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Summer Garden Flag from a Dollar Store Placemat

Make a Summer Garden Flag from a Dollar Store Placemat | Pretty Handy Girl

I have to admit, I’m a little addicted to making garden flags out of fabric placemats from the dollar store (The Dollar Tree to be exact.) In fact this flag was made using all materials from The Dollar Tree. I bought fake flowers, bar towels and a placemat to make this summery flag. Best of all, you could make this flag with or without a sewing machine.

If you missed my previous flags, this was our winter flag:

and our Fall flag.

fall_yall_garden_flag_2

And our Valentine’s Day flag (that I’m embarrassed to say hung until this week.):

Yup, they are all made with dollar store placemats!

I finally caught up to the correct season and made this cheery garden flag!. As I like to say, “Better late than never!”  Read more

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Bunny Place Cards

bunny place cards

Spring is in the air so let’s make some bunny place cards for the table.  Jaime here from That’s My Letter sharing this easy scrap project that adds a touch of cuteness and color to your Easter or spring table.

I used spring colored spray paints on the front side of the bunnies and then decoupaged fun fabrics onto the back side:

bunny place cards 1

You can imagine once the table is all set just how festive and fresh all these bright colored bunnies will look against the place settings!  I added the little clothespin to hold the name card:

bunny place cards 4

Supplies:

  • 1/2″ MDF scraps
  • Bunny template (search google for lots of options)
  • Scroll saw or jig saw
  • Spray primer
  • Spray paint
  • Cotton fabric scraps
  • Decoupage for fabric & brush
  • Scissors
  • 1×2 wood scraps
  • Wood glue
  • Nail gun & 1 1/4″ finish nails
  • Mini clothespins
  • Super glue

Instructions:

Read through all steps before beginning.

bunny place cards step 1

Step 1: Trace bunny template onto MDF and cut out.  Sand edges smooth.  Spray with primer then colored spray paint (one side only). Read more

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Family Game Night Hack: How to “Pause” Monopoly

Family Game Night Hack How to Pause Monopoly

Hi everyone!  It’s Katie from Addicted 2 DIY again!  I have an easy and fun family game night hack to share with you that has helped us to enjoy one of our favorite board games until the very end!  We love to play Monopoly together as a family, but sometimes we don’t have the patience to stick it out until the end in one sitting.  We used to just slide the game to the end of our dining table and pick up where we thought we left off on another day.  I hated having to leave the game board out all of the time.  After being annoyed with it for too long, an idea popped into my head: ” We could actually “pause” the game.”  It’s so simple and it was one of those #facepalm moments where I wondered why I didn’t think of it sooner!  I even made up a printable that goes along with the idea.

Materials:

  • Canvas or muslin drawstring bags
  • Heat transfer vinyl (or you can make a vinyl stencil)
  • Silhouette die cutting machine
  • Printer
  • Copy paper
  • Printable game position download

Instructions:

Pick up some canvas or muslin drawstring bags to store your game pieces.  Most craft stores carry then, but I picked these up at Hobby Lobby and used my 40% off coupon.

family-game-night-hack-bags

Measure your bags to figure out what size you need to cut your letters out.

family-game-night-hack-measuring

If using heat transfer vinyl, cut the names out on your Silhouette or Cricut and weed the excess vinyl away.  I used the American Typewriter font for these bags.  Make sure you mirror the design before you cut!  Otherwise your names will be backwards when they’re ironed on. Read more

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DIY Owl Bookends

diy owl bookends

Pretty Handy readers Happy New Year!  Jaime here today from That’s My Letter to share how to make scrap wood DIY Owl Bookends.  It’s January and everyone is in cleaning, purging, and organizational mode.  While you’re cleaning out the scrap wood bin, save a few scraps to make these cute owl bookends. They are adorable and will help straighten up your bookshelf, too.

I used scrap wood pieces straight from my cut off bin to quickly put together these bookends.  These wood pieces happen to be different colors (some stained, some cedar, some painted) but you could easily use new lumber and paint the owls in fun colors.

owl bookends 1

This is a great gift idea for adults and kids alike!  I sent this pair off to my sister who happened to have an owl get down her chimney (someone left the flue open!) and was flying around in her house.

owl bookends 3

Below are the step-by-step instructions including materials and a cut list.  Always follow all safety precautions when using power tools.

owl bookend tml

Materials: Read more

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Fabric and Wood Coasters

fabric & wood coasters

Pretty Handy readers we are nearing ever so close to the big day!  Jaime from That’s My Letter here today to share a quick and easy last minute gift idea.  These fabric and wood coasters add just a touch of holiday cheer to any coffee table and you just might already have the supplies on hand to make them!

fabric & wood coasters wrapped

All stacked up and tied together they make a great hostess gift or a charming diy gift anyone is sure to appreciate.

fabric & wood coasters 3

The plaid fabric is completely on trend this year as we are seeing plaid and tartan everywhere!  You could use nearly any fabric, this plaid happens to be a thicker woven cotton.

fabric & wood coasters 1

Below are the step-by-step instructions to make your own fabric and wood coasters.  Always use all safety precautions when operating power tools.

Materials:

  • 4×4 wood post scrap (1/2″ thick for each coaster)
  • miter saw
  • measuring tape & pencil
  • sandpaper
  • fabric (4″ square for each coaster)
  • mod podge
  • paint brush
  • rotary cutter & self healing mat

Instructions:

Step 1: Mark the 4×4 post for a 1/2″ cut.  I recommend setting up a stop block (the 2×4 on the right in the picture below) and clamp it to your saw.  This stop block allows you to make multiple cuts of same length without having to re-measure and mark your wood every time.

fabric & wood coasters step 1

fabric & wood coasters cut complete

Step 2: Sand the edges of the wood cuts smooth.  Apply a generous layer of mod podge onto the wood and press fabric in place smoothing any wrinkles.  Let dry. Read more

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