arts and craft Archives - Page 29 of 75

accessories, arts and craft, Crafts, Guests, magnet, organizational tips, Stashbusting

State Pride Magnetic Key Holder

Today on the Rockstar DIY stage is Brad! Brad is our first guy rocker to join the tour. He has an amazing creative brain and woodworking skills that will blow your mind. Brad has created this State Pride Magnetic Key Holder for you to build. And if you look close you’ll notice that it’s magic because there are no hooks in sight!

I told you he’d blow your mind. Brad normally rocks on his home turf at FixThisBuildThat.

You may have seen his amazing Party Station recently. This cart comes complete with a spot for your beverage cooler, storage drawers and speakers. See, I told you he rocks!

I hear the whine of the scroll saw now, so let’s give it up for Brad!

Hey, everyone! Like Brittany said, I’m Brad from FixThisBuildThat.com. My site is all about helping you with Woodworking & DIY Projects, Posts and Plans. And today I’m happy to be here on Pretty Handy Girl to show you how to make this fun State Pride Magnetic Key Holder. If you want to check out some of my other work you can see one of my most popular posts, the Adjustable Shoe Storage Bench.

I’ve always been in love with state signs and cut outs and I’ve made several large state signs. But I wanted do something smaller, and I also wanted to solve the issue of always looking for my keys. In my house finding a set of keys is a little like playing Marco Polo…except the keys don’t usually call back!

I had a really nice piece of figured walnut I wanted to use for something and that’s when it hit me. State sign + really nice wood + key holder = Awesome project. I’d seen some similar things around the interwebs so I knew the perfect project to solve my issue.

Here is what you’ll need for this project.

Materials:

Approx 6″x6″ piece of 3/4″ wood (size varies by state)
12 neodynium super magnets – 0.47″ dia x 0.10″ thick
Quick set epoxy
Picture hanger hardware
Spray adhesive
Jigsaw or scroll saw
Drill
1/2″ forstner drill bit (brad point or twist will work too)
Sandpaper
Stain/Finish of your choice

Instructions:

Here is the piece of wood I started with. It is approximately 6″ by 6″ rough cut walnut that was just under 7/8″ thick. I had to do some serious sanding to this thing, but knew there was beautiful grain underneath to uncover.

After a ton of sanding I got it down smooth to 3/4″ and here is what was underneath it…gorgeous! (I added a little mineral spirits to show off the grain)

If you have a special small piece of wood this is the perfect project for it. If you don’t have any nice hardwoods laying around this could be your perfect chance to try working with walnut, cherry, maple, mahogany or something else. Go to your local woodworking or lumber store and see if they have any small offcuts. If you want to stay with wood from the home center then a 1×6 or 1×8 will do just fine as well.

I decided to use Ohio as my state for this project. My wife and I lived there for 13 years, but really it’s just because it fit way better on my board than Tennessee would have 🙂 To get the state shape onto my wood I used a printed outline of Ohio. I found a site called Coloring Castle that has state outlines for kids to color. The outlines are softened a little so it was just what I wanted.

I copied the image of Ohio and pasted it into Powerpoint and sized the image until it fit my board the way I wanted it. You can use a host of different programs or photo editors to do this.

After I printed out the Ohio shape I decided to take a little creative license with the shape of the state. I wanted straight sides and didn’t want to mess with some of the more intricate tight curves like the peninsula up top. So I just drew in new lines where I wanted to cut. Empower yourself and redraw state lines as you see fit!

Next you need to temporarily glue the outline to the wood. Cut the shape out leaving about 1/4″ around the edges. Then spray a light coating of spray adhesive onto the backside of the cutout. Don’t go crazy here or you won’t be able to get the paper off without scraping or sanding. Practicing with some scrap wood and paper will give you a feel for how sticky your specific spray adhesive is. Read more

October 2, 2015/2 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

art, arts and craft, Crafts, decor, framing, Home Decor

Pottery Barn Blue Textile Knockoff Art

Wall Art Pottery Barn Knock Off

Today we have Roxanne taking over the Rockstar DIY stage! Roxanne is the knock off queen. She will be showing us how to create these beautiful knock off Pottery Barn Blue Textile prints for much less. If Roxanne sees something from a high end store, she has the super power to create a knock off for 1/10th the price or less! She recently knocked off a $695 Restoration Hardware capiz chandelier for only $52!

You can do the math, but I know that’s a real steal.

Roxanne, is the talented DIYer behind The Honeycomb Home blog. She can frequently be found turning her cookie cutter home into a beautiful home on a budget. Please welcome the dynamic Roxanne to the stage!

I was recently browsing my favorite website, Pottery Barn, and noticed this set of beautiful Framed Blue Textile Art. I loved the wooden frames and the blue fabrics, but not the price! They sell for $169 for one, or $334 for the pair! I realized this would be very easy to knock-off for a fraction of that price.

To re-create this look, I ordered fabric samples from Calico Corners. To make this work, you will need the larger sized samples. Average size samples are usually around 5.5″ squared. The larger versions at Calico are 27″ X 18″. I always prefer to order the larger size because its hard to get a good sense of how it will look in the room from the small size. Here is a picture of the small sample versus the large.

I found two beautiful wood frames at Michael’s, which are normally priced $29.99, I scored them on sale for $10 each, it was a steal! I bought them in size 16″ X 20″, which is a little smaller than the Pottery Barn frames. Read more

September 25, 2015/25 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, Decorating, wreath

24 Fabulously Creative Fall Wreaths

Hi Pretty Handy readers, it’s Colleen with Just Paint It. Although my focus is on painting now, I spent many years as a floral designer. With Fall right around the corner I thought you’d love to see this collection of 24 Creative Fall Wreaths.

