Tutorial Tuesday: DIY Gemstone Cocktail Ring

I've been loving earthy cocktails rings. Really loving. On a tight budget, you can make adorably chunky ones all by yourself!

 Supplies Needed:
--Ring Kit from craft supply store
--Stone/Gem/Anything!
--E-6000 Industrial Strength Glue

It's super easy and so fun! Plus you can customize it to be meaningful. I chose Rose Quartz because it draws love to the wearer. You can do turquoise for protection, onyx for strength, or amazonite for luck!

If you make one, send me pictures!

♥ Shannon

DIY Mash-Up

Remember my cute crafty strand from The Style Social Blogger Series? I was feeling torn because I love it, but it was time to take it down to start putting up art work in my work space. Then I decided to take a leaf out of Elsie's book--her Spring Art Journal, to be precise.

Original images from DesignLoveFest and A Beautiful Mess

I loved Elsie's technique for filling in a notebook with media and adding personal notes and thoughts later. If you haven't read her post yet, I highly recommend it. It's delightfully creative and inspirational as usual.

I used the cute postcards, film strips, and trinkets from Bri's event to decorate the pages of my lovely Rifle Paper Co. notebook...

...and took it with me to add notes, doodles, and song lyrics from Sucré and The Honey Trees...

...or just inspirational thoughts. I love that the pages are filled with pretty things that inspire me, so I can tuck it in my purse and write in it anytime. It's a little easier than travel art journaling.

I can't think of many things that are better than a mash-up of ideas from two of my favorite bloggers, you know what I mean?

♥ Shannon

Dreamy Photo Tutorial

Thanks to Ruche for letting me share this lovely trick!

I probably use this on 90% of my photos to achieve a dreamy look. It's so easy--just one step!

All you need is Photoshop! Let's get started...

In the Adjustments window, open the Levels tool.

Click and drag the center knob to the left--the further left it goes, the lighter and softer the image.

So pretty! Enjoy!

♥ Shannon

Little Luck Tree

Happy November!

Can anyone believe that it is already November? Today my sister, Bonnie, and I were having a talk about how much we have to be thankful for--I plan on making this whole month one of giving thanks. I have a few tutorials planned to help you do the same! In the meantime, here is a lovely craft from V and Co:

These are wax paper and crayon leaves! I just love it! Check out the full tutorial here.

What are you thankful for today?

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday: Silver Bullet Necklace DIY

Are you ready for the full moon tonight? Everyone knows that silver is your best bet if you want to defend yourself from a werewolf. Best to be prepared. Fear not! I'm here to help.

Here's what you'll need:
--Non-lethal bullet (these come prepped for you at any Army Surplus store--complete with a hole pierced through the shell or a ring adhered to the top, seen above)
--Rope/String (hemp would be cool--very werewolf slayer-esque)
--Necklace clasps (although a good ol' knot will do in a pinch)
--Model paint (may I suggest chrome or silver over gray?)
--Paintbrush

Step 1: Paint your bullet. Let it dry, then scratch some of the paint off.
Step 2: Wrap your rope around the bullet however you like, then string remaining rope through loop (note, I used two strands because I liked how it looked)
Step 3: Fix your necklace clasps to the ends.
Step 4: Tighten (I used pliers, but that may have been overkill...)

Voila--you're ready should you come face to face with a bonified werewolf! Plus it just looks kind of cool, don't you think?

Here's a little lore for you:
--Werewolf mythology dates back to Ancient Greeks
--Traditionally, werewolves were created from the bite of another wolf--or a curse
--Full moons have been associated with temporary insanity (hence the term lunatic) and other magical incidents (you know, like becoming a werewolf)
--The October full moon is known as the Harvest Moon, or the Hunter's Moon

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday: Images Sizes while Blogging

Have you ever noticed that it's challenging to get your images sizes to be the same width while blogging? And don't you think it's nice when you look at a blog where all the images are the same size? Well I'm going to help you out. Below you will find photo instructions for Blogger, and a bit of quick math for anyone else. Here we go:

First, you need to determine what size (in pixels) you want your images to be. This takes a little trial-and-error where you type in numbers into the HTML code and then Preview the post to see what size you want. My images are always 465 pixels wide. 

Since I want my images to end up being 465 pixels wide, I need to know that my original photo will be at least 465 or higher. To check the dimensions of a photo, you can right click it and Mac users select "Get Info", Windows select "Properties". This can also be done in Photoshop by checking your Image Size. If the image is smaller than your desired number, you probably want to find a bigger image.

Insert your image using the little image icon.

One by one, click on your images and select "Original Size"--this will make the images the biggest size possible without compressing the size (in other words, your resolution--the clarity of your image--will remain intact).

Unlike the "Small", "Medium", or "Large" options, "Original Size" does not include the pixel dimensions. You will have to add them yourself--and the great thing is that you only need to add the width--the height will be calculated for you! 

Click on the "Edit HTML" tab at the top right of the posting box. It will show you a lot of lines of HTML code. For each image, you want to find the <img/> command (highlighted above). Within that line, you can type in the following command: width="465" . I have highlighted it. Spaces don't matter in HTML code, so just make sure you have it within the <img/> line.

Do this for each image, and return to the "Compose" tab. They should all be the same size! Blogger users, you're done!

Now, there may come a time when you will have to calculate your own pixel dimensions (Wordpress, Typepad, Photobucket, etc). For this, there is a simple formula that will maintain the ratio of your image, thus keeping the clarity of your image. Get out your bifocals and pocket protectors, here we go....

