{This is where you can find any craft or project} Crafting has been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl. I am a sucker for a fun DIY, especially around the holidays. There is nothing better than handmade! 

November 21, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

I am putting together my Thanksgiving tablescape today and at the last minute I decided to create this little, fun printable! My family and I have so many blessings to count this year! I think this will be a fun way to set your heart on all that you have to be thankful for and all your blessings from the Lord! I just cut a little greenery from my yard for a free AND easy table look! HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS! so thankful for you!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Nip Dip- homemade nipple cream for nursing mamas

February 7, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

I finally made my own recipe for nipple cream and now I am kicking myself for not making this sooner! Nursing mamas, you gotta try this simple recipe.

I know I can’t be the only nursing mother who was tired of paying $15 for a tiny tube of organic nipple balm! I spent TONS of money on nipple cream when I was exclusively pumping for Tanner so this time around I was determined to save money. Let’s be honest, throughout the journey of feeding or pumping, our nipples need some TLC. This cream takes about 10 minutes to make and cost around $30, I call it Dani’s Nip Dip- hahaha! It should make enough to last about 24 months, so share some with your friends! I am going to link the products that I bought and researched off amazon. These products are all natural/unrefined and should be safe if baby does get some while beginning to latch. Lastly, I do want to mention that this is a homemade recipe so use at your own discretion. Winnie and I have been using it for about a week and love it!

Makes 12 ounces-  filled 3, 4 ounce mason jars

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups extra virgin olive oil (purchased at local grocery)
• 6 tablespoons coconut oil (purchased at local grocery)
• 3 sticks of beeswax (about 3 tablespoons)
• 3 tablespoons shea butter

Steps

1. Place all of the ingredients in small pot on the stove.
2. Simmer on low to medium heat. Took about 10 mins on low/medium heat to melt each ingredient.
3. Stir until your mixture is clear and there are no clumps.
4. Pour your mixture into jars. Be careful because it will be hot. Wait until the mixture is cooled and no longer clear before placing the lid on.

Hope this recipe soothes you! I would love to hear if you have any tricks of your own or what cream is your go-to?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Summer Bucket List

June 19, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

This summer we are looking for fun and affordable activities to do as a family. Here a list of 10 ideas that we hope to cross off!!

Summer 2017 Bucket List

1. play at the splash pad in our neighborhood and at the zoo

2. make a watermelon dessert

3. an evening picnic at the beach

4. rent kayaks or canoes on a day date with my husband

5. pitch a tent in the backyard to camp

6. go blueberry picking

7. make homemade popsicles

8. clean out my closet to make a large donation bag

9. visit a new historic town

10. have a backyard low-country boil

What is on your summer agenda? Any fun trips planned? I will be going to visit my parents in South Florida for a week, but we do not have any other trips planned at the moment.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tanner’s First Taco Fiesta 

May 22, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Sharing all of the black, white, and cacti details from Tanner’s first birthday on the blog today! 

DIY Santa Stop Here Banner (made with Target dollar section finds)

December 17, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Since we all love to visit the dollar section at Target, I thought I would share a quick DIY just in time for Christmas!

{Time} 30 mins

{Materials}

• Material (we used a placement from the Target dollar section}
• Paint maker, stickers, or stamp for writing
• Scissors
• Tape
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Stick or skewers
• Ribbon or string

1. Plan out how you are going to cut your towel by folding it on a flat surface. I love the triangular look at the bottom!
   

2. Fold the towel over and make lines with a marker where you are going to cut.

3. Cut one side of the towel and use the scrap that you cut as a guide to cut the other side. This will ensure that both cuts are the exact same.

4. Hot glue the triangular edges so your banner will lay smooth. Take your time so that you can create a straight edge.

5. If your material is too long like ours was: Cut the top of the material where you will be gluing your stick. Since my top had lines, I used them as a guide. If your material does not have lines, you could use a ruler to be sure that you cut a straight line.

6. Place a skewer (or 2) at the top of your banner. Hot glue the top over the skewers (our skewers were not long enough so we taped two together).

7. Tie your rope onto your skewers. I used a tab of hot glue to ensure that my rope would like come off.

8. Use a paint marker, stickers, or stamps to create a holiday slogan of your choice! We decided to write, “Santa stop here!”

My girlfriend, Ashlyn of Loba Design Co., and I decided a last minute Christmas craft was in order! Better late than never, right?! This crafts is super easy and all of the materials can be found in the dollar section at Target! Our material is actually a placement, but feel free to use ANY material. If your children are old enough, this would be a fun craft for them to join in on. I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season!! Please share any fun crafts that you made this season!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Little Lamb Baby Shower

November 29, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I was honored to host a baby shower for my sister in law this past weekend. Here are the details of Alaina’s little lamb themed baby shower.

Chalkboard & Handlettering: Drafts & Crafts
Cotton Candy Lollipops: Johnny Raes on Etsy
Sugar Spun Wool Thank You Tags: Drafts & Crafts
Handletteted Bob Dylan Backdrop: Loba Design Co.
Blue Honeycombs: Oh Happy Day
Gold Balloon Letter: Tablecloths Factory -best price for letter balloons!

My sister-in-law, Alaina, is expecting a baby boy in February. Tanner is going to get his first cousin!! I was thrilled to throw her and her little lamb a baby shower! The baby’s last name is Lambert.. could a lamb themed shower be any more darling?? With the help of my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law’s girlfriend, I was able to host the baby shower over Thanksgiving weekend.

I love to craft so I made a few of the decorations myself and had some sweet help. If you are a Jacksonville local and ever need a HUGE gold framed chalkboard with hand-lettering for an event, I am your girl! I do rent out the chalkboard and can custom hand-letter any sign. My dear friend, Ashlyn, of Loba Design Co. kindly let me borrow the Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” backdrop that her designed and hand lettered. Forever Young was the song that my in-law’s put in my sister-in-law’s senior year book page! Finally, the cotton candy lollipops were a hit!! We called them “sugar spun wool” to fit with the lamb theme! The shop owner of Johnny Raes, Cheryl, was SO NICE to work with! I would highly recommend her cotton candy for any birthday party, wedding, or baby shower! Tell me, are you throwing any parties this holiday season? I would love to host a brunch around christmas!

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Pumpkin Succulent

October 25, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

What do you get when you combine a pumpkin and a succulent? A pumpculent- basic chicks are going crazy! Catch the details to this fall DIY.

{Materials}

• succulents (4 for a medium size pumpkin)
• heirloom pumpkin
• soil
• sharp knife
• spoon or garden spade

1. Cut the top of the pumpkin off with your knife.

2. Use your spoon or spade to scoop out the inside of the pumpkin. Spoon in some soil and place you succulents in the soil.

Tip: Water your succulents one per week. They do not need much water, but they do need sunlight to last a long period of time.

We are crossing another item off of our fall bucketlist with this “craft.” I love me some succulents! I would have them in every corner of the house if my husband would let me. Truth be told, I somehow kill cacti?! How do I even manage this.. it is because I am better at giving advice than taking it. I usually don’t give my succulents get enough sunlight. I am determined to keep this creation alive for as long as possible. This pumpculent (I am coining this term) would make an awesome center piece or front porch attraction. I used an heirloom pumpkin since they are more rustic looking and I love the cool colors they come in, like green and peach. Do you have any fall projects or fun crafts in mind?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Wooden Plant Hanger

August 22, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I wanted to purchase plant hangers for a blank wall in my living room and then it came to me, why not coerce my husband into making some for me! Here are the steps to create these DIY wooden plant hangers.

