I usually post a single DIY project every Monday. But, sometimes you just need ideas. A compilation of DIYs to get your inspiration flowing. Today, that inspiration is jewelry projects, earrings to be more specific.

Over the course of the past 6 years, I’ve made a bunch of my own earrings. Here are my favorites, that I still wear, by the way!

 

DIY gemstone bar earrings - pink

Gemstone Bar Earrings

These are my second favorite pair of earrings. They’re colorful but subtle, and match with most of my wardrobe. These are easy and cheap to make. Much better than buying them in a store. Follow this tutorial to make your own.

 

DIY paper beaded earrings

DIY Paper Beaded Earrings

If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I’m a big fan of recycling and upcycling. Earrings are no exception. A friend taught me how to make these a long time ago and this was my first attempt. Even though I don’t wear these as much (because I don’t have that much pink clothing, surprisingly), I like them a lot! They’re lightweight, fun and colorful. What more could you want? Make your own paper beaded earrings.

 

DIY hanging swirl wire earrings

DIY Wire Wrapped Swirl Earrings

This is, by far, my favorite pair of earrings. They’re fanciful, dangly, and go with everything, even combat boots. They aren’t colorful, but I love them and can wear them often. Want to give it a shot? Get a thing-a-ma-jig and follow this tutorial.

 

DIY beaded wire wrapped earrings

DIY Black Pearl Wire Wrapped Earrings

These are my second favorite pair of homemade earrings. They go with everything and I wear them often. This is another project you’ll need a thing-a-ma-jig for, but the cost is worth it. Make your own.

 

diy stacked beaded earrings

DIY Stacked Beaded Earrings

These are great because they’re lightly colored, light weight and somewhat elegant. They could be worn with a formal dress or with a business casual outfit. These are quick to make you’ll have your own pair in less than 15 minutes.

 

DIY T-shirt Scarf

Posted in Craft Ideas, tutorial/DIY by

diy tshirt scarf

It’s getting colder and I’m unhappy about it. In lovely Pennsylvania, it stays cold from about Sep-Mar, give or take a month. That means you have to layer up if you want to be comfortable.

Personally, I like scarves and probably have too many of them. But they’re great for fall and winter weather so I stock up. Recently, I started make some of my own. However, I’m not a big fan of sewing, as most of you know, so I like the no-sew method.

Want to make one? It’s SUPER easy. Keep reading.

 

tshirt scarf supplies

T-shirt scarf supplies

  • scissors
  • soft t-shirt

Use an old t-shirt or check out Goodwill for cheap options. I recommend size Larger or bigger. I chose Large for this one. You should also consider a neutral color so that scarf matches more of your clothing. White, black, brown, gray and beige are all good options.

 

tshirt

Step 1: flatten your tshirt

Lay the tshirt flat on a table or flat surface.

Don’t worry about ironing. The scarf looks better without it.

 

t-shirt scarf making

Step 2: cut out the bottom of the shirt

Cut across the shirt right below the arms.

Then, cut off the bottom section of the shirt above the hem.

 

diy tshirt scarf

Now, you’ll have a scarf that’s ready to wear! I like to keep the sewn sections at the back of my neck and bottom of the scarf.

There’s also an option to make two of these t-shirt scarves and link them together for  nice infinity scarf, but that’s a tutorial for another day.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave them in the comments.

Happy crafting!

 

DIY Farmhouse Wood Sign

Posted in Craft Ideas, Fall, tutorial/DIY by

diy farmhouse home sign

As some of you might know, my husband and I are now homeowners, so I’ve been more compelled to decorate. There’s no one to tell me I can’t put holes in my walls or paint them fun colors. Why not, then?

One of my latest projects is this cute farmhouse style home sign. This is a multi-season one. Every spring, fall, winter and summer I can swap out the bow for a different one, making it just as festive as the previous season. I like those kinds of decorations because I don’t have to find storage space for them.

Want to make your own? Follow the tutorial below.

 

farmhouse home sign supplies

Farmhouse sign decor supplies

I also got the small home wood piece at Michael’s but couldn’t find the link for it. You can find it in the wood section.

 

home wood sign

Step 1: paint wooden home piece

Choose a multi-seasonal color, like yellow, and paint your wooden home piece.

Yellow is great because it works with spring, summer and fall. I might have to stretch it a bit for winter but I’m sure I can make it work.

 

home sweet home wood sign

Step 2: glue home onto your sign

Now, hot glue home onto the palette sign.

 

home sign craft project

Step 2: tie the bow

I tied four bows and glued them together to make the bow in the picture above. I also used two different colors of ribbon to spice it up a bit.

Choose a corner and hot glue your ribbon onto your sign.

 

diy farmhouse home sign

Hang it and you’re done! Home sweet home 🙂

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave them in the comments

Happy crafting!

