DIY Tutorial: Newspaper Poms

Happy Friday beauties! I'm so excited to share with you some news. +Amy Anderson from +DIY Candy has asked me to contribute craft tutorials for her site DIY Candy!! It's been an amazing experience so far and I'll be sharing with you all some of the fun things that's been happening. Today I'm bringing you a beyond easy newspaper craft: poms! You must have a bundle of unused newspapers somewhere. Here's how you can turn a few sheets into a cute pom masterpiece.

Here's what you'll need:

• 4 - 6 sheets of newspaper
• string or twine
• scissors 

Lay the newspaper sheets flat on a tabletop.

Fold over the newspaper about an inch, starting from the bottom. Continue folding front to back like you were creating a paper fan. 

Cut the folded newspaper in half using your nifty scissors.

Cut a piece of string and tie it around the center of the folded piece of newspaper. Secure with a knot.

Gently peel away the outer newspaper layers while holding it in one hand. To create a sort-of floral effect, separate each newspaper layer from the other.

Hold the center of the folded newspaper and repeat the process on the other side. Continue to separate the layers until you see the shape of the pom you like. Pull and crunch the newspaper to the form you want. This may take some time as you perfect your newspaper pom.

Now hang 'em up and behold the awesomeness! I have a few hanging in my studio and they are adorable. This would also make a really cool summer craft with the kiddos if your stuck indoors one day. I want to try and make mini ones but we'll see if they don't look like someone waded up abc gum (already been chewed, remember that?) and threw it away.

Okay, truth time: do you still love poms or is this trend fading? I still think their hot but what do you think? Let's chat in the comments!

DIY No-Sew Skirt to Pillow Tutorial

Wow, it's been a long time since I've put together a tutorial for the blog! Let's change that. I've been working on some pretty cool stuff for the condo. You might remember this post when I shared all the DIY sneak peeks from our Master Bedroom Redo. To be honest, I'm terrible at remembering to take photos as I go when the creative crafty bug bites. I just want to see my idea come alive and be done. So I might have to actually draw some pictures instead of showing real photos for future tutorials...wouldn't that be a neat change? Hm, idea noted.

Today I'm going to share with you a ridiculously easy pillow tutorial using an old skirt! It's really so easy, you might get sick. So stop reading now and grab a bin. Things might get dicey (whatever that means. I just know cool people say it. Well, not anymore.)

Here's what you'll need:

• pillow
• old skirt
• scissors (optional. I actually didn't use mine, ha!)
• safety pins (important though not pictured. blogger fail.)
• paint
• brush
• white pencil (optional.)

First, make sure your skirt is the same size or slightly larger than the pillow. You basically want the skirt to be a cover. A really skilled person with a sewing machine might undo all the seams, create a pattern and fit the pillow properly. Luckily, I'm impatient and though I have a sewing machine, I avoid it like the plague. All I did for this step was slip that bad boy into the skirt like I was dressing a mannequin. Worked for me.

Once the skirt is on the pillow, use the safety pins to secure the seams of the skirt. For the ends of the pillow, fold the two corners like an envelope (top left photo). Then lift up the middle flap, fold it over and pin on the inside of the edge (bottom photo). It will take some work to hide the pin if you wanted it hidden. Once you fold, tuck and pin the pillow is finished and ready for decorating! Do this for both sides. Note: my old skirt had a slit in the back. I just used the same tuck and pin method, folding the fabric enough that the pillow was completely covered.

I wanted a little script action in the center of the pillow so I decided to use the Spanish phrase "te amo" or "I love you." Being Puerto Rican and that the pillow is going in our bedroom, I thought it would be a sweet touch.  Use a white pencil to create guidelines or wing it. Either way, have fun!

Now sit back and enjoy your beautiful handy work! A couple of reasons why I chose this method:

1. Um, it's crazy easy.
2. I had everything on hand
3. The pins come right out and the skirt cover can be thrown in the wash

Warning: you may not want to make this pillow for a children's room. At least, don't use this method. I knew this pillow was going to be more for show when I dress the bed and not really for lounging. If it were to be used more, well, like a real pillow then I would probably sew it. Probably.

Have you ever thought of upcycling old clothes into home decor items? I want to make more!

Back-To-School: Mod Podge Pencil Makeover {DIY}

The other day I received a lovely package from a talented friend, Amanda, who runs the cute online boutique Bub & Nonnie. She was cleaning out her stash of fabric scraps and lovelies...and I had to get my hands on some! Alas, I held in my hand an envelope oozing with fun fabrics and not a project in mind. Until I began to think about back-to-school, which led to pencils, which some how led to Mod Podge...I wish I can explain how my mind works but I really can't.

You may have remembered my first ever Mod Podge project last year, when I gave some grimy shoes a plaid makeover. This post became so popular and prompted me to think of other awesome projects with Mod Podge. Ah but they had to take a back seat as the new project of mommyhood was priority. Now that my baby is a toddler {I don't even want to talk about it} my mind is exploring DIY project ideas again. You have been warned.

What you'll need:
Pencils
Scissors
Fabric scraps
Sandpaper {optional}
Mod Podge
Pencil sharpener

I had a package of cheap dollar store pencils that I thought could use a little back-to-school makeover. First, lay out your fabric alongside a pencil to measure the length. I wanted the fabric to touch right up to the gold eraser band {is that what it's called? Sounds good to me.}

Measure about an inch for the width and cut out the fabric strip. An inch should be plenty to wrap around the pencil lengthwise one time, with a little overlap.