Creative Fall Wreaths

Fall Floral Wreaths

This wreath lives up to its name as the “Easiest Fall Wreath ever!”

Jessica from Four Generations One Roof has a wonderful tutorial to make this full wreath laden with fall leaves and ornamentals.

If you prefer leaving part of the grapevine base visible, Sweet Something Designs has some beautiful wreath ideas.

Straw wreaths make great bases like this festive but inexpensive wreath using items from the dollar store.

Make a welcoming statement without flowers! This gorgeous magnolia wreath uses a white bud wreath as a base and hot glued fallen magnolia leaves behind it.

This lush wreath was created by Creative Green Living. She also shares tips to protect your door from getting scratched from the grapevine.

Brittany added some colorful preserved oak leaves to a cotton base to make a cheerful autumnal statement.

If you want to make your own design, follow these floral design basics – focal flowers, ornamentals, ribbons – in this tutorial by Just Paint It.

For a simple look for less than $10, you’ll love this branch wreath Karen made.

Fall Fruit Wreaths

Many think of gourds and pumpkins for Fall but it’s also harvest season for many fruit. The Wood Grain Cottage created this delish faux red apple wreath, cleverly hung with burlap over a chalkboard.

You can use fresh apples too, like this adorable wreath by Lucy at Craftberry Bush. Talk about sweet!

Don’t forget about “sugared” fruit. This bountiful wreath by Mad in Crafts could easily take you from Fall thru Christmas!

Sweater Wreaths

I’ve seen sweaters used on jars and vases but this cozy wreath was a first for me. It conveys a warm and festive welcome and is quite easy to make!

Just a Girl created another sweater wreath adorned with feathers. This wreath echoes the warmth of the season yet is simple in design.

Fabric Wreaths

Patterned burlap makes a unique and stylish Fall wreath. City Moms Blog has a complete tutorial to create your own Fall Burlap Wreath.

Skip To My Lou offers a different take on a burlap wreath, full of texture and dimension and pretty in its simplicity.

Who would think to use denim fabric for a wreath? Crafts by Amanda, that’s who. Playful and fun and a great way to upcycle jeans!

Neutral Color Fall Wreaths

This rustic chic wreath was made with strips of painter’s cloth by Live Laugh Rowe. Displaying it on the barn wood completes the look.

Vicki of The Creative Goddess braided a natural raffia wreath and offers an easy to follow video tutorial.

This oak leaf wreath made of book pages inspired an Autumn Garland.

This book page wreath wasn’t made specifically for Fall by The Nester but it’s so spectacular, I had to include it.

Novelty Wreaths

Finally, I’ve included these pieces to encourage you to think outside the . . . circle.

Kim of Sand and Sisal created a beautiful door swag for Fall that has a designer’s touch.

A green acorn wreath? Why not! Little Things Bring Smiles blog is credited designing this unique wreath.

If your baseball team is lucky enough to be playing in October (World Series) Mad in Crafts shows you how to make a baseball wreath, sure to please. Go Team!

An old rake with stems of bittersweet from Better Homes and Gardens that isn’t a wreath at all, but looks right at home on any door.

For a more modern look, you’ll love this simple wreath Karen made.

Whether you like vivid Fall colors or textural neutrals, a round wreath or old rake, I hope this collection has inspired you to create something fun this year.

Happy Fall y’all!

September 20, 2015/7 Comments/by Colleen Jorgensen

accessories, art, arts and craft, framing, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial, Upcycling

Easy Clipboard Stand

Today’s project is so easy, I named it the Easy Clipboard Stand (catchy name, no?) This is a great way to upcycle an old clipboard and a scrap 2×4. This clipboard stand is super versatile. It can be used as a traditional stand for announcements; a copy stand; a recipe holder; an art frame or anything you need to bring attention to. Plus, if you use a dark chalk paint color, it can be used as a chalkboard sign. Bonus.

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Tools:

Table Saw
GRR-Ripper 3D Push Block

Instructions:

Cut the 2×4 scrap to the same width as the clipboard. Set your table saw blade approximately 2/3 height of the 2×4 block. Angle the blade to 15 degrees. Carefully slide the block over the blade. You’ll notice I use a GRR-Ripper Push Block to keep my hands away from the blade. (If you own a table saw, you need one of these!)

The 2×4 should look like the photo below. Read more

September 4, 2015/14 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, Crafts, Decor Adventures, Plants

DIY Macrame Plant Hanger

If you follow home decor trends (or just love to add something different or vintage to your home), then a textile and macrame project is a perfect project to try. If you think they are a nod to the 70’s, you are right but this macrame project is fresh and fun. And it will make a great addition to your home.

Today I have a quick and easy DIY macrame plant hanger to show you that can be customized by color and size. It’s also a new way to display plants instead of just putting them on a shelf or plant stand. Here’s how to make a DIY Macrame Plant Hanger.

Materials:

50 feet of cotton or polyester clothesline
Scissors
Tape measure
Plant in a small pot or bowl
Small metal ring
Cup hook and anchor (Optional for hanging from the ceiling)

Instructions:

Open the clothesline and fold it in half three times so you have eight strands of clothesline of equal lengths. One end will have all of the ends still connected, and the other will have two looped ends and the two open ends of the clothesline.