DIY Table Top Fire Bowl

Posted in Craft Ideas, tutorial/DIY, Uncategorized by

sterno fire bowl

It has been waaaay too long. I apologize for my absence. It’s been an interesting few months, but I’ll spare you the details. I’m getting back into my crafting and I have a schedule ready to go! You’ll be hearing from me a lot more often.

First up, this lovely table top fire bowl. I happen to live in the borough of my neighborhood and the rule is that you can’t have a fire unless it’s contained. My workaround is a table top option since I can’t have a fire pit.

You don’t need much to make one and, depending on the size of bowl you get, you’ll likely spend less that $25 to make your own.

 

fire bowl supplies

Fire bowl supplies

  • pea gravel (get it from Lowe’s)
  • large ceramic bowl (I got mine from Ollie’s)
  • Sterno burning gel (Grocery Store)
  • Long-Stemmed lighter

 

fill bowl with pea gravel

Step 1: Add the pea gravel to the bowl

Fill the bowl with pea gravel and even it out.

 

sterno fire bowl

Step 2: Add the burning gel

Make space in the middle for the Sterno burning gel and fill in the space around it with pea gravel.

Light the gel when ready! Be sure to use a long stemmed match or lighter. Enjoy the outdoors a little more this fall with the warmth from your new fire bowl.

Tip: get the food safe Sterno gel and make s’mores!

 

DIY Cookie Mason Jar Gift

Posted in Craft Ideas, Gifts, tutorial/DIY by

diy cookie mason jar gift

It’s been so long since I’ve posted a Make Something Mondays project. I’m sorry 🙁 I’m really trying to get back into it. This week, my project reflects my busy lifestyle.

I’ve seen cookie jar gifts like these on Pinterest for a few years now and I really like the idea. Rather than baking cookies for someone, you just put the dry ingredients in a Mason Jar and gift it with a little card that includes directions for making the cookies. Easy peasy.

Want to try it? Keep reading.

 

cookie mason jar materials

Cookie Jar Supplies

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 quart size mason jar

You will also want to print this card to attach to your cookie jar.

smores cookies recipe

 

cookie jar dry ingredients

Step 1: Combine white dry ingredients

Combine the following ingredients into a bowl:

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Baking Soda

Mix well and pour it into your jar. Pack it down with the back of a spoon.

 

layered ingredients cookie jar

Step 2: Layer on the sugars

On top of that mixture, layer on the brown sugar, followed by the white sugar.

Pack it down.

 

cookie jar ingredients in jar

Step 3: Add the chocolate chips and/or marshmallows

This is the last ingredient step. I prefer to put all of the chocolate chips into the jar and add some marshmallows at the very top. If you prefer to just use chocolate chips, fill it up to the top of the jar.

 

cookie jar gift

Step 4: make it pretty

Place a square piece of fabric on the top of the jar and tie it with a ribbon.

 

diy cookie mason jar gift

You’re ready to gift your cookie jar!

Tip: when you roll the cookies onto the cookie sheet, stuff marshmallows into the cookie dough. It makes them look much more appetizing.

Happy crafting… errr gifting?

DIY No Sew Pillow

Posted in Craft Ideas, tutorial/DIY by

diy no sew pillow

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by Emma’s T-shirt Cushion blog post on Puddleside Musings. She turned a t-shirt with a cute sloth into a pillow and I really enjoyed the spunk.

I found an old shirt and set out to make my own. Unfortunately, I’m not into to measuring if I don’t have to and I don’t have a sewing machine so it would take me quite a while longer to make something like that. My solution? Press-on fabric bond. It’s kind of like Stitch Witchery, except you don’t have to heat it. You just press down and the fabric sticks together.

My dog seemed particularly fond of of it. For weeks now, I’ve been convinced that my dog needs something plushy that doesn’t squeak (sqeakers drive me nuts), so I gave him the pillow and he seems pretty happy with it.

Want to make your own? Follow the tutorial below.

 

diy no sew pillow supplies

No-sew pillow supplies

  • scissors
  • t-shirt
  • Poly-fil fiber fill
  • No heat fabric bond

The Poly-fil isn’t pictured, but you can find it at a craft store, JoAnn’s, and probably Walmart. I also used it last week to give my old couch some life, if you want to see what it looks like.

 

pillow fabric pattern

Step 1: cut out your pillow design

Cut the sides of the t-shirt to outline the design in the middle. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but give yourself an inch or so on each side.

 

press bond fabric adhesive

Step 2: flip the pillow inside out and bond the edges

Flip the pieces inside out so the design is on the inside.

Line the fabric bond along one edge at a time and adhere the edges. I find it helpful to match up the corners and pull them to stretch the rest into a straight line.

Important: be sure to leave a small opening on one side. We’ll use this space to fill the pillow.

 

stuffing pillow

Step 3: fill the pillow

Stuff the pillow with Poly-fil and seal the small hole with fabric bond.

 

diy no sew pillow

Now give it to your dog and test it out! Or put it on the couch, bed, or office chair… whatever you want.

Hope you enjoyed. Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Happy crafting!