Craft | papernstitch

Archive for the ‘craft’ Category

04/20/12

19 comments Put a cork in it: 13 quirky ways to DIY with cork by papernstitch

It is time to start saving those wine corks and maybe even grab a roll of cork from the craft store (hint you can also pick some up on Amazon) because today’s roundup is going to get you in the mood to DIY.

Here are my top 13 picks for cork craft projects to get you through the weekend…

1. Polaroid Cork DIY from Christy Schuler (above image)

2. Uncanny Cork Vases DIY (from papernstitch- that’s me!)

3. Fruit-shaped Cork Coasters from Real Simple

4. Cork Trivet Idea from Whole Living

5. Wine Cork Coasters Craft Poject from Mayi at Heartmade

6. Wine Cork Keychains How-To from Cleverly Inspired

7. Woven Cork Tray from Design Sponge

8. Make a Cork Clutch from What I Wore (hard to believe this is DIY, but it is!)

9. Halligan’s American Travel Map from Design Sponge

10. Cute Custom Coasters from Fellow Fellow

11. Cork Stamps from The Sweet Spot

12. Wine Cork Chandelier DIY from Mox and Fodder

13. Painted Cork Tile Pinboard from The Happy Home

That’s it for me! Have a great weekend.

04/13/12

8 comments Wrap It Up: 7 ways to tie-dye DIY by Beth

This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.

A year or so ago I was walking around our neighborhood in Santa Monica when I spotted a high school girl wearing a floral print dress with spaghetti straps. I did a double-take, then carefully kept walking, making sure I hadn’t entered some weird time warp that had thrown me back into the ’90s. Turns out, I was still in post-millennium times, but the fashions of my youth were slowly creeping into it — and they haven’t stopped. Only now, it’s all about neon and, more recently, tie dye.

The latter is one I can definitely get behind, mostly because it’s something you can do yourself and modern adaptions aren’t quite as colorful. Instead of jamming six shades into one piece of cloth, crafters are keeping it simple with two-tone techniques and more subdued hues. These five DIYs are just the tip of the iceberg, too. You can take this technique and transfer it to tons of things: shorts, skirts, dresses, bags, maybe even some curtains? Go on: Grab some rubber bands and get wild!

1. (above) Tie-Dye Tissue Paper by Honest to Nod

2. Tie-Dye Jeans by Here Is Now

3. Tie-Dye Hair Ties/Bracelets by Jenny Bevlin

4. DIY Bleach Tie Dye Top by Honestly WTF

5. Tie-Dye Shoes by Julia’s Poppies Design

6. Tie Dye Denim DIY by State of Unique

7. Tie-Dye Napkins by Sun and Glory

Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.

04/11/12

8 comments Make This: spring terrarium DIY (no plants needed) by Patty

This contributor post was written by Patty of P.S. it’s in the details.

If spring could be captured in a jar I would be so happy! Spring is my favorite season. I love all the flowers and the fresh green color. This DIY project is my attempt to celebrate the season.

Just a note – this DIY involves some patience and a bit of skill.

Here are the materials you’ll need: 1. one gallon glass jar 2. spray paint 3. three large silk flowers (about 3″ across) 4. Washi tape 5. embroidery floss 6. two small, straight sticks 7. fun fur in lime green 8. heavy duty wire 9. hot glue gun and glue sticks 9. scissors 10. wire cutters 11. wooden spoon

Here is how you make it:

1. Remove the jar lid and spray paint it in your choice of color. Be sure to work in a well ventilated area. Let it dry completely. (I painted my lid using Krylon’s Gloss Ballet Slipper.)

2. Cut three sections of the heavy duty wire for the flower stems. *NOTE: My wire is a coil of brown, bark-textured wire. I stuck my three sections into the ground outside and spray painted them using Krylon’s Gloss Ivy Leaf*.

3. Hot glue the wire stems to the bottoms of the flowers. You will have to hold each stem for a bit until the glue starts to harden and set up. (I used Prima Baroque Blooms in Deep Pink)

4. Make a mini banner from the two sticks (make sure they fit inside the jar, but keep them as tall as they can be), the embroidery floss and the Washi tape. Fold the tape pieces over the embroidery floss line and pinch closed. Trim with scissors to make pennant shapes.

5. Cut your heavy duty wire flower stems into three different lengths. Make sure they are staggered in height and will fit below the banner.

6. CAREFULLY drizzle hot glue from the glue gun to a spot on the bottom of the glass jar. Set one of the flower stems into the hot glue and hold in place until the glue starts to set up. Repeat this for the other two flower stems.

7. Things are now getting tight down inside the terrarium so you won’t be able to drizzle the hot glue like you did for the flowers. Coat the bottom of one of your banner sticks with hot glue and carefully guide it to the bottom of the jar and into place. Try not to bump the hot glue onto anything on the way down. Hold the stick in place until the hot glue starts to set up. Repeat for the other banner stick.

8. Cut lengths of the lime green fun fur yarn and guide into place on the bottom of the terrarium using a wooden spoon handle. Use enough to hide all the ‘workings’ and to give a nice covering of baby green grass.

9. Put the lid back on the jar.

Tah Dah! You now have a beautiful jar of spring goodness to display in your home!

I have my spring terrarium sitting on my living room entertainment center.

Happy spring!

About Patty: Patty Schaffer is the owner of P.S. it’s in the details, an Etsy shop where you can find creative paper things that will make you ooooo and ahhh! Her shop specializes in paper accents for scrapbooking, card making, gift giving and home decor. Patty also shares DIY and craft projects, news on upcoming shop releases and other fun things on her blog, Capture the Details.

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04/06/12

8 comments Friday. Fun Day. by papernstitch

I could use a little color this morning. How about you?

So here’s a little pick me up from Stubby Pencil Studio - a shop offering eco friendly and creative products for kids and adults. I am totally ordering those eco highlighter pencils.

And here are a few other things from SPS I’d like to get my hands on…

You can visit Stubby Pencil Studio now for craft supplies, tools, and other fun things (great site for kiddos if you have little ones).

Side Note: Can you believe that Easter is the day after tomorrow? If bunnies hopping around and brightly colored eggs put you in a crafting mood, head over to this diy projects list for a little Friday fun.

Have a great weekend!

03/30/12

50 comments Egg-cellent DIY Easter Ideas by Beth

This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.

Honestly…I can’t remember the last time I decorated eggs for Easter. I think after years of dunking them in the same old dye kits of my youth, I grew bored, and once I hit middle school, the novelty kind of lost its appeal for me. Umpteen years later (a lady never reveals her age), Easter eggs have transcended tradition and I’m continually amazed at the creative ways crafters have found to dress up these white orbs — special deliveries even the big bunny himself is surely proud to parcel out. Speaking of…does anyone else find it confusing that a bunny brings eggs? Or did I miss that chapter in my biology class?

(above) Decoupage Eggs via DIzzYmaiden’s Foodies & Crafters

Neon Dip-dyed Eggs by Courtney of Merriment for Oh Joy!

Polka Dot Easter Eggs by La receta de la felicidad

Washi Tape Easter Eggs by Lovely Indeed

Craft Thread Eggs by Craftberry Bush

Leaf Print Eggs on Family Fun

03/27/12

4 comments Color for Craft by papernstitch

A friend of mine has been busy with craft fairs lately and I keep thinking that one of these vendor aprons would be perfect for her. She could store cash, receipt slips, and pens all in one place.

If I ever get into the craft fair scene myself, I’ll be picking one up too. And actually, it would come in handy when I am doing DIY projects – the closer I can keep my scissors and washi tape the better, right?