Today is the last day of my Curbly guest posting spree. I'm so happy I got to share my Curiosity Bone Vase, Printable Watercolor Art and DIY Coasters with you all. For my last post, I'm really excited to share this DIY S'mores atio "grill." S'mores are one of my favorite parts of summer - but city ordinances in my hometown don't allow patio fireplaces.
It's day three of my whirlwind adventures in guest blogging here on Curbly. Today, it's all in the details...of home decor, that is. Sometimes in DIY home accents, it isn't about the big, striking pieces. Often, it's the lovely, custom details that add up to make a space. Like these DIY coasters. They can be any color, and the watercolor effect is both elegant and whimsical.
Making a set of these takes less than an afternoon, and they would definitely make great gifts. Think of how sweet a matching set would be for a housewarming party, or a patio get together!
Begin by cleaning your ceramic tiles thoroughly to make sure that there isn't any dust or oils on the surface. Then, begin by scribbling some of the permanent marker on the shiny surface of the tile. Not all of the colors react the same to the rubbing alcohol in step two, so feel free to experiment with a couple of shades in the pallet you are hoping to achieve.
After you've got your colors on the tile, use a soft bristled brush dipped in the rubbing alcohol to make a painterly effect on the tile. The rubbing alcohol dissolves the ink a bit, and can make a lot of really interesting effects. I just did a straight brush across, but you could try dripping the rubbing alcohol, or using different types of brushes. If you don't like what you've made, just wash off the ink with more rubbing alcohol and start over.
Once your design is dry, use a coordinating color to paint the unfinished edges. I chose silver because it really makes the color pop.
The ink is going to be pretty water safe, but with the moisture of condensation threatening our pretty coasters, we'll want to add some extra protection. Mod Podge has a dishwasher safe coating that should work perfectly for this. Use a wide soft brush to coat both the top and sides of your tile. Don't over brush it though, as you might smudge your design.
Finally, we will need something to protect table surfaces from the scratchy backside of the coasters. Trace out and cut pieces of white felt and glue them to the bottom of the ceramic tiles.
That's it! The Mod Podge takes 28 days so try not to get them too wet for a couple of weeks. After that, these should be perfectly water safe and ready for every day use!
Love to decorate with bright colors? I'm with you. There's something about color that just brings a smile to your face. So today we're sharing ten bold DIYs that are filled with practically every color under the sun. Read on to get inspired.
Hello everyone in Curbly world! My name is Kayla and I can't really say just how excited I am to be guest posting for Curbly. I've been a fan for a long time, and just recently reached out in hopes of being able to share something beautiful with you. The response was more than I asked for, and I'm going to be sharing FOUR posts with you all this week.
One of my favorite things to work on when in art class in high school was clay projects, and this DIY Bone Vase takes me back to those days. It's got the vibe of one of those old "curiousity shoppes," but you don't have to source any unusual animal parts.
There is something really satisfying about the weight and cold feeling of wet clay as you manipulate it into shapes and textures. It is just like a squishy stress ball that you can eventually turn into something beautiful. I've toyed a lot with making salt dough projects (like DIY baby hand dish), but it just isn't the same as wet clay.
For this project, you'll need a plastic planter that you'll build your piece around, some white air dry clay, and some glue. You may or may not want to paint it when you are done. I personally like the look and feel of the rough clay.
Use a chunk of your clay and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth, and a cracking surface is actually a really nice effect.
Take your clay rope and loop it around your pot. Repeat until the whole rope is coiled up the surface of the pot and the whole pot is covered in clay ropes.
It looks great right!? Well, the bad news is it is going to break in a bit. You see, clay shrinks a bit as it dries, and since we've wrapped it around an object that won't budge, our clay ropes are going to break as they dry. Prepare yourself for heart ache and let the clay dry thoroughly (in the sun maybe 12 hours, or in the house 24-48 hours).
Retrieve the broken bits of your clay rope, which are now dry and oddly reminiscent of an elephant graveyard, and wipe off the surface of your planter. Repeat steps 1 - 3, saving the second set of broken "bones" with the first.
Now you are ready to assemble. Remember what I mentioned about shrinkage? Because of that, the total dried "bones" from our first go around won't be enough to cover the planter. Since you made the ropes twice, however, you now have plenty of ropes to cover your planter. Clean and dry the planter's surface, and get your hot glue gun heating up.
Starting at the bottom of your planter, glue your "bones" onto the surface with the hot glue. If your planter is like mine, some of your "bones" will have a tighter curl than others. The best way I found to assemble the vase is to simply test fit each piece before gluing it down. If a piece doesn't fit, save it and try it again in another place. For variation, you might want to break apart some of the "bones" so that you have smaller bits as well as large ones. Be sure to clean up any hot glue strands at the end.
Spiral the clay pieces up the planter. You might have to use a knife to shave down a few pieces as you near the top. Remember - untreated, this air dry clay is likely not water resistant, so we don't want it in contact with the plant's soil.
