Crafts
Want to give your crib a new “outlook”? How about decorating the door to your private domain? Sure, the huge “Keep Out” sign is somewhat effective, and that hook is handy for hangin’ your hoodie on—but you’ve got to admit, it’s not exactly stylish. We’ve whipped up a simple, inexpensive idea to make your dull door dazzle. And, hey! Before you get too excited, make sure you get your parents’ go-ahead. Oh, and one word of caution: dropcloth!
SHOPPING LIST:
*Chalkboard Paint (found at home improvement or paint stores)
*Paintbrush
*Chalk
*Trim
*Small Plastic Purse
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
1. Following the directions on the paint can, prep your door as instructed.
2. Put one or two coats of chalkboard paint over the primed door, being sure to let dry completely between coats.
3. Once both coats have dried, carefully outline the edges of the door with your trim material (we glued on a gold bolder).
4. Tuck some pretty pastel chalk into a little handbag, and hang it on your doorknob for easy access.
Now, you have a chalkboard “write” on your door for leaving messages and mindless doodles. Just wipe with a damp cloth to erase existing messages and start anew. Can’t “knock” that!
By: Vicky Lorencen
BY JIAE K. ON 8/22/2008 10:35:00 AM 53 COMMENTS
Notes To Self:
Our twist on the classic locker accessory!
WHAT YOU NEED:
Newspaper, corkboard cut to fit the inside of your locker, spray paint, colorful duct tape, fun decorative objects from the craft store, mirror, tacky glue, puffy paint, push pins
WHAT TO DO:
1. Go outside, and put down newspaper. Spray-paint corkboard your fave color, and let dry completely.
2. Cut strips of duct tape in half horizontally. Outline your corkboard with duct tape, making sure it’s evenly folded around the back and front of the board.
3. Place decorative objects, including the mirror, on the board. Once they’re precisely placed, glue them on.
4. Write your initials in the corner with puffy paint.
5. Let everything dry overnight, then pin up notes and to-do lists.
BY JIAE K. ON 7/31/2008 3:34:00 PM 137 COMMENTS
Who needs a bulky beach tote? Toss your bikini and a tube o’ sunscreen onto your towel—fold it, roll it and go!
What You Need:
*30-inch-by-60-inch beach towel
*3 yards of 1-inch wide ribbon
*Needle
*Thread
*Ruler
What You Do:
Cut ribbon in three pieces: one 28-inch and two 40-inch. Fold towel in half lengthwise, wrong side out. For shoulder strap, sew one end of the 28-inch ribbon to the towel’s hem 3 ½ inches from the edge, and the other end of the ribbon 3 ½ inches from the fold (tip: unfold before stitching so you don’t stitch through the other half of the towel!). Fold the remaining two pieces of ribbon in half, and sew the folded ends just inside of where you stitched the strap.
To use: Fold towel in half, right side out. Starting from the non-ribboned end and with the strap on the outside, roll the towel up. Wrap the loose ribbon around the roll, and tie ‘em in a bow.
-Debbie Chaillou
BY JIAE K. ON 7/10/2008 10:56:00 AM 87 COMMENTS
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show
Dad some love then by putting a scrapbook together of all your favorite
memories and special times! You know you have boxes of pics and other
treasures, so why not put them on display and give Dad a loving gift!
With your sentimental photos, and personal touch, you’re sure to bring
a tear to his eye.
What You'll Need:
*Scrapbook or Photo Album. Get a hardcover with blank photo safe pages.
*Colored, Patterned, and Textured Paper. Cool paper brings blank pages to life. Cut pictures in different-sized circles and adhere to polka-dot paper—cute! Make paper pockets for loose items.
*Tape, Glue, Scissors. Use sharp straight-edged scissors to crop and trim. Fluted scissors make decorative edges. Use photo-safe sticky tabs for pics.
*Markers and Fine-Point Pens. Draw borders with markers. Use fine-point pens to identify photos, awards, notes, etc.
*Hole Punch. Create decorations with hole-punches. For example, four hearts and a circle make a flower.
*Stickers. Collect cute, colorful stickers to match the theme of your pages.
*Rulers. Using decorative rulers create unique borders like ocean waves.
What You'll Do:
Step 1: Hunt and Gather
Get to it! Start looking for some adorable pictures of you and dad, and even gather up those old movie stubs you saw with him or any award winning ribbons from games that he cheered you on! Organize the goodies into theme piles. For example, put everything together from one family vacation, season or sporting event. Keep in mind: you’ll need a few pages for each theme.
Step 2: Keep ‘em separated
Separate the junk from the keepers. Toss the junk; and separate the goods in piles that will 1) go into a handmade paper pocket, 2) go into a photo album page, 3) be glued onto photo-safe colored paper.
Step 3: Bring it all together
Say you want to forever remember a camping trip with dear dad? There’s your theme. Grab the best pics, some faux leaves, animal stickers and maybe that piece of shirt that ripped off when you caught got on a branch. Cut a couple of pics in the shape of a tent, and place on dark green paper shaped like a large pine tree. Make everything work toward your theme.
Use cutouts (even cookie cutters can be traced to make cool shapes) to make your page pop. Use your imagination—glue a photo from your soccer tourney your dad cheered you on for, right next to a pocket holding the article he clipped from the paper, because he was so proud of his little girl. Don’t forget to include a page dedicated to just how amazing your dad is, decorate it with all the things he loves and write a sweet Father’s Day note next to a pic of the two of you.
Step 4: Cover it
The outside of your book can display a theme too. Use markers, buttons, stickers or whatever fits your personality. Your dad loves cooking? Create a “best chef” theme complete with an image of your dad and you placing a silly chef’s hat on top. Or leave the cover blank, for a classic book look. Oh, and don’t forget to leave room for future memories with dad! Happy Father’s Day!
-Mary J. Davis & Cara Tedesco
BY JIAE K. ON 6/10/2008 12:26:00 PM 51 COMMENTS