Video: DIY Halloween Owl Wall Decor

I took my Halloween owl plaque to WDRB in the Morning this week.  To make this adorable Halloween decoration, all you need is a wooden plaque, paint, scrapbook paper, and Mod Podge.  You can download the owl template at kiki(verde).  It all comes together quickly and is so cute hung amongst your décor or propped up on a shelf.

Louisville locals can watch crafts with D.I.Y. Louisville and Craft E Magee twice monthly on WDRB in the Morning.  We’ll be back on air with more Halloween crafts on Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:45 & 8:15am.  If you can’t tune in, check out our YouTube pages where we share all of our craft segments.

Happy Halloween crafting, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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DIY Halloween Owl Plaque

Are you ready to deck out your walls with Halloween décor?  This week, I made time to create my first Halloween craft of the season.  Such a sweet little DIY Halloween owl plaque, and so easy to make, too! 

Would you like to make your own Halloween owl?  You’ll need:  a wooden plaque (mine measures 7x7), black paint, Mod Podge, owl template, and assorted scrapbook papers.

First, download the free owl template from Kiki(verde).  Cut out your scrapbook paper in the shapes from the template.  Use stick glue to piece your owl together.  (This is not shown, because this genius idea didn’t come to me until too late, but it’ll make it easier, trust me.)

Paint your wooden plaque black.  After it dries, give it a nice smooth, even, thin coat of Mod Podge.

While the Mod Podge is wet, lay your owl down.  Then, top your owl with a nice, smooth, even, thin layer of Mod Podge.  Not too much or your paper will warp.  Smooth out any air bubbles. 

Once dry, your owl is ready to display amongst your spookiest décor.  Whooooooo!

If you would like to hang your Halloween owl plaque, simply hot glue a ribbon to the back as a hanger. 

D.I.Y. Louisville is having a Halloween party!  If you’re in the Louisville area and would like to join the Crafty Halloween Party, see the full details here.  For only $10 you can join us and we’ll have all the supplies you need to make your own DIY Halloween owl plaque.  Plus, we’ll have refreshments and prizes, too!  Email me at diylouisville@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Happy Halloween crafting, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Football Rivalry Party

If you don’t live in Louisville then you might not understand the sports rivalry against the teams from University of Louisville and University of Kentucky.  If you do live in Louisville, then chances are, loyalties to your favorite college team is divided among your household or friends.  Things get thick around here when UofL and UofK play against each other in football or basketball.  (And by thick, I mean downright crazy.)

Instead of picking sides, Craft E Magee and I created a football rivalry party for this weekend’s Louisville/Kentucky football showdown.  In true sportsmanship, we made sure to represent each team equally in this fun party setup.  Hosting your own football party this weekend?  Use some of these details to impress your guests no matter which team they’re cheering for!

The first thing we did was to create a football field table cloth.  We used green felt purchased by the yard at the fabric store and made yard lines using masking tape.  We then divided our teams straight down the middle of the table, and set up each team’s side equally using Kentucky blue and Louisville red partyware filled with game day snacks.  Creating symmetry is key to keeping your party table visually appealing.

How cute are these water bottle labels?  Craft E Magee designed a set of party printables for each team that includes water bottle labels, pennants, and cupcake toppers.  (Print the free UL vs UK party set here.)  Although each team’s colors and  logos are different, the chevron print helps bring everything together.

All of the fun details like team logos and cheers tie the party together even when creating sides for two teams.  You can easily use these ideas to plan for any sport or  football rivalry party, including Super Bowl parties.

Craft E Magee shares more details on assembling the pennants and making the football brownies over on her blog.

Whichever team you’re cheering for this weekend, I hope you have a fun and safe celebration!

Happy party planning, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Mustache and Pool Party

Is it a pool party?  A mustache party?  It’s both – it’s a ‘Stache and Splash! 

Our 11-year old birthday girl is a poster child for all things trendy –  Neon colors, chevron prints, and mustaches?  Check.  Check.  Check.   Her mom and I did our best to incorporate all of her favorite trends into a fun mustache pool party and we turned the party into a ‘Stache and Splash.  I mean, swimming girls with mustaches is totally a thing, right?

A mustache party is so easy and inexpensive to have right now since there is seemingly no end to the amount of mustache gear and party supplies that can be found at just about any store.  We paired our mustaches with chevron prints and bright green and Caribbean blue colors to give us a bit of a pool vibe.  Check out some of the other fun decorating details from this cool pool party:

To save on time, the cupcakes were ordered from the grocery store, and we added the mustache cupcake toppers.

