Farmer’s Market Essentials

I’m so excited to finally make it to the farmer’s market this morning! I put air in my bike tires, a stop at Starbucks (hence the new mug holder added to the bike) and I’m on my way! On the shopping list is items to make pickled vegetables. I received the Food in Jars book for my birthday and I’ve been dying to test out some of the recipes.
Farmer's Market Essentials

DIY Distressed Wood Hooks

This DIY request actually came from a good friend who loved the Anthropologie wood hooks seen below but didn’t want to pay the cost of $30 a piece. I was able to recreate the look for around $10, the biggest expense are the hooks that will run you around $6-8 each. Also, I’ve been looking for a resource to get reclaimed wood and have yet to find one, so I had to distress the wood myself. If anyone knows of any places in Arizona to get reclaimed wood please leave a comment!

Inspiration

Anthropologie HookAnthropologie HooksImages via Anthropologie

DIY: “I Love You to the Moon & Back” Nursery Artwork

There is some major baby fever right now! I have eight friends due by the end of the year, that means tons of baby showers in my future. I always like to get something off of the registry and also include something personalized. This week I’ll show you how to create simple artwork for the saying “I Love You to the Moon & Back.”

The best part is I have curated a kit so that you can easily replicate this craft at home, purchase it here. You can use the kit to create the artwork yourself, or give it to the mom-to-be as a gift.

Tips:

  • Use stickers if you don’t want to hand write the saying.
  • Use a coffee can or bowl if you don’t have a compass.

Don’t forget to share your photos of the crafts you have done on Instagram and tag @likehearted!!

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DIY: Chevron Tray

I’m constantly looking for home decor accessories and believe this is the biggest challenge when it comes to styling any space. I saw this tray in its raw wood form and decided to transform it to fit the decor at my house. The tray serves a great piece to display jewelry and/or perfume. I’ve put together a kit of all the supplies I used so you can make this exact one at home, purchase it here. If you get the kit send me a pic of the finished product on instagram and tag @likehearted!

BUY THIS KIT:

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PaintedTrayDIY 

Dip Dye Ombre Curtains

I love this dip dye effect as an update to traditional tie dying (you know those shirts that always makes me think of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream). The ombre effect isn’t coming through as well on video, but it is there, I promise! I did 15 minute intervals but you can do longer to achieve the shades that you want. This same technique can be used on clothes, table clothes, etc. Dip dyed napkins make a perfect summer hostess gift!

Materials:

  • Rit Dye

  • White curtains or whatever material you are planning on dying

  • String

Tools:

  • Bucket

  • Rubber Gloves

  • Measuring Cup

  • Wooden or plastic spoon

Steps: Follow instructions that came with your dye. I recommend doing this craft outside.

  1. Prewash fabric.

  2. Tie string around the fabric where you want the dye to stop.

  3. Fill bucket with enough hot water for fabric to move around freely.

  4. Wet fabric in hot water. Ring out and place to the side.

  5. Take 1 packet of dye to 2 cups hot water. Mix and add to bucket.
  6. Add fabric to bucket, let is soak and then in in 15 minute intervals move the fabric out a foot to create an ombre effect.

  7. Rinse in cool water until water runs clear.

  8. Wash in warm water with mild detergent.

  9. Dry item in dryer or air dry.

Images: Napkins, Shirt, Shoes,

Summer Entertaining: The Goods

Summer Entertaining Essentials
  1. Blue Mason Jars – I stocked up on the limited edition blue mason jars. These blue beauties have multi-uses as vases, drinking cups, infusing alcohol (see #8), etc.
  2. Drink Tub – The tub makes it easy for guests to serve themselves.
  3. Pitcher – I prefer this stainless steel pitcher over a glass one, never have to worry about it breaking.
  4. Large Wood Cutting Board – Another multi-use item in my kitchen. I recently bought one of these and have used it as a serving piece for appetizers, part of a bar setup and as a center piece on a table. 
  5. Ikat Bowls – Add a pop of color to the table with these bowls.
  6. Ice Cream Attachment – This KitchenAid attachment has been on my wish list for awhile now. I have a bunch of recipes saved for the day when I actually get one.
  7. Kraft Paper – If you haven’t noticed I like to use kraft paper a lot. It’s a inexpensive material with endless uses.
  8. Jalapeno Infused Tequila – I’m attempting to make my own version this weekend. I’ll post the recipe on the blog soon!
  9. Myspace – I’m still trying to figure out the new Myspace interface but still digging it. Here are the songs I have on repeat this summer.

How to Recover an Ottoman & Add Nailhead Trim

If you are a homeowner you know that the to-do list for things around the house is never ending. This project has actually been on the list for over a year now. It took me awhile to decide on the fabric and I finally went with a faux cow hide. The cow hide acts as a neutral fabric in my style, so I have the flexibility to move these into another room if needed (or I just get bored with them in the family room). This week’s video will show you the steps on how to recover an ottoman and add a nailhead trim.

Tips:

  • When looking for fabric make sure it is wide enough to cover both sides of the item you are upholstering.
  • Make sure you are pulling the fabric really tight to create smooth lines. The whole process is like wrapping a present.

 

Before & After:

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Ikea Bookcase Hack – How to Create Mercury Glass

I have a confession…a lot of the tutorials I do are because I need something done around the house. Being a homeowner means the project list never ends. Case in point, I needed a bookcase for my guest room and wanted to recreate the look of a vintage one I already own. In this tutorial learn how to master an Ikea hack and create mercury glass for the shelves. The best part about learning the mercury glass technique is that you can also use it on vases, candlesticks and much more to create additional accents for your home.

Also, I found this post from Brittany Makes extremely helpful when deciding what gold spray paint to use.

Don’t forget to post an Instagram photo of tutorials you have tried and tag me @likehearted. I want to see what you all have been making!

Materials:

Tools:

  • Damp rag

  • Spray Bottle filled with water

Mercury Glass Steps:

  1. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area.

  2. Make sure the glass is clean and dry. The paint is going to go on the reserve side of whatever you are painting. In this case, the bottom of the shelf.

  3. Lightly spray the glass with water.

  4. Spray a layer of mirror paint. Let it dry for a few seconds.

  5. Depending on your desired look, you can incorporate other colors, here I add gold and black for a more antiqued look. Spray the colors and dab with a damp cloth top get your desired effect.

  6. Let it dry completely, if it is too transparent add another layer of mirror paint.

20130503-192113.jpgMercury Glass