DIY - Chalkboard Mason Jar Name Tags

One of the many projects I've been working on for my dearest friend's baby shower.  Chalkboard name tags to tie around mason jars.  That way everyone can keep track of their drinking glass.  These plastic lids by The Mason Bar Company are great too.  They won't be on all the jars for this shower but they would be great for a future event.  BPA free and reusable.


Materials for the tags:

• string (I used baker's twine, but jute twine would be really cute too)
• cardstock for the backing (I used kraft colored from my local craft store)
• chalkboard contact paper (similar HERE)
• liquid chalk pen (similar HERE)
• hole punch

Optional materials:

• mason jar (can be purchased at craft stores, grocery stores)
• paper straws (similar HERE)
• plastic lid (HERE)

Directions:

1. peel backing from contact paper (it comes in a roll)
2. apply cut cardstock onto contact paper (these are 2" x 3")
3. after the cut cardstock is applied, cut the excess contact paper (you're basically using the cardstock as a cutting guide for the contact paper, as well as keeping it stiff)
4. cut your string to a desired length, long enough to wrap around whatever glass you want to tie it onto
5. draw or write your message on the contact paper
6. wait for it to dry
7. punch a hole at the top
8. thread the string through the hole and voila...

Pretty easy right?


xo,
Junghwa

DIY - Mason Jar Pin Cushion

This is an oldie but goodie.  I never posted this for some reason.  Better late than never.

My sister, Myra of Twigs & Honey, travels a lot for her business so I decided to make her a mason jar pin cushion.  I gathered up a few things from around the house and made it pretty for her.  A little emergency kit for photo shoots and what not.  

And this is what I put inside:

• tiny safety pins
• large safety pins
• a couple glass vials (found on etsy)
• a small cloth bag
• bobby pins
• fabric tape (found on etsy)
• a couple spools of thread
• spool of twine (wrapped around a wine cork)

This was so easy to make!

What you'll need:

• mason jar (bought mine at Joann Fabric)
• hot glue gun
• stuffing
• whatever goodies you want to put inside

What to do:

1. Get a mason jar.  Any size will do. 
2. Remove the lid and separate the inner round from the outer ring.
3. Place the inner round lid on some fabric.  Cut the fabric about 1" wider than the lid all the way around.
4. Center the inner lid on the cut fabric, fold the fabric over the edge and start gluing it bit by bit around the lid.  Folding and creasing a little as you go.  Don't go all the way around yet.  And don't pull too tightly.  If you do, then you won't have much room for the stuffing.
5. Put the stuffing inside and when its full then you can glue the rest of it down. 
6. You can leave the bottom of the lid raw or you can glue a smaller, circular piece of fabric down to cover all the edges.
7. Fill it up and close the lid.
8. I tied some twine around the jar and attached a label for gifting.  (not pictured)

Have fun!

xo,

Junghwa



Gray is the new black

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to post the pouch giveaway winner.  I've been working on several projects.  Thank you so much to all of you that participated.  I was really bad about not advertising my giveaway this time.  NO TIME!  My little bubba is getting more and more active everyday so it's hard to get time in front of the computer for more than a couple minutes.  Anyway...without further ado...

Congratulations to Gracie from GracieBellaButterfly!!! 

  

She is a super sweet girl and if you haven't already been following her, you really should.  She does these great gift swaps and it really makes me want to participate.  When I get more time I definitely will. :)


I've been on this DIY kick as of late.  Wanting to decorate our new home without breaking the bank.  I saw these amazing zig zag (chevron) patterned pillows for $50 on the internet and thought to myself, why not just make them myself?!  So, I found the same exact fabric for $7.95 and made 2 cases from it.  And instead of buying the inserts, I used the matching pillows that our sofa set came with.   

I also made one from linen and a designer white textured fabric as well.  Don't you just love them?!

*side note, this is not how I set them up on the sofas.

Oh and here is the duvet cover we bought from West Elm.  Our headboard is not arriving until next month so I'll wait till then to take a photo of our bedroom.  But here's what it looks like...

photo courtesy of west elm

I LOVE GRAY!!!!!!!

I'm not sure if this is really gray, because they call it "mink" on their site... ASOS and this is the first time I'm ordering this color from them.  But, it sure looks gray.  I just ordered it for one of the many weddings we're attending this year (4 so far).  It's in June at a winery and our June weather is usually still a little chilly.  I thought the long sleeves were a good idea.  Plus, isn't it so pretty?!?!?!  You can't tell from the photo but the sleeves are open all the way to the wrists. 

trapeze dress with slash sleeves | asos

Still trying to figure out what style and what color shoes to wear with this. 

Outdoor, some concret, some grass.  I was thinking maybe pink or purple?

Any suggestions???

DIY Linen Ribbon Board

I've done several DIY projects and I always forget to share the process with you.  So, I thought now would be a good time to do that.  Sharing is caring right? 

So, we bought a frame from Ikea to put one of our wedding photos in and during a past move my hubby stepped on it and broke the glass.  Great.  Well, I held on to it for the last 2 years trying to think of something to do with it.  I spotted some cute ribbon boards at Pottery Barn for $55 (board plus rod) and thought why spend all that money when I have all the supplies at home?! 

Supplies:
1 - frame - any size
1 - hot glue gun
4 - glue sticks
1 - pair of scissors
1 - ruler or tape measure
ribbon - any color or size (I used 3/8" in light pink.)
fabric - slightly larger than frame (I used an old linen scrap I got on sale.)

First make sure bubba is secure in swing.  Check.

Get your frame.  This is an old one without the glass.  You won't need the glass anyway.

Take it apart.  Put the mat aside (if it came with one).  You'll be working with the board.

Cut out the fabric slightly larger than the board.  Don't bother measuring.  Just eyeball it.

Get your hot glue gun ready.  I use the smaller one on high. 

Also, invest in the silicone pad.  It catches all the drips and the glue just peels right off!

Pull the fabric taut and glue into place.

Cut the corners so you get a nice edge.  You can skip this step.

But if you do it, it looks nice.  No one will see this so it doesn't really matter.

If you did it nice and taut it will look smooth like this.

Check up on bubba and see what he's up to.

Cut and place your ribbon out on your board where ever you want it. 

Some people go vertical and horizontal. 

I wanted to go diagonal at 3" apart.

Hot glue the ribbon to the back of the board.  Pull it really tight to get a good fit.

VERY important.

Cut and place ribbon again going the other way.  Weave it in and out. 

Meaning, go over, under, over, under.

When you're done it should look like this. 

If your frame came with a mat, go ahead and glue it to the back to just make it even more secure.

You don't have to do this, but I had the extra mat so why not.

Put the frame back on with no glass.

Tada!  You're done.  Now put your favorite cards or photos in there for a nice decorative look.

And there, using stuff I already had, I just saved myself $55.  You can buy the same frame at Ikea or I bet you could find some really cheap ones at a garage sale, antique shop or Goodwill.  They even make spray paint that will cover just about any material out there.  Have fun!

Don't forget about my pouch giveaway!!