In designing the hanging wall planter, we first created a test model using scrap wood. This way we could get an idea of what the proportions would look like in real life. And I’m glad we did, because the first model did not look so hot. We had used a stock 1″x 4″ set up in a equilateral triangle, which looked bulky and fat. That meant that we now needed to find a thinner wood stock, or make our own! So Jason broke out the table saw…

Step 1. Set the fence to your desired thickness and rip your entire board. We went with 1/2″. We also wanted the planter to be about 2″ tall, so step two is to set reset the fence and rip the board to the proper width. Using a table saw with a locking fence is the safest and easiest way to cut boards to a uniform size. It also helps to make sure you have a blade designed for finer cuts, not for rough cuts. And remember to keep your fingers away from that blade!

Step 2. Cut the two identical front sides of the triangle. Attach a piece of wood to your miter gauge to help you push the wood for the next cuts. Since these pieces are going to be small, you don’t want your fingers near the blade. And because they will be miter cuts, precision is key. Set the table saw blade to 45 degrees, and make a few test cust with scrap wood to make sure your liners match up. The entire project depends on these cuts! Cut your first piece, and use it to mark your second piece so that they match. Remember, if your piece is cut too big you can always take some more off, but you can’t put any back on! After the front two sides are cut, line them up and mark your cuts for the back piece. It is still a 45 degree cut so you won’t have to change the saw blade.

Step 3. LIGHTLY sand any splinters on your corners, but only use very fine sandpaper. Too much sanding will cause gaps in your miter joints. Dry fit everything to make sure you are satisfied with your joints. If so, make sure the sides of the wood are sanded and clean, and then stain the wood! Because we used pine, we first conditioned the wood with a stain pre-treatment to help even absorption, then applied about 4 coats of Jacobean wood stain.

Step 4. After the stain has fully dried the pieces can be glued. Dry fit everything one more time before you apply any glue. Once you know everything will fit, apply a thin coat of glue to both pieces and firmly press together. You may choose to use masking tape to hold the joints together, however we glued three of ours with no tape and they held together just fine. Wipe up any excess glue with a wet rag and allow to dry overnight.

Step 5. Use the triangles to mark the wood for the bottoms. Each triangle may be slightly different, so it is important to number each triangle and match it with its bottom. This time you will use the miter gauge on a 45 degree and set the blade straight, again using the pusher to keep your hands clear. Sand any rough edges and stain the bottoms. After the stain dries, glue the bottom into the triangles. They should fit pretty snuggly. Turn the triangles on their sides to dry so that they don’t glue themselves to your table.

Step 6. Use a wood sealer on the inside to make sure that water from the soil does not absorb into the planters. One or two coats should be fine. After it has dried, use a waterproof caulk to seal up the bottom joints inside the triangle. The only thing left is to find some succulents and a place to hang your new

Step 7. Finally, to hang your planters, install gold eyelets from a picture hanging kit on the rear arms of the triangles. I found it helpful to use a hammer to lightly tap the eyelets into the wood to get the screws started. Then use your pliers to unbend a link of your chain, and attach it to the eyelets. We used 28″ of chain. The only thing left now is to pick out a pair of succulents to put in your new triangle planters!

A HUGE thank you to my sweet husband for making my vision come to life and creating these little planters for our living room! If more hours get added to a day, I thought about having Jason help me make some more hangers to sell in my Etsy shop. A girl can dream… have you made any good home projects lately?

Keep in touch,
Dani and Jason

Pop-tail Party!

July 13, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Let’s face it, the summer heat is no joke and staying cool is important- we got you covered! Here are tips for hosting a backyard pop-tail party so you and your friends can beat the heat!

A sweet friend of mine and event planner at LobaDesigns, Ashlyn, helped me host a pop-tail social last weekend. What is a pop-tail, you ask? It is when you pair a delicious popsicle with a complimentary beverage to make one excellent refreshment. I can assure you, a pop-tail is an awesome way to cool off this summer. We partnered with The Hyppo, a local shop here in Jacksonville, because they have THE BEST gourmet ice pops! Here are some simple tricks for pulling off the coolest (pun intended) summer hangout!

Any good party begins with inviting your favorite company! We invited our girlfriends to come over, kick back, and relax outback while sipping some tasty creations. I love to give my guests options so we decided to pair three different popsicle flavors with three adult refreshments:
1. Champagne Mango Pop with Champagne
2. Strawberry Pop with White Sangria
3. Watermelon Mint Pop with Watermelon Lemon Mojito

It is important to choose popsicle flavors that will go nicely with the paired drink or cocktail. If you want to play it safe, a strawberry popsicle with a fruity sangria is a crowd pleaser. Finally, it’s not a party without decorations! Flowers and balloons are an easy way to turn any gathering into a party! We added some fun touches, like this DIY pineapple vase and these DIY palm balloons. To create a pineapple vase: cut the top off the pineapple, scoop out the inside with a spoon, and fill the pineapple with bright blooms and fresh water. To create a printed balloon: get latex balloons filled at the grocery store, draw your design on with a regular sharpie (not oil or paint base), and let them dry for 5 minutes so that your design does not smug.

Remember, if you are in the greater Jacksonville area, you can pick up some gourmet pops for your pop-tail party at The Hyppo‘s Riverside, St. Augustine (2), or Gainesville (2) locations. How do you plan on beating the heat this summer?

Keep in touch,
Dani

How to Welcome House Guests (warning: they may not want leave)

May 1, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Hosting overnight guests is a wonderful time, yet preparing the house can be challenging. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when getting ready for company.

My husband and I truly enjoy entertaining, whether it is a simple dinner or having out of town guests stay in our home. With that being said, I think we can all agree that hosting guests means doing some prep work. Jason and I are very fortunate to have a finished detached garage with a kitchenette and full bathroom at our new house. It is just perfect to overnight company!! I wanted to share my tips that I use when we are expecting out of town guests.

1. Give yourself plenty of time to clean. Sometimes we do our best cleaning right before company comes over! Give yourself a few days to vacuum, swifter, dust, wash, and wipe.
2. Have a tentative itinerary. Be sure to know exactly when your guests are going to arrive and when their departure will be. It is always helpful to have some fun plans in mind to take your guests, like knowing the times that your favorite restaurants or museums are open.
3. Stock the refrigerator. You do not have to go crazy, but I am firm believer in making sure your guests have some food options. It is nice to have some snacks or a meal that you can quickly put together at home. Going out to eat for each meal does get expensive and keep in mind your guests most likely had to pay for travel so grab a few extra beverages and snacks. For instance, Jason and I do not typically have soda or juice at the house, but I do pick some up when we are expecting company. While you are at it, grab a bottle of your guests’ favorite wine too!
4. Create a guest basket filled with some basic necessities. When traveling, you can’t pack your entire toiletry, medicine, and kitchen supply, so I like to be able to make my guests feel at home by ensuring they are accommodated with some basic necessities.

Here is a checklist to create a welcome basket for guests:

• 2 beverages/2 waters
• granola bars
• crackers
• advil, tylenol, or aleve
• tums
• razors
• tooth brush
• tooth paste
• mouth wash
• make up removing wipes
• cotton balls
• Q tips

When you have out of town guests, chances are you are going to be on-the-go. Creating a guest basket or bag with these goodies allows your company to feel at home. They can grab a quick snack in-between activities or freshen up if they would like. It is the little things like this that will keep your company wanting to come back! Do you have any tips or extra ideas for a welcome basket?

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY: Floating Wooden Shelves

April 3, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Floating shelves are a great addition to any kitchen or room. My sweet husband created these shelves from reclaimed barn wood purchased from a local salvage shop. Get the play-by-play to create your own..

