Felt Ball Coaster

Super easy and fun to make, these felt ball coasters will spruce up any decor during those cold winter months. All you need are some felt balls (90-100 1 cm balls per coaster), some cheap coasters - I used some plastic ones I found at IKEA - and some E600 glue.

Start by gluing the first felt ball in the center of the coaster and work your way around.

See full tutorial by inspiredbycharm blog 

DIY: Copper Salt & Pepper Shakers

This is one of the easiest tutorials you'll ever see. All you need are some IKEA salt & pepper shakers and some copper contact paper and you're good to go. Full tutorial here. 

DIY: Sandbox on Wheels

What a great idea! I mean what could be better than a sandbox on wheels? 

OK, maybe a pool on wheels would be better but this is pretty good no?

Get the full tutorial here.

DIY: Recycled Bottle Cap Light

This is a pretty simple and fun DIY. All you have to do is save your bottle caps, glue them together with a glue gun, add a light fixture and presto - a light is born. 

Instructions:

Line up your bottle caps to form 6 panels with one panel containing a hole for your light fixture. 

Glue the bottle caps together using a glue gun. 

Once the glue has dried, glue 4 sides and the bottom together (5 panels total) 

Add your light fixture with a bulb and then glue down the final panel. 

Keep in mind that the light bulb has to be the same size as your light fixture in order for you to be able to change the light (think Christmas light bulbs - oval shaped).  If you prefer to have access to the light bulb you can simply rest the top panel on the sides for easy access. 

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DIY: Chalkboard Bottles

I love easy DIY's and this one certainly qualifies. All you need is a bottle and some spray on chalkboard paint and you're done. I would recommend using Krylon chalkboard paint as I have had good results with this brand (this is not a sponsored post but simply my own observation).

How to:

Choose a bottle.
Remove the label from the bottle using hot water (if there is one).
Dry the bottle and make sure it is completely dry before spray painting.
Spray the chalkboard paint onto the bottle following the directions on the can.
Let dry 24 hours.
Use chalk to draw or write what you like on the bottle.

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DIY: Recycled Newspaper Sprouting Pots

photo via

There are a lot of ways that you can make your own newspaper sprouting pots but this is what I deem to be the easiest and cheapest. Yes, you can buy a fancy newspaper pot maker here but why spend money when you don't have to. All you need is a can, or a variety of cans depending on the sizes you want, some newspaper and some tape. Pretty easy no?

These instructions are for a can of tomato paste. 

Instructions (photos follow text):

First get your newspaper out and fold one single sheet into three.
Next get your can of tomato paste.
Place can on newspaper with about 1/4 of can above the edge of the newspaper.
Wrap the newspaper around the can leaving it loose enough for easy removal and secure with tape along the edge.
Flip can over and fold down each side to touch the bottom of the can and then tape closed.
Remove newspaper from can.
Place newspaper pots in a tray - anything that will hold them upright will do.
Fill with potting soil and plant seeds.
Keep seedlings moist (not too wet) until you are ready to plant them, newspaper pot and all (the newspaper will decompose naturally in the soil).

Single sheet of newspaper with can of tomato paste.

Newspaper folded into 3 with can of tomato paste.

Newspaper wrapped around can of tomato paste and side secured with tape.

Flip can over and start to fold newspaper inwards. 

Continue folding until all sides are folded.

Secure bottom with tape.

Finished sprouting pot.

Continue making them until you have your desired amount. 

Place the pots in a tray. Fill them with potting soil, plant your seeds and one day you'll have this!

this photo via

Happy Gardening!

xo Tracey

IKEA Hack - Vittsjo Shelving Unit

Spray paint your Vittsjo shelving units in a bright yellow to add a pop of color to your living room or office. 

Or how about spray painting them in Gold to add a touch of class. 

Or, how about this beautiful arrangement of white and wood created by Centsational girl. 

This one is my personal favorite. Spray paint the Vittsjo nesting table bases in a shiny chrome or apply silver leaf for a more glamorous look in order to replicate the Horchow Coffee tables. 

images via Centsational girl. 

DIY: Cake Plate

I have been looking for a cake plate since forever but I haven't had any success finding one that I like. They are all too big, too small, too fancy, too plain (are you getting the vibe that I'm a bit like goldilocks!) so I finally decided to make my own. 

First I found a nice glass candle holder at Zone Maison which became the base of my cake plate. 

Then I looked for a simple glass plate, like this one that I found at Benix, which could be glued to the glass base. 

Oddly enough, the candle base, which I had not brought with me, ended up fitting perfectly into the grooves on the bottom of the plate so I didn't need to glue it if I didn't want to. However, as cake plates are large and somewhat unwieldy, I decided to use glue dots to secure the plate to the base. This makes it easy to remove the plate from the base and store it. If you wanted the plate to be permanently glued to the base you could use a glue gun to secure it. 

Materials:

1 glass candle base

1 glass plate (either desert or dinner plate)

glue dots or glue gun

Instructions:

Place glue dots along the top of the candle base. If using a glue gun, spread glue along the top of the candle base. Place plate on top and press down to secure. 

And now you have your fabulous cake plate! 

