simple series 06

deeIY pop-up cards

materials needed: 

1. Paper Cutter - $10-20. I like mine because it will also has an additional thingy that will score the cards. 

2. Stencil letters - You can also print the letters and use them instead of stencils(Helvetica bold stencils) - $4 (free if printed)

3. X-acto knife - $4-5 You can always use scissors if you would like. I just think the x-acto makes it easier. 

Board to use the x-acto - $7-10 You can use a cardboard box. 

4. Cardstock paper - you can use whatever you want. Mine was $4/pk of 50. 

NOT Pictured: pencil & glue 

Optional decorative items: 

1. Washi tape/craft tape - prices vary. 

2. Some type of bakers twine/string - $0.50/roll 

3. Corner rounder - Martha Stewart 

Step 1: Cut/fold paper 

The paper going on the outside of the card -- in my case the brown craft paper. I scored the paper at 4 inches and then at 8 inches. Then fold. You should have a flap that is shorter than the others. 

The white paper "inner" I cut to be 7.5in x 7.5in. Then using a pencil drew a line down the middle at: 3.75in. 

Then drew a second line 1/2in under the middle line. 

Step 2: Stencil/Lettering 

You will be working on the BACK of the "inner" paper. Everything you write WILL have to be backwards. So, flip over the stencil when you are tracing. And make sure you are going from right to left. 

Letters should be positioned on the line that is 1/2in under the middle line. The line going through the "JUST" is the middle line. 

If you decided to print the letters on computer paper. You will need to cut the letters out using scissors and glue them to the back of the card. Again backwards going right to left.  

Here I decided to do the word "because" underneath the pop-up words. 

Step 3: Cutting 

You will need to draw an extra line that extends the letters 1/2in above the letter on top of each letter. As seen above.

You do this by drawing in a line at the top of all the letters and a line 1/2in above the letters. Then extend any part of the letter that touches the 1st line to the line 1/2in above. I hope this makes sense. I tried to show you in the picture above.

Cut around the letters -- everywhere except the paces with the red lines above. 

You will need to score your card where you see the red lines -- to help fold the letters after you use the e-xacto to cut.

Step 4: Folding

Just follow where you have scored the red lines. The letters may be a little difficult to pop out but the scores will make it a lot easier. 

Step 5: Glue 

Glue down the "inner" pop-up portion to your outer paper. 

Done with the pop-up portion! 

Decorative additions: 

I used some string and washi take to make a cute little banner to go across the card. 

EL FIN! 

Happy card-making everyone! 

thrifting 01

thrifting 01: Home Decor on a dime 

I am a thrift shopper. Yes, you can call me whatever you want. But I just love buying things at a reasonable price. I also love the idea of giving something a new life in my home. 

Here are some things I look for at thrift stores for storage/decor at home. 

Let me know if you want to see more of these types of posts. 

Home storage/display cases: 

Not all this is thrifted. But this display area in my apartment only cost me about $70 and come change. 

The display case of the left is something that I built from small crates I found at Michael's and wood boxes from Target. I put them together with some wood glue and voila- I have a cute display case for my cameras. Total cost around $30. 

The two green/sea-foam colored ones from TJ Maxx at about $15/crate. 

The crate on the left was on sale from TJ maxx -- slightly damaged $8. 

And the two crates up top were only $2 each at Salvation Army. 

Here is a closer look at the thrifted things: 

$4 total. The little chair box next to the plant was only $1. 

I suggest searching high and low for these crates. You can get them for decent prices. If you want to pay too much, I know whole foods sells theirs for $20/crate. 

I heard you can get them for free from Costco sometimes. 

Total cost: $70.00 and change

Jewelry Storage: 

This is an old magazine holder that I decided to use it as a jewelry holder. 

Total cost: $3.99 

Thrifted frames: 

10 frames with character: 

Total cost: $5.00  

Home decor: 

I decided to use this old wooden doll chair as a book end. 

