DIY Friday | Melt the Rainbow
It’s DIY Friday again and this week, I sourced inspiration from the current craze, Pintrest. Since this is all most people have been talking about, I decided to conform and check out this latest obsession. Upon creating my account, I was greeted with a website of pictures. Pictures of well dressed men and women, not so well dressed men and women, cats, culinary treats, words of encouragement, rock-hard bodies (people find this aspect inspiring, it makes me want a snack), and lots and lots of DIY. So much so, that I have created an entire board dedicated to the topic. A picture of melted crayon “art”, is what I found and recreated this week. The original is posted below, along with steps on my process.
Original Photo
Supplies
You won’t need much but you will need: a blank canvas, crayons (I opted for one large box and one small so I could double up on the colors I loved), hot glue + gun, a blow dryer, and some newspaper.
Step One
Separate your crayons into color groups and discard any colors you don’t want to use. I got rid of my browns, whites, and metallics. The wrappers didn’t match.
Step 2
Line up your crayons in the desired order. I stuck with the (really original) ROYGBIV order from left to right. Then hot glue the crayons to the canvas along the top. Before you move to the next step, make sure to lay newspaper on the ground/table/workspace as well as up the wall, or whatever your canvas is leaning on.
Step 3
Melt the crayons! Use your blow dryer to heat the crayons well enough that they begin to drip. It didn’t take long to see a result. Don’t be afraid of a little splatter. That’s what the newspaper is for. If it splatters on your canvas, just cover it up with new wax or work with it.
Finished Project
Super simple and so cheerful! Happy creating!
See more of my pins here.
Flea Market Finds
I think that it is pretty obvious how much I love to shop. For those of you who don’t find it that obvious, let me break it down for you:
- I work in retail
- I studied Fashion Merchandising and Marketing at FIDM
- I don’t know how many pairs of shoes I own
- I should be in sunglasses/coats addicts anonymous
- I firmly believe that “retail therapy” is the most effective form of therapy
I hope that helps.
However, what most people don’t know about my shopping, is that I rarely enjoy feeding this (completely normal) obsession at the mall. Instead, I’m in love with searching for one-of-a-kinds from independent designers and local boutiques, thrift stores, and flea markets (I should also note that most of my basic wardrobe comes from the Gap, where I work).
Today I went to the local Flea Market here in San Diego at the Sports Arena and found some absolutely brilliant items:
Vintage, wooden 7-Up Crate: $10.00
The Complete Sherlock Holmes ©1930: $4.00 and Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination ©1935: $2.00
Issues of Life Magazine from the years 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969: $5.00 per issue
Winston Cigarette ad on the back cover of Life 1961: Being a marketing student, I adore all of the old advertisements. Mad Men any one?
I didn’t realize my cat was such a big fan: Abbey Road on vinyl – The Beatles: $10.00
This beaded necklace is probably my favorite find of the day. It cost me a whole ¢.50, and I think it was totally worth it.
Moral of the story: shop local. Look at all the fun things you’ll find.
xoxo
Pretty in Pink | Guest Post
Original blog posted on East&West by Jordan Lausch. See more of his writings here.
“Valentines Day is [finally here]! Here is a list of some of my Valentine favorites.
1. Favorite Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Get the recipe for these incredible cupcakes at marthastewart.com!
2. Favorite DIY Valentine: Jar of Candy Hearts
Learn how to make your own from our friends at LaurenConrad.com
3. Favorite Read: Sweet Little Lies
The second book of the “LA Candy” trilogy with candy heart cover art, how appropriate!
4. Favorite Valentines Day Image: Starbucks in Love
I love this cute picture, but I especially love the new Valentines Day cups at Starbucks.
XOXO,
Jordan
Flower Child | Spring 2012 Trends
Since I am a not-so-closet hippie, I am so in love with this 2012 spring trend: florals. The wild prints, the platforms with wooden heels, I can’t get enough.
What Are You Wearing?
Tis the season for holiday parties, champagne, soft sugar cookies, favors, and many different opportunities for fabulous fashion. And since my family hosts a ridiculous amount of those parties, that poses the question: what the heck am I wearing? I have searched and searched and here are some of my favorite, affordable options for this season.
Birch Allover Sequin Dress by Trina Turk – $388.00 – Piperlime
Tulle Dulcie Dress – $158.00 – Anthropologie
Wildcat Jules Dress by J.Crew – $188.00 – J.Crew
Tennyson Mini by Paper Crown – $386.00 – Revolve Clothing
Audrey Tulle Dress – $398.00 – Anthropologie
DIY Friday – Wrap it Up
I am in love with DIY projects – and just about anything that has to do with crafts – so I hereby declare that all Fridays shall be dedicated to DIY’s….henceforth. Since we are right in the middle of the gift-giving season, I focused my attention on seeking out the most creative wrapping ideas I could find.
Newspaper – Recycle your weekly paper and turn it into a beautiful, little gift. See how to here.
Face Off – Not sure who came up with these expressive presents, but I’m pretty sure I love them.
Bomb It – Wrap plain, brown boxes with multiple colors of yarn to create a Yarn-bombed effect. Don’t feel like using all of that yarn? Try colorful pipe-cleaners.
Vintage – Create this vintage feel with recycled pattern paper, ribbons, felt, and buttons.
Punch It – Make your own lace with a simple hole-punch and some cardstock. The photo above shows only one size hole-punch being used, but I would used multiple.
Bring the Ouside, In – Be creative with this idea! Use raffia, pinecones, leaves, rope, cardboard, pine needles, twigs, and frayed muslin for this natural look. Make sure to wipe down any items you find in your yard.
Happy Gifting! Happy DIY! Happy Holidays!
