DIY Dorm: Painted Glass Jar

As someone who is always on the hunt for an easy way to add spice to my room, I am so excited to share this project with you. While browsing the design blog, Poppytalk, I found my inspiration for the newest edition of DIY Dorm. Why not take bottles and jars meant for the recycling and turn them into something beautiful and colorful?  I decided to start with a small, empty jar and turn it into a pencil holder. Keep reading for tips and instructions!

What You’ll Need:

1 Glass jar
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush (optional*)

What You’ll Do:

1) Remove the label from the jar you’ve chosen. (Tip: In my experience, a stubborn label can usually be removed with a Brillo pad, water, and soap if needed.) Rinse out any remaining contents and let dry.

2) Add a dollop of paint to the inside of the jar. Slowly rotate and swirl it around until the entire inside is covered with the paint. This may take a few dollops, depending on the color and thickness of the paint. (Tip: I used a paint brush to help spread stubborn patches.) Let dry.

3) Add any other additions to the outside of your jar, whether it be stenciled letters or appliques.

Add some water and fresh flowers or an electric candle to add some mood lighting to your room. I went with a stylish pencil holder but it is up to you! Either way, you’re left with a quaint new edition to your dorm. Enjoy!

posted by Sandybn
04.04.12
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DIY Dorm: Melted Crayon Light Catchers

With March being National Craft Month, we thought it only appropriate to bring you another installment of DIY Dorm! Ever wished you had something to really accent how nicely the sun shines in through your window? These melted crayon flowers are the perfect way to compliment the sunlight AND welcome in the spring. Because they are easy to put together and require only a few materials, you will be able to make them right in your dorm room. Enlist your roommate and get crafting!

What You’ll Need:

Childhood art supplies can make pretty light catchers.

2 Sheets of wax paper
Crayons (I like Crayola best)
Handheld pencil sharpener
Iron
Kraft paper or paper bags
Scissors
Thread

What You’ll Do:

1) Use the pencil sharpener to whittle down the crayons into shavings. Sprinkle the shavings evenly (but not too thickly) onto the wax paper. Make sure you have the paper bags underneath.

2) Place the other sheet of wax paper on top of the first sheet and the shavings. Using medium heat, lightly iron over the sheets. Check every few strokes to make sure the crayons are melting nicely.

3) Once this is done, cut out flower shapes of varying sizes. Poke a small hole in the end of each and hang using the thread. I like to cut the thread at a few different lengths to hang up.

Now you have beautiful, translucent light catchers to add some color to your room. Don’t hesitate to post a comment below with any questions or advice!

posted by Sandybn
03.02.12
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DIY Dorm: String-It-Up Photo Display

It's a new spin on your classic picture frame.

We’re here to present you with a twist on the traditional photo frame! With our DIY guide, you’ll be able to put plenty of your favorite photographs on display, without having to find space for all of the frames. Inspired by string-up lights, this new decoration will add a personalized touch to your dorm. A few materials and some creativity on your part is all you need!

 

What You’ll Need:

1 Roll of twine or string
Clothespins, one for each photo
Paint (acrylic should work fine, I like to use a bright color!)

What You’ll Do:

1) Determine the number of photos you plan to hang up and count out the clothes pins you’ll need accordingly. Paint your first coat on the clothes pin (you may have to leave one side unpainted, for drying purposes) and let dry.

A fresh coat of paint and these clothes pins look like new.

2) While the pins are drying, decide where you want to hang your photos and cut the string or twine a little longer than you’ll need. Next, cut two more pieces (the same length). If you don’t want the string pulled taut, cut a few inches extra so it will hang more loosely.

3) Paint a second (and third if you feel necessary) coat on the pins, until it is as opaque as you would like. Let dry.

4) Knot the 3 pieces of string at one end and braid the rest together. Knot at the other end and trim the excess.

5) Using the clothes pins, evenly space the photos along the string.

Feel free to put your own spin on our suggestions! If you come up with other creative ideas for your dorm, or just want to ask a question – post a comment below!

posted by Sandybn
02.02.12
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DIY Dorm: Easy Wall Decor

It’s up to you to spice up your dorm room!  Showcase your favorite photos or just add some texture to an otherwise drab wall with our easy and inexpensive wall decor.

What You’ll Need:

- 12×12 Cork board wall squares (you can usually get a pack of 4 for under $10)
- Wrapping paper
- Tape or glue
- Scissors
- Ribbon

What You’ll Do:

The extra length of ribbon makes gluing easier.

1) Use the paper to wrap the cork board in the typical fashion. If the tape does not stick as much as you’d like, you can dot the edges of the paper with glue.

2) Snip the ribbon to be about an inch or so longer than the cork board at each end (as pictured). Place a dot of glue on the underside edge of the ribbon, drape the end of the ribbon over the edge of the board and press in place. Continue to glue the rest of the ribbon along the front of the board like you did with the DIY Lamp. Do so along as many edges as you’d like to create a border.

Who says DIY projects have to be difficult?

3) Add photos, stickers, or other mementos (Scotch tape works fine). Avoid adding anything too heavy as this will make it difficult to hang the board. Make sure your board comes with adhesives – these are very sticky but don’t leave marks on the walls.

You can make only one square or form a grid with all four! The best part about DIY projects like this one is that you can tailor it to your own preference. Let us know how yours turned out by dropping us a comment.

posted by Sandybn
01.26.12
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DIY Dorm: Upcycled Soup Cans

I’ve always been a huge fan of “upcycling” – using old objects for new and creative purposes (remember the T-shirt Pillows from a few weeks ago?). So when I came across my stash of soup waiting to be eaten, I was inspired…by the cans. Why not get even MORE bang for my buck and make use of not just the soup inside, but the container it comes in? A key factor in my dorm-life diet, soup cans were inexpensive and always on hand – just begging to be incorporated into a fun DIY project. With only a few budget-friendly items and little bit of your time, you’ll be turning your recycling into awesome dorm decor.

