Super Easy BoHo Hanger

I'm still at work, creating affordable decor pieces for our daughter's new apartment in LA.

I want her to feel nested and "at home" while she's so far from us, and I want her apartment to not resemble a left-over fraternity space...

You know what I'm talking about.  Those mismatched pieces of flotsom and jetsom that all "starving artists" have at the beginning of the lives after college.

We have the means to set her up with something that reflects her sophisticated design sense, and I'm happy to oblige that with a small but doable budget.

And let's face it... I love to create and it's making for some great content for my blog! (LOL)

She spotted this on Pinterest.

thehomedecorguides.com

Here's the pin link, but the internet link said there was no server.  Go figure.  I would really like to give credit where credit is due, but this is the best I've got.

Anywhooo...

Darling daugher liked this and I recognized it as an easy to copy project.

Here's how it went down.

I purchased this Red Heart Super Saver yarn from Wal*Mart for $2.97.  I had a dowel left over from a previous project, so I decided to use that instead of hunting for the perfect straight branch.

I started by creating the 5 large tassels.

I took a book (Subconscious Power by Kimberly Friedmutter) and began wrapping the yarn length wise over the entire book.  Wrapping it lengthwise gave me the size I desired for this project.

I wrapped it 100 times while I was catching up on YouTube videos.

Once I was done wrapping, I squished the yarn at the top and ran a very long strand of separate yarn under it.

I tied the top in a tight know and removed the wrapped yarn from the book.

It slid right off because the book jacket is smooth and slippery.

At this point I took a smaller length of yarn and cam down about 1.25 inches from the top.

I tied another tight know, creating the "poof" of the tassel.

I used the tails of the tied yarn to wrap around this point a few time, tied it off and tucked the short tails underneath.

Using a sharp pair of scissors, I cut the loops at the bottom and gave the tassel and even "haircut."

I repeated this process 4 more times.

I used the original tassel to get as close to the same "poofs" at the top of the tassel as well as the same lengths overall.

Once I was done I had 5 similar tassels.

I laid the 5 tassels out on my workspace, staggering them like the original inspiration piece.

I laid the middle one first, the laid the next two at the same length as well as the end pieces at the same length.

I didn't measure, because it wasn't going to be perfect to begin with.

I took the large dowel piece that I had and laid it across the lengths of yarn.

I slip knotted them onto the dowel, adjusting until I was happy with their resemblance to the inspiration photo.

I added a bit of glue to the knots to secure it while it was hanging.

I added a doble strand of yarn on the ends as the hanger.

And then...

I had this.

Not a bad interpretation, and literally an impactful decor piece for less than $3.00

I used almost all the yarn, but did have enough left for making 5 more smaller tassels.

On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby, I saw this little gem.

The tassels were smaller, the dowel was dinky, 

and

wait for it...

It was @13.99 plus tax!

Even at 40% off with the HL coupon, it was still around over $8.00.

I'll take my creation over this one anyday!

Plus, our daughter LOVED it, so it's worth it.

My Top Five YouTube Channels

Many of you ask me where I get my ideas and inspiration for the many projects, crafts, and Dollar Tree finds.

I'm here to tell you.

YouTube.

(with a bit of Pinterest thrown in...)

Today, I'm going to share my top five YouTubers and their channels, with a few honorable mentions thrown in for good measure.

They are in no particular order.

GARDEN ANSWER

Photo Credit:  Garden Answer

I love to tinker with plants and my succulent gardens, and this channel by far is my favorite for all types of gardening information, inspiration, and encouragement.

In fact, I've propagated baby succulents this Spring because Laura had a great video on the how-to.

She and her husband are an amazing team and their home in Oregon is stunning.

She's down to earth, humble, and really makes you feel like you can be a master at anything relating to plants.

DO IT ON A DIME

Photo Credit: Do It on a Dime

This former teacher, with over 1 million subscribers, is a master at frugal living and shares her Dollar Tree obsession with her viewers.  She and I were separated at birth!

She's a young mom of two who seems like she could be in your carpool, PTA, or neighborhood...she's that relatable.

The tips and tricks she offers for getting the most out of your dollar while making your home and life easier are inspirational.

Plus, her infectious personality makes it a joy to watch her.

LIVING TO DIY with RACHEL METZ

Photo Credit:  Living to DIY with Rachel Metz

I love a good DIY, but I especially love when that same DIY looks "doable" for the skill limited.

