Paint Sample Calendar

I am a big organization freak, and calendars are one way for me to keep up with important events, appointments and birthdays (cause come on, we can't remember everything no matter how hard we try).  Using paint samples, I have an easy and colorful way to make a custom calendar.  Not to mention this project is CHEAP!

What you'll need:

Paint samples

Poster board

Picture frame

Scissors

Ruler

Start by going to Lowes or Home Depot and picking out some paint sample colors of your choosing (they're free!).  I decided to go with three colors but you can use however many you want.  You will need enough for six rows of seven sample colors.

First, I cut the poster board to the size of the picture frame (I used a 16x20" frame). Then I cut the paint samples to the size I wanted my boxes; I chose to make them 2.5" squares.  I arranged them on the poster board and pasted them down, leaving a 1/4" space between each square.

Put the poster board inside the picture frame and you're finished.  Just jot down your dates, and when the month is over, you simply erase and you have a brand new calendar for next month!

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Tangle Free Headphones

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I'm done using my headphones, I simply throw them into my bag.  I don't take the time to carefully wrap them up and sure enough, they always manage to tangle themselves.  I spend a good number of minutes trying to untangle them before I give up and use them half-coiled.  Keeping cords thicker is a simple way to make sure they do not become tangled in your pocket or bag.  With this in mind, I've found a solution:  using thread to make a "friendship bracelet" around the headphone cord.  It makes them fun and colorful and cuts down on tangles.

What you'll need:

Headphones

Embroidery thread, colors of your choosing

Scissors

Clear nail polish (optional)

I chose three strands of embroidery thread, using my favorite colors.  I wanted multiple colors, but the more you have the more difficult they are to deal with.  When wrapping the thread, is recommended to use three times the length you're wrapping.  I started out using part of each skein (thread bundle), but ended up using the whole skein.

Starting with the main headphone cord, do a half-knot of thread around the headphones, keeping equal strand length on either side of the half-knot.  It might help to tape the end of the cord to the edge of a counter, table, chair, etc. to give it some tension.

You will then begin the "basic knot."  Grouping the threads by color, separate your first color on the left and group the other colors and the cord together.  Cross the left thread over the others, making a "4" shape; then wrap the thread under the rest and back up through the hole, pulling it tight.

I did about 10-12 loops of each color before switching, but you can choose how long you want each color to be.  When you've finished with your first color, simply pull the strands of your next color and do the same basic knot steps.

This next step is the reason I folded my string at the beginning and used two strands of each color thread.  When you reach the cord split, spit your strands so that you have two groups, with one of each color in a group.  Continue as you were before with the basic knot step on each earbud cord.

When you get to the end of your cords, tie a knot and cut the excess thread.  You can coat the ends of the thread with clear nail polish to keep them from fraying.

Now you have a colorful new pair of headphones that are fun and tangle free!

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DIY Jewelry Organizer

I, like many of you, have tons of jewelry.  I have pieces I wear all the time, while others are saved for special occasions.  I’ve tried all kinds of organizers—bead boxes with different compartments, jewelry boxes, ring bowls, hanging everything up on hooks that I have to take down and put back up every time I move, etc.  Then I found an organizer that used drawer pulls, and thought it looked like a great idea.  With options for bracelets, rings and necklaces, I can have everything in one place.

Here is my version of the drawer-pull jewelry organizer.

What you’ll need:

A piece of plywood or wood/board of your choosing

Power drill and bits

Screwdriver

Various drawer knobs and pulls

Scissors

Material

Adhesive

Thumbtacks

Pencil

I chose to use wood because that is what I had at hand and drawer pulls are relatively heavy so I wanted something that would hold them up.  I used a 16”x18” piece of plywood as my base.  If you don’t have any wood, Lowe’s is a good place to go and they will cut the board for you.

I originally planned to use mix-and-match antique drawer pulls, but couldn’t find any at nearby thrift stores.  However, I like the uniformed look of these silver knobs, and since I wanted to use a printed fabric background, I didn’t want it to be too busy with the mix-and-match pulls.  I found the knobs and cups at Target; the knobs were $16.99 for a pack of 10, the cups were $8.00 for a pack of two, and the long pull was $8.00 at Lowe’s. You can find them cheaper at thrift stores if you want to mix and match.

I played around with the arrangement on my board, using some of my jewelry to measure the length between knobs.  For my board, I put the long pull across the top for bracelets, and the ring holders right underneath.  That way, I still have most of my board for necklaces since they take up the most space.  I took into account how many long, short, and bulky pieces I have when deciding the space between knobs. 

After marking where I wanted the pulls with a pencil, I used a power drill to drill holes into the wood.  I chose wood because I knew I had access to a power drill; if you don’t, try using a thick foam board or something that doesn’t need a drill to get through.

I decided to use spray adhesive ($6 at Michaels) because it dries relatively quickly and is easy to use.  You could also use hot glue or a staple gun.  I added some thumbtacks ($2 at Wal-Mart) as a second measure to make sure the material does not slip or come loose.

Cutting the fabric a couple inches longer than the plywood, I laid them both flat and glued each side of the fabric to the wood one at a time, folding the corners similar to how you fold wrapping paper around box corners to make sure it didn’t bunch.

I then hammered the thumbtacks onto the edges of the fabric, leaving a couple inches in between each thumbtack.

After securing the material to the board, I used scissor points to make small holes in the material over the holes in the wood.  Then I screwed in the drawer pulls.

Here’s the finished project!  I’ve already hung some of my jewelry on my new organizer, and will be adding more to it soon.  Pin It Now!

Why DIY?

DIY is short for ‘Design It Yourself’, but how do I define it?  To me, designing is creating.  Using the materials at hand and applying your creative thoughts and imagination to fashion something new and unique.

One of the worst feelings is going somewhere and seeing a girl next to you wearing the same dress or the same jewelry, or hearing her say “Oh I have that same….” You fake a smile and a laugh, but you know you’re both thinking, “Oh great, she has on the same thing.  How does this always happen?  Does it look better on her? Do we pretend like we don’t notice or just play it off?”

That’s why I DIY.  DIY is different than going to the store and buying a similar item.  It’s handmade, handcrafted.  Your time, money, sweat and tears are part of this new creation.  It has a special meaning to you because you created it, and every time you see it, use it or wear it, you’ll feel that, and know that it's personalized just for you.

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Welcome to DIY

Hi everyone, I'm Lauren!  I live in Durham, NC, I am 25 and passionate about design.  I love creating beautiful things.

I am thrilled by the thought of breathing life back into a forgotten or unused antique, or blending two completely different items into a beautiful masterpiece.  That is creating and designing at its finest.  How many people can look at something they have and say, "oh yeah i made this" or "that used to be an old bed sheet"?

This DIY blog is a way for me to post some of my unique handmade creations for you to check out and hopefully take inspiration from for your own creative juices.  I am really excited to share some of my favorite things and hope that you will enjoy them as much as i do!

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