{Materials}

• 2″ x 8″ board (with character)
• 1/2″ x 10″ zinc coated lag bolts (1 per stud)
• electric drill and drill bits (1/16″, 13/32″ and 1/2″)
• 3/4″ wrench or socket wrench (depending on your lag bolt)
• level
• tape measure
• pencil
• stud finder
• hack saw

For this project we found a reclaimed piece of cedar. The board was still rough-cut on the narrow sides, which I thought would add an interesting texture to the shelf. The broad sides displayed lovely grain pattern, perfect for staining.

Before starting the project, we had to make sure we could locate two studs to mount the shelves to. While other types of floating shelves can be mounted in drywall using heavy duty anchors, our design requires a minimum of 2 studs. Usually, studs should be located every 16 inches, so as long as your stud is longer than that you should be ok. However there are exceptions, and homes do not always follow the rules. Try to find your studs before you start drilling.

Unfortunately for us, the walls in our home are covered in very thick plaster, and a stud finder does not work well. To find the studs, we simply drilled tiny holes every 1 inch along the wall until we hit the studs. Studs are 1 1/2″ thick so if you hit one drill a little left and a little right to find the edges, so you know where the center is. At first, I was terrified about drilling so many holes! But then Jason reminded me that the holes would be covered by the shelves, and if we ever took the shelves down we would have to repair the larger mounting holes, anyway.

{Steps}

1. Pick a wall, pick a board, and find your studs! Make sure to use a level when marking your wall, and use a pencil lightly so you can erase any mistakes. Use a small drill bit to drill into the wall and confirm that the studs are there. Make sure you find the MIDDLE of the stud.
   
2. Pick a drill bit for the studs: it needs to be as big as the core of you lag bolt, but not bigger than the threads. If the bolt is much bigger than the hole it can split your stud. If its too small, it may not grip properly. We used 13/32″, but 3/8″ may work fine.
   
3. Drill your hole, making sure to hold your drill square both horizontally and vertically to the wall. You will need to drill a little at a time, while pulling the bit back out to release the rubble. Be ready for some dust! *** Warning, many old homes still have layers of lead based paint on the walls. While the amount of lead released is not usually harmful to adults, the dust can be above recommended levels if ingested by children. Be sure to cover any furniture in the room, and be prepared to wipe everything down when you are finished. ***
   
4. Insert your lag bolts, using a heavy duty wrench or socket wrench. You want these bolts to go in tight, so a normal sized wrench will probably not have enough leverage. Just take your time, go nice and steady, and get ready for an arm workout! Studs are about 3 1/2″ thick, so measure your bolts beforehand to know how deep they need to go. Our plaster is over 1/2″ thick, so my bolts went about 4″ into the wall.
   
5. Cut the head off of the bolts with a hack saw. Our board was about 7 1/2″ wide, and the drill bit was about 5″ long, so we cut the studs off at about 5″. Use the wrench to hold the head of the bolt from wobbling while protecting your hand. Another good arm workout!
   
6. Place the board on the wall and mark where the studs are. Then use a piece of cardboard and mark the center of the studs. Yes, you are measuring twice. Because you want to get this right the first time! If you mess up it could ruin your board.
   
   
7. Now drill the holes in your board for the bolts. This time you need to use a drill bit that is exactly the size of the bolts. 1/2″ worked perfect for us. You want them to slide on, but be snug. Here again, MAKE SURE that you drill square and straight into the board.
   
8. Now slide the shelf on the bolts! You may have to line up one bolt and then use some force to get the other one to line up, but not much. The holes and bolts should be very close to matching, otherwise it may not work. If you think one of the bolts is drooping low or tilted up, try to bend it to level before you put the shelf on. When pushing the shelf on, you may need to use some force. Jason was able to do it by just hitting it firmly with his hands, but if you need more, DO NOT HIT THE BOARD WITH A HAMMER! Instead, use a rubber mallet and a sacrificial piece of would between the shelf and hammer.
   
9. Finally, decorate!
   I just LOVE these “West Elm-inspired” wooden shelves. These shelves are the perfect touch of modern meets rustic. I was so obsessed with the final product that I had Jason install a shelf in the baby’s nursery. I will be sharing our baby boy’s nursery reveal in the next month.. CAN NOT WAIT! If you have any questions about creating the shelves or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Keep in touch,
Dani & Jason

2 Simple Easter DIYs (great for Kiddos)

March 20, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

A holiday would not be a party in my home without some DIYs! Here are 2 EASY crafts that would be perfect for mama and child.

Bunny Garland

{Materials}

• Bunny print from the Internet
• string or ribbon
• craft or construction paper
• glue
• cotton balls
• glitter pen or color pen
• small clothes pins
• scissors

1. Print out picture of your desired bunny from Clip Art or Google images. Cut out the bunny and use it to trace the shape 6 times on craft paper (6 bunnies was the perfect number for my garland).
2. Glue a cotton ball onto each bunny’s tail.
3. Use a glitter pen or sharpie to make an eye on each bunny.
4. Attach the bunnies to the ribbon/string with a clothes pin.

Viola! Perfect 30 minute DIY that you could get the kids to help create. Find a perfect spot in the house to show off your garland, like a clear wall, counter, or fire place mantel. You can see I put mine above a decorate bench to add a little color to a blank wall.

Cheetos Carrots

{Materials}

• Cheetos (one bag makes about 6 carrots)
• green ribbon
• piping bags
• scissors

1. Cut the green ribbon into 8 inches pieces.
2. Stuff each piping bag with Cheetos.
3. Complete each “carrot bag” with a green bow.
   

If your Easter consists of entertaining some little ones, place these Cheetos carrots in a basket so the kids can grab a quick, fun snack… or if you are like me and just love Cheetos, try to quick DIY. I hope your Easter consists of dozens of deviled eggs and remembering what the day is all about, and praising the Lord with your dear friends and family! Jason and I will be headed to south Florida for my baby shower and to celebrate Easter with my family and our close friends who are coming into town! I can’t wait to share about my baby shower AND there may be a sweet giveaway coming soon!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Valentine’s Day DIY: Mini Gumball Machines

January 24, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Nothing better than an adorable craft and holiday pun, “I chews you!” Get the step-by-step instructions for the pin-worthy Dollar Store Valentine’s Day DIY.

{Materials} All can be found at Dollar Tree/dollar store

• red solo cups
• mini candles with lids
• Double Bubble Gum Balls
• Gray card stock or construction paper
• Red card stock or construction paper
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks

{Steps}
1. Remove the wax from the small jars: Place the jars in the oven on 200 degrees for 5 minutes, keep a close eye on them. When the wax is fully melted, use an oven mitt and pour the hot wax into the garbage (not down the drain). Place the candle upside down on a paper plate to let cool and ensure all the wax is drained out. Use dish soap and warm water to soak and scrub jars.

2. Cut about 2 inches off the top of solo cups. Hint: Use the lines as a guide to cut a straight line around each cup.
3. Hot glue each jar to an upside-down solo cup. Be sure to center the jar because once it is glued, they don’t like to come off easy (I learned the hard way).

4. Trace a round object to make a circle for the top of a lid. Cut out gray rectangles to represent the coin insert of a gumball machine.

5. Glue the red circles and the gray rectangles onto the gumball machines.
6. Pour in gum balls and enjoy!! Add a fun note for someone special!

Mini gumball machines was a cute craft that a friend and I tackled this past weekend! There are all different ideas on Pinterest for DIY gumball machines. I wanted to use a clear piece that would come with a lid. Since I wanted to keep the project on a budget, I browsed the Dollar Tree for materials. This goodie would be the perfect treat for a friend or co-worker. Kids would also LOVE this DIY.. I see more mini gumball machines in my future!! Although there are several steps, it was pretty simple. Scrubbing the jars clean of wax is the most time consuming part, I recommend doing it ahead of time. Do you have any Valentine’s Day crafts on your radar??

