leather scrap bracelet :: diy

check out my new leather bracelet! aren't i so very "rock-n-roll"?! you can be too!

all you need is:

1. scrap leather
2. button
3. scissors
4. needle & thread

diy steps:

1. cut a strip of leather a width you feel comfortable with and 3-5 inches longer than your wrist size
2. now, wrap the strip around your wrist and cross-over the extra length
3. mark with a pen where you would like your button to be
4. sew on button with needle & thread
5. on the opposite end, cut small slit for button to push through
6. throw your fist in the air, rock-out and show off your new bracelet!

xoxo

easy gallery wall :: diy photo display

i believe, every home needs a gallery wall of family photos.  especially when you are a grandma.  children grow and change and although you want some older photographs displayed to remember the good times, it's also nice to display how great those kiddos are turning out.  the trouble is, it's a pain, usually, to swap out photos in traditional frames.

i recently created this gallery wall for my mother, going up her stairway.  i created frames that my mom can easily swap out the photos over the years.  i used this method and, to mix things up a bit, i transformed old clipboards into frames.  when hung horizontally, and by adding a bit of ribbon or rope, this idea is practical and pretty!  (and, ehm, cheap)

p.s.  that's my sister-in-law in the photo above.  isn't she beautiful?

paper clouds :: diy

i recently created a new window display for urban sassafras.  as i was making it, i kept thinking how wonderful it would work as a photo backdrop for kiddos.  since there are more photographers than shop owners that follow this little blog, i thought i'd share the diy:

supplies:

1. 3 pieces of white poster board
2. scissors
3. decorative paper or paint
4. glue
5. tape
6. ribbon

the diy steps:

1. fold your poster board in half
2. draw a cloud shape and cut out, giving you two identically shaped clouds
3. decoupage or paint one or both clouds (i used decorative paper on one and left the other white so i have a different display on the outside & inside).
4. cut long pieces of ribbon and tape one end to inside of cloud
5. glue each piece of identically shaped clouds together
6. hang (this is somehow the hard part for me)

fabric flower pinboard :: diy

for 'teacher appreciation week' we made 'the monster's' teacher this cute pinboard! it soooo simple... just glue on fabric flowers (found in the scrapbook section at the craft store) to flat tacks. meanwhile, we painted the frame of the corkboard to match the colors of the pins.  i told you... simple.

i think i need to make more...

shrinky dinks :: diy :: photo display

i had completely forgotten about shrinky dinks until the other day when i was walking thru the hobby store and found printable sheets.  how fun is that?!   "the monster" and i tested it out by making magnets with some of my photographs.  i'm thinking we'll end up doing some family photos for mother's day gifts pretty soon...

mounting pictures to plaques :: diy

i've seen some cute tutorials floating around pinterest on mounting pictures to wood plaques.  i couldn't help but do a few of my own.

by the way, how do you like the new display in the kitchen now that my glitter trees are gone?

photo light :: diy

here's a fun and easy diy...

1. print a house or building out on a heavyweight paper
2. cut out house and be sure to leave room on each side
3. cut out a few windows using scissors or an exacto knife
4. use a hot glue gun to adhere the photo to a battery operated tea candle

i think these would look amazing lining a mantel as a little village!

photo display :: diy :: home decor

my darling sister-in-law gave us a couple berry baskets for our wedding gift.  i just adore them.  but, seeing as berries really aren't in season right now (and pictures always are), i came up with the above idea.  cute huh?

the diy details:

1. print photos at 4 x 4 size (or slightly smaller than the width of your berry basket).
2. cut matte board or thick art paper to 4.25 x 4.25.
3. use a spray adhesive to adhere the photos onto the backing board.
4. slide photos into the slots at the bottom of the basket.