DIY: Braided Headband

Yay! We have another DIY to share with you!

Miss Heather and I made braided headbands for St.Patrick's day and I wanted to make one that was, well, not themed. I created this braided headband in less than 10 minutes and I can't wait to wear it all summer long!

 Miss Heather took this photo of me wearing my new braided headband!

Supplies: 

three different strands of thin fabric, trim, ribbon, etc. of different textures

hot glue gun

tape

scissors

 Step One: Gather all of your supplies and unravel your three strands of material. I chose not to cut my material until I was completely finished braiding because whenever I braid something, I always end up using more fabric than I had originally thought. This way, I wouldn't have to deal with having a finished product that was too short. 

Step Two: Tie all three strands together with a knot, leaving about an inch at the end, and tape it to a hard surface. 

Step Three: Braid all three strands together and periodically measure your headband by wrapping it around your head.

Step Four: Once you've braided enough that your headband will fit around your head, tie another knot and leave about an inch of material at the end.

*another option would be to use clear elastic hair ties at the ends instead of having two knots*

Step Five: Grab your hot glue gun and place a dab of glue onto each strand to prevent them from fraying. 

And you're done!

I chose to wear my braided headband on top of my head and tying it a knot in the back. 

Another option would be to tie each end onto an elastic hairband and wear it like a typical headband under your hair OR to be really trendy, you could wear it directly across your forehead and tie it in the back. The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to make more!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Chevron Bookcase

Hey guys we're back with one of our first DIY's in awhile and it's super easy and cute! I bought this simple bookcase with every intention of decorating it but kept putting it to the bottom of my list but now after a year of sitting in my kitchen I finally took some action! Here's what I used and did!

Supplies:

Black bookcase (I got from Goodwill for $10)

Paintbrushes

White paint (I used a flat paint because I wanted that kind of result but shiny is also fine)

Stencil (made it out of cardboard)

Painter's tape (I didn't use any but if you have a less steady hand they could be helpful in painting inside the lines)

Step One:

I made my stencil out of cardboard by tracing it and cutting it out with an Xacto knife. If you're using painter's tape now would be the time to lay your tape down on the parts you want unpainted. 

Step Two:

Now we paint! I painted about three layers on each stripe, waiting for each layer to dry before putting on the next layer. Luckily I was outside, in the sun, so it took little to no time for everything to dry. After everything dried I took a smaller paint brush to smooth our some of my broader paint strokes.

Step Three:

All that is left is to add whatever you want to go on the shelves. As I mentioned this goes in my kitchen. I store my cookbooks, coffee and homebrewed cider in it but obviously you can put whatever you want in it!

I was extremely pleased with my results. Although I added white to the bookshelf it was the pop of color it needed! I will admit the idea struck me after helping Miss Mel decorate for her birthday party earlier this month! (I'm such a thief! hehe) What kind of bookcase upcycling have you guys done? We'd love to know!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Backyard Bash

Hi friends! I know Miss Heather and I have been MIA for a month or two, but we're back! I'm excited to share with you photos from my 23rd birthday where Heather and I crafted our little hearts out. Seriously. It was non-stop crafting and to be totally honest, Heather started and completed most of the crafts while I ran around like a chicken with it's head cut off. My birthday party started out innocently enough and next thing I knew, Heather and I were planning an over-the-top backyard party. We received so many compliments during the party and people were even telling us how cool the party looked from the pictures that Heather's lovely boyfriend, Tim, took. 

Therefore, I wanted to share with you how to turn any backyard party into the perfect summer backyard bash!

Table Layout

~We created "food" and "bar" signs by using foam poster board, spray paint and tissue paper. For the "food" sign, heather created a chevron stencil to paint the design and then we used black paint to spell "food".  For the "bar" sign, heather used the same chevron stencil,outlined the letters with a sharpie and then hot glued crumpled up tissue paper to fill in the letters. We used white candles, fresh flowers from Trader Joe's, white tablecloths and a lantern to decorate our tables.~
*our inspiration for the boards were found on pinterest and based on this and this.*

The Bar

~At our bar, we made spiked Arnold Palmer and it was delicious! We used equal parts iced tea, lemonade and added vodka to taste which we placed into a glass dispenser from World Market. On our table, we arrange some more fresh flowers, a bucket for wine, wine glasses and chalkboard mason jars.~

~Our chalkboard mason jars were a hit! Everyone was asking how we made them and they were by far our easiest craft! We bought 12 packs of mason jars from Wal-Mart, one package of sticker labels and chalkboard spray paint. We sprayed the labels the day before and placed a label onto each mason jar on the day of the party!~

~We made a "Keep Calm and Party On" banner to use as a photo backdrop. We used a pre-made banner from Hobby Lobby, spray painted it pink and wrote on it using a sharpie. It turned out great!~
*we based our sign off of this idea from pinterest.*

~What really pulled the party together were white string lights and paper lanterns that we strung up all over my backyard. It really set the mood for the party and I'm planning on leaving them up all summer! P.S.My friend, Ellen, made this giant wine glass for me using a glass from Micheal's, paint and baking it!~

~more photos using the string lights and lanterns as a backdrop~

~

~in addition to all our decorations, we set up our outdoor fire pit, created yummy chocolate cover pretzels, created "happy birthday" flag banner cupcake toppers and lined the way to the party using white balloons pinned to the ground with golf tees!~

We can't wait to throw more summer parties and to get inspiration for your own summer backyard bash, visit our Pinterest!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Valentine's Day Countdown

So to elaborate on Miss Mel's post from Monday, I have to add my own Valentine's Day gift idea. Well I guess this was more of a countdown to "Love Day". Since my boyfriend and I don't live in the same town I thought I would send him some fun little lovey notes. For every day until Valentine's Day I sent him a little note telling him a reason why I love him! (Yes I know it sounds quite sappy but if you knew us, you'd know the notes were quite opposite) I made little pocket cards to hold his notes and then mailed them to him!

