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Casa Verde: Eco DIY Ideas

casasugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:15:29 -0700

Recently, I interviewed Tyler Velten, whose apartment had been featured in a New York Times article about designing on a student's budget. Tyler has a lot of cool, creative ideas for making eco changes on a budget. Check out some of his household experiments in the slideshow. Photos Courtesy Tyler Velten

DIY: Make Your Own Eco Outdoor Fire

casasugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:00:51 -0700

As the nights get chillier, many of us crave the warmth of an outdoor fire, but might be concerned about the pollutants that a roaring wood fire produces. Leave it to green designer Michelle Kaufmann to create a solution to this problem. She's come up with a great, inexpensive, and very modern-looking way to create an outdoor fire on your patio, deck, or in your yard.

Here's What You'll Need

A few cans of Eco Fuel
A big metal or ceramic planter box
River rocks

To find out how to do it,

DIY: Ceiling Medallions as Wall Art

casasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:55 -0700

Since I was recently fawning over that ceiling medallion light, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks when I came across these ceiling medallions used as wall art. Do It Yourself offered up this creative idea in its collection of quick home projects. The lightweight urethane medallions were simply painted in subtly varying shades of yellow and easily mounted on the wall of this living room. The medallions are affordable, around $20 to $30, so it's quite an attainable way to bring "art" into your home. Another thought? Pick up a medallion with a circular opening in the center, and have a glass cutter make you a round mirror to size, and you'll have an ornate mirror at a fractional price.
Source

Casa Interview: Tyler Velten

casasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:45:16 -0700

Tyler Velten, a student at the Yale School of Architecture, was recently featured in the New York Times article Lighting Changes Everything. However, Tyler wasn't interviewed for his architectural projects. Instead, his artistic re-use of found objects and repurposing of Craigslist furniture and even the hated plastic bag were featured in the article. Tyler recently found some time between his busy school schedule to answer some questions for CasaSugar about his home design experiments.

CasaSugar: What was the first object you found that inspired you to start augmenting your apartment?

Tyler: We moved into the apartment knowing I was going to play with the space. It is a gorgeous apartment with great natural daylight. When it was empty, it felt more like a studio than an apartment. The first task was to somehow distract attention from the white walls. We found a kitschy brass table lamp complete with a tattered latex shade on the street. Instead of placing it on an end table or dresser (which we didn't have), I hung it from the wall. Lizzie [Tyler's wife] has teased me for years about taking it down. As a relic from our first days in the apartment, the lamp simply cannot be replaced.

For the rest of my questions, and to find out how Tyler's wife feels about his experiments,

DIY: Quick Fix For Pet-Gnawed Sofa

casasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:30:54 -0700

For those of us who live with a cat or a dog, the joys of pet ownership are nearly endless. There's the thrill of returning home from a busy day to an enthusiastic pup, or the contentment of having a kitty curl up in your lap while you're reading at night. However, one thing that both cats and dogs are often guilty of doing is wrecking furniture. Even though my dog isn't allowed on the furniture while we're home, we still have to throw a sheet over the sofa because we know that as soon as we close the door and leave for work, Ozzie will jump up on the sofa and settle in. It's even more of a bummer when a pet rips up furniture.

Instead of replacing her sofa when her dog went a little nuts on it, one Craftster member came up with a creative solution to remedy her ripped sofa arm. To see what she did,

Before and After: A Buffet Gets Styled

casasugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:45:30 -0700

Talk about changing the look of things! Craftster member Olga reports that this buffet, which is made from cheap materials, was purchased for $15. She writes, "I wanted to do something to help this buffet, and at the same time I needed to get more practice with different or new materials. For a long time I went back and forth on what to do with this monster, and finally, after months of staring at its ugliness I was inspired by an ad in Architectural Digest."

Here's what Olga started with.

To see how she changed the look of this "monster,"

DIY: Easy Weekend Projects

casasugar — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:30:03 -0700

Have some time on your hands this weekend? Me too! Why not stay home, open up your craft closet (or box, or bag), and try one of these easy, fun DIY projects.

