{diy cupcake stand}

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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}

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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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{paper mache tea light}

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February 26, 2013 By | 44 Comments

paper mache tea light from {nifty thrifty things}

Ever since I started working full-time, I haven’t really found much time anymore to craft with my mom..

A few weeks ago, though, we had her over for dinner and crafts. Well, while the hubby made dinner (yummy tacos), my mom and I got crafty. The perfect evening! ;)

paper mache tea light from {nifty thrifty things}

We (tried to make) made paper mache tea lights. Well, tea lights (plural), turned into tea light (singular).. Out of the 6 tea lights we made, only one survived.
That’s nothing new to me and my mom, though. We fail at crafting from time to time, hehe.

We learned from our mistake and rescued one of the tea lights. The problem was, that we didn’t use anything to prevent the paper from sticking to the glass..

What you’ll need:

  • paper
  • wallpaper paste
  • a bowl or glass
  • gold leaf
  • gold leaf adhesive
  • a brush

paper mache tea light from {nifty thrifty things}

How to:

  1. Mix the wallpaper paste.
  2. Tear the paper in small strips.
  3. Important (where we messed up ;) ): Use Vaseline and cover the bowl or glass to make sure the paper doesn’t stick to it too much.
  4. Adhere the paper strips to the glass or bowl. Apply two to three layers.
  5. Place the glass or bowl in the microwave. Check every few seconds to see if it tried.
  6. Remove from microwave & use oven mitts to take off the paper mache top.
  7. Let cool off.
  8. Brush on gold leaf adhesive to the inside of the paper mache tea light.
  9. Carefully place the gold leaf sheets on the adhesive covered parts, covering the whole inside.
  10. Use a soft brush to brush off the excess gold leaf.
  11. Optional: Paint the outside with chalk paint.
  12. Place a tea light inside and enjoy the cozy light. :)

 

I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Handmade, Nifty | 44 Comments
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{simple felt iPad sleeve}

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December 4, 2012 By | 28 Comments

A couple months ago (after dreaming about it for about a year) I finally caved in and bought an iPad. I kind of justified the purchase by getting it as a treat for starting a new job and I have to say: I LOVE it!

All it needed was a little home to live in while I’m not there. So I bought some felt at the craft store and used a doily that I had purchased during one of the visits to the flea market back in summer. All in all it cost me about $2.50 to make. Have I told you that I love nifty & thrifty (and quick & easy!) projects?! ;)

What you’ll need:

  • felt in your choice of color
  • crocheted doily
  • velcro
  • thread
  • sewing machine
  • scissors

How to:

  1. Cut the felt to size.
    Width: 10 1/2 in (26,5 cm); Height: 17 3/4 in (45 cm).
  2. Sew the doily onto the felt (using thread in the color of your doily).
  3. Fold over the felt, leaving 2 in (5 cm) on top for a flap.
  4. Sew the two sides shut. I used a fancy cross stitch, just to make it more sturdy, but you can use any stitch really.
  5. To finish the project, sew velcro on the flap and front of the sleeve.


I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, flea market, Nifty, Thrifty | 28 Comments
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