If the dimensions of your original image are 500 by 700, but you know you need your width to be 465, all you have to do is find out what your new height will be. To do this, multiply the original height by the desired width, and divide by the original width. 

In other words, multiply 500 x 465 and divide by 700. This gives you 332.143, your new height. 

Still with me? Once you have the new height and width, all you have to do in your "Edit HTML" tab is insert the command: height="332.143" width="465" within the <img/> line.

I hope this helps! (Feel free to leave a comment below to let me know if this has been helpful or if it's just balls crazy!)

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday: Grow Your Own Cat Grass

Fellow pet lovers!

Do you also find yourself keeping your feline companion in the home against her wishes? Try to make it up to her by buying cat grass at PetCo and then promptly killing said grass? Worry not. This system is easy, and it actually works!

What you'll need:
* Vermiculite (organic, if you please)
* Bird seed (I used Wild Bird Center Premium Feed; your local nursery can help you with suggestions)
* 3 small pots or containers

Step 1: Put vermiculite into one pot, filling to within 1" of the top.
Step 2: Sprinkle a thin layer of the bird seed over the vermiculite. Just enough to coat the surface. Add some water--just enough to wet the vermiculite without making it float. Place on a sunny windowsill.

Step 3: It will only take about a week and a half to grow (maybe more in cold weather). Once you have about 2" of growth, start another pot. Then, once the second pot has 2" of growth, start the third. This way you have a nice rotation of fresh grass for kitty.

Step 4: Place the fresh grass near your furry friend's food dish so she gets the point. She'll know when she needs to eat her veggies (cats are smart like that!).

Remember, felines are carnivores, but the grass seems to help them with digestion. Wild and domestic cats will naturally turn to it, so make sure you keep it available (and pesticide free!) for your indoor cat!

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday: Easy Sun Tea

If you haven't made sun tea, well, you must. It's so easy and so refreshing. Here's how:

Things you'll need: Tea bags, mason jar (really, a glass cup or carafe would do, but it's best to have a fitting cover)

Step 1: Place tea bags and water in jar with 1:1 ratio (1 tea bag per 1 cup water)

Step 2: Seal the jar and place it in the sun

Step 3: Leave for 2-3 hours depending on how strong you like your tea.

Step 4: Remove tea bags and place in fridge. Drink when chilled.

Bonus: I like to make an extra glass and fill an ice cube tray with it. This way when I serve with ice, it won't dilute the flavor!

It's fun to add garnishes. I've been making peppermint tea (soooo refreshing on a hot day!). It's fun to add fresh sprigs of mint and slices of lime.

Do you make sun tea? What's your favorite flavor?

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday: Eggless Easter Eggs

Paint is the new dye, my friends. And papier-mâché is the new egg. ::cough vegan cough::

Anyway, this was a fun project where I painted--and then glittered--some papier-mâché eggs from the craft store. It was so easy and fun! It was a little messy, but a contained mess. I felt like a kid again.

(PS: How precious is this subway art from eighteen25?! I love those girls!)

Things you'll need: papier-mâché eggs, paint, paint brush, glitter, glitter glue, glitter tray, clear spray adhesive.

First, paint the eggs and let them dry (I used acrylic paints).

Second, apply the glitter.

I used Martha Stewart Crafts Glittering Glue and the Crystal Fine glitter. The Glittering Glue has its own paintbrush--like nail polish--so it's easy to apply. Paint it on, pour on the glitter, let dry. Seal with the spray adhesive.

They come out all bright and pretty--and they can be used for years!

What Easter crafts are you looking forward to?

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday! Part II

For this fun headband, I was inspired by Giant Dwarf, although something tells me this hairpiece won't hold up quite as beautifully has hers. Nonetheless, if you're in a pinch (pun intended) it's a quick and inexpensive DIY!

Things you'll need: A headband (or ribbon), foam shapes, glue gun.

Step 1: Glue shape to headband.

Step 2: You guessed it--wear that clover!

I'm still trying to figure out what we're doing for St Patty's Day--what are your plans?

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday! Part I

Sooo this week I had a little fun with glittery foam shapes at the craft store. And now you can, too!

Things you'll need: An alligator hair clip, floral stem wire, foam shapes, and a hot glue gun.

Step 1: Glue shapes to wire and/or alligator clip.

Step 2: Wear!

Seriously. It's that easy. Pinch-proof and cute!

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday!

Are your bulbs peeking up out of the earth? Mine are! After my first winter in Maryland, I quickly learned that daffodils are the first sign of spring! To celebrate them, I took a little leaf out of Martha Stewart's book and made this cute craft (if you've got a green thumb, try out Martha's basket!)--here are the easy steps!

What you'll need: A basket, some fake flowers, some little chicks, some moss (all available for less than $15 at a craft store), and a few things from home: cardboard, scissors, and an old towel/sheet.

Step 1: Place the towel inside the basket.

Step 2: Cut a circle out of the cardboard; it should be a little smaller than the basket.

Step 3: Poke some holes in the cardboard--these can be random (or calculated if you're clever!)

Step 4: Place the cardboard into the basket on top of the towel. It should rest flat about 2-3 inches below the top of the basket.

Step 5: Arrange the flowers by poking the stems into the holes. Cover the cardboard with moss.

Step 6: Arrange your little chicks in their new home! Cute!

So excited for spring! Dresses without tights, walks in the sun, picnics...what are you looking forward to?

♥ Shannon