Tutorial Wednesday: Conversation Heart Mugs

I've been on a mug making kick lately thanks to Dishwasher safe Mod Podge and this project I have for you today is another A+ if I say so myself! I love the look of those chalky heart candies (a lot more than I like eating them) and when I saw sticker versions at work I knew what I had to do.

Although it's a little late to get one done in time for this V-Day, you could always start early for next year!

Tutorial Tuesday: Multipurpose Snake Accessory

Hey everyone! New year, new goals for the blog; for example, actually posting! I utilized my winter break off from college to get a lot of tutorials brainstormed, started (w.i.p.), and even a few finished. I drank a small lakes worth of coffee but I think this year is set to be a good one for The Cwafty Blog! More good news is I also got an extra post a month over at Dream A Little Bigger, so you're going to be seeing a lot more tutorials and content from me in general!

Anywho back to today's tutorial! Endless Leather contacted me again after my last set of tutorials for them and sent me some more supplies.  This is the first project that incorporates their super soft leather cords. Read more below to figure out how to make your own!

DIY Gift Wrap with Darby Smart

Wow, after months of little-to-no activity, two posts in two days? Christmas break has me on a roll ladies and gentlemen! Today I have a little collaboration between Gap/Darby Smart and it's designers. Darby Smart teamed up with Gap to create this DIY Gift Wrap kit. As a designer I was given one and told to get creative to inspire others. Can do!

Tutorial Tuesday: Christmas-Light Balloon Garland

About 2 months ago I got a job at a party store. Working there has been amazing. Even though I loved working in pizza this has been the most fun  I've had at a job. Blowing up balloons, decorating the store, and getting to dress up everyday we're not really things I ever expected to be paid for. It's given me a whole new appreciation for holidays.

I've been trying to come up with some interesting balloon tutorials since I started there and today's tutorial is the result!

Tutorial Friday: Tiered Garden Shelf

I think spring has officially hit its stride now. This week's forecast is reading like the report card of an "average" grade student and my little port city is finally thawing. This means lots of good things: school is almost over for the summer, there are clothes to be refashioned for the new season, and new life is growing everywhere!

...Well except my front porch right now because the majority of my little green babies died when I was a bad plant mommy and forgot to bring them in during our February Freeze. I want to start anew with spring though and I went out and bought some new plants from a local nursery. Normally my "garden" is just whichever section of the porch I take over with pots, but I wanted to change that up; give it some organization and order.

I had a light bulb moment at Joann's the other day while thinking on this topic; Make a simple, rustic garden shelf! This project is a very simple woodworking project, so don't let the use of tools discourage you. It would be great for beginners or more experienced carpenters. Check out the tutorial below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Unicorn Valentines Day Card + Printable

Happy Valentine's Day lovelies! Sorry...that's weird, I don't normally call you that. Everything is more mushy around this time of year though and I fear my brain has become infected. This is my final project for the holiday, so now I can get my mind off of the topic.

Making your own is super easy because I made the cards into printables that you can customize, plus you get to learn how to fold an origami unicorn. Look deep within yourself, isn't that a skill you've always wanted? Learn all that and get the link to the cards below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Ship-In-A-Bottle Lamp

Last March I participated in a drawing-a-day art challenge and well to put it bluntly I failed. I completed the challenge's prompts and number of pieces but there was a week in the middle where I just got caught up in other things. This year I decided to try a challenge that is a baby-step in the direction of the d-a-d art challenge, a monthly craft challenge, hosted by Ellen over at The Chilly Dog.

 

Just one project a month? Plus I get an prompt for a project every month? Can't say no to that! My brain gets taped on ideas sometimes but having a prompt will help me get ideas flowing. This month's prompt: Upcycled glass. Find out how to make your own kitschy Ship-In-A-Bottle lamp below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Leather Headband 2 Ways

Here's a confession for ya: for as much of a tomboy as I was in high school I had a guilty pleasure of trashy girly books. For example the Gossip Girl Series. I read them all and then watched the show religiously until the end of season 3. I was head over hills in love with Chuck Bass and all the outfits in the show coupled with Jenny's desire to be a fashion designer probably contributed to my late-blooming fashion appreciation.

