DIY recycled calendar envelopes

It’s time to change calendars and I couldn’t let the perfect Sierra Club landscapes of last year go to waste, so I made some envelopes.  

Supplies

old calendar pages

ruler

scissors

glue

washi tape (optional)

I made 4×6 envelopes. I started by drawing a big 8inch by 10inch square on the back. I usually free hand the rest of this but here is a template to show you what I do.

Cut out the large rectangle. Then take 1 inch off of each side of the bottom flap and 1 inch off each side of the top flap. I also trim the top flap at this point, which are the diagonal lines I drew in.

Just add some washi tape around the edge and you’re ready to send it. I suggest using a white paint marker or metallic Sharpie for addressing darker pages.

I also used a couple pages to line envelopes I had on hand. Simply trace the envelope on the image, cut it out, slide into the envelope, and the secure it to the flap with a line of glue.

DIY orange surprise balls

Did you get an orange in your stocking when you were growing up? I always did, right in the toe. Something to do with Santa paying someone’s dowry or my grandpa having to eat the orange “peel-n-all” during the depression or something like that. I thought these surprise balls would be a fun twist on that old tradition. They can be made big or small, I tried to keep mine close to the size of a small grapefruit (it’s supposed to be an orange after all).

Supplies:

several different colors of crape paper including orange

small surprises (stickers, erasers, etc.)

white glue

scissors

green construction paper

a button

First cut the crape paper in half (HonestlyWTF suggests using crape paper sheets and cutting it into stripes but I wasn’t sure where to find that in town so I used streamers). This step was a little tedious.

Start wrapping your surprises up! I started with something round (a light-up ball) to help get the right shape. Just wrap the first surprise in crape paper until it is fully covered. Then switch colors and add another surprise. Keep wrapping and adding items until everything is inside! Make sure to use orange for the final layer.

Now that everything is all wrapped up. Use a dab of glue to secure the end. Then cut a couple small leaves from the construction paper and glue them over the end and glue the button on top of the leaves. Let it dry and it’s ready to be unwrapped!

If  you wanted to tell the story behind the tradition, you could add it on strips of paper with the surprises.

Side note: Dogs don’t really like crape paper

DIY instant comfort boxes

I saw these adorable matchboxes from  Kim’s Little Monsters and thought I would make some of my own. These will make great little gifts or stocking stuffers. The best part is that you can use whatever supplies you have on hand and really personalize them. Don’t worry too much about making them perfect, the imperfections add to their charm.

Supplies

empty matchbox

scrapbook paper/paper/washi tape

pens/markers/colored-pencils/paints (whatever you prefer)

cardboard

scissors

glue

First wrap the outside.

Then draw the cover. Cut to size and glue on the top.

Now decorate the inside. Cut a decorative background and glue it into place. Then make a character. If you’re not a great at drawing, you can use a photo or clipart. Cut out your character and glue to a small piece of cardboard (smaller than the character so you won’t see it). This will add depth. Glue it into place.

Lastly, add words of encouragement. Draw a ribbon and write in something sweet. Cut it out and leave a tab on the side. Fold and glue the tab to the side of the matchbox.

DIY postcard coasters

I picked up these beautiful vintage botanical chart postcards a couple weeks ago. And I’m feeling kinda selfish, they are just too beautiful to share. After a long internal debate over whether or not I should simply frame them, I decided to turn them into coasters! I’m so glad I did because they turned out amazing with a really thick, high-gloss finish. Looking around the internet there are a lot of different tutorials for making coasters, this is the way I did it.

Supplies

tiles

postcards

scissors

white glue

cheap brush or foam brush

pour-on epoxy resin (I used Envirotex)

plastic cups

drop cloth/cardboard/paper

felt pads

Cut postcards to size. I cut mine into 3 ½ inch squares.

