Tag: design

Working on writing our first book has been one of the most amazing projects. It seems like it will be forever until I get to show you what we’ve been creating for it. Like all projects I work on, having a piece that is community driven was very important to me. Getting to collaborate with other bloggers/designers was my favorite part of this book’s concept.

We love to spend time planning, brainstorming ideas, sketching files and writing blogs.

I spent way to many hours scrolling through the crafting online world during production of the book. Friends, you can put down the mouse and stop searching because this list of craft blogs that I found during my looking will cure your DIY block before you can even login to Pinterest!

Whether you need inspiration for home decor, fashion projects, kid-friendly activities or party tutorials, we’ve included a couple in every category. Some are famous craft giants while others are lesser-known treasures. Visit every one for a craft blog feast!

Source: asubtlerevelry.com

Happy New Year All! I am back after the holiday break and so excited for all the home projects I have planned in 2019. So when they asked me to come out to NYC to watch The World Strongest Man, Hafthor Björnsson (aka The Mountain on Game of Thrones) lift all sort of things held together with just a couple drops of Krazy Glue, I said “Heck ya!!”.

It’s not an easy task but fortunately, we are able to handle it carefully and successfully.

The event did not disappoint, Hafthor is hilarious, and ridiculously strong, he lifted a bench holding three people (check out the photo of us after the break!) When I got back home I decided to create a couple trays to do some heavy lifting at my new house.

First up, I used the left over tile that I LOVE from the master bathroom to make a little tray for my toiletries by gluing on handles with just a couple drops of Krazy Glue. Then I attached a set of handles to a marble cheeseboard to make a little serving tray. I was so impressed I can actually pick it up because the board is super heavy!

Source: ispydiy.com

I did not know exactly the shape I was looking for, but knew that I wanted to paint them with this SUPER pretty Krylon® Italian Olive color. I stopped at 5 different thrift stores, picking up different chairs along the way (each were only $6), thinking that I would use 4 mismatched chair and just spray-paint them all the same color. Then, on my last stop, I found 4 matching ones for $30, score!!

Don’t let your imagination be blocked by normal things, self-doubting and negative self-denying.

They were that awful orange wood, and I didn’t love all the detail, but thought they might look more modern painted the beautiful deep green. They honestly turned out even better than I thought they would!!! I started by sanding the topcoat with my mouse sander to rough up the topcoat, then sprayed on about 5 light coats of Krylon® ColorMaster™ Paint + Primer – 25% More in Satin Italian Olive, letting them dry in between each coat.

Don’t worry about it being patchy the first couple coats, the key is light layers to build up the color and keep it from dripping. The color looked SO rich when it was done. The satin finish has some sheen, and I really wanted a matte finish that almost looked like chalk paint, so I tried the Krylon® Matte Finish Clear. I was super impressed with how flat the color looked after it dried! What do you all think?! All I have left to do is find a larger oval table to replace the game table I painted with chalkboard paint, and I’ll be ready to host a dinner party!

Source: http://ispydiy.com

I gave you all a peek at my guest room makeover yesterday and promised I would share all the details on my DIY Map Dresser, so here we go! I initially had a desk in the space, but realized a dresser was way more practical because the guest room also serves as off-season clothes storage.

Building a drawer dresser doesn’t necessarily take so much effort as you might think.

So, I partnered up with Brother to create a custom faux map drawer using my favorite organizational tool: A label maker! You all are going to go crazy for the P-touch Cube. It lets you customize your labels on your phone with a ton of fonts and layout options.

This white four-door dresser fit the space perfectly, so I used that as a base, then made each large drawer look like 3 thin map drawers by screwing on strips of wood, then adding knobs and labels. You may have seen the process unfold on Instagram, and I had a fail when I attempted to make a no power tool version with balsa wood.

Source: http://ispydiy.com

The print is an 8×10.  You can print it at your house or at a local print place like Costco or FedEx Office.  I recommend printing on card stock.  Please don’t ask me if you can print it at specific stores because I don’t know.  Call the store and ask.  There was your Chelsea keeps it real moment of the day.

After I made my loop, I started to trace my Indiana shape with the wire and my round nose pliers.  I used masking tape to secure the wire as I went along.

In attempt to make my own state shaped necklace, I did a little researching last night and found a great tutorial on the blog, V Juliet.  I had everything I needed so no trip to the store was necessary.

I started by searching Google images for an outline of Indiana.  Then I scaled down the image to 2″ by 2″ in Photoshop and printed it onto card stock.  I grabbed my wire and made a loop at the top for the necklace with my round nose pliers.  My loop wasn’t made using a specific looping method.

Source: twotwentyone.net

In attempt to make my own state shaped necklace, I did a little researching last night and found a great tutorial on the blog, V Juliet.  I had everything I needed so no trip to the store was necessary.

After I made my loop, I started to trace my Indiana shape with the wire and my round nose pliers.  I used masking tape to secure the wire as I went along.

I’m pretty sure many of you have seen those state shaped necklaces floating around the Inter-web for the past couple years.  I’ve looked into them and debated purchasing, but the $50+ price tag always gets me.

Don’t get me wrong, I support handmade items, but I’m a cheapskate when it comes to certain things (she get it from her mamma), especially things I can DIY.  When I start making my millions I’ll by handmade like it’s my job.  Until then, I’ll save my $50 for our electric bill and attempt to make my own.

Source: twotwentyone.net

There’s an old model, which is retail (offline or on; big chains or indie boutiques), that tries to define this. It’s full of waste and middlemen, where designers make less than you think, and makers make even less.

It is fairy dust and wanderlust that guide our hands to create what our hearts desire.
― Gayle Wray

Then there’s emerging models, where designers go direct and you buy through their stores or more likely online, based on what you’re seeing on Instagram or Snapchat. Then there’s Everlane, where transparency rules and you see what things “truly” cost. Everlane’s model isn’t bad and if what you value over anything else is cost and reasonable quality for basic goods, it’s pretty good.

I gotta say: I have higher standards than anything on offer. Clothes need to need to fit. They need to feel really, really good. They need to transmit who I am (or want to be) because for me and a lot of women, clothing is an extension of my own creativity and ideas. And I need to feel good about them.

I have always been a little standoffish about wallpaper, most likely because I don’t particularly embrace pattern. And anyone who knows me will nod vigorously when I say I struggle with color. So the combination of color and pattern being applied in large swathes to a wall is something I avoid like the plague.

That’s the thing with handmade items. They still have the person’s mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.
― Aimee Bender

Now while I confess a bit of a crush on the subversive punk energy of Timorous Beasties, most of the wallpaper I’ve seen of late toggles between trendy “fun”—the design equivalent of Katy Perry, all extroversion and perkiness—or is a riff on William Morris and his earnest, if ever-so-slightly stodgy, gentility.

But the wallpaper patterns created by San Francisco-based elworthy studio are an exception. From the moody, earthy, muted palette, and patterns that evoke shadow, light, and texture, the feeling is calm, not frenetic, restrained yet sensual. There’s a refreshing grittiness and darkness to the work: a far, far cry from all that girly patterning so in vogue.

Source: handfulofsalt.com