I'll start with a fun, easy, and relaxing decoupage project. You could even do this one in front of a movie or Mad Men. For a super simple DIY project this weekend, make some collage blocks for displaying on a dresser or fireplace mantel.

How about a fabric pup tent for a kids' room?

For a few more projects,

DIY: Fabric Wall Art

casasugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:45:11 -0700

One of my very stylish friends has assembled several cool stretched fabric panels, which are hung in her home. I love the big, bold statement that this fabric art creates, so when I recently found directions on how to do it, I thought I'd pass it along to you. This tutorial is for a 20-inch-square fabric art piece.

What You'll Need

Four stretcher strips, 20 inches long (prices range from $2-6 each), available at art supply stores.
One yard of fabric or a remnant of fabric approximately 30 inches by 36 inches
Flat top push pins, approximately 30
A hammer, which will help if you have problems pushing in the pins
Picture-hanging wire and screw set

To find out how to make it,

Before and After: Lampshade Recovery

casasugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:15:27 -0700

Crafty lady Tresa Edmunds had two boring pendant lamps that needed to be changed out. She writes, "I bought two plain jane lampshades at Home Depot on clearance. Because the shades needed to hang from the ceiling, I needed shades with hardware conducive to that. Then I found this great fabric at a quilt store that had nearly every color I was working with. With all my materials, the rest was just a case of reverse engineering."

Here's what she started with:

To see what it looked like after her craftiness,

Before and After: Grandma's Sideboard, Refreshed

casasugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:30:35 -0700

Craftster member OpheliaITA recently refurbished her grandmother's sideboard. She writes, "I started this restoration two years ago, but the university, work, and, well, the lack of will stopped my good intentions! This Summer I finally had the time to bring back to life this old sideboard that was of my grandmother's and had stayed for years in the cellar with humidity, dust, mice, and other not so sociable little animals!"

With some hard work, OpheliaITA restored the sideboard to its former glory.

To see how her efforts paid off,

Su Casa: Hanako66's Backyard Makeover

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:30:25 -0700

Su Casa member Hanako66 recently put in a lot of work to make her yard and garden shine.

She writes,

These pictures were unfortunately not taken in the spring when everything was in bloom, but will give you an idea of what our yard looks like. I still really need patio chairs too! When my husband and I moved in, the yard was completely dirt. We installed all irrigation, plant material, grass, and our pavers all on our own. My husband even built me a planter for my garden! The only item that we contracted out was our concrete.

I'm impressed by the amount of work Hanako66 and her hubby did. All of that landscaping and building adds up to a lot of weekends! For more pictures of her beautiful outdoor space,

DIY: Fabric Pup Tent

casasugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:30:49 -0700

Whether you want to use it as a fun play structure for your kids, or as a cool design element at Park(ing) Day or on your porch, a simple pup tent will look stunning if you cloth it with an eyecatching fabric.

What You'll Need

Three yards of cotton fabric (upholstery weight is best)
20 half-inch finishing screws
Power drill
Four two- to three-inch wood screws
Four six-feet-long boards, anywhere between four and six inches wide
One one-inch square, five-foot-long board
A friend who can hold the structure as you're building it

To find out how to do it,

Have You Built Anything?

casasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:30:16 -0700

Be it a fence, a bookshelf, a house, or a garden box, I want to know. Have you built anything? Source

Have You Built Anything?

Yes! I can hold my own when it comes to lumber and power tools.

I've helped other folks build things.

No, I don't have this skill yet.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Verde: Advice From a DIY Bride

casasugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:45:21 -0700

As many of you know, I got married in August, and took it upon myself to throw a wedding that was as DIY and green as possible. To see some of my tips for throwing your own green or DIY wedding (or big party, for that matter), check out the slideshow.

DIY: Lilyvanilli's Rooster Tea Towel

casasugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:55 -0700

I recently found Crafter user Lilyvanilli's beautiful hand-embroidered tea towel on Craftster. She writes that, "This was my first time using one of those blue, water-soluble markers and I gotta say, I'm hooked! The pattern lines came off so easy and it was really nice to be able to mess up on my lines and not have to redo the entire pattern. I highly recommend that marker for anyone doing lazy daisy stitch!"

