DIY Life

I saw some very nice trinket boxes at the thrift store the other day, but I let them go without a second thought. Too bad I did, because I now want to make over one for my daughter for a Christmas present, and maybe a few as gifts for other special people.

Using cleaned and broken white egg shells, decoupage and white paint, Jane Lake over on All Free Crafts, made over a plain trinket box. Jane put the eggshells into a plastic bag and used a rolling pin to crush them into fairly fine pieces. After removing the hardware, she then decoupaged the box lid, sans where the holes for the hardware were.

Jane alternated the decoupage and the broken egg shells, then allowed the box to dry overnight. After the box was dry, she used two layers of shimmery white paint, allowing one coat to dry before she applied another. She says you can apply pearl beads to the bottom of the box. Apply the hardware, and call the makeover finished!

The other day when I was in the thrift store, I noticed some old vintage briefcases. When I picked one up, I got a whiff of something I can't quite describe. I put it back very quickly, but decided to be brave and pick up another one.

The second one definitely smelled better, and I almost bought it. Everything in the store was 25 cents that day, but I couldn't for the life of me think of why I needed an old briefcase.

Too bad I didn't see this awesome tutorial from Creative Reveries. Stephanie found an old briefcase at Goodwill and decided to give it to her 5 year old niece as a birthday gift, but knew she couldn't give her the old and decrepit briefcase looking all brown and gross.

After thoroughly cleaning the briefcase with soapy water, Stephanie applied 2 coats of primer, letting the primer dry between each coat. When that was dry, she applied 2 coats of acrylic craft paint, letting dry between each coat of paint. She cut out some pretty scrapbook paper to cover the trim and locks, and then applied decoupage medium to glue down the paper. She then applied 2 coats of varnish to seal the paint, letting dry between each coat.

With the easy step by step instructions, you too can easily turn your old briefcase into a beautiful work of art. Your youngster will have hours of fun with all the age appropriate goodies you stuff in her stylin' new briefcase. For the older gift recipient, check out M.E. Williams' post on painting your luggage.

[via: Tipnut]

When we moved into our house 3 1/2 years ago, most of our stuff has stayed in boxes, packed away in our respective closets. One of the items still packed is my coaster set. Since the coasters happen to be in a bottom box, that is where they will stay, at least until we move into a bigger home.

I am getting tired of water rings on my furniture, so I am happy to find instructions on how to make decoupage coffee mug coasters. Instructables user morCadillac used four cork coasters, a patterned table napkin, a pair of scissors, white paint, and decoupage adhesive to create the coasters. A little patience is required, but you'll have some awesome looking coasters when all is said and done.

Check out your local thrift stores first for the cork coasters and napkins. My local thrift stores carry them for 25 cents each. At that rate you can make a bunch to give as gifts. If you need other ideas for cool coasters, check out these scrabble tile coasters, and these magazine coasters.

I'm sure you have seen candles decorated with everything from cinnamon sticks to rose petals. Have you ever wished you could have one that was a little more personal or ever quirky?

With DIY Alert's celebration candle project you can make a candle that says who you are. Cover it with pictures you got from a magazine as the article suggests or make up your own photo collage to showcase family and friends.

This craft seems to be a fairly easy decoupage undertaking. All you need is a basic pillar candle, Mod Podge and your magazine cut outs or photos printed on regular paper. I also think that this could be easily done with children or even on their own for slightly older kids.

Just be careful when you burn your creation. You did just add paper to a flammable object. I really like the suggestion of burning it carefully until you have a deep enough hole to place a battery operated tealight inside to keep your candle forever.

[via: CraftyPod] Photo by Liel Bomberg