Next, spread Mod Podge generously on all sides of the pencil. Use a brush to evenly distribute the Mod Podge from beginning to end. In simple terms: cover that outdated yellow!

Slowly roll the pencil, pressing on the fabric so that it adheres to the pencil surface. Continue adding light coats of Mod Podge to secure the fabric. Trim any frayed edges and threads. Smooth out the fabric bubbles if there are any.

Cover the entire fabric pencil with a thick, even layer of Mod Podge. Make sure to concentrate on the beginning of the pencil, using your thumbnail to sharpen the edges. Allow 6-8 hours to fully dry before use. Sharpen the pencil with a sharpener. You can use sandpaper to smooth out any frayed edges, but it isn't necessary.

When you sharpen the pencil, you will also shave little strips of fabric so keep that in mind. Small price to pay for such a pretty writing tool, am I right? This would be a great project for both girls and boys. Can you picture a Buzz Lightyear inspired Mod Podge pencil? I would totally use that!

What are your kiddos favorite school supplies?

Are you ready for the madness of a new school year?

Porcelain Poppies {Video Tutorial}

The other day I had a stroke of genius...okay, maybe it was more of a mild heart attack of inspiration.

Anyway I realized, duh, I should do more videos of me sketching and doing my art!
Kinda makes sense since I've had a Youtube channel since 2010...with only a few sorry videos to share.

"Porcelain Poppies" was SO much fun to make! I setup my tripod, gathered all my materials, set the camera and recorded a freehand sketch on a porcelain tea cup and saucer set. Not gonna lie, setting up took MUCH longer than the actual filming! I had to work with the lighting (since I have all of my studio/art stuff in the basement...goodbye natural light, hello natural light lightbulbs!)

Overall, I think it came out pretty cool...enjoy the video!
If you'd like to check out past videos and/or subscribe to my channel, click here.
Comment below if you like what you see and want more videos.

Love Note DIY Dry Erase Board {Tutorial}

 

This is going to be the fastest tutorial post in history!

Ready, set...okay...

What you need:

- Picture frame

- Dry erase marker

- Lined Paper

- Paper cutter

- Mounting Putty

Take a few pieces of lined paper and measure out where you will need to cut with the glass from the frame.

Mark and cut. Place in the picture frame, slap a little putty on the side and stick the marker to it.

WALA!! Put your new Love Note board anywhere for sweet little writings between you and your loved one.
I put ours in our master bathroom, since I know it's the one place we won't be able to miss it :)

Testimony: It works!! My handsome prince does write from time to time, and it's so nice to leave a word of encouragement for him before he goes to work, not to mention a great surprise to see a note in return. Have fun and let me know if you do try this!

Where would you put your Love Note Dry Erase Board?

Mod Podge Shoe Makeover {Tutorial}

I have to admit. I sometimes have a hard time prioritizing my projects because as soon as I see something stinkin' cool, I want  to try it like NOW! Do you know what I mean?

Thus the case with this tutorial from Make It and Love It that I stumbled across through the website Pinterest (where else, right?)

Ohhh I was so super excited to try it! I've heard about Mod Podge but hadn't used it...yet. So I picked some up at Michael's.**Note: There is Fabric Mod Podge & Outdoor Mod Podge that may work better for this project but you have to order them online, I believe. I'm just too cheap and impatient so I just got the reg Matte kind :)

My thoughts were consumed with making over old shoes and all the fun fabrics I could use! Ah!

So I started here...

- a pair of old shoes

- fabric (I used hubby's old shirt because I've always wanted plaid flats!)

- scissors / Exacto knife

- small brush or sponge

- Mod Podge

First, I made sure the fabric was ironed and clean. Lots of people forget the ironing part but it's super important. The less wrinkles, the better it'll look in the end (and easier to work with.)

Of course mine had stripes, so I made sure they were straight before cutting.
Cut a big enough piece to fit around the shoe, trimming the edges.

Cut a slit from the back towards the front scoop of the shoe.

Apply plenty of Mod Podge to the top of the shoe and start stretching your fabric to the form of the shoe.

Make sure the fabric gets pulled nice and tight, and try to eliminate any wrinkles/folds/puckering.
**Helpful tip: For the rounded parts, cut small slits into the fabric to make it easier to fold over.
You don't need the edges perfect as we will clean that up later.

Continue applying Mod Podge down the sides of the shoe, pulling the fabric tight, and coating some Mod Podge on top. Make sure your fabric is long enough to cover the shoe edge.

When you get to the back heel, make a straight cut on one side of the fabric so that it lines with the middle of the heel, apply Mod Podge. Then take the other end of the fabric, fold over so the raw edge is tucked under, and pull it to create a nice sealed look. Cover with Mod Podge.

Then trim the fabric on the inside of the shoe but leave about a 1/2 inch of fabric or so.

Make slits in the fabric and apply some Mod Podge on the inside of the shoe, and tuck the fabric underneath. (These slits help with the beginning step with the shoe curves.)

With a sharp razor or Exacto knife, trim the extra fabric along the bottom of the shoe, right at the edge of the sole.

Then apply a very thick coat or two of Mod Podge over the entire shoe.
Let it dry completely, about 24 hours.

Ta-da!! Now you have some stylish shoes with fabric you love!
Check it:

*Note: The style of the shoe makes a huge difference. These shoes were originally uncomfortable and so with the Mod Podge, I can hardly wear them ha! Perhaps with a better made shoe and some fabric/outdoor Mod Podge, these would be more comfortable to wear. Try it with a pair of heels too! (oh goodness...another project for me to do...)

ENJOY!! ;)

Linking up here with Tatertots & Jello