DIY Washi Chalkboard Clothespins

 

Have you seen those cute little chalkboard clothespins around the web? There are a bunch of Etsy shops and boutique deal sites that have had them lately. And I came really close to buying some until I realized I had the stuff to make my own! And it's a little easier on the ole' budget too (more money for crafting-yea!).

These were super easy to do, easily personalized, and I'm thinking I'll be making these for all kinds of events in the future-baby showers, birthday parties, and even Young Women events. Here's what you need to make them. Two of the supplies I used came from my favorite daily deal site-Pick Your Plum! If you don't know who they are, you'll want to check them out. As sad as it is to admit, I check their website first thing when I get up in the mornings! Some of their really great deals go quick :)

DIY Easy Washi Chalkboard Clothespins

Wood Wafers (I got mine from The Wood Connection and I've seen them at hobby stores)

Washi Tape (From Pick Your Plum)

Chalkboard Vinyl(From Pick Your Plum)

Wood Clothespins (found in the Target dollar section)

The wood wafers are super thin and come in a variety of shapes. Mine are oval. They did come with small holes, for threading ribbon or twine through, but the hole was covered up by the Washi Tape. First, I traced the wafers on the back of the chalkboard vinyl. Then, I cut around the inside of the tracing, making the shape smaller (so the washi tape would show around the edge of the chalkboard vinyl). I found three of my favorite styles of Washi Tape and covered the wafers with a few rows of each, wrapping the tape around the wafer to secure.

Once that was done, I added the chalkboard vinyl.
 I then cured the chalkboard vinyl by using the side of a piece of chalk and dragging it across the vinyl. This prevents the vinyl from "ghosting" as much. Finally, I used wood glue to adhere the clothespins to the back. Don't ask my why, but I've found that wood glue adheres so much better than hot glue!

These are so cute and I can't wait to make some more in the future. Next time, I'm using squares with dry erase vinyl (also from Pick Your Plum!). 

Washi Tape Cabinet Organizer

 

I seriously love finding old things at the DI. It's starting to become an obsession! A few weeks ago, I found this little old spice cabinet there. It was seriously falling apart and had an old, ugly wood finish to it. But, I knew I could give it a coat of paint and it would be perfect in my office/craft space for some of the little things I have laying around. 

All I needed to do was clean it up, get some new nails, and then give it a few good coats of spray paint. I love using Valspar Spray Paint because it has the paint and primer in one! The yellow works with the colors I am doing to makeover my room. 

Once it was painted and I had gone over it again with some sandpaper, to age it a little, I wanted to add some fun to the back of the cabinet. I found this beautiful duct tape by Die Cuts With A View. It has a ton of uses, including using it on furniture. Love!!!! This pattern is a gray damask and matched well. It was easy to measure, the back of the trim has a grid, and they went on easily. The trim is also removable if I ever change my mind about it. 

For the knobs, which were missing when I picked this up, I used some of my Grandma's old costume jewelry. I found this pair of wooden earrings. It makes this project even more meaningful to use something of hers. 

Then, it was time to add my washi tape and glitter. The little shelves hold the Washi Tape perfectly and the little bottles of glitter. Now, I don't have to worry about losing them! And maybe it will keep me from buying more!

Mustache Frame

About a month and a half ago, I snagged some great bare wooden frames from Pick Your Plum at a steal! Since then, I've been trying to decided what I wanted to do with them. The shapes are so cute but do I paint them one color or try something more fun? For one of them, I decided to try something fun and as a gift for Father's Day. I have loved the mustache trend, especially because I have two little guys myself.

It was super simple. I painted the edges orange and then painted the frame cream, being sure to be careful around the edges. Next, I had to make a stencil with mustaches.

The stencil was pretty easy to do with my Silhouette machine. I purchased a mustache shape from their online store, sized it down to the size I wanted and then repeated it. I used the grid in my program to space them out the best that I could. I cut the stencil out on vinyl. I used brown paint to fill in the mustaches, let it dry, and then peeled off the vinyl. And voila! A cute, easy frame to show off our little boys.