Do it yourself | Could Be Interesting

Posts tagged "Do it yourself"

DIY Dry Shampoo

by emilyalder on Jun 26, 2012 • No Comments

Spotted over {here}. I don’t know about you but when summer rolls around I am less motivated to wash my hair everyday. Especially on the weekends. So when I found this cool DIY for dry shampoo I was intrigued.

My hair can be impossible at times. Like no matter what shampoo I try I still have to wash every day. Which isn’t so bad because I don’t do anything with my hair (no blowdrying, curling, straightening, products). So it’s condition is not bad, but it’s tiresome. I have explored ranges of dry shampoo’s from Bumble & Bumble to Suave and have never been fully successful. So I look forward to giving this a try when I have a moment!

I’ll be sure to report back with the results. In the meantime give it a go yourself!

Shana’s (Guest Blogger from Fox & Doll) Tips:

Use organic ingredients if you can.
Add in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for dark hair.
Feel free to substitute in any kind of essential oil you’d like for scent.
Crush in any lumps the oil may have created with a pestle or back of a spoon.
Vintage glass shakers or squeeze bottles work perfect for storing.

“Simply mix together the ingredients listed in the graphic above, stirring rigorously for about 3-4 minutes. Then, shake directly onto roots, or place in hands and rub into the root area. Brush to blend, distributing it evenly before styling as usual.”

Have fun! XO

A DIY { Ombré Doily Garland }

by emilyalder on Apr 19, 2012 • No Comments

I might be the only one who does this, but hopefully not. When it comes to Easter dying I get a little over excited/ambitious. Usually buying several dying kits that end up unused and put in the Easter boxes and packed away until next year. Then forgetting about the inventory from last year I usually pick up a couple extra kits during a trip to the store. So needless to say, we usually have quite a few extra kits each year, which just remain untouched. I recently starting using the Krylon fabric dyes for an upcoming event and gained some experience in getting things colored the way I want. Pretty cool right? So it hits me, why can’t I use these Easter Dye kits for something other than eggs. And boom…. Out comes and Ombré dyed doily garland. It was extremely simple and fun. Plus, you can use the doily for any occasion! Even make a rainbow one if you want, because you

Just in time for Cinco De Mayo!

Materials:

Easter Dying Drops
1 1/2 Cups HOT* water
Doilies
Twine/String
Glue
Dipping Container

* Make sure the water is substantially hot. In order for the dye drop to break down the water has to be hot enough to activate it.

Steps

Combine the hot water and dye drop in your dipping container.
Once the water has dissolved all the dye, completely submerge the doily for about 5 seconds then gently pull up half of the doily to sit outside of the water while the other half rests for more coloring. Continue holding for 1 to 3 minutes depending on how dark you want the color. Remove and put on a clean flat dry surface. ( I suggest paper or or some other material you don’t care if the color sticks to.)
Continue the same process with the rest of the doilies. Then beginning with the first doily submerge only 3/4 of the darker side in the water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then dry. Repeat with the rest of the doilies.
Lastly, begin again with the first doily and dip just the end of the darker side into the water for 30 seconds to a minute and let dry. Repeat the process again with the rest. If it comes out lighter than you want you can always hold the doily in for longer at the varying lengths.
Once the doilies are dry, you can fold them over, apply glue to the fold and attach to the twine or string of your choice. One the glue is dry, you’re done! Go hang and enjoy your colorful garland!

BTW…. How fun is the Ombré type? I am pretty excited about it.

DIY Color Dipped Wooden Spoons

by emilyalder on Mar 5, 2012 • 1 Comment

I feel like I have been a little spray paint happy lately, BUT this is something I am okay with. I have realized how functional, simple, and cheap spray paint is. So my mind has been filled with colorful ideas… (get that little pun?)

