DIY Life

Make a candygram to show you care. Place a message inside a shallow box and fill with a single layer of colorful gumballs. Sweet. – Inchmark

See Owlsorts' spooky mantelpieces all decked out for Halloween. Check out the cute Halloween wind spinners, too! – Owlsorts

Colorfully painted glass jars become light-hearted Halloween luminaries. Just add happy or sad Jack-o-lantern faces. – Crafts by Amanda via The Crafty Crow

'Tis the season of the pumpkin. We carve them, make delicious pies from them and puree them for baby food. We even toast the seeds for a crunchy snack. But if you're bored with all that, maybe it's time to find some fun new functions for your pumpkins! Here are a few suggestions to get the creative juices flowing:

Sticking in the food realm for just a moment, why not branch out and try something other than pie? For example, pumpkin chili is fun to make. Or do as the Native Americans did and make pumpkin leather for winter snacking. Yum.

Feeling crafty? Pumpkins and gourds can be fashioned into all sorts of objects once hollowed out and dried. For example? How about drums and shakers for homemade music time? Or turn them into bird feeders, fun decorative bird houses ... or even use gourds to create real birdhouses for nesting yard birds like wrens.

I'm already brainstorming holiday gifts, and it's not even Halloween. Am I brainwashed or what? Regardless, trinket soaps are both fun and affordable, and I'd love to try my hand at creating a few gifts for family members this year. Luckily, this video gives step-by-step instructions for adorable trinket soaps that I can't wait to try!



A few important tips to keep in mind?:

1. Use a clear glycerin base if you want your object to be visible inside the soap, and a milky, opaque base if you want it to be a hidden surprise.
2. Avoid using a loaf-shaped soap mold-you'll have to slice up the finished soap, and may end up cutting through the objects inside.

And, of course, a bit of soapy food for thought:

I'm quite certain this is one of those DIY tutorials that you're not sure when it will come in handy until it's too late. Perhaps you're planning to throw a lottery-inspired party, or maybe you want a fun spin on holiday cards this year. Whatever the purpose, bookmark this fantastic DIY idea for creating a scratch-off lottery ticket using just dish soap and acrylic paint! I'm flabbergasted!

Why not create a lottery-themed birthday party for the gambler in your life? Take a cue from eHow and decorate with orange and white balloons, a lottery ticket cake, lottery centerpieces and then some! The invitations would be so easy to create with our new scratch-off tutorial, and the possibilities are endless!

Of course, don't forget the gift, which could be a sweet, handmade sentiment expressing that you hit the jackpot when you met your certain someone. Sweet, right? I'm such a sucker for romance.

I've got apples on my mind this week, and it's not just because I visited an orchard yesterday. There's something about fall that makes me crave the delicious red fruit in any shape or form, whether it be bobbing for apples, sipping a warm cup of cider or engaging in a few, fun apple-icious crafts! I've rounded up a few of my favorites (for every room in your home!) below for your autumn enjoyment. Let the apples begin!:

In the kitchen:
For a delicious apple recipe, try apple and cheese pancakes. They sound a bit odd, but are both healthy and indulgent at the same time. I love waking up to a Saturday morning batch of these yummy pancakes when the weather turns colder!

In the bathroom:
Try Grandma's Apple Pie lip balm! All you need is a few key ingredients, including apple scented oil, beeswax and jojoba and aloe vera oils. The tutorial is right here and is easy as pie. Grandma's Apple Pie, to be exact.

In the craft room:
Have a spare paperback book? Why not turn it into a statement piece with this easy paperback apple tutorial from Cheeky Magpie. Better yet, surprise your favorite teacher or librarian with this homemade gift. They'll be touched... if not offended you've defaced literary work. But probably just touched.

In the bedroom:
You've closed your windows with the cooler weather, and now your room smells stuffy and stiff. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and tap water into a spray bottle and mist your room with the solution. The vinegar will absorb any unwanted stenches and replace the odor with apple cider goodness!

In the backyard:
Of course, there's a use for rotten apples, as well. Ever heard of apple golf? Pretty self-explanatory, so head to your backyard driving range and let the games begin! (Watch out for disgruntled neighbors and play fair. No one wants surprise apple juice on their property...)

In the living room:
Want instant artwork with pizazz? Take a cue from this first grade classroom's recent art project and create apple prints worthy of framing. Put your own spin on the craft by experimenting with colors, textures and frame sizes.