For a close-up picture,

DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stickers

casasugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:21 -0700

Yesterday, I showed you a before and after of Pinupsweetheart's cool bedroom. If you were as wowed by the results as I was (seen here), then I have good news for you. Pinupsweetheart told us the short version of how to make this project, and now I've got the skinny on showing you the step-by-step process.

Here's What You'll Need

ConTact paper (a brand of low-tack, self-adhesive vinyl, commonly used by grandmas as "shelf liners," has a very matte finish)
Tape (preferably easily visible and low-stick, like painter's tape or masking tape)
Writing utensil (marker or pencil)
Scissors
Large sized scrap paper (like used newspapers or newsprint)
Plastic card, such as a library card
Idea for your design

To find out how to make your own wall stickers,

How-To: Advice on Chair Reupholstering

casasugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:00:12 -0700

If you were intrigued by my DIY upholstery project, but have an easier time learning things by watching them instead of reading them, then I have just the help you need! The fine folks at ReadyMade created a very helpful video showing you a slightly different technique for reupholstering chairs.

To see the video for yourself,

Before and After: Pinupsweetheart's Gorgeous Boudoir Walls

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:30:51 -0700

TeamSugar member Pinupsweetheart recently wrote to tell me about her awesome DIY project for livening up her walls. She writes, "I have wanted to find an inexpensive way to decorate my boring white walls of my apartment ever since I moved in. Of course, my lease does not allow me to paint. I wanted to get removable wall decals, but they are so expensive! So I found step-by-step instructions on how to make your own wall decals using contact paper. I gave it a shot and it worked."

To see how well it worked, and to find out how to make your own,

DIY: Re-Cover a Dining Room Chair

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:30:56 -0700

If you're a bargain hunter, you've likely come across some beautiful antique dining chairs. Sometimes the actual structure of the chair is in great shape, though the seat's fabric covering is ratty or just poorly upholstered. No worries! Grab that bargain chair and reupholster the seat. It's one of the easiest reupholstery projects out there.

What You'll Need

Fabrics
Measuring tapes
Scissors
Stapling gun
Staples
Screwdrivers (both Phillips and flathead)

To find out how to make it,

DIY: Ahoy Mateys!

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:00:06 -0700

Why's this little pup grinning? It could be due to that serious skull that's been sketched on the wood beneath his paws. To find out what this skull is decorating,

Cool Idea: String Theories

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:30:15 -0700

I'm always keeping an eye out for unexpected centerpieces for your next party. This pretty alternative to flowers, which was created by New York event designer David Stark, was fashioned by first shaping wire into floral shapes. Then, biodegradable sisal twine was carefully wound around the wire forms. The unexpected effect is equal parts modern art and kindergarten craft project — definitely an effect I love. I think this would look great on tables at an Autumn wedding, and it looks so easy to make that if you were going to be DIYing your wedding, you could involve a number of friends and relatives in the process of making these.
If you're interested in seeing more of Stark's ideas for centerpieces, check out the slideshow at The New York Times.

Marilyn K. Yee for The New York Times

DIY: Mason Jar Garden Lights

casasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:00:52 -0700

Considering the prices of garden lights these days, I've been looking for a low-cost alternative. Lucky me, I found a DIY for temporary garden lights you can make from only LEDs, lithium coin cells, mason jars, and a little bit of tape. The lights will be temporary, until the battery runs out, but you can always refresh your battery supply just for about 30 cents each.
Supplies:

One ultrabright LED with a diffused lens per light
One CR2032 lithium coin cell per light
One mason jar per light
Tape, masking is fine

To learn the steps,

Before and After: A Free Ikea Chair Gets a Facelift

casasugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:45 -0700

Craftster member Minouette recently posted photos of the free Ikea chair she took from dumpster worthy to crave worthy. She writes, "I found this chair. It had a sad little sign saying FREE. It was filthy and had been much abused by a cat. The legs were scuffed and marked, but it looked solid and had potential."

To see the truly remarkable results,

DIY: Faux Bois Photo Board

casasugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:00:49 -0700

I recently stumbled across this clever DIY that adds faux bois to a board reserved for treasured photos. It's a quick and simple project with lovely results.

