Crafts

[Editor's Note: Unless you have been living underneath a rock this spring you have noticed that Aztec prints are all the rage. Every summer it is a different ethnic inspired look and this summer it appears Aztecs are the lucky winners. Jamie from C.R.A.F.T. came up with some clever DIY Aztec inspired shoes. All you need is a blank pair of kicks and some fabric paint and you are ready to rock. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Clothespins have never looked so hip as they do on this sunburst mirror from Imparting Grace. This classic mid century modern mirror theme gets an interesting makeover when blogger Richella Parham visits the laundry room. Think of all the options – a clock instead of a mirror, colorful plastic clothespins instead of wood or even painted or decoupaged pins. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: The only thing I love more than a monster plushie is a chevron print. The two combined and I am in crafty hog heaven. Kelsey from Vanilla Joy created this creepy little cutie to go in her son’s monster themed bedroom. Talk about a pair of lucky little boys! Kelsey walks you through the steps of creating your very own monster pillow and the best part is it takes less than 1 hour start to finish. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: When it comes to yarn letters – no pain no gain. What? You didn’t know crafting sometimes hurt. Well wait until you start wrapping wooden letters in yarn and your fingertips are burnt to a crafty little crisp. Cranny + B has posted a great tutorial about creating your own set of yarn wrapped letters. They may hurt like heck to make, but the end result is so cute they are worth it. Spell out an entire word, make a set of initials or perhaps choose just one special letter. For someone who does not knit or do much crochet I am always looking for projects that enable me to play with all the beautiful colors of yarn out there. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: For someone who does not own a single roll I sure am obsessed with washi tape. I have several rolls of virtual washi for digital scrapbooking, but that would not do me much good if I tried to cover a switch plate. After seeing these adorable washi tape adorned outlet covers on That’s what (Che) Said it might be time for me to invest in the more tangible type. My worry is that I too would start covering everything in washi tape. It starts with something innocent like a light switch cover and then your addiction spirals out of control and nothing is safe from the cuteness of washi tape. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Next time you buy wooden blinds and are thinking of discarding the extra at the bottom, think again. A Girl With a Glue Gun came up with a fabulous way to reuse and improve them. Kim was a guest blogger over on So You Think You’re Crafty and shared a great tutorial for up-cycling extra wooden blinds. All you need is some craft paint, chalk, stencil and of course some extra wooden blinds and you are all set. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Who wouldn’t love to receive one of these gorgeous tile necklaces or magnets? I know I would. Laura from House of Joyful Noise has a great tutorial on her blog for how to make your own. She used floral scrapbooking paper, but the possibilities are endless. Pictures of your kids, letters from magazines in cool fonts, foreign newspaper print – just about anything could be used. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: People express their creativity in a myriad of ways. Some people knit others scrap book, Meream from Bored and Crafty likes to create miniature rooms. Not just any room, a mini craft room complete with wee sewing patterns and tiny dress forms. Many of the items in the room I'd be happy to have in my full size craft studio. I think the word SEW spelled out in Scrabble tiles might be my favorite part. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Wood pallet projects abound on the internet. A quick stroll through Pinterest and you can find everything from gardens to bed frames made with recycled wooden pallets. I love blogger Holly Marsh's take on the trend. There is something so summery and retro about her design. Pallets are abundant and most times free. She found her's at the local thrift store. Holly whipped up a wonderful piece of art with the paint she had on hand and an idea she had in her head. Canvases are so last year, it's all about the painted pallets this summer. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Lately I have seen several cute wooden spoon projects. Most involve painting cute little Indie craft fair worthy faces which sadly I am incapable of. This does not stop me from cruising past the wooden utensils aisle at the store and gazing longingly. When I came across this rainbow handled menagerie of wood ware on A Pretty Cool Life there was suddenly a glimmer of hope for me. Maybe I can’t paint a face, but I can paint a solid color like nobodies business. Let the wood utensil painting commence. I’m not even sure I would actually use them to cook. These spoons beckon to be made into a wind chime or perhaps added to a child’s music wall as a xylophone. - Jen]  Read more