chocolate bean pillbox {DIY in 15 minutes #3}

January 6, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

Another DIY I did before Christmas: “anti-stress” and “anti-wanderlust” pillboxes!

All you need:

– tiny empty jars and bottles
– chocolate beans
– vintage printables + paper
– twine
– glue stick

chocolate bean pillbox DIY

I used a tiny jam jar and a mini brandy bottle that I cleaned and dried up thoroughly. I sorted the chocolate beans by colour, to make the two sorts of pills look differently.

For making the labels I used free vintage printables I found online. Here are some of my favorites:

– free collage sheets

– vintage grunge printables

I altered the label in Photoshop and gauged the correct size. Cut the label out and glue it on the lid or on the front of the bottle.

I printed out some pretty vintage tags, punched holes in them and tied them up with the twine.

Maybe you know someone that could need some anti-stress pills, anti-lovesickness medicine or frustration-protection?

Have fun!

knotted necklace {diy}

December 31, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

I made this neckace months ago, but couldn’t post it since I made it for someone who reads this blog frequently for Christmas…well, here it is. It’s fairly easy to do, but it took me about 2-3 Gilmore Girls episodes until I had threaded all the beads. (Don’t ask how many – I didn’t count!)

I used three different colours of tube beads in random order.

I basically made two strings (each consisting of eight single strings) and knotted them together using the Double Carrick Bend and twisted the ends.

For the fastener I made a loop out of rocaille beads and used a bigger square-shaped bead on the other end. I used crimp beads to seal the end.

One string is a little longer than the other – thus the necklace/knot is slightly asymmetric which makes it look more interesting.

Have fun – oh, and Happy New Year! 🙂

Refashion It! Upcycling a Lamp with Handmade Paper

December 29, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I upcycled this old lamp from my parents today. Quick, inexpensive and pretty, such a fun thing to do! It took no longer than 30 minutes and all I used was a sheet of handmade paper bought in a stationary store and double-sided adhesive tape.

The paper was beautiful and not expensive at all.

Finding the right size for the pattern was a little tricky. Make sure your sheet of paper is big enough!

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5 tips for the weekend #5

December 28, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Sorry, I really neglected my Five Tips For The Weekend during the last few weeks, but I was really busy with exams and the whole holidays thing. Anyway, here are my five tips for the upcoming weekend:

#1 craft idea: detachable collar using an old shirt collar as pattern

I love the idea and am definitely going to try this asap!
You will find the tutorial at burdastyle – have fun!

#2 movie you should re-watch every year

I love to watch and re-watch Lion King – it’s totally worth it! I think it’s the best Disney movie and definitely one of the best animated films ever made – also, not only for kids 😉 And the perfect choice to watch with the family on a cold winter sunday.

#3 book you won’t regret reading

Momo is an awesome fantasy novel by Michael Ende and one of my favorite books of all time. Although widely considered a childrens book, it’s not.

#4 recipe to try on the weekend

After all the holiday-overindulgence, here’s a low-calorie recipie for Honey-Soy Broiled Salmon.

Too bad I couldn’t find a better picture, because this dish looks so delicious!

#5 try a 365 project

A Beautiful Mess shared some thoughts about 365 projects for the new year. I totally love the idea and will think about it, but I’m afraid my lack of discipline will ruin any plan.
Have you ever done something alike?

DIY Christmas gift tags

December 23, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I finally wrapped up all the presents. This year I used handmade gift tags.

I printed the picture/text I wanted to be on the tags on white cotton. One could also just plain white paper, but cotton looks much nicer. I got the picture from Two Things In Common.

I glued the cotton cut-outs on green paper and embellished the gift tags with gold thread.