What You'll Need

Cardboard (any size)
Faux bois contact paper (about 2 feet depending on the size of your frame)
Picture frame
Scissors or Xacto knife

To find out how to make this faux bois photo board,

DIY: Collage Blocks

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:45:15 -0700

While this project was identified by Martha: The Martha Stewart Show as a DIY for baby blocks, I think they'd make a cool addition to a very grown up bookshelf or fireplace mantel. You can coordinate the images and paper you select for the greatest decorative impact.

What You'll Need

3 1/4-inch square wood block
Sandpaper
Scissors
Acrylic paint
Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Decorative paper
Emery board
Letters, numbers, and embellishments
Sponge

To find out how to make it, according to Martha,

Cool Idea: Hanging Wedding Flowers

casasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:45:03 -0700

Miss Cherry Pie recently posted photos of her hanging wedding flowers. She's still perfecting the idea, but I think they look great already. She writes that she "spent some time this weekend with my shepherd’s hooks and cache of jars working out how to attach one to the other. First, I picked out 20 jars of a similar smallish size, and set them aside. Then, I went a-crafting. I took a trip down to Michael’s to pick up some wraphia (aka raffia), a natural-looking, grassy ribbon that’s strong enough to use as a hanger."

Then, she tied the wraphia around the mouth of each jar, fashioning a handle out of it, and hung them from the shepherd's hook. This is such a lovely, simple idea for displaying large flowers. It's a beautiful, easy arrangement for any couple planning a DIY wedding.

Source

DIY: Organic Fly Trap

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:13 -0700

If you don't feel like spending your endless Summer chasing flies around with a swatter, a fly trap may be more like it. I recently came across a DIY for making an organic fly trap, and since this season goes hand-in-hand with the little pests, I decided to summarize it for you. You should have most, if not all, of the supplies already in your home.

Supplies:

A two-liter soda bottle (used)
Sharp knife
A wire hanger
Match, lighter, or stove gas flame
Electric tape
Bait (like a small piece of meat or dog poo mixed with water!)

To hear the steps,

DIY: Floral Foam Vase

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

If you read Casa regularly, you've probably noticed that people are making vases out of almost anything these days (pipes, plastic bottles, honeycomb, light bulbs). Quite frankly, a makeshift vase (coffee can, glass bottle) is not the hardest DIY. But, when I came across a DIY from ReadyMade for a vase made from floral foam that was cheap, easy, and most importantly, water retaining, I was pretty impressed. You'll probably find most of the supplies needed for this project in your house, too; who can argue with that?
Supplies:

Floral foam
Wax pellets or standard white candles
Baking paper
Cookie sheet
Toothpicks
Long, sharp knife
Cookie cutter or jar lid
Double boiler
Coffee can, slightly flattened to form a spout
Aluminum foil

To learn the steps,

DIY: Marble Suncatchers

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

I spotted this DIY project on the blog Wisdom of the Moon, and was immediately taken with how lovely it looked. Better yet, this is an easy, simple project that only requires a few very inexpensive supplies, and which will hold up for years, even when left outside in the elements.

What You'll Need

Fishing Line
Flat-backed marbles
Masking tape
Glass Adhesive

To find how to make it,

DIY: Photo Triptych

casasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:45:50 -0700

Using a triptych photo frame can make a photo collection more substantial, or unite three images with a common theme such as subject, composition, or color. And, if you have three wall-mounted frames without stands, turning them into a triptych will allow them to stand up on their own. A photo triptych makes a great gift and a fun weekend project.

Supplies:

three 3.5-by-5-inch unfinished pine frames
four hinges with screws
small flathead screwdriver
paint in your color of choice and a paint brush (or spray paint)

To see the steps from Martha Stewart,

DIY: Dryer Balls

casasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:15:32 -0700

My eyes are always peeled for alternatives to chemical cleaning solutions. So, when I came across a DIY for making dryer balls from wool yarn rather than the blue plastic PVC alternative, I had to share. If you've got some spare yarn in the house, you'll likely have all the ingredients necessary to rid your garb of static cling, so check it out!

