Category Archives: DIY

Etsy Love x4

February 8, 2011

Filed Under : DIY

Etsy Favorites

[Oh my goodness, friends, I’ve been having some technical issues with my blog the last few days and couldn’t post.  Couldn’t even open the homepage!  I was getting real nervous that bloggy would be abandoned forever.  But alas, we’re back in business.]

Now, let’s discuss the importance of Etsy in my life.  About 90% of websites that I bookmark are Etsy stores (the other 10% being wedding blogs and calligraphers but please don’t tell anyone I said that).  What I love is that every store has something unique and creative to offer, from vintage finds to handmade leather bags to knitted mug sleeves.  Looking for cake bunting?  Etsy has it.  Ceramic bowls??  Etsy, my friend.

I want to share some of my favorite Etsys with you (more to come!), and in turn, please share your favorites with me!  Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to Etsy.  There are so many hidden gems to discover!  Here are 4 of my favorite:

  1. The Old Red Hen:  This curated shop is always filled with great vintage finds and I absolutely LOVE it’s rustic farmhouse vibe.
  2. Eva Juliet: I want to display all of these sweet food-related prints in my kitchen.  As soon as I have a kitchen wall dedicated to Eva Juliet, you will be the first to see it.
  3. In Haus Press:  This letterpress studio has some of my favorite cards, prints, and notes.  How adorable are their “Love” Valentine cards, by the way?
  4. Rib and Hull: This shop is known for their laptop cases and iPad sleeves but I particularly love their work totes and messenger bags.

[Images via Etsy]

DIY Holiday Garland

December 22, 2010

Filed Under : DIY

DIY garland

When I first saw this DIY Scandinavian inspired star garland on Creature Comforts blog, I knew this type of craft was right up my alley.  First, it didn’t seem too difficult (I’m a level C crafter) and second, I’m slightly obsessed with baker’s twine and have been searching for the perfect excuse to buy some (purchased here).

Along my crafting journey, I found about half of the garland’s supplies at Michael’s (clay and star cookie-cutter) and half at JoAnn (gold sequins…ok I bought a couple bags of gold sequins, don’t judge), and started DIYing!  I seriously love festive crafternoons, don’t you?

If you’re dying to make a last-minute holiday craft, here are the very simple steps to make this garland (for a more complete tutorial, go to Creature Comforts):

DIY garland
1. Roll out the clay evenly on a flat surface and use the star-shaped cutter to cut out the stars.  Once all of the stars are cut out, make sure to let the clay dry for at least 10 hours or until it’s hard.


2. Admire all of the pretty components while you wait for the hot glue gun to heat up.

DIY garland
3. With the hot glue gun, dab a small circle of glue in the center of the star, adhering the baker’s twine to it.

DIY garland
4. Place a gold sequin over the glue and baker’s twine so that it all fastens securely to the star.

DIY garland
5. Once you’ve made the garland to your desired length, let the glue dry.  Technically, you should let it sit for at least 30 minutes but if you’re anything like me, you’ll stare at the drying glue for all of 45 seconds and immediately hang it on the tree.

DIY garland
6. And that’s exactly what I did!  I hung it on my blurry tree.  Oh wait, you thought it was my photo that was blurry?  No, we have a blurry tree.

DIY garland
7. Or use it as gift wrap.  Personally, this is my favorite part of the DIY garland.  It makes all of your gifts that much more personal and special.  For example, that’s a piece of cardboard above but since it’s adorned with a homemade touch, it’s easily transformed into the best gift under the Christmas tree.