Thanks, I Made It

Guest Post: DIY Q-Tip Flower

2012-05-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Because I'm going to be setting up a new apartment in a few months, I've got home DIYs on the brain! So, I'm very excited to share with you a project from Jessi Snow. Keep reading for how she made this fun decor.

After looking everywhere for the perfect flower for our guest room, I came across this picture on Pinterest and decided I wanted to try and make it myself. I knew it would be easy to recreate, but I had no idea just how simple and cheap a project it would turn into! Believe it or not, it took me less than 20 minutes of working time and the supplies cost just $3.00 at my local Dollar Store. Now that’s my kind of DIY!

Inspiration image source

Supplies:

When I started thinking about what I needed in my mind, the one thing I wasn’t sure about was the stem for the flower. I found a few tutorials that suggested using pipe cleaners but I wanted something a bit more durable, and didn’t want the final product to look too crafty. Because I had been searching for the right flower for a while, I had a couple cast-off artificial ones already hanging around the house. I had no plans to use them, so I just lopped the flowers off the top and set aside the stems. Next I picked up a box of Q-Tips, some blue food coloring and a Styrofoam ball.

Steps:

Once I had everything I needed, I got to work by cutting my Q-Tips in half and sticking them in the ball. I had around 300 half’s by the time I was finished cutting; you don’t need that many but I wanted to try and hide the Styrofoam ball as much as possible.

Next, I put a few drops of my blue food coloring in a bowl with some water and swirled the ends of the Q-Tips around in there, being careful to make sure they were all getting dyed and that I wasn’t making a mess. Then I let the whole thing dry for 24 hours.

*If you wanted to try something a bit more unique, you could dip the Q-Tips in different colors first and stick them in the styrofoam after. I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s next on my list!

Last but not least, I hot-glued the stem into the ball and popped the whole thing into a vase I had DIY’d the week before, and voila!

Thanks so much to Erin for letting me share my little tutorial here today! I hope you’ll try creating a flower of your own now that you see just how easy it is. Cheers!

Jessi is a passionate do-it-yourselfer who is dedicated to making her home a warm, organized and happy place to be. When she’s not busy working on crafts or dreaming up her next project she works as a Community Coordinator for PartSelect, where she’s dedicated to helping other DIYer’s tackle home repairs.

DIY: Leather Dye and Studded Purse

2012-05-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you all enjoyed (or are still enjoying) the weekend! I stayed local for the holiday, which of course meant lots of DIY-ing during the summer storms passing through.

There's nothing like breathing new life into tired objects in your closet, right? I got this bag for an absolute song at Banana Republic. Real leather, decent size, mega-markdown... I couldn't pass it up. However, the pewter-like color was lackluster and the bag lacked personality. Using leather dye and studs, I gave this purse a much-needed update. (Cue the makeover montage music!)

DIY Fringe Earrings and Necklace

2012-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm back over at MJ Trimming's blog with not one, but two, projects! Check out this peek, then find the fringetastic how-to over at the MJ Trim blog.

TIMI Elsewhere: Crafty Superstar on Cut Out and Keep!

2012-05-23T07:15:00.000-04:00

I'm so flattered that the ladies of Cut Out and Keep have bestowed on me the honor of being their next Crafty Superstar! I think I will need to make a nice little name plate for my desk with that on it. Check out my featured projects and questionnaire (can you guess my favorite TV shows?) here on CO+K!

DIY Spiked Macrame Bracelet

2012-05-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

When I found Devora Libin's spiked macrame bracelets, I knew I finally had the perfect use for a big spool of pink string I grabbed at the hardware store. The same string (also known as mason twine) is available in loads of bright, sunny colors. Add some spikes and your basic square knot macrame bracelet has a major upgrade. While the inspiration pieces are $100, you can do it yourself for less than $10 and 20 minutes.

Tools and Materials:
String
5 to 6 1/2 inch tree spikes (only $1.62 for 5 on Studsandspikes.com!)
Scissors
Lighter (to fuse the ends to keep from unraveling)

Big News and Sourcing the Addiction

2012-05-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Map of DC and Baltimore from prettymaps by Aaron Straup Cope

I'm moving! I'm off to Washington, DC at the end of the summer to go to graduate school (for a master's degree in international education, not crafting, in case you were wondering). While I can't wait for a new city and new adventures, I have a few natural hesitations. Namely, I'm worried about the fact that I'm completely and utterly spoiled rotten by New York's garment district, and all the wonderful suppliers that fill it. Beads! Leather! Fabric! Trim! It's all here.