Supplies:

Fabric

Card stock

Yarn

Embroidery needle

Scissors

Sharpie

Envelopes

Step One:

Measure 14 square/rectangles smaller than your envelopes out of your card stock. Cut them out. once you're finished with the card stock, do the same with the fabric.

Step Two:

First you need to thread your yarn through the embroidery needle. Next sew the fabric to three sides of the card stock. Tie a knot at either end and cut off the extras. That fourth, unsewn or open, side will be where you slide in your love notes!

Step Three:

Write out your love notes for each day. *I didn't think a picture would be needed, since you should probably know aht you love about that certain someone if your making one of these!*

Step Four:

All that is left is slip your notes inside and label each card for a certain day! Since I was mailing these across the state I put each card in an envelope and sent them on their way!

I made these up as a surprise, so I put this up after he had already started receiving his little love notes. But these little pocket cards are a great idea for any sort of event where you want to jazz up a hand written card!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Ribbon Photo Backdrop

So as most of you guys know Miss Mel and I are obsessed with most everything concerning glitter. When thinking of fun decorations for our New Years Eve party we made this awesome glitter ribbon photo backdrop. It was super simple and here's how we did it!

Supplies:

12 Glitter Ribbon spools (here is what we used)

2-3 Yard stick or skinny cylinder

Drill

2-3 yards thick string

Scissors

Step One:

Drill holes on both ends of the stick or cylinder that you using. Tie your string to each end through the holes you just made.

Step Two:

Unravel or unroll all your ribbon spools cutting roughly at every 8 foot interval. 

So maybe I had to make myself a little tutu out of all the ribbon...

Step Three:

Tie one end of your ribbon strips to the stick or cylinder. Make sure to squish the knots together so you can't see the stick.

Step Four:

Hang up your backdrop on any wall. Here's our finished product!

We took some really funny pictures from behind the backdrop at the party.

But it was also a great background to the party pictures!

It was super simple to make and now it's hanging up in my apartment for any impromptu  photo sessions! Everyone got a great kick out of taking pictures with it! It'd be great for any type of party. Valentine's day is right around the corner, a pink, red and white one would be adorable!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Reinbeer

I wanted to share another easy and hilarious DIY project with you that's perfect for the holidays...
Reinbeer!


DIY some of your favorite beer and bring it along to a holiday party, white elephant gift exchange or display them around the fire. Any way you have it, these "reinbeers" are sure to add some festive spirit and a smile on your face.

Supplies

Beer or RootBeer of your choice

Brown Pipe Cleaners

Googly Eyes

Red Pom Poms

Bells

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

Step One

Take a brown pipe cleaner, fold it in half and cut off about 1/2" off the top. 

Take your 1/2" and twist it around the pipe cleaner towards the top to create the "antler" on one side.

 On the other side, slide the bell through and then create the "antler" on the other side using the other 1/2". 

 

Step Two
After you've created your antlers, wrap the pipe cleaner directly under the bottle cap and twist it twice towards the back to ensure it stays on.

Step Three

Grab two medium size googly eyes and glue them onto your beer label using the hot glue gun.

Step Four

Take your red pom pom for his nose and attach it directly under the eyes using the hot glue gun.

And you're done! 

I seriously love this craft. I think it makes for a hysterical gift!

Have fun crafting!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Glitter Champagne Flutes

We started crafting for our New Year's Eve party last night! The first DIY decoration we want to share with you are our glitter champagne flutes!


Perfect for toasting friends at the stroke of midnight!

Supplies:

Champagne Flutes

*we bought two sets of  plastic ones at Wal-Mart for $2.99 apiece*

ModPodge

Glitter

Paintbrush

Finishing Spray

Shoe-Box and Funnel to keep the glitter under control 

Step One

Since our Champagne Flutes were plastic the bases were detachable so we could easily ModPodge and glitter them. We used our paint brush to cover the bases in ModPodge.



Step Two
Take your base and hold it over a shoebox to keep the glitter contained then pour your glitter.
You should cover your entire base and shake off any excess glitter.


Step Three
Once all of your bases have been covered with glitter and your ModPodge has dried, take them to a well-ventilated area and spray them with two coats of the finishing spray. This creates a sealant so the glitter doesn't fall off!

Step Four

Assemble your flutes and you're ready to party!

Have fun crafting!
-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

DIY: Holiday Door Decoration!

So I've taken a finals exam break to cut up snowflakes and paste them on my door. I just needed a little holiday spirit to bring me out of the downward spiral that is finals week!

What are some fun holiday decorations you guys have put up this year?

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Are you getting in the Christmas spirit yet? 

Miss Heather and I at my "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party last year.

Here are DIY projects Miss Heather and I would like to try out for the holidays!
 

1. Make a glitter disco ball for New Year's Eve.  

2. Create a yummy smelling candy cane candle.   

3. Show up to a party with beer reindeer.

4. Count down the days until Christmas.

5. Bake hundreds of these cookies.

6. Serve bourbon infused sugar cranberries to our friends.

7. Turn the fridge into Frosty the Snowman.
8. Display our holiday cards for all to see.

9. Give our friends a sweet little present. 

10. Host a fancy holiday party. 

Do you have any crafts you're dying to try out for the holidays?
Let us know and leave a comment below!

As always, you can check out more ideas on my Pinterest.

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather