Do It Your Freaking Self - Blog - Page 17 of 23

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies with Pic’s Peanut Butter

on August 8, 2016

When I was a kid my dad worked with the 4 Tops. Yes, those 4 Tops. Allow this song to be your jam while baking today.

While he was with them recording their Christmas album, my sister and I would bake cookies for them. I was probably around 7 or 8 at the time, but I very distinctly remember one phone call with my dad where the 4 Tops road manager and long time partner Fred Bridges very loudly asked “Who’s been eating my peanut butter cookies”. To which we all laughed and then sent Fred his own box of crunchy peanut butter cookies. It is due to this incident that peanut butter cookies will forever remain linked to Fred.

I recently came into some deliciously crunchy Pic’s Peanut Butter, this was all I could think of! I really like Pic’s because not only is it all natural, it has a TON of roasted peanuts so there’s a lot more crunch to it. The company also makes cashew butter and almond butter if you’re into that kind of thing.

ByChelsea

Quick DIY Glam Pencil Box

on August 4, 2016

This is going to be a short and sweet one guys because in T-minus 2 hours, my Mom is coming into town for the first time ever! That’s right. I’ve lived here for 3 years and my mom is finally able to come visit me!

Do I have anything planned? Not really. Honestly, if it were up to me, we’d just have craft days and bake all day and watch “shoot ’em ups”. I think that’s what I miss the most about having my mom close. What are your favorite things to do with your mom?

On to some craftiness. As you know, I LOVE school supplies but sometimes I can’t find the types of things I’m looking for. Anyone remember that feeling when you find the PERFECT pencil case? Or the almost disappointed feeling when you don’t? I’m right there with you. But for those of you that are feeling the disappointment this year, here’s a quick DIY Glam Pencil Box add some MAGIC to an otherwise clear and boring pencil box. Because Glitter = Magic okay? Disney says so!

Time: 15 minutes or less
Cost: $5 or less (pencil box and paper)
Cuteness level: Magic

ByChelsea

Washi Tape Pencils

on August 2, 2016

Head back to school in style with these DIY Washi Tape Pencils for a unique look that doesn’t break the bank!

Is anyone else in love with new school supplies? Whether it’s shopping for them, getting them, packing them, or just wandering down the aisles looking at the promise of a fresh start? Only me? Cool.

I think the only reason I looked forward to a new school year was because I could go get new notebooks and pens and if I was really lucky, a new lunchbox (who am I kidding, I brown bagged it!). ANYWAY! I still slightly obsess over the deas I get this time of year. 17¢ notebooks? Sign me up! 50¢ crayola crayons? Yep I’m stocked. Pretty much any random office supply you can think of is probably on sale is some pretty awesome neon or gold color. And let’s be honest here… this is my life when it comes to stationery.

But sometimes I find the standard yellow pencils to be a bit ho-hum. So it’s time to break out the Washi Tape! I found this fabric tape at the Japanese store Daiso for ridiculously cheap (everything is $1.50!) and I love the grip it gives me on my pencils! And just to note, the tape (whether fabric or regular) doesn’t interfere with regular sharpening.

ByChelsea

DIY Sharknado Costume Shirt

on July 28, 2016

I may have missed shark week, but you know what I did not miss? SHARKNADO!!

Yes, yes, I know. Sharknado Chelsea? Really? To which I emphatically reply YES! Those movies are the epitome of cheesy sci-fi and I adore them. We’re coming up on 4 now and I’m excited for all of the random cameos, really stupid ways they kill sharks (and people) and the drinking game we’ll probably play during it. This will be year number 3 (we didn’t do one for the first Sharknado) that my friends and I have done some type of Sharknado cookout or party. This year promises to be epic because I’m helping thrown that party with a friend at her beautiful home!

Are you going to watch it? Will you snap me your MST3K references? (I’m @ChelseaRiot on Snapchat!)

However, all of this being said, you’re probably like me in that you’re really excited about this television event and you wanna look festive but you’re really lazy and don’t feel like making anything. Wow, that was a really long sentence. Anyhoo, I’m right there with you. I’m going to grab some felt and an old shirt over here and show you how to make a really cool and really simple Sharknado Costume shirt. Come follow along so you can look super creative at your own sharknado viewing party…. even if it’s just you and your cat (yes, I went there. Deal with it)

ByChelsea

DIY Emoji Pillow Busy Bag

on July 26, 2016

Did you guys know there were actual rules to the kootie game? And actual instructions on how to play? I just always thought it was a twisted buggy version of Mr. Potato Head. I’m pretty sure my mom would just take that game out to keep us busy trading parts and makng funny characters. (both Kooties and Mr. Potato Head) Well, the more you know.