With cooler weather on the horizon, my thoughts are turning toward pumpkin, spice and everything nice. Today, I've rounded up a few of my favorite pumpkin and fall-related tutorials for sprucing up your home and welcoming autumn with open arms!:

1. So Simple Felted Pumpkins
If you love felt as much as I do, you'll love this simple tutorial from Country Living. Why not display a few felt pumpkins this year? They'll never spoil, and you'll get a few surprising looks from family and friends.

2. Sugar Pumpkin Centerpiece
Don't feel like fighting the seeds of the real thing? Create a lovely centerpiece with sugar pumpkins (fake or real: your choice!) and a bit of ribbon. Good Housekeeping shows you how! (I love the look in a bewitching black cauldron!)

3. Pumpkin Hurricane Lighting
Also from Good Housekeeping is this luminating idea: Simply cut off the stems of a miniature pumpkin, replace with a votive and hurricane glass lantern, and poof! -- A gorgeous candlelit centerpiece to set the mood for autumn lovebirds.

4. Polymer Clay Pumpkins
Want a more kid-friendly DIY to tackle? I love these polymer clay pumpkins, courtesy of Craft Ideas. A step-by-step tutorial is provided for your convenience, so the project couldn't be simpler!

5. Plastic Bottle Jack-o-Lantern
Put all of those sugary drinks to good use by turning a soda bottle into a luminary with these cute idea from Fave Crafts Blog. Why not host a mess-free Jack-o-Lantern competition in your neighborhood with a few empty soda bottles, spray paint and markers? The kids will love to use their ingenuity, and you'll love the [very!] minimal cleaning!

6. Paper Bag Pumpkin Craft
Want another child-friendly DIY with materials you more than likely have at home? Try this paper bag pumpkin craft from Kaboose that uses a bit of paint, a paper bag and some construction paper/raffia. For additional fun, place some candy for your kids to enjoy in the bag itself --- not to opened until after Halloween, of course!

7. Paper Strip Pumpkin
Of course, nothing's easier to use than the trusty scissors and paper, so why not tackle a simpler project like this one from Crayola? Grab your kids and get to work!

Here's hoping the above project ideas will help you welcome in the autumn -- whatever your skill level. Happy crafting!

Straining pasta. Martian helmets. These images spring to mind when I hear the word "colander." But the humble colander has lots of other potential uses ... and why not? The steel version does, after all, sport a super-cool classic design that just begs to be creatively repurposed. Check out these ideas!

Handy Household Uses
1. Grease splatter reducer. Carefully place a colander upside down over frying foods. The heat can get out, but the grease is largely contained.

2. Warm a serving bowl. I love this one: Set your colander inside a pasta serving bowl, then drain boiling pasta as usual. Instead of running down the drain, the hot water will get the bowl warm and ready for your spaghetti and meatballs.

Ever heard of French General? Of course you have. If not, you're in for a treat, as the renowned owner of this lovely craft/notions store has penned her first sourcebook for lovers of French country coast to coast. Kaari Meng includes ready-to-use pattern sheets, embroidery transfers and step-by-step instructions to infusing your home with a bit of 'a francais.'

One of my favorite projects of Kaari's is her gorgeous scalloped tablecloth that looks like an image straight from Martha Stewart herself. I'd love to try the project with a beautiful floral fabric for a last-minute summer dinner party. A similar tablecloth in French General's 'red quilt' fabric would look equally striking, especially for a backyard bbq baby shower I'm currently planning.

I feel silly craving a book that focuses on sewing and embroidery when I haven't yet perfected the art of either, but I suppose a gal can dream (even the French ones!). And dream I shall...

French General: Home Sewn
Written by: Kaari Meng
Chronicle Books, $24.95

Looking at your child's messy room, wondering where to start? A good basket or bowl can make organizing a cinch. Baskets don't come cheap, though. Yarn bowls, though, aren't just great family fun -- they're an inexpensive way to help your kids keep their odds and ends organized.

The best part about a yarn bowl is that it can make use of all that leftover yarn you've got laying around from other projects. If the bowl is going in your child's room -- the crazier the colors, the better. If you'd rather display your bowl in a more grown-up area of the house, it's easy enough to choose coordinated colors instead.

Here's what you'll need:

• Several yards of yarn, cut into foot long pieces. For interest, try using a variety of different colors or textures.
• A play ball or a blown-up balloon -- the size of the ball will determine the size of your bowl.
• Glue -- you'll need plenty of it, especially if making a large bowl.
  

Check out the gallery below for instructions on creating your yarn bowl.

Nothing says "summer afternoon" like bubbles. Kids love water play, and bubbles add texture and visual appeal. So what happens when you mix bubble play with art? You get bubble prints -- water color-inspired designs that are both beautiful and and fun to make. Kids just don't get to make bubbles, they get to create multi-colored masterpieces.

