Do It Your Freaking Self - Crafts Archives - Page 3 of 16

Back to School: Doodle Lunch Box Idea

on August 15, 2018

Update your meal planning with this cute doodle lunch box idea!

So…. a few weeks ago I started on the Ketogenic diet. I’m sure a lot of you have either awesome stories to go with this or words of caution. I get it. I also know that I need to make a positive change and in terms of dieting – this is what works for me without a ton of stress. Its more of I need a lifestyle change and to have control over what I’m eating because ya’ll, if there are cupcakes in front of me, I WILL eat those for my daily calorie intake. I am not even kidding.

MAKE IT: Washi Tape Pencils

I digress. I started some new eating habits which have been great. I’m not forgetting to eat and then grabbing lunch wherever and more often than not I have to have the “You have food at home” talk with myself. Knowing what I can and can’t have has been great for me. In the process of all of this though, I’ve really had to take meal planning to heart and that means I really wanted some cute but functional lunch containers. YEP! I packed a lunch every day for class and work. As much as it annoyed me to have to do it, it was super helpful to not worry about what I was going to eat each day.

I really like these containers because they’re glass so they’re more heavy duty and I know they’re going to clean up better than my normal plastic and I feel like overall, they’re better for the environment? Maybe? Anyway. Lunch boxes.

This is a super easy DIY and all you really need are some oil based sharpies or enamel paint and your glass container. Pretty easy right?

Doodle Lunch Box Idea

Time: 15 minutes or less
Cost: $25 or less
Suggested listening: Jason Isbell – The Nashville Sound

ByChelsea

Blendo Cat Treat Jars

on August 8, 2018

Make these cute blendo DIY cat treat jars in as little as 15 minutes!

This summer, since I’m not in classes, I decided I was going to WORK. It’s not exactly something that one decides – unless you’re Elle Woods, but I digress. I decided to work more than I usually do. That pretty much means instead of my usual work load, I doubled it. So I have been working a whole lot. I’ve been super fortunate to work for amazing families and do a job that I enjoy. Should I have spent that time working on my blog? Probably, but I’m also going to be in classes and need study time as soon as the semester starts (I’m taking Anatomy ya’ll) so it was important to me to build up my savings while I could. So as a result of me working lots and lots of 12 hour days I accidentally forgot to feed my cat. I mean, she’s fine. She graze feeds so I’m not worried but still. No one call the ASPCA or animal control or anything like that. She’s totally fine. Sorry Grampers!

How to make Giant Yarn out of Fleece!

Okay so I got home the other night and she had eaten all of her food (I didn’t fill her up in the morning) and she BROKE INTO THE CAT TREATS. This kitty found her treats on the counter, scratched through the bag, and made herself a meal. I can’t even with her. I honestly wasn’t sure if I should be mad at her or proud of her ingenuity or mad at myself for forgetting to top her up in the morning. Either way, I figured I should probably make something a little more sturdy to put her treats in (but not the organic ones, she’s weird and doesn’t like them). And in case you’re wondering, she likes Temptations and Feline Greenies in catnip flavor.

These blendo DIY cat treat jars are certainly doing the trick – not that I have forgotten to feed her since but still. Also, they’re super cute and match my decor so I’m calling it a win! Make your own with or without the blendo style!

Blendo Cat Treat Jars

Cost:$10 or less
Time: 15 minutes plus dry time
Suggested listening: CHVRCHES: Miracle

ByChelsea

How to make Perler Bead Princess DIY Chip Clips

on July 26, 2018

These Princess DIY Chip Clips are so fun and easy to make! And they make your kitchen look super cute!

If you’ve been to my apartment recently you’ll know I use clothes pins for just about everything. Sure they’re great for hanging up clothes, but they’re also great as chip clips, holding embroidery floss, twisting tie dye shirts, etc. I use them a lot okay! and they’re cheap which is like a magic word in my language. They also tend to go missing a lot, those things are like socks! I’m sure one day I’ll find all the missing clothes pins wherever my missing socks are – in an alternate dimension. So cheap and useful are super high up on my MUST HAVE list. Another thing I like? Cute. Yes. Add all the cuteness to everything.

The kiddos I watch have been on a classic Disney princess kick (when are they not?) so we’re princess-ifying everything around these parts. We’ve been using these DIY Princess Chip Clips for brown bag lunches, road trip snacks and picking up pom poms (because motor skills ya’ll). You can even use the patterns to create your own cupcake toppers or puppets! Just glue them onto some popsicle sticks instead of clothes pins.

