Quickie DIY: Lego tacks

Quickie DIY

Lego Tacks 

Be bold 

Or italic 

Never regular 

Quirky things will always be a trend in my book and these quirky lego thumb tacks are perfect for anyone with a quirky side. 

The skills needed for this are super minimum it is a very easy and quick project. 

That makes it perfect for people who are new to DIY. 

Supplies: 

• Small 7 point legos (these work the best) 
• Flat head thumb tacks (the long ones will not work for this) 
• Super glue or any other type of strong glue ( I do not recommend hot glue for this project) 

Pay no attention to the random pen and scissors they are not needed for this project

Step one: Turn your lego upside down and cover the bottom half in glue. I went around the circle edge on the inside because that was how big my tack was.  Depending on the size of your tack will tell you were to put the glue.



Step 2: Lay the flat side of the tack down on the glue and give it a little push.  It is a good idea to also put a bit of glue on the head of your tack to ensure your tack will stick to the lego.



Step 3: Once you have glued the amount of tacks you want, it is time to let them sit and dry.  Because I used super glue my dry time was only 5-10 minuets.  Depending on what type of glue you used depends on how long you should let them sit and dry.  If you do not let the tack dry completely before use the tack will fall off and you will have a mess.

Tacks are a great way to organize things in your room or house.  I have multiple bulletin boards I use every day and now some dorkie tacks to go along with them.  

For a DIY bulletin board to use your tacks on I have a blog post that shows you how to make this elephant tack board or any animal  or shape of your choice.  Here is the link: http://letmebemeinsperation.blogspot.com/2013_06_28_archive.html

Inspiration: Creative Bug, Dying to Crawl in

If you would ask me or one of my great friends Brittany we would both tell you that you are never to old to color! 

I will quot another great friend -- "no one should ever tell you how to color" or "life is your coloring book" 

Gosh I love speech meets we can get so philosophical.

So obviously we color a lot... and yes we do color in princess coloring books often sipping from juice boxes and yes.. we are 16 almost 17 years old but we don't let that hold us back from the little things in life.   

I recently ran across an amazing poem/quote on my pinterest today and I just had to share it with everyone. 

I don't know about you but this really speaks to me. So in honor of being hit with a "creative bug" I have found over 50 of my favorite crayon DIY'S.  I scoured pinterest, blogs, and youtube for some of the best tutorials.  

Find your creative bug and give some of them a go; or just simply go and pick yourself up a 99 cent coloring book, make yourself some tea and enjoy the little things in life... like coloring books. 

Creative bug tutorials: 

If your new to the DIY seen here are some lower level yet adorable tutorials- 

Paper vine shows you how to make adorable shaped crayons with your old and broken crayons. Yay for recycling!

http://www.papervinenz.com/2011/03/got-kids-got-crayons.html

Britt + Co. shows you how to make these modern and very posh looking crayon candles. 

http://www.brit.co/color-block-candles/

(btw a suggestion is to go withought the extra wax and use only crayons it makes it a much cheaper DIY and will truly be recycling) 

Happiness Homemade explains easy ways to remove the wrappers from your crayon. This will make all of these tutorials so much easier ... Duh! 

http://www.happinessishomemade.net/2013/08/18/recycled-crayons-back-to-school-with-crayola/

The very first tutorial I showed you guys was how to make creative shaped crayons. Well, Here are a few pictures that I hope inspire you to make all kinds of crazy different shapes. 

Here are a few of my faves, try to make your own or buy them from the links listed. 

1. Puzzle pieces: https://www.etsy.com/listing/112691598/6pk-puzzle-crayons

2. Popsicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/95887942/recycled-crayons-popsicle-shapes-crayons?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=popsicle+crayon&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

3. Cupcakes: https://www.etsy.com/listing/154460691/recycled-cupcake-crayons-set-of-6

4. lego pieces: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45754468/lego-block-crayons-lil-scribblers-tm-set

The blog Hands On As We Grow Complied there own list of 35 crayon DIY'S
Go check it out! 

These are nine of them above ^

 - From left to right -

1. lanterns (This would be so great to do with the kiddos!) 

