ALL POSTS IN [Handmade]

Happy Hour Happens: Refreshing Memorial Day Cocktails

by Kayla Kitts May 17, 2013 1 Comment

Memorial Day’s late May date has marked the unofficial start of summer for years. Most schools unlock the doors and release students for the year that Friday before. [FREEDOM!] The weather is finally at a solid seasonal temperature. It’s also an unofficial rule that you must spend the day/weekend outdoors. Rain is not tolerated. No matter how you choose to spend your holiday weekend, unwind with these refreshing summer cocktails that will leave you ready for lazy pool days all season long.

Cantaloupe Tea Daiquiri

Memorial Day Cocktail Recipes at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Numi Emperor’s Pu-erh Tea
1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Blue Vodka
3 ounces frozen cantaloupe, cubed
1 ounce coconut milk
splash of lemon juice
lemon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Steep tea at four times the normal strength for two minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use. Combine and blend ingredients in blender, adding a splash of lemon for each serving. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon wedge.

More Warm-Weather Concoctions

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Daily Delight: Graduation Cap Gift Jar

by Grant Dudley May 15, 2013 6 Comments

Most graduation presents involve some sort of money, whether it be cash or a check. If you’re a parent or a relative looking for a cute way to package that monetary gift, instead of putting it in a boring white envelope — give it to your student in a graduation cap gift jar. Pretty fun, right?!

Photo by Crafts by Amanda

D-Happ Talks Graduation:
2013 Graduation Party Ideas
Graduation Cupcake Wrappers

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.

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Designer MacGyver: 5 DIY Ideas for Vintage Teapots

by Briana Mowrey May 13, 2013 3 Comments

I totally dug Grant’s recent Daily Delight featuring an Alice in Wonderland-esque tea party, and its whimsy inspired me to think of other cute things you can do with an old tea set. I’ve already featured some DIY crafts you can make with vintage teacups, so this time I’ve turned my attention to vintage teapots. If you have an old, chipped teapot that would otherwise be headed for the trash heap, turn it into one of these crafts instead.

SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH VINTAGE TEAPOTS

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Daily Delight: Felt Crayon Holder

by Grant Dudley May 9, 2013 1 Comment

OK, I have to admit — when my fellow blogger (Sarah) recommended I feature this felt crayon holder as a Daily Delight, I had to ask her, “Why would you make a holder for crayons — don’t they still come in boxes?” Of course this craft is absolutely adorable, but the simple box is a no-go these days?

EXTRA: HOW TO MAKE RECYCLED CRAYONS >>

Well, Sarah — who is a mom to two little boys — had to set me straight. A felt crayon holder comes in handy because a traditional crayon box is big, bulky and doesn’t hold up when you put it in a carrying bag. Also, crayons fall out of boxes very easily — whereas this little contraption holds them tight.

From Skip To My Lou

Thank you for the 411, Sarah. Think I can get one of these made for my BICs?

More Crayon Ideas:
Melted Crayon Art for Kids
Removing Crayon and Marker
Washable Crayon T-Shirts for Kids
How to Make a Crayon Quilt Block

Make an Easy-to-Craft Jewelry Box for Mother’s Day

by H. Camille Smith May 8, 2013 4 Comments

Mother’s Day is sneaking up fast (it’s this Sunday!) but you still have time to craft a handmade gift — especially one as simple as this sweet little jewelry box. Best of all, the materials for this project cost less than $20 and you’ll be ready to surprise her with your thoughtfulness in no time flat!

Get the step-by-step instructions>>

All you need is paint or stain, a decorative knob and a pair of fence post caps (1 flat and 1 raised). Yep, just plain old fence post caps. You can find them in the fencing department of your local hardware store and they look like this: Wooden Fence Post Caps

Thanks to the flat cap’s stepped design, it fits nicely inside the raised cap to create a lid – like so:
Easy Jewelry Box Made From a Pair of Wooden Fence Post Caps

Finish your jewelry box with the paint or stain color of your choice, add a knob and surprise Mom with a charming personalized box filled with a small trinket or sweet surprise. Stain Fence Post Caps and Add a Knob to Create a Wooden Gift Box

Ready to get crafting? Get the step-by-step instructions>>

MORE MOTHER’S DAY CRAFTS TO TRY:
Block-Print Napkins With Simple DIY Stamps
Make a Simple, Floral Mother’s Day Centerpiece
Hand-Painted Wooden Bracelets for Mother’s Day
Make a Fingerprint Table Runner for Mother’s Day
Make an Easy-to-Sew Lined Tote Bag

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!

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Fancy Fridge Magnets You Can Make

by Briana Mowrey May 6, 2013 7 Comments

It’s true: The fridge is the scrapbook of the kitchen! But don’t display treasured photos, cards and crayon masterpieces with hum-drum clips or promotional swag. All it takes to dress up your magnets is a little time, some common household items and these ideas:

SEE MORE MAGNIFICENT FRIDGE MAGNETS

Don’t Forget the Piñata!

by Farima Alavi May 2, 2013 No Comments

Cinco de Mayo is only three days away! You may think there isn’t any time left to throw a fiesta, but the beauty of this holiday is you only need three key things — drinks, drinks and a piñata. You can make your own traditional piñata, or turn it up a notch and make a floral orb version. Either way, it’ll be the focal point of your party (maybe break the piñata before you serve the drinks).

Floral Orb Piñata

Get the Simple Instructions Here>>

Serve These Flavorful Cocktails

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Designer MacGyver: 5 Whimsical Empty Frame Crafts

by Briana Mowrey April 29, 2013 6 Comments

Today’s crazy craft material was a suggestion from commenter DBB, who asked: “Can you show us some crafts with refurbishing old picture frames?” Well, DBB, it’s taken me a bit of time to work my way through my list to get to your request, but I think my finds were worth the wait. (Hopefully you will, too!)

MORE FUN IDEAS FOR EMPTY FRAMES