DIY: Fabric Button Earrings

So, I’ve been seeing these darling earrings on Pinterest {FYI, everybody, Pinterest is my life and my love <3}. And I really wanted to make them. Like really badly. But normally when I try DIY projects, they don’t turn out as planned. I won’t give you any scenarios, just because I’m too ashamed. But these earrings looked foolproof and I was determined to make them.

DIY Fabric Button Earrings

Supplies:

-a cover button kit (you can find this at craft stores, I used Dritz)

-fabric squares

-earring posts

-jewelry glue or any kind of strong glue (I used  E-6000)

-scissors and marker/pen

-pliers (or something to pry the hook off the back of the button)

Let’s get started!

The instructions are pretty basic and explained on the back of the cover button kit, but I’ll lead you through them anyways :)

So, begin with cutting a circle from your fabric swatch. There should be a circle template on the back of the button kit. You can buy some from the fabric store or use up some old swatches. I used some gorgeous, vintage-y {is that a word?} squares my Grandma gave me. I love floral patterns!

Pull all the hooks off your button backs with pliers. I had a lot of trouble with this and ended up getting help from the parentals.

Center the fabric over the mold and place the button shell over it. Gather all the fabric into the mold.

Push the button back on top and use the pusher to help you put it into place. I’M A PUSHER CADY, I PUSH PEOPLE! {sorry, Mean Girls spasm) Pop your button out of the mold. You’ve got a fabric covered button!

Now glue your earring posts onto the button backs and let dry for like 8 hours or so, or whatever your glue directions say. I used this little craft pack of glues and picked the E-6000. You don’t have to use it, some other strong glue/jewelry glue should work :)

You did it! You’ve got a fabric covered button earring!

I got a little carried away with this project and made 3 pairs of earrings. You should too. Enjoy!

DIY: College Survival Kit

Wow, it’s been a long time since I last blogged. What was it, like six months? Sorry for the delay, if there are still any stragglers left. I sure hope there are, because I would certainly love it if people actually read my blog and enjoyed it. I really really truly hope that someone does. So if you do, you are awesome, and making my day a little better :)

Well, today I saw a robin’s egg on the driveway. You guys know what robin’s eggs look like, right? They are those tiny, Tiffany blue eggs that light up the sky. Yeah those. And when I saw it, I knew that it was going to be a good day. I mean come on. How perfect are those little eggs. They are so cute. And I don’t see them that often. I mean, you’d think I would, considering robins are Michigan’s state bird. How do they even determine state birds and flowers anyways? SO confused about that.

Sorry for the rambling, I do that a lot. Let’s get on to the tutorial.

DIY: College Survival Kit

I made a College Survival Kit. That’s right, the perfect gift for a graduate going off to school. And I see these $100 kits all around. Let’s be honest. Whatever people are putting in those kits... it does not cost $100 dollars. I mean, seriously?! Hands up if you agree. So I decided to make my own. Because for years I have wanted to give one of these things but have never had the time or motivation. This kit was for my brother’s girlfriend, who is also a crafter. Sometimes I don’t like making homemade gifts for people cause I know they won’t get it or appreciate it. You crafters out there catch my drift?

But I knew she would like it. So I researched a bunch and tried to figure out... what do college kids really need but won’t spend the money on?

I got some normal things people suggested, but also added my own twist, keeping the graduate’s interests in mind. Here is a list. It might not have everything because my picture doesn’t include everything and I already gave out the gift and can’t remember what I exactly put in it.

If you’d like a copy of my label and gift explanations, you can find a downloadable pdf here

 College Survival List:

-bandaids and ointment

-loose change (quarters for laundry)

-headbands

-nail polish

-kleenex

-hand sanitizer

-Q-tips, cotton pads

-lip balm

-a good-quality or cute pen

-sticky notes

Pretty sure I had more, but I don’t remember. Keep in mind that I made this 4 weeks ago. Cut me some slack guys!

Now, I went shopping at a few places to get these things. For example, you can go to a cheap place, like a dollar store or Christmas Tree Shops, and still get good items.

After I found my things, I had to look for the perfect bag. Something super cute, not super expensive, and thoughtful. Originally I was going to put the gifts in a sand bucket with a shovel attached given it’s summer... and how cute is that idea?! Until I found this adorable little bag at Christmas Tree Shops. It was super cheap (around $5) and looked very bookish {is that a word?}. With the leather looking straps, canvas lining, and plaid initial, to me, it indeed looked bookish. Aannnnd, I got the initial of the graduate’s last name, so bonus points for me :) If you find a mini suitcase or something similar, that would totally be adorable for this kit as well!

