C is for Candy Button Zipper Pouches

diy candy button zipper pouches

This just might be the most outrageous diy project I have conjured up in my lifetime but when my daughter decided she wanted a Willy Wonka birthday party all things normal went out the window.  So today I am sharing how to make candy button zipper pouches using real candy buttons which will be the favors at her birthday party.

It's official since I already sent out this cute little save the date graphic I made up.

The candy buttons ARE NOT EDIBLE anymore because they have been sealed with clear gloss polyurethane which is the only way I could figure out how to keep the buttons adhered to the paper and protect the sugar and paper from moisture (humidity, moist fingers, liquids in general). 

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H is for Hose Hiding Planter

Ready to get building for outdoors this summer?  Together with Kreg Tool a group of us buildy bloggers have come up with some awesome outdoor diy build projects.  Today we are all sharing different projects with details on how to build your own!

This is my hot mess of a hose area.  Granted we are only entering our third summer at this home so tackling this eyesore was pretty far down on the to-do list.

The hose spigot is actually behind the fence (in the front yard) but we need the hose accessible to the backyard so it used to rest in a pile amidst hosta and ferns.

Until I decided to clean up the area and create not only a pretty spot for flowers but a place to hide the hose when not in use.  I'm sharing the plans on how to build your own planter down below.

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C is for Cupcake Tray Carrier

Im over at Pretty Handy Girl today sharing this fun cupcake tray carrier.  All the plans and step by step instructions are over at Brittanys place here.

Happy Friday friends!

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C is for Cupcake Box 4 pack

Maybe it's the cuteness factor or the fact that I have a bazillion wood scraps lying around but I think everyone needs a cupcake box.  I'm sharing how to make your own diy cupcake box with no fancy tools (and by fancy I mean a router or table saw).

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J is for Jewelry Stand Plans

Make your own jewelry stand using my plans below.

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P is for Pipe Projects Round Up

6 diy pipe projects

The pipe trend seems to be hanging around for awhile now.  I've done a few projects with pipe so I thought I'd share them all here in one round up style post for those looking for some pipe inspiration.

Mason jars, copper pipe and wood all in one project - how can you resist?  This is a fairly simple build using scrap wood and makes a great gift too.  See the details here.

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Locker Cubbies Giveaway

Who's thinking about back to school?  Yes please I can't wait!  As much fun as summer is don't get me wrong I secretly long for those structured school days.

The folks at Crates and Pallet challenged a few bloggers to come up with a back to school themed organization project using the large and small crates.  Today I'm sharing my locker cubbies made from 6 large crates and 6 small crates.  Together they make a super functional and organized spot for school supplies and homework essentials.

And the nice people at Crates and Pallet have offered to giveaway 2 large and 2 small crates plus a $50 gift card for The Home Depot to one lucky reader!

A great way to get started on your own back to school organizational area.  The giveaway entry and link are down below but first all the details on my locker cubbies:

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O is for Outdoor Build Projects

As we are on the verge of Spring and thinking about all things outdoors I rounded up a few outdoor build projects from last summer.

Get some good use out of your outdoor patio and build this giant trestle style dining table that comfortably seats 10.  Free plans here.

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C is for Cupcake Carrier large

Last week I shared the 4 pack cupcake carrier but today it's the real deal because in all honesty you're definitely more likely to need 18 cupcakes than 4!

A simple wood box with inserts means you can deliver these cupcakes in style!

For this little creation I was inspired by Anthropologie's Wooden Cake Box Carrier:

Their version is $75 plus shipping and sold out until 6/22.  Guess that means you'll want to DIY this project!

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D is for Drawstring Backpack

Who's ready for summer and camp season?  I'm sharing a fairly simple sewing project today: drawstring backpacks.  I made these for my girls to take to camp this summer (I have blocked out the camp name for safety reasons) just so they have something to tote around small necessities when going down to the lake, taking a day trip, etc.

There are lots of drawstring backpack tutorials out there so this is nothing new but I thought I'd share how I made this version along with the personalization tutorial.  (I followed the Purl Bee tutorial here as a starting point.)

Also I used drop cloth canvas on the exterior and cotton gingham for the lining.  The pink drawstring poly rope can be found at Home Depot.

The finish size you see my girls (ages 9 and 10) wearing above is:

11 1/2"w x 13 1/2"h

This is the medium size from the Purl Bee tutorial.

If I were to make these again in the future I would definitely make them bigger.