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Christmas Card Wreath

December 15, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

This DIY creates the perfect space to display those beautiful holiday cards!

{Materials}

• glue gun & glue stick
• foam wreath
• 2 green ribbon rounds (I used 2 rounds of 1.5 in x 12 ft)
• red ribbon
• clothes pins
• glitter

{Steps}

1. Pick a starting point and begin wrapping the green ribbon around the wreath. Place a line of hot glue each time you wrap the green ribbon. ONLY hot glue on the side facing you, that will be the back side of the wreath. Be sure to wrap the ribbon tight and smooth on the from side and then hot glue on the back. If you hot glue is a little messy, that is OK because it will be on the back side.

2. Wrap the entire way around. Finish by wrapping one last time around where you started and cut the excess ribbon on the side facing you (the back).

3. Tie a bow to your liking and place it at the top center or at the bottom center if you prefer.

4. Hot glue your desired number of clothes pins on the front. I chose 5 pins since my “wreath” was not that large. Glitter the front of each clothes pin for a sparkly finish!

5. Use your choice of colored ribbon to hang the wreath. My piece was 8 inches long in total. Fasten the ribbon to the back side with hot glue. Let the hot glue dry for 5 minutes before hanging.

I never know where to display the Christmas cards that I recieve. Sure the mantel or a book shelf is a great place, but than it starts to look clutered. This craft makes a cute wall decoration to display your favorite cards. I was hoping to make this craft with some friends, but I did not get around to it. If you have time, a DIY christmas card wreath and cookie decorating party with your girlfriends or children would be such a fun activity! Did you make any holiday DIYs this year? Do share!!

10 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!?! (insert face grabbing-mouth open emoji)

Keep in touch,
Dani

Thanksgiving Leftover Tags

November 11, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Enjoy your thanksgiving leftovers in style with this free “leftovers tag” printable!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays (next to Christmas, of course). When else do you get to converse and gorge around the table with your entire family?? My favorite part about Thanksgiving is spending quality time with my family. My second favorite thing about Thanksgiving is.. having tons of leftovers!! Eating thanksgiving leftovers for days is delicious and mindless, so count me in!!

I created these free printable tags to attach on each of my leftover containers. What is better than sending your guests home with labeled food containers. I picked up these colorful “Chinese takeout” containers from Crate & Barrel last year. Other great places to pick up containers are Target, Walmart, or The Container Store. I would also recommend checking out a restaurant depot for Chinese takeout containers.

Click the link below for the free printable PDF

Thanksgiving Leftover Tag by Drafts & Crafts

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.. because I sure can not!!! And then what’s next?? Christmas or something??? Time is FLYING by! Jason and I are still on the hunt for a house so please excuse my absence from Drafts & Crafts. It does feel tremendously weird to not be posting as much on the blog and on Instagram, but when life calls, ya gotta answer!

I hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays and taking some time out of their busy schedules to relax and enjoy family time!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Dollar Store DIY: Chalkboard Serving Tray 

July 12, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

This DIY serving tray will be an awesome piece to entertain with this summer! Learn how to impress your guests by labeling each item that you serve.

{Time} 20 mins
{Materials}

• Tray (dollar store)
• Chalkboard paint (target)
• Paint Brush
• Chalk

Below is a photograph of the chalkboard paint that I bought at Target. It costs $6.99 and I only had to use a tiny-tiny amount on each tray that I made. I highly recommend this paint since I know it works well; i.e goes on smooth and erases chalk easily.

1. Begin by cleaning the service that you are going to paint. Make sure it is completely dry before you start painting.

2. Paint a round tray in circular motion, you can see my brush strokes in the bright photo below.

3. Let the tray dry for one hour and give it a second coat. Two coats of chalkboard paint yields the best results.

4. Let the paint settle for 12-24 hours before “seasoning” the chalk board. What is seasoning a chalkboard, you ask??

To season a chalkboard: Seasoning a chalkboard is a very important step you should complete before writing anything on the chalkboard. If you do not season a chalkboard than you run the risk of not being able to erase the first thing that you write or it will erase but you will always be able to see it in the background.

Turn the chalk on it side and brush over the entire chalkboard surface. After you cover the surface with chalk, take a damp rag and lightly clean off the surface. Here is a helpful page to look at to get further clarification.

{Zebra dress: Anthropologie (old)} {Sandals: Loeffler Randall}

I bought 3 trays from the Dollar Tree, 2 of them are tin and 1 (the one that I am holding) is plastic. All three of the trays took the chalkboard paint well. I was so excited to turn my chalkboard tray into a cheese plate for a night of entertaining our friends, Derrick and Lacy!! I love summer get togethers and this tray makes the perfect addition to any social soiree! For best use, I recommend choosing two cheeses and fill two small bowls with nuts and fruit. If you have any questions or suggestions, please share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Floral Arrangements from Trader Joe’s 

May 19, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Having fresh florals in the house is a must for me, especially during warm spring and summer days. Here is a quick DIY: make 2 arrangements + fill 2 mason jars with 3 small bundles from Trader Joe’s floral section.

Trader Joe’s has THE BEST floral selection, not only are the flowers fresh, but they are much more reasonably priced than other grocery stores that I have gone to: Giant, Safeway, or Publix. At Trader Joe’s you can buy plants, herbs, flowers and bouquets in the floral section. On one side there are prearranged bouquets and the other side consists of single flower types that range anywhere from $2-$10. While the prearranged selection is beautiful, I prefer to create my own bouquet out of a few flower bundles. Below are my favorite hydrangeas that I tend to use in all of my DIY arrangements.

To create the arrangement in the white flower pot I used three different flowers: Hydrangeas ($5.99), Snapdragons ($5.99), and Greenery Branches ($2.99). So for $15 dollars you could make 2 table arrangements and still fill 2 small mason jars (or any small vase) with flowers.

1. Take 1 stem from the Hydrangeas and place them in the center of the pot.

2. Then put 2 stems of the Snapdragons on each side (the pink and purple flower buds).

3. I put the greenery stems all around the pot. Gently wiggle the greenery stems in-between the Hydrangeas. Ta-da!

Tips: Make sure all the stems are submerged and don’t forget to feed your flowers with plant food to ensure they last longer. I place mine in the window when I leave for work, then remove them from the window when I get home. This arrangement lasts 5 -7 days for me!

With my leftover flowers, I fill 2 small 8oz. mason jars and place them around the house as seen above. These arrangements are ideal for a dinner party or when you have company in town. I love how you can put together several arrangements for around $15 from Trader’s Joe’s. There are new Trader Joe’s locations popping up everywhere (Jax & Boca!) so be sure to find out if there is one close to your home!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Megan & Ben’s Oxford Exchange Wedding and Paperie 

May 10, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Drafts & Crafts had the opportunity to work with their third bride on custom wedding paperie. Find the details below of Megan and Ben’s wedding at the Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL!

Megan and Ben are two high school sweethearts that were married on Saturday, April 18, 2015. The reception was at the Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida… such a beautiful venue!! Megan is the younger sister of a friend blogger, Brittney of Hosting and Toasting. Brittney was kind enough to connect Megan and I so that I could help her with custom wedding paper design. The bride had a vision in mind and it was my pleasure to be able to bring it to life. I understood that Megan and Ben wanted a simple, yet elegant feel to their wedding paper. Megan wanted to keep things clear and clean with white card stock and black hand-lettered font. I love the way each piece turned out, especially the table numbers with each number written out. Their wedding was details went hand-in-hand with the romantically charming feel of the Oxford Change. The dreamy black and white floors are to die for!! Below you can see a few of Drafts & Crafts custom signage: tables numbers, guest favor sign, guest sign in note, and a love quote. To see more of Drafts & Crafts prints, check in the Etsy shop and feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my work.