After I placed all the items in the bag, I created a little key that listed all the gifts and explained the reasons for them. If I do say so myself, I love the little emergency crosses that I included beside the title and in place of bulletpoints. 

I finished off my kit with an adorable label which I created on the computer, printed out on white cardstock, cut out, and attached with twine. Yesiree, that’s how it’s done in this house.

Dang, I am a master of labels. No, seriously, look for yourself.

After this, send the kit off to your favorite graduate.

Notes:
**Now that I think about it, I could have gone overboard and gotten some wicked things to put in there. It was just supposed to be little, but if you want to spend some more money, you could give a mini fan, a shower caddy, a ramen noodle book, or some fun chick flicks that every college girl needs (that means Mean Girls and John Tucker Must Die, BTW :)

**Some things I included were specific to the graduate’s needs. For example, she’s a runner, which is why I included headbands. Chiclets are her favorite gum. And nail polish... well everyone should have a fun color of nail polish!

Adapt this kit to your own likes and needs. I hope you enjoyed! Bye, bye!

Vintage Floral Nails

Hola and cómo estás? By the way I’m currently in a Spanish class. Ok, I kinda lied about how I was doing a continous post for multiple days. I kinda forgot. But here, is a pretty cute nail idea I did multiple months ago. My inspiration is this pic I saw on Pinterest (Below). Obviously, they’re not as sweet, but I think I did a solid job. Forever ago I tried to make designs on my nails with skinny paintbrushes, because I thought that’s how it goes. Eventually, I realized, ‘Ok, every time the nail polish spreads to my whole nail, so obviously I’m doing it wrong’. And I was. The key is to use acrylic paint and use a toothpick. And now I’m like, ‘Ok, that makes sense’. Now both my fingers and toes are natural, because I think I’ve noticed a bit of a yellow shade. Nasty. So I’m giving these cuticles a break. But here you are!

Now these are not mine. They are the ones from Pinterest (the link on Pinterest wasn't very clear but I'm letting you know this is not my design nor my photography I just want to show you where I originally found the idea). Mine have the same idea. But my lines aren't as clean and straight and I did not have that pretty turquoise color so that makes a difference. Now here are mine:

Supplies:

-Multiple toothpicks

-nail polish (this girl has light blue and a soft pink. I just used a french pink but if you have her colors please use 'em)

-clear coat

-acrylic paint (dark green, light pink, darker pink, white, etc.)

Directions:

1. First clear coat

2. I'm going to do tutorial as if I used two colors. Paint your index and ring finger pink. Paint your thumb, middle, and pinkie blue.

3. Start with the stripes. Dip the tip of your toothpick at your cuticle and drag it upwards to make lines. Do this multiple times and on your fingers with pink.

4. Now we're going to do the little flowers. Dip your toothpick in the dark pink and make little blobs all over your nails. After dip a new toothpick in the light pink and making smaller blobs over the dark ones to form flowers. If you want make tiny white spots in the middle of the flowers.

5. Add leaves with the green paint. Same as the blobs but drag it out more to look like a leaf. This is no art and no sure way to do it. It shouldn't look perfect because flowers aren't perfect and this is kinda messy and vintage.

6. When they're dry, always apply a top coat and let dry! Enjoy!

DIY: DVD Album

Who else is sick of a million DVD cases taking up all the space in your entertainment area and spelling out C-L-U-T-T-E-R? Because I was so sick of that. Until I eventually went all haywire and decided to make my own. The result: a simple, gorgeous DVD album that was cheaper than those already made ones you can buy at Best Buy and you can customize it yourself. Come on and see!

DIY DVD Album

Supplies:

-Binder OR Photo Album

-thin adhesive to stick your title (I used my genius Xyron Create-A-Sticker Machine that I mentioned in previous posts)

-1 package disc inserts/DVD inserts (I used Case Logic ProSleeves)

-1 package of velcro strips (I used Scotch General Purpose Fasteners)

-DVDs

Directions:

1. First take all of your DVDs out of their cases and insert them into the DVD slips. I had an ugly mess resulting from this process.

2. Arrange them in your binder.

3. Use a snap or cut a small square of velcro like I did and apply it to the edge of your binder, like so.

4. Make an adorable label for the top of your binder. I cut out mine using Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and this kind of twisted, antique-looking font called Alice in Wonderland. I’m sorry but I forgot where it was from. I think I downloaded it free from eighteen25.

Enjoy this! Bye!