Supplies:

100 percent wool yarn (use scraps!)
Old pantyhose or a sock
Cotton or acrylic yarn, or string
Scissors
Small crochet hook
Measuring tape

To learn the steps,

DIY: Cereal Box Magazine Holder

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

With a spare roll of decorative paper from Paper Source, and a stale box of cereal taking up space in my pantry, I attempted a little DIY project this weekend. You know how I love my shelter magazines and all of my paper projects. So I decided to make a magazine holder out of my cereal box, which would have otherwise made its way to the trash bin. To learn how to make one of your own,

In the News: Observing, Not Doing It Yourself

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:45:59 -0700

A recent New York TImes article, "If I Had a Hammer, I Wouldn’t Watch TV" by Michael Grimes, looks at the DIY movement through a most passive of pastimes — the television. Grimes spent an entire day watching the DIY Network, which is affiliated with two other get-up-and-do-it stations, the Food Network and HGTV. From the high class of This Old House to the writer's obvious boredom with knitting show Knitty Gritty (all right, yes, how exciting can a show about knitting really be?), a full day of DIY programming was critiqued from the safe confines of Grimes's recliner.

The obvious irony in this is that while do-it-yourself programs and books are meant to inspire ordinary people to pick up a power drill and get cracking, often the books, TV shows, and instructions never make it past the stage of observation. There's also, of course, something very seductive about watching a two-month-long kitchen remodel happen in the space of an hour. It's so much cleaner, cheaper, and less time consuming. On the other hand, it also means that the only home that's going to look any different is the one on your television screen.

To find out more about this article, as well as the DIY Network,

How-To: Create a Moss Chair

casasugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:00:08 -0700

Last week, I introduced you to talented designer Kyle Schuneman, who's known for his innovative small space design. Kyle recently created this cool moss chair. Luckily for all of us, he also sent along directions on how CasaSugar readers can get the look of this awesomely garden-inspired seating option.

To see how to make this chair for your own home, patio, or garden,

DIY: Homemade Hammock

casasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:51 -0700

Yesterday I told you about how I sewed a hammock for my backyard by riffing on instructions from the Getaway issue of ReadyMade magazine. If you want to get the exact instructions from the magazine, head down to your local bookstore and pick up a copy. In fact, I urge you to do so, as there are a ton of other cool Summer projects that will keep you occupied and crafting this month.

Want to get comfy in your own hammock? Then

DIY: Eco Liquid Soap

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:00:24 -0700

So, it turns out that many cleaning fluids, such as anti-bacterial liquid soap, contain something called methylisothiazolinone, a chemical found to be allergenic, cytotoxic and linked to nerve cell death, as well as Triclosan, another anti-bacterial chemical registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems. The obvious alternative to using these chemical-filled detergents is simply to use all-natural bar soap. But, waaa, you don't like bar soap because it slips into the sink, looks messy and "dirty" sitting in its dish, and then it gets so tiny that you can't use it anymore. What to do? You can make natural liquid soap from a bar! To learn how,

Cool Idea: ReadyMade Magazine's DIY Hammock

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:15:04 -0700

I picked up the latest issue of ReadyMade over the weekend, and was delighted to find it brimming over with fun, easy projects for Summer living. One project I started nearly immediately was making their hammock project, which was explained in the article "Re-Kindle." Basically, all you need for this project is an old sheet, a sewing machine, and some rope. I used a duvet cover I'd made a few years ago, and which had been gathering dust in the linen closet. The project only took about half an hour from start to finish (threading the rope through and remembering my rock-climbing figure eight and water knots took the majority of that time).

If you want to make one for your own yard, pick up a copy of ReadyMade at your local bookstore. You can also check back tomorrow, when I'll share my own version of building this hammock. And yep, that's my hammock in the photo. It's surprisingly comfortable and strong, given that it's just a few layers of cotton. Are you going to make one for yourself?
Source

Casa Quickie: Mirrored Furniture That Doesn't Shatter the Bank

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:15:57 -0700

If you love mirrored furniture as much as I do, but don't have the dolla dolla bills to make it happen in your living room, there is hope. Find a piece of furniture you already own, or thrift one, and have a local glass cutter custom cut you a mirror (or several pieces of mirror) to the measurements of your table, dresser, etc. Sand the surface of your table lightly and adhere the mirror to your table with mirror adhesive like Liquid Nails. Presto! Your very own art deco-style furnishing. For detailed instructions, check out iVillage.
Source

DIY: Eco Chopstick Birdhouse

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:15:12 -0700

I came across this YouTube video by eco-architect Michelle Kaufmann about how to make a birdhouse by reusing chopsticks from all those Friday night orders of vegetable lo mein. I'm actually quite impressed with the design; contrary to what you might expect, it doesn't look a thing like a kindergarten craft project. I summarized the steps for you below, but some of you may find the video helpful as well.