So a while ago I posted about some fabulous spoons by Milk Farm Road

So while I was packing up the vannagon for our dessert trip a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a SUPER cheap pack of wooden spoons. I thought why not? So a scooped them up for use over the weekend. And while I was doing some work for my Etsy shop, I pulled out the spoons and went to town.

ps sorry in advance for the cruddy pictures. I am pretty hopeless when it comes to photography. But I am working on it!

So I pulled out my blue matte & neon pink matte paints. Along with some rad painters tape that works great on everything!

Grabbed my awesomely inexpensive test spoons

Wrapped them up. I did about 2/3 of the way up the handle, but it is up to you how much you want painted.

And then sprayed about 2 coats of paint on each.

Let ‘em dry….

Annnnd there you have it. So simple right?

Now I am going to invest in some legit spoons (sorry cheapo store-bought ones) and try some fun ideas.

Being Festive

by emilyalder on Feb 13, 2012 • No Comments

This Valentine’s Day I’ll be doing fun silly things with the most wonderful man in the world. My fiance? He has to be in San Diego for his Masters & Thesis. I love him, but a love day with my little man is the best. Especially when we make dinner for grandma and grandpa.

What about you? What are your plans?

What was that? Oh yep! Etsy shop launched!

by emilyalder on Feb 11, 2012 • 1 Comment

The Alder Designs Etsy shop is live. After a big week, we are so glad that we hit our goal and set everything up. We will be adding new items daily, but for now we are pretty excited about what we have going on. A lot of it was inspired by Valentine’s Day so we put together a little dessert table inspiration. Major thanks to Ali Winston Photography & Jessica Murray Designs for all their help. They are seriously AMAZING!

Anyways, here is a couple photos of the shoot with our etsy products:

Ooooh so fun. We had the best time putting together all of the treats & and goodies. Pink, glitter, & sparkle… everything nice.

Dig it? We really hope so! Make sure to check it out and grab some last minute Valentine’s Day goodies!

xoxo

Weekend Warmup

by emilyalder on Feb 10, 2012 • No Comments

PHEW. What a week. It flew by. BUT it was a huge week. Met great people, connected with some awesome bloggers, did a wonderful valentines shoot, and prepared to launch our etsy shop. Pretty sweet, right?

Here are some fun personal shots of the shoot yesterday with Ali from Ali Winston Photography & Jessi from Jessica Murray Designs.

So much sparkle it makes me smile.

I have also found my new favorite festive nail color.

Essie’s Watermelon is the perfect color for V-Day. A seriously bright pink. I love it.

I cannot explain how much I love this collage of photos. It is a simple but wonderful way to document your little one joining the world. Something to keep in mind for our next one. {source}

The perfect wedding table inspiration.

This is beyond perfect. A must send to the wedding planner!

Have a lovely weekend and stay tuned for the launch of Alder Designs Etsy shop later today (hopefully)!

Happppppy Weekend!

Weekend Warmup

HGTV Valentines Day Party & Party Favor DIY

by emilyalder on Feb 9, 2012 • 3 Comments

Camille Styles threw together a fun Valentine’s Day Card making party and we have the video to share.

Valentine’s Craft Party from Camille Styles on Vimeo.

We usually have a little get together each year to make cards, and this is pushing us to squeeze it in this weekend if we can! We have tons of inspiration and ideas, so we should have no problem getting it together.

We also have a fun tutorial coming up for kids Valentine’s for school!

Here is the cute DIY from Camille’s party for the Granola Favor bags! Enjoy!

Craft Paper Bags

3 1/2 x 6 3/4-inch brown paper bags
small hole punch
red and white kitchen twin

Download template
Format printer to print onto dimensions of brown paper bags, and print directly into bags.
Fill with granola (see recipe below) and fold top of bag over about 1-inch. Punch two holes through the fold, and secure with kitchen twine.