Total cost: $3.99  

I've had this teddy bear for over 20 years now. He's been needing a new place to be. So, I found this cute miniature student desk at the Salvation Army. He looks perfect there with the backpack I made him a few years back. 

It's a weird find and extremely heavy. Too cute for words. 

Total cost: $8.99 

simple series 05

simple series 05: Pimp yo' wall 

Recently, I've been obsessed with decorating my apartment. So here is a little something I decided to do on my blank wall. 

Materials Needed: 

1. Frames! I thrifted about 10 frames for $5 at my local Salvation Army. I feel like the worker didn't want to scan all of them in, so I got a really good deal on them. Some had pictures I liked -- I didn't de-frame the pictures. Like the tiger picture. 

2. Chalkboard Paint - I have the Martha Stewart one. I think it was less than $10 for the bottle. Just a tip -- Get the spray paint type. It's easier. You will need a paint brush if you have what I have. 

3. Old picture book pages. I bought some books from a local hand me down book store at $4.99/lb. I tore out the pages and framed the poems/pictures I liked. I saw them selling pages like this at $1/page -- a little more work will save you moolla. 

4. Command Tabs! These are awesome for renters or people like me who don't want to deal with hammers and nails. -- $3-6/pk. 

Step 1: 

Here you can decide to frame the pages or make chalkboard frames or even put in original artwork! 

Step 2: Framed Chalkboards 

Usually most frames come with a cardboard bit to help keep the glass in place. I tried painting on glass and on others I used the cardboard. The cardboard is BY FAR a lot easier to use with chalk later on. If your frame doesn't have a cardboard bit. It's worth it to cut up a box to size to fit. 

You can just but the glass behind the cardboard when you put the frame back together. 

YOU will need 2 LAYERS of paint. Let it dry according to the instructions. 

FINAL Step: 

Use the command tabs OR nails and a hammer to put the frames on the wall. 

EL Fin! 

simple series 04

deeIY Air Freshener  

Materials: 

1. Essential Oils - I used Lemon Eucalyptus. Smells like a spa. Amazing. ($3.99) Some other oils like Lavender, Vanilla, etc will work. They tend to be a little bit more expensive. 

2. Crystal Mud or Bubble soil - Found mine at the local Jewel-Osco (AKA Alberston's) ** In the floral section- ($1.00)  

Directions: 

1. Put about 10-15 drops of your essential oil into a large bowl. Fill it with about 3 cups of water. Then add your "crystal soil". I only added about 1/2 of the packet into the water. Remember your beads will expand to about the size of a marble. Add enough to fill your container. 

This is what they look like when FULLY expanded. 

Add them to your container and ta-da you have your own homemade air freshener. Makes for a great gift. Use for your car. 

I decided to use twine to cover a mineral water bottle -- and filled it with the aromatic bubbles. 

If the smell runs out -- add more essential oil and water into the container and voila! You have an never-ending air freshener! 

For the mom's out there!! 

** For tactile fun with your kids. Just grab a couple of these water bubbles and have them play. They are completely non-toxic. And really great for counting and games! 

El Fin! 

simple series 03

Design your own mugs 

Hello everyone! I've been obsessing over making my own mugs all week. So, I researched different mugs etc. And these are the mugs I've come up with. Enjoy! 

1. Materials

1. Mug/cup of your choosing ($1-4) 

2. Pebeo Porcelain 150 Markers ($3.5-5)

Make sure you are looking at the markers -- some are air dry and some are oven bake. I made the mistake of buying a mixture. Local craft stores should have something if not try Dick Blick. 

Instructions: 

1. Clean the mug/Dry the mug 

2. Draw your desired design. Look online for samples. I'll add some of my samples at the end. 

You can even draw your own MUG on your MUG. Get it, get it. Language is fun. 

Here I had to draw all the black at once because my black was oven-bake and the colors were all air dry. I added color later. 