2. Melted crayon art (super simple, everyone should make at least one of these in there lives)

3. Water color resistant crayon art (the possibilities for this one are endless) 

4. Crayon Iron on transfer (towards the end of this blog there is a video on how to do this instead of a blog version) 

5. Crayon picture frame (I see a teacher future appreciation gift)

6. Crayon bowl (yet another teacher gift idea) 

7. Outdoor melted crayon art (This is a great way to get the kids to play outside) 

8. Easter egg crayon dying (This is perfect since Easter is on its way) 

9. Etched crayon doodles (There could be many cool variations to this one as well) 

To Find these DIY'S go to this link:

 http://handsonaswegrow.com/35-kid-activities-with-crayons/

Here are a few gift/holiday crayon craft ideas. The skill level for these are very easy 

Just Imagine shows a cute way to give your homemade crayons as a gift. 

http://justimagine-ddoc.com/crafts/crafty-finds-for-your-inspiration-no-4/?pid=11980

Here are 4 great gift idea DIY's 

1. Candy crayons: https://www.etsy.com/listing/56704260/personalized-candy-rolos-crayons (great idea for valentines day) 

2. Envelopes made from coloring pages! (new fave idea ever) http://www.etsy.com/listing/65768832/sale-coloring-pages-stationery-set-of-4?ga_utm_medium=email&ga_redirect=1&ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_filters=cards+paper_goods+-supplies+birthday&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_utm_source=bronto&ga_search_type=all&ga_utm_campaign=etsy_finds_022012&ga_ex=etsy_finds&ga_ref=etsy_finds

3. Crayola gift basket: http://www.squidoo.com/the-sista-s-klub-gift-baskets

4. Crayon box gift: http://welovebeingmoms.blogspot.com/2012/01/14-days-of-valentines-for-kids.html

I cant wait to try this one. The colors are attached to the coloring book!

Sorry there was no link to this picture but on the picture there is the link to the blog. 

Lines across made a card from scribbles.. how cute! 

http://www.linesacross.com/2012/02/scribble-card.html

Now that you are coloring we need a place to display all of our creations of course. 

This is a cute idea on how to display your master pieces. 

http://interiors-designed.com/2013/12/24/diy-furniture-family-photo-table/

The next few projects or for the slightly more experienced DIYer but no matter the skill level I am sure anyone could figure them out :) 

For those of you who can sew these are some great caring cases that happen to be adorable you can make! 

-From left to right-

Pillow case carrier: http://amazingmae.blogspot.com/2009/06/road-trip-pillow-cases.html

Crayon roll: http://smartschoolhouse.com/diy-and-how-tos/crayon-roll-tutorial

Monster tote bag: http://www.petitelemon.com/blog/2013/01/11/handmade-by-hillary-crayon-bag-tutorial/

Basic crayon tote: http://www.allmylittlegems.com/2011/05/childs-art-supply-totebag-tutorial-for.html

Apron: http://prudentbaby.com/2010/11/baby-kid/crayon-apron-tutorial-2/

Crayon portfolio: http://hisforhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/03/childrens-art-tote-tutorial.html

If you would like to make a simple crayon roll the links bellow has 3 different types of crayon roll tutorials to try. 

All of these links are video tutorials. 

1. Sewing a basic crayon roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZikE1GsL-Fs&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

2. No sew crayon roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_jx_nv6n0&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

3. Duct tape crayon roll (great for people who are not fabriclly inclined OR do this one with the kids) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF2WpIzPAFY&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

Here are 4 more DIY's to try! 

1. Watch this youtube video to learn how to make an iron on transfer using crayons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGoU3mJswW4&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

2. Watch this youtube video to learn how to make a crayon monogram (great teacher gift idea): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-W8IJ8fvBM&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

3. This is not a tuttorial but more of an insperation.  These look actaully pretty simple to make.  Here is the link to the etsy store where you could purchase them instead if wanted: https://www.etsy.com/listing/157722246/pencil-crayons-hair-clip

4. You can learn how to batik dye with crayons. (I will most deffinetly be trying this myslelf): http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/2012/08/awesome-crayon-batik.html?showComment=1345927658004]

Make bath time fun with bath crayons. 