Coat the back of the postcard with glue and place it onto the clean tile. Make sure you get the postcard positioned correctly and press it down to remove any trapped air. Coat the top with a layer of glue. Don’t worry about brush strokes, they will disappear when you apply the resin. Allow to dry completely.

Use a disposable cup to elevate your tile, so the resin runoff will not pool under the tile. Put down a piece of cardboard to catch the runoff.

Pour on the epoxy as directed on the package. For more thorough instructions on using Envirotex, check out this incredible step-by-step from Homemade Gifts Made Easy.

Allow to dry completely, which took 3 days in my case. The resin was easier to use and less messy than I expected. I highly recommend it if you want a professional finish. Mine turned out smooth, even, and really glossy.

Attach felt pads to the bottoms and you’re done.

The total cost of this project was around $10 (but there was enough resin left to do a lot more than 4). The postcards were 25¢ each, the tiles were 16¢ each, I already owned the glue, disposable cups were a $1, and the pour-on resin was $7 from Michaels with a 50% off coupon (it can be found in the glue section). They took less than an hour of active time to make, but took several days if you include drying time.

If you aren’t feeling selfish like me, these would make a great gift.

DIY postcard photobook

This is a simple book binding technique I found on PhotoJoJo. I used it to put together a quick photo book. This is perfect for photos from a weekend trip or a party. I used photos from a hike I took with my dad during my last visit to New Mexico.

Supplies:

2 postcards

photos

scissors

2 binder clips

glue (acid-free, PVA glue works best)

strip of paper (4inches by 1inch)

Cut postcards to match the size of the photos. Get photos in the order you want and sandwich them between the postcards. Make sure your stack is flush and use the binder clips to secure the stack together.

Glue the top evenly.

Prop it upright and allow to dry. Then repeat. Once dry, apply glue to the strip of paper and use it to cover the top.

There you have it, a simple flip book of photos for about $5 ; 25 prints for 10¢ each (from Walmart), 2 postcards 50¢ each, glue $2 (but regular Elmer’s works too). It took about 30 minutes total to put together including drying times.

DIY postcard notebook

Here is another quick notebook you can make from a postcard and some scrap paper.

These make great travel journals, since they are small enough to fit in your pocket. When I travel I try to write down funny quotes and moments from the trip, the little things you forget about; later these are the perfect captions for photos. I started doing this after I scanned all my family photos, most of them had notes on the back that gave me a better idea of what was going on. It bummed me out to realize when I look back at my own photos, how much I will have forgotten about those moments. So I try to record more and when I put together photo books or albums I include these little notes.

Supplies:

postcard

paper (cut to size)

2 small binder clips

heavy needle

embroidery floss

Fold postcard and paper directly in half.

Position paper inside postcard. Use the binder clip to secure the paper to the postcard.

Use needle to punch though paper and post card from the inside. If you are making a thick notebook, you may want to use a hammer and nail to punch the holes.

Run floss through holes and tie on the inside.

Trim the excess floss.

If your notebook is thick, place it under a stack of heavy books to flatten it.

That’s all there is too it. Really easy to put together, it only takes about 5 minutes.

DIY matchbook notebook

CONFESSION: I buy too many postcards.

I’ve found a few uses, other than just sticking a stamp on them, that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks. Here is a simple matchbook-stlye notebook. It’s the perfect pocket sized notebook to jot down a daily to-do list or other short notes.

Supplies:

postcard

paper

scissors

stapler

Cut paper to size. Slightly smaller than the width of the card by half the height minus 1/2 inch. My postcard was 4 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch so I cut my paper to 4×3.

Fold base of postcard up about 1/2 inch.

Place stack of paper under the fold and staple it. Since it is wider than a traditional matchbook, I stapled it twice.

Fold the top down over the paper and slip under the bottom flap to close.

DIY friendship bracelet kit with *FREE PRINTABLES*

I put together this friendship bracelet kit to send to a certain 9-year-old I know. She doesn’t have any experience making bracelets, so I went with a really simple design. If you want something more complicated there are lots of patterns around the web.

