I Heart Photography Tank Top @DALB

Hows your summer going guys? It's sweltering here and work is doubly bad working next to a hot oven all day. If you can bring yourself to get up and make something despite the temperatures I've got the perfect project for you!

Using one of the coolest new craft products in a while: Inkodye, a dye that reacts to UV light from the sun to "develop" its color, I spruced up a plain white tank top to make it into a summer staple in my closet!

Get the full tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Inventor's Necklace @DALB

I've got an industrial-chic tutorial for you guys this week! I reminds me of the cover of a book I loved in elementary school, City of Ember; a book I was only attracted to because of the cover but I've never been fond of that old saying anyway.

I haven't worked with wire in a while and this was a nice project to dip my toes back into the pool, plus I really love the minimalist look of it.

Get the full tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Metallic Splatter Paint Wallet @ DALB

Alright guys, I've been putting this off for a while but I can't any more. The blog has to officially be on hiatus this summer because I am going to be busting my butt at work; I'm managing again. I am still going to be posting occasionally but mostly I'm going to be posting tutorials over at Dream A Little Bigger. That way I still get to be a little creative and share it with the internet (Once you start it's kinda hard to stop. Blogging is addictive!)

Anyway, today I am sharing a really cute, quick, effortless looking tutorial. I splatter painted my wallet!

 Look at that mess, what a beautiful mess! Get the tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Death Star Ring @ Dream A Little Bigger

Are you excited for the new Star Wars movies? I am! Tentatively though, no one wants a repeat of the last three...

Anywho, earlier this month the geeky community celebrated Star Wars Day on May 4th and I did nothing celebratory because I was swamped with exams and assignments (Which is also why the blog has been so silent, I'm sorry guys! I hope to get back to writing regularly soon) To remedy that I whipped up this cute Death Star Ring!

You can find the full tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!

May the force be with you!

DIY Teabag @Dream A Little Bigger

Does anyone else have a cafe problem? I do. This semester I got stuck having to take classes every day of the week and in doing so I have pretty much wrecked my bank account. Everyday I'd stop at Port City Java or Java Dog for breakfast and a coffee. For the last month or so I've been trying to be more responsible and bring food and drink from home, which is where today's tutorial comes in!

Isn't this tea beautiful? It's "Moonlit Earl Grey" and it has dried cornflowers and bits of orange peel as well. I also have a delicious Creme Brulee I picked up from a tea shop where my bff just got a job (now she has me hooked on trying more and more flavors/blends)

Learn the quick technique to making your own tea bags for on-the-go at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Balloon Animal Necklace @DALB

So if you've ever visited The Cwafty Blog before you know I like bright, colorful, cute things. I've had a fascination with balloons as a young child and I've never really outgrown it. If you're a kid at heart as well you'll love this Balloon Animal Necklace I made out of sculpey!

This project doesn't take too long and you can make it your own by picking any balloon animal to make in any color. Find the tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Downtown Photography

I've got at least an hour of free time at college every day and I've been taking photography walks around downtown during my breaks. It's been really fun. Here are some of my best shots from my latest semester!

Style Saturday: Purple Haze

Style Saturday's have mostly been outfit themed so far but I want branch out a little bit. Today we're going to talk about the only other beauty aspect I enjoy besides clothes, since I don't wear makeup; I love coloring my hair.

I lost my "dye-ginity" when I was 12. My best friend helped me change my super long, super plain brown hair for the first time since I had tried to cut my own bangs when I was 5 or 6. I was one of those children who was born with features that changed when I grew; I was born with blue eyes and red hair but they both settled on brown about a year or so in. I remember being so confused as a kid looking at my baby pictures and thinking, 'That clearly isn't me." I wanted to see what I would have looked like if my hair had stayed so I chose a warm auburn. I loved it and have been a dye-hard ever since.

Wooden Charm Bracelet @ DALB

 Cheese! *Click!*

Ever since I finally got the basics of Photography down in a Black & White 1 class in college, I have been hooked. In high school many of my friends had a passion for taking photos and I was partially influenced by wanting to be like them, partially by this blog (which was a far-fetched dream at the time).

My camera is an almost constant companion in my life and when I saw these adorable little wooden camera cut outs I knew immediately what I wanted to make!

Learn how to make your own bracelet over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Venture Visits #4: Lyssa from Playing the Music of Life

When we last checked in with Venture he had just been on a huge trip and got 3 more states under his belt!  It makes me smile every time I open an email with "Venture" in the tagline and I get to see all the new pictures of his latest adventures. I can't believe he's already gotten as far as he has and I hope one day Venture will have visited every state in the union!

