Embracing the season of spring? Well here’s a happy, easy project to bring a little sunshine and color into your day. These little twine wrapped planters are perfect for brightening your home. I like the idea of a collection of them on the coffee table, or perhaps lining a windowsill. And they would also be darling as party favors or anytime gifts. Another idea: I can picture these as place-setting holders — you could hang the name name cards from an extra length of twine. However you choose to use them, you’ll be glad you made this easy project! Let’s get to wrapping. Supplies: – various col ..read more

Present your Valentine with a handmade felt box, complete with a custom design cut out made just for them. Simple construction with a sophisticated look that can hide any number of sweet treats and gifts inside. Make them for your kids, your honey, or even for classmates. These little gift boxes aren’t just limited to the heart-filled holidays. They can be modified and styled for any time you need to give a gift. Think birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day or a random Wednesday when you feel extra kind. The gift recipient of these will have so many reasons to love you. It’s a kind gesture, incl ..read more

We’ve been thinking hard about what sort of non-plastic and non-commercial Valentines we can make for classmates, and we came up with this really cool project: wooden heart key chains! With store-bought wooden hearts, these little tokens of love are ever so easy, totally customizable, and sweet as can be. So go grab your etching tool and let’s get started. Supplies: – wood-burning tool – wooden hearts (I found mine in Michael’s in the woodworking aisle, but you can also find them on Amazon) – jump rings – key ring – pliers Like we mentioned in the other posts, wood-burning consists of u ..read more

For these holiday ornaments, we settled on Santa, Mrs. Claus and a pair of elves, but you can decide for yourself who you want to create. The base of these ornaments are store bought papier maché ornament balls. With a little air-dry clay for facial features and some paint to give it color, these ornaments are much simpler than they appear. Just think how darling these would be peeking out from the boughs of the Christmas tree! Or you could made a set as a fun gift. I break it down step-by-step below. Let’s get to making! Supplies: -papier maché ornament balls -air-dry clay -paint -paint pens ..read more

How are your Thanksgiving plans coming along? Menu lined up? Linens decided? How about a centerpiece? If you’re looking for some inspiration, you’re in luck. The amazing Kiana Underwood, a talented Bay Area florist created a step-by-step tutorial for the gorgeous autumnal fruit-filled arrangement pictured above. And she is generously sharing it with us today. From Kiana Underwood: Centerpieces don’t always have to have flowers. A centerpiece with mainly fruits and some succulents makes for an unusual, but lovely centerpiece for a Thanksgiving or general autumn dinner table. I used a basket fr ..read more

I’m perpetually on the hunt for sweet, pretty, usable, handcrafted projects. Ideas that are perfect for a rainy afternoon, or for a Ladies Crafting Night, or for a birthday party activity, or to make as a gift. And this project definitely fits the bill! Homemade earrings that don’t look homemade at all! And so easy that your kids can get involved too. Yes, please! Let’s get to making. 1) Polymer Clay Earrings – Circle Posts A very simple circle earring post with little hatch marks for interest. You need: – polymer clay (we like Sculpey Premo) – rolling pin, brayer or pasta machine – small ..read more

Let me guess: someone you know is having a baby, or is decorating a nursery, and you’re on the hunt for a baby gift that will knock their socks off. May I humbly suggest a pretty little mobile, hand made in their very favorite colors? They can hang it above the changing table, or the bassinet — there is a calming peace that comes with the quiet twirl of a mobile. Or maybe they’ll hang it in the corner of the family room to add some visual interest to the space. With air dry clay, an embroidery hoop, string and some paint, the possibilities are endless. Supplies: –air-dry clay –brayer, or roll ..read more

Still in love with succulents? Me too. They’re so easy to care for and they add beautiful depth and color and texture to any space. So I LOVE the idea of using a shadowbox frame as planter. Succulents on the wall? Yes, please! This project is especially appealing to me for 4 reasons: 1) You can choose any style shadowbox — silver, modern, carved, traditional, black, glossy — whatever works best for your decor. 2) It hangs on the wall and keeps flat surfaces clutter free. 3) It works in any room. 4) It would make such a fun gift! Let’s get dirty. Supplies: – shadow box frame — we used a square ..read more

Hooray! I’ve got another gorgeous DIY to share with you. This project is the perfect excuse to get outside and interact with nature. These little planters would be gorgeous inside or out. I can picture them in our living room, and also on the balcony. I really want to make like 35 of these and line my front walk with them! I think they’re so cool. I’m going to tell you right now, that this project takes a few bona fide tools and some muscle, too. But it’s actually pretty easy and straightforward. If you can handle a drill, then you can handle this project. You ready to get started? Head o ..read more

Want to know how to get the most intense easter egg colors? Well, I’ve done the research and dyed a LOT of eggs. And this is what works.  We used NotMartha’s dyeing instructions. They’re simple dye recipes using common store bought dye droppers, and she includes how much time the eggs need to stay in the dye bath to achieve certain shades. P.S. — If you prefer natural dyes, here are instructions for every color in the rainbow, all made from common foods like cabbage and onions. The post How To Get the Most Intense Easter Egg Colors appeared first on Design Mom ..read more