Below are the materials and step by step instructions:

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U is for Upstairs Hallway Makeover

Today I'm sharing the upstairs hallway and backstairs makeover.  I've been slowly making my way through our home room by room and after living here for 1 1/2 years I'm finally giving some attention to some of those in-between spaces.

Most recently I tackled the back stairs leading to the upstairs hallway because, as you can tell from the before pictures above, they needed a little love.  Worn, grungy and dark, these stairs are the preferred route up to the kids bedrooms and weren't very enticing (we have a front stairs too but it's out of the way).

Some fresh paint, some stripped paint and a new railing and it's magical once again.  (Funny what a $5 new return vent cover can do for appearances.)

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L is for Loft Bed with Lego Storage Work Space

diy loft bed with lego storage and work space

A giant build to share with you today thank you to my fellow buildy blogger Jen at House of Wood, she put together the plans for this awesome loft bed with lego storage and work space!

My son was begging for a loft bed and I wanted to make the most use of the space below by designing the bed to fit 2 Ikea Trofast storage towers underneath for legos.  Plus a lego workspace where he can leave out his incomplete projects without cluttering up our Family Room.

The work space is very generous (the table here measures 32"w x 48"l),  Jen's plans make use of the whole width under the bed.  Our table is slightly narrower because I used a scrap piece of plywood and also it does leave a bit of space on the ladder side for feet to poke through.

I put felt on the bottom of the table legs so it easily slides out into the room for more maneuverability.

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C is for Copper Cake Stand

diy wood and copper cake stand

Hello diy friends.  Today Im over at Pretty Handy Girl with Brittany sharing how to make this wood and copper cake stand.

What cake doesnt need a snazzy pipe cake stand?  Click here for all the details.

And if youre looking for more pipe project inspiration see my round up here:

 

Im linking up to:

Creative Collection @ Lolly Jane

Nifty Thrity Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things

Inspiration Exchange @ City Farmhouse

SAS @ Funky Junk

That DIY Party @ The DIY Showoff

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors & Spatulas

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

SAS @ Just a Girl

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

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C is for Chore Chart

diy chore chart

Also known as the Order of Indoor Duties for Children.  Isn't it great!?  I made this wall art for the upstairs hallway where all the kids bedrooms are located.

image source

My wall art is a replica of the historical document above written in 1846 which lists the rules for daily life and the schedule which was followed by the homeschooled Alcott girls.  The document is hung on display in the parents bedroom at Orchard House in Concord, MA and you can purchase a print in the gift shop.  If you're a Little Women fan and in the area you should definitely stop by!  

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K is for Kids Cubby Organizer One Board Project

We have seven birthday parties next week during the last week of school.  Yes seven.  Instead of running to the store to buy more plastic toys wrapped in plastic I pillaged my scrap wood pile and built a kids cubby organizer.

This is a one board project meaning you could build this organizer from one (1x4) eight foot board which costs about $5.  Or you could use scrap wood and then it's a free project.

Two down, five to go!

I'm sharing the free plans down below including materials, cut list and step by step instructions.

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T is for Turf Projects

Since a majority of us still have snow on the ground and it doesn't look like Spring will be here anytime soon I thought it would be a good time to share some diy turf projects.  If we can't even see the real grass then we might as well bring out the fake stuff!  Follow are 4 fun projects using astroturf.

Astroturf is relatively inexpensive - one large 6' x 8' piece is under $20 and you can get a lot of projects from that one piece.  I've also seen smaller 3' x 5' rug sizes and even the little 4" square samples could be used to make coasters.

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C is for Cut Out Tray

Im over at Brittanys blog, Pretty Handy Girl, sharing how to make this cut out tray.  All you jig saw lovers will enjoy this project and for those who have yet to try the jig saw this is a simple starting point.

You can use any font or shape you choose because the tray surface is covered with plexiglass.

Check out the full tutorial here.

Im linking up to:

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

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C is for Caddy Gift

Make this easy caddy from scrap wood and you have a perfect last minute birthday gift!  And I have the free plans for you down below too.

It's so versatile.

I loaded this caddy with art supplies but wouldn't it be great for hair supplies or make up for the older girls?

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G is for Gumball Machine

Time to raid the scrap wood pile again to make this simple gumball machine.  Now technically it's not a machine but more of a candy jar however it does make an easy craft for a kids birthday party and that is my goal here.

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DIY Star Napkins

Who's ready for a little holiday?  July 4th is days away and I have a fairly simple table decor project: diy star napkins.

Use premade white cotton napkins or hem up cotton fabric then paint a simple red star at the center.  I'll show you how down below.

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