I'm now going to pass the pen over to my pal Alyss, who writes at Playing the Music of Life so she can share her experience with Venture. As always we are still looking for hosts for Venture. If you're interested please read more and contact me. Read below to see how our gnome buddy spent his time in St. Louie.

Washi Tape Mug

 Exciting news friends! This project has been in the works for a while and it's been killing me to keep it a secret. I've teamed up with Darby Smart to design a DIY project kit that you can purchase!

Via

I am a big coffee and tea drinker so mugs are aplenty in my house but I am always looking for cute new ones to add to my collection. When I came up with this idea I knew the possibilities for how each person could decorate their mug would be endless and the process is super easy. Pretty ideal for a craft kit *wink, wink*

Gathered Fabric Bracelet @ DALB

I've been on a big spring cleaning kick for the last month or so and the room/area I've been focusing on recently is my office area. I have so much craft stuff that every once and a while it's important to go through it all to remind myself of the full breadth of my collection. It was when I was going through my overflowing fabric scraps container that I found a moderate sized piece of this artsy fartsy yellow abstract pattern that I bought waaaaay back in 7th or 8th grade.

I still have the bulk of it buried in my fabric drawers because I know someday I'm going to have some good purpose for it (besides making a mole stuffed animal for Chemistry). I started just cutting and messing around sewing with that scrap and a few others and ended up making these adorable bracelets!

Find out how to make your own over at Dream A Little Bigger!

Til Next Time!

Wreck This Journal: Part #1

I've fallen back out of the habit of art journaling again (we have a history of on-again-off-again relationships). I decided I missed it so I picked up a copy of "Wreck This Journal" by Kerri Smith to try to get back in the habit/play around with different methods.

I've been working in this journal since November and do a page whenever inspiration strikes. If you follow me on instagram, I post pictures of the pages whenever I finish a good one. I'd say I have 1/5 of the pages done and I wanted to share some of my favorites so far with you below.

Talk About It Tuesday: Career in Props

 I think I've finally decided what I want to be when I grow up! Isn't that exciting? I want to pursue a career in prop making. This is a recent decision but it's one that's taken me a while to come around to.

I see many more shop/lab classes in my future.

I want to talk about possible future paths I can take, and why I think this job would be a good fit. If you want to hear my thoughts, read more below!

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!

School Art Check In #1

One of my favorite collages from my 2D Design class

Whoo hoo! I am officially half way done with my school semester! (Spring break is still so far away though! C'mon April!) I thought today I would take the opportunity to show you what Ive been working on in my 2D and 3D design classes.

Button-up Shirt Refashion @DALB

Our streak of foul weather in NC broke for a few glorious days of shorts, tank tops and flip flops. My spring break isn't until next month and my whole school is getting a bad case of spring fever. I am no different and wanted to start adding some new items to my warm weather wardrobe so I dug into my handy dandy refashioning bag to create this skirt!

It was pretty simple and creates an interesting shaped skirt that is longer on the front and back and slightly shorter on the sides.

Find the full tutorial over at Dream A Little Bigger!


Til Next Time!

Book Review: Around The USA In 50 Craft Projects

It's been a very very long time since I reviewed a book, too long I decided! When I found out one of my favorite craft sites, Cut Out + Keep was publishing a book I knew I needed it. Luckily, I've worked with them a few times in the past and that helped me snag an early copy to review for you guys.

Read my thoughts about the book, plus get a little teaser from the publishers below!

Talk About It Tuesday: 5 Year Goal Check-In

I've talked about how I got started art journaling on the blog before (right here actually) but I didn't share much of my first journal in that post like I did my subsequent ones. I did this for various reasons, some of the pages are personal, some were only half completed.

This one I was hesitant about sharing in case I failed, but when I stumbled upon my old journal while tidying my office I knew this was perfect to discuss here on the blog. I was asked to respond to the question "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" by my senior AP English teacher.

Last Month Tonight: February '15

Wow, I know February is the shortest month but dang it flew by this year! I lost my blogging momentum halfway through the month and only really just regained it. I made some really adorable red and pink things this month and I think it just sapped all of my creative energy. (I kid, I kid. I needed a little break.)

Projects:

Winged Heart Pin

Unicorn Valentine's Day Card

Doughnut Ring