Rachel takes you through so many projects, sharing her successes as well as her failures.  In fact, she's not afraid to show you what went wrong and how or if she was able to fix it.

Her home is very funky, farmhouse, mid-century modern - very chic and very striking.  She's done so many of the improvements herself, and while we may not share the same style, I definitely find projects to try and inspiration for other projects.

Her sweet dog likes to get into the action as well.

TATI

Photo Credit:  Tati Westbrook

You may or may not be surprised to see that I follow a beauty blogger, but I will tell you it's one of my secret vices.  

I LOVE anything related to make-up, especially as I age and make-up changes and improves.

Tati, with over 10 million subscribers, is a gem when it comes to learning about technique, make-up (both drugstore and high end), with a good dose of fun thrown in.

She started making videos to share her honest opinions about products in the beauty industry, and to this day, she is not sponsored by or dis-honest about any products she shares on her channel.

Plus, she takes you through her own make-up applications and it's fun to watch how she does it.  Some are natural applications while others are glam and out of this world.  

She's an artist and an honest one at that.

JENNIFER McGUIRE INK

Photo Credit:  Jennifer McGuire Ink

As a card crafter, I love watching other card makers create their own works of art.  

Jennifer is a leader in the industry and has such great techniques and ideas that it's hard NOT to craft after watching her videos.

I've actually purchased some of the products she uses, which has given me another vendor for card supplies and stamps.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Self-Care Category

Dominique Sachse

Sharalees Box of Chocolates

Home, Organization, Decor

Robeson Design

Live Your Style

At Home with Nikki

Veri Keri

Be My Guest with Denise Cooper

DIY

The Sorry Girls

Evan And Katelyn

Card Making

K Werner Design

WPlus9 Design

Now, before you have a "chat" with me about how much time can be spent watching YouTube, I just want to assure you that I don't watch hours and hours of it every day.

In fact, I watch very little TV, and YouTube is like my TV so to speak.

Most videos are fairly short AND these YouTubers do not post everyday.  I watch their content when they put it out, and sometimes I have 2 or even 3 videos to "catch-up" on.

I also use YouTube to look up specific things, like changing a coupler in a specific faucet or how to organically clean your coffee pot.

Watching a video is easier for me than reading directions.  Hence the reason why I turn to YouTube.  If there's not a video on there already, it probably can't be done!

I hope you visit some of my favorites as well as the honorable mentions.

They are well worth a bit of viewing!

Recycled Boxes

I ordered some sheets from Amazon the other day and they arrived in these sturdy brown cardboard boxes, which were inside the larger Amazon box.

As soon as I took the sheets out, I KNEW that I could use these boxes to complete a NO COST DIY project that had been rolling around in my head.

What drew me to these boxes was first, the heavy duty construction and thick side walls.

I also liked that they opened "top wise" but were the slip in type that kept them comfortably and securely closed.

So...

I started off by measuring the top and the front side of the box.

The top was a bit over 11 inches from side to side.

It measured just a bit shy of 10 inches from front to back.

The front side measured a bit over 3 inches from side to side.

The length of the front side was over 11.5 inches.  I double checked those measurements to make sure I had them correct.

I needed them for the next part.

I grabbed my Mod Podge in Matte Finish, a cheap brush, some typeset designer paper (12x12 sheets) and these adhesive metal bookplates from Martha Stewart.

I got to work.

I dumped a dollop of the Mod Podge on the box and spread it evenly with the brush.

I made sure to cover the top and the front side completely.  

I didn't worry about going over the sides as I knew it would dry clear and those would be concealed in the side of the box when closed.

After cutting and dry fitting my designer paper to the top and front side, I laid it over the Mod Podge, carefully pressing from the middle out to avoid air bubbles.

TIP:  When using Mod Podge, make sure you have totally covered the base of your item BEFORE you place your covering over it.  This helps you to avoid as many air bubbles as you can.

Once the paper was smooth, I used the brush to paint a generous layer of the Mod Podge over the top of it, covering it completely and extending past all the edges.

I let the Mod Podge dry.  

I know it looks shiny here but that is only because it was still wet.

Once it was fully dry, I peeled the backing off the bookplate and adhered it to the front of the box.

Since I had two boxes and two bookplates, I made a second one.

Here's how they turned out.

These boxes are both exactly the same size and will be perfect for storing any type of paper items, memorabilia, office supplies, paper projects...

Really anything you can image.

I love that they are now put to use and not in the landfill or the recycling center.