That's it! A succulent makes a great match for this look, since it doesn't require a lot of water, and it plays well off the porous texture from the clay. This curious and unique vase is already one of my favorites. For some reason the rawness of the materials really looks great against my other bright shiny porcelain pieces. I hope you check back tomorrow for more goodies from me!
Rustic home décor has become popular lately, and not just in cabins or mountain homes. Natural elements like wood, glass, iron and wool fill these spaces, and with a bit of strategic decorating they can be totally chic and stylish. And while they can have the tendency to be pricey, we've culled through the internet to find some affordable options. Keep reading to check them out.
Usually around the Curbly neighborhood, we talk about renters who are itching to make improvements to their space. Well, in this case, we're talking about a landlord who was itching to make improvements to her rental property. Katie, the property's owner, was faced with a--let's face it--disaster in the kitchen
What is it about gold that just makes things better? It's amazing what a bit of metallic paint can do. So today we're sharing ten gorgeous, glamorous gilded DIYs for your office or workspace. Keep reading to check 'em out.
To recap--it's unauthorized succulent week here at Curbly. Monday: Cactus Watercolor. Tuesday: Gumball Machine Turned Succulent Planter. Today: A Cactus Pincushion in its own DIY Geometric Planter. Yes...it's a twofer! First, Delia made the cactus's pot using air-dry clay, which you can see by clicking here. Then, using a high-quality olive green wool felt, she started in on the cactus. The results are sweet, to be...
(Don't tell Chris, but I've determined this week to be "succulent" week here on Curbly.) Yesterday I highlighted a very cool DIY watercolor cactus wall art project. Today we're checking out Rebecca's clever re-use of a gumball machine, which she turned into a succulent planter. She found the gumball machine
Once again, I'm super psyched to be able to share the second of two projects from my recently released book, MASON JAR NATION (Cool Springs Press, 2016)! (For the first project, click here.) Like the hanging air plant planter, this project can also be found in the "Crafts" section of the book. UN-like the last how-to, this one ranks easy on the easy to hard scale. As I mentioned last time, because my publisher, Cool Springs, is so very accommodating, they've agreed to let me share the project in its entirety straight from the book.
But first...why a concrete Mason jar lid? Because concrete is cool and they're the perfect top to Mason jars used as canisters.
It’s the 19th century. Mechanical engineer William Ward wants to build his family a new home, but he is deathly afraid of fire. Such a fear isn’t unreasonable in a time when open flames are used for survival. Lighting, cooking, and heating coupled with combustibles that are commonplace in every household can make even the bravest among us skittish. But William Ward isn’t just any mechanical engineer. Oh, no. He is a forward-thinking mechanical engineer who knows a thing or two about concrete. With the help of friend and architect, Robert Mook, Ward builds a reinforced concrete home in Port Chester, NY. Completed in 1875, it is the first of its kind in the United States.
The fire-proof home was first mockingly referred to as “Ward’s Folly” because of prognostications that it was just a matter of time before the house collapsed under its own weight. Still standing sound and looking much as it did when first constructed, today the building is known as “Ward’s Castle.” So much for the naysayers.
Mr. Ward’s creation marked the turning point in the country for modern uses of concrete. From impenetrable facades to highly prized interior decor elements, such as flooring and countertops, concrete is everywhere. And now, it's even topping a Mason jar. --From MASON JAR NATION, by JoAnn Moser, Cool Springs Press 2016
Cut down the edges of the frosting container so it's approximately 2" tall. This will become the mold for the concrete mix.
Glue the jar lid and band together with craft glue. Let dry.
In the other empty container, mix clean water to 1 cup of Portland cement until reaching the consistency stipulated on the product's packaging.
Spray cooking spray inside the mold. Fill the mold with approximately 1 of mixed concrete.
Nestle the lid assembly into the mold, displacing the concrete. Stack pebbles inside the lid just until the band's edge is equal to the top of the concrete.
After the concrete has cured, coax the entire part out of the mold, and twist the new lid onto the Mason jar.
Feel free to share this tutorial from MASON JAR NATION on Pinterest!
If you love Mason jars, you just might want to see the other 49 more projects featured in MASON JAR NATION. You can order it today from Amazon or Barnes & Noble ($15). And to read more about my road to publication, check out this post right here on Curbly.
Don't ask me how I came up with this project... it's a long story. Basically, my dog Charlie can jump really high and will eat anything, so I needed to make a wall-mounted planter that I could place out of his reach. So the Vurm indoor herb garden planter was born!
Photo: West Elm
Hosting those summer dinner parties are always a must - it's where you share and make lasting memories with close friends and family. Here are 10 must-have outdoor party essentials to help you plan the perfect evening with your loved ones. Think minimal and modern with lots of great textures!
