DIY & Crafts Archives - Page 32 of 33

Halloween Framed Spider Web

Frightening Friday Series Week 1

As we all know Halloween is just around the corner which means this Halloween framed spider web is perfect and just in time. Halloween means trick-or-treaters, costumes, candy, ghosts, spider webs, haunted mansions, pumpkins, sweet treats, and so much more. I am very excited to bring to y’all a new series for Halloween that I would like to call Frightening Friday. Every Friday I will be showing you a new Halloween craft, treats, decorations that will lead us up to Halloween. At the end all of these ideas will be perfect to combine for your own Halloween party.

I would like to start out first by showing you an easy Halloween craft that can be used in several different ways that is also easy to make and very inexpensive. I actually already had the frame from a yard sale and the yarn was some that was leftover from my patriotic flag yarn wreath. You can’t think of Halloween decorations and not have some kind of spider web which brings me to this framed spider web. I am terrified of spiders so you will notice that this spider web has absolutely no spiders but feel free to add your own. I am bit of a chicken when it comes to any kind of bug.

For this decoration, I kept everything white and black and that is for a reason. I wanted my Halloween decorations to all be black and white with more of a simple and classy look than the bright colors with orange, purple, and lime green that you may be used to seeing. I have certainly done that in the past and love it but wanted something new this year. I am very excited to change things up a bit and share it with all of you.

Be sure to check back every Friday for a new Halloween idea. If you decide to participate and create these ideas with me, then by the time October 31^st is here you will be prepared and ready to go for a fun party and night to celebrate.

Supplies:

Rectangle frame

Black spray paint– or choose the color you wish depending on what color scheme you want to use this year for your Halloween decorations

White yarn

Extra décor items: fake spiders, bats, birds, etc.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Scissors

First paint your frame with black spray paint. I actually had this frame sitting around where I had bought it before at a yard sale. You can usually find picture frames for very cheap at yard sale or thrift stores. Just remove the glass before painting.

Once the frame is dry, you are ready to start making the spider web. Measure your yarn from one corner of the frame on the back side and double that length. Then cut the yarn and fold it in half. Place a dot of glue in one corner and then place the yarn in the glue to glue it down.

Once the one corner of glue is hardened, stretch the yarn tightly to the opposite corner and glue it down. I found placing a piece of tape on the yarn helped to keep it in place so the yarn wouldn’t pull away out of the glue. You may also have to hold the yarn in place below the glue until it hardens.

Continue doing the same with the yarn and gluing it in place until you have the pattern you want stretched across the back of the frame.

Once the glue has all hardened, pull off a large amount of yarn. Longer is better in this case. You will double the yarn as you did before and need enough to wrap around the current yarn pieces several times.

I started at a random spot of the yarn and looped the new piece of yarn around as shown below in the picture. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to loop the yarn as long as it stays secure.

Continue moving the yarn around the other pieces and looping around each one and you will see a spider web start to form. Don’t try for perfection as no spider web is perfect or ever the same.

I continued wrapping the piece of yarn around 2 times until I was pleased with the final product.

Once you are happy with the look of the spider web, you are now ready to add the extra décor to really make it pop. I found plastic black bats and black crows at the dollar store. As I mentioned before, I am not a fan of spiders and couldn’t bring myself to use a fake one.

I found it easiest to turn the frame over and glue the bats first on the back side with a hot glue gun.

Once the glue had hardened and I flipped the frame back over, I placed the wing of the bat in the yarn to keep it in place.

The black crow I had bought had small metal pieces coming out of the bottom of its feet that I used to wrap around a small nail that was already in the back of the frame when I bought it and never took it out. The crow also laid against the yarn to give it extra support.

I am going to place mine somewhere on my mantle probably which I will be showing sometime during this series in the near future so be sure to check back to see it all put together. But this would also be great for a Halloween wreath. Cut some ribbon and wrap it around the top of the frame and tie in a knot or bow. Then just hang on a wreath hook on your front door for a spooky Halloween wreath.

You can’t pass up this Halloween craft because it’s easy, inexpensive, and also something different than just the normal pumpkin.

I hope you will continue on this Frightening Friday journey each week and enjoy the fun as the excitement builds for a spooky Halloween this year. Enjoy this craft but also enjoy the little things in life.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

September 12, 2014/28 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

Candy Corn Yarn Cones

Head over to Dawn Nicole to see where I’m sharing the instructions for how to make these adorable candy corn yarn cones. They are perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Fall decor. Plus who doesn’t love taking a sweet treat and making it into something creative for your holiday decor.

September 11, 2014/1 Comment/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Home Decor

Ocean View Shadow Box

One thing I love about going to the beach or on vacation are the memories that we make. This ocean view shadow box is a perfect way to keep the memories alive and display in your home for others to enjoy as well. With fall on its way, it is easy to forget about those seashells that your kids collected and are still stuffed in the bottom of the beach bag. Take them out, print your favorite vacation picture from this summer, and enjoy the memories all year long.

I always seem to come home with seashells, postcards, room keys, etc. and but don’t always use them but don’t want to throw them away either. Sometimes they end up sitting in a drawer and are forgotten. Now not only can we enjoy the memories but also others who visit us in our home. The beach is one of my favorite places and I never want to forget those good times.

Your kids can also get involved with this and share their ideas on how to remember their summer vacation. It is easy for them as well to help you create and put it together. Not that school has started, it’s never a bad thing to look back and smile on summer memories.

The reason I love this shadow box more than just any ordinary one is that the picture with the beautiful ocean view, sand, and seashells gives a glimpse or picture of the beauty we enjoyed while there.

What you will need:
Shadow box: I found mine at Michaels for 40% off making this project very inexpensive. I plan to do this for each vacation we take and eventually build a collage wall of trips and vacations so I didn’t want it to be too big to start with.

Picture from a recent trip

Seashells or you could also use any other small objects from your trip

Sand

Straight pins or scrapbooking adhesive squares: My shadow box came with straight pins that I used to attach the picture.

Let’s get started!

Remove the back of the shadow box and place your picture on the back wall of the box. You may want to attach with scrap booking adhesive squares first and then place straight pins in the corners for extra support and also decor if they have the pearl or colored tip on them.

Placing the seashells and sand can be sort of messy but don’t worry. It doesn’t have to look perfect with everything places perfectly. The beach doesn’t look that way either.

It would also be easier if the top of the shadow box would open as well and you could drop the sand and seashells in but mine didn’t. Maybe you can find one that does.

I laid the shadow box flat and placed my shells randomly on the glass. Depending on your picture will depend how far up the glass you want to cover it with the shells and sand.

Next I started laying my sand on the bottom portion of the box below the seashells and on part of them. I used a picture of the shoreline with the water and sky so I wanted the seashells and sand to cover the bottom of the picture and make the picture sort of come alive.

Replace the back of the shadow box with the picture and secure it in place. Slowly and gently turn it over and see your finished project. Because of the sand and seashells moving easily you may need to turn it over and do some more placement but like I said before, don’t try to make it perfect.

Also write the year of the vacation or the year and month on the back of the shadow box so in the future you will not become confused on which vacation it was.

I love being able to look at this shadow box and smile on fond memories of a wonderful trip. I know that you and your family will be able to do the same as well.

Enjoy looking back on good times and looking forward to making more great memories in the future. But most importantly enjoy the little things in life each and every day!!

Please feel free to share your pictures or memories of your recent summer vacation in the comments below. We love to hear of other great places to travel and things to enjoy while traveling.

If you enjoyed this simple project then be sure to also check out the School Year Memory Jar, Photo Coasters, and Bathroom Mirror Revamp.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

September 5, 2014/26 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Upcycling

Upcycled Framed Chalkboard

One of my favorite things about shopping is looking for items that are significantly marked down that I can fix up a little and make them either brand new or give them a different use. Which is why this upcycled framed chalkboard made my day. I found this chalkboard at Marshalls but wasn’t loving the bright green to use in my craft room. I have nothing against bright green. It just didn’t match my décor. My bedroom as a child at my parent’s house actually had lime green walls.

The chalkboard had been marked down to final clearance because of a small scratch on the chalkboard that wasn’t noticeable at all. Plus I’m sure the green wasn’t appealing to everyone either. Well it was my day because the framed chalkboard was only $3.00!!! That’s right- just $3.00. I couldn’t believe it. The frame around it is very nice and not cheaply made at all either.

Even though this find was specifically a chalkboard, the same concept works for any framed picture. You can always find old framed pictures at yard sales or local thrift stores and turn it into a chalkboard for the same purpose.

What you will need:

Chalkboard or framed picture

Black spray paint– I needed the spray paint to cover the bright green chalkboard. If using a framed picture, then you will probably not need it.

Black chalkboard paint

Foam brush

Chalk

Chalk marker– optional

Moistened Q-tips

Let’s get started:

First I removed the chalkboard from the frame. If using a framed picture then remove the piece of glass.

Next I painted the chalkboard black with spray paint in order to cover the bright green completely before painting it with the chalkboard paint. You may want to do the same to the piece of glass if you worry that the chalkboard paint does not cover the glass evenly allowing the picture to show through the glass.

Once spray paint has dried, paint the board or glass with the chalkboard paint using a foam brush being sure to brush horizontally until the entire board is covered. I have found that the foam brush seems to give the most even appearance without all the normal brush bristle marks. A roller would also give an even finish but didn’t want to have to dirty one up and then clean it too.

Let the paint dry and sit for about 1 hour and then paint it again being sure to now brush vertically. Let the paint dry again for at least one hour before continuing.

*Be sure to read your specific bottle’s directions for the best way to apply your chalkboard paint for the best finish.

Once all the paint is dry, place your chalkboard back into the frame and secure in place.

Before writing on the chalkboard, you will need to cure it. Take a piece of chalk and rub it on the entire board.

Then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. You are now ready to write on your chalkboard of course with either chalk or chalk markers which tends to make it easier.

Because I want to use mine for a weekly to-do list for a possible organization station in my craft room in the future, I chose to add the days of the week but didn’t want to free hand everything.

I chose a font on my computer that I liked and measured the board to see how large I wanted the wording to be. Once you have the right size and font, print your words or letters.

Rub chalk on the back of the piece of paper and then place directly on the board where you want your words or letter to be. Using a piece of chalk, copy over the writing with a firm pressure.

You can now remove the paper and you will see an outline of what you just copied over on the paper.

Write over the design or wording using a chalk marker to make it easier or with chalk again to make it more pronounced.

You can remove any excess chalk using a moistened Q-tip to give a clean and neat appearance depending on the look you desire.

Once you are happy with the way things look and your design is complete, hang your board and keep yourself organized just a little bit more each day.

The best part too is that if you change your mind about the design you want or need to change your weekly to-do list, you can easily by just using a damp cloth.

You can also find different colors in chalk markers to add more style than just the traditional white. I personally love the look of the white chalk by itself. I plan to add more color by hanging some other pictures and décor beside the chalkboard. Sometimes simple is just better.

I hope this encouraged you to keep your eyes open the next time you are shopping. Instead of just passing over the clearance aisle without a second glance, stop and let your creativity come alive. You may be surprised at what you can think of and how to reuse great items that just need a little tending to.

I could walk into a store and buy the same item for much more money without the effort, but that just isn’t me. I love a DIY project first but probably even more than that, I love to save money! Why spend the extra money when you don’t have to and can enjoy recreating something.