3. Bake according to instructions -- the Pebeo pens require 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

After I baked I added the colors. The color pens require a 3 day dry time for them to be dishwasher safe! 

Enjoy! 

Here are some sample cups/mugs I made. 

Sample 1: The underwater whale. I love this idea. It's going to be fun to see the whale underwater when I fill the cup. 

It would also be cute to add a fishing boat up top. So that the boat would be floating on water when you fill it up. 

Sample 2: My friend is in love with grumpy cat so I made her a mug. And the other two are a girl guy mug I saw online. I thought it would be cute to give a try. 

Happy mug making! 

simple series 02

Simple Series 02: Make your own journal/field book 

Materials: 

** These might be things you already have at home. Which is kinda nice. 

1. Cardstock/Craft paper - I bought the polka dotted one for about $0.50/sheet. I bought the craft paper (brown) $3/pack - each pack has about 50(?).  

2. Something pointy to poke holes in paper. I happen to have that pointy tool -- you can also use a thumb tack. 

3. Twine/Baker's twine/Embroidery Floss. You will need at least 20 inches - $0.50-$3. 

4. Computer Paper - I also like using graph paper! - I use about 10/notebook.

5. Big-Eyed Needle - It just needs to be big enough for the twine to go through. Like a tapestry needle. I don't know about price. Probably no more than $1-3. 

6. OPTIONAL: Corner rounder -- I have the Martha Stewart one. It's kinda pricey - about $10.

Step 0(Optional): Round out the corners of all papers

Step 1: Fold

Fold everything in half - cardstock and computer paper. Cardstock on the outside. Make sure yours looks like the one above. If it doesn't... I don't know how to help you. 

Step 2: Make Holes

Poke holes along the center fold -- I like to poke from the inside. It's just easier. I just guess the spacing but you can measure with a ruler if you don't trust yourself. 

Step 3: Sewing

Put twine through the needle. Put the needle through the first hole -- I start from the outside (cardstock side) -- Leave about 3in of twine on the outside(top left). Then weave through the holes (top right). Then weave back down to where you started (bottom left). Once you have the whole thing weaved through, go through the second hole one more time (bottom right). It should look like the picture below: 

Step 4: Tie it. 

I double knot the first knot. Then tie a cute bow. I double knot the bow too. Then cut the excess twine. 

Step 5: (Optional) Add stuff

On my notebooks, I always add an envelope on the back page to hold secret stuff -- or just stickers. 

Because I love to journal, I go through one of these a month(easily) -- So what I do is, make a month indicator - a "3" for March and a cute little lace thing. 

Then the 2nd and 3rd page is my March calendar. I just used some more craft paper to make the calender -- everything on the page is just handwritten. 

Personalize it anyway you want to. 

** GREAT gift idea for friends who love to stay organized. You can make them one for each month of the year. 

EL Fin:

Mr. Peter the Pig says, "Stay cool." 

Baker Series 01

The First of the Baker Series 

Hello everyone! This week was my birthday. What is kind of fun is that my boss has a birthday the day after mine. SO, I decided that I would bake her a cake. I'll be giving ya'll a short Green Tea Chiffon Cake dEEIY today! I hope you enjoy it! 

This recipe comes from: http://kirbiecravings.com/2011/01/matcha-chiffon-cake.html

BAKE AT 350 degrees!

FOR: 40-60 minutes

Ingredients: 

Dry Ingredients (Step 1): 

1 3/4 cup Cake Flour (Approx. $4-5 1 box will make 4 cakes)

1 Tbs Baking Powder (Approx. $2)

1 tsp. Salt 

1/2 cup Sugar 

1 1/2 Tbs Matcha Green Tea Powder (Approx. $6-10)

Wet Ingredients (Step 2): 

6 Egg Yolks

1/2 cup Canola or Veggie Oil

3/4 cup of Milk 

Meringue (Step 4): 

6 Egg Whites 

1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar (Approx. $4-5)

3/4 cup of Sugar 

** Some recipes ask that you use 5 egg yolks and 6 egg whites. Some ask for 5 egg yolks and 8 egg whites. I like to just keep it 6 and 6 because it makes for less waste. If you have a recipe for egg yolks use extra egg whites -- this will make for a fluffier cake. 

