Oversized Pallet Wood USA Sign (And a GIVEAWAY)

It's always a good day at Two It Yourself when I have an awesome and easy knockoff project for you AND a giveaway!  Let's get straight to business...basically because I just can't wait any longer to show you how easy the DIY version is to make thanks to the BLACK+DECKER AutoSense drill.

How to Hull Strawberries With a Straw

Over the Memorial Day Weekend we took the kids strawberry picking for the first time. They loved it and I'm pretty sure they picked their weight in strawberries.  

Since I've been busy passing out strawberry snacks for what is going on five days now...I thought I'd share a really easy and fast way I discovered to hull strawberries.

My New Secret Weapon in the Kitchen!

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Rubbermaid, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RMDishRack  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

So something happened a few weeks ago that hasn't happened in nine years of wedded bliss....we used our china.  Ya know, the thousands of dollars worth of plates, glasses, gravy boats, serving spoons, and silverware that has sat for display only since before our wedding in 2005....yeah, I finally broke it out.  Unfortunately, I also broke a glass...hence the whole one of the reasons I don't like to use it! 

How to Make DIY 'Vinyl' Decals {Without Any Special Machines}

Just when you thought there was no way to make DIY vinyl-like decals without a Silhouette, Cricut or other die cut machine.  Well, I'm here to tell you there is and it's sooo stinkin' easy!  The secret is this printable, cuttable, removable, repositionable vinyl-like material (but not vinyl) by Square1 Masterpieces.  Be sure to read all the way to the end of the post because I have an exclusive Square1 discount code for Two It Yourself readers!

Thrifted Vintage Glass Jars to Canisters with DIY Labels

If you follow us on Instagram you know that I was pretty ecstatic last week about my thrift store find.  It's not too often you find three matching anything at Goodwill.  But I did!  I scored three of these large glass mason-like jars.  They were in perfectly good condition - aside from needing a good cleaning.  There were no chips or cracks and the closures all worked perfectly.

DIY Sharpie Mugs {Using Stickers as Stencils}

A few days ago I was in the dollar store and I picked up a pair of white mugs.  I full intended to use them for my first ever Sharpie mug project.  I wasn't sure who would be the lucky recipients until I realized they'd make the perfect housewarming gift for my husband's cousin and her roommie.

If you don't know how I feel about monograms by now...well then you must not be visiting 2IY enough (kidding, of course)..but I am very fond of them.  I already had a black oil based sharpie paint marker so I was in business.

For some reason I was totally blanking on a design (perhaps it was the 11th hour-ness of my gift) so I turned to Pinterest where I came across these adorable mugs by Simply Kierstie.  She's one of my favorite bloggers anyway so I'm not surprised I was drawn right to her Sharpie mugs of all the mugs on Pinterest (there are a bajillion).    I typically use Pinterest for inspiration, but honestly why mess with perfection - and to me, Kierstie's mugs were perfect. 

Same {DIY} Serving Tray, Different Looks for Every Season or Holiday

Months ago I bought this white serving tray at Joann Fabrics.  To be honest I can't even remember what I paid for it.    I know it was cheap (probably on clearance) for something like six or seven bucks.   The problem (or what I previously considered the 'problem') is it's white...plain boring white.  Actually the boringness (is that a word??) of this white tray is what I have decided makes it totally awesome because it can take on so many different looks. Like...one for every season, holiday or mood I'm in.

You won't believe how simple it is to update this tray and give it a whole new look for just a few cents.  This would work for any size tray, but definitely works best if the tray is square.  My tray is 13 x 13".

All you're going to do use a piece of festive 12x12" scrapbook paper and place it in the center of the tray.  All of the craft stores have TONS of scrapbook paper and they always have lots of holiday options around the holidays.  If you can get your hands on Martha Stewart's Variety Pack of Holiday that would be a great start! 

Re-use Yankee Candle Jars: How to Remove Wax from the Glass Holder

I don't know about you, but I have been burning through Yankee Candles this holiday season...pun intended.  The Yankee Candles come in such beautiful glass jars I really want to save them to upcycle after the candles were long gone...but before that I had to figure out how to remove the wax from the glass holder.