Anyway! I’m a bit in love with this project. Seriously. It started when two of my girls each asked for a DIY Emoji Pillow. Both with different expressions. They looked pretty easy, so I figured I’d give it a try. Well, instead of creating just two looks, I ended up creating a pretty fun busy bag that the girls absolutely adore so I’ve added it as a staple to my Babysitting bag. What are your favorite busy activities for the kiddos?

ByChelsea

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

on July 20, 2016

Summer is here! … well, it’s been here… but Cupcakes you guys! Delicious fresh strawberry cupcakes!

There is a farm about an hour away from me that opens during strawberry picking season and OMG so fun to field trip with the kiddos! I remember as a kid, my parents would take us all out to the strawberry farm where we’d pick out our own strawberrys and more than likely eat them straight off the vine. Yeah, I know pesticides and stuff, but I think I turned out okay. And I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t let kids out there with pesticides floating around and I’m not super messed up so I think it was okay. And dirt is good for your immune system. I think?!? Mudpie anyone?

ByChelsea

DIY Foam Paint

on July 18, 2016

This post may contain sponsored and affiliate links. Purchasing from these links helps support this website and my craft supply addiction.

You guys know what I like? DIY Foam Paint. Yep Foam Paint. And yes. It can be messy, but it is also washable which means I am all over it! Stick some kiddos outside with some Kraft paper and let them go at it.

I sent 2 of my littles on this task and ended up with a family photo (myself included), flowers, dogs and…. a rainbow? She used all of the colors anyway.

Now, I watched a video of someone making these and they used really cool squeeze bottles and everything came out great…. mine, epic pinterest fail. How do you even get the stuff in the bottle without making a huge mess!?!? The first time we tried this I used small bowls. They were great until it was time to mix the shaving cream with the glue… yet another epic fail. Let’s just say, I figured out an easier way that is also super fun and (kinda) mess free!

It’s also really fun for the kiddos to make their own craft supplies, so this is really like 2 activities in one! Babysitter win!

ByChelsea

DIY Pokémon Go Pins

on July 13, 2016

Show your Pokémon Go Team pride with these fun DIY Pokémon Go Pins!

You guys! You guys! I’m sure you’ve noticed, but you can now play Pokémon in real life and I feel like it’s 4th grade again except we’re actually leaving the lunch table and walking around.

I’m not going to lie, I’m walking around a lot more, meeting new people and taking random pictures of my friends petting Pokémon. It’s pretty amazing. So… health benefits y’all. Also!!! It is now okay for all of us to walk around looking completely geeked out. People think it’s awesome. The boys I babysit are even excited to leave the ipads at home (WHAT?) and take a walk with me!!!

So, as you play this awesome augmented reality game and wander around your city trying to catch them all, you may want to show your team pride. I made these fun DIY Pokémon Go Pins in about 30 minutes and am wearing them all over town. So the real question is… are you team Instinct, team Mystic, or team Valor?

ByChelsea

DIY Watermelon Shoes

on July 11, 2016

To say that I’m a bit in love with these shoes is an understatement. I’ve had them just sitting in my closet waiting for the perfect project to come along and well, this is it…. for now.

You guys, I’m not a shoe person by any means. I literally have like 3-4 pairs that I wear until they fall apart then bemoan the fact that I have to go find another pair. Yes folks, life is rough. (can you sense my sarcasm?)

BUT back to these super cute watermelon shoes. Aren’t they cute?!? They take about 15 minutes to make and then you’re out in the sunshine showing off your love for the best summer fruit ever!

ByChelsea

Star Stenciled Placemats

on July 6, 2016

I don’t have a kitchen table. I have a coffee table and a bar that is usually full of random crafting stuff. Needless to say I’ve spent most of my adult life without a kitchen table. So imagine me with a drawer of interchangeable placemats for each season…. yeah, not gonna happen. As much as I think they add to a table, they’re kind of hard to keep around when you don’t have a use for them and limited storage space. Maybe when I figure out how to organize my apartment (after 3 years of living here) I will get a kitchen table.

It wasn’t until I started feeding 2 year olds at the big kid table that I realized a love for place mats and not just because they can be cute. Especially ones that are either disposable or washable. I made these Team USA Star Stenciled Placemats for a patriotic play date and kind of fell in love with them. They cost less than $2 each and took me about 15 minutes to make total. Best of all, the kids loved them!

ByChelsea

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