5 Silhouette Projects for Beginners

So I got a Silhouette Portrait - the little sister to the Silhouette Cameo - for Christmas.  (If you're not familiar -it's a paper cutting machine or a die cut machine use to make cards, stencils, labels and for scrapbook.) It's really not fair - my kids open up their new toys and immediately they start playing with them non-stop.  I guess when you're a mom it doesn't work that way.  Wah wah wah.  I'm dying to play with my new toy, but I'm squeezing it in during naps.  When does school start back up? I kid. I kid.

How to Make a {Real, Lighted} Pumpkin Topiary

I have been drooling over all the gorgeous pumpkin topiaries on Pinterest for the last month or so.  As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my front porch could definitely use some sprucing up.  After I scored five flower pots for $5 I decided I had a perfect excuse - not to mention a perfect base - for a pumpkin topiary.

I've been on the hunt for some large inexpensive fake pumpkins, but those babies don't come cheap in the peak of the season.  I plan to buy a few after Halloween when they're marked down on clearance, but this year I decided instead of going without I would go with a cheaper - real - version.  The problem with real pumpkins is they are heavy, they are not symmetrical, you can not drill into them (to use a dowel for support) or they'll rot within days.  Honestly, they're not ideal for a pumpkin topiary - but they are the cheapest way to go.  And with a few tweaks it is possible to make a real tiered pumpkin topiary, even one that's illuminated.

DIY light switch covers: Update and coordinate with scrapbook paper

Another little peak into my $100 bathroom makeover.  This update to the light switch covers didn't cost me a dime, but it makes a big impact.  I love how they add a pop of navy and coordinate with my new blue and white bathroom. 

Here's how I did it.  First I removed the light switch plates and cleaned and dried them really well.  Then I found some coordinating scrapbook paper in my stash (wrapping paper would work, too). 

Wine bottle crafts: DIY soap dispenser

Wine bottle crafts are really popular right now - if you are on Pinterest  (like we are...all.the.time!) you've probably seen everything from wine bottle lights to wine bottle tiki torches.   I am not a big wine drinker, although with all the cool wine bottle ideas out there, I almost wish I was. 

This week my husband handed over a wine bottle (he's finally learned never to throw glass jars and bottles out knowing I will re-purpose them) and I quote said, "Here, can you make something cool with this?" Um, ok..

DIY Doily Coasters

Today I threw together a quick set of new coasters after being inspired by a similar version I came across on Pinterest.  That version used a dye cutter to cut shapes out of scrapbook paper which were then decoupaged onto tiles.  The only problem is I don't have a Cricut or a Silhouette...yet.  The next best thing - my stash of left over doilies. 

I had four tumbled marble tiles left over from my DIY photo coasters project so I just used the remainder to make my newest set.   I started off by first spray painting two of the tiles and two of the doilies black.

Then I spray painted two more doilies almond color.   I originally left them white but they didn't match with the tumbled marble tiles so I just gave them a quick spray to match them a little better.

After they were sprayed, I cut them into various sizes.  Some I left pretty big and some I cut really small to use in the corners.  I applied a thin layer of matte mod podge onto the coaster and then a thing layer onto the back of the doily.

Then I put the two mod podge sides together and pressed down - using the off white doilies on the black coasters and visa versa.  Once I had the coaster arranged how I liked, I spread a medium layer of mod podge on top of the entire coaster and let it all dry for a good few hours.

Once they were completely dry, I sprayed them with two coats of arcyrlic sealer to water-proof the coaster and added little cork pads on the bottom to protect surfaces.

Wouldn't these make an awesome housewarming gift or maybe an end of the year gift for a teacher or maybe just a great addition to my living room?

Everything you need for this easy project is right here (you're welcome!)

As always, thanks for stopping by 2IY..and don't forget to check out some of the other fabulous DIY projects at these awesome blogs...

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The Shabby Nest

Posted by: Melissa

How to make DIY coasters with pictures (Several techniques with varying results)

Looking for great Father's Day gift idea?  DIY coasters with photos is a great one for a grandfather from the grandkids because it's cheap, easy and they can actually help (they can use a foam brush, right?)!  The best part is how personal you can make coasters with pictures.

Hopefully, you're not too last minute - but if you are I have a quickie version of the photo coasters for the last minute DIYers further on down.  There are actually a couple of different ways you can do this and I've tried four different versions here so you can see all the results.  For all of them you'll need:

• 4" x 4" tiles (found at the hardware store) I use tumbled marble which cost me about $4 for a box of 10 tiles 
• Mod podge (either the original gloss or matte or the mod podge photo transfer medium) 
• Foam brush
• computer and printer 
• small felt or cork pads 
• patience...

The first thing you need to do is crop your pictures down to about 4x4 on your computer.   I found it's best to use rather close up images and photos that don't have a whole lot of small detail.  You can use a program like iPhoto or even Power Point to do this.  If there is any wording on the photo, flip the image so the words don't turn out backwards on your coasters. 

Free printable labels: Thought bubble labels in two sizes

Who doesn't love them some free printable labels? I created a set of super cute thought bubble labels that can be used in a variety of ways.  I mod podged them to glass jars and use them for craft supply storage, but you can use them however you want.

They are available in two sizes and I two different sets - one let of printable labels that are pre-filled with craft related items and another blank set that you can customize.

You could use them for kids art supplies, on canisters in the kitchen, in the pantry or to labels storage boxes in a medicine cabinet or linen closet.

 

I'd love to see how you use the thought bubble labels.  Just share a link to you blog post with a picture in the comments section below. 

As always, thanks for stopping by 2IY. 

Posted by: Melissa

How to turn glass jars into DIY pharmacy jars with labels

I've been stockpiling glass jars for weeks now - saving everything from peanut butter jars to salsa containers and spaghetti sauce jars.  The reason for my hoarding?? I need cheap, see-through storage with lids for my growing craft supplies.  Storage containers aren't necessarily expensive, but when you can make them for free or pennies, why not especially when they look like these cool pharmacy jars.

The easiest way to turn glass jars into storage is to soak them in water and then use a sponge to peel of off the label.  It can be that easy and if you're just getting started or have no desire to make them fancy - then by all means stop there.

But I'm into cute and "collections" and so I needed a way to bring my hodge podge of different size containers together.   Plus, I wanted to take the cuteness factor up a notch on the scale...you feel me??