Here's what you'll need:

• Bowls -- Preferably different shapes and sizes to add interest. Glass bowls won't be stained by the food coloring. Low bowls -- even flat pans like pie plates -- work best, because you'll use less water and therefore need less food coloring.
• Food coloring (various colors)
• Water
• White art paper
• Dish soap

Either find a safe place to work outside or cover your work space with plenty of newspaper, and let's get started.

Looking for a fun summer project? Here are 20 DIY projects that make good use of items you already own. - AOL Home

Remember those paper-mache piggie banks we used to make when we were kids? Here's a grown up version, only this one makes a beautiful light fixture out of cotton yarn. -- CasaSugar

Everyone's got one stuck in their drawer somewhere: A tee that's just too big or doesn't fit right. With a little scrap fabric, you can turn it into an adorable tank top instead. -- Crafster

Hey, wine lovers: Here's a trendy, stylish trivet to brighten up your summertime table ... and make good use of all those wine corks. -- Craftynest

Everyone knows how to go on a picnic, right? Well here's how to have the perfect picnic -- good food, good company, good fun. -- eHow

Your garden needs a water feature, so how about a fountain ... built out of bowling balls? -- Instructables

Too busy spending time outside or on your favorite projects to watch your favorite TV shows this summer? Good for you! If you can't bear missing them, though, check out Hulu's desktop downloader to save and view your favorite shows. At your convenience. -- Lifehacker

Love to cross stitch? Heck, even if you don't, you'll love these amazing designs. And did you know you can even get a cross stitch pillow of your favorite Tweet? Amazing. -- Shelterpop

Rather than pay for pricey reusable bags, make your own out of your old pillowcases. -- Craftzine Blog

Michael Jackson is being remembered this week via online arts and crafts forums. Some items up for viewing (and often for sale) predate the superstar's June 25 death but are now receiving renewed Web exposure. An array of brand new Jackson-themed works are also appearing as crafters and artists begin paying tribute to the performer.

Some gems in the mix include this Blue Planet Creations black canvas tote bag with sequin glove design. While you're over at Etsy, check out this nicely designed mini toss pillow cover by piece of melon. The off-white cover features Michael Jackson's face, dramatically hand-stenciled in black ink.

This leather purse by Craftster member Karen Louise M. is definitely worth a look. Originally shared with the Craftster community back in 2007, the bag features the "Thriller" album cover on what looks to be dark brown leather with brown blanket stitched edges.

There are a lot of great reasons to pick up a six pack of some cold, icy beverage in the summertime -- grilling, boating and lounging at the beach, for instance. But before you toss out those six pack rings or that cardboard six pack bottle holder after your brew is gone, consider the idea that you could put them to work for you instead.

Six pack rings, especially, are dangerous to marine wildlife. Birds and fish can get tangled in the rings, leaving them unable to eat or swim. Cutting the rings before disposing of them is one way to make them safer, and cardboard six packs can always be recycled. But as DIYers know, reusing is more frugal and more fun!

Here are six great ways to reuse a six pack holder:

I know, paper cups are bad, and I am bad if I use them. What if I reuse them? Can I redeem myself just a little?

If you've got paper cups kicking around, there are all sorts of ways that they can be re-purposed into cool Kiddie Crafts. Just this afternoon, I went to the pantry for some dried pasta and realized that there was only a very little bit left. I also came across some leftover party cups that I'd stashed away. What do you do with pasta and paper cups? Make maracas of course!

After the break I'll tell you how, share another paper cup craft that we tried, and point you to a few more that I think pass the kiddie craft test (simple, inexpensive, fun, and easily modified for different ages).

Got a kiddo who's driving you stir crazy on a rainy day? Or maybe you just have a budding botanist in the family. Either way, this kid's terrarium from National Geographic is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

Have a responsible child run down to the basement and dig out that old fishbowl... you know, the one you bought after you won that goldfish at the county fair? Wash it out with soap and water, then rinse well. While it's drying, gather the rest of your materials:

• potting soil
• horticulture soil
• small stones
• plants of your choice
• scissors
• water
• decorative figure of your choice (a Polly Pocket? Ben 10? Let them decide.)

Visit National Geographic Kids for details on the how-to of this nifty terrarium, but basically you're going to layer the stones, then the charcoal, then the potting soil. Put your plants in the dirt, decorate, and place in a sunny place! Leave it to your children to prune the plants as necessary... responsibility is good for them!

(via Craft)