What You’ll Need:

- Empty soup can (I used an empty can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup)
- Tape measure or ruler
- Glue
- Wrapping paper (or any type of printed paper you’d like)
- Scissors
- Ribbon* (optional, for decorative purposes)

What You’ll Do:

1) First, make sure your can of soup is empty and rinsed clean. You don’t want any leftover soup ruining your project! Next, peel off the wrapper from the outside. It should come off fairly easily, though you may need to scrape a bit where it was glued. Don’t stress too much though, it’s going to be covered up.

Measure your can from top to bottom, as pictured here.

2) Next, using your tape measure, measure the height of your soup can (as seen in the photo) and make a mental note of this. Then, measure the distance around the outside of the can and add 1/2 an inch to this number (for gluing purposes). You may need to use a string or ribbon for this because it is not linear. These measurements will act as the height and width of the rectangular piece of wrapping paper you are going to wrap around the outside of the can.

3) Cut out your rectangular section of wrapping paper, according to the measurements you found. Place a line of glue along the shorter edge and press it flush onto the can. Wrap the paper around the cylinder, line the other end with glue, and press in place.

4) I also added a ribbon around the bottom rim, for decorative purposes following the same steps for the paper.

The final product!

I chose to use my soup can as a vase but they also make great pencil or school supply holders. You can add whatever you like to the outside as well! If you want to incorporate stickers or other appliques, get creative and really make it your own. If you decide you’d like a new pattern around the outside, just grab another can and get decorating!

Have any other ideas or suggestions for us? Don’t hesitate to post a comment below – we love hearing from you!

posted by Sandybn
01.20.12
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DIY Dorm: Revamp Your Lamp!

If you’re looking for an easy way to brighten up your room (pardon the pun), a new refurbished lampshade might be just what you need! It’s much simpler than it sounds and won’t empty out your wallet. We’re bringing you basic instructions, but don’t be afraid to get creative!

Materials:

- Ribbon of your choice (try selecting a fabric ribbon, which is easier to glue)
- Tape measure
- Lampshade
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Newspaper/some sort of mat to put down (to prevent a mess)

What to Do:

Step 1: Using your tape measure, measure the circumference around both the top and bottom edges of the lampshade. You will then measure out two pieces of ribbon, one that will line the top outer rim and one that will line the bottom outer rim. When measuring each piece of ribbon, add a quarter of inch at the end (for gluing purposes) and then cut the ribbon.

Overlap the ribbon and glue in place.

Step 2: Lie the bottom-lengthed strip of ribbon face down and, starting at the edge, use your glue gun to dab an inch-long line of glue. Swiftly take the ribbon and press the glued section flush along the bottom outer rim of your lampshade (you want to make sure the glue does not dry first).

Step 3: Add another dot of glue about an inch and a half farther along from the first section and press this to the lampshade. Continue gluing the ribbon around the lampshade until you reach your starting point. Overlap the ribbon and glue the last edge in place. Repeat with other ribbon along top rim.

Even lampshades deserve a makeover!

Step 4 (Optional): Continue using Steps 1-3 with as many strips of ribbon as you prefer. If you are content with just the top and bottom edges, you are finished! Add an appliqué or embellishment to give it “something extra.”

If you want to try something a bit more difficult, we found great video-style instructions on TheDIYDish.com. They’ll teach you how to cover the entire lampshade using fabric and larger appliqués – great for a crafty dorm-dweller.

As always, we love hearing your feedback! Send us a comment with suggestions or questions and let us know if there is any particular project you’d like to see.

posted by Sandybn
01.11.12
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DIY Dorm: T-Shirt Pillows

Have an overflowing stash of old T-Shirts in your closet? Before you toss them in the trash, why not consider “upcycling” instead? Turn old shirts into inexpensive decorative pillows for your dorm room - it’s easy, we promise!

What You’ll Need:

- needle + thread
- old T-shirt
- pencil or chalk
- scissors
- pillow stuffing (found at craft or fabric stores)

What to Do:

1)    Decide what size you want your pillow to be, then add between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch to each side. This is the seam allowance.  Mark lines you will cut along on your shirt of choice with chalk or pencil (if the fabric color is light enough).

2)    Cut out the rectangular pattern along the lines you just marked to form the front piece of your pillow. Then cut the same size rectangle out (either of the same shirt or another shirt, your choice) to form the back piece of your pillow.

Follow our easy steps and these old T-Shirts will become awesome dorm decor!

3)    Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other so that the sides you want to eventually face outward are facing in (the pillow is sewn inside-out at first to hide the seams). Use sewing pins to loosely hold the pieces together.

4)    Begin sewing at the bottom left corner upwards to the top left corner. Continue sewing your way around the pillow. Stop sewing about 3 1/2 inches before you once again reach your starting point.

5)    Turn your pillow so it is now right-side out and stuff it to your desired level of fluffiness. Then, use a needle and thread to sew the opening closed.

If you’re not quite confident in your sewing skills, College Candy gives excellent, easy-to-follow directions for those who would rather sew around an existing pillow. Once you are finished, feel free to enjoy the fact that you just upcycled an old item AND helped furnish your room in one easy project!

Be sure to look out for more Do-It-Yourself projects to come! Have any specific projects you need advice on or any areas where you could use an idea or two? Share it with us below and we’ll be happy to help!

posted by Sandybn
01.04.12
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