DIY Modern Needlework Ornament
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Looking for a little DIY project for holiday gift-giving? Check out these handmade needlework ornaments. The combination of modern pattern design and the timeless quality of handcraft is irresistible. Modern Needleworks has made it easy. A DIY kit, complete with all the necessary materials, complete instructions as well as a ready to go design. 4″ in diameter, these make the perfect gift, whether giving a completed project attached to a bottle of wine or box of sweets, or simply providing a welcome winter project for the recipient. Love these.
Images sourced on Etsy, Modern Needleworks
Tags: Christmas Ornament, diy, DIY Christmas, DIY Ornament, etsy, Handcraft, handmade, interior design, Modern Needleworks, Needlepoint
Make It: A Giant Confetti Wall
Posted by Erin | Filed under DIY Projects, Inspiration, Musings
Because I have white walls (and love them endlessly!), I often find small ways to dress them up every now and then. It’s the perfect way for me to temporarily brighten my space without investing in wallpaper or a bold paint color I might hate in a few weeks. (Anyone else out there an incredibly fickle decorator in this way?)
Naturally, this DIY confetti wall project found in Beci Oprin’s book Find & Keep is the perfect easy solution for a rainy day afternoon. Wouldn’t it be fun to enlist the help of your family and friends to create one giant wall of fun? Here’s how:
Tags: diy, diy-project, party decor, wall decor
A Stunning DIY Bedside Lamp
Posted by Erin | Filed under DIY Projects, Solutions
You’re not going to believe this (really!), but this lamp? This lamp is a DIY project. A completely do-able one at that. Is your mouth gaping as wide as mine?
Finnish industrial design student Minni spotted a similar lamp and was inspired to recreate the look – on a serious budget. The best part? Every item used in the project was sourced from IKEA or a local hardware store, making it incredibly affordable (and seriously convenient if you’re lucky enough to live near an IKEA!).
If you’d like to tackle the project, Mini has a fantastic three-port tutorial here, here and here. [Warning: the concrete-pouring process looks a wee bit intimidating, but she gives some great tips on getting the job done!] Aren’t you amazed? Cheers to creative solutions on a dime!
Image Credit: Nimi Design
Tags: diy, diy-lighting, diy-project, lighting
Why Don’t You…?
Posted by Erin | Filed under DIY Projects, Inspiration, Musings
…get crafty with your kitchen cabinets?
I’m a huge fan of quirky furniture and decor, so when I spotted this unique cupboard, I spiraled into “How can I recreate this look in my home NOW?” mode. And because I’m not necessarily gifted in the area of free-hand drawings, I thought of a perfectly temporary solution:
Why not coat your kitchen cabinets in dry erase paint? They’ll appear to be nothing more than a bright white finish, yet when you feel like having fun with your space, you can doodle plates, glasses and other cupboard contents on the cabinet’s exterior. Or, you could use it as a space to list your grocery needs, important reminders or funny things your kid said that day. The possibilities are truly endless, right?
Tell me, are you quirky enough to doodle on your kitchen cabinets? Or do you prefer your space to be polished and [gasp!] more grown-up?
Image: 101 Woonideeen
Tags: cabinets, diy, dry erase paint, kitchen
DIY Halloween Dragon
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
It’s that time of year again. Our thoughts go all things spooky and spectacular. At the DeGrace house, we are big into a handmade Halloween. Simple, tactile and unique, it makes the experience of the day that much more special. Each of our boys has a connection to their chosen disguise through their own efforts to craft and create it. It is a time to rally the collective creative energy of the family, ultimately everyone teaching and learning from one another. It seems it offers the unique vision that anything is possible. Powerful indeed. Imagine it, and create it.
One of our most memorable recent projects was a Chinese Dragon. It began with the imagination of our youngest son. Like all projects it presented a myriad of design challenges and problems to solve. How to create a structure light enough to carry? Can I see where I am going? And perhaps most importantly, how do I still get to the door for candy? Paper Mache was the medium of choice, over an aluminum wire frame.
The Dragon has been used multiple years, by the boys together, as well as groups individually, with groups of their friends. The head hangs proudly in their bedrooms now. Like most creative adventures, there were benefits and outcomes we couldn’t have anticipated. Three young brothers learning to work together to walk in unison was priceless. Each taking a turn at the head to lead the charge. All equally invested, and valued. The gifts of collaboration and design. Happy Halloween!
Tags: Chinese Dragon Costume, diy, DIY Halloween Costume, halloween, interior design, Paper Mache Dragon, Sculpture