Princess DIY Chip Clips

Time: 1 hour or less
Cost: I used stuff on hand so… FREE! If you don’t, probably about $5 for a set.
Suggested viewing: Little Mermaid!

ByChelsea

Hello Summer Fruit Banner (free printable)

on June 19, 2018

This free printable Hello Summer fruit banner is currently hanging in my bedroom/craftroom and I have no chill about it. None. It is awesome and I love it. Also, I’m pretty stoked it’s summer. (Come back in about a month and I’ll be complaining that I ever felt that way – It gets so stinkin hot!)

ByChelsea

Neverending Story Book Trinket Box

on June 12, 2018

Add some geek chic to your home with this Neverending Story Book Box!

This post has been a long time coming you guys. Seriously like I bought the supplies for it a year ago – long time coming. So yeah, great idea…. lots of time spent googling on execution and I am so glad to say that this Neverending Story Book Box is FINISHED!

Okay, story time-ish. Maybe. Eh, here’s some random things about my relationship with this series.

Turn up the nostalgia/nerd factor in your home with the DIY Neverending Story Book Box! Great for a remote holder! #HomeDecor #Geek #NerdHome

When I was a kid, Falcor the luck dragon weirded me out but I still wanted to hang with him because DUH! Luck!

MAKE IT: DIY Harry Potter Makeup Brushes

I cried actual tears, multiple times when Artax died. I dare anyone not to. If you did, comment so I know I’m not alone okay? You can use like an emoji or a code word if you’re too cool to come out and say it.

The giant turtle is also weird, but I did not want to chill with him.

Okay, so basically everything about that movie weirded me out as a kid and I don’t think I’d let any of the kids I nanny for watch it. That’s not even counting the second one in which my dad says I begged and begged to see it in theaters then hid behind a chair because it was scary. Ya’ll, I don’t remember this but I was probably only 3, so ya know. Priorities.

Add some geek chic to your home with this Neverending Story Book Box! #Geekcrafts

Wanna make your own Neverending Story Book Box? I saved your a lot of time googling techniques and stuff. You’re welcome.

Neverending Story Book Box

Cost: $20
Time: Weekend project (there is a lot of drying time)
Suggested Viewing: The Neverending Story – Duh!

ByChelsea

DIY Floral Laptop Case

on June 6, 2018

Protect your laptop from the daily grind with this fun DIY Floral Laptop Case!

You guys!!! I took my Chemistry final yesterday and I am officially done with school for the summer! I seriously never though I’d end up going back to school at this point in my life but here we are. It has been super hectic over here for weeks and I’m still working on trying to find that balance. On the plus side – at least I have an excuse for cute school supplies again?

MAKE IT: Magestically Awkward Llamacorn Pencil Bag

Anyway. One of the things that helped keep me sane during my one day off a week was crafting. I kinda realized that it totally is my self care and I need to make time for it. I’ve got a lot of projects done so hopefully they’ll be posted soon! What do you guys do to keep sane when everything else is nutty?

This DIY Floral Laptop Case is one of the projects I am ridiculously proud of. I put a lot of wear and tear on my old Macbook pro and realized that carting it around without some kind of protection was probably not the best idea. Hands up if you’re also super hard on your electronics! Want to make your own? It’s super easy! Let’s get started!

DIY Floral Laptop Case

Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $15 or less
Suggested listening: I’ve been listening to a lot of audio books recently so I’m going to go with The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. (Try audible and get 2 free books here!)

ByChelsea

Simple DIY Star Wars Sweater

on May 4, 2018

Make a simple DIY Star Wars Sweater for your office sweater, Disney bound or dapper day outfits! Show off your Rebel Alliance allegiance!

I know this is a little late for Star Wars and #Maythe4th but in my defense, school has been kicking my butt.

But you’re not here to listen to me talk about being burried in school work. No, you’re here to geek out and make all the things. Okay, so I was brought up with a healthy dose of scifi culture. My first R rated movie? The 5th Element. My first midnight showing? Star Wars Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith. And while I’m not the biggest fan of the first 3 movies – as a kid I thought they were cool, now – totally cringe-worthy. But anyhoo… I remember my dad taking us to see the original trilogy when they came to theaters again. He was so excited! And my sister and I had no idea what we were walking into.