Blair, one of the main females, had a kick-butt collection of headbands and was totally who I was channeling when I came up with this final tutorial for my leather from EndlessLeather. If you want to add a simple sophisticated headband to your arsenal read more below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Harley-Quinn Santa Hat

I hope your holiday season is going well! I'm just enjoying my time off from school mostly; trying to be crafty, getting some products done, doing some blog design. It's been a pretty relaxing time, in fact, I can't believe it's almost over. That's alright though, I'm taking some fun art classes this semester and I can continue to pick up my monthly comic from the shop down the street. Segue into...

This hat is so easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes to sew together, which is great because its only 2 days til Christmas! You can whip one of these up as a last minute present for a friend or make one for yourself to wear for the holiday.

Tutorial Tuesday: Leather Watchband

Hey guys!  I have returned from my little break, I'll be telling you all about how the convention went and sharing some pictures on Thursday. Today I am back with another leather tutorial brought to you by EndlessLeather. 

I think this is an accessory I never thought I'd get to "make." Like most everything else you can put on your body, it hard for me to find a watch I like in stores, so when I was presented the opportunity to make some leather crafts I knew this had to go on the list. Once I found the perfect face, we were good to go! Learn how to make your own below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Recycled Pen Jar

I love burning candles because I, like most sane people, like good smells. Some candles come in really nice jars, for instance this one that started life as a Febreeze Apple Pie candle. I would feel just awful throwing such a nice glass jar away, I knew I had to find something crafty to do with this.

Here's what I came up with: a quirky colorful jar to hold some of my plethora of pens on my desk. You could easily use this same project for makeup brushes, paint brushes, pencils or pens. Learn how to make your own below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Leather Wrap Bracelet with EndlessLeather

Today is an exciting day everyone! Not that the majority of my days are not exciting with my special brand of cynical-optimism but this one is especially exciting! I am proud to announce that today's post was brought to you by EndlessLeather.

You can make this simple modern bracelet in about 3 minutes! (not counting drying time) More leather tutorials to come later, read more of this one below.

Tutorial Tuesday: Bat Choker + Coffin Giftbox DIY

I believe this shall be the second installment in what I hope becomes a Halloween tradition for years to come, a creepy jewelry tutorial! Last year I made this bloody-ax tutorial when I was inspired by a charm I found at Hobby Lobby. This year my palace of inspiration was Joanne's, where they had both that adorable bat pendent and that coffin box. The tutorial pretty much wrote itself after that.

This necklace could be a great costume accessory or is great for everyday wear in my opinion, and if you have a friend who happens to have a penchant for the unusual, you can package them a handmade necklace in this spooky gift box! Find out how to make both of those items below.

Tutorial Tuesday: Bow Ear-Warmer

Whoo hoo guys! I was so excited when about two months ago I got an email from Havalah, blogger at Sisters, What!, asking me if I'd be interested in participating in a handmade-gift blog hop.
Was I?! I was! It's my first hop and I and I am pleased to see my project in such beautiful crafty-company! If you want to make your loved ones some great gifts this holiday season hop around at the end of the post for inspiration!

These crocheted bows take about two hours to make and keep your ears nice and toasty when the air is chilly. I was so excited the first day I got to wear mine and needed it. I got a bunch of compliments! Beautiful and functional, I love it! Fully photographed step by step instructions and pattern below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Batman Notebook

Nananananananana BATMAN! Batman is my all time favorite super hero. He pretty much kicks butt in all of his incarnations and I have a special place in my heart for the 1960's-Adam-West version all the way to the Dark-Knight-Christian-Bale trilogy. I have a thing for crazy guys and so the joker also has a whole chamber of my heart to himself (his girlfriend Harley Quinn as well!)

Since I started school last week I decided to give some of my little moleskin notebooks a facelift. There will be two more notebook tutorials coming up, a bonus post at DALB this saturday, then my next tutorial. This project is super simple and quick, plus you get to play with gold-leaf which is very fun.

