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Daily Delight: Table Top S’mores

by Allie Holcomb June 19, 2013 No Comments

Summer nights make me crave the glow of a bonfire and the mess of a marshmallow-oozing s’more. I even find myself craving that smoky smell that requires three rounds of shampoo to eradicate. Sadly, I have no fire pit to provide these summer delicacies. Thanks to Linen, Lace, & Love, I’ve found a wonderfully adorable replacement. This s’mores bar is perfect for a backyard get-together. Each guest can have their own roasting station – a terra cotta pot lined with tinfoil and light charcoal. Doesn’t this just make you want to throw a s’mores party?

Designer MacGyver: 5 Fun Wine Glass Crafts

by Allie Holcomb June 17, 2013 2 Comments

Something about sunshine and 90-degree weather makes a cocktail or glass of wine sound that much more appealing. Summer in itself is enough reason to throw a cocktail party, and I’m thinking a girls’ wine night sounds just right. If you’re with me on this sentiment, consider upgrading your stemware. These fabulous wine glass crafts are sure to jazz up your summer party.

These DIY Glitter Wine Glasses are perfect for a glitzy party. What’s not to love about a little glitter?

Stemless wine glasses are optimal for casual summer get-togethers. See how Kristen from MyColor painted these glasses to give them a bright, floral feel.

More Fabulous Wine Glasses

5 DIY Driftwood Crafts

by Allie Holcomb June 13, 2013 5 Comments

If you read my last post, you know I’ve been daydreaming of an exotic vacation. But — since I won’t be travelling to a gorgeous beach anytime soon, I’m thinking I’ll bring the beach to me. I love coastal decor, and I love budget-friendly decor even more. That’s why I’m going crazy over these driftwood crafts. If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the beach soon, stroll the shores for pretty pieces of driftwood. If not, try your nearest lake for some driftwood and simply pretend your fabulous finds are from a beachy shoreline.

I absolutely adore this colorful driftwood key hanger. Drift on over to Free People’s blog to see how it’s made.

This beautiful Herringbone Driftwood Table is for the heavy-duty DIYers. Although Sarah’s tutorial includes quite a few steps, the end product is totally worth the work.

More Driftwood Crafts

Surprise Dad With a Handmade Leather Valet for Father’s Day

by H. Camille Smith June 12, 2013 6 Comments

Father’s Day is this Sunday — are you armed with a gift for dad? No? Well then, we’ve got you covered — from his favorite recipes (hot beer cheese and homemade pretzels — yum!) to fun, free printables and handmade gift ideas like this easier-than-it-looks dresser-top leather valet; whip up a surprise for your dad just in time for Father’s Day celebrations.

Handmade Men's Leather Valet for Father's Day Ready to make your own? Get the complete step-by-step instructions>>

Not only is this monogrammed leather valet easy to craft, you probably have most of the materials on hand like an old frame, some batting or foam and a spare bit of leather – this is a great project for upcycling a past-its-prime jacket or purse. The steps are simple, just disassemble the frame then use the backing as a template to cut out a small piece of leather and batting. Place the leather, suede side up, on top of the batting and secure it in the frame with strong tape. Step by Step images for making a leather dresser-top valet for Father's Day

I used an old trick from college printmaking classes to create removable registration marks on painter’s tape that would help me find the tray’s center before placing the adhesive stencils (these things are awesome, btw, you can find them with the glass-etching supplies at your local craft store). Fill in the stencils with a permanent marker and voila — a handy catch-all for dad to keep his keys, change, watch and anything else he needs to grab on his way out the door. Using a Sharpie to Monogram Leather

Crafting this handy DIY gift for dad is easy — but be sure to check out my complete step-by-step instructions for a materials list and lots of helpful tips first>>

Designer MacGyver: 5 Cool Vintage Suitcase Crafts

by Briana Mowrey June 10, 2013 20 Comments

Hey, MacGyvers! Planning a summer vacation? Don’t bring excess baggage — craft with it instead. If you’ve upgraded to an ergonomic roller bag but still have some vintage suitcases hanging around, try transforming them into these fabulous crafts. (If you don’t already own vintage suitcases but still want to look like a jet-setter, you can find them at flea markets or via various online marketplaces like Craigslist and Etsy.)

EVEN MORE VINTAGE SUITCASE AWESOMENESS

5 DIY Ladder Ideas

by Allie Holcomb June 10, 2013 14 Comments

Every time I head to a garage sale or thrift store, I keep an eye out for a vintage ladder. They’re so multifunctional – they can find a home in almost any room, whether it’s a living room or a bathroom. I typically use them as anything besides a climbing tool. I find they’re much more charming holding a slew of colorful high heels or a stack of towels. If you have an old ladder lying around, dust it off and try one of these ideas.