Photo: Scandinavian Designs
1. It's important to start thinking from the ground up when planning a perfect dinner party. Pick a table that is sturdy (so not to spill your drinks) and big enough to comfortably fit your guests without any elbow bumping. [Photo: Scandinavian Designs]
Photo: CB2
2. Seating should be both comfy and stylish! You want your guests to stick around after dinner is served for good conversation and perhaps a fun game or two. [Photo: CB2]
Photo: H&M Home
3. Scattered lighting along the table creates warm and welcoming ambience, especially as the sun starts to set a bit more throughout the evening. [Photo: H&M Home]
Photo: Etsy
4. Forget the disposable plates - this is a classy affair! Be sure to serve your guests dinner on one-of-a-kind pieces. Stoneware is earthy, edgy and packed full of personality! [Photo: Etsy]
Photo: West Elm
5. Having a bit of bling can really make a difference from your day to day dinnerware and gold cutlery will make your party look all the more glorious! [Photo: West Elm]
Photo: West Elm
6. Serve fancy drinks in unique cups by adding funky geometric drinking glasses to the mix. [Photo: West Elm]
Photo: CB2
7. Have those napkins handy for any minor or major messes that may occur. There's something about cloth that makes the table look all the more sophisticated. [Photo: CB2]
Photo: H&M Home
8. Add a playful or conversational piece to the table to keep things interesting. Snakes should do the trick! [Photo: H&M Home]
Photo: Marimekko
9. Serve your water, punch or even Sangria in a pretty pitcher full of pattern and personality. [Photo: Marimekko]
Photo: H&M Home
10. Lastly, every table needs some fresh flowers to give your party that final touch. A textured and masculine vase will compliment any delicate flower! [Photo: H&M Home]
So psyched to be able to share the first of two projects from my recently released book, MASON JAR NATION (Cool Springs Press, 2016)! This DIY hanging air plant (tillandsia) planter is found in the "Crafts" section of the book and it's one of my favorites. (Although, to be honest, there are a lot of favorites in the book--as it should be, otherwise they wouldn't have made it into the book!) This project ranks medium on the easy to hard scale, but that's only because it requires a bottle cutter (Click here to read my reviews of some popular bottle cutters. Long story short: Ephrem's is the best out there). Because my publisher, Cool Springs, is so very accommodating, they've agreed to let me share the project in its entirety straight from the book.
Cut approximately 1” off the bottom of the jar and finish the cut edge according to the technical instructions in MASON JAR NATION or according to the bottle cutter’s instructions.
Apply painter’s tape about 1/2” up from bottom edge of the jar.
With a small paint brush, apply etching cream to the exposed area. Keep in mind that a thick, even coat works best. Leave the etching cream in place for as long as the product’s recommendations stipulate. After that, rinse off the etching cream and remove the tape.
Next, punch or drill a small hole in jar’s lid. Thread the cotter pin through the last link in the chain, then feed the cotter pin through the hole in the lid.
Slip the washer onto the cotter pin’s legs and bend them open.
Using a length of 18-gauge wire, gently wire up the Tillandsia. Then, feed one end of the wire through the top of the jar and screw on the jar’s lid. Note that 18 gauge wire is small enough that the band will screw on.
When it’s time to water the Tillandsia, simply remove the lid and ease the plant out from the bottom of the jar. Just remember, after the plant’s soak, allow it to dry before re-inserting it into the jar.
Feel free to share this tutorial from MASON JAR NATION on Pinterest!
If you love Mason jars, you just might want to see the other 49 more projects featured in MASON JAR NATION. You can order it today from Amazon or Barnes & Noble ($15). And to read more about my road to publication, check out this post right here on Curbly.
Now here's an idea I can get behind! I drive through an industrial part of town almost everyday, and I always pass a trailor filled to the brim with remnants of granite. This sidetable is a great project to make with all those leftovers!
For most, subway tile in the kitchen is a classic look. It's clean. It's simple. But it can be a costly and time-consuming project to take on yourself. However, this tile hack is pure genius and looks fantastic! Dreams just came true for renters everywhere!
My family and I just returned from a sunny, beach trip to Florida. My kids packed an abundance of shells to bring a piece of the beach home with us, but the tropical plants and trees I longed to bring home were too big and deeply rooted to pack in my suitcase. Plus, the dry, cooler climate of Colorado (combined with my lack of growing skills) would have doomed the plants upon their arrival.
So naturally I went to the next best thing for tropical vibes in my home - DIY tropical leaf coasters. Now, I can enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning, or a cocktail in the evening with a touch of the tropics on my table.
Oh boy, is this a great IKEA hack! These were once just boring old plain glass containers, but have since had a little facelift and now I want a bunch lining my desk! Can you tell what they've been updated with?
That author's name you see on the book pictured above--JoAnn Moser?--that's me. Yup, I wrote a book. An honest to goodness, available-at-Amazon-and-local-retailers-near-you, book. It all started back in December of 2014 when Mark Johanson from Cool Springs Press contacted me regarding an idea he had about a
As warmer weather (hopefully) approaches, it's time to start thinking about the vegetable garden, if you're planning to have one. And as an avid DIY'er, of course I think about things like plant markers first! So I thought I'd share a few of my favorite garden marker DIY projects that have been floating around the internet lately.
I love combining two different mediums to create something truly unique and special. And that's just what these spoons are! Made from clay and driftwood, they would make excellent little gifts or party favors!