1. Bath crayons/watercolor crayons: http://de-tout-et-de-rien-caroline.blogspot.com/2014/02/homemade-retractable-bathtub-crayons.html

2. Scented bath crayons: http://www.bathactivitiesforkids.com/2013/03/homemade-bath-crayons.html

3. Crayon shaped soaps: http://library.rusticescentuals.com/crayon-soap-tutorial/

-Inspire the uninspired-

Here are a few more inspiration pictures.  There are links to buy these but I challenge you all to attempt to make one of these.
-from left to right-

Marilyn Monroe melted crayon art: https://www.etsy.com/listing/157039675/marilyn-monroe-melted-crayon-art-this
Melted crayon bracelt: https://www.etsy.com/listing/180615809/melted-crayon-bracelet-color-wheel
carved crayons: http://lin-morris.com/crayola-sculptures-by-diem-chau/

Crayon t-shirt:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/162274634/crayon-t-shirt-pick-your-color-pictured

The next few DIY's are for our fashionistas. 

Here are three different versions of lipstick you can make out of crayons. 

There are so many different ways you can make this so I suggest you do some looking yourself so you can find your favorite method. 

I know I have two ones... just go with it

There is a crack in everything that's how light gets in.

-Leonard Cohen

1A. 2 ingredient lipstick: http://www.ohsoprettythediaries.com/2013/12/diy-crayon-lipstick.html

1B.This is my fave youtube video on how to make the lipstick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPgF69IKcW0&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7O4v_fvifmx1-ygllPb0S7

2. This shows you the best color combonations when makeing crayon lipstick: http://www.beautylish.com/a/vxazv/diy-crayon-lipstick-recipe (I highly recommend this one) 

For our cooking lovers, there is even a way to use coloring while cooking. 

For a tutorial on learning how to use coloring pages to get a design on a cake go to this link: 

http://www.brasstacksandbasics.com/2011/08/super-fancy-cake-decorating-tutorial.html

Storage Ideas that are not sewn 

These organization ideas are great for the non sewing inclined 

1. http://www.infokids.gr/2013/11/to-sampoyan-metamorfonetai-se-mia-mol/

2. https://www.etsy.com/listing/158279511/crayon-truck

3. http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=coloring+book+storage&v_t=tb50trie7&s_it=searchtabs

Who says coloring books are just for kids? 

Here I have compiled a few really cool looking coloring books for adults, teen, and youngins. 

1. Color me drunk: http://www.rockpaperscissorsshop.com/product/32225

2. Secret Garden: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Garden-Inky-Treasure-Coloring/dp/1780671067

3. The fashion coloring book: http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Southwest-Books-Fashion-Coloring-Book-Toys/prod153940349_cat7800741__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat7800741%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=prod153940349&cmCat=product

4. Tattoo Coloring book: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/books/the-tattoo-coloring-book

5. 10,000 page coloring book: http://pixohammer.smugmug.com/AbstractGarden/Ten-Thousand-Page-Colouring/i-LFjCBg2 (this ones a doozy but it interested me) 

6. Sugar skull coloring book: http://www.art-is-fun.com/sugar-skull-coloring-pages.html

Here is a website that has 7 different coloring books for all ages: 

http://www.babble.com/babble-voices/ten-degrees-hotter-morgan-shanahan/creative-coloring-books-for-the-whole-family/

Here is another website that has 10 more different coloring books for you to try: 

http://innerchildfun.com/2013/09/10-awesome-coloring-books.html

If you want to personalize your coloring books even further here are a few DIY's you can do. 

1. Make your own coloring book using your own pictures: http://content.photojojo.com/diy/how-to-create-coloring-book-using-photos/

2. Make your own Disney coloring book: http://craftgawker.com/post/2012/06/28/34418/

3. Another DIY coloring book using your own pictures: http://howtonestforless.com/2013/01/10/make-your-own-coloring-books/

Here are a few activities to make using our coloring theme :) 

1. Fun printable DIY coloring book for a little one: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/printable-color-book/

2. Color learning book: http://craftulate.com/2013/03/homemade-colour-book.html#

3. Dry erase coloring book: http://simplykierste.com/2013/01/dry-erase-activity-books.html

4. Dry erase scrap book: http://craftgawker.com/post/2013/03/19/46596/

For continuous crayon crafting inspiration follow this board on pinterest: 

http://www.pinterest.com/handsonaswegrow/color-me-a-crayon/


I have now provided you with over 50 tutorials that have to do with coloring. 

Get a little color in your life and try a few. Lets not push away our creative bugs. 

DIY: homemade wax

DIY: Homemade wax & wax strips

Something new I want to start doing here on my blog and that is all natural beauty tutorials. I prefer all natural/organic beauty routines rather than buying them at the store so I thought I would share some of my recipes. 

The reasons behind me not liking products that are not natural or "organic" is because last year while I was researching for a project I was assigned at school I found out that in almost everything you buy on the shelf at the store (as far as beauty products go) they all have chemicals in them.  

These chemicals may be more potent causing the products to be more effective than our all natural methods but the effects of these chemicals are terrible. 

Because we put all of these products directly on our skin they instantly go strait to our blood stream.  Most of these  nasty chemicals stay in our skin for up to 7 years.  

Most girls have daily beauty routines and most of there products that they use have these harmful chemicals in them.   That means every day you are adding to the amount of toxins in your blood stream increasing the build up of these toxins.

By eliminating these things we can all become very healthy individuals. 

One way to eliminate unhealthy habits is to switch out our store bought wax strips for a homemade wax.

 I am going to show you how to make this today along with some easy and recyclable wax strips to use with them.  

Ms. Toi on youtube has this tutorial on her channel so I did not feel the need to make one of my own.  If you would rather watch the video go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZfhfu5qhVg&list=PLCcfFHrPaaU7o3rn4Jrm2Q4nb5I8SOITU

But here is my blog version for you

Some supplies you will need:

• Medium size sauce pan 
• Funnel 
• jar (I used a pint you can use anything you have laying around) 
• Spoon (preferably a metal) 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• Essential oils (optional) 

1.Put all of your ingredients into the sauce pan set to a medium heat.  Any hotter you can risk burning your wax

1 1/2. Add essential oils. This step is optional I like to do it to add a nice smell to my wax just for a little extra. If you do just add a few little drops. My recommendation is lavender oil. 

This is what it will look like as it starts to boil 

It may take a while to get it boiling 

2.Stir constantly Be careful not to get to crazy when stirring this mix will burn you 

3.Keep stirring till your mixture starts darkening.  This is an example of it starting to get a darker color it takes a while for it to get to this state so be patient. 

Ahhh here we go we are getting the right color now.  It is now a dark caramel brown. Bellow the bubbles the mixture should look much darker. ( I accidentally deleted the picture of what it looks like under the bubbles... opps) 

4. Now it is time to check to make sure it is done.  Lay out a clean towel and than take your spoon and put a few drops onto the towel.  let it sit and cool a bit because it will be extremely hot! Once you touch it,it should be sticky and you should be able to shape it.  If you let it cool longer it will be hard.  Kind of like candy. 

If it is still like syrup or liquidy it is not done. Go for about five minuets longer than check again. 

Make sure you are still stirring constantly 

This is what it should look like -- if not the drops should be harder

5. If it is done take it off the burner

6. Using the funnel put your mix into your jar and let it sit till it completely cools 

Make sure you are careful HOT! 

To use this wax:

When you want to use this wax you put your jar into a pan with a small amount of water than warm it up till it is a honey like consistency. 
Apply to the area against the grain of your hair using a Popsicle stick or something of that sort than put your wax strip over it and press firmly 

Than you know whats next... Rip it off! 

If you did not put this mixture into a boil or stove top safe container just simple use a double boil method or try your best to scoop out some of the mixture and put it directly into your pan with ought water.

Now for the wax strips! 

Cotton material is the best you could use and what I recommend is old t-shirts.  

I took an old t-shirt and cut it into various sized strips big and little for different types of uses.  

The reasons behind me not liking products that are not natural or "organic" is because last year while I was researching for a project I was assigned at school I found out that in almost everything you buy on the shelf at the store (as far as beauty products go) they all have chemicals in them.  

These chemicals may be more potent causing the products to be more effective than our all natural methods but the effects of these chemicals are terrible. 

Because we put all of these products directly on our skin they instantly go strait to our blood stream.  Most of these  nasty chemicals stay in our skin for up to 7 years.  

Most girls have daily beauty routines and most of there products that they use have these harmful chemicals in them.   That means every day you are adding to the amount of toxins in your blood stream increasing the build up of these toxins.

By eliminating these things we can all become very healthy individuals. 

Do you have any all natural beauty routines?