DIY {dipped wooden utensils}

After I saw these dipped wooden spoons, I knew my next project would be to jazz my utensils up a bit. I browsed through my collection of paint colors and my indecisive self couldn't pick just one color, so I opted for good ol' white. I think it brings a fun aspect to my otherwise plain utensils and who knows I might jazz them up a little more by added some gold dots, because those are my favorite!

{my version}

Happy crafting friends!

DIY {dotted card}

Last week I said goodbye to something that I have been doing for a long time and although it was bittersweet, I am excited for new adventures and taking more risks. As a send off, I made this fun dotted card to say thank you to those people who have immensely effected my life for the better. It was the perfect blend of handmade character and simplicity, everything a card should be. 

DIY {painted cork coasters}

For as long as I can remember, my coaster collection comsisted of those cheap very thin ones from restaurants and cool bars I've been to. You know the kind that when you were a little kid, you made a coaster house out of them when bored at dinner with your parents. I've always been fond of them mostly for the reason that the majority of them have funny or clever sayings on them and bring back some sort of memory for me. Well friends, I've finally decided that it's time for an upgrade. You know I wouldn't just buy any old coasters, I had to put my own little spin on them. I picked up a pack of cork coasters and some paint and got to work. I knew I wanted to have a fun pattern and some ampersands and incorporate white and mint. I made my stencils from contact paper and let the paint sit for a minute and was really pleased with the results.

DIY {metallic makeup pouch}

Lately, I've been referred to as 'Mr. T' and/or 'Goldfinger' because of my recent obsession with all things gold. I don't know if it's the shiny factor or the idea that when wearing a lot of gold, you could be considered unstoppable, right? Nonetheless, I can't get enough. So naturally there was no way I was going to pass up these metallic makeup pouches at the craft store the other day. I gladly scooped up a few of each color (black, bronze and gold) and went home with endless ideas of patterns that I wanted to decorate them with. Here are a few that I painted up yesterday, despite my high from the insane paint fumes. 

 

DIY {gold striped candle}

As you may have noticed lately, I am on a major gold kick. The shiny color has become something that I almost always gravitate towards and it's starting to pop up all over my house and wardrobe on a regular basis (and I love it!). I came across this fabulous idea from my favorite idea site and couldn't wait to try it this week. I definitely need to head back over to the store and get a few more of these because I feel like they look better in clusters. But for $1.00-$1.50 you can't beat a fun shiny candle.

DIY {painted stripe rug}

I would say our kitchen is the room in our apartment that gets the most traffic, so naturally there is always someone in there doing something, hanging out or just laying around (the cat's favorite thing) So I decided to add a bit more flare to our very black and white kitchen by picking up a plain yellow ochre rug and putting a fun spin on it. I shared my rug inspirations earlier this week and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. A very simple project that I think will add a cute touch to our favorite room in the house. 

DIY {chalkboard coffee mug}

One theme that seemed to be apparent this holiday season was coffee/tea gifts and I couldn't be happier. We finally got a coffee maker that didn't make a bigger mess than you did when pouring coffee and we added fun newcomers to our mug collection, this chalkboard mug being one of them. I've been a fan of this chalkboard trend that has started but haven't participated much in it yet and I'm not sure why. It was so much fun to decide what I wanted to draw on my new blank coffee mug. I contemplated a bit and once I decided on my design, I made a stencil. I opted not for a saying but for a simple herringbone heart. A combo of two things I have been into lately and I love it! 

For a step by step how to on chalkboard painted mugs, check out this tutorial. Super simple and super fun

DIY {kitchen art}

Recently I was inspired by two pieces of art and instantly knew I wanted to recreate my own version. I finally got the chance to do so this week and I couldn't be happier with this tongue in check piece. Some people might consider me a wino and I have no problem with that especially when I can fly my flag with a fun painting like this. As it might not be realistic to drink more wine than water, this glittery canvas turned out just how I wanted, shiny and fantastic. My kitchen walls will no longer be bare and boring thanks to my new painting full of personality. 

I simply painted the entire canvas a glittery gold ( 2 coats of paint ) Then drew the wine bottle shape and set my type stickers out how I wanted them. Next I painted over the letters with black, a few coats preferably and let completely dry. Peeled off the stickers, touched up a bit and done!

homemade holidays DIY {personalized candle}

I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE candles and honestly who doesn't... So this year, I wanted to try a personalized candle and I really had fun making it (and the best part, it was under$5)

I found some pretty great deals on candles at our favorite swedish store and starting painting. I have a small collection of doilies that I used as a stencil for this one, and then painted a friend's initial on it. I think it's safe to say that she loved it!

DIY {necklace holder}

As I mentioned before, I recently moved residences and am currently crafting up a ton of fun, and aesthetically pleasing projects for my new home. I am so excited to share my first project, a DIY framed jewelry holder. I got so tired of my boring wood hooks I used to have and wanted to make something new and easy. I've always loved incorporating frames with jewelry holders and this was my opportunity to do so. It was super fun and super simple. I started with some plain wood frames, painted them (my favorite fall color) mustard yellow, removed the glass, framed the fabric, added some hooks I painted black and viola! A lovely little piece to hang all my precious necklaces on.

{DIY} paperless lists

I'm 90% sure I'm not the only person who has endless pieces of paper all over the place with messy to do lists written on them. And as a result, I think I've found an alternative to my obsessive list making: a homemade dry erase board, to write whatever it is I please. I found this cute one, and decided to make one of my own.

My dry erase how-to: I picked up a plain frame, painted it a funky old green, and then framed this adorable modern-ish fabric from Joann's. (Yes, I know it's that easy!)

Here's to more endless list making, just hopefully more organized and eco friendly!

This board also doubles as a nice piece of wall decor if you are ever in need of a quick art pick me up. I think this piece will finish up my frame collage in my room as well. YAY! Photos coming soon!

before & after

A couple weeks ago I was strolling around a local thrift store, as I often do when I find myself bored and looking for a project or a fun find, and I happen to come across this funky bench. My immediate thought, was MAKEOVER! I picked up the bench for $7, got a can of spray paint $4 and started on my venture. It was lots of fun making over this quaint piece of furniture, from sanding the whole thing (which took quite awhile) to covering the buttons with fun fabric I found, and sewing the cute little cushion. I am very happy with the way that it turned out and now I just have to find the right nook for this upbeat throne like bench.