I truly enjoy shopping. There is no denying that fact but I must never forget to enjoy the little things in life, even when that is a $3.00 chalkboard.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

August 29, 2014/14 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Organization

Craft Room Organization with a Framed Pegboard

Craft Room Organization with Framed Pegboard Featured Image

Do you ever get tired of the mess and clutter in your craft room to the point that you just can’t stand it anymore? I will get busy working on different projects while juggling the everyday demands of life and sometimes the mess just has to wait. Don’t worry; it isn’t going anywhere. As a matter of fact, it is always waiting on me when I come back. I began organizing and redoing the look of my craft room a couple of months ago but haven’t really been happy with the feel of it until I found this adorable organization pegboard from Designed by Dawn Nicole. I love her style and all the inspiration. I fell in love with it immediately and told my husband we had to go to Lowes ASAP! He looks at me and just smiles knowing that another craft project is in the works.

We made it to Lowes shortly after and little did we know that our small, “good on mileage” car was not made to carry pegboard around. It was quite interesting attempting to get the pegboard that we had already bought into the back seat of our car. People were walking by staring at us as we pushed and pulled struggling to get in. Well perseverance and determination is key. I am happy to report that the pegboard made it home with only a few minor scratches that I was able to hide with spray paint anyways.

This project is not too expensive to make and is especially cheaper than if you bought something similar in store. You can make it as detailed and expensive as you would like depending on the accessories you use to organize and decorate with. The great thing as well is that this is something you can change and add things to the more you work with it until you have it just the way you want it. I am quite the perfectionist and spent a lot of time rearranging my board.

What You Will Need:

4’ x 4’ Pegboard

Molding- We have a large supply of molding in our garage from where the builder of our house had extra and left it here. This was a huge cost saver for us. But your molding can be as expensive or inexpensive you want depending on what style you like. I think the molding is what made this project so great because it takes the look to another level and is well worth it.

Liquid nails

Wood screws

Hammer

Spray paint- I chose two different colors: one for the pegboard and one for the molding. I used a spray paint for the molding that was primer and paint both included. With the primer included, it is a little more expensive but is worth not having to buy more cans to cover the wood if the wood just soaks up the paint. Plus it takes out an extra step of having to sand the wood.

Paint primer– You can also use paint primer to paint the wood molding if you choose to not use spray paint with primer included.

Paint brush– if using paint primer

Pegboard accessories kit– I found one at Lowes that came with many different parts and hooks.

2 1” X 2” wood pieces

T-square or tape measure

Miter saw

Pencil

Power drill

Organization Items- Look around the house for different baskets, shelves, etc. to use for organizing. Also check out the dollar store where you can find baskets and similar items for only $1.

Let’s Get Started!

Measure your molding using the T-square or tape measure. Because my pegboard was 4’ long, I measured the molding to be the same.

Using a miter saw, cut at a 45 degree angle.

Continue for the other 3 pieces of molding as well. I used the first piece I cut to measure and mark the other pieces.

Once all your wood is cut in the correct lengths depending on the size of your pegboard, you can now spray paint your pegboard.

Spray paint your molding as well but with a different color depending on what style you want. I had bought spray paint that included primer. I forgot that it had primer in it as well and painted my molding with primer and allowed it to dry.

Once it was dry, I went ahead and spray painted it. Let’s just say my molding should have plenty of primer.

Once the pegboard and molding are all dry, I squirted liquid nails on the back of the molding and immediately placed on the top of the pegboard.

I then placed heavy objects on all 4 corners to help the molding adhere to the pegboard. I then allowed it to sit overnight.

Using a miter saw, cut the 1” X 2” wood into two pieces measuring 4’ each or whatever length your pegboard is.

You are now ready to hang your pegboard. Once you see it hanging, the excitement truly begins.

Measure the wall and mark where you want to hang your pegboard.

Using the wood screws and a power drill, attach the 1” X 2” pieces to the wall first. This helps to secure the pegboard and also allows you to place the different attachments to the pegboard and move them around as well when needed.

*Quick Tip: Be sure to not place your wood pieces all the way to the top of the board and the bottom. You need to be able to screw through the pegboard onto the wood pieces. If not, then you will have to screw through the wooden frame. I personally ended up screwing through the wood frame to ease myself that it was more secure. It is not necessary though.

Then once the wood pieces are screwed into the wall, you will need someone to help you hang the pegboard. I drilled 3 screws through the top and the bottom of the pegboard into the wood pieces.

Now take a step back and look at the beauty before your eyes.

You are now ready to organize all your supplies. You will not regret this project. I love organizing things so much! It is a natural high for me for sure.

I grabbed a couple baskets from the dollar store that worked perfect.

Look around your house for random shelves and other décor items that you may have bought and planned to use later but still haven’t. I had several decorative shelves that I bought at Goodwill but never actually hung or used.

This wooden shelf came with 4 glass jars that I found at Ikea. I ended up splitting them apart and using them differently but loved them so much!

The large wooden “F” is actually a piece of décor that was used at my wedding to add a little extra flair.

I also left some space to use for any future craft item purchases that need to be organized.

To the right of the pegboard, I hung a decorative cabinet that I also found at Goodwill to hold my sewing thread. They are specific organizers for thread that you can purchase at any craft store but like the uniqueness of this one and that extra design it gives to the room.

One last thing that I want to say about this pegboard organizer, is that the possibilities are endless for how you choose to organize everything. I like to have things grouped together that I use together such as the paint with the foam brushes and paintbrushes side-by-side.

I am in love with this pegboard and cannot wait to start my next project using all my organized tools. This pegboard is one to enjoy for many craft projects in the future. Just don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life as well!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

August 26, 2014/20 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Home Decor

School Year Memory Jar

When your little ones are all grown up, you will be so happy that you took the time to make this school year memory jar each and every school year to open up and read all the good times. The new school year has just started in my neck of the woods. Make this memory jar to encourage your children to try their hardest each and every day in order to be able to add a new accomplishment. Of course when your children are too young and haven’t quite learned how to read and write, you can ask them about something fun that happened at school that particular day and write it for them.