Vinyl mustache stickers were used to turn plain cups into coordinating accessories.  We used a mustache candy mold to make green mustache pops. 

How cute are these mustache straw toppers?  These were pre-packaged mustaches and they slid easily onto the blue and green paper straws.  Again, we used a vinyl sticker to decorate the mason jar.

Mustache duct tape was wrapped around water bottles, and giant pixie sticks were topped with mustache stickers.

We also set up a photo booth.  I made the Grab A ‘Stache and Smile sign to direct the girls to the bucket full of fun mustaches, glasses, and talk bubbles on sticks.  We also used my favorite photo booth frame. 

The girls loved the mustache pool party.  What is it about this trend that is just so much fun?

If you’re interested in having your own ‘Stache and Splash party, I’m offering my printable signs as a free download. 

Click HERE for the  Grab a ‘Stache and Make a Splash sign.

Click HERE for the  Grab a ‘Stache and Smile sign.

Click HERE to download the photo booth props.

 

Have you been to any fun theme parties lately?

Party on, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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4th of July Party Printables

Looking for an easy to way to spruce up your picnic table for your 4th of July festivities?  Check out these free downloadable 4th of July printables:

These adorable patriotic cupcakes toppers are from Get Party Chic.  Go HERE to download the free file.  To make: print from home on cardstock paper, cut or use a 2-inch paper punch, then glue a toothpick to the back.  Use them to decorate cupcakes or to hold your grilled (veggie?) burgers together.  So cute!

These printable food flags and “celebrate!” cupcake toppers were designed by Kim for D.I.Y. Louisville and will look festive next to your delicious desserts.  Print the free files HERE and HERE.   To make:  Print from home on cardstock paper.  Fold in half and glue around a toothpick or lollipop stick.

Enjoy your 4th of July festivities, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Free Blogger Meet-Up Printables

Emily of The Em Dash designed all of the adorable nametags and signs used throughout the Louisville Blogger Meet and Greet, and she would like to share them with you as a free printable. 

She’s awesome like that. 

Basically, we had so much fun organizing and attending our event that we would like to give you a few tools to make planning your own blogger event as fun and stress-free as possible.  Cool?

Click the link below each picture for the printable PDF.

Blog Name Badges (prints six on a sheet)

Blank Blogger/Business Cards (prints 10 on a sheet)

Business Card Sign (prints as a tent card)

Binder Ring Card (prints as a tent card) Here’s an explanation of binder ring card holder.

Enjoy!  If you use these for your blogger event (or any other event – I’m not picky), please share a link with me.  I would love to see pictures!

~julee~

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Make It: Kentucky Derby Photo Booth Props

Photo booths are the one trend that I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of.  I’m pretty much of the mindset that every party needs one.  Goofy pictures + goofy props = goofy good memories. 

And I’m totally down with that.

The biggest party day in Louisville is right around the corner (that’s Derby Day for my non-local readers), so I’ve created a couple of additional photo props you can add to your mustaches-on-sticks:  A mint julep cup and a derby hat.  Because, right?  No Kentucky Derby party is complete without these.

Kentucky Derby Photo Prop Tutorials

Download the free photo prop template HERE and you’ll receive:  Talk bubble, male derby hat, female derby hat, mustache, bow tie, neck tie, glasses, and mint julep cup.

Cut your talk bubble out of black poster board and you can use chalk to write and erase messages. 

To make the (female) derby hat:  You’ll need hat TEMPLATE, cardstock, scissors, glue, ribbon, silk flowers, feathers or other embellishments, and a stick such as a bamboo skewer or popsicle stick.  1)Download the free template.  Print directly onto heavy cardstock or print then trace and cut from heavy cardstock.  2) Glue on your strip of ribbon.  3)  Glue on feathers.  4) Glue on silk flowers.  5) Glue stick on back.  6) Snap fancy photos.

To make the mint julep:  You’ll need cup and mint leaves TEMPLATE, cardstock, scissors, glue, silver glitter, and a stick such as a bamboo skewer or popsicle stick.  1)Download the free template.  Print directly onto heavy cardstock or print then trace and cut from heavy cardstock.  2) Brush glue over the cup in a very thin layer so your paper doesn’t warp.  3) Sprinkle on glitter.  4) Attach the mint leaves.  5)  Glue stick on back.  6)  Snap outrageous photos.