I checked out similar type boxes for purchase...

They were anywhere from $12 to $20 EACH!

Yep...breaking rules left and right!

Dollar Tree Essential Oils "House"

I know I write and create A LOT with Dollar Tree purchases, but when there are so many inspirational ideas out these using these AFFORDABLE Dollar Tree products, I can't help myself.

Like this little number...

I found this sweet little shadow box house in the frames section of my local Dollar Tree.  

I saw so much potential that I bought it, brought it home, and got to work.

I started the project by using some leftover designer paper from a project that will posted to the blog this coming Saturday.

A bit of typeset that I "pieced" inside the little house.

I use the outside to create the angle, and then just kept cutting it down to fit inside.

I was able to get two strips for the right and left side of the house.

I took a smaller strip, used the top peak to create the exact fit there and then placed it inside and cut the bottom even.

It dry fit perfectly.

I grabbed a chip brush and my Matte Mod Podge and got to work adhering those strips inside the little house.

Once it dried, I took it to my workshop and cut down a scrap piece of lathe strip just a tad over the width of the inside.  

I used my stain to lightly add a bit of color to those strips.

I let them dry for a few hours.

Using my Gorilla Wood Glue, I rubbed some on the bottom of the inside, evenly from left to right.

I then put the piece of lathe strip in and pushed it down till it was tight.

Remember when I said that it was just a tad over the width measurement?  This is so it was "tight" when I pushed it in.

I added glue to the sides and back to the other piece of lathe strip and pushed it into the little house, just above the center part.  Again, the wider cut allowed it to fit snugly into place.

I let both of these dry.

Now...

I had this.

This is the absolute cutest essentials oils house.  

It stands on it's own, but could also be mounted on a wall with Command strips or a hanging bracket.

These little houses could also be used for tiny figurines, matchbox cars, little trinkets, or miniatures.

Total cost... $1.00.

I had the rest.

Stop by on Saturday to see what I do with that designer paper!

"Jenga" Plant Stand

This post is sort of a funny one.

Because....

I made a plant stand from the "faux" Jenga game from the Dollar Tree.

Yep.  I did.  Here it is.

The Dollar Tree calls it the "Tumbling Tower Game" and it's played the same way.

However, the pieces are made out of pine wood and are perfect for little projects like this one.

They are about 1 7/8 inch long.

They are 5/8 inch wide.

So, here's how I did this...

I placed two pieces end to end and then took that measurement.

It was 3.75 inches.

I then ran two more pieces the opposite way, not touching each other, but touching the sides of the met pieces.  

It was almost 4.5 inches long.

Since I wanted it to be the same length - at 3.75 inches, I needed to cut those two pieces down at half the width of one piece.

This meant that I needed to but 3/8 inch of each one.

You can use a hacksaw for this.  The wood is soft and easy to cut.

Here are the pieces cut.  Nope, they weren't perfect, but it didn't matter.

Now, when I matched them all together, both lengths measured 3.75 inches in length.

I then took 4 more pieces of the game and marked them for the feet, but in reality, I didn't need to make those marks.

You'll see why in a bit.

Using my wonderful Gorilla Wood Glue, I started to glue it all together.

Yep...there are no nails in this baby!

Using a piece of wax paper underneath (so I don't glue it to my worktop), I butted the original pieces together.

Next, I glued the shortened pieces to the sides.  

The pieces are light, so I didn't need to clamp anything.

In order to stabilize the cross joint, I decided to add a whole piece across, secured with some added wood glue.  

This was the perfect way to add strength to those joints.

I let it dry, and then I propped it up on two pieces.  You can see them sticking out below the cross pieces.  They are not glued, just holding the cross up.

This is when I realized that I didn't need to make those marks because of the added height from the propped pieces gave it the boost it needed for the legs.

I added some glue to the ends of the cross pieces and butted the "leg" pieces against them.

After it dried, I removed the propping pieces and flipped it over so that that cross brace was now below.

Topped with a Dollar Tree candle holder (which will hold a plant eventually), it became a great Mid-century modern base.

Yahoo!

I decided to stain it for a darker look and used this "Combo Stain" that I made from combining several different stains that we already had.

I use it for a lot of staining projects.

It's a rich dark brown color.

The pine lapped up the stain and took on a great look.

Here it is stained and drying.

Doesn't it look great?

The total cost for 9 pieces of the game was 27 cents.

Score for rule breakers everywhere!