Tutorial Tuesday: Majora's Mask Clock

I love video games, which I've mentioned on the blog before once or twice.  Video games are very inspiring to me because I'm a gigantic fan-girl. The particular clock is from a video game I have not gotten very far in, but have watched many people play and will one day conquer myself. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

 One of the starting roles in this game is a giant evil moon that is slowly/quickly plummeting to the surface of Termina. You have 3 easily manipulated days to stop it, therefore time is of the essence and to represent that there is an iconic clock tower. I have wanted to make a clock from it's face for a long time. Read about the results below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Kimono Top DIY

So the week before last week I hit a creative wall that I not only overcame, I burst through like the Kool-Aid Man. Oh Yea! I was worried about getting all my ducks in a row for going back to college in the fall(less then a month!) and worrying about trying to juggle school, work, blogging(2nd/ job now, woot!)when the time came. So that kind of drained all my creativity, but then I cleaned up my workshop and sat down for a big de-cluttered brainstorming session. The results were the next 10 weeks of tutorials planned out and the next two full months of posts. Then over the next few days I proceeded to finish 5 of the tutorials on my list. Let me tell you, its about to be a great two months at The Cwafty Blog.

Here is the second of those tutorials, the first can be found over at Dream A Little Bigger.

I've been noticing lots of kimono inspired pieces in the DIY and fashion worlds lately, and let me tell you, I'm loving it! I had a huge obsession with Orential culture growing up and always loved the beauty of kimonos and desperately wanted my own. One day I will make myself a full-fledged kimono, but until then I made this snazzy top! Find out below how you can make your own, with only one yard of fabric!

Tutorial Tuesday: Wire Wrapped Button Bracelet

Whew ladies and gents, last week was exhausting. I started my new job and they gave me a lot more hours than I expected. Now, having just quit a managing position, I'm used to a lot of hours and hard work. When you couple that with learning a completely new position, plus a new trade(I've never worked retail), and a schedule flip(I used to close mostly and now I open mostly, earlier than I ever opened at the restaurant) it all adds up to a completely pooped RaChil. Therefore I took a bloggy-break but I'm back, and with great news!

1. My last two posts were my most popular posts ever for their categories! Seriously, everyone seems to love my Crystal Necklace tutorial, its my most viewed and most pinned project by an exuberant amount.
2. That has lead to a general increased following on the blog so I'd like to say 'Ello to any new readers and welcome them to the site! Lets become BCBs , best crafting buddies :) Feel free to comment below or message me if you ever have any questions or just want to chat!
3. Guys, I have major news. Its huge, its magnificent, it monumental! But I can't tell you yet- don't hate me, I'll be writing a whole post about my big surprise soon(I'm thinking next Tuesday?) and some changes it may mean to the blog!

Speaking of my last DIY, that one was a really long project. To bring a little balance back to the blog, I came up with this super quick bracelet!

It only takes about 30 minutes to make, maybe more depending on the amount of buttons you need. It's a great summer craft, or a good group craft. Me and a few of my girlfriends made some button jewelry a few days ago, and that's where I came up with this one!

Tutorial Tuesday: (Grow Your Own Crystal) Necklace

I'm having a great week and I hope you guys are too. Today I am sharing a really fun tutorial! It takes a bit of time to get started but once you start the initial process it's so easy you can literally forget about it!

These pendents rock! (Te-he)

If you want to mix science with diy for beautiful results, read more below!

Tutorial Tuesday: Cat's Meow Basket Bed

A month ago I shared this wonderful tutorial over at one of my favorite blogs, Dream A Little Bigger, if you didn't have a chance to see it then you can view it in all its glory below. If you did see it, check it out again, why not?

This was my first ever guest post and I was so excited when Allison over at Dream A Little Bigger got back to me so quickly about my idea for this cat bed and was so nice, helpful and encouraging during the whole process!

This was a fun little up-cycling project and it was a hit with both the kitties, even if marble is a grump and did not participate in photos during this week. Find out what you need and the how-to below!