Thank you kindly to Ailyn La Torre Photography for sharing these gorgeous photos. You captured Megan and Ben’s wedding spectacularly!

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

Photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

The whole wedding party looked glamorous and dapper! It warms my heart to know that I had a small role in someone’s BIG DAY!

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Couch Arm Table

March 4, 2015 by Drafts and Crafts

Having a long, narrow living room makes it difficult to have end tables next to the couch, my solution is this DIY couch arm table. Find the simple steps below!

{Materials Needed}

• 2”x6” lumber (aprox 1.5 feet)
• Wood Screws (2.5”)
• Paint or Wood Stain

{Tools Needed}

• Wood Saw
• Drill
• Tape Measure
• Carpenters Square
• Sandpaper (180 Grit or Medium)

Step 1) Measure the arm of the sofa to see what length to cut your wood. My sofa arm was 6” thick and I had about 5” to the cushions.

IMG_1841

Step 2) Mark the wood for the cuts. I decided that the two side pieces should be 4”, and the top piece would be 6” + the thickness of the two side pieces, so 6+1.5+1.5=9”.

To get the best cuts, use a carpenters square to make sure your lines are straight.

Step 3) Cut the wood. Be careful! I used a table saw, but a miter saw or handsaw will also work. Just be careful! Remember that the saw blade actually removes a small amount of wood, so as you measure make a note if you need to cut to the left, right, or directly on your mark.

After you cut, I would advise ‘test fitting’ the piece to the sofa before you continue.

Step 4) Sand the wood smooth. Make sure that there are no rough edges or corners that will scrape you or your sofa. This step creates a lot of dust, so you might want to do it outside!

Step 5) Mark and drill the holes for the screws. Measure the thickness of your side pieces (mine were 1.5”) and mark the top piece exactly at half of the thickness so your screws are centered. Pre drill the holes for the holes so you don’t split the wood. Once your holes are drilled, the screws will go in much easier. Make sure to drill the screws in enough that the ‘sink’ a little into the wood.

Step 6) Paint (or stain). I used a waterproof deck stain because I liked the color, it matches our DIY Rustic Coffee Table. To get a weathered look, rub the stain on in a thin coat with a paper towel or cotton cloth. Don’t add to much or you won’t be able to see the wood grain. If you rub on too much you may be able to rub a little off. Let the paint dry for 12 hours before placing it on your couch.

We have been enjoying our new arm table for about a week now. I think it is safe to say we are loving it!! My husband is no longer placing his morning cup of joe on the couch, which means I no longer have anxiety! If you are like us and do not have room for an end table to go right next your couch, I recommend this DIY. I saw this creation on Etsy around Christmas time and I have wanted to make it ever since. On Etsy some folks are selling them for 50-75 bucks.. this cost us around 20 dollars to make. Tip: there is a section at Home Depot called the Cull section, where you can find all different types of scrap wood. Good Luck!!

Keep in touch,
Dani & Jason

One Year of Marriage Wedding Recap + Wedding DIY’s 

February 14, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Happy Valentine’s Day loves!! I have been wanting to post a recap of our wedding for quite some time. With all of this love in the air, it was impeccable timing!

A little back round, Valentine’s is now my favorite day of the year- like heart throbbing, butterflies in my tummy, smile so big my mouth hurts, favorite day of the year. This is because my husband and I got married last Valentine’s Day, 2/14/14. No, I am not some crazy Valentine’s Day obsessed human! I just wanted to get married on a Friday in February and Valentine’s Day just happened to be one of those Fridays! Don’t get me wrong though, I love every holiday!! Plus, it was a destination wedding and more than half of our guests were from out of town which meant some folks had the following Monday off for President’s Day. I did not want to get married on a Saturday because that would of meant I would have had to leave Sunday. Instead, we got to hang out with our family and best friends all weekend long, it was unreal!!

I have had several people ask me about my wedding and wedding decor this past year, so in honor of my one year wedding anniversary I wanted to do a little recap of my Valentine’s wedding with some photos, plus my DIY’s.

I went for a ‘Rustic’ meets ‘Classic’ look for my Valentine’s Day wedding. We got married at the Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, FL. It was the perfect venue for Jason and I. It is a historic hotel of America, dating back to the early 1900’s. In the roaring twenties, the hotel was known as “The Hollywood” of the south. Famous actors, politicians, and mafia folks would come down to Florida and stay at the Casa Marina Hotel. We were married in the outside court yard of the boutique style hotel. My favorite part of the venue is the ballroom/dining room because there are huge, original exposed wooden beams that run along the ceiling. The wooden features are beautiful and timeless. Our wedding colors were blush pink, grey, gold, black, and white.

Jason and I had 140 guests on our big day. We said “I do” at 5pm on 2/14/14, but the party did not stop until 11pm.. or should I say 2pm since we shut down the rooftop bar, The Penthouse Lounge. The service at the Casa Marina was 5-star, from a smooth year of planning, to help with each and every little detail on the day of. Jason and I had the MOST epic weekend, filled with endless love, laughs, and bubbly!! We were so blessed to have our closest friends and family spend three or four days celebrating our love!! These are just A FEW of my favorite photos from our wonderful photographer. Verance Photography is the artistic genus behind each photo in this post. Sindy is located is the Western and Northern Florida area, if you need an excellent photo for an event, she is your girl!

Now for some DIY’s and Decor.. Most of the items you will see below was handmade by myself or was designed me. I’ll explain a few pieces and please let me know if you have any questions! Also please keep in mind that I am now creating custom wedding signage through my etsy site, I already have 3 weddings that I am working on for 2015!! How cool it is that I get to add a special touch of decor for couple’s big day??!!

1) Our “please sign our guest book sign” – And of course, we wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day too!! This sign is on wood with chalk board spray, I use actual chalk, not the chalk markers.

2) This was our “wedding map” of Jacksonville. On the map, it had our college, where we met, where our rehearsal was, our favorite fountain, our favorite bridge, the hotel we got married at, and our brunch spot the next morning. I purchased this map on Etsy from Natty Michelle.

3. Direction Sign in the court yard.

4. I made these mason jars for our sand ceremony. We decided a sand ceremony since our hotel was on the beach.

5. Flowers and matches on our outside tables that surrounded the dance floor. We have a few smokers, so I wanted to get these “perfect match” made.

6. The steps that went down into the courtyard were lined with candles in pretty mason jars. I hand painted the pink ones and my girlfriend, Jenna, made the gold glitter ones.

7. Our escort cards.. this was one of my favorite DIY’s!! My father in law made this fence panel for me to hang each escort card on. I cut each tag and hand stamped 150 mason jars. Tied to each escort card was a heart shaped year. The sign reads, “Find the key to your seat.”

8. Bride and Groom burlap banners for the back of our seats.

9. Who doesn’t love a monogrammed corn hole!? Here is where I ordered the corn hole boards from, All American Tailgate and I added the monogram myself.

10. Signature drink sign, “love potion number 9.” Also, you can see my DIY paper straws in this photo. The flags said, “Happy Valentine’s day,” “Dani & Jason’s Wedding,” “All you need is Love.”

11. Jason’s gifts for his groomsmen. Inside was, a small bottle of whiskey, coke, Jason’s favorite book, hot sauce, and a dry rub for BBQing. Jason picked each item out for his guys, I thought he did an awesome job!! It seemed like all of his guys really liked their basket. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of my bridesmaids gifts. That is because we were already in our robes. Each girl got a monogrammed robe, pink pearl earrings, and matching bracelet. These items were in a reusable monogrammed bag that I got from the Hallmark store!

