DIY Outdoor Pillows: The 15 Minute Tablecloth and Plastic Bag Method

A few weeks back I shared my ideas for a backyard patio mini makeover.  Well, I'm happy to say they're finally coming along.  I'll be sharing more on the full progress in another post, but today I want to talk about pillows and pops of color.

DIY End of the Year Teacher Gifts (Fingerprint Art)

It's that time of year again...the end of the school year. Yes...already!  For my son's pre-school teachers I organized a little craft to give each of them from all of the kids.  It's extra special because it includes each of the children's finger prints.

What you want to do is first print the sentiment out on a piece of cardstock.   I couldn't decide which phrase I liked better so decided I would make them a little different for each teacher so I could use both!

If you're going to make the flower pot picture, use some pretty scrapbook paper to cut out a flower pot.  If you're not the best free-hand cutter (no worries, I am not either!) find a  flower pot printable on google images, cut it out and then trace around it.

Then cut out long strips for the stems in different lengths so that you have enough for each child to make a fingerprint flower.  It's best to stagger the height of the stems if you have a lot of children so you can fit them all.  You can also cut out some leaves.   Another option is to paint these.  Again, I'm not the best painter...

I printed some little tags with info about the class and used a glue stick to mount them on top of the flower pot or on the clouds. Then we had each student dip their finger in craft paint and make 5 fingerprints around to make a flower.

I just used a black pen to label the flowers so the teachers remembered what a great class they had!  Once all the paint and glue was dry I picked up the white 8x10 frames at the craft store and framed them.  The teachers really seemed to like them.

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12 DIY Projects to Inspire (April Wrap Up)

April has been a very busy month here at Two It Yourself. Not only did we celebrate our first birthday, but Easter and spring-inspired crafts dominated! I also finished up my laundry room makeover and have started turning my attention to our outdoor spaces with plans for a mini patio makeover.   I hope you were inspired! 

In case you missed anything here's a quick recap of 12 DIY Projects we shared in April...

DIY Coasters with Napkins and Mod Podge 

12 DIY Projects for Busy Moms

2IY {First Year's} Most Popular DIY projects, Crafts, and Tutorials

Laundry Closet Makeover Reveal 

How to Hang a Cabinet

Washi Tape Stash Storage

Patio Tour and Plans for a Mini Makeover

How to Make a Free Blog Header {And 4 Things It Must Include}

Easter Treats for Kids (and Adults)

How to Make a Peeps Topiary

Hoppy Bunny Garland

Laundry Room Update: This is Not Going Well

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DIY Coasters with Mod Podge and Napkins {And a Giveaway}

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and All You Magazine, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #lifeforless http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV.

Can you ever have too many coasters? They make great, inexpensive gifts and even if you keep them for yourself they're a great way to add a little color and personality to a room - while being totally functional.  During a recent trick to Dollar General I picked up the April issue of All You Magazine (totally scored using this $1 off coupon - get it while supplies last). 

3 (Easy) Easter Treats for Kids

The countdown to Easter is on! If you're looking for some last minute Easter treats to make with the kids - you've come to the right spot.

I always like to cook with the kids when I can and they are always threw the roof when I ask them.  The rice crispy treat robin's nests and Easter cut outs are are super easy to make and the best part is they're a 2 for 1 deal: make one recipes get two desserts!

I started by following the directions on the back of the bag of marshmallows to make traditional rice crispy treats. 

I had the kids pouring in the marshmallows, stirring them up between meltings in the microwave, and then pouring in the rice crispies.  I poured the sticky mess onto a medium size cookie tray so they would be a little thinner and easier to work with.  Then I set them in the fridge to cool for about 30 minutes.

When it was time to cut the RCT cut outs, the kids took turns using an Easter egg shaped cookie cutters and two bunnies (my daughter came to call them bunny head and running bunny).

Patio Tour and Plans for a Mini Makeover

So I'm like super excited.  This weekend - after what seemed like the eternal winter - we finally were able to get out the patio furniture.  I know! I know!  The back patio is pretty much the reason we bought this house exactly three years ago.  It totally expands our living space from the spring through the fall and I am uber excited that the snow has finally melted and we got...wait for it...a 79 degree day on.a.weekend!

Here's a little patio tour of the bare space. See why we love it?

DIY Hopping Bunny Burlap Easter Banner

Two of my favorite things...burlap and bunting.  When I combine the two - as I do pretty much every season - there's no limit to the possibilities.    Of course, there are tons of Easter banner ideas out there, but I thought it might be cute to make a banner where it looked like a bunny was hopping across.

12 DIY Projects for Busy Moms! (March Wrap Up)

It's time for a look back at some of what we did around here in March!   Looking back I realized that so many of the DIY projects we shared, last month, were completed in less than an hour.  As a busy mom of two - a 5 year old and a 2 year old - I am often squeezing projects in during nap time. DIY projects and crafts have to be pretty fast for me or else they are left half finished.  

Here are 11 busy mom-approved DIY ideas.  Just click the title above each photo to go to the tutorial.

DIY Greek Key Tray Makeover (Ikea Hack)

 
For the last year I have had a large tray sitting on my dresser just looking awfully plain. I picked it up at Ikea for $7 on a whim.  Of course I did...most of my Ikea purchases are on a whim.

Since then I have been debating about what to do with the tray. I couldn't just keep her white, could I? No, of course not.

I had some gold metallic spray paint in the garage that caught my eye recently and then my plan started to fall into place. Originally, I was going to make a striped design on the tray with the painters tape and then I had an 'ah ha moment'...I would try my hand at a greek key design. 

If you follow 2IY on Instagram, you know I found making the design to be harder than it looks.  I received some samples of 3M Scotch Blue Painters Tape so along with a ruler, and some patience this project goes pretty smoothly.

I used a roll of  .94" Scotch Blue Painter's Tape to create the design.

I started along the long edge with just a straight piece of tape.   I created the first key by just eyeballing the size and length of the tape.  On the remaining three sides and corners I used a ruler to measure the original key's tape pieces to make sure they were all the same.

Cutting the edge of the tape straight is important or you will get some overhang which will of course show up when you spray paint the tray.  I used an exacto knife to trim those little areas after I was all done taping off the tray.

Right before I spray painted I went around the entire design and pressed down all the edges of the tape really well to prevent any paint bleed.

Then I just spray painted the entire tray.  After the first coat dried, I added a second.  Only after both coats were completely dry did I remove the tape.

And now the moment of truth....

I had very few areas of bleed.  In those area I just scraped the paint off easily with a knife.  I love the way the tray looks on my coffee table.  It really pops against the black table.

Disclaimer: I received samples of 3M Scotch Blue Painters Tape but all opinions are my own. 

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Spring Coffee Table Vignette

If you follow me on Instagram you got a little sneak peek of this 'project' earlier this week.  It's not even really a project as much as it is an experiment.  I'm experimenting to see - for the first time in five years - if I can successfully keep coffee table decor in tact for more than five minutes.   My kiddos have kept hands-off so far and we're working on day four here!

Every time I flip through Pottery Barn or West Elm or Ballards I notice how nice their coffee tables look. I wanted something to add a little pop to my living room and this did the trick.  I gathered some items I already had pulling from various rooms, holiday decorations, storage boxes, and the bookshelf. 

Pottery Barn Knockoff Happy Easter Burlap Flag

In case you haven't noticed I might be a little obsessed with Pottery Barn.  Aside from a rare splurge, however, I pretty much stick to clearance items...oh, and items I can knockoff.  Like say...this Happy Easter flag.  I saved myself a cool $39 bucks here and it only took me an hour or so to make this large flag.

Paint Sample Easter Egg Wreath (Kid-Friendly)

If you can't find the paint sample cards at your local hardware store, don't blame me..the Easter Bunny made me do it!   Isn't this little Easter Egg Wreath just too cute?  On a side note..do not send bad vibes my way for posting Easter crafts too early...I do it for you, I tell you, I do it for you.  I want you to have time to be creative and enjoy your crafts before it's onto the next holiday/season.

It's a fun and easy activity for kids as young as preschool.  All you need are some paint sample cards, a paper plate (or card board), glue, and ribbon.  If you have an oval paper cutter that makes it easier, but if not you can just use scissors.

DIY Front Door Spring Wreath

Another season, another wreath makeover here at Two It Yourself.  If you haven't caught on by now, I prefer to shop my home over the store and last week I went shopping.   Last week's hoist included this spring wreath.  It's seen better days on my front door, but I wasn't ready to completely let her go so I gave her a makeover.  The wreath is now hardly recognizable, but the job was a pretty easy one.

Faux Terrarium in a Yankee Candle Jar

I'm so excited...I found another use for my empty Yankee Candle jars!  Nothing like a pretty FREE glass jar...and some dollar store supplies.

I am working on spring-ifying (yup, so went there) our house and this little guy was among my first projects.  I am calling it a faux terrarium because I don't know what else to call it and basically because 'paper flower with moss in a dollar store mini clay pot in a glass jar' is too long.

I am new to terrariums, but I'm liking them.  If you're not familiar, according to Dictionary.com a terrarium is "a glass container, chiefly or wholly enclosed, for growing and displaying plants." In other words I think I'm justified in calling this a faux terrarium.  No?

Okay onwards my friends.  I started by putting some filler (aka balled up tissues) in the bottom of my mini pots.  These mini terracotta pots come in a three pack at Dollar Tree. Can't beat .33 a piece! 

Framed Burlap and Paper Flower Spring Sign

A few weeks back I shared a fun Pottery Barn knockoff using some picture frame mats.  I've finally gotten around to using the actual frames.  This is a really easy project and I love what it does for my mantel as we head into spring.