Category Archives: DIY projects

DIY Decanter Labels

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If you remember a previous DIY post, I recently painted my husband a picture of “I mustache you a question” for his bar. Since then, he has been asking for me to either buy or make him decanter labels.

I have been on the hunt to purchase the labels but couldn’t find anything I liked or that would work for multiple of types of liquor. I also wanted to be able to use more of a handwritten font so it would match his picture. He wanted to make sure the labels could be customized to specific brands. So, I was going to need to make them. My original idea was to create mini-signs with chalkboard paint but let’s be honest, I am never going to remember where I put that chalk after I use it once. I finally settled on card stock that I can easily make at anytime.

Here’s the do-it-yourself directions. Also, you should customize this based on your needs! Use my idea as a starting point and alter what works for you. For instance, instead of writing it on, type it and use your printer to make the labels. Or, instead of baker’s twine, use holiday ribbon.

Supplies:

Directions:

Start with a clean area. Cut notecards into the size you want based on the size of your decanter.

I folded into fourths and then cut those fourths into halves.

If you are writing your labels, use a nice pen and include the year or date so you know when you poured the liquor into the decanters.

 
Next up, cut the ribbon based on the size of your decanters (and if you want it to go around the top or wrap around). I wanted them to go on top because wrapping around all of our decanter’s is not possible. My twine was about 6 inches.

Then, add rubber cement to the back and apply the ends of your twine as below. To help secure, I added more rubber cement over the twine that is on the card.

Let the cards fully dry before putting it on your decanters. Don’t forget to make extras (I made about six more) to use as you empty a decanter and add more liquor.

Here’s the final set-up.

 

What do you think? It was a fun and easy project which took me about 15 minutes including drying time. Let me know if you end up trying it and what you do differently!

Enjoy,

Ellen

DIY Wallpaper Removal

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As I have mentioned before, my husband and I purchased a home that had wallpaper in every room. And, I literally mean every room except the kitchen and the back den. We had grasscloth to three layers to wallpaper ceilings. Oh my!

In the three years of living here, we have now completely removed all of the wallpaper! Yes! We have tried every method (DIF, scraping to steaming) and have the best way – it’s steaming and we are thankful that we purchased the Wagner steamer – 915 On Demand. The neat part about this steamer is that it can be used to remove wallpaper, clean stove tops, grills and blinds and floors.

Everyone always asks how we did it. So, my husband has offered to share with us his step-by-step process:

For our particular wallpaper, I learned that it was easiest to take off the first layer without the steamer and simply use a putty knife. Our first layer was basically waterproof, and even scoring heavily made no difference.

Fill up the steamer with the max amount of water. Our steamer’s max is around 45 minutes, and it goes fast. Give the steamer about 10 minutes to heat the water till steaming.

Once the water is heated, find a seam in the wallpaper. I typically start at the top of the wall. I prefer to hold the steamer with my right hand and the putty knife in my left, but go with what feels right.

Hold the steamer on a wallpaper seam for around 25 seconds. If you’re worried about water drips (possibly a wooden floor) place a towel along the base board below the area you are steaming. Beware of the dripping water, it’s hot (you think this is common sense till the first 10 times you burn yourself).

After 25 seconds, move the steamer one space over.

While steaming the next space, use the putty knife to remove the just steamed wallpaper section. It will take a few tries to perfect this technique, and it may take an extra hit of steam to get all layers to smoothly release from the wall.

Next, tear off the steamed wallpaper section. It typically comes off in a square (the same size as the steamer) and I just neatly place them all in a pile to throw away.

And, enjoy the next four hours of your life steaming!

My one rule of caution is that this is what has worked for us best based on the type of wallpaper we had in our bedrooms, bathroom and hallway. This might not work for you; however, it would be worth a try!

Have you had to remove wallpaper and if so, how did you do it?

Where to find us:
Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest.

Enjoy,

Ellen

DIY – Cane Chair Make Over :: Before

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One morning on my way to work, I noticed this chair sitting next to the dumpsters in the alley by my condo. It was still there when I got home, so decided it was time to inspect it. The bottom of the chair wasn’t in great shape so I left that, but I saw life in the rest of it and carried it home to the basement.

It may look drab and hopeless, but I think with a little paint and new fabric, this will be a beautiful addition to my living room. Not to mention it also needs a new bottom cut and cushion, but that should be easy, right?

I love the Greek design along the front. Some of them have fallen off, but I think I can repair and/or just paint over it.

The wicker cane goes all the way around the back, so I am not sure if I will replace this back fabric or leave the chair open with a nice pillow. I have decided to paint the chair black and then have a navy/white pattern fabric for the seat. I found a few inspiration chairs and posted those to our Pinterest Account. This is my first dumpster dive, so wish me luck!

Au revoir,
Jamie

Setting the Table: DIY Summer Wreath

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Emily Walters runs her own business in Kansas City, emmy-ray, which focuses on floral design for weddings and events, and also jewelry and accessories for men and women. She also manages two blogs: emmy-ray and Middle of the Map Weddings. Her newest adventure is becoming the senior blog contributor to Paper Muse Press.
Her home was also featured on Ink KC today! We are so proud and happy to call Emily one of our best friends.
Enjoy,
Ellen
DIY Summer Wreath
If there is one floral arranging skill that I think every hostess should have it’s creating a fresh greenery and floral wreath.  Wreaths are incredibly versatile, and one made of fresh elements for a special occasion adds an extra touch to your front door or mantle.  Today I’m going to show you how to make a summer wreath, and these step-by-step instructions can be used year round with any type of fresh greens and floral elements. 
Here’s what you’ll need:
·      A wreath form ( I bought mine at Michael’s Arts and Crafts).
·      Gardening shears.
·      Green florists wire.
·      Scissors
·      Ribbon
·      Fresh greenery (for this tutorial I’m using lemon leaves, but you can use any elements you’d like, even some cut from your backyard.  Pine boughs in winter, fall leaves, or elements from your yard like boxwood, or tree branches.)
·      Floral elements (I chose a dried floral called a craspedia or billy ball.  You can use fresh flowers as well; just keep in mind they won’t last forever).
Step 1: Take your wreath form and lay it on a work surface.  Begin prepping your greenery by cutting away any excess stem, and removing dead leaves.  I would recommend leaving about 5-6 inches of stem below the actual greens.
Step 2: Begin wiring your greens to the wreath form.  Cut about an 8-inch length of wire per green.  This step takes a bit of patience.  Wrap your wire around the stem of your greens and your wreath form so they are attached to each other.  Wrap the wire up the stem to secure it.  It’s important to make sure your base is firmly attached to your wreath form, it’s the foundation of the piece.
Step 3: Continue to layer leaves, laying each consecutive leaf on top of the stems of the previous set of leaves.  Perfection isn’t the goal here, let the greenery do it’s thing, and don’t worry about holes, once you have your base you can fill in later.  Hold up your wreath every now and then to make sure things are tightly secured.
Step 4: Once your base is finished fill in any remaining spots of exposed wreath form with more greens.  If you’ve got a good base you may be able to weave them in amongst the other stems.  Otherwise add a bit more wire to secure.  Do the same with your floral elements. 
Now you’re done!  Hang your lovely hand made wreath wherever you desire.  I chose my front door.  I love the way the yellow of the craspedia contrasts with the greens and teal of the paint. 
Thanks so much for checking out my wreath tutorial, and good luck making your own fresh green wreath for your next event!
Cheers,
Emily