Tag Archives: tutorial

Share the Light This Mother’s Day by Making these Easy DIY Soy Candles

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I’ve inherited many things from my mother: a corny sense of humor, a love of baking, her nite-owl nature, an appreciation for reading… and a love of candles.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical gift for the mother in your life, consider setting a date with her and making some candles together. Or you could just make the candles yourself to give as a gift to that special mama.

easy DIY soy candles Swan Creek Candle Company refill wax glass containers thrifted glass tealight votive cotton wicks Mother's Day project gifts Fresh Bamboo Buttercream Vanilla Lilac Mist Amber Musk

A couple weeks ago, my mother and I spent the day together replenishing our arsenal of candles. It was great to share a creative experience with my her and I think she still enjoys teaching her daughter a thing or two.

Thanks to modern technology, candle-making is quite easy to do and can be a thrifty project. Continue reading for the tutorial on how to make these candles, plus my mother’s handy tips.

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DIY Tutorial: Revamp Your Decor with Whitewashing

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Whitewashing is an easy and cost-effective method of decorating. By adding an air of patina and texture, this paint technique enhances a variety of decor styles like as cottage, beach, country, or shabby chic.

Recently, I included whitewashing in my bedroom makeover by revamping some bamboo matchstick blinds. Because I’m re-decorating this room into a beachy, Zen space, this technique was perfect for adding texture and warmth to my neutral color scheme.

Read along to find out how I achieved this look and how you can also transform an item with whitewashing.

Whitewashing bamboo matchstick blinds tutorial beachy Zen decor bedroom makeover Continue reading →

DIY: Easy Padded Headboard Tutorial

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DIY Easy Padded Floating Headboard Tutorial with foamboard, plywood, fabric, foam padding, upholstery nails

A few years ago, I created a floating headboard with squares of foamboard, batting, fabric, & velcro. When I outgrew the green color scheme in my bedroom, I removed the headboard. I tried using more pillows as a substitution, but it just wasn’t the same.

Forward to the present, where I’m making over my bedroom & felt the need for a headboard again. An upholstered headboard doesn’t just provide cushioning so you can watch TV or read in bed, it also helps anchor the bed in the room.  Your bed is usually the automatic focal point of the room because of its size, so a headboard also allows you to coordinate the bed into your decorating scheme.

Check out my current bedroom before & after the headboard to see how big an impact it makes in the room:

Bed Without and With DIY floating padded headboard Before and After foamboard padding upholstery nails plywood wood grain fabric

(You’re also getting a sneak peek at my new curtains, lucky you!)

Keep reading for more details & my tutorial… Continue reading →

DIY: Felt & Fabric Gift Card Holders Tutorial

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I made these felt & fabric gift card holders last year for Christmas & am creating them again this year. In fact, I’m going to create a surplus so it will save me some work next year. :) Gift cards can feel impersonal, so these holders add a homemade touch and make the gift more special.

DIY Felt and Fabric Gift Card Holder Tutorial sewing Christmas holidays handmade gift

My sewing skills are pretty limited, so I love that this project is very basic. You use minimal fabric (=minimal measuring) & scraps are perfect for the lining.

If you have some budding crafters at home, this would be a great project for them. You can use this project to teach them how to use scraps, coordinate colors/prints and basic sewing techniques.

This year, I’m making mine with seasonal fabric & colors, but last year I used standard prints so the holders could be re-used after Christmas. My sister loved hers because it was crafted just for her (purple felt with black & white zebra print fabric) and she used it well after redeeming the gift card. These holders would be perfect for storing gum, business cards, money, keys, etc.

Learn how to make these after the jump. Continue reading →

Easy Envelope Back Pillow Cover Pattern & Tutorial

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Easy envelope back pillow cover pattern and tutorial from CreativeBlossoming.com-001

Sewing covers and shams for pillows has become a favorite past-time and since my sewing skills are uber-basic, this pattern is perfect. Pillow covers are a simple yet effective way to change your decor and colors in the room.

