Browsing Tag

gift

DIY

Iron Transfer Tote Bags

Easy-To-Follow directions to make these über cool tote bags with Beyoncé lyrics. Click through for the full tutorial || Essie Does Summer

Have I ever told you my one true talent is quoting Beyoncé lyrics whenever appropriate? In this case Beyoncé lyrics were the only acceptable phrases to be DIY-ed onto these tote bags – especially the hot sauce one. I discovered this technique from Pinterest (my new obsession) and although iron-on transfer pens are mostly used by embroiderers to transfer designs onto fabric, it can be used in so many ways! I especially love this DIY because it requires so few materials. Keep reading for the easy-to-follow tutorial to make these über cool tote bags that will have you feeling like a queen; Queen Bey to be exact. Continue Reading

DIY

Homemade Gemstone Soap

I have a thing for naturally occurring gemstones, specifically anything that looks like marble, agate or druzy. The fact that I know those names is telling of my obsession. I recently got into the Pinterest game (It’s hard to believe I own a DIY blog and have not been on Pinterest all this time!) Continue Reading

DIY

DIY Cutout Greeting Cards

There’s nothing like a handmade greeting card to make someone feel special. When I have nothing else to do I (let’s face it, I mean procrastination) I make cards and wait for an occasion to pop up where I can send one to somebody. Speaking of pop-up, these cards were inspired by a sweet little card I saw in a bookstore near Columbia University.

This is an easy DIY and it’s pretty much zero effort if you additionally have an electronic cutter. I recently got myself a Cricut machine and I’ve been going crazy with it. I’ve cut out about everything from all colors of paper – sue me.

Anywhoo, in this tutorial I’ve included some FREE printables that will help guide you if you do not have an electronic cutting machine. I’ll be showing you how to make a whopping TWO cards so Go on and get to creating!

What you need:

-Cardstock (preferably something with much more weight that ordinary paper)

-Exacto knife – you won’t be needing this if you have a cutting machine

-Glue

-Colorful gift tissue

-Large hole paper punch

-Gold paint

-Small paint brush

Step 1:

For card one (left in the image of the two cards), click here to download and print your free cutout file. This card is the pop-up card.

For card two (on the right), click here to download and print your free cutout file. This is the confetti filled-card.

Step 2: 

If you have an electronic cutter, go ahead and use to downloaded files to make cuts, no need to print.

If you don’t have a cutter, this is where your elbow grease will be required. With card 1, cut the entire ‘YAY’ shape out of your yardstick by following the outline. With card 2, cut ONLY the black lines printed on your cardstock. This is so that you have a foldable side on the bottom of the letters.

Step 3:

Get rid of unwanted pieces. Fold card 2 at the bottom of the letters (the area you left uncut) so that they pop out of the card

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The next few steps will be specific to only one of the cards so make sure you’re working on the write one – although there are pictures to guide you so you know.

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Card 1:

  • Put a small amount of gold paint on your brush and paint your pop-out letters in faint strokes. You want to leave some of the white areas showing for that “paintbrush effect”.
  • Allow to dry for 10 mins and voila, you’re done!

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Card 2:

  • Punch out holes in your gift tissue with the hole punch.
  • Write whatever message you want inside the card.
  • Paint glue on the inside of the card as close to the edges as possible. Don’t use too much glue or you’ll create a mess when you seal the card!
  • Place the confetti inside the card, avoiding the glue on the edges.
  • Seal the card. You want the card recipient to have to rip the card open – this is what makes the confetti jump out at them!

Whether it’s for a birthday, to say congratulations or just because these cards make an excellent and thoughtful gift. I can’t wait to make more variations and send them to everyone I know! I might be listing these in my Etsy store also, depending on response so watch out for them.

 

Spread the confetti.

xoxo,

Essie

 

 

 

DIY

DIY: mini yarn pom-poms

IMG_2352I’ve been trying to get back on a regular schedule of making DIY tutorials and set a goal for myself, but this thing is HARD yo! School always takes priority for me so I find that the times I am most unproductive on my website are often the times I’m most stressed at school. I’ll try to do better y’all – I know how much you guys love the DIYs.

IMG_2360 Continue Reading

DIY

Lavender and Rose Body Scrub

Body scrubs are the perfect way to pamper yourself , and you can make them very easily at home. Did I mention that they also make an excellent gift? Making a scrub yourself means you can use all organic/natural ingredients like I did, and also use ingredients the gift recipient will love. I made mine with Continue Reading

DIY

Gold Confetti Champagne Glasses

I once told someone that gold was my favorite color and they responded that gold is a finish and not a color, apparently. Long story short, gold is still my favorite color. I got bored with my regular champagne glasses and decided to jazz them up a bit – and what better way to do this but to add some gold.

This is a really really easy and budget-smart DIY! You only need one other supply apart from your glasses and this cost me $2.99 at Michael’s (there’s a 20% of sale going on this week!). Read on for the scoop.

What you need:

-Champagne glass(es)

-Metallic gold dimensional fabric paint

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Steps:

1. Make sure your glasses are clean and dry, then dot the gold paint all over it. The best technique is to squeeze the bottle till a little bit comes out, then touch it to the glass and then lift it straight off. This will ensure your dots are nicely rounded and have a 3D effect.

side note: For an ombre effect I concentrated my dots at the bottom and thinned them out towards the rim of the glass. Feel free to try other designs though!

2. Let stand for about 1 hour to dry completely.

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I was so excited with how these turned out guys! You can throw them in a dishwasher or hand wash these still as long as you’re not scrubbing. BRB gonna enjoy my new bubbly glasses!

xoxo,

Essie