Supplies:

embroidery floss in a few colors

cardboard

safety pin or tape

instruction sheet

envelope

I went to the trouble of putting my floss on spools, because it will be much less likely to turn into a tangled ball. Since it is going to a 9-year-old, this is very important. It also allows you to use up embroidery floss you already have.

Cut your cardboard into spools. You can cut a template out of graph paper or just wing it. I cut the cardboard into 2inch squares then cut in the indentions freely. Cut a slit in one end of the spool to secure the loose end of floss. Then just wrap the embroidery floss around the spools.

Click on the image above to open it full size and print out the instruction sheet.

Then follow the instructions to include a completed bracelet as an example.

Put it all together in a cute envelope and you’re done. I made my envelope out of vellum; I like that it alludes to the contents yet, without knowing you still can’t quite guess what it will be.

DIY galaxy prints with *FREE PRINTABLES*

I was elated when I discovered that Hubble Telescope images are public domain. That’s right! You can access and print amazing celestial scenes for FREE (or at least just the cost of printing). The HubbleSite provides incredible high resolution images and tons of information. I got lost in it for a few hours when I was picking my images. If you have time, check out how they are colored.

Because I know you’re wondering, the above image is under the wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud, one of the Milky Way’s closest neighbors.

To add focus and because I didn’t want to bother with mats, I used Photoshop to make my images round with a white border.

To do this to your images:
1. Download the highest quality image and open in Photoshop
2. Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool
3. Set it to a fixed size and use the same number for the height and width so that it will be a perfect circle (i used 2000px)
4. Select your circle
5. Copy the area
6. Create a new document (I used a 2400px square)
7. Paste

Or if you’d rather skip the work and use the images I chose, just click on them, save, and print! Even the image above with a title is printable, just click and the title will disappear. The images are 8 inch squares which is perfect for a home photo printer, but you can make them larger if you’re willing to take them to a print shop.

Above is a jet in the Carina Nebula.

This one shows a cloud of gas and dust being molded by radiation in the Small Magellanic Cloud.

This one is the Crab Nebula.

I recommend printing the article that corresponds with each image and attaching it to the back of the frame for future reference. If you’re anything like me, you will undoubtedly forget and wonder just exactly where your looking. Click on the description to access the article.

All image credits go to NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA). Thanks for showing us beyond our world.

DIY hanging basket

I was inspired by these planters I saw here. I love the impact of the long neon cord, but you can do it with whatever color you prefer. Parachute cord is available in a huge range of colors and in patterns. I went with hot pink. I like the contrast between the unnaturally bright cord and the natural fiber of the basket.

Supplies:

Basket

550 parachute cord (approx. $10 for 100 ft.)

Scissors

Lighter

Plyers

Metal ring (key ring or a loop of wire)

Houseplant (planted in a container without holes)

Choose a sturdy basket. Mine has a wire frame. If yours does not have a wire frame, you may want to put your knots around the rim.

Cut the cord in to 3 ft strips. I cut 12 strips, one for every other vertical rib in my basket. You can use less, but I recommend at least 4.

In a well ventilated space, use the lighter to singe the cut ends of the nylon cord to prevent unraveling. Do not touch the molten nylon, it will hurt.

Take one cord. From the inside push the cord through the weave at the joint between the rib and the rim. Push the end back though to the inside on the other side of the rib. Now both ends are on the inside and around the rib.

Tie a bowline knot. This is a simple fixed knot, I learned in one try. Repeat with each cord. I will be doing every other rib. But the important part is to attach the cords in a balanced way.

Gather all the cords and even the tension out. I tied a simple slip knot with the bundle of cord around a metal ring (I used a loop of wire but a metal ring would look better) to hang it from. Trim cord if necessary.

My project total was approximately $25. The cost of the hanging basket alone was $15, not including the cost of the houseplant. Your cost will vary depending on how much cord you decide to use and the cost of your basket.