First, I peeled off the label.  Don't worry about any left over residue right now, you can use goo gone after you get the wax out to remove it. 

After the label was off, I burned the candle down as low as possible.  When most of the wax had melted to liquid I poured it into another container.  (Actually I consolidated it into another candle of a very similar scent).  You could also empty it into an empty soup can or another glass jar. 

After I poured out the liquid wax, I let the rest of the wax harden up in the original Yankee Candle jar.  Once it was solid, I used a paring knife to cut wedges - about 6 or 8 sections - into the hardened wax.

DIY Dollar Store Chalkboard Tray

For a recent dinner party I served a cheese tray. Instead of the usually guessing/sniffing/tasting game, I decided I would be nice to my guests and let them know what type of cheeses we had.  I made a chalkboard tray using a tray I bought at the dollar store and some chalkboard paint from the craft store.

The tutorial for this is stupid it's so easy...

Ok, so to make your DIY chalkboard cheese tray you need a platter (mine was plastic), chalkboard paint, and a foam brush.

Squeeze some of the paint right onto the tray (not too much because if it's too thick it won't dry very well) and use the foam brush to evenly spread it all over the tray.  I tried to brush all in the same direction. 

DIY Faux Chalkboard Menu Board

My husband and I recently hosted a small dinner party for about four other couples.   Since I wasn't doing much in the way of decorations - my house is already decked out for Christmas - I decided I would just do a few extra special party decorations.  I had been given a free trial upgrade by PicMonkey to use their Royale Package I decided to make a Faux Chalkboard Menu Board.  It came out awesome - despite my misspelling on Nutella (sorry 'bout that, 'Tella- I hope we can still be BFFs).   More on why I didn't fix it in a minute...but first how I made it using PicMonkey.

I started by "creating a design."  Since I was printing it at home and wanted it to be as large as possible, I selected the 8 x 10 canvas.   Using the chalkboard background in the 'School' theme, I was able to make the entire canvas a faux chalkboard.  Then I added an overlay at the top and made it transparent before adding my "Menu" text.

Then it was time to start adding my menu items.  I used all the different chalkboard-like fonts available on PicMonkey.  Some of them are part of the standard free package, and a few like Sketch Block and Stroke Dimension I could only gain access to because I had the free trial of PicMonkey's Royale (indicated by the little crown).  

DIY Monogrammed Wine Bottle Bag (Pottery Barn-Inspired)

I think I like wine accessories more than I actually like wine.  Take for example, Pottery Barn's textured linen wine bags = LOVE! I loved them so much I knocked them off....cause, you know, I love Pottery Barn...oh and they're no longer available so I basically had no choice, but to DIY. 
The PB version (on the right above) has a linen look so I used my go-to linen impersonator: drop cloth. 

Clementine crate crafts: How to make a 'darling' table centerpiece

Isn't this little Christmas table decoration just darling?  Pun intended because that crate was actually filled with Darling Clementines until about a week ago.  That is until I dumped them all in the fruit bowl so I could put the wood clementine crate to (better) use.

I'm not gonna say I bought a five pound box of clementines just for the crate...but I mean it may have had a little something to do with it.

Regardless...I think it was a good decision because now look at Mr. Crate.  All I did was use a little goo gone to remove the paper and adhesive before spray painting two coats of black paint all over the box.  

Then I filled her up with goodies I had around the house...

Thrifted Kitchen Chairs Makeover

A few weeks ago we shared with you all the details on Stephanie's $35 kitchen table makeover.  It went from drab to fab with the help of a stained top and a white painted legs.   Inspired by this $800 version, Steph's $35 table really was fabulous - if only you could sit at it.

Thankfully, she found a set of four matching chairs on the cheap at an area thrift store.

