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How to: Make an Easy Perpetual Chalkboard Calendar

by Faith Towers
How to: Make an Easy Perpetual Chalkboard Calendar

 

Organization is not my strong suit. Of course, I enjoy being organized, but somehow I never quite get there. So, I thought a new calendar might help to keep my schedule in order. I wanted to make one that I could reuse each month to keep track of my projects and appointments, so I decided to make a perpetual chalkboard version. And then? I stumbled upon the miracle of clear chalkboard paint... and the rest is, well, my own DIY perpetual...

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Make This: Minimal Magnetic Towel Bar

by M.E. Gray

Make this minimal magnetic towel bar

Currently I'm living in a place with a kitchen that must hold some sort of record for tininess. There are four drawers, a couple of cabinets, and exactly one countertop. Said countertop is about 2.5 square feet, and that's literally my entire cooking workspace. Suffice it to say, I need to be wise about kitchen organization if I want to keep from going crazy. Knowing there's absolutely no room to store things horizontally, I recently went vertical with this magnetic paper towel holder.    

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You're Never Too Old to Make a Flower Press

by M.E. Gray

Make this DIY flower press from wood and bolts

I received my first flower press when I turned nine years old - maybe eight? The point is it was forever ago. I got it as a birthday gift from my best friend. The flower press came with a small instructional booklet on how to collect and preserve colorful wildflowers. On the front of the press was an illustration of Anne of Green Gables, happily picking florals and putting them into a giant basket. I still have that flower press, all these years later, with flowers wedged between the pages that are as old as the press itself. It was a fantastic gift that had me hunting for leaves and petals to collect and keep forever. Whether you're making one as a gift for a kid who loves getting outside, or you want to give yourself an excuse to explore the outdoors, a DIY flower press is a quick and easy project to make.        

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You're Never Too Old to Make a Flower Press

by M.E. Gray

Make this DIY flower press from wood and bolts

I received my first flower press when I turned nine years old - maybe eight? The point is it was forever ago. I got it as a birthday gift from my best friend. The flower press came with a small instructional booklet on how to collect and preserve colorful wildflowers. On the front of the press was an illustration of Anne of Green Gables, happily picking florals and putting them into a giant basket. I still have that flower press, all these years later, with flowers wedged between the pages that are as old as the press itself. It was a fantastic gift that had me hunting for leaves and petals to collect and keep forever. Whether you're making one as a gift for a kid who loves getting outside, or you want to give yourself an excuse to explore the outdoors, a DIY flower press is a quick and easy project to make.        

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Make This: Minimal Clothes Drying Rack

by M.E. Gray

Perfect for small spaces - a collapsible wooden drying rack for laundry.

If you're looking for ways to save money, or working on shrinking your environmental footprint, air-drying your washing is a great place to start. Dryers, while they are handy, use a ton of energy to operate. Plus, you might own delicate clothes that aren't suited for aggressive machine drying. A clothes drying rack is a must-have asset for your laundry room - and bonus, you can make your own.     

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Make This: Minimal Clothes Drying Rack

by M.E. Gray

Perfect for small spaces - a collapsible wooden drying rack for laundry.

If you're looking for ways to save money, or working on shrinking your environmental footprint, air-drying your washing is a great place to start. Dryers, while they are handy, use a ton of energy to operate. Plus, you might own delicate clothes that aren't suited for aggressive machine drying. A clothes drying rack is a must-have asset for your laundry room - and bonus, you can make your own.     

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Make Cleaning Less of a Chore with this DIY Household Cleaner Organizer

by M.E. Gray

Handmade cleaning caddy - keep all your cleaning supplies in one place with this cute carrier

 

There are a couple rules-of-thumb when it comes to successfully keeping your home clean. One of those rules is that you should always keep your cleaning supplies in one place, and you should always put them back when you're done using them. A cleaning caddy meets both those criteria, and - bonus - makes carrying household cleaners from room to room super easy! I've been wanting to incorporate a carrier into my cleaning routine for a while now, and rather than purchase a cheap-looking plastic one that will surely break over time, I opted to make one instead.     

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Make Cleaning Less of a Chore with this DIY Household Cleaner Organizer

by M.E. Gray

Handmade cleaning caddy - keep all your cleaning supplies in one place with this cute carrier

 

There are a couple rules-of-thumb when it comes to successfully keeping your home clean. One of those rules is that you should always keep your cleaning supplies in one place, and you should always put them back when you're done using them. A cleaning caddy meets both those criteria, and - bonus - makes carrying household cleaners from room to room super easy! I've been wanting to incorporate a carrier into my cleaning routine for a while now, and rather than purchase a cheap-looking plastic one that will surely break over time, I opted to make one instead.     

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Organize Dangling Earrings with this DIY Concrete Earring Tree

by Holly Wade

Organize Dangling Earrings with this DIY Concrete Earring Tree

I've tried multiple techniques for organizing earrings over the years, but dangling earrings tend to be more difficult to organize in an easy-to-manage way. Luckily, this simple DIY concrete earring tree does the trick and makes the perfect spot to hang several pairs of dangling earrings in a way that's easy to grab what I want and head out the door.         

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Make It: DIY Stylish Mountain Bookends

by Stephanie Lee

Make it: Sweet DIY mountain bookends for your little one's nursery

Now that I have a little one to care for, I’ve come to realize just how wonderful story time can be. Sharing books with Lauren is one of my favorite pastimes… especially the books that I used to read when I was a kid (those are my favorites!). Of course, with a well-stocked bookshelf comes the need for some nice bookends to hold everything in place. So I decided to whip up these pretties for bubba’s room, and they’re so easy to make, I just had to share these DIY mountain bookends with you too!              

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How to: Easy & Elegant DIY Wood Veneer Box

by Lexy Ward

How to: Easy & Elegant DIY Wood Veneer Box

Everyone loves to receive gifts, but I like giving them just as much. And by making a  reusable box to place items in, you can make the giving experience that much more beautiful. This wood veneer gift box is easy to make, and your recipient will be able to continue to use it. Or, just whip up several of these for your own personal storage. They look amazing on a desk or shelf, and are a great way to store craft and office supplies!   

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How to: Make Gorgeous and Glam DIY Amethyst Bookends

by Marwa Hayat

How To: Make Amethyst Bookends under $60

I'm not sure about the healing power of crystals, but I am sure enchanted by their beauty. Thanks to their weight, these shining amethyst crystals are a natural fit for great bookends. Purchased from a high-end boutique, you're in for $300+ for a pair. But crafted at home, you can make a beautiful set for around $50, and a couple hours of your time.

Add them to your shelf, or wrap them up as a holiday gift. Either way, they'll bring some serious style to any bookshelf.  

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Forget What You Know About Nautical Decor: The Complete Guide to Coastal Design

by Amber Dickson
Nautical Decor Design Guide
Photo: Chipper Hatter for CM Natural Design

The widespread appeal of nautical and coastal decor makes a lot of sense when you consider the primal and ancient connection humans have to the sea. Being attracted to the water is hardwired into our very cells. Scientific studies have proven what we already know anecdotally: spending time near, on, or in lakes and oceans make us happier and healthier. It's no wonder that so many of us respond to the colors, clean lines, and natural elements of coastal, beach, and nautical decor. It makes us feel good to be reminded of the sea.

If your initial reaction to the term "coastal decor" is negative, it's probably from witnessing too many cutesy and heavy-handed thematic rooms.  We are not advocating buying and displaying any and all items that have a sailboat or seahorse on them. Good decorating never grows out of an overly simplistic theme, and, "Put an anchor on it" is not a valid design philosophy!           

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How to Make a Wooden Tabletop Christmas Tree in 4 Easy Steps

by Capree K

A DIY modern wooden tabletop Christmas tree

We love the festive season! It’s the perfect time to get creative. If you’ve already got your tree trimmed and you’re ready for a new and exciting holiday project — or even if you’re keeping your Christmas décor minimal this year — this DIY wooden tabletop Christmas tree will bring a little extra festive cheer to your home.

These trees are super easy to make and to personalize. What’s more, they’re so durable. Bring them out year after...

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