I’m So DIY: Glitter Push Pins

Yay! It’s time for another installment of I’m So DIY. Today, I’m sharing how I turned my boring clear push pins into gold glittered push pins. I felt like my bulletin board needed a little pizzazz. (Yup! I just used the word pizzazz.)

Here’s what you’re going to need:

1. Mod Podge (or some other clear drying liquid adhesive)
2. Glitter
3. Sponge brush
4. Push pins (white or clear)
5. A scrap of cardboard or those green foam blocks from the craft store (basically, something you can push your pins into)
6. Newspaper to cover your surface (glitter is messy!)

The first thing you want to do is gather all of your materials and set up your workspace; lay out the newspaper to cover a large area [1]. You never know when you might accidentally spill a ton of glitter. I used a small postal box to push my pins into. I pushed the holes in BEFORE I glittered them so it would be easier to gently push them in to dry [2]. Once you have holes for your pins to sit in, doing one pin at a time, use your sponge brush to apply some Mod Podge [3].

When you’ve got a good coat of Mod Podge, dip the pin into your container of glitter [4]. Gently put your pins into the holes you made previously to allow them to dry [5]. I repeated the Mod Podge-ing and dipping and after the second dipping dried, I applied a coat of Mod Podge to the pins to finish and seal them (this will keep the glitter from coming off onto your fingers).

Here’s a close up of one of my pins in use on my inspiration board. I love them so much. It’s such a quick and easy project but they really bring something a little extra to my inspiration board. If you end up doing this project, leave a link in the comments so I can check it out! Hope you have fun and happy crafting!

I’m So DIY: Chalkboard Jar

I’m introducing a new weekly post that will be appropriately titled “I’m So DIY.” Each week, most likely on a Friday, there will be a post of a craft, sewing project, or home DIY. My intention is to chronicle some of the things I do here in my home to either have some simple fun and/or make things cheaper than if I had purchased them from a store. But I’m also putting them here for others to enjoy! Most of the projects I plan on posting about will be things that you can accomplish on a weeknight or during the weekend (which is why I’ll be posting on Fridays). If you end up doing any of these projects, or do your own version of them, let me know! I’d love to see what inspiration comes from this!

So…for this week’s first DIY: I’m so DIY, I made a chalkboard jar. This is a super easy project. If you’re on Pinterest, I’m sure you’ve seen a TON of crafts using chalkboard paint. I’m sure this is where I found inspiration for the project but unfortunately there wasn’t one particular project or pin that I can refer back to.

Materials:

1. A jar or container (plastic or glass will do)
2. Chalkboard paint
3. Sponge brush
4. Glue stick
5. Stencil
6. Paint brushes for touch ups

I got my container from Target for about $8 and Martha Stewart chalkboard paint from Michael’s (with a 40% off coupon which brought it to $3.60). The sponge brush and glue stick I already had on hand and the stencil I hand drew on a piece of paper and cut out myself. You could always browse the internet for a stencil, print it out, and cut out the shape, too.

First, gather all of your materials [1]. Then, use your glue stick to put a little bit of glue around the stencil to keep it in one place on the glass [2]. Put a line of the chalkboard paint along the edge of your sponge brush [3] and paint inwards from each edge (left and right) [4]. This will help keep the edges sharper.

After you’ve painted the first coat, gently and carefully remove the stencil to keep from smudging the paint [5]. You don’t want to leave the stencil on to dry because then you’ll have issues getting the extra glue off of the jar. Carefully, use a paper towel or q-tip to remove the excess glue. My glue stick is water soluble so the glue came off really easily. At this point, you need to allow the paint to dry for an hour before you put on the second coat of paint. At least two coats is suggested. Once it’s dry, paint over the shape again with a fine brush cleaning up any edges as you go [6]. When dry, rub a piece of chalk over the entire painted surface to cure it and rub the excess off. Fill up your jar with whatever (flour, sugar, etc.) and write a label on the chalkboard [7]. And you’re done!

I filled my container with homemade lavender laundry powder. How do you make homemade laundry powder you ask? Stay tuned next week for the tutorial! Have fun and happy crafting!

Inspiration: Red

As soon as Maggie (over at Gussy Sews) said her Inspiration Workshop topic for the week was “Red,” I immediately thought of Winter slash Christmas. I know, I know. We just got into Fall. And I’m totally not rushing things, as I tend to do when the holidays near. But when I started looking at inspiration for red, I kept getting drawn to the festive-ness and cheeriness of Christmas. Now, granted, not all of my inspiration photos are directly Christmas-oriented. But, at the moment, I’m viewing them as Christmas-y for reasons I’ll note.

I love the red mugs, the auburn cider, and the smoky hued cinnamon sticks. And how cute are those lattice cookies topping the mugs! I can imagine a scene like this taking place on those quiet days after Christmas has passed. As you’re winding down and relaxing in the calm that follows the hectic days leading up to, and including, Christmas day. There’s no driving around in traffic led by frantic drivers, no more shopping (last minute, if you’re like me!). It’s just you, the newest craft book you received for Christmas (if you’re also like me), warm socks covering your toes, and the soft lull of Christmas music filling the house. Can you feel it? Image found here.

I love, love, LOVE this color scheme for Christmas. Last year I really wanted to use this color scheme but that would mean investing in all new decorations. Totally can’t afford that. Plus, I’m still in love with the Woodland theme we’ve got going on come Christmas time (I’ll be sure to post photos of that once the season gets nearer). I just love this photo though. The decorations are so sweet and so “handmade.” So bright and cheery, too!

Image found here.

I want to make a skirt like this for Christmas day. A cozy, red plaid flannel circle skirt. I remember when I was younger, my mom bought me a dress for Christmas that was black velvet on top and had a red, plaid taffeta skirt. My mom was always really into dressing me and my siblings in outfits that were befitting of the season or holiday. This skirt reminds me of a more sophisticated, grown-up version of that dress and those days. And I’ve also been wanting to make a circle skirt for a really, really long time. I’ve been thinking about it quite often for a few weeks now. I don’t wear dresses or skirts nearly as much as I’d like to. I’d really like to be able  to make some of my own (although sewing clothing has always frightened me). One goal I definitely want to be able to check off my list before this year comes to an end is to make my own Christmas dress or skirt. Image found here.

Lastly, I just love this “Merry Christmas” burlap pillow. So rustic, so simply stated. It’s just warm and comforting to look at.

Image found here.

That’s currently the red that’s inspiring me. As I proofed this post, I realized that my photos and inspiration don’t necessarily flow together. I guess that just shows how all-over-the-place I can be sometimes. But I’ve gotten to the point now where I just go with it. I hope you found something here inspirational. Or even just took pleasure in looking at some nice pictures and reading my little commentary. If you’re a blogger yourself, check out Gussy Sews and the weekly Inspiration Workshop she hosts every Thursday. I have to say, it’s quite fun to be a part of.