Chalked Pantry Jar Lids

I live in the woods, and because of that I have…little critters… that love to sneak into my house. So I tend to keep ALL of my pantry items tucked safely away in glass jars, which is convenient, because I love the look of shining jars versus mismatched boxes. The problem with jars is that sometimes I forget what’s in them and, in the case of the jars in my drawers, I have to lift up each jar to find the one I want. The solution? Chalkboard paint on the lids! Perfect!

Things you’ll need:
Mason jar lids
Chalkboard paint
Newsprint
Foam brush

Things to do:
1. Lay the newsprint out on your work surface and spread the lids and rings out so that there is plenty of space between each.

2. Paint two or three thin coats of paint on all of the pieces (but not the underside of the lid!) allowing each coat to dry well before adding the next.

3. Allow the paint to cure, at least overnight, before screwing the tops onto your jars and chalking on your pantry staples.

Twig Wreath

Fall is here, and with it the cooler weather has inspired a lot of long walks in our house. The ground around out house these days is scattered with fallen leaves and twigs and I’m always impressed by the simple beauty of them. This projects takes the humble stick and turns it into something beautiful for your home. What could be better?

Things you’ll need:
Flat or wire wreath form
Twigs, sticks and thin branches
Branch clippers
Hot glue gun and glue sticks or craft glue

Things to do:
1. Trim all of your sticks and twigs to approximately the same length. The length depends on the width of your wreath and final look you want, but don’t be too fussy about keeping them all the same, you want some variation.


2. Lay your wreath form on a flat, covered work surface and, using the glue, attach a stick at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 points on the circle, centering each. These will be your guide points and will help keep your remaining sticks even and straight.

3. Place sticks at equal points between the four already attached, breaking up the wreath further to create eight, approximately even sections.
4. Working section by section, fill in the wreath, keeping the sticks relatively even with each other as you go.

5. Clean up any glue threads and check that all of your sticks have adhered well before hanging.

No Slip Hangers

There’s just nothing quite as irritating as opening your closet and finding that clothes you carefully hung on hangers have ended up on the floor. My shirts, and worse, my nice dresses, are always slipping off their hangers, ending up wrinkled and sometimes stained after their descent to the floor. This quick and simple craft turns your ordinary hangers into no slip hangers with one crafter must have item.

Things you’ll need:
Hangers – wire, wood or plastic
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Things to do:
1. Pre-heat your hot glue gun.
2. Determine how much of your hanger needs to be made non-slip by thinking of how your clothes hang on them.

3. Draw a zig zag of glue down the section of the hanger you want to be non-slip.

4. Allow the glue to cool and remove any glue threads.

Ceiling Tile Pot Cover

My house is a little on the dark side, which is cozy, but it makes it difficult to keep plants growing inside the house. Since I love to have fresh plants and flowers out all the time, I tend to rotate things in and out of the house so that my plants stay alive and I get to have my green fix. One of the tricks that I use is to have pots or pot covers that I can slip plants in and out of as needed. This ceiling tile cover is one of them and it’s my current favorite.

Things you’ll need:
4- 4 inch ceiling tiles
Hot glue and glue sticks or super glue

Things to do:
1. On a covered work surface, hold two tiles together at the edges at a slightly more than 90-degree angle, right sides out.

2. Run a bead of glue along the seam and then pull the tiles into a 90-degree angle, holding it until the glue sets.

3. Repeat the process with the other two tiles and then join the edges to create a square, making sure the edges sit at even 90-degree angles.

4. Once the glue has set, pop in a pot and you’re ready to go!

DIY Americana Barn Star

A fun addition to your summer décor, this Americana Barn Star is also something that can fit into your house, or hang outside your house, all year long.

Things you’ll need:
Rustic Barn Star
Foam brush
Red, white and blue acrylic paint

Things to do:
1. Using the foam brush and edging it right up to the seams of the star, paint the left side of each point with two or three coats of white paint, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next.

2. Locate which point will be the top (by finding the hanger on the back) and paint the right hand side of the next point down from the top blue in the same manner that you painted the white.

3. Paint the remaining sections red in the same manner. If you plan to hang your star outside, coat the entire thing with polyurethane to protect it.

Upcycle: Twine Wrapped Utensil Holder

Here’s an easy way to turn an empty coffee or juice can into a handy utensil holder with minimum fuss and mess. The secret? Spray adhesive!

Things you’ll need:
Empty, clean coffee can (or other can)
Spray adhesive
Hemp twine
Scissors

Things to do:
1. On a covered work surface, spray the surface of the can, all the way around, being careful to not get any glue on the inside of the can.
2. Starting at the bottom, gently press the twin along the rim of the can, wrapping it around as you go and keeping the new layer of twine butted up close to the last.

3. Continue to wrap up the can, changing colors as you go if desired, until you reach the top. Trim the end and tuck it under the last row of twine and out of sight.

Upcycle: Coffee Can Baggie Dispenser

As much as I try my best to use reusable bags whenever I can, there are times when I just can’t avoid those pesky plastic sacks. Because of this I try to put the plastic ones to good use and to do that, I need to have a place to keep them together and organized. Enter the humble coffee can.

Things you’ll need:
Coffee can
Spray paint
Decorative decals (optional)
Craft knife

Things to do:
1. Remove the lid of the coffee can and set aside.

2. On a covered work surface, spray the can with thin coats of paint until enough has built up to cover the label on the can. Allow the paint to dry overnight or until hard.
3. Flip the lid over on a cutting surface and cut an X in the center of the lid.

4. Fill the can with bags and snap on the lid. Pull the bags through the top or add more by pushing them down through the top.

Video: Bakers Twine Candle

Things you’ll need:
Bakers twine (or hemp twine)
Hair dryer
Pillar candle
Bone folder
Scissors

Things to do:
1. Cut a generous length of twine, more than you think you’ll need to wrap around the candle. It’s better to have more than less.
2. Gently heat a 1-2 inch section of the candle. Quickly press the twine into place and smooth into the wax using the bone folder.
3. Heat the next section of the candle and continue to press the twine into the wax.
4. Repeat the process until you have wrapped your twine all the way around the candle. Trim the ends and press in where the twine started.

Painted Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are one of those kitchen basics that you just cant have too many of. But just because they are workhorses doesn’t mean they don’t have to be pretty. A little tape, a little paint and a little drying time and even the humblest of wooden spoons will be an eye-catcher.

Things you’ll need:
Wooden Spoons
Fine grit sand paper
Acrylic paint
Clear coat
Masking tape

Things to do:
1. Tape off a section of the handle, anywhere from 3-5 inches from the end, and smooth the tape down well with the edge of your fingernail so that the paint wont seep under.

2. Lightly sand the area to be painted

3. Brush on the paint in thin coats, allowing each to dry before adding the next, until the wood is well covered.
4. Coat lightly with clear coat to protect the paint and allow it to cure for 24 hours before using. Wash by hand.

DIY Seashell Candles

Just the thing to set the mood for a summer picnic, these seashell candles are simple to make and oh so pretty. Once the candle wax melts away you can easily refill these with more wax and a new wick.

Things you’ll need:
Candle wax
Seashells
Wicks
Double boiler
Scissors

Things to do:
1. Gently melt the wax in a double boiler.

2. Place shells on a covered surface so that they are steady, A bowl of rice can help keep the shells from shifting.
3. Dip the wicks into the wax and press into the bottom of the shell. Allow the wax to set up for a moment or two.
4. Pour the melted wax carefully into the shells.

5. Allow the wax to cool and harden and then trim the wicks to ¼ inch.

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