TOTAL CALORIES (1/12 of cake): 268.33

(Without Whipped Cream and Fruits)

Step 1: Dry Stuff 

Sift all the dry ingredients (Flour, Salt, 1/2 cup Sugar, Baking Powder, and Matcha Powder)!Then make sure to whisk it. This helps in making a cake without chunks of flour or REALLY bitter Green Tea Chunks. 

Step 2: Wet Stuff 

Separate the 6 eggs into different bowls. Make SURE that the egg whites DO NOT have a drop of yolk -- or you will not be able to make a meringue. This will make the egg whites useless. 

What I like to do is separate the eggs over a different bowl. Then make sure the egg white is without yolk before putting it into the egg white bowl. 

Then whisk the yolks with the oil and milk. 

Step 3: Mix Step 1 & 2 

Mix the wet and dry ingredients. You should have a uniform puke green color. 

Step 4: The Meringue 

This is what makes the cake nice, light and fluffy. If you get this right, the cake will be without fail. 

Get the electronic mixer add the whisk attachment - mix the egg whites until you see a bubbly mixture like the top left picture. Add the Cream of Tartar. 

Then whisk until the egg whites start to look like the top right picture. Add 1/4 of the sugar (we need a total of 3/4) 

Whisk some more, add sugar. Whisk some more, add sugar. 

When all the sugar is added -- start to whisk until looks a lot like whipped cream. You want to whisk until you get stiff peaks. Look at the bottom right for an example. DON'T over beat the eggs or you will get a dry cake.  

Step 5: The Folding 

Add the meringue into your Step 1 & 2 mixture in 3 batches. 

You want to do what bakers call "FOLDING". Basically, it means that you put the spatula into the mixture from the side of the bowl -- when you hit the bottom of bowl you bring the spatula up. 

Don't mix with a electronic mixer because you will over mix it and the cake will be flat-like. 

You want to keep the air in the meringue while trying to get a homogeneous mixture. The color of the cake batter should now be lighter than the color you had after step 1 & 2. 

Step 6: Place into a Tube Pan. 

Don't grease the pan. Put the mixture into a Tube Pan (Also called a chiffon pan or an angel food's cake pan)

Bake for 40-60 min at 350 degrees. 

I don't like to open the oven at least until 40 minutes are up. 

Step 7: Invert cooling. 

If a toothpick comes out clean when poked into the cake. Pull the cake out and cool it upside down. 

Some people use bottles to put into the hole so that it has air going under it too. 

*** When pulling the cake out of the pan. Get a thin knife and run it through the sides and middle tube. 

Then put your hand into the sides and loosen the bottom of the cake. IF you have a NICE cake pan and the bottom unhinges, you won't need to do this. 

OPTIONAL tasty additions:

Clean the berries -- you can also use kiwis or canned tangerines. 

Whatever fruit you want to add. 

While they dry make the whipped cream! 

Whipped Cream:  

I put a metal bowl into the freezer before I make my whipped cream. It makes it A LOT EASIER to make. If you forget this step you can put a metal bowl into a bowl of ice. 

Add 3/4 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream into the chilled bowl. Then add Sugar to taste -- I don't add too much sugar. 

This will add about 100 calories to the cake! 

EL FIN!

Option 1 -- the LAZY way 

Option 2 -- Birthday Cake Way 

** I've added a homemade banner on the cake using cute paper pinstriped straws and cardstock. I've also cut the cake in half horizontally and added whipped cream and strawberries inside the cake. 



Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY!