Pinterest Project Roundup

So, to say Pinterest is addicting would be a gross understatement of reality. Nearly all ladies know this, as well as a handful of forward thinking men. It’s like crack!

As a longtime amateur crafter/seamstress/painter/DIY’er, I have found many projects on Pinterest that have brought up the urge to put down the law books and pick up the craft scissors.

Here are a few of my recent projects. I hope these will inspire you and show you that not all Pinterest projects have to be epic fails.

DIY Elastic Hair Ties

These are all over the place now- the new “it” hair thing. But they are more expensive than they should be when you buy them retail. For instance, at Anthropologie, they retail at $16 for a set of ten.

Anthro hair ties, $16 for a set of ten

While browsing on Pinterest I came across a wonderful DIY for these. It tells you how to create your own from start to finish….from where to buy the elastic to getting them ready to wear. And it is easy! Click here to go to Reese Kistel’s blog, where she guides you through the simple process.

My stash of elastic from Sunshine Shoppe, a total of 9 yards for under $12 (INCLUDING shipping and handling). I have yet to actually cut and tie them into hair ties, but that process will be easy, as seen on Reese’s tutorial. This stash will yield a TON of hair ties…and I will probably try out a few headbands, too.

Enameled Glass Jar Vases

I saved a few glass lemon juice bottles and spaghetti sauce mason jars so I could try out this technique for making cool glass “vases”. This was a simple and cheap project, thanks to a great tutorial from Oh So Lovely. However, I didn’t use the same enamel. I wanted something more cost effective, so I went to my local art supply store and got a crafting enamel that retailed for around $3.50. It was much cheaper than the high quality sign making enamel! One small bottle of this paint was enough to cover 5 jars.

The Pinterest image from Oh So Lovely that caught my eye….

My end result!

“Dipped” Cans

After seeing an image of what appeared to be plain old tomato cans “dipped” in paint on Pinterest, I tried to find the tutorial, but the image was linked to a blog in an entirely foreign language. So instead, I relied on my old crafting knowledge and decided to wing it.

The Original Inspiration, photo credit here.

How I did it:

1. Wash and dry the various sizes of cans you want to use. Make sure to get the leftover glue from the labels off (I used hot water and Goo Gone).

2. Use Painter’s Tape to mark where you want the color to end, so you will have a clean edge. I just chose random distances from the top. Use the lines on the can to help make sure your tape is straight. Press down all around the tape to make sure it is on there tight.

3. Use sponge brushes to paint the bottoms and sides of your cans. I used plain old acrylic craft paint, you can find it at your local superstore or any craft store for cheap prices, from $1-$1.50 a bottle. Paint on ONE layer at a time and let it dry. The acrylic will tend to “wipe off” if you try to paint a layer on top of a layer that is not fully dry yet. Also, make sure to have a lot of paint on the brush, and don’t press down hard. Be generous with the paint for each layer, more is better.

4. After you have painted enough layers to get the color to your liking, it is time to take off the tape. Make sure the acrylic is fully dry first, then pull the painter’s tape off quickly. Now, it is time for the final step.

5. The Mod Podge will be used to seal the paint and protect it from scracthes. Paint on Mod Podge just like you did with the paint- generously and in layers. Paint the Mod Podge up above the colored paint line (where the painter’s tape used to be) so that the edge of the paint line is sealed. The Mod Podge will dry clear, I promise. Let each layer dry before doing the next. I did 3 layers for each can.

6. Let dry, then use to your liking! I use mine for plastic cutlery in the kitchen (I don’t have a dishwasher…. sue me) and as pen/pencil/highlighter holders on my desk.

DIY Yoga Mat Holder

I recently bought a new sewing machine, a Brother XL-2610. I LOVE it. It is so simple to use and is small- perfect for my tiny apartment. One of the first projects I knew I wanted to tackle was making a simple yoga mat holder/sling for Melissa.

I found a great tutorial thanks to a search on Pinterest. Click here to go to the easy-to-follow tutorial on Design Sponge.

The image on Pinterest that lead me to the Design Sponge tutorial…

My finished project! I got the printed canvas at Jo Ann. Happy early birthday, Melissa!

DIY Kitchen Towels

Back before Christmas, my mom pinned a tutorial for making “Anthropologie inspired” kitchen towels. She was hinting that she wanted me to make them for her Christmas present. So naturally, I did.

Twirl Blog has a great tutorial on how to make easy, cheap kitchen towels that are inspired by the bohemian chic look often found at our beloved Anthropologie.

The Pinterest image that lead me to Twirl Blog’s tutorial…