While the larger, big-box craft stores are aplenty in the areas around Washington, I plan on living within the district proper. I also retired my dear car when I moved to New York, so am dependent on public transportation. I've spend many hours now nervously searching Yelp for fabric and craft stores within DC, but it's beginning to look like pickings are slim. What's a crafty girl to do? (TIMI's moving with me, of course!) I've developed the following options for supplying my DIY-addiction:

1. Stockpile for the craftocalypse (Kidding about the doomsday part, serious about the stockpiling)

2. Learn how to drive my boyfriend's stick-shift to the suburbs or join Zipcar

3. E-COMMERCE. While it's probably more financially savvy to only buy what you want/need for a project at hand, there's nothing like going to a store and letting materials do the talking to you. Unfortunately, that's challenging when shopping for materials online. How do you know that the shades will match? That the wire will fit the bead hole? Maybe it would be better to let someone else do the choosing for you. I'm flirting with the idea of fun craft subscription services like Whimseybox and For The Makers and a daily deals site for craft supplies, The Plaid Barn. In the case of For The Makers, I'm not too keen on the idea of them choosing the DIY tutorial and giving only a few supplies for those projects.

So tell me: what suggestions do you have? Favorite online supply retailers? Any of you live in DC, know of hidden gems, or have a favorite Michael's or Hobby Lobby? I now realize my time in New York is precious (this time around, at least), so I'm excited to explore more crafty stores this summer, like CJS Sales (a vintage warehouse!) and Tinsel Trading Company (Martha's "favorite store in all of the world"). I'm toying with doing posts about my visits to these places. Thoughts?

DIY Inspiration: High-Low Skirt 2.0

2012-05-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

The asymmetry keeps getting better and better! I'm not sure which I love more about this skirt: the floral fabric or that the high-low hem is made from a gorgeous wrap. I'm off to the thrift store to find a wrap skirt to give a good chop.

via Flashes of Style

DIY Hardware Necklace

2012-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who needs a craft store when you have access to hardware store and CVS? I picked up these flat corner braces (available in a range of sizes) at my neighborhood Ace Hardware. A few extra jewelry-making supplies, nail polish and hardware combine in this necklace that I've been wearing with everything. It's colorful, geometric, and a lot of fun.

Read more »

Bonus DIY: Easy Cord and Chain Bracelet

2012-05-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've been busy this week with a lot of DIY projects. This bracelet is extremely simple and was the product of the same Sunday crafting session that produced my cord bracelet earlier this week. I had to share!

Tools and Materials:

Nylon cord (1 ft)

Chain

Pliers/cutters to cut or open chain

Cut a piece of chain about 2 1/2 inches long (5 links, in my case). Slide the cord through the last link, and then knot the short end of the cord around the longer end. By knotting one end around the other, the knot should now slide along the cord.

Repeat on the other end of the chain and with the loose cord end. To loosen the bracelet, slide the knots toward the chain; to tighten, slide them together. Trim down the cord, if needed. To keep ends of the cord from fraying or unraveling, gently melt the ends with a lighter.

I told you this was extremely easy! I'm looking forward to mixing this up with some of my "classier" gold bracelets.

DIY Cord Bracelet

2012-05-09T07:00:00.002-04:00

Recently, Brian and I snuck upstate for a quick weekend away. At my favorite general store, they stock everything from books to groceries to hardware supplies and I find an excuse to go every time we're there, usually under the pretense of getting donuts. DIY supplies are always my ulterior motive, and this time was no exception. Check out this awesome minty-colored cord I picked up for around 5 bucks. $5 of fun, I'd say!

Using the cord and simple jewelry supplies, I made this bracelet. Find the how-to after the jump.

DIY Inspiration: Fancy Feet

2012-05-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

For my height, (lack of) natural grace, and trek-all-over-town lifestyle, I tend to eschew any sort of fancy footwear, especially the high-heeled. Unfortunately, for flat-lovers, it seems the higher the heel, the more jazzed up the shoe, with all sorts of embellishment and color. Flats should be able to get in on the action too, so here are some bright sources of DIY inspiration for an otherwise basic ballet.

