Do It Your Freaking Self - Blog - Page 14 of 23

DIY Colorful Pumpkin Plaster Magnets

on November 10, 2016

It’s time for a fall refresh on the old refrigerator… because why can’t it be festive?!? I’ve been playing around with plaster of paris this week and I gotta say, these DIY Colorful Pumpkin Plaster Magnets make me pretty happy. As much as I love traditional fall colors of orange, gold and white (or whatever catches your fancy) I wanted to experiment with colors too. We had so much fun painting these pumpkin plaster magnets and experimenting with different patterns. Full disclosure… there was wine involved.

Helpful hint? Using Q-tips as your paint brushes makes for easier clean up and great polkadots!

ByChelsea

DIY an Infinity Loom Knit Scarf

on November 7, 2016

Now is around the time of year that Do-It-Yourself-er in all of us is getting super ambitious about making all of our own Christmas presents. I know I am. But the closer and closer the parties and subsequent big day get that ambition seems to dwindle and we find ourselves at starbucks or target shopping for gift cards and random tchotchkes. So much for those half finished scarves and hats we were making. They’ll just sit in a corner until next year.

But you know what you guys? You can still make really awesome hand made scarves that don’t take forever to knit. Let me introduce you to the knitting loom. The answer to all of your scarf making woes. So sit down, kick up your feet, turn on netflix and let’s make a loom knit scarf!

Time: 2 episodes of Gilmore Girls (or 2 hours)
Cost: $15 or less
Skill level: Beginner/Easy

ByChelsea

How to Make Oreo Peppermint Bark

on November 3, 2016

Is it officially okay to order peppermint everything? Because it is seriously beginning to be my favorite time of the year! Now, of course, I absolutely do NOT start Christmas prep until after Thanksgiving… because I actually really like Thanksgiving.. BUT I adore peppermint. And this is the time of year that it all comes out of hiding. I totally stock up. Anyone else a flavor hoarder?

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer you some tasty peppermint treats right? So here is some fun Oreo Peppermint Bark to help get yourself into the holiday spirit (even if it is 85 degrees out right now!) Planning on giving some edible gifts for the holidays this year? Try some fun and easy bark recipes!

Time: 20 Min + chill time
Cost: $10
Festive level: 9

ByChelsea

DIY Stamped Holiday Napkins

on October 31, 2016

The holidays are upon us you guys and I could not be more excited! I’m also not quite ready. Seriously you guys, I’m hosting my annual Friendsgiving and I haven’t even sent invites. Welcome to my life you guys. Some stuff is super organized the rest is well…. it is what it is.

Anyway! One of the things I’m not stressing over is the table setting because DIY-ing that stuff is totally my jam. This week, I’ve been cranking out some really fun stamped holiday napkins and grabbing the kiddos to help. The best part is that I am using things that I already had in the house so I really only had to purchase the napkins. Can you say WIN! I’m sharing 2 ways to stamp your holiday napkins so hit the jump to see what we used!

Time: 20 minutes or less
Cost: $15 (or cost of napkins)
Festive level: 5

ByChelsea

How to Make DIY Mini Journals

on October 27, 2016

I don’t know why, but every year during back to school time I end up with at least 5 new notebooks that I probably didn’t need. In fact, I have half a shelf of notebooks that I haven’t even cracked. I can’t help it! Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of keeping a traveler’s notebook. One that I can shove all of my random photos, notes, people, places, things, etc. into to keep track of things. Ya’ll know I don’t update facebook enough, so what am I gonna have when everything is said and done? I don’t even have digital posts to back it up?

Okay, so check out these super easy diy mini journals I made for that express purpose. There is nothing worse than lugging a huge book around with you and finding something and these diy mini journals are perfect for trips, seasons, or (if you’ll be going to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) the magical creatures you see. These also make really wonderful Christmas presents and gift tags!

Time: 20 minutes
Cost: $20 (or less if you already have some items on hand)

ByChelsea

Hogwarts House Crochet Ear Warmer

on October 24, 2016

Show your house pride and keep warm this winter with a handmade Hogwarts house crochet ear warmer! Handmade Harry Potter style for the whole family!

As the weather cools down out come my yarn stash….