12. One of our gifts for our guests were Koozies- “To Love Laughter & Happily Ever After!” I ordered these koozies off Etsy as well, Rook Design Co. I love these little guys, they are nestled on my bar cart and I plan to use them for years to come!! Our other goodie for the guests was a tiny box of Godiva chocolates and each person’s place setting. After all, it was Valentine’s so a sweet treat was in order!

13. Lastly, here is a snap of our rustic center piece. These birch wood vases and wooden slabes came from an awesome shop on Etsy. The owner, Nicole, of the PNZ design was so personable and a pleasure to work with. Our cake topper and table numbers are from The First Snow Fall, their stuff is ADORABLE!!

I hope you enjoyed some of our wedding photos. I can’t even begin to describe how perfect the weekend went! The only thing I would have changed was the weather up North, a few guests could not make it out because of snow!! We sure came home to a snow packed city, we put our bags down and had to shuffle our cars out of the driveway!

Hope you all have a special Valentine’s Weekend! Hugs and Kisses!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

A DIY for your Valentine: Message in a Bottle

February 8, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Make Valentine’s day a little sweeter with this DIY for your honey bun. This handmade goodie will be an long-lasting reminder of your love!

This Valentine’s craft is an oldie but a goodie! To be honest, I made the original “message in a bottle” a few years ago for my husband; when we were just dating and in a long-distance relationship. I adore a handmade gift made with love. This craft is the perfect, personal touch to remind your significant other how special they are to you. You could even make this DIY for your BFF.. after all, they should be reminded how important they are too!

I love this idea because it is like the gift that keeps on giving!! Encourage your partner or friend to open a note each morning.. or when they are having a rough day. It is a great pick-me-up or reminder that they are loved.

{Materials}

• Small Jar
• Paper
• Scissors
• Scotch Tape
• Ribbon or string
• Red Thread (optional for those with patience)

1. Write or type your desired amount (25, 50, 75, or 100) of messages to your Valentine. 100 messages may sound like a lot, but once you start they will come effortlessly. These messages should come from the heart; they can be reasons why you love the person, romantic words, sweet memories, friendly reminders, inside jokes, or simply “I love the way you…” or “I love you because…”

2. Cut each individual message with scissors. I cut mine about 1/2 inch (height) x 4 inches (width). Roll each note by hand and fasten with a tiny piece of scotch tape. For an extra special touch, tie a small piece of red thread around each note. This does require some patience.. you can always throw on your fav TV show and go to town with the thread tying.

3. Drop each message into your jar of choice. Then write or type a tag for the outside of the jar. You can see mine below!

I hope you adore this DIY as much as I do. My husband loved this Valentine’s Day gift, he said it brought him much joy to open each hand rolled love note. It is very rewarding to remind the person you love each day how much they mean to you. We should not take our days together for granted, each day that passes is a day we can not get back. With that being said, make sure you spoil your lovers and friends with sweet reminders this year! Are you making any special Valentine treats or DIY’s? If so, please share- I would love to hear!

Happy Valentine’s Week!! It is my fav week since Jason and I got married on 2/14/14!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Charleston is always a good idea

February 1, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Here is a recap of my latest project and first custom invitation. There will be 3 new listings on Etsy inspired by Charleston’s “Rainbow Row.”

I hand sketched, painted, and lettered this whimsical Charleston print. The Charleston theme began when I was asked to create a custom invitiation for a friend’s, Brittney of Hosting and Toasting, sister’s bachelorette weekend.. which is in Charleston, SC. I knew right away that I wanted to sketch a part of town known as Charleston’s “Rainbow Row.” All of the homes in that section are painted vibrant and fun colors. These four homes, yellow, green, white, and pink, are exact replicas of 4 homes located in the center of Rainbow Row. Who does not just fall in love with this charming town?!

Here is an example of a bachelorette invite. I am confident that these invitations would be great for a Charleston bridal shower, baby shower, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, or birthday party. If you or someone you know is hosting a special event and looking for a custom invitation, please send me an e-mail!

The Charleston invite is available in Drafts & Crafts Etsy shop, as well as two Charleston prints. The first print is pictured above with “Charleston, SC” at the bottom. There will be another with  “Charleston is always a good idea” at the bottom of the homes.

I just wanted to share one of my new projects. Thank you for all of the support that I have been recieving & thanks for checking in!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

“Press for Champagne” Framed Button

December 29, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

I had seen this little treasure on a few websites and blogs. After doing some research, there seems to be a bit of history behind this “Press for Champagne” frame. From what I found, this piece of art may have originated from the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel. The 5-star hotel features some top-of-the-line suites, which is the home to the 1940’s vintage, “Press for Champagne” Button.

So I say, why not recreate this piece of art; it would look adorable in a kitchen or by your bar/bar cart!! It could be the perfect, “out-of-the-box” gift… birthday gift for your bff, gift for your fancy friend, bridesmaid gift, or a mother’s day gift? Push my buttons, and I’ll push this button! In fact, I do not even need an excuse to press this button!! Cheers y’all!

{What you will need}

• Fancy, thick paper of your choice ($.59)
• An exact-o knife ($5)
• A doorbell button ($3.50)
• Gold Frame ($5-10)
• Hot glue gun (optional)
• Poster board/ card board (optional)
• Tape
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Very thin flat head screwdriver or knife

Options/Tips/Notes: If you can not find a gold frame that you like, you can spray paint any frame, gold. The gold really gives it the vintage feel! You may want to use a hot glue gun to ensure the doorbell is secure. I DID NOT use a hot glue gun, but I used a piece of poster board to keep the paper firm. You will not need the glass plate of the frame. My fancy/thick paper went through my printer just fine.

1. Disassemble the doorbell to make it smaller (and flatter). Remove the 2 screws with a Phillips screwdriver and discard. With a flat screwdriver or knife, carefully pry up the two metal tabs that hold down the black piece. Once they are both bent up, the black plastic can be pried off. The doorbell is now ready!

2. Next, create the “PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE” print. I used an off-brand PDF converter, but you can use Microsoft word, Photoshop, or even Paint. First I made a 4” x 4” text box (the size of my frame) to ensure that my font would be centered from left to right, and I gave it a black border to make an easy cutting guide. Then I used the programs ruler to find the center of the box and used the ‘Shapes’ tool to draw a perfect circle to mark the location of the doorbell (my doorbell stated that it needed a 5/8” hole). TIP: try a few test prints on regular paper before using your good paper.

3. Now use the exacto knife to carefully cut out the circle, and carefully push the doorbell through. It should fit nicely: too tight and the paper could rip, too big and it will not look right. My doorbell had nice little tabs on the backside that kept the doorbell in place.
OPTION: To assure a firm print, add a piece of poster board or card board to the back of the “press for champagne” print. SEE PIC BELOW:

4. Place the print in the frame, find a good spot to highlight your new craft, and pour some Champagne!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Holiday Prints and Christmas Traditions 

November 30, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

My favorite part about Christmas time is decorations, traditions, and holiday cheer. Call me old fashion, but holidays feel extra special when my family and friends partake in my annual traditions. Plus, new holiday prints are available in my Etsy Shop!

My family has several holiday traditions that we do not sway from each year. For instance, we eat at the same restaurant every Christmas Eve, then open presents with my Grandparent(s) and Uncle, then open gifts with my parents and brother on Christmas morning, then finally, enjoy brunch (with the same casserole every year).

Each year it seems like we pick up a new tradition. My best friend, Jenna, has come to my house on Christmas evening just in time for dessert for the past 5-6 years. Last year, we decorated a ginger bread house (as a joke), yet we had lots of laughs, so we are going to do it again this year!! It really is a simple tradition like this, that melts my heart during winter!!!