Supplies

Chopsticks
Non-toxic exterior glue
String or wire

To learn the steps,

DIY Inspiration: A Midsummer Night's Dream Light

casasugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:15:48 -0700

Craftster reader FrouFrouFreak made this "Midsummer Night's Dream Light" from floral wire, electrical wire, newspaper, Mod Podge, paint, LED lights, and some craft store details like silk flowers, birds, and butterflies. I can't recall the last time I was floored by a DIY project, so this one definitely takes the cake! It's simply magical. It looks just as fabulous and fairy-tale like sparkling in the dark as it does turned off in broad daylight. I can honestly say I'd pay big money to own this (more than the Crave Worthy butterfly chandelier I recently posted), and feel inspired to take on a time-intensive DIY project of my own. Do you love it? Has it motivated you to put on your DIY hat?

Source

DIY: Magnetic Vase

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:30:59 -0700

I came across a DIY video for lanky magnetic flower vases on Curbly that was so magical and simple I decided to transcribe it for you. Essentially, by slipping a metal plate under your table, you can fool your dinner guests into thinking your wobbly, skinny vase (with a magnet butt) can stand up on its own. You can find all of the supplies at your local hardware store.

Supplies

One sink water line extender/thin metal pipe to use as the vase stem
A metal sheet to use as a base
A hack saw
Superglue

To learn the steps and see the video,

DIY: A Terra-Cotta Fountain

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:30:51 -0700

It's safe to say that I'm a little obsessed with water features in gardens. Whether it's a koi pond or a granite fountain, I'm all for it. So, when I found this Martha Stewart post on making a backyard fountain out of economical materials, I knew that it would be a hit with Casa readers. You can even make it more eco chic by using gray water for the water in your fountain.

What You'll Need

Three terra-cotta pots that can stack top to bottom, as seen in the photo and diagram, for the inside body of your fountain
Two supporting pots
Foam sealant (even better, use a green foam sealant)
One-inch diameter plastic tubing, a little shorter than the height of your pots (you can trim it after you've built the fountain)
Water pump
A power cord that will connect to the pump
Flow-control valve
Terra-cotta feet for the bottom pot

To find out how to make it,

Su Casa: Hazelnut Spread's Nakashima-Esque DIY Table

casasugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:30:52 -0700

Well, color me impressed — really, really impressed. The other week, when I answered a reader's question about Nakashima-esque tables, I also read a great message in the comments from Hazelnut_Spread. She shared that she'd actually made this type of table herself.

She writes,

I recently embarked on a DIY project where I crafted a large Nakashima-style (live-edge) coffee table myself. In short, here's what I did. I purchased an Acacia wood slab on eBay. Nakashima routinely used Black Walnut for his projects — but Acacia is actually heavier/stronger than Black Walnut and, from what I've seen, it's more economical. It also has a beautiful grain. I sanded the table down with a random orbit sander in the direction of the grain. (For this particular project, I used a RIDGID 5 In. Random Orbit Sander. It's a tool that's generally well reviewed and I highly recommend it.) I started sanding the wood with 40-grit sandpaper, and worked myself up to 60, 80, 120, 150, and 220.

To see a gallery of Hazelnut_Spread's gorgeous table, as well as find out the rest of the steps,

DIY: Build Your Own Wedding Bouquet

casasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:15:17 -0700

If you love to make your own bouquets for your home, you can easily make one for your own wedding, or for that of a friend or family member. Not only will you help to save money, you'll also create a unique, personalized bouquet that will help to make the day more special. Remember to try to go with simple, fresh flowers that are grown locally — if you can buy from a flower grower or farm and cut the flowers yourself the day before the wedding, you're guaranteed to have gorgeous, fresh blooms.