Another great idea to use this jar is to encourage good behavior at school. Use it as a reward system and if they do good the whole week at school, then they can add a new and fun memory each week. Another great encouragement of using this jar is to remind your kids of all the great things they do. School and growing up can be hard sometimes. When they seem to be struggling or having a hard time with schoolwork, pull out a note from the jar and remind them of the great things they have done in the past and all that they are capable of doing if they will only try their hardest.

At the end of each school year, it would also be fun to pull out all the notes and take turns reading them out loud. This will also boost your child’s confidence by reminding them how far they have come within the last school year and how much smarter they already are.

If you are a teacher, the memory jar would be a fun way to remember each class of students that you teach each year. You could have the students write their name and an accomplishment or memory that is special to them on a notepad throughout the school year and then place it in the jar. These are memories that you would have for many years to come of each of your precious students.

Pictures and videos are great ways to remember important parts of life and record memories. But writing the memories down makes them so much more personalized in their own little handwriting at each grade level. Plus many of the small but meaningful everyday accomplishments are not always taken in a picture or video either. This is a great way to remember those little things in life.

What you will need:

First I would like to begin by saying that this is a jar that can be personalized according to your child’s favorite things or style that you choose. Using decorative pieces that your child likes will also be another great memory as you look at how each jar changes in appearance every year. I am going to explain how I choose to make mine though below.

Have your layout and design ready to go before starting with any specific scrapbook paper or stickers you may need.

Use the Cricut to cut out the letters and numbers that you will need depending on your child’s specific school year. I used the Cricut Alphabet cartridge which has a standard but also cute font that worked perfect for this style.

If needing more specific instructions with how to use the Cricut, check out this 80’s sign that was made with the Cricut with step-by-step instructions.

Cut out a rectangle or shape to use to place your letters and numbers on before attaching to the jar. I found a scrapbook paper pad that had the writing tablet paper design and thought it was perfect. I cut my rectangle to be 4”x3”.

Then using the foam brush, brush a light coat of mod podge over the entire rectangle.

While still wet before completely drying, place your letters and numbers on the rectangle. Brush another coat of mod podge over the top of the letters and numbers to help them stick and lay flat. Do not worry if you have never used mod podge before and everything seems to have a white coat of paint over it. You did not ruin it. I promise. It will dry clear.

Let the rectangle dry completely before moving on. Once dry, brush a coat of mod podge over the part of the glass where you want to place the rectangle.

While still wet, place the rectangle on the glass jar and then brush another coat of mod podge on the top of it to help it to adhere to the glass and lay flat.

Add any décor or stickers to the jar at this point. I cut out from a piece of scrapbook paper, a little half-moon shape that said “Notes” to add a little something extra.

I also thought a tag hanging around the mouth of the jar would also be cute. The tag hanging on mine was actually just a plain yellow tag design from the same scrapbook paper pad that I used for this entire project. I cut it out and then also cut out several pencils that were on the same paper and adhered them to the tag using scrapbook adhesive squares. Use foam dots on certain shapes to raise them up and add an extra dimension.

Make a hole through the top of the tag which I found was easiest and cleanest looking using a straight pin until the hole was large enough to place twine through it. Measure your twine by first placing it around the mouth of the jar and then cutting it. Place the twine through the hole of the tag and wrap around the mouth. Tie a knot in the end to keep it from sliding off the top of the jar.

Measure the ribbon in the same way and wrap around the mouth of the jar for a little extra color. Tie the ribbon in a classic bow.

Once you are satisfied with your jar and the décor, now all you need is a notepad and a few crayons or pencils to start taking notes and making memories.

This project is also a fun way to get your kids involved helping you and also using their imaginations to design something that shows off each of their individual personalities.

Help your kids make their own school year memory jar to remember good times for many years to come. This jar is just a great way to incorporate what I truly do believe in. It’s the little things in life that really do matter that we must not forget. Live for the moment and enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

August 12, 2014/2 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts

Sock Bun and Glitter Nails Tutorial

Two of my summer fashion favorites this year have been a beautiful sock bun and glitter nails. First of all the sock bun is an extremely easy up do that anyone can do even on themselves. Plus I don’t wash my hair every day because I don’t think it’s healthy to constantly blow dry my hair and also straighten it every day. When I feel that my hair is “on its last leg”, the sock bun is perfect to make it look fancier than just throwing it up in a traditional ponytail. I always receive so many compliments with the sock bun as well. The sock bun is also a great choice when you are running late in the mornings before work and need something that looks elegant and not messy.

Summer time also means sandals which means pedicures and cute toenails. I do splurge on a pedicure every once in a while but have always loved being able to do my own whenever to match an outfit or just change it up. Plus I have noticed that at times, when I have a pedicure done, it doesn’t always last as long as I would like considering I paid for it. Or the other problem I have is that I chip the polish and then don’t have the color at home to touch it up myself because I wanted to try a new color at the nail salon.

The great thing about these glitter nails is that first of all it is much cheaper and saves me some money which is never a bad thing. Secondly the polish last so much longer. There is something about adding the glitter that makes them last longer. For those of you who are busy, you know how hard it can be to find the extra time for a pedicure or to touch your nails up yourself. I have tried the glitter nails on my fingernails before but felt that it was too heavy on my nails and therefore prefer to use the glitter on my toenails.

I promise you will love both of these fun fashion trends, and they will make you feel better! Let’s start with the hair and work our way down.

Sock Bun:

You will need:

Sock bun– You can also use a men’s sock that has had the actual foot portion cut off but I find the actual sock bun gives the look I like better. Also you can find sock buns in different sizes and colors. I used the tan of course due to having blonde hair and a size medium is what is shown in the pictures.

Hair tie/Ponytail holder– I recommend the no crease kind in order to prevent breakage. If you have thick hair, you may find it easier to use a regular hair tie in order to keep your hair held up firm in the ponytail.

Hairspray– I love the scent of Beyond the Zone Pro Formula Rock On. It is my favorite and works great too.

