30 Minutes or Less / DIY

DIY Painted Valentine’s Day Treat Bags

02.11.16

Some projects warrant a long introduction full of personal stories and witty remarks.

But not this one. This one speaks for itself.

DIY XO Valentine's Day Treat Bags by Idle Hands Awake

Yup, I got super simple and turned these plain white bags into an adorable last-minute Valentine’s Day gift idea. Mine are stuffed with white chocolate pretzels—what my baby wants, he gets—but you can fill them with whatever goodies you like to give out for the old V-Day.

Ready for the “tutorial”?

DIY Painted Valentine’s Day Treat Bags

Skill Level: The Easiest. If you can write the letters “x” and “o”, you’re golden.

Time: 20 minutes tops.

What You Need:

+ paper treat bags*

+ craft paint*

+ paint brushes* (a variety pack like this is great because you’ll get a different look with different brushes, so you can play around and see what you like best)

+ paint palette* (yogurt cups also work great!)

*AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS IF YOU PURCHASE, I WILL EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU, WHICH IS PRETTY SWEET BECAUSE IT HELPS ME PAY BLOGGING BILLS, SO THANK YOU! I WILL ONLY LINK TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED OR WOULD USE MYSELF, PINKY PROMISE.

What You Do:

Valentine's Day Treat Bags by Idle Hands Awake

one — Choose your paint colors.

two — Paint your x’s and o’s in whatever size or pattern you like.

three — Stuff with treats!

DIY XO Valentine's Day Treat Bags by Idle Hands Awake

Valentine's Day Treat Bags by Idle Hands Awake

Bonus: you can paint the x’s and o’s on anything — gift tags, wrapping paper, a blank card, a blank canvas…

So do you have any special plans with your Valentines/Galentines? I’m pretty sure our plans involve vegan tacos and donuts. Which is 1000% ok with me.

DIY XO Valentine's Day Treat Bags by Idle Hands Awake

DIY

DIY Jewelry Organizer with Leather and Rope

01.28.16

Happy New Year!

I know, it’s February in 4 days. Let’s just say my January did not go as planned.

But, I did manage to get a little crafty and make this DIY jewelry organizer from an old handbag.

DIY Jewelry Organizer

It’s kinda boho and wicked cute, in my completely biased opinion. And, it’s for the lovely and talented Lindsay of Shrimp Salad Circus, where I’m now a contributor!

So go ahead and check out the DIY, and then tell me how your January has been. Any good projects? How are those resolutions going?

Leather Jewelry Organizer DIY

Inspiration

15 in 2015 – Favorite DIYs Around the Web

12.29.15

Oh heeeeeey…

Sorry I disappeared for a bit there. I actually had a couple more pre-Christmas posts planned, but I got swept up in the final days of The Holiday Collective and then enjoying the holidays themselves. A DIY blogger enjoying the holidays is a rare thing, I had to take advantage.

And I’m totally still in holiday relaxing mode! Which I think is as it should be. But I wanted to pop on really quick to wish you all a happy New Year, and to give you a little eye candy if you are browsing the internets this week.

A lot of bloggers are rounding up their 15 most popular posts in 2015. Which is rad. But I’d like to share my favorite DIYs by other bloggers. There’s so much good stuff out there. So for today, I’m focusing not on my work, but on others’. Enjoy.

Make and Tell Hands Pouch

Make and Tell hand print pencil case

The Merrythought Wire Plant Stand

The Merrythought wire plant stand

The Kipi Blog Floral Tapestry

The Kipi Blog floral tapestry

Homey Oh My Crystal Boxes

Homey Oh My crystal knob boxes

Almost Makes Perfect cat scratcher

Almost Makes Perfect cat scratcher

Fall For DIY plaited planter

Fall For DIY plaited planter

Vitamini Handmade cactus ring holder

Vitamini Handmade cactus ring holder

The Clever Bunny leather scarf organizer

The Clever Bunny leather scarf organizer

Paper n Stitch inkblot napkins

Paper & Stitch inkblot napkins

A Bubbly Life Copper Mirror

A Bubbly Life copper mirror

The Lovely Drawer minimal clock

The Lovely Drawer minimal wall clock

Sarah Hearts diy cheeseboard

Sarah Hearts leather-handled cheeseboard

South by North floral eucalyptus garland

South By North floral eucalyptus garland

Make and Do Crew leather catchall tray

Make and Do Crew leather catchall tray

Fall For DIY concrete cheese platter

Fall For DIY concrete serving platter

And for your 2016s, I wish you this:

robertrodriguezquote

quote by Robert Rodriguez, image via Elite Daily

I’m taking a break until January 11. I know! That’s a long time. But I’ve got lots of great blog stuff planned for 2016 and I want to make sure I have a little extra time to work on it.

Until then, be well and enjoy your last days of 2015!

30 Minutes or Less / DIY

Easy DIY Gold Foil Wrapping Paper — 3 Ways

12.16.15
This post is sponsored by Minted, but all words/ideas/opinions are entirely my own!

It’s not the thought that counts.

It’s the gift wrap.

Yep, I am a material girl. The holidays may be all about giving and kindness and love and all good things, but let’s be real—I like presents. And my liking of a present increases by 27.2% when the gift wrap is pretty. 68% when the prettiness involves oh-so-shiny gold foil. (Those are real statistics, husband, hope you are paying attention).

This year I’m making my gifts pretty pretty pretty with three easy ways to diy gold foil wrapping paper.

DIY Gold Foil Wrapping Paper @ Idle Hands Awake

DIY Gold Foil Wrapping Paper @ Idle Hands Awake

Easy gold foil? Yes, really. No fancy machines, no laminators. Just a couple simple craft store basics and you will have the most coveted gift at the Yankee swap. On the outside, at least, I can’t do anything about what you put inside.

Read More

Inspiration

Nine Makers to Follow on Instagram

12.11.15

Why oh why does it happen every year — December just goes too fast. I’ve been in non-stop holiday DIY mode, plus gift shopping, prepping for parties, Secret Santa swaps…phew!

Today I wanted to take a sort of break from all the holidayness and feature some of my favorite makers to follow on Instagram. Shop them for beautiful handmade gift ideas, or just enjoy the pretty pretty pictures. Happy Friday!

Nine Makers to Follow on Instagram

Please be a pal and pin from the original source!

itsukonaka

@itsukonaka

Love these unique hand-printed designs on pouches, eye masks, calendars, stationary, and basically every accessory I could ever want.

squirrellyminds

@squirrellyminds

Love love love this girl’s gemstone watercolors — they are so vibrant they are almost edible.

arrowandsage

@arrowandsage

I want all of these modern rustic ceramic objects and jewelry by this artist from NC.

apetalunfolds2

@apetalunfolds

These incredible flowers are all crafted from paper. !!!

maiautumn

@maiautumn

This artist’s color-saturated paintings make my heart go pitter-patter — and she does custom wedding bouquet paintings. I know what I want as an anniversary gift, husband.

suiteonestudio

@suiteonestudio

Yes, I have a thing for ceramics. LOOK HOW GORGEOUS. She posts DIYs too. I can’t even.

ameliemancini

@ameliemancini

I’ve been eyeing this Amelie Mancini’s printed goods for ages. They always sell crazy fast because BOTANICALS.

gingertonicbotanicals

@gingertonicbotanicals

Speaking of botanicals, I want to cozy up with a pot of tea made by a licensed nutritionist and herbalist. Yes oh yes.

marigoldandmars

@marigoldandmars

Absolutely adore the fabulous textures of these embroidered pieces.

………………………………………

What are some of your favorite Instagram accounts? Please share, I’m always looking for new artists to follow!