Zipper Bracelets

 These bracelets made from zippers are the easiest DIY I've seen in a while! I love the idea of the simple one strand ones below as friendship bracelets for you and your best girlfriends. Wouldn't they be cute stocking stuffers for your roommates? Finally I have a way to use my beloved, old, worn out jeans!

(via Brit + Co)

{Make It}...Très Chic Tray

I found this totally rad sparkly gold tray at a local market in my hometown for only five bucks! Needless to say, I fell in love. Trays are extremely functional and versatile, so I couldn't wait to incorporate it! Of course, I couldn't leave it be. To make it feel a little more up to date, and more my style, I added a fresh coat of high gloss white spray paint. It made a world of difference in only a few steps!

You will need:

A plastic tray

Spray paint for plastic

Sandpaper

Painter's tape

Face mask (optional)

Since my tray had a sparkly finish, I sanded down the surface to ensure a smooth coat of paint. Sand the areas you will paint in a linear, then circular motion making sure every part has been touched. Remember to dust it off with a damp rag.

Tape your edges off with painter's tape, or even masking tape. I like to press the roll of tape against the surface as I edge, because it acts as a smoother and makes sure it's tight to the surface. As always, go over again with your fingers to seal everything. You don't want leakage! I also taped the inside of the handle cutouts because I wanted the gold to show through against the white.

Simply follow the directions on the canister of spray paint. If outside, make sure that you're not spraying against the breeze! That can get messy. About eight inches away, apply a thin coat with a slow sweeping motion.  Wait about thirty minutes and reapply a second coat for full coverage.

I had a little leakage. Oops! No worries. If you get a thin dusting of paint in the wrong places, use acetone nail polish remover to take those blemishes away. I like using a cotton swab for detail work, and a cotton round for larger areas. Wipe lightly and quickly to only remove the spray paint and nothing else!

{Make It}...Relaxing Rice Bag

 I'm not old, nor am I anywhere near there, but after a really long day, sometimes your back hurts. This is probably because I don't sit at a proper desk like I should. There is something very relaxing about a hot compress. Even if you're not sore! (I also like putting them in my bed in the winter. Warm sheets!) I made my own little rice bag to heat up, because I like having fun prints and different sizes. They are so simple! 

You will need:

5 lb. bag of rice

Ruler

Scissor

Sewing machine

1 yd fabric (just in case) - use cotton or flannel

Pins

Pencil

I made mine a manageable size. I measured and marked my fabric to me 13 X 9 inches, which allowed for a seam. 

I then ironed by fabric, folded in half and cut out both sides laying back to back. Keeping it with the patter side in, I pinned three sides (two long, one wide) and went to the sewing machine. I just used white thread, but any color could be fine. 

Sewing the three sides, I made sure to reinforce the ends just in case by doing a back stitch. 

Then...turn the bag right side out so you have a little sack. Fill with rice. I used a lot! Probably about six or seven cups.

With the open end, fold the raw edges inward and pin those folds together. Just run it through the sewing machine making sure to reinforce this seam especially! 

Heat in microwave and enjoy!

I love making these in different sizes, prints, and fabrics! They are also great for a gift. My mom loves hers. I use mine way more than I thought I would. You could also make them in a shape of a neck roll, or even like those collar pillows you use for long trips.

{Make It}...Fresh Start

I had this ragged aqua blue frame from my early high school years (yikes!) that was buried deep in memorabilia and dust under the bed. In it's first life, it house a lovely collage of the band U2. Yeah. I was that obsessed. Recently, I've found it liberating throw old junk from my haunting past, or refurbish it. Let's face it. You can't hide from everything. Why not take something that you'd rather ignore and turn it into something pretty rad that you don't mind if other people notice? Attention is good. Glam is good. Change is good! From barf blue to feisty fuchsia, this change for the frame is pretty damn fab. Our lives should be too.

You will need:

a wooden frame

rubbing alcohol

cotton balls/rounds

craft paint

detail paint brushes

clear lacquer/glaze

No matter what kind of surface you're working with, use rubbing alcohol to clean the frame. Since mine had old paint, I use the alcohol to not only clean the wood or any residue/dust, but also to remove excess, uneven coats of paint.

 With your craft paint and medium flat brush, add thin layers of paint. Allow each coat to dry so it is smooth to the touch. Don't worry about getting in the grooves. As you can see above, the first and even second coat may not get into those tiny details.

With your detail brush, after the last coat has dried (I painted probably three or four coats for maximum coverage and impact), fill in any touch ups. Let your frame cure completely over night.

The next day, with a medium/large flat brush add a generous coat of lacquer. Let it dry to the touch and add a second coat for high gloss shine! Again, be patient. You should let the frame dry with the glaze for another day before putting in your photo/art and glass! 

And doesn't it look fab?

We Love Curiosity!

How exciting that the Mars Rover Curiosity has landed and is now traversing the surface of Mars. It landed pretty much without a hitch and is already sending some cool information back to our lovely home planet. NASA got a higher resolution photo just earlier. This is so very exciting, don't you agree? The photo features part of the Mars crater and Martian horizon, looking right into the sun. You can even see part of the rover. NASA decided to wait 28 months for Earth and Mars to be aligned again, costing more money and time, instead of rushing with an okay product earlier. Although it required more resources, the wait was obviously worth it. The director of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Dr. Elachi, explained that the rover cost less than seven dollars per American to produce, and the result are spectacular. Aptly named, Curiosity is truly a testament to the creative and brilliant minds that never cease to amaze in our country. 

Stay up to date with everything Mars related by checking the Facebook and Twitter platform for Mars Rover Curiosity. 

Photo via NASA