Brush

Comb

Bobby pins

First pull the hair up in a ponytail. I wanted my bun to be more toward the top of my head but not sitting directly on top of it. This style bun would also be pretty for a low bun or low side bun.

Place the ponytail through the center of the sock bun.

Bring the sock bun to the top of the ponytail.

Start by placing the hair around the bun and tucking it underneath to get it started in order to roll it down.

Continue rolling the bun down the ponytail while spreading the hair around the bun in order to cover the bun completely.

You may find that if you have layers in your hair that it is harder to roll the bun down the length of the hair without a lot of hair trying to stick out. If you do have layers, you can also try spraying the ponytail with some hair spray and combing through it to help the hair stay together better.

You will continue to roll it until the bun is sitting nicely against your head and the sock bun is not showing through your hair.

Don’t be frustrated if it takes you a time or two to learn the right technique for your type of hair. It does get easier with practice but doesn’t take long at all to learn.

If you are wanting a slick, clean, and elegant look, spray hairspray around your entire head and comb toward the bun to spray down any fly-away hairs.

For a more relaxed look, pull the hair gently down in the front to frame your face if you have shorter layers in front or side bangs. You can also pull the hair gently from around the bun to loosen it.

Either look is beautiful and perfect for any occasion.

Now that your hair is looking fabulous, don’t forget about those toenails peeping through your sandals.

Glitter Nails:

What you will need:

Craft glitter– I use regular glitter but choose a light color such as white, cream, or pale pink so the polish color will still show through and matches.

Clear nail polish– A gel top coat works great to paint over the glitter and give a smooth finish.

Colored nail polish

Cuticle oil– It is not necessary but is a great addition to any manicure or pedicure.

Nail trimmers

Nail file

A sheet of any type of paper

Funnel-if needed. My bottle of glitter has multiple colors around the jar with a funnel in the middle to replace any glitter that is not used to use for later. If yours does not, then you will need a funnel to make it easier to add the excess glitter back to the jar.

I want to say first that I recommend these glitter nails on toenails 100%. I have tried on my fingernails before but did not like it as much due to the way the glitter made my fingernails feel heavier. My toenails don’t feel that same way but maybe I am just weird about having things on my hands. You could definitely try both for yourself and see what you like better. For this tutorial, I am focusing solely on toenails but could easily do on your fingernails as well.

Begin of course by trimming your nails and then filing them for the shape you want.

Paint the cuticle oil around the edges of the nail on the cuticle if you choose. I use cuticle oil due to having a lifetime habit of picking my cuticles and not making them any healthier by doing so. I know it sounds nasty, but I’m being honest. When my nails are painted, for some reason I tend to not mess with them. Strange I know.

Paint your nail polish color of your choice on the toenails of one foot. I choose to do two coats in order to make sure my toenails are completely covered.

Immediately sprinkle the glitter on the toenails being sure you have a piece of paper under your feet before you start to catch the excess glitter. I say immediately because you don’t want the polish to start drying and the glitter not stick well.

Shake off the excess glitter left on your nails or the skin around onto the piece of paper. Your toenails are going to look solid white probably but do not be worried. The clear top coat is going to take care of this.

Go ahead and do the same for the other foot. Once finished with both feet and the glitter, add the excess glitter back to the jar using a funnel to keep from spilling it.

Paint the clear gel top coat over the glitter. The clear polish smooths out the glitter and blends it in with the colored polish to give it a natural glitter color and not just a pile of glitter.

I let one top coat dry usually for about 15 minutes and then apply another top coat. Once it has dried, I usually feel the nails to see if they are smooth. If they still feel slightly rough from the glitter, I will then paint another top coat which usually is enough.

Once your last top coat has dried, you are ready to put your sandals on, head to the beach, and show off those beautiful toes in the sand.

These are two of my favorite summer trends this year, and I have a feeling they will be for future years to come.

Enjoy spending time for yourself to make yourself feel better but most importantly, enjoy the little things in life.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

August 8, 2014/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Outdoor

How to Build a Cornhole Toss

You must learn how to build a cornhole toss! Especially one that you can customize with your favorite sports team logo or your favorite colors. Your cornhole toss set will be the center of attention and a huge conversation piece at your next cook-out or party. My husband and I recently made one for our annual 4th of July cook-out and loved how we customized it too. It turned out to be such a success. We also love playing it while it’s just the two of us on a Sunday afternoon to get out of the house in the beautiful sunshine. I am sure you will feel the same way too.

I have broken everything down into detailed and easy to understand instructions with lots of pictures. First I will show you how to make the actual cornhole toss boards and then after that how to make the bean bags you will need to toss. Also so that I don’t have to be so repetitive throughout, don’t forget that what you do for one board, you will need to repeat of course on a second board. If you do have any questions, please feel free to ask. Let’s not waste any time so you can get started playing and enjoying your set just as much as we have too.

Cornhole Toss Set Supplies:

Tools:

Power Drill
Mitre Saw
Jig saw (optional)
Compass (optional)
Tape measure
T-square/square
Sander– You can also just use sand paper as I will list below as well.
6” Hole saw
3/8” Drill bit
C-clamp

Other Supplies:

Sand paper– If not using a sander, then you can also use sand paper with 200 grit.
Painter’s tape
Sponge
Pencil
Mod podge
Decal or stencil for design
Foam paintbrush
Paint primer
Paint- I used white, royal blue, and red but choose any colors that will coordinate with your favorite team or design you have in mind.
Polyurethane
Painting supplies: brushes, plastic drape, paint tray, paint rollers, etc.
Wood filler
Putty knife

Wood/Material:

2” x 4” 8 foot long- Qty 4
Plywood ½” thick and 2’ x 4’- Qty 2 (Be sure to match your boards up in the store before purchasing. We got our plywood home and they were not exactly cut to the same measurements. If they are off slightly it is okay. Also be sure to pick plywood that is a better quality because when you apply the polyurethane at the very end, it will really show off the wood and look amazing.)