I like using bed pillows in the living room because they’re more comfy and are usually cheaper than buying a pillow form. Because I’d only found information for square pillow sizes, I created this tutorial for any rectangular pillow. (I’ve also included the directions for sewing a square cover.)

The great thing about this pattern is that it allows you to use only one piece of fabric. There’s also less sewing involved. And the best part? Stuffing the actual pillow into the sham is so much easier and no slip stitch is needed afterwards. Learn how after the jump.

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Make Over Your Decor With This Cheap Mosaic Method

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Love the mosaic look but hate to spend the money for glass tiles and grout? Check out a cheaper and simpler alternative I created with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. Adding a mosaic is a clever way to customize an existing piece of furniture or accessory.

Mosaic Parsons coffee table makeover with Mod Podge, paper, and Rub n Buff in white and silver

Previously, I created a piece of mosaic wall decor but have since retired this piece since it no longer matches my living room. Using this mosaic method, I gave my plain, Parsons coffee table an update along with some Rub n Buff to add a metallic vibe. Sure, buying a new coffee table would’ve been easier, but it would’ve been boring. Learn how to do it after the jump. Continue reading →

How To Create Your Own Paper Magnets and Magnetic Bulletin Board

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I love most DIY projects, but I have a special fondness for those that are very simple and cheap. Another bonus with this project is you can recruit the kiddos and get them to use their brains for something creative!

The following steps are to craft your own magnets and recreate the magnetic bulletin boards from my newly decorated home office area.

Art workspace with folding tables and DIY paper magnets and magnetic bulletin boards from sheet metal

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DIY: Child’s Poncho Pattern and Tutorial

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Ponchos are back this season and are a perfect fall accessory. I considered buying one, but my common sense kicked in and said, “Why not just sew one up?” I still have a lot to learn about sewing, but knew a poncho would be an easy project.

DIY Child Poncho Pattern and Tutorial fleece sewing pink brown hearts pom pom trim

While making a poncho for myself (tutorial coming soon), I decided to also sew one from fleece for my niece’s birthday. I searched the web for a basic poncho pattern/tutorial for children, but most are for the no-sew variety. Sure, kids grow fast and fleece is great to use as it won’t fray, but I still wanted to create a poncho that looked neat and had seams.

For her poncho, I selected anti-pill fleece and some pom-pom trim. Now is a great time of year to stock up on fleece; it’s been on sale just about every week at the fabric stores. Check out this beautiful girl in her new fall fashion piece:

child homemade sewn fleece poncho with pompom trim Continue reading →

DIY: Repurposed Frame Into Dry Erase Board

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I don’t know whom to credit for this idea, but this may be the simplest DIY project I’ve done so far! Instead of purchasing a dry erase board, you can make one with a frame, in which you write on the glass with a dry erase marker. If you like jotting down reminders or to-do lists, this is a great way to practice green living and save money. You will need:

  • A picture frame (with glass)
  • Background material: fabric or paper
  • Iron (if using fabric)
  • Dry erase marker
  • Foamboard or cardboard
  • Craft glue or fabric glue
  • Exacto knife
  • Dry erase marker

Directions:

  • Measure & cut a piece of foamboard or cardboard to the size of your frame.
  • Measure & cut your background material (fabric, paper, etc.) to the board, adding an inch to each side.
  • (If using fabric, iron this before glueing.) Cover the board with your fabric/paper and glue on the backside, along the edges.Repurposed frame into dry erase board
  • Insert the covered board into frame.
  • Display your board!Frame repurposed into to do and Dry Erase Board

Tips:

  • Choose background material that is light enough that the dry erase marker will stand out. For this reason, I chose a solid piece of fabric and not a print.
  • To make this a greener project, use paper or fabric scraps and a frame that’s in your craft/decorating stash.