DIY: Block Printed Tea Towel

I have a thing for tea towels, nice tea towels that is. Some of the nicest tea towels I've ever seen were in Cape Cod and Italy and I've been itching to try my hand at making my own. Then I stumbled upon this post from Remodelista and thought that I would share. I love the simple design in this DIY which was done using a kit sold by Darby Smart. Could it get any easier? I mean really, now you don't even have to look for the material. The kit comes with two tea towels and a burlap runner for you to create your designs on. Click here for the full instructions. 

DIY: Leather trays

For quite some time now I have been looking for a storage solution for my husband's keys, wallet etc. As it is now, they get dumped wherever he see's fit to drop them. At first I cleaned out a drawer in my entrance console table but that didn't work as it got filled up with head phones and phone chargers. Then I decided to empty out part of my desk so that he'd have drawers in my home office but then they got filled up with external hard drives and other misc. male paraphernalia. SO, when I saw this leather tray, I thought how great is this!! It's easy to make and can go anywhere without being an eyesore. Now I'm off to get some supplies! Photo and instructions via Remodelista. 

DIY: Copper Shelves

I am a big fan of copper so this IKEA hack is right up my alley. This easy and chic DIY is made with IKEA's LACK floating shelves and some copper contact paper. All you have to do is get the copper contact paper - available here - and cover your shelves. Presto, beautiful copper shelves guaranteed to shine. So love this..... 

DIY: Sugar Hearts

Valentine's day is coming up so naturally Pinterest is filled with hearts and heart recipes and this particular one caught my eye (must be all the pink!). Since I like to use raw sugar cubes when guests come over, I thought that these would be a nice alternative. However, raw sugar is brown so I don't think the colors would turn out which means that I would have to use plain white granulated sugar instead (egads!) but I think it would be worth it for the visual. Plus sugar hearts would work anytime of the year not only on Valentine's day. You could easily serve them alongside some hot cocoa when you're entertaining or put two on a saucer with a cappuccino for your special someone. Click here for tutorial. 

New Year's Party Confetti and downloadable invitations

This is one of the easiest diy's you'll ever see. Just use a two or three hole punch to create some dots (personally I would use colored paper) and then fill up a glassine envelope of your choice. You can also add a saying such as the one above by using letter transfers or by setting up your printer to print on the envelopes. You could also just print out a label and place it on the envelope. Hand the packets out to your guests and then open and toss at the stroke of 12. Instant party! (clean up not included). Photo via.

Need to send out a last minute invite to a New Year's Eve party? Don't sweat it, Poppytalk has created 5 downloadable invitations for you to use. Check them out here. 

Christmas Card Freebie from My Life Box

Anna-Rose from the blog My Lifebox has designed a few Christmas cards for you to download for free! My favorite one is Rudolph (gotta love that red nose!) but there are two more for you to print as well. Please click here for the downloadable cards. 

DIY: Boxwood Mini Wreath

We got hit by a snowstorm this weekend and now it is not only snowy but freezing! I am so happy that I've almost finished knitting my new scarf - it sure is going to come in handy this year if December is any indication of how the weather is going to be! 

This photo kinda sums it up perfectly so I thought I'd post this mini wreath DIY. Go on over to Poppytalk for the instructions. 

DIY: Cement Christmas Tree Ornament

Isn't this a great little DIY. You can impress your guests with your DIY prowess and decorate your tree at the same time! Go on over to Fellow Fellow for the instructions. 

DIY: Paper Bag Advent Calendar

I love this simple and economical advent calendar diy. Click here for full instructions. 

DIY: Mason Jar Oil Candles for Christmas

I took one look at these and had to post the DIY! I can't wait to make them - what a great idea for a Christmas decoration. Here's the how to:

You will need:
One 1/8 "Nipple" (available in the Lighting Section of Home Depot or Lowes)
Two 1/8 Couplings (also in Lighting)
Two 3/8 Washers
100% Cotton Lamp Wicks
Your Choice of Oil: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Peanut Oil, Lamp Oil, Liquid Paraffin Oil
Mason Jar and Lid
Decorative Elements (Optional): Pine Cones, Shells, Coffee Beans, Stones, Vanilla Beans, Herbs, Spices, Fruits

Instructions:
If the lid to your jar is a regular one (no hole), drill a hole using a 3/8 drill bit. 
Push the nipple through the hole.
On each side of the lid, add a washer and then a coupling.
Make sure the nipple and coupling are flush with the top of the lid.
Thread a cotton wick through the nipple; it will be loose at first, but will expand once it is soaked with oil.
If you want your candle to be decorative, add pine cones or other elements.
Add the oil to the jar.
Attach the completed lid to the jar.
Wait for the oil to soak the wick before lighting.

photo and instructions courtesy https://www.facebook.com/TheSmartWitch

DIY: Pendant light Chandelier

I love pendant lights and so this DIY from Design Sponge sure made my day. Perfect for over a bar area or studio table, you can mix and match the cords to blend with your decor. 

DIY: Clay Jewelry Bowls

These imprinted clay jewelry bowls are just what I need at the moment. Easy to make, these bowls can be used for jewelry or as a catch all on any table.  Both fun and functional you can make your own designs in an afternoon. For complete instructions please click here.