Make It: Wookie Cookies

One of my favorite things about this series is not the themes or the characters, while they are very awesome, it is the fact that my dad and I can connect over it. We don’t agree on a lot of things, but we can definitely talk about some Star Wars. In fact, we both waited to see The Force Awakens until we were both in the same city – it took a lot of spoiler avoiding thats for sure.

So, if you’re like me and you LOVE Star Wars and maybe wanna let your geek flag fly without being super obvious, this project is for you! This is also a super fun project for a Rebel Alliance Disney Bound and a Star Wars Dapper Day costume!

Simple DIY Star Wars Sweater

Time: 10 Minutes or less
Cost: $15
Suggested viewing: Rogue One
Continue reading

ByChelsea

Magestically Awkward Llamacorn Pencil Bag

on April 17, 2018

Express fabulous self with a fun Magestically Awkward Llamacorn Pencil Bag. Make custom holographic pencil bags for your fabulous self and friends!

There are 3 things I know about myself.

I am super awkward.
I like soft fluffy things
I am damn magical. I’m effing Mary Poppins Ya’ll!

Okay, some of those things sound made up, but I’m going somewhere with this, I promise. Where you ask? To the magical land of the Llamacorn. Have you ever heard of them? They’re basically what happens when an awkward Llama and a Unicorn have a baby. They’re brilliant and fabtabulous. Yep, I have given up being a perfect unicorn and am moving on to being a Magestically Awkward Llamacorn – they have MUCH more fun and so much less pressure.

Moving on.

As you also begin to take up your new monicer of Llamacorn, you’re going to want some sweet sweet swag to announce to the world how awesome you are. For that, I give you these Llamacorn pencil bags! If you’re not in school like me, you can also use them for your cosmetics, snacks, glitter for sneak attacks – all sorts of things.

MAKE IT: How to Make Unicorn Bark

To create these bags I used my Cricut Explore – one of my favorite purchases EVER and I use it for EVERYTHING. Some holographic bags from the $2 section at Michaels and Permanent adhesive vinyl – because you want that sucker to stick!
Continue reading

ByChelsea

How to make a Chunky Knit Blanket

on April 12, 2018

Cozy up with a giant chunky knit blanket that won’t cost an arm and a leg. A great alternative to arm knitting or making your own needles too!

I know that spring is here, but I couldn’t move on from the cold season without sharing this chunky knit blanket with you guys. As I shared earlier, I have conical shaped arms. What this means is that arm knitting is not for me because it comes out looking really weird and pulls. I’ve tried using size 70 needles but those were still not as chunky as the chunky knit blankets I’ve seen so I had to resort to other measures… and I gotta say… I’m pretty stoked. I made a few of these as Christmas presents before I finally made one for myself and its so cozy and warm… you’d never believe that it cost me a crafter noon and about $50 TOTAL. For a chunky knit blanket thats 5×5 foot? No.. I am not kidding you.

Chunky Knit Blanket

Time: Afternoon or weekend project
Cost: $50 or less
Suggested viewing:

ByChelsea

Perler Bead Sushi Magnets

on April 10, 2018

Add some fun Perler Bead Sushi Magnets to your fridge or command center with these patterns and simple tutorial. What are you waiting for?

Okay, so I promised myself I’d be meal planning and eating healthier this year for… reasons and this week, I honestly feel like a failure because I’ve had takeout nearly every day for the last two weeks. I know that failure is really a reason to do better and what not, I just feel like I dropped like.. a million balls. Anyone else feel that way? So, my schedule leaves a lot to be desired in terms of planning, and I could use the age old excuse of not having enough time, but lets be honest here, I have as many hours in the day as Dolly Parton and look at everything she gets done!

What I’m realizing is that I have to MAKE the time. Not just fit it in wherever. The same goes for crafting. It’s my happy place. Its where I get to paint and listen to books and make fun things that bring joy to my heart. I haven’t been making the time lately and my mental health has not been the best because of it.

These perler bead sushi magnets are the product of an unexpected day off and a plan to just MAKE. I’m pretty stoked on them, if only because they are super cute and I got to use my chop sticks as a photo prop. Its the little things.

Perler Bead Sushi Magnets

Cost: $10 or less
Time: 1 hour
Suggested listening: Vanessa Carlton – Call Your Girlfriend

ByChelsea

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