When I moved to Los Angeles I packed up my car. If it didn’t fit, it didn’t come with me. What did fit was an entire suitcase full of… yep, you guessed it. YARN. I learnt to crochet as a kid and it’s been one of my favorite ways to make handmade gifts as well as to calm down after a crazy week. I’m pretty much in love with all yarn work and I honestly feel like it is something anyone can do in some way shape or form. This cinched Crochet Ear Warmer uses only 2 stitches and is a wonderful beginner project just in time for the cooler weather. Even better…. they’re in Hogwarts house colors so I’m super excited to wear these babies all around Universal Studios this winter and feel like a real Hogwarts alumni!

Time: 1-2 Hours
Cost: $10 makes a lot of them
School Spirit Level: 20!!!

ByChelsea

Dark Chocolate Orange Cranberry Bark

on October 20, 2016

This might seem like sacrilege and try not to fall out of your seats when I say this but….I think I may be pumpkin spiced out. Whew. That felt good to get off my chest.

But seriously though you guys, I love fall and all that it brings. I love sweater weather and pumpkin spice and pumpkins and all that stuff but I think I hit pumpkin spice overload what with the latte’s and cheerios among other things. So… what is a girl to do?

Super into chocolate this season? Click here for more chocolate bark recipes!

I turned to all things rich and tangy and whipped up some dark chocolate orange cranberry bark to satisfy my sugar and my spice cravings and you know what? It hit the spot! This bark is makes a perfect addition to any party, as a holiday gift or just because. With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, this bark is sure to bring a smile to anyone looking to dig into the more tangy flavors this holiday season!

ByChelsea

Potato Stamp Matilda Wormwood Hoodie

on October 17, 2016

When most kids were having their “go outside and run around the neighborhood” phase, I was in my “stay inside and read a book” phase. Yes folks, I was not the most active of children. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. But before you start worrying about my health just know that I was at dance class a lot. Like 3-4 nights a week a lot. I just wasn’t a big fan of being outside or sweating or things that go with that.

Okay, so that stay inside and read a book phase…. I liked to read a lot. I remember staying up all night to finish books and somehow making it up in time to go to school or church the next day. I still do that in fact. I fell in love with the character of Matilda Wormwood who shared a love of reading and learning. Matilda was magical, mysterious and overall amazing. So of course while I was creating a hoodie based on another Roald Dahl work, I felt like I needed to honor Matilda in the same way.

Time: 1hr
Cost: $15 or less
Literary level: Genius

ByChelsea

Felicity Fox Hoodie

on October 13, 2016

If you tuned in earlier this week, you would have read several sentences extholling my love for one Felicity Fox, because yes, she is a badass.

I was at the thrift store last week and found this amazing golden hoodie that was just SCREAMING to be turned into something, and as I was planning on continuing with the fox theme anyway so….. I bought it and turned it into this super fun Felicity Fox inspired apple print hoodie!

Yes, you heard me, apple print. What is it with me using food as stamps? Well, for one thing, its cheap. I don’t want to pay $12+ for a stamp that I can make with a 50¢ apple AND get a snack out of it. (I ate the unpainted half). Want to make one in time for halloween or just to have a conversation starter?

Time: 1 hour + dry time
Cost: $15+ (depending on cost of hoodie)
Wes Anderson Level: 12

ByChelsea

DIY No Sew Fox Ears Headband

on October 10, 2016

You guys, for some reason I’m in love with foxes this week. Honestly, fall means orange and fuzzy and stealing yummy treats from my friend’s kitchens, which basically means fall = foxes. Right? Maybe?

Okay, so the real reason I made these ears is because I found myself watching The Fantastic Mr. Fox a few nights ago and pretty much fell in love with Felicity Fox. Let’s be honest here even though Mr. Fox tries to run the show, Felicity is there to reign him in and basically be the voice of reason for the entire fiasco.

Yes folks, she is a badass. If you’re feeling similarly inspired by the Wes Anderson adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, grab some felt and a glue gun. Its about to get foxy up in here with these DIY Fox Ears Headband!

Time: 15 Minutes
Cost: $5-10
Foxy Level: Like… 2?

ByChelsea

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