Happy party planning, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Easter Crafts on WDRB in the Morning

This morning Craft E Magee and I demonstrated Easter crafts on WDRB in the Morning.   Participating on WDRB is seriously one of the most fun experiences we have ever had. 

I loved Kim’s boutique Easter baskets that she made last year, and I wanted to create one in the same style for my daughter this year.  She picked out her colors and I love how it turned out.  Here is the video clip of me demonstrating how to spruce up your plain Easter baskets:

WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community

Also this morning, Craft E Magee demonstrated her adorable Easter hand puppets. (Full tutorial and free printable templates found HERE).

WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community

If you are in the Louisville area you can watch D.I.Y. Louisville and Craft E Magee on WDRB in the Morning again on April 3rd and April 17th at 7:45 & 8:15am.  You can also see our past segments on my YouTube channel.

Are you making any Easter crafts this year?  Feel free to share you links in the comments or post a picture on my Facebook page – I’d love to check them out!

~julee~

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Make It: Popcorn Valentine

I am so excited to have Kim on the blog today to show us these adorable Popcorn Valentine treats she made for her kids’ classes this year.  Read how she put these together, plus she’s sharing her free printables full of “corny” sayings.  (C’mon, you saw that coming.  Am I the only one who loves wacky Valentine puns??)

This year my goal in creating school valentines, was simply to not use candy or sweets. My kids get so much candy from their school parties every year. I thought about what I could do in the way of a treat and finally settled on popcorn, since it’s my kid’s favorite treat. I shopped around and found these mini bags of microwave popcorn at Aldi’s, they come 10 in a pack for 1.99. I then grabbed some scrapbook paper from the dollar spot at Target and threw in some of my own ribbon. Oh, the best part, I designed these free printable tags to be used with the popcorn valentines. There is a more traditional Valentine’s Day colored set with sayings that all involve “pop”, and a more “boy” set that has non-traditional colors. I printed the tags on cardstock.

The first step is to gather your supplies. You’ll need popcorn, scrapbook paper, cutting tool, glue stick or double sided tape, embellishments and your free printable found here and here.

Measure your scrapbook paper to cover the white part of the popcorn bag. You can get about two bags from each piece of 12x12 paper. Trim off about 5 inches from one end of the paper strip.  Wrap the paper tightly around the popcorn and glue the ends or secure with tape.

Next,  add any embellishments you like. On the pink one I added some zebra ribbon and the green one got a strip of orange paper and some polka dot ribbon. Trim your printable tags down to size and glue or secure with tape to the front. I’ll have my kids add their names to the bottom of the tags before they give them to their classmates. I think these would also make great gifts for friends or coworkers too!

You can download the free printable files here and here.

 

Thanks to Kim for sharing this cute idea!  I love the idea of giving something other than candy to classmates.

Happy Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Make It: Magnetic Chalkboard Organizer

Every January, my goal is always to try and get more organized.  I have every good intention, but inevitably those intentions go right out the window as soon as things start to get busy.  Not this year.  This year I’m sticking to it.  And this cute little magnetic and chalkboard organizer is going to sit right by my computer to help me. 

It only takes a few supplies to make this cute organizational board.  I had most things on hand (you probably do too), and I only had to buy the cookie sheet and hooks for $1 each at the dollar store.  Want to make one too?



1) Gather all of your supplies.  You’ll need:  Metal cookie sheet, scrapbook paper, black poster board (this is your chalkboard), Mod Podge, paint brush or sponge, round corner punch (optional).

2) Measure how big you want your chalkboard (black poster board) and add one inch (your scrapbook paper will overlap this once it’s adhered in place).  Measure and cut your scrapbook paper and black poster board to fit snug in the cookie sheet.  Since the corners of my cookie sheet were round, I used a rounded corner punch on the top corners of the scrap paper and the bottom corners of the black poster board.

3)  Evenly apply your Mod Podge on the entire cookie sheet.  Do not leave big glops, as this may warp your paper.

4)  Adhere your black poster board first and firmly smooth out any wrinkles or air pockets.  Apply a very thin layer of Mod Podge on the extra inch at the top of the black poster board, then place your scrap paper on top.  Smooth out any wrinkles or air pockets.  Try not to push any Mod Podge out onto your chalkboard, because chalk won’t write over it.  Immediately blot away any excess if it seeps through.

5) Get out your chalk, stick on your magnets, and get organized!