Hardware:

3/8” Carriage bolt– Qty 4
3/8” Washer– Qty 4
3/8” Wing nut– Qty 4
2 1/2” Wood screws
1 ½” or 1 5/8” Wood screws (Either size you can find will work fine.)

Bean Bag Supplies:

Sewing machine
Duck cloth– 2 different colors
Thread– to coordinate with each color bean bag
Dried corn or pinto beans– I used pinto beans personally and it worked great.
Straight pins
Kitchen scale
Funnel– Use a canning funnel with a wide mouth in order for pinto beans or corn to fall through easily.
Fabric scissors
Ruler
Fabric pencil

You can also buy the bean bags already made if you would like to.

Before we get started let me remind you again that anything mentioned below to do to build a board or to add to it, be sure to also do the same for the second board or you wouldn’t end up having too much fun.

Building your cornhole boards:

First measure your 2” x 4” x 8’ wood and mark it to know where to cut.

The following is a list of the measurements of the wood pieces and how many of each you will need.

2” x 4” x 48” long-Qty 4

2” x 4” x 21” long– Qty 4

2” x 4” x 12” long– Qty 4

Cut your wood into the correct lengths where you have measured and cut using a miter saw.

You will now start building the frame by using two of the 2” x 4” x 48” and two of the 2” x 4” x 21”. The shape of the frame is a rectangle so place the shorter boards on the top and bottom and the longer boards on each side. Drill the boards together in the corners using 2 ½ wood screws. Use 2 screws per corner. I suggest also predrilling your holes before drilling the actual screw to prevent any wood from splitting. It also just makes it easier to drill the screws anyways.

Continue by drilling the other 2” x 4” x 48” and the 2” x 4” x 21” together. Drill the two sections together to form the rectangle frame.

Attach your plywood to the top of the frame with 1 ½” or 1 5/8” wood screws around the outside of the plywood into the rectangle frame.

Again predrill your holes about 6” apart and then drill the screws in. Countersink the screws, or screw below the even level with the plywood. You will fill the holes with wood filler later and then sand to cover up the screws from showing.

Building and attaching the legs:

You will now work on the legs that will hold the game up. Using a 2” x 4” x 12” wood piece that you have already cut, measure 1 ¾” from the top of one end and mark with a dot.

Then measure 1 ¾” from the side and mark.

Secure your wood piece with a c-clamp to a table to secure in place. Drill a hole with a 3/8” drill bit on the center mark you just made above.

Use a compass to draw a half circle at the top of the wood piece above the hole.

With a jig saw, saw the end of the leg off along the curved line you just drew.

The curved end of the wood will allow the legs to bend under the frame for storage. Be sure to do the above steps for the other 3 legs as well.

Place one leg on the inside of the frame and plywood with the curved end in one top corner against the side wall. Put a pen through the hole on the leg to mark the outside wood frame to know where to drill the hole on the frame.

Drill a hole with a 3/8” drill bit through the frame where the pen mark is.

Place a 3/8” carriage bolt through the hole of the frame and leg by inserting from the outside of the frame.

Add a washer and then a wing nut onto the carriage bolt on the inside of the frame.

Once secure, the leg should be able to move and fold out. If difficult to move, remove the leg and use a sander to sand down the curved edge of the leg and reattach.

Do the above steps again for the other 3 legs until all 4 legs are attached and secured in place.

Finishing touches of the Cornhole Board:

Fill in the holes on the top of the plywood from the wood screws earlier with wood filler.

Once dry, sand down for a smooth finish.

You can’t have a cornhole toss without the hole in the plywood for the bean bags. Start by measuring 9” from the top of the board on the left side. *Be sure the top of the board where you are measuring is on the same end where you attached the legs.

Then measure 12” from the left side to the center of the board and mark. This mark will be the center of the circle that you will cut out.

Place a 6” hole saw directly centered over the mark you just made and then cut the circle out which will give you perfect smooth edges. If you do not have the 6” hole saw, use a compass to draw the circle with 6” diameter and then cut it out using a jig saw. Sand the edges of the hole if needed to have a smooth finish.

Your board is now ready to be decorated. Decorate however you choose but I will explain exactly how I decorated mine for a guide.

For the white border around the edges, place painter’s tape on the outside edge lining it up with the sides. Place another strip of tape directly beside the previous tape as pictured below on the left side. Remove the outside tape as pictured on the right below. This process gives you a guide to use for a straight line when painting. Continue taping the entire border as described above.

Using a T-square/square as a guide for a straight line, place in the bottom of the left corner up to the center of the bottom of the circle and place painter’s tape. Do the same for the other side of the triangle.

Once all your tape is placed for your specific design, you are ready for the fun part of painting to give it that touch that makes it so cute. Paint the outside border and the inside of the triangle with a primer to avoid the paint soaking into the plywood and then the plywood showing through. This will also help you to avoid having to paint so many layers of paint.

Once the primer has dried, paint the outside border white with a roller. The roller will give you a more smooth finish without the bristles of a regular paintbrush showing in the paint.

Place a piece of wood under the bottom end and prop up the legs for the board to be flat to help with painting the legs and sides of the board.Paint royal blue on the sides of the board and the legs with paintbrush to cover and fill any holes in the wood. Then use a roller to paint the top coat with a smooth finish.

Paint the inside of the triangle red with a roller and then paint again with 2^nd coat if needed. (The picture below shows a stencil I was going to use but later changed my mind.

Once all paint is dry, remove the painter’s tape to reveal nice crisp edges.

For my Atlanta Braves “A” or if you choose a logo, I had an 8” x 10” print of the “A” made. I cut it out and applied it to the board at the bottom of the triangle using mod podge. Paint a thin coat on the board where you want to place your image using a foam brush. Lay down the “A” and paint a coat of mod podge over the top. I repainted a 2^nd coat just to be sure it was glued down well.

*When you first apply the mod podge, it will appear that it is going to dry with a white coat on top but it will dry clear. I promise. Don’t be nervous or think you ruined the whole thing because you really didn’t.