My mother has collected numerous Christmas decorations throughout the years. My favorite decorations are the ones that I remember her having when I was a child. Although I am now married, I live 1,000 miles away from home (South Florida), and I have not been home since last Christmas.. it is those decorations from my childhood that give me warm fuzzies and make it feel like I was home for last Christmas, just yesterday.

I plan on adding these Christmas-inspired prints to my holiday traditions! I am obsessed with Drafts & Crafts “milk and cookies for santa” print. It is going to be so fun when I have kids! I put it in a gold frame and plan on pulling it out each time December rolls around. I hope when Jason and I have children, they feel the same warm feelings when remembering all of our holiday decorations and family traditions.

Here are a few Christmas/Holiday/Winter inspired prints, as well as an FSU and UF print that are now available to purchase in my Etsy Shop:

www.etsy.com/shop/draftsandcrafts

Keep in touch,
Dani

Thanksgiving Escort Cards

November 20, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

My husband and I are hosting our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife! My husband’s side of our family is traveling from down south to spend the holiday with us, which makes name tags for the table a must!

I am very anxious to host my first holiday! It will be the first turkey that I am cooking on my own; as well as making the side dishes and desserts! And by on my own, I really mean with some help from Jason. Now I will surely appreciate (even more) all the hard work that my mother puts in to each holiday, every year. This DIY is pretty self-explanatory, yet it will make a classy touch to any Thanksgiving table.

{Materials}

• card stock
• pen or marker
• ribbon
• spray paint
• poster board or trash/grocery bags (to spray paint against)
• scissors
• hole-puncher
• leaves (flat with long stems)

{Instructions}

1. Collect pretty leaves (or leafs, both ways are accepted). I recommend finding flat leaves that have long stems.

2. Place your leaves on poster board or grocery bags that you do not mind getting messy. Spray paint your leaves by holding the spray paint a few feet away. Let them dry for about 2 hours before moving the leaves. Leaves are delicate, so be sure to handle them with care!

3. Write the names of your Thanksgiving guests on card stock. Put a hole-punch in the top left corner.

4. String a small piece of ribbon through the hole on the card stock. Just before you tie the knot, gently slide the stem of the leaf through the hole of the knot.

TA DA!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Rustic DIY Centerpiece

November 10, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

I wanted to make a centerpiece that would be versatile for both Thanksgiving and Christmas since the two holidays are not even one month apart. I went for a natural or rustic look with a little bit of sparkle!

{Materials}

• Burlap Roll
• 2 Evergreen Branches
• 1 sparkle branch (with 3 stems)
• 1 large candle or lantern or glass bowl

{Steps}

1. The Burlap: The burlap is great to achieve a rustic and natural look. I especially like using the burlap because it prevents my glass jar or my evergreen branches from scratching my wood table. I love the look of wood, so I hate to keep a tablecloth over my table.
   Cut a piece of burlap off your burlap roll to fit down the center of your table. You can make it as long as you would like. Cut a triangle out from each end to fancy the edges.

2. Place your desired object in the center of the burlap and put a piece of evergreen at each end. To make it a more “thanksgiving-like” I used a pumpkin jar that I had laying around, but you could fill a glass bowl with gold spray-painted walnuts, leaves, or pears. (After thanksgiving, I will put a big sparkly candle in the center to give it more of a “Christmas-like” feel.)
   
3. To add some sparkle, I bought a branch of gold leaves. I added one piece of sparkle stem to each evergreen branch by simply tucking it into the evergreen branch. Then, I cut the third stem in half and placed the two pieces in my pumpkin jar with some fake leaves.

Even if rustic is not your style, I hope this DIY post conveys how quick you can throw an inexpensive centerpiece together that will look great through the winter season!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Calligraphy practice: DIY prints

September 13, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Since I like to peruse through cute prints & inspirational quotes and I get a kick out of a good craft, I decided I would start turning some of my favorite quotes into DIY prints.

I have been doing practicing my calligraphy-type font lately. I would like to be able to address formal envelopes/invitations in the future. I love to send and give little homemade gifts to the special loves in my life. These are three prints that I made for my girlfriends, mother, and sister-in-law. My sister in law just began her graduate career at Clemson, team spirit anyone?! If anyone out there has anything they would like to me to make or write for them.. let me know, I would love to chat.

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY: Mason Jar Light

September 3, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

In my opinion, you can never have enough light in your home. After seeing these lights in many places, I have been wanting to make one for a long time. Jason and I conquered this DIY craft in about 20 minutes!

{Materials}

• Large Mason Jar
• 12 foot indoor extension cord – see full details below for home depot details
• “Vintage” lightbulb (purchased at home depot)
• Hanging hooks
• Fixture Socket with hanging clip- see full details below for home depot details
• Hammer
• Screw Driver or punch
• Scissors
• SharpieHere are what the extension cord and fixture socket look like at Home Depot:

{Steps}  –> Use the pics below to help understand each step!

1. Cut the female end and 2 inches off of the extension cord. If you leave two inches on the female end, you can use it again in the future. With your scissors carefully separate the two cords of the extension cord.

2. Place the socket in the middle of the mason jar lid, use your sharpie to trace the socket.

3. Use your screwdriver to punch out a hole big enough for the socket to fit securely. You can carefully bend the lid to adjust the hole. (I know it is not very pretty, but you will not be able to see it) You want to make sure the hole is not too big so the socket does not just slip the lid. This is what the entire jar will hang by. Also add some extra holes to allow heat to escape the jar.

4. Here is the electrical part: We got lucky and found an easy-to-use socket that did not require any wire stripping or complicated connections. All we had to do was unscrew the cap off the socket, place each wire in its appropriate channel, and then re-attach the cap. The socket had little spikes in each groove that punctured the wire when we screwed the cap back on. This creates a safe and easy electrical connection!

*Before you continue, insert the light bulb, plug in the wire, and make sure that it lights up!

5. Tie a knot just above the socket, making sure you do not pull the wires out of the socket. This knot is what the jar will hang by to relieve stress from the electrical connection.

6. Re-attach the hanging clip to the socket and make sure that the knot will be supporting the weight.

7. Now insert the light bulb, attach the lid, and find a perfect place to hang your new light!

Keep in touch,
Dani & Jason

Drop a line during Summertime 

June 27, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

We can get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to keep in touch with the people who mean most to us. Summertime is the time for easy living.. so take a moment, get inspired, and drop a line to a friend or two, the old fashioned way, handwritten cards!

The mason jar terrarium card was inspired by a project at PaperSource. I used a rubber stamp for the gold mason jar, a stamp for the small green flowers and leafs, and cut out paper to create the pop-out effect of the succulent plants.

I painted each pineapple card by free-hand. This pineapple was inspired by my fav pineapple shirt from target! Let me know what you think!

We get so caught up in our modern technology (I’m guilty) that we forget how meaningful the littles things can be. encourage everyone to write an old friend a letter. To me, there is nothing more personal and special than a handwritten note. Message me if you need any help creating or finding the perfect card! Good luck lovelies!

And remember to…

Keep in touch,
Dani

DIY Reclaimed Mantel 

July 20, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Anyone else have lengthy or awkward wall space in their home? Reclaiming an old mantel is a unique way to make use of what seemed like an unusable space. Check out this post for details about our DIY mantel and learn how to make your own!

Both the living room and the dining room in the current house we rent are large and lengthy, as well as narrow. It took some time to figure out how to set up the rooms. While they are great sized rooms, the two long walls and the two short walls made it challenging to arrange furniture. There is one large wall with no window and I just could not figure out what to put there. Then it came to me.. I should stage an old mantel for decoration!

{Materials and Tools} 

• Mantel (found our’s on craig’s list)
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paint Brush
• Hammer (just incase you need to pull any old nails out)
• L brackets and screws

{Steps}
1. Prop the old mantel up on an outside table or work bench.