See more details about the calendar I made to perfectly fit this small space HERE and go  HERE to print it for free.  I wanted hangers for various things, and I found these adhesive backed ones at the dollar store.  I cut magnets to fit and they work great.



I used an easel to sit my organizer on my desk, but you can also hang it by drilling holes for a ribbon or adhering wire to the back.

Check out another great New Years resolution craft over at Craft E Magee: Make your own yoga mat strap.

Think of me as unexpected turbulence magnet from HERE.

Happy organizing, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Print It: Desktop Calendar

I share a lot of things on my Facebook page that I don’t always share on the blog, which is why you should hop on over there and hit the LIKE button so you won’t miss any of the fun.  Today, for example, you may have missed the announcement that I will be joining with Craft E Magee this Wednesday January 9th for another appearance on WDRB in the Morning.  If you’re local, you can watch live at 7:45 and 8:15 or set your DVR.  If you’re not local, you can catch all of our segments on my YouTube channel.  Also, I’ll keep the sidebar updated with our next appearance date and times, so you’ll never have to miss.

Sneak peek alert! I created a small desktop calendar that can be printed to go along with my project this week.  If you want to get a head start on this project, you can go HERE to print this free 2013 calendar.  It’s the perfect size if you have a small desk space.  I’ve backed mine with pretty scrapbook paper, and clipped them together with a small binder clip so they can hang on a hook.  The subsequent months are hanging on the backside and is easy to switch when the new month starts.

Don’t forget to watch on Wednesday, or check my Facebook  page for the video clip after the show.

~julee~

Sharing with YOLO Monday on Lipgloss & Crayons.

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Last Minute Wrapping

If you find that you’re down to the last minute and have run out of a few gift wrapping essentials, don’t fret; You probably have a few items on hand that you can use in a pinch.



Paper bags make the perfect gift wrap and they pretty much give you a blank canvas to create any look you want.  Plus, recycling is just a cool thing to do.  Cut your bag open, flip any logos to the inside (if you want), and now you have the perfect wrapping paper base for drawing, doodling, stamping, painting, and creating your own custom look.  Of course, leaving the brown paper  au naturale is pretty, too. 

Creating snowflakes from white paper or coffee filters is as easy as a few snips from your scissors, and they look pretty atop any package. (Tutorial coming soon!)



You can create the look of ribbon from thin strips of wrapping paper or any colored paper.  Cool maps or magazine photos can be cut and used for adornments or gift tags.  If you prefer more traditional gift tags, you can print them right from your computer.  These free printable gift tags from D.I.Y. Louisville member Patty of All’s Fair in cookies and crafts are super adorable.


Do you have any favorite last minute or recycled gift wrap ideas?  I'd love to hear your ideas and I’m always looking for new inspiration, so please feel free to share in the comments.

Happy gift wrapping, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Good Fortune: Fortune Telling Game for Kids

For my daughter’s Halloween party, I had the idea for bring in Madame Good Fortune to tell good, positive fortunes for the girls.  The girls at our party were ages 9-11, and while I thought that they would enjoy this, I had no idea that it would turn out to be the biggest hit at any of my parties ever.

I needed someone to play the part who would also be able to think up creative responses quickly.  Luckily my good friend Robin was perfect for the role and willing to play along.  Between the two of us, we came up with this sort of on-the-fly good fortune game.



To play:  Print out cards with the words Love, Beauty, Wealth, Friendship, Truth, Travel, Adventure on them.  (I have a free printable HERE that you can print.)  Adhere these to black cardstock so that you can’t see through them.  Lay them face down on the table, and let the kids turn over 2-3 cards.  Their good fortune is based on the cards, in the order they are turned over.  For example, if Truth and Love are selected, their fortune might be something like Keeping truth in your heart will always lead you to love, or You love with a true heart.  To engage the kids, you can ask them if they know an example of how this has happened in the past or may happen in the future.



Additionally, we had a selection of colored beads.  At the end of the encounter with Madame Good Fortune, the girls each selected a bead.  The color of the bead represented another fortune.  Here are a few that we thought of:

Red:  You love with a true heart.
White: You are guided by the stars.
Green:  Your beauty comes from within.
Blue:  You are a true and loyal friend
Amber:  You are grounded to the earth.
Purple: You will achieve what you set your mind to.

Afterwards, we used jewelry wire to turn the beads into rings so that the girls could wear their good fortunes.


Both of these ideas can be easily adapted and expanded on for your group.  Have fun thinking of your own good fortunes!

~julee~

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