DIY Color Blocked Candles

19. Oct. 2015
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3 Comments

Man, oh man is fall! As if the mass amount of pumpkin pictures on Instagram didn’t let you know that already though, right? After this past weekend of grey skies, it was time to bring out the candles. But of course I had to add my own crafty flair to them! In less than a half out you can have fun color blocked candles for your home to get you through even the gloomiest of days. Here’s how:

Time: 20 minutes + dry time (for set)
Materials: tissue paper, decoupage, brush, glass votives

I tested this method with a few types of tissue paper. The Martha Stewart brand did not bleed at all (unlike the Celebrate It brand sold at Michael’s) so I highly recommend it.

Start by tearing your tissue paper into smaller stripes. You’ll want to have a mix of both larger and smaller pieces so that you have options when layering. Apply a thin layer of decoupage to the class and place your tissue paper on top. Smooth down with your finger and then cover with another layer of decoupage. Keep building until you are satisfied with the design.

Let dry and then you are ready to use!

I used a pink/purple color scheme, but these would also look wonderful with blues for the winter. I can’t wait to see how colorful these will look once the candle has burnt down a bit too!

DIY Tissue Paper Flower

10. Sep. 2015
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1 Comment

If you’ve ever tried your hand at making tissue paper flowers, you’ve probably 1. cursed a few dozen times 2. given up before finishing 3. had to practice a bunch before nailing it. Seriously, major crafting props to anyone who has mastered this art. Since I’m still a sucker for all things floral, I’ve been on the quest to find an easier way to make them. I came across this kit recently and it flipped my perspective upside down! Here’s how:

Time: 15 minutes per flower
Materials: Martha Stewart pom-pom flower kit, scissors (optional)
Cost: $17

The kit comes in different colors if you aren’t into sunflowers, but I think they’re perfect for fall decor! You can make five total.

Unwrap your kit and unfold (not entirely, just until it’s laid out like the photo above). Layer the large petal sheets and the smaller center pieces, they should be the same length and line up in the center, and fold according style. There are perforated lines to help along the way.

When all folded up, tie in place with the green wire. Moving one layer at a time and working clockwise around the flower, fluff the tissue paper up and into place. I trimmed my center a tiny bit with my scissors, but it’s also fine if you leave it as is.

Bada bing, bada boom! Easy as that. The nice thing is that because they are so large you can knock out your fall party decor pretty quickly. I think these would look great as a photo back drop, or even just a centerpiece.

What do you think? Have you ever made tissue paper flowers before? Any great tutorials you’ve come across?

DIY Color Blocked Glitter Magnets

24. Aug. 2015
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14 Comments

As much as I love glitter, I am not so big on the mess that happens when the crafting is done. I mean, there’s a reason it’s been called the herpes of craft supplies, right? However, I have found the perfect solution for working with glitter, and it doesn’t involve decoupage. If you we’re a fan of these diy glitter bracelets, then you will love today’s project: diy color blocked glitter magnets! Here’s how:

Time: 25 minutes + overnight dry
Materials: casting epoxy, glitter, silicon tray, plastic cups/stir stick, magnets, E-6000
Cost: ~$25-$30

I am OBSESSED with casting epoxy at the moment. You can make some seriously awesome things with it. If you aren’t into glitter, but want to give this material a try, check out these dried flower coasters.

The resin can get a tad messy if you aren’t careful. Wear gloves and cover your surface just to be safe.

Mix your resin according to the instructions in your package. Pour clear resin in separate plastic cups (one cup per color) and then add about a quarter size amount glitter. It’s okay to add more as you mix until you get your desired look. I recommend making 3-5 colors at once to play with variety of combinations when color blocking, but it’s totally up to you.

To get the color blocked look, you’ll want to pour a bit of one color in slowly at one point. Before it coats the bottom of the letter, add your secod color. If you pour directly over the first color, the glitter tends to blend together. For the second color, make sure you start pouring from a different point.

Let dry overnight, pop out of mold, and glue a magnet on the back!

These are such a fun way to add some personality to your fridge, don’t you think?!

How to Turn Your Instagram Photos Into Wall Art

13. Jul. 2015
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37 Comments

My love for Instagram runs deep, but one thing I really miss is having physical copies of my photos. After scrolling through the snaps from my recent California road trip, I decided enough was enough and just printed a few off. And what better way to display them than by turning them into wall art?! This project is amazingly easy (and possibly my favorite to date) and can be done for under thirty buck. $30! Here’s how you do it:

Time: 30 minutes
Materials: 4×4 photo prints, wood blocks, paint, decoupage, brushes
Cost: ~$25
**You can also find this project in my book Hello Color!

I used Snapfish to print my photos. If you plan on hanging your blocks with nails, you will want to hammer in your hook before starting this project. I recommend that you use removable velcro hangers instead though. They won’t hurt your walls and your art will hang flat.

Paint the edges of your wooden blocks. Don’t worry if you get paint on the flat sides since one side will face the wall and the photo will cover up the other. Once the paint is dry, apply a thin layer of decoupage to the block and then place your photo. When your photo is in the desired position, let it dry flat.

Hang on your wall in a grid, shape, or any way you like! Easy peasy, don’t you think?