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Weekday Crafternoon: Anchor-Stenciled Boat Bag

by Marianne Canada May 14, 2013 1 Comment

I don’t know how the weather has been in your part of the country, but here at HGTV Headquarters we had a long winter and unseasonably cool spring. The chilly temperatures have just made summer more tantalizing, and with Memorial Day only a couple of weeks away, I’m ready to kick off summer and head out on the lake. On my arm? This adorable stenciled boat bag.

Didn’t I say I was excited about freezer paper stencils? Ever since I heard about them on Alison’s blog, I’ve been hooked. They are easy to use and the results are amazingly crisp and professional. Download our free “Boat Bag” and anchor stencils, and you’re all set to make your own nautical-themed tote bag.

How to Stencil a Boat Bag for Memorial Day

Are you gearing up for a fun Memorial Day weekend? Do your plans involve heading out to the pool or lake, or will you stick closer to home? I’m counting down the days until that long weekend…

Missed an episode of Weekday Crafternoon? Catch them all, and more from Marianne, right here.

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Paper Cloud Mobile

by Marianne Canada May 7, 2013 5 Comments

Yep, it’s time for another project for ye olde nursery. I’ve been plugging away, making art for the walls and even a Rocking Sheep, but this week my energy was focused on making an inexpensive-yet-adorable mobile for Baby Boy’s abode.

Armed with our free printable template, card stock, fishing line, and an embroidery hoop, you are less that $5 away from making this show stopping mobile.

DIY Paper Cloud Mobile

Dreamy, isn’t it? For more episodes of Weekday Crafternoon, head over here. See you next time!

The Nursery Files: DIY Freezer Paper Stenciled Onesies

by Marianne Canada April 26, 2013 4 Comments

With the rocking sheep and paint treatment complete, the biggest projects for my nursery decor are complete. And it’s a good thing, we are closing in on my early June due date. This week, I’m waiting on a few things to be delivered, so I’m keeping busy washing teeny baby clothes and filling up my new dresser. I have some really cute stuff, but you can’t have too many onesies, so this week I’m printing off these adorable freezer paper stencils from The Alison Show to make a few myself (congrats to Alison on her newest arrival!).

DIY Freezer Paper Stenciled Onesies

I am so enamored with freezer paper, my mind is already spinning with a dozen ideas to use it (hello, Weekday Crafternoon!). What do you think of these homemade onesies?

Got baby fever? Catch up on all of The Nursery Files!

Weekday Crafternoon: Kid-Crafted Block Prints for Mother’s Day

by Marianne Canada April 23, 2013 2 Comments

Mother’s Day is a big day in the Canada household this year. No, not because I’m getting bigger (though I certainly am), but rather because this year both my birthday and my daughter Lulu’s falls on Mother’s Day. You’d better believe my husband is feeling some pressure on the gift-giving front. But really, all I want for Mother’s Day is time with my family, so this year Lu and I made gifts together. She’s about to turn 4 and loves to stamp things, so we’re making block-printed napkins to give the moms in our family.

This is a great project for kids and adults of all ages. All you need are some fabric paint, buttons, and other found objects and you are ready to stamp everything from napkins to tablecloths and more.

Kid Crafted Block Print Napkins for Mother's Day

Want more Weekday Crafternoon? Check out the brand new show page to see all past episodes and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks!

The Nursery Files: From Rocking Horse to Rocking Sheep

by Marianne Canada April 19, 2013 16 Comments

You may remember that I linked to this mega-adorable rocking sheep way back in my first nursery post of this series. In my follow-up post, I boldly declared my intention to attempt to make my own rocking sheep out of an old rocking horse and an Ikea sheepskin. But I’ll confess, I didn’t really have a plan beyond buying a sheepskin last time I made an Ikea run. Then, last week, I found a rocking horse on Craigslist (I wasn’t joking about being addicted to it!), so it seemed it was time. Vintage Rocking Horse and Chalk Paint After doing some research, I decided to paint the body of the horse with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was intrigued by the claims that you don’t have to strip, sand, or prime furniture before painting, and that you’re left with a matte finish free of brushstrokes. I will admit I was a little skeptical, but this paint is kind of magical. I slapped it on to the beat up, varnished wooden rocking horse, and two coats later I was left with this lovely charcoal grey fella. He looked so nice I was tempted to leave him as-is, but the sheepskin beckoned so I powered on. Rocking horse painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint For the next step, I gathered my supplies: a roll of wax paper, a utility knife, scissors, a pen, a hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks, and one Ikea sheepskin. It’s easy to see why these cuddly skins are so popular with designers (Emily Henderson just listed them as one of her all-time styling essentials), they are so thick and soft. If real sheepskin isn’t your style, they also come in a faux version that looks great.