You are now ready to seal the top of the board so all your painting isn’t ruined later after lots of play time. Before applying the polyurethane, use a sponge to wipe down the board lightly to remove any dust or dirt so it doesn’t become sealed to the board as well.

Using a new paint roller, coat the top with polyurethane to seal the top and give it a shine.

As soon as the polyurethane is applied, use a different sponge to gently wipe down the top of the board to give a smooth finish with no air bubbles. My roller apparently was making some air bubbles, and the sponge really gave it a smooth coat.

Once you have also decorated the other board, your cornhole boards are now complete.

The last thing you need before playing is bean bags.

Sewing the bean bags:

Measure 8 squares on each color of duck cloth to be 7” for a total of 16 squares. Each square should be 6” on each side once finished which will happen once the bean bags are turned inside out. Then cut out the squares.

Place 2 of the squares together and sew them together with a straight stitch with a ½” border on each side around 3 complete sides and part of the 4^th side. But be sure to leave enough room on the 4^th side to turn the bag inside out. Double stitch as well for better reinforcement.

In order to reinforce the bag and make it sturdier, stitch around the outside of the straight stitch with a zig-zag stitch.

Cut the corners off next to make it easier to give a pointed corner once turned inside out.

Turn the bag inside out with a hole left to still fill the bag.

Once all the bags are done, you will have a total of 4 in each color for a grand total of 8 bean bags.

Using a kitchen scale, weigh about 14-15.5 ounces of dried corn or pinto beans for a total bag weight no greater than 16 ounces.

Use paper as a funnel or an actual funnel to fill each bag.

Use straight pins to close the hole and keep the beans from falling out while sewing.

Use zig-zag stitch to sew and close the hole. Double stitch for enforced durability. Remove the straight pins once the hole is sewn up.

Follow the above steps for the rest of the bean bags. Once you are finished, you are now ready to play a competitive game of cornhole. Let the games begin!!!

This was so much fun for us and our friends and family at our recent 4^th of July cook-out. Mark and I have since played on numerous occasions and enjoy it so much. It’s a fun game to get the family out of the house and moving around.

I hope you choose to make your own. If you do so, please let me know and share your creation below. I love seeing other people’s creativity and what design you may have chosen for your board. Plus don’t say I didn’t warn you that this game becomes very addictive and competitive. Enjoy yourself and of course enjoy the little things in life too!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Plus check out the picture below of my yellow lab Bryant totally photo bombing me! You can throw just about anything if it resembles a ball or a stick and he thinks it belongs to him.

July 29, 2014/3 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

Patriotic Wooden Flag

My porch feels complete now that I have this patriotic wooden flag hanging beside my front door. I found the idea from Tatertots and Jello and just had to make my own. I absolutely could not resist. But as I always say, the fun in crafts and projects is that you can admire someone else’s creation but change it some to make it your own. That is just the beauty of creativity!

There are so many different ideas and ways to create a wooden flag, but this one was like none that I had ever seen before. The polka dots and stripes add an extra flair to the traditional stars as well. Who doesn’t love some good polka dots either? I know I do.

Let’s get started now. You will not regret this project.

Supplies needed:

1”x2”x8’ piece of wood- You will need a total of 3.

Measuring tape

Miter saw or a handy husband that can cut wood easily

*I have to give a shout out to my husband here for helping me so much. He was willing to cut the wood pieces into the sections I needed. If you do the cutting yourself, just be sure to be very careful with any power tools. Thanks again honey!

Painter’s tape

Circle/dot stickers- I found mine at the dollar store.

Spray paint- Red, white, and blue

Wooden stars- Mine are ½”, and I found them at Michaels. These are the same stars that I used for my Patriotic Flag Yarn Wreath.

*The picture below is actually showing my wood once it has been cut. I did not want anyone to be confused.

Molding- I found a piece of decorative molding that was left in our garage from the previous homeowner that worked great.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Eye hooks

Needle nose pliers

Drill

Patriotic ribbon

To begin with, you will of course need to divide your wood pieces into sections. Measure each wood piece into a 3’ section, another 3’ section, and then a 2’ section.

Using your miter saw, cut the wood at the correct measurements. You will have six 3’ sections and three 2’ sections. You will need all of the 2’ sections and then five 3’ sections.

Also cut your piece of molding into a 1’ section.

At this point, take a break to lay out your wood pieces and decide what colors and design you want to use.

I painted one 3’ piece red and two 2’ pieces red.

I painted one 3’ section navy blue and one 2’ section and three 3’ sections white.

I chose to use painter’s tape and dot circles on the four white pieces to add something extra.

Once the white was completely dry, I painted over the white and stickers/tape with either red or navy blue. Once the paint was dry, I then peeled off the painter’s tape and stickers to expose the polka dots and stripes.

Next paint your piece of molding navy blue and your wooden stars white.

Once they are both completely dry, hot glue gun your stars onto the molding in any design you choose.

Now you are ready to drill several holes into the wood pieces which is where you will insert the eye hooks in order to attach your flag pieces together.

I laid out the wood pieces first in my design and then marked where to drill with a black ink pen. This extra step will make it much easier to drill.

First drill a hole on the top of each end of one of the red 2’ pieces which is where you will add the ribbon to hang.

On the bottom of this same red piece, you will need to drill a total of 7 holes being sure to space the holes evenly before drilling.

Drill two holes on the top of the piece of molding and two holes on the bottom of it.

Then go ahead and drill a hole in the top of the remaining wood pieces.

Before inserting your eye hooks into the holes, use needle nose pliers to open the hook just enough to be able to attach two of them together.

Insert the eye hooks in each hole by twisting them until firmly in place.

On the top 2’ red piece, thread one end of the ribbon through and tie in a tight double knot to secure in place strong enough to hang the flag.

You may need an extra set of hands at this point to hold the flag where you would like to hang it while you measure how long the ribbon needs to be.