2. Use the sandpaper to sand the entire mantel. Dust mantel thoroughly when sanding is complete. The purpose of sanding is to make the mantel rough by removing some of the old paint, this way the new paint will adhere. If there are any globs of paint, you can spend a little extra time to sand them down. 

3. Paint the mantel with your desired color. We used regular indoor Behr paint.

4. Let the paint dry for at least 8 hours. If you would like a shabby chic or rustic look, you could use the sand paper to scrape the edges to achieve that look.

5. Fasten the mantel to the wall using the L brackets and screws. 

I was so spoiled because the old house we rented had a real fireplace with a beautiful mantel and built-ins. Our new place does not have a fireplace, so this is the next best thing (not exactly)?! I decided to use the LED candles for safety purposes and since the LED’s can be placed on a timer. They turn on at 7pm daily and turn off at midnight, I believe they make a sweet touch to the room. It would look great with real candles too. I placed the LED’s on a piece of granite tile from home depot, this piece only cost around $5.

I found the mantel on Craig’s List for 25 bucks! As you can see in the top picture, the mantel was originally red. After using the sandpaper we had no problem covering up the red with a light grey. There is no better way to complete a “Summer Mantel” look by finishing it with some Mason Jars and fresh flowers! The birch-wood vase was used in our wedding center pieces so it is very sentimental to us! The candle holders were a bridal shower gift, they are Martha Stewart from Macy’s and on sale now. The white mirror is from Ikea, Hemnes mirror.

I will be decorating our mantel throughout the different seasons/holidays and share photos with y’all! Please drop a line if you have any questions, thanks for stopping by!

Keep in touch,
Dani

A Coffee Table is a Living Room Staple

June 25, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

A striking coffee table can really bring a living room together. Give an old coffee table a fresh new look for under $30!

Lately, I am keen of a “modern meets farmhouse” look for my home. Several coffee tables that I adore come from Crate and Barrel, costing anywhere from $500 up to $1,000. I bought an Ikea coffee table a few years ago and was tired of staring at the plain piece of furniture. I adore rustic wood or barn-wood inspired coffee tables so I looked around for ideas on how I could upgrade my coffee table. The Ikea coffee table is on sale right now for 20 bucks (mine has held up great), so you can get this whole look for around $50… sounds a little better than spending $500 to me. This is what my husband and I came up with.

{Materials and Tools}

• Tape Measure
• Carpenter’s Pencil
• Lumber/Wood, dependent on how much surface your are covering
• Sand paper
• Long screws (we used 1/4 in x 3.5 inches screws, but you may need longer depending on how think your table top is)
• Clamp- can use a C clamp or carpenter’s bar clamp
• Carpenter’s Square
• Washer
• Nuts
• Drill
• Saw (miter saw recommended)
• Sample can of stain (we used opaque stain)
• Old T-shirt
• Sock filled with coins
• Black Paint
• Coffee table

{Important Notes about Materials}  

All of these materials should be available at your local home depot. It is important to use a carpenter’s pencil so you can achieve a nice flat line when marking the wood for measurements. Tip: A carpenter’s pencil should be carefully sharpened with a razor. The piece(s) of lumber you will need is dependent upon how much service you have to cover. My coffee table is 21 5/8 in. x 35 3/8 inches. We found a board that fit perfectly for the size we needed;  a 12 ft. long board that would be cut into 4 even pieces. Here is the exact board we used. We chose pressure treated lumber since it happened to be a perfect fit. You do not have to use pressure treated lumber, but I think it may hold up better.

You need to purchase screws that are long enough to go through the entire table. Ours screws were 3.5 inches long. You can buy as many screws as you think look good on the end of each board. I liked the look of two screws at the end of each board, I used 16 in total. Make sure you also purchase the same amount of washers AND nuts as you do screws. You need the same amount of washers, nuts, and screws.

Good news, you only have to buy the sample size can of stain, about $5. We bought outdoor weather stain. We figured it would hold up more and be resistant to liquid since you will set drinks on it! I chose to CAREFULLY paint the head of the screws black once finished. I did not care for the silver color, I thought painting it black looked classier.

{Steps}

1. {Measure} With your tape measure, measure: the width, length, and height of the top of your coffee table. Next, determine how you are going to cut your lumber depending on your table measurements. For my size coffee table, I liked how 4 boards across looked. We used a 12 ft. board, and cut 4 equal boards according to our measurements. I would not recommend less than 3 boards across.

2. {Mark & Cut} Measure where you need to cut your lumber using the carpenter’s pencil. Make sure to mark in a straight line so each board lines up evenly. After marking the boards, cut with your saw. A miter saw would be the easiest, however you can use a hand saw or a table saw. Once you have cut your lumber into your desired amount of boards, decide which order you will place them in on your table and mark the order on the side that faces down with your pencil, for example, we marked #1, #2, #3, & #4 since we had four boards. This ensures that you are not messing the order of your boards after you choose which boards line up best.

3. {Sand} Sand each board with sand paper until you have smooth surfaces on the side that will face up and on both edges.

4. {“Weather”} In order to give the boards of wood that rustic or weathered look you must roughen them up. We put coins in an old sock and then slammed them down on the boards. You can see in the digs and marks it made in the pictures. You could also use some heavy duty objects for a few bangs, like a hammer for instance. I would first try banging the coins lightly until you get used to it, then apply the appropriate amount of pressure to make your desired amount of scuffs. **You will want to go back and sand some scuffs down that may be rough**

5. {Drill} Mark where you will want your screws on your wood board with a carpenter’s square or ruler. Make sure the boards are lined up exactly on each side and clamp wood to table with a C clamp. The clamp is used so they boards do not move when you are drilling, if boards move while drilling everything will be thrown off. Drill a hole from the top of the wood down through the bottom of the table top. Go ahead and drop in your screw to make sure it fits properly in the hole.

6. {Stain} Dip (DO NOT SOAK) an old t-shirt into stain sample, rub across the lumber lightly, following the wood grain. Cover the wood with a light/thin coat of stain. It was important for us to use a thin coat of stain because we used an opaque color, which means not clear. To achieve the rustic look I wanted, we did not want to cover the entire board with a thick coat. I wanted some wood to poke through. You can decide how thin you want to do it, but I would recommend started thin since you can add more but not go back and take any off. WAIT HOURS FOR THE STAIN TO DRY. Read stain label and make judgement. 

6. {Fasten} Last step: Place the boards back on your coffee table in the correct order. You can now drop in the screws to each hole, install the washer and the nut to the bottom of the table. Hold the nut with a wrench while you tighten the screw (with a drill or screw driver) until the screw is sunk to the desired depth. We made sure our screws were flat, so none were sticking up above the wood. Finally, carefully paint the screw heads with black paint or which ever color you fancy.

This has been one of my favorite crafts thus far. My husband did all the carpentry work on this project, it defiantly takes a lot of handy skill to conquer this DIY. This idea was inspired by a photo that I saw on pinterest and was from the blog, City Farmhouse.

Keep in touch,
Dani and Jason

P.S. I love you

June 24, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Nothing says “I am thinking of you” like a handmade card. Making handmade cards has been a hobby of mine for over a year now. I wanted to share some of my favorite with you.

When I come home from a long day, I like to get cozy and make a few greeting cards. I try my best to keep up with holidays, birthdays, thank you’s and any other big moments in our family and friends life’s. My husband and I have had several special occasions to celebrate lately with our loved ones: graduations, birthdays, mother’s day, and father’s day. We are blessed and it just makes me want to send cards. P.S. I love you

Here are some of my favorites from the past year:

Keep in touch, 
Dani