A vintage ladder is a perfect addition for an empty space in a living room or bedroom. Play up the rustic feel by adorning your ladder with flower-filled mason jars. See how Sarah from A Beach Cottage decided to decorate her old ladder.

This idea is handy if you’re anything like me – always searching for shoe storage! Also, why not show off your lovely collection? Shoe shopping is hard work – it deserves a little appreciation.

More Ladder Ideas

Piña Colada Baked Doughnuts

by Farima Alavi June 7, 2013 1 Comment

Happy National Doughnut Day*! Today is the perfect excuse to indulge in your favorite flavor doughnut without feeling guilty. If you just can’t get past the guilt (oh, bathing suit season), opt for a baked version. These baked piña colada doughnuts, made with freshly-strained pineapple juice, have a fruity, summery taste that’s hard to resist. So, go ahead and treat yourself!

Piña Colada Baked Doughnuts

Get the Recipe>>

*Trending topic courtesy of Yahoo! Web Trend Expert Carolyn Clark

Gift Idea for Father’s Day: Candy Jars

by Allie Holcomb June 5, 2013 9 Comments

Despite my mother’s incessant reminders, I somehow always find myself scrambling for a Father’s Day gift at the last minute. Sound familiar? This year, I’m hoping to break that tradition. I’m calling on two of my closest acquaintances: crafts and candy. If you’re in a similar Father’s Day bind, why not make one of these adorable candy jars for dad? We all know he’s secretly hoping for something edible.

This candy jar is quick, easy and hilarious. I love the mustache trend – so quirky! Also, I think my dad would love this sly reference to his terrible ‘70s “stache.” See how Jill from Sandy Toes & Popsicles created these crafty candy jars.

This jar assures dad some peace of mind; KC from The Real Thing shows how to actually etch his name into a glass jar. That guarantees no candy thieves, right?

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly craft, this Tie Box from Eighteen25 might be your pick. And after all, it is Father’s Day – it’s only proper to incorporate ties!

Budget Beach Cottage: Make a Nautical Rope Mirror

by H. Camille Smith June 5, 2013 3 Comments

When I say “budget beach cottage,” I ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie. Upcycling is far from the latest trend in my family — if we can find a way to repurpose or reuse something, we will. Check out our beachy kitchen, living room, candles and built-in bookcase transformations to see what I mean.

Enter a plain-Jane, oak-framed mirror my sister and I bought at an estate sale intending it to serve as a vanity mirror for the hall bath. The rounded shape of the frame reminded us of a ship’s port hole and at just $5, the price was right. Sadly, the wood-framed mirror was too small for the bathroom — but it was just the right size for a narrow wall in the master bedroom. We hung it but the stained oak frame just wasn’t doing it for us. Luckily, my 18-year-old nephew found an old boat cleat at a yard sale for just 50 cents (clearly he’s been well instructed in the ways of the bargain-hunting force) and that was the inspiration we needed to wrap the frame in rope and “tie it off” to the cleat.

And … voila! Here’s our once plain-Jane mirror after its nautical makeover: Beachy Rope Mirror Ready to make your own? Get the complete step-by-step instructions>>

Covering the frame is easy; the key is to start on the inside of the frame and really secure the first few rows with a super-strong epoxy (like Gorilla Glue) to prevent the remaining rows from shifting. Once you have a solid start, you can switch over to just tacking the rope with brads every few inches.
Beachy Rope Mirror Step-by-Step

And … inevitably when you’re taking photos in a small beach house with 5 nosy little dogs around (2 are mine and 3 are my sister’s) you end up with quite a few shots featuring a cute pup in the pic. Everyone, meet my sister’s furry little shadow, her 6-lb rescued Yorkie, Gracie: Cute Yorkie Dog and Beachy Rope Mirror

Giving a blah mirror a coastal makeover is easy — but be sure to check out my complete step-by-step instructions for a materials list and lots of helpful tips first>>

*Three years later, the beach house is still a work in progress, keep checking back for more thrifty transformations.

MORE BEACH HOUSE MAKEOVERS:
Budget Beach Cottage Before and After: Built-In Bookcase
Budget Beach Cottage Before and After: Kitchen
Budget Beach Cottage Before and After: Living Room
Adventures in Antiquing: Easy Beachy Candle Update