Go ahead and cut the ribbon and thread the other end through the other eye hook and again tie in a tight double knot.

Now for the fun part of attaching all the wood pieces together to see that final product come together. Attach by hooking the eye hooks together. You may need to turn them once finished in order for your wood to hang flat and not twist. Once the hooks are in the correct position, you may want to use the needle nose pliers to tighten the hooks again to keep them together.

Last but of course not least, it is time to hang your beautiful piece of artwork. I hung mine on my front porch beside the front door. I cannot wait for our cook-out to show everyone. This is definitely also a conversation piece.

Another great thing I love about this project is that it can be used multiple times throughout the year for not only Fourth of July but also Labor Day and Memorial Day and many more.

I hope you enjoy making yours and the fun you will have while doing so. It really takes your porch to another level for this fun holiday. But as always and most importantly, enjoy the little things in life whether it’s this wooden flag or time spent with your family this holiday perhaps watching fireworks.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

June 30, 2014/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

Patriotic Flag Yarn Wreath

Show off your American pride this 4^th of July with a patriotic flag yarn wreath. One of my favorite things about holidays and seasons of the year is being able to change my wreath on my front door for every occasion. My husband and I have an annual cook-out at our house which makes it even more fun to decorate. I will definitely post more pictures of the cook-out and different décor items later. My husband is fantastic with the smoker. I can’t get enough of the smoked BBQ ribs, chicken, and even brisket. I must be hungry talking about all this food so back to the wreath right?

This wreath is also inexpensive to make with only a few supplies. I also love being able to make it once and then reuse it every year if I want to. So let’s get started.

You will need:

Straw wreath with plastic wrapping still intact or Styrofoam wreath- I find that Styrofoam tends to cost much more for some strange reason.

Yarn- red, white, and navy

Wooden stars- I used ½ inch stars that I found at Michaels. You could also use white star-shaped buttons or just plain white buttons.

White spray paint

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Patriotic ribbon

Scissors

I chose to use a straw wreath because it was so much cheaper than the styrofoam. Be sure the plastic wrapping is still intact as I said before or you will not be able to wrap the yarn around and make it look clean.

After getting started wrapping the yarn, I could definitely see how the Styrofoam would have been some easier due to some bumps in the straw wreath, but it turned out still looking great. I counted it as an opportunity to put my patience to the test.

Before you start wrapping the yarn around the wreath, you may want to use a marker to mark the wreath in four quarters on the outside. This will help you to know when to stop and start the next color of yarn.

I started with red yarn at the 12 o’clock position. I wrapped it around once and then tied it in a knot on the back to keep it in place. My yarn stayed in place pretty good, but if you want to you could use hot glue gun to glue the knot in place.

Continue wrapping your yarn around the wreath until you have ¼ of the wreath covered in red yarn. And by continue wrapping, I do mean wrap and wrap and wrap until you think you cannot wrap anymore. Lol!

Be patient at this point as it does take some time to cover the wreath. I sat down and watched some of my favorite shows on the DVR and got caught up on those while making this.

Also do not get too frustrated while wrapping the yarn especially if you are a perfectionist like myself. Once you have wrapped the yarn several times, you will start to get the hang of things. The yarn may want to move some making it seem as if the straw wreath is not being covered completely and will show through the yarn some. Just keep going. I promise it will cover completely the more you keep going. I found myself also going back and double wrapping some sections where needed and that also helped. Once your wreath is completely finished, you can also use the hot glue gun to glue certain spots of yarn in place to keep it from moving and showing the yarn.

Once ¼ of the wreath is covered in red yarn, cut the yarn but leave enough to tie a knot on the back to keep it from unraveling. I double knotted mine and also wrapped it around another piece of yarn on the back to secure it in place.

Now start by securing your white yarn in place at the 3 o’clock position just as you did with the red yarn.

Wrap the white yarn another ¼ of the wreath stopping at the 6 o’clock position and securing the yarn with a knot.

Do the same thing again with the red yarn until you have finished wrapping up to the 9 o’clock position.

Next you will use your navy yarn to wrap the remaining portion of the wreath. I chose navy because I just liked the color but of course a bright blue or royal blue would also work as well.

Once the wreath is completely covered and you have tied and secured the navy yarn, you can now check your wreath to see if there are any places that need to be tweaked or glued in place.

There is nothing like an American flag with those white shining stars. Spray paint your wooden stars. I didn’t pick any particular number but just laid some out on my wreath before painting in order to figure out how many I would need. (Skip this step if you are using white buttons.)

Once your stars are dried completely, lay them out on your wreath until you have the perfect layout you like. Then glue them down using your hot glue gun. Be sure to not put too much glue on the star or the glue will run out the sides of the star when you push it down and will show.

The last step that really adds that perfect little touch is a patriotic ribbon to hang your wreath with. You could just directly sit your wreath on the wreath hanger, but because the wreath is smaller than my normal size I wanted it to hang a little lower on my door. Plus the ribbon just tops it off.

I chose a red, white, and blue striped ribbon. Hold your ribbon around your wreath and then hold up against the door and wreath hanger to measure how long you will want your ribbon to be. If you want to tie a bow at the top of the ribbon, then of course be sure to leave extra ribbon to allow room to tie it. I chose to leave it simple because I did not want anything to take away from the stars and the actual wreath.

Put some glue on the end of one ribbon and then lay the other end of the ribbon on top of it to glue it together in place.

Be sure that your ribbon is looped around your wreath before gluing the ends together. I almost forgot to do this very important step which would not help me at all. At least my blonde roots did not kick in that time.

Once your glue has dried, the wait is finally over. You can now hang your wreath and enjoy the beautiful patriotic colors this 4^th of July.

Enjoy your holiday. Be sure to eat some smoked ribs, indulge in some homemade peach ice cream, and watch some beautiful fireworks. But most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

June 26, 2014/4 Comments/by Bethany