CLICK TO SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Painted Glass Vases + GIVEAWAY!

by Marianne Canada April 16, 2013 34 Comments

Cinco de Mayo is my favorite margarita-based holiday (make mine non-alcoholic). I, personally, love that this holiday gives us a reason to go color crazy with a table setting–it’s the perfect way to kick off all of those backyard barbeques coming up. Dress your table in style with these easy-to-make (and easy on the eyes!) confetti-dotted vases:

These pretty table toppers are even better in person. I can’t tell you how many people stopped by my crafting studio to coo over them; they are really adorable! Wouldn’t they be perfect paired with these piñata cookies?

Learn how to make these DIY confetti vases on Weekday Crafternoon

Are you celebrating on Cinco de Mayo? Do you prefer a gathering at your casita or will you hit up your favorite Mexican restaurant? No matter what you’re planning, you can win one of these sweet dotty vases by leaving a comment below. Buena suerte (good luck)!

Watch all the episodes of Weekday Crafternoon right here.

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 12:00 p.m. ET on April 16, 2013 and 12:00 p.m. ET on April 22, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $25. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Congrats to Levieta, our winner!

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Monogram String Art

by Marianne Canada April 2, 2013 8 Comments

I don’t know if you’ve caught on from my other posts, but I’m expecting a little boy in early summer, and nursery preparations are in full swing. Being a do-it-myself kind of girl, I’ve been thinking up craft projects for the nursery for weeks. I wanted to do something with the baby’s monogram that was a little unusual, and I finally thought of the perfect thing. Why not take straight-from-the-70′s string art and make it modern? I just love how it turned out:

What do you think? I love the graphic impact and can’t wait to hang it in the little guys room. It gives great texture and interest to a gallery wall and is definitely not just for a nursery.

DIY Monogram String Art on Weekday Crafternoon

Want to make your own piece of custom string art? You can download the letter template here. And as always, if you’ve missed any past episodes of Weekday Crafternoon you can find them all right here.

Weekday Crafternoon: Baker’s Twine-Wrapped Easter Eggs

by Marianne Canada March 20, 2013 4 Comments

Easter comes early this year, so here at HGTV we’ve been elbow deep in egg decorating for weeks. You just never know when you’ll find one of our editors marbling, gilding, tattooing, or glittering eggs, we’re that committed. My contribution? These super cute baker’s twine-wrapped paper mache eggs. Check it out:

Baker’s twine is so on trend right now, and it finds a new purpose when wrapped around paper mache eggs, don’t you think?

Learn how to make these Baker's Twine-Wrapped Easter Eggs on Weekday Crafternoon

Already have your egg-decorating plans in place? Then don’t miss these other Easter decor ideas:

Weekday Crafternoon: Easter Wreath With Paper Flowers

by Marianne Canada March 5, 2013 8 Comments

The calendar is telling me that spring should be making an appearance any day now (not to mention that pesky groundhog), but y’all? It is COLD here. We had a hard freeze this week at HGTV headquarters, and there is snow in the forecast tomorrow. Snow! I am doggedly ignoring all of this and instead looking at this lovely Easter wreath, packed with charming paper flowers and so easy to make, it will warm your heart (if not your freezing hands). Check out the DIY video:

The best part of this floral wreath? It’s inexpensive and, if stored properly, can be enjoyed for many spring seasons to come.

DIY Easter Wreath

So, what’s the weather like in your part of the world? Are you dreaming of spring decor while there’s frost on the ground?

Want more crafty inspiration? Check out past episodes of Weekday Crafternoon right here.

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Felt Shamrock Craft

by Marianne Canada February 26, 2013 8 Comments

St. Patrick’s day is such a fun holiday, it’s a little bit cheeky and heavy on the eating and celebrating. But there is a darker side to St. Patty: as a child I lived in fear of getting pinched. Yes, I was the kid who worked up a lather that somehow, in spite of my mounting anxiety, I would forget to wear green on March 17th, inviting perfect strangers to pinch me to their hearts content.

Maybe I was a weird kid. Whether that’s the case or not, I can tell you one thing: I’ll be wearing my green this St. Patricks Day. And here is an easy and adorable way for you to get your green on as well: These simple felt shamrocks take just minutes to make, cost only pennies, and can adorn everything from hair clips to pins and more. Frankly, once you start making them, you might find it hard to stop.

Weekday Crafternoon: Learn how to make these easy felt shamrocks for St. Patricks Day!