DIY Wood Box Centerpiece with Mini Burlap Banner (Free Printable)

I've been changing over my Halloween decor into Thanksgiving and general fall decorations recently and needed to find a replacement for my styrofoam pumpkin tea lights on the kitchen table.  One of the issues I run into on my kitchen table, is that I need a centerpiece that's easy to move for when little hands get grabby..  I also wanted something that I could easily change out for the seasons and holidays.  I've been seeing these long wooden boxes and knew it was the perfect solution.

This box is actually a really simple "build."  I used pallet wood (seriously I have never seen a nicer pallet), but if you want to buy new lumber that would work too....of course, it comes with a price tag.

I started by cutting the three long pieces (two sides and bottom) down to the same length using my jigsaw.  Mine are 25" x 4" inches, but of course this is a great customizable piece that you can make fit your table by cutting shorter or longer.

DIY Napkin Holder from a toilet paper roll (Free 'Give Thanks' printable)

With Halloween now behind us the DIY blogging world - including yours truly - is taking on Thanksgiving!   Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that often gets the shaft...squeezed between the ultra-consumer driven Halloween and Christmas.  But this year folks, here at 2IY, we're giving Thanksgiving all the attention is deserves.

And with that...that's lets start with a Thanksgiving table staple! No, not the turkey...the napkin rings.  Okay, okay so maybe they're not a true 'staple,' but DIY Thanksgiving napkin rings definitely can up the ante when it comes to a beautifully decorated Thanksgiving table.

First gather all your supplies...for a setting of 8 you'll need:

• Four (empty) toilet paper rolls or 2 paper towel rolls (cut into 2" sections)
• Scrap burlap (Our free 'Give Thanks' printable here)
• Ribbon
• "Charms" such as mini pinecones, acorns, pumpkins (Click for here for details on how to dry acorns and how to dry pine cones for crafts and decorating.)
• Mod Podge

Start by cutting your toilet paper rolls in half so they're each about 2 inches each.

$35 Kitchen Table Makeover

Well, hello, there gorgeous! If you follow us on Instagram (and you do, don't you?!) you've been seeing this table makeover.

Well now it's finally done.  Can we all just take a minute and admire her.  Can you believe some sandpaper, stain, and paint turned a thrifted table into that?!

Steph picked up this table for a mere $35.  It's a standard wooden table not in too bad of shape, but nothing too exciting either.  She didn't come with any chairs and she didn't come up much personality, either.

DIY Kitchen art on a budget

I have a huge wall in my kitchen that for nearly two years was just screaming that it was naked. I tried to save the poor thing by picking up these Pottery Barn-inspired over-sized fork and spoon from Target, but even they were lost on the wall.   They were both on sale so I got the set for about $35.

Since they look ridiculous like this....I took it one step forward and in a two-for-one move added EAT on three large canvases  It's basically a direct message to my kids...EAT!   (I may soon sub it out for SHH...but I digress.)

I already had the canvases on hand.  But how to get the letters on there neatly would be the biggest challenge.  I experimented a little bit with getting the letters on the canvas until I finally figured out the perfect technique for getting straight lines.

DIY glass bottle or mason jar soap dispenser

Another project from the $100 bathroom makeover file...this one is a cute little soap dispenser made from a mason jar.   I actually liked the way it turned out so much I made a second one - but instead of using a mason jar (I didn't have any more), I used a glass food jar that otherwise would have gone to recycling.

DIY kitchen storage ideas: Repurpose food containers

If you're like I was you have a few stray baggies of spice mixtures or rubs you've mixed up (lucky you if you actually labeled them) and/or perhaps a half-used open-so-long-it-won't-close-correctly box of this or that in your pantry.  That was me - and I'm here to tell you all is not wrong with the world (or even your kitchen).

DIY curtain rods on the cheap

Curtain rods are something I hate spending money on...and let's face it, attractive ones rarely come cheap.   That's why I was so excited when I discovered just how easy and cheap it is to to make my own DIY curtain rods -- plus they're fully customizable.

Everything from the size and color of the curtain rod and to the curtain rod ends can be made specifically to your liking and to fit your window perfectly.  All you need for this project is a dowel, a couple of cabinet door knobs or curtain rod finials, paint or stain, and curtain rod brackets.