What You'll Need

Floral Wire
Stem Wrap Tape
Hot Glue
Long Stemmed Fresh Flowers
Preservative Solution
Small Bucket
Fabric or Ribbon that matches or contrasts well with bridesmaids' dresses
Knife

To find out how to "build" your bouquet,

DIY: Handsewn Bird Mobile

casasugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:00:51 -0700

If you've never sewn before, this is a great project to start you on your way. No machine is needed, as everything is hand sewn. Hand sewing is a great skill, as you can use it to complete simple repairs on clothing, from patching jeans to sewing on buttons to hemming skirts. And what better way to get you on your way than with an easy, adorable home decor project? This bird mobile, from Spool Sewing, will look lovely in a nursery, craft room, or primary-color saturated kitchen. Since many of you admit that you're still in love with the bird trend, why don't you take some time this weekend to get started on this project?

What You'll Need

2 different fabrics
Scissors
Thread
Sewing needle
Stuffing
Sticks
Filament wire

To find out how to make it,

DIY: Iron-On Vinyl Coasters

casasugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:30:41 -0700

I spotted this DIY on How About Orange, and thought it was so cute and simple, so I decided I'd summarize it. The great thing about this project is that you can personalize it with any fabric, or by sewing or stitching an interesting pattern into the coaster. It's also a great housewarming gift that's inexpensive and can be customized to the color scheme of a friend's new home!

Supplies:

Heavy-weight fabric
Iron-on vinyl
Scissors
Fabric glue stick
Vanishing fabric marker
Sewing machine (or needle and thread in coordinating color)
Pinking shears

To hear the steps,

Before and After: From Awkward Corners to Splendid Shelves

casasugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:00:09 -0700

DIYer Paul Smith spent several weekends constructing shelves for the odd, recessed space on either side of his fireplace. He cut wood to size, drilled, glued, clamped, and painted, and came up with something amazing. Here's what it looked like about halfway through the project.

To see what the shelves looked like afterwards, as well as a gallery of in-the-process photos,

Casa Quickie: A Low-Budge Rug

casasugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:30:49 -0700

If you're dismayed by the prices of accent rugs these days, or just looking for an inexpensive solution to pull a room together while you look for the perfect one, I have the answer to your problem-o. Stop by a cheap home furnishing store (Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond, a local outlet) and pick up two or three small cotton rugs, which you can find for $2 to $10. Then, tape or stitch them together to create a larger accent rug, which would normally cost you upwards of $100.

I once took this project into my own hands with some household duct tape and two $7 rugs from a local linen outlet. No, it doesn't make for the most crave worthy rug, but it's a quick, small change that can make a room look a bit more composed.

Have You Helped Make a Ribbon Bouquet?

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:27 -0700

If you've ever been to a bridal shower, you may have been responsible for helping to DIY the ribbon bouquet. At bridal showers, it's traditional to gather all of the ribbons together from the gifts and construct a bouquet, which will then be used at the wedding rehearsal. Source

Have You Helped Make a Ribbon Bouquet?

I've made too many to count!

I've helped out with a few.

I've used mine at my wedding rehearsal!

What? I didn't even know about this tradition.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

DIY: Wine Cork Placecard Holders

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:36:07 -0700

I spotted these Wine Cork Placecard Holders ($23.95) at Bright and Bold, which are actually made of resin, and thought they'd make a fabulous and simple DIY for a bridal shower brunch (or any other event). It's kind of a sad fact that these are being mass produced, but we won't get into that. I'm sure most guests would get a kick out of them, especially my girlfriends who are staunch wine fans. If you can handle drinking a few bottles of wine to save up for this DIY, then I think you'll be in the clear, supply-wise. But, you can also have cork stoppers special ordered from an industrial retailer and personalized with "Mrs. X" or "Angie & Brad" etc.

Supplies:

1 wine cork per place setting
Razor blade or X-acto (craft) knife
Cardstock
Calligraphy pen
Optional: Hot glue gun and magnet strip

To hear the steps,