(images via net-a-porter.com)

Neon Lace Giuseppe Zannotti | Orange Zebra Diane Von Furstenburg | Studded Orange McQ Alexander McQueen | Ombre-effect Reed Krakoff

TIMI Elsewhere: DIY Earrings on M&J Blog

2012-05-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for your kind comments on my feature on Friday and my blog birthday this weekend! My Q&A over at M&J (nice rhyme) was only the beginning: I'm creating new tutorials for M&J Trimming's blog using materials you can order off of the store's website! Here's the first project, some jeweled drop earrings. I was inspired by the crystal danglers from Lizzie Fortunato and Dries Van Noten, which you can check out below. I love how the stones are a little mix-and-match, adding a playful spin on glitzy earrings. Check out the tutorial over at the M&J Blog!

(Lizzie Fortunato, left, and Dries Van Noten, right, via Style.com)

Hooray! TIMI turns 1!

2012-05-06T08:30:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday to Thanks, Made It! My baby blog is officially one year old. Celebrate virtually with me over chocolate, a glass or two of something bubbly and boozy, and a few pretty pictures of confetti. I'm grateful for each and every one of you who love to say "Thanks, I made it!" Cheers to another year!

I'm so glad I don't have to clean any of this up.

Featured on M&J Blog

2012-05-04T13:54:00.003-04:00

Quick thing before you get your sombreros on for this weekend's "fiestivities"-- the awesome people behind the M&J Trimming blog did a little Q&A with me about DIY. Check it out here. I'm so honored, because every DIY'er knows that M&J is heaven on Earth.

Now go, and May the fourth be with you. Happy Star Wars day !

DIY Storage Inspiration

2012-05-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

My craft clutter continuing to grow, I've been inspired by behind-the-scenes studio tours of jewelry designers and other crafty people. I would love unlimited access to their supplies and a gigantic Container Store gift card, please and thank you!

frieda&nellie via The Glitter Guide

via Design*Sponge Lizzie Fortunato Jewels via Thread NY

Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made this via The Coveteur

Dannijo via Refinery29

Annie Costello Brown via In The Make

TIMI Elsewhere: The Average Girls Guide

2012-05-02T07:01:00.000-04:00

Hey friends! Today is the first of my new monthly contributing DIY post over at The Average Girl's Guide. I'm really excited about this series, because I'm working hard with Alyson, the site's creator, to bring you projects that don't require terribly fancy do-it-yahself skills, but still pack a punch and bring you plenty of fun style. This is a simple necklace of beads strung on beading wire, inspire by Dannijo's Alina piece. Click it to check out the full tutorial over at The Average Girl's Guide.

DIY Inspiration: Crochet

2012-04-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

Don't pack away those yarns and needles, because it's looking as though the knit arts, like the Olympics, are a winter and summer sport. Here's a little round-up of pieces that just might inspire you to keep up the crocheting hobby you began but left off in November (of 2008...). I absolutely love the neckline of that dress!

(Images via Net-a-porter.com)

April Bloglove

2012-04-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

I think I'll make these blog features a monthly deal, whaddya think? I love to share my favorite finds and fresh blogs out there, so I hope you enjoy them too! Here's this months dose of newer (to me) crafty sites, and a few other favorites. This month's selections have gone global, with blogs from Spain (Dare to DIY), South Africa (Made in Pretoria), and Norway (Make It and Fake It). I love how international DIY is--just goes to show that doing-it-yourself is universal!

DIY Gold Arrowhead Necklace

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I saw the Bing Bang earrings in yesterday's post of arrowhead jewelry first on the ears of a friend. They were so tiny yet packed a punch, and I love the combination of rough-hewn arrowheads with luxe gold. My handy grandpa is pretty awesome, and gives me lots of odds and ends for crafty purposes, including an arrowhead with wire wrapped and soldered around it, and strung on cord. I embellished it with gold leaf to give a little luster, and love the result!

DIY Inspiration: Arrowheads

2012-04-23T13:37:00.000-04:00

Just a little roundup of arrowhead jewelry to give you peek at my DIY for you all tomorrow. Check back!

1 Luv AJ | 2 Bing Bang | 3 House of Harlow 1960 | 4 Pamela Love

DIY Inspiration: More Dyed Denim

2012-04-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

(images via shopbop.com)

Since I dyed my own shorts bright orange two weeks back, I'm hooked on the idea. Perhaps I'll try it again, in bright pink this time, like the first pair above? Other ideas include a neon pink ombre affect on a pair of skinnies (these from Rich Skinny), or a more mottled pre-bleaching to get the splotchy, tie-dyed look of the red pair, or just a few patches of bleach with pink dye, like these shorts from Current/Elliot. So many options!

Guest post from Stacie of Scarves.net: 6 Scarf DIYs

2012-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Something new for you all: A guest post from Stacie of Stars for Streetlights (maybe you recall her blog from this blog love post?), who's got some great tutorials and photography on her blog. She's with Scarves Dot Net, which brought you that fun 40 Ways to Tie a Scarf graphic I posted a while back and here today with some fun scarfy DIY ideas. Thanks for sharing Stacie!

Hello everyone! I'm Stacie, a DIY fashion blogger over at Stars for Streetlights, and I am so excited to be posting for Erin today! Like Erin, I've always had a thing for crafting, from the times when I was little and I made accessories for my dolls to today when most of my wardrobe is made from hand stitches and superglue. I have always, and will always, be an advocate for the handmade. ;) During the day, I am a writer, blogger, and photographer over at Scarves Dot Net, and it is pretty much the best job ever. (Seriously, I get to talk about scarves all day!) I'm always on the lookout for a great scarf DIY project to make-- whenever I get the chance to make something at work, it is a good day. ;) Here are a few of my favorite that I've made and found around the web.

More after the jump!
Read more »

DIY Miu Miu-Inspired Lace Bow Top

2012-04-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Back in January (which feels like eons ago), I spotted Kirsten Dunst on the cover of Lucky Magazine, wearing this Miu Miu top. I again spotted the shirt while browsing Net-A-Porter for inspiration, and kept it in the back of my mind as a potential DIY once I found the right blouse. I knew it had to be out there-- I had seen loads of silky, bright short-sleeved tops at the thrift store before. My last trip thrifting, I found the perfect fuchsia one. With a little black lace, I made my own version for under $10, compared to $590 for the Miu Miu.

(Image source)

TIMI Behind the Scenes

2012-04-13T07:26:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, Brian snapped this photo when he came into the bedroom and found me "extreme crafting." In actuality, I was sorting and organizing my abundance of craft supplies. He insisted I share this with you all, and I'm happy to oblige and pull back the curtain, so to speak, on what goes on in Thanks, I Made It-land. So here you have it, my unglamorous, transitional living quarters and craft supply hoarding tendencies.

A perennial "Yes" person, I've been a little swamped with multiple jobs, side projects, blog projects, and upcoming graduate school decisions. My motto is, when life gives you lemons, organize them! Thus, you find me spending Sunday nights with a box of sugary cereal and fuzzy slippers labeling Ziplock bags "leather scraps" and "decorative trim." Hope you have a organizing-full weekend!

P.S.-- If you want to share a DIY project you made (inspired by a TIMI tutorial or your own creation) or have an idea for a project, please share them with me! Click "contact" above for e-mail, Twitter, etc. I can't wait to see your creations!

Review: I Spy DIY Style

2012-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to receive a copy of I Spy DIY Style by Jenni Radosevich, the blogger behind ispydiy.com. Her blog is one of the original do-it-yourself sites that gave me the inspiration and motivation to begin my own blog.

Sometimes with project-based DIY books, I feel you read it once and then you've exhausted the content. Jenni's book, however, has a lot of information beyond the step-by-step tutorials (including past projects from her blog along with new ones). These features include advice from other bloggers, editors, and designer and feel fresh and relevant.

My favorite input was from the DIYer's paradise, M&J Trimming, who summed up do-it-yourself perfectly by saying, "Sometimes, after growing up, we often forget what it felt like to be creative in our younger years. It brings back great memories and often helps relieve stress." For me, getting back into DIY as an adult and launching TIMI was (and still is) my creative outlet, filling in the needs that aren't completely satisfied by my day job. It's impressive and inspiring to see Jenni not just using DIY as a similar outlet, but building a career out of it.

Here's a peak at my favorite project from the book. I won't give away the how-to, but it's the perfect idea for making necklaces like this Orly Genger piece I've had my eye on.

You can find details for purchasing a copy on I Spy DIY's site.