Camille’s Granola

1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 3/4 cups rolled oats (12 ounces)
3 ounces finely grated unsweetened coconut (1 cup)
6 ounces shelled raw pistachios (1 cup)
6 ounces slivered almonds (1 cup)
1 cup fresh orange juice
5 ounces dried apricots (1 cup)
3 ounces golden raisins (1/2 cup)
3 ounces chopped dried apple slices (1/2 cup)

Preheat the oven to 275°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt and bring to a simmer, stirring until the brown sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
In a very large bowl, toss the oats with the coconut, pistachios and almonds. Add the warm brown sugar mixture and stir to coat thoroughly. Spread the granola on the baking sheet and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, pour the orange juice over the dried fruit and let stand until plumped, about 1 hour.
Drain the dried fruit, pressing to extract the liquid; discard the liquid. Stir the fruit into the granola and bake for 5 minutes. Let cool completely; the granola will crisp as it cools.

*photo’s by Hayden Spears

You can see it all {here}

I want, I need, I must…

by emilyalder on Feb 8, 2012 • 1 Comment

Chevron Drawer Liners. How perfect are these? They would be perfect to apply to the bottom of a white tray to keep makeup/jewelry/girly goodies. Alright, purchased. Next DIY!

Tinted Lip Balm ~ A DIY

by emilyalder on Feb 8, 2012 • 2 Comments

Spotted and hearted. We LOVE this simple but lovely tutorial on homemade tinted lip balm.

Delia Create’s Pink Tinted Lip Balm

2 TBSP grated beeswax
2 TBSP coconut oil
2 tsp. sweet almond oil
chunk of red lipstick
1/2 tsp. of shimmery eye shadow powder
10 drops of essentail oil (I used peppermint but you can use any kind)

Melt all but essentail oil in a doubleboiler until completely melted and there are no more beewax flakes.

Do not boil or overheat. Stir with a throw away tool like a bamboo skewer.

Remove from heat and add essential oil. Using a syringe or medicne dropper fill your lip balm containers.

Let it sit at room temperature or in the fridge until hardened or opaque.

Make sure to check out the rest of her post including more pictures and facts about making lip balm at home.

Coming Soon….

by emilyalder on Feb 7, 2012 • 4 Comments

I am VERY excited to announce that after much anticipation, preparation and questioning my creative abilities I am finally, almost ready to launch my Etsy shop. This is something I have been working on since last Fourth of July. I originally wanted to open by the end of the summer, but life got away from me and the whole idea was put on the back burner. Although it was something I was constantly thinking about and hoping that one day I would get it off that back burner.

So, one of my first goal as we began 2012 was to get my shop up and running. I was going to attempt to create a shop on my own site. But with everything going on I am going to save that idea for alter and start on Etsy. Hoping I can get a bit of a following that will lead into opening my own shop.

I have been crafting quite a bit for the past couple of weeks and have gathered some old projects to create an inventory. It has become abundantly clear to me that it will be mostly a party supplies shop. I will constantly try new things and create new items, but all of what I have now are projects that I have enjoyed doing for a while now. Something that comes naturally.

Yay! Interested? I hope so!

Here is a sneak peek:

Please check back this weekend or early next week for the official announcement and opening! Yipee!!

Thank you for helping to push me to try all of these fun ideas and providing motivation to keep working on this amazing creative outlet. I couldn’t do it without all of your support!

If you want to check out the shop while it is still pretty bare boned follow this link to Alder Designs, An Etsy Shop .

The loveliest quilt of them all

by emilyalder on Feb 6, 2012 • No Comments

I cannot explain how much I love this quilt. The materials, the colors, the stripes, the flowers, all of it. I am highly considering making this my next DIY project. First I need a sewing machine.

Thanks Leslie from The Good Report!

A pallet sofa DIY

by emilyalder on Feb 2, 2012 • No Comments

Our wedding venue is about as rustic as it gets in the terms that there are about no structures. So we are planning to make several fun decorative seating places and interactive designs. Spotted on Stylizmo Blog, a tutorial on how to make a simple, but comfortable and pretty pallet sofa. This would be a perfect addition to the venue that would provide some comfort to anyone who needs a rest. Hopefully, after having a blast dancing their booties off!