{diy cupcake stand}

27
May 7, 2013 By | 27 Comments

{DIY cupcake stand}

Ever since working on this project, I knew I also wanted to make a tiny version of it; for cupcakes and other little cakes.

My mom found these cute little vases and had the tart forms on hand.
The rest was quick & easy - just the way I like my projects! ;)

What you’ll need:

  • small porcelain tart form
  • small vase
  • hot glue gun

{DIY cupcake stand}

Easy-peasy-1-step-how-to:

  1. Use the hot glue gun to attach the tart form to the vase. Done! ;)

{DIY cupcake stand}

I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Nifty, Thrifty | 27 Comments
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{easy envelope pillow cover}

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April 24, 2013 By | 13 Comments

DIY pillow cover from {nifty thrifty things}

See this sad-looking couch? It was desperately in need of a little spring update. It definitely needed a pop of color!

I looked in several stores but couldn’t find a pillow that I really liked (or wasn’t willing to spend the money), so I decided to buy fabric instead and sew my own. Nifty & Thrifty! My favorite! ;)

DIY pillow cover from {nifty thrifty things}

What you’ll need:

  • a pillow
  • fabric (amount depends on the size pillow you use)
  • rotary cutter or scissors
  • sewing machine
  • coordinating thread
  • straight pins

DIY pillow cover from {nifty thrifty things}

How to:

  1. Use the pillow of choice as a guide to cut your fabric. Measure the pillow (mine were 12″ x 12″).
  2. Cut your fabric to size. For my 12″ x 12″ pillow, I cut a rectangle that was 12.5 inches by 31 inches. This will give you a 6 inch overlap for the envelope.
  3. Fold the short edges of the fabric 1/4 inch and then another 1/4 inch and use straight pins to hold it in place. Hem the edges with a straight stitch.
  4. Lay the fabric right side up and fold the short edges over so they overlap.
  5. The rectangle should measure 12.5″ x 12″.
  6. Use straight pins to stitch the sides together and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the open sides.
  7. Turn the fabric inside out and stuff the pillow inside.
  8. Voilá!! ;)

DIY pillow cover from {nifty thrifty things}

DIY pillow cover from {nifty thrifty things}

I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Nifty | 13 Comments
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{image transfer tray makeover}

47
April 2, 2013 By | 47 Comments

tray3

I have to admit that my mom and I were a little discouraged when we met up for a craft date yesterday. The last time we crafted together, the results were.. well.. mediocre. We only ended up with one of the originally six paper mache tea lights. All others landed in the trash..

But this project turned out great! We were really pleased with the results! :)

My mom had found the tutorial on a German blog called “dekoherz” a couple weeks back and we just had to give it a try.
I had this old tray laying around that was just waiting on being brought back to life.
So, this is what I did:

tray5

I used chalk paint to paint the tray an off-white color and decided on an old french advertisement graphic from The Graphics Fairy.

tray1

What you’ll need:

  • copies or prints from a laser printer (color or black & white)
    • if it has writing on it, make sure to reverse the image
  • photo transfer medium (I believe Mod Podge makes it in the US)
  • a tray (or other surface)
  • a flat brush
  • a sponge
  • hair dryer

tray2

How to:

  1. Pick an image or graphic and print it mirrored.
  2. Give both the surface you want to transfer the graphic on and the printed paper (on the printed side) a good coat of the photo transfer gel.
  3. Place the coated paper, printed side down, onto the surface and use a squeegee (or old credit card/discount card) to smooth out the paper. Wipe any excess gel off with a damp cloth.
  4. Blow dry for about 10 minutes and let cool.
  5. Now the fun part! Use a sponge to wet the paper and then start rubbing the sponge over the graphic until the paper starts to peel off. All that will be left is the water-proof ink.
  6. Let dry and seal by applying another coat of the transfer gel.

You can also use this technique on metal, glass, fabric, .. pretty much anything you can think of! :)

tray4

I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Nifty, paint | 47 Comments
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{10 easter features}

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March 29, 2013 By | 12 Comments

easter_features

Since I didn’t get around to decorating or crafting for Easter this year, I decided
to dedicate a full post to feature some of my favorite Easter-related projects & recipes
from the past couple {nifty thrifty sunday}‘s.

Here’s my top 10 (in no particular order, as they are all awesome ;) ):

1 Toy Capsule Easter Characters @ Lizzy Jane Baby

4 Bunny Napkins DIY @ Sophisticated Yellow

7 M&M Rice Krispie Easter Eggs @ Will Cook for Smiles

8 DIY Bunny Ring Pattern @ JoyJonne Hooks

5 Five Days to an Easter Centerpiece @ Decorate With a Little Bit

3 Homemade Cadbury Creme Easter Eggs - Butter & Jam

2 Paper Bunny @ Citruz Design

6 Chalkboard Easter Eggs @ Ginger Snap Crafts

10 Easy Bunny Treat Cups @ Shaken Together

9 Easter Cake with White Chocolate Peeps @ Bird on a Cake

I’m partying here! ♥

Filed Under: Blog, DIY, Easter, features, Holiday, top 10 | 12 Comments
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{rosette waffles}

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March 19, 2013 By | 24 Comments

rosette waffles from {nifty thrifty things}

Aren’t those just the prettiest waffles?! They’re so delicate and beautiful looking.. And delicious! ;)

My mom and grandma discovered the rosette waffle iron hidden somewhere in the back corner of my grandma’s kitchen last year. She inherited it from her mom; my great-grandma.

They made these waffles for my hubby’s birthday (which was back in November), but I’m just now getting around to posting it. I hope you like them as much as I did. Yum!

rosette waffles from {nifty thrifty things}

rosette waffles from {nifty thrifty things}

{rosette waffles}

waffle2

By Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} Published: March 19, 2013

  • Yield: 50–55 waffles

Aren’t those just the prettiest waffles?! They’re so delicate and beautiful looking.. And delicious! ;) My mom and grandma …

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Make the batter by mixing all the ingredients.
  2. Heat up the oil in a heavy saucepan.
  3. Heat rosette iron by submerging in hot oil and let the excess oil drip off.
  4. Dip immediately into the batter, just so that the top edge is even with the surface of the batter. Leave the iron in the batter for 4–5 seconds.
  5. Submerge the iron in the hot oil. It will take about 30 seconds to cook.
  6. Take the rosette out of the oil and let the excess oil drip back into the pot.
  7. Place the rosettes onto a paper towel. Use a fork to remove the waffle from the iron.
  8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

none

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rosette waffles from {nifty thrifty things}

 

I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Baking, DIY, Good Eats, Recipes | 24 Comments
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