Chalkboard Jars

So again, I saw this idea on Pintrest (where most of my ideas come from) and decided to complete it. I also decided to paint a pretty juice jar and some soup cans I found in our recycling (pictures are at the end of the post).

This is basically what I did in a step by step tutorial. Have fun!


You will need:
- Chalkboard spray paint
- An empty jar (pasta sauce jars are a great)
- Masking Tape
- A large strip of cardboard or an old box you don't mind breaking (optional)
- Disposable gloves (optional, but I really suggest them so you don't have to worry about your hands)
- Chalk

I used this paint, because it's what we already had.

1. Tear off the label, and rinse out the jar thoroughly. Let them air dry overnight.

Left: This is my pretty juice jar that I painted black
Right: The pasta sauce jar that I painted with chalkboard paint

2. Spread out the cardboard on the ground. If you have a box, fold it so it lies flat.

3. Use the tape to line the jar, as seen below.

4. Make sure you press the tape around the edges so that the paint won't run underneath the loose tape. I press really hard to ensure that clean edge when I peel the tape off.

5. Tape the bottom of the jar so paint won't get on it.

This is what it should look like at this point.

6.  Don your gloves and evenly spray paint in between the taped off section with a back and forth motion, over the cardboard. A quick warning, try not to inhale the fumes, and if you spray your hand, it might get a little cold from the intense pressure from the spray paint can. (If you're outside, I guess you don't have to worry as much about keeping it over the cardboard.) Make sure you coat all the way to the edges of the tape.

 

 

7. Place the jar on the cardboard and pick up the lid. (Now, you can spray the lid a different color, if you want or coat it in the chalkboard paint too.) Hold the lid between your thumb and index finger to paint the middle. Then place the lid on the cardboard and spray so that you get the edges of the lid.

 

 

8. Allow the jar and lid to dry overnight. You may want to move the project inside your garage, if you're spray painting outside.

9. Spray a double coat (follow steps 6-8).

10. When the jar is completely dry, peel off all the tape in a downwards motion. Now you're finished! :)

All finished! Yes, my writing was sloppy.

Quick tip: Chalk can sometimes be messy or hard to use. Sharpen a long piece of chalk with a pencil sharpener to write those fine, clear messages!



The other jar and cans I painted that day...

Used this paint.

The soup cans... a work in progress.

All finished!

The juice jar

All finished!

DIY Sock Bun Doughnut

(Image from: http://prettygossip.com/2012/07/31/how-to-make-a-sock-bun/)

Need a quick hairstyle for 2nd-day hair that you can dress up or down? Want to throw your hair up, but don't have a bobby pin or hair elastic? Just keep one of these in your purse! Whether you're twisting that hair into an up-do for an elegant dinner, or you're just heading out to ballet practice, buns are a perfect option.

However, it's always difficult to get that voluminous, circular shape. Sock bun doughnuts made from sponge-like materials can be sold at $3-$7 a piece... But what if I told you it's possible to easily make one right now, at home?

I've seen this DIY all over the internet, and I've always wanted to make one! I just added a step or two of my own to make this handy dandy doughnut last longer. :)


You will need:
- A sock you don't mind cutting up
- Scissors
- A Needle
- A spool of matching color thread


1. Lay the sock flat and cut the toe part of the sock off. This part usually ends an inch or two from the tip of the sock.

2. Roll the sock inside out. Lay it flat.

3. Start at the opposite end from the hole you just created, and roll the sock in wards until it forms a doughnut.

4. Take your matching thread, and cut approximately 3 feet of thread. Thread your needle, and tie a knot at the end.

5. Use your thumb, index finger, and middle finger to spread the doughnut long ways, and stitch loosely around the edge of the doughnut. You won't be able to stitch around the whole bun using tiny stitches and just 3 feet of thread, so use larger stitches (I used about 1/2 cm stitches).

This is my unfinished sock bun doughnut. As you can see, this is how I stretched the bun to make it easier to sew. (I sewed along the right side.)

The whole stitching process holds the doughnut so that it won't unroll after using it for awhile. By spreading the doughnut, you'll ensure that the thread won't break if the doughnut is stretched.

6. Use the scissors to trim any edges sticking out.

Ta-da! You're finished. You've just created a cheap, easy sock bun doughnut! View the picture below, if you have no idea how to use it!

Finished! :)

 

Quick Tip: If you want a neat bun, use a couple bobby pins to pin fly-aways underneath the bun, and generously spray with hair spray. If you'd like more of a messy look, forget the pins AND the hair elastic that hold the ponytail! :)

(Image from: http://alchemy320.com/summer-lovin-your-hair-that-is/)

First Post

Okay so lately, I've been completely obsessed with DIY's, How To's,  Pinterest, and just imaginative crafts in general. :) I would create these great crafts or DIY's, but then I wouldn't have a place to share uploaded pictures or tips to help others with the same kinds of crafts. So I thought... Why not just create my own DIY/craft blog?

So ta-da...  my idea made reality. :)

I plan to post DIY's and How To's for pretty much anything I think of, so prepare to be surprised. x]


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