Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts
How to Make a Recycled T-Shirt Rug
Don't throw away those old T-shirts — they can easily be turned into a one-of-a-kind doormat to decorate the inside of your dorm room.
Materials Needed:
- flat doormat
- 5-8 old T-shirts
- scissors
- hot glue gun and hot glue
Cut T-Shirt Strips
Starting at the bottom hem, cut T-shirts across into 2-inch strips (Image 2). Then cut the 2-inch strips into 4-5-inch long sections (Images 3, 4).
Tie T-Shirt Knots
Tie a knot into the center of each T-shirt section. Note: Prepare all the knotted pieces before you start gluing.
Add First Row of Knots to Rug
Place a strip of hot glue along one side of the doormat (Image 1). Stick each knot into the glue (Image 2). Continue the strip of glue and add more knotted pieces (Image 3). Glue the knots with 1/4 inch between them (Images 4, 5). Tip: If you're using a variety of colored T-shirts, glue the colors in a random pattern. It'll create a nice multicolored effect on the doormat.
Continue Gluing Knots to Mat
Keep gluing T-shirt sections in one straight line along an edge of the mat (Image 1). Continue to glue knotted T-shirt sections all the way up the edge of the mat. Move onto the next row. Place a strip of hot glue 1 inch from the previous row. Stick the knots into the glue strip, leaving 1/2 inch between each knot (Image 2). Continue to add glue and knotted sections until the full doormat is covered (Image 3).
You're Finished!
Use your personalized doormat to wipe off your shoes when you walk in from class.
Original Post: http://www.hgtv.com
10 Ways to Transform Your Space With Washi Tape
Washi tape comes in a rainbow of patterns and is easily removable without leaving damage or residue. It's the perfect material to use to decorate a dorm room and personalize college belongings.
1.
Space-Saving Jewelry Storage
Create a funky place to show off your favorite necklaces by taping a tree onto your wall with washi tape. Use small pieces of tape to create each branch, then attach necklaces with thumbtacks. This jewelry tree is completely flat against the wall and saves precious counter space in a small room.
2.
Dress Up Paper Lanterns
Coordinate a basic paper lantern to the color scheme of your dorm room by applying strips of washi tape. Pick a coordinating color scheme, like teal and gold, or go crazy and create a rainbow. Either way, everyone will want to know where you purchased that custom hanging light.
3.
No More Standard Doors
Rid your room of boring closet doors with a few strips of colorful washi tape. Extra-wide washi tape makes a big impression on large areas. Create a dynamic look by placing different washi tapes on the diagonal in a crisscross pattern. Each piece is easily removable without damaging painted or wooden doors.
4.
Personalize Colorful Frames
Tape up inspirational magazine clippings, pictures of friends and artwork with washi tape that can be easily removed and changed on a whim. Create funky geometric shapes with the tape around a few of the images.
5.
Give Personality to a Plain Table
Create a custom side table by covering a plain one with a variety of washi tape. In a diagonal pattern, place tapes in various sizes next to each other. Washi tape won't ruin a tabletop, but if you'd prefer your new piece to be permanent and water resistant, paint a few layers of clear gloss lacquer over the tape to seal it.
6.
Add Pep to Your Flowers
A dorm room will feel more like home with fresh flowers around. Personalize clear glass vases with layers of colored washi tape to match the decor of your room. Stick stripes of patterned and solid tape on top of each other to create quirky vases that your friends will love.
7.
No-Damage Wall Messages
Bare dorm room walls can be bland and boring. Fill your room with a few uplifting quotes by taping them directly onto the wall with washi tape. Try spelling out each word in a different color of tape for a true splash of color.
8.
Decorative Electronics
Never confuse your chargers with your roommate's again by personalizing yours with a funky tape design. Wrap small pieces of tape around the cord, and you'll always be able to find your chargers with ease.
9.
Lively Nightlight
Update an old lampshade with layers of patterned washi tape to create a hip, colorful new decoration for your room. For the most variety, use different widths and colors of washi tape that all have something in common. For example, these tapes are all a white pattern on a colored background.
10.
Create a Colorful Desk
Basic storage boxes are given an update with modern washi tape. Choose one main patterned tape to be the centerpiece, then choose three or four solid, dotted and striped tapes that are similar in color to those found on your main tape. This will create a cohesive look that still appears fresh and trendy.
Original Post: http://www.hgtv.com
Faux Metal Wall Art
This faux metal wall art project was originally published on The Sitcom in December 2010, and was recently featured in the August issue of Crafts ‘N Things Magazine along with my free patterns. Who knew that a bunch of toilet paper tubes and an idea would become so big? Yep, I said toilet paper tubes. If you aren’t already familiar with creating from those little rolls that you would normally throw away, then stay tuned!
Anyway, I decided to try my hand at mixing some quilling techniques and toilet paper tubes to come up with some faux metal wall art to spice up my Southwestern theme kitchen.
For this project I used:
A large amount of toilet paper tubes
Several Paper Towel Tubes
Aleenes Tacky Glue
Krylon Spray Paint- Metal look
3/8″ Balsa Wood strips
Click here to go to my free pattern page
Several Paper Towel Tubes
Aleenes Tacky Glue
Krylon Spray Paint- Metal look
3/8″ Balsa Wood strips
Click here to go to my free pattern page
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I started by cutting the 3/8″ balsa wood strips into 10″ long pieces to form my squares and then glued them together with tacky glue.
The paper towel tubes were used for the straight pieces. I simply cut along the length of the tube, flattened it out and used a scrap of the balsa strips to measure 3/8″ strips cut lenthwise from the tube.
The toilet paper tubes were cut in 3/8″ strips across the width of the tube to keep the curl. Simply cut along the length of the tube, flatten out and mark 3/8″ strips across the width. This will result in 3/8″ curls.
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Using some examples that I found on the internet of wrought iron wall art, I created four 10″ squares. I curled the cardboard with the end of a paintbrush where I wanted curls and used the tacky glue to glue it as I went.
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With these squares, I started by dividing it into four equal parts and then creating the same pattern in each part. I simply created as I went and used the end of the paintbrush to make any curls needed.
Once they were completed and dry, I then spray painted them with metal-look paint. Unless you get up close and personal and actually touch them, they look totally like metal. But didn’t cost nearly the price.
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I now have fancy looking wall art and spent next to nothing to make it. In fact, my toilet paper loving family actually provided most of the materials. You can’t beat that!
Original Post: http://suzyssitcom.com
