DIY Ribbon Bulletin Board

A fun way to put your own twist on a ribbon bulletin board!

What you'll need:

• 1-4 square cork boards (4-packs available at Target for only $7.99)
• Ribbon of your choice
• Fabric of your choice
• Iron
• Stapler
• Needle and thread
• Sewing pins (optional)
• 5 buttons of your choice per board 

 Step-by-step process:

1. Iron out the fabric before cutting to remove wrinkles and ensure the fabrics is easy to use.

2. Place the cork board on the fabric, rough ride down. Fold over the edges of the fabric. With the stapler open-faced, staple the folded fabric to the cork board.

3. To prevent bunching of fabric in the corners, first pull fabric towards center of the board, so as to create a triangular fold.

4. Fold next side of the fabric over the triangle of fabric and staple to the board. Repeat this process until the entire piece of fabric is stapled to the board.

5. Turn it over to see your progress! Decide how you would like to place your ribbon on the board. I did mine in a diamond with an "X" going through the middle.

6. To make the first half of the "X". Cut the ribbon in strips that are large enough to reach the cork on the back side of the board.  Staple to the board once you like the alignment.

7. Proceed to place and staple the ribbon to wherever your heart desires on the board, remembering that the more you ribbon, the more you can hang! :]

8. Once you are satisfied with the placement of the ribbon, it's time to sew on the buttons! To make it easy to sew through the cork without poking your fingers a hundred times in the process, save yourself the frustration and pain! I found that using a sewing pin as a placeholder helps you find the perfect placement for the buttons while holding it in place, and helps to guide you as far as where to place the sewing needle.

9. Take a moment to admire your beautiful work! Great job!!

Hope this was as fun for you as it definitely was for me!

<3 lizLem0n

DIY Modge Podge

Tired of spending money on buying modge podge in the arts and crafts stores? Here's an easy, cheap, and quick way to DIY!

What you'll need:

• 2- 4fl oz. bottles of Elmer's All Purpose Liquid Glue
• equal parts water
• 1 mason jar

Mix equal parts water and glue together in the mason jar.
Shake, shake, shake!
Let it sit for about an hour.

Viola! You now have your very own, homemade modge podge. Score!!

<3 lizLem0n

Cute Recycled Top

If you're a 23-year-old college student like myself, you probably don't have much money to throw around when it comes to clothing. But if you can use a sewing machine, you can do this! Pick out two tops you have in your closet that you haven't worn in months because you got sick of wearing them or because they don't fit you right anymore. We've got some recycling to do!

It's easy. What you'll need:

• 2-3 old tops you don't wear anymore. Don't be silly, you haven't worn it in 6 months--at least not in the way you will be soon!
• An elastic band from an old skirt or purchased from Jo-ann's. This will be the waistline of your future new top.
• A sewing machine
• A dressform is not necessary but is helpful, and therefore optional!

Take whichever old tops you've picked from your closet.

 I particularly like the bottom of this shirt, so I'm going to use this part of this top.

I always hated the zipper straps on this top, so we're going to cut those off and use the upper portion of this shirt for our top.







Pin elastic waistband to the now strapless top.

Cut the bottom part of the first tank off and pin it underneath the waistband.

It's starting to look cute! We're on the right track :]









We now need to set a new neckline since we've removed the straps from the original tank. Fold the original seams under to make a new, smooth, and fun neckline.

Sew together the top portion, waistband, and bottom portion of the tops together. Remove extra underlying fabric so the top doesn't appear lumpy, and you're done!

You now have a cute new top made recycled from ones you were never going to wear again! Enjoy your "new" top and enjoy the compliments you receive on it. It's yours and you made it! :]

<3 lizLem0n

DIY Unique Necklace Display

Found this DIY inspiration from Pinterest and put my own little spin on it. It is super cute and easy to make! Turn your necklaces into a work of art on display in your room!

 

Here's what you'll need:

• Wood plaque from Jo-ann's or Michael's, whichever size you desire.
• 5-7 doorknobs, depending on how large or small your wood plaque is. I got mine from Cost Plus World Market for $1.99-4.99 each.
• Wood stain or paint--your choice!

Buy your doorknobs :] 

 

Measure out where you plan to place the knobs and mark the plaque with a marker.

 

Drill the holes for the knobs--make sure you drill one size smaller so that they will screw into the wood as opposed to popping right into the holes.

Sand down any splinters and stain or paint your plaque. Start screwing the knobs into the plaque! How exciting!

Using eyelets and a string, prep the back side for hanging. Find a fantastic placement on your wall for both display and practical use purposes. (Remember, this is a way to store your necklaces!) Hang the plaque on the wall and begin to decorate your unique piece of art with your very own necklaces! :]

I stained mine to match my dresser and nightstand in my bedroom. This would also look great painted--make it look rustic by painting it and taking a piece of sandpaper to the dried paint. It's your creation and it's unique to you, so use your creative artist license and make it your own!

Have fun and enjoy your new tangle-free, pretty necklace display :]

<3 lizLem0n