Category Archives: DIY

DIY Kitchen Memo Board

April 8, 2016

Filed Under : DIY

I’ve been wanting a memo board in the kitchen for a while now, and this week, I finally put one up. I was inspired when I saw a square wood pallet at a craft store and it was just asking for me to DIY my own memo board. My blog post earlier this week about my studio packaging corner was tied in with square prints from Artifact Uprising, and this memo board just had to have some of those prints too.

DIY kitchen memo board // anastasia marie

Supplies you need:
Square wood pallet
Binder clips
Sewing pins
Glass test tubes
1/4″ wide rubber bands
Skinny wood sticks
Round cork pad
Push pins

I originally wanted to paint the pallet, but in the end opted to keep it natural for a more rugged feel. I hammered in the sewing pins with my kid’s toy hammer (worked like a charm) and used them as “nails” to hang the binder clips from. A much more prettier option! I also used the pins to secure the cork pad onto the pallet.

DIY kitchen memo board // anastasia marieDIY kitchen memo board // anastasia marie

The test tubes were hung using rubber bands and skinny wood sticks. On the backside of the pallet, I placed two skinny sticks on top of each other, wrapped a rubber band around them multiple times, pulled one end through a slit in the pallet, and slid the glass test tube under the rubber band. It creates a snug fit that way, but still allows you to remove the tubes for cleaning.

DIY kitchen memo board // anastasia marie DIY kitchen memo board // anastasia marie

Hope this inspires to you create a memo board of your own! There’s so many different ways to style this, so many different accessories you can nail on to hold whatever it is you want your memo board to hold for you.

And remember, you can head online to ArtifactUprising.com or use their iPhone app to order 25 FREE square prints of your own to display wherever you’d like! Simply enter ANASTASIA25 during checkout. This coupon code is valid for one set of 25 square prints. Shipping is not included. This code expires April 13th, 2016.

DIY: Scallop Garland

January 22, 2015

Filed Under : DIY - Paper Projects

We threw a bridal shower / going away party for my sister last weekend. We kept it simple and sweet. I used whatever I had available already in my home, and just popped out to the store to buy greenery for the table. Gold and ivory tablecloths, greens in jars, and various long candlesticks (so they would burn at different speeds and create candles of various lengths). I also handmade a simple scallop garland to hang from the dining room lamp. You can either make this a long garland — or just in pieces like I did, hanging them in a circle around the lamp. These photos were taken long after the party was over and everything was cleaned up, so all the details aren’t here.

diy scallop garland via Anastasia Marie

Supplies needed (besides the paper):

2″ Scallop Punch (I used the Fiskars brand)
1/8″ Hole Punch
Cotton string
Scissors

To make the garland, punch out scallop circles from various paper textures and colors. I kept the color palette ivory, taupe, and gold since those are some of the key colors of my sister’s wedding. Hole punch the scallops. Cut a good length of string and tie one scallop to the very end. String the next scallop on and tie it on by looping that same end through. To keep it looking smooth, alternate the various scallops by color and texture. Also, don’t secure them on with the same distance in between; instead, vary the distances up and you’ll save yourself the headache of trying to make it ‘perfect’ (this is a big time saver).

Note: a trick to keep the scallops hanging naturally, don’t tighten your loop around each one until you position it properly. Making the loop too tight makes the scallops stick up awkwardly instead of making them look like they’re just falling.

diy scallop garland via Anastasia Mariediy scallop garland via Anastasia Mariediy scallop garland via Anastasia Marie

DIY: A Fancy Valentine

February 6, 2013

Filed Under : DIY - Gift Wrap + Packaging - Paper Projects

When my husband and I were still engaged, I put together a little book of all the things I loved about him instead of giving him a card. I loved seeing his face as he flipped through the pages, either smiling and laughing out loud at the bizarre things I managed to put in there. And because it was such a special thing for us, I decided to share with you how to make one yourself.

1   Cut out little pieces of paper sized at 2½” x 2″, hole punch them, pull a pretty ribbon through and tie a bow.

2   On the front page, write “I love…” to begin the adventure.

3   Write out all the things that you love about your sweetheart.

4   Fill a kraft box will tissue paper confetti and place the book inside.

5   Stamp a huge heart on the lid of the box, add some glitter, and voila!

DIY: Gift Card Holders

December 12, 2012

Filed Under : DIY - Gift Wrap + Packaging - Paper Projects

Wrapping up Christmas gifts is one of my most favorite things to do during the holidays. I’m sure many of you can join in on that with me. The gift that always gets left in the dust it seems is the gift card. I do gift these to people quite often, so I try to present them as prettily as I can. This year, I will be giving out some, so I made some cute little envelopes and am showing you below how to make your own.

1   Cut your holiday paper into 5×4.25″ sized sheets.

2   Score the sheet in three areas: 1 3/8″ from each side and 3/4″ from the bottom. You’ll see a chart above that shows the lines you’ll need to create (yellow dashed lines).

3   Make your flaps by cutting in the designated areas shown above in the same chart (blue dashed lines).

4   Dab some glue on the right flap and fold the left flap over it. Dap some more glue on the bottom flap and fold that one over the other two. You’ll find that you used sturdy paper, getting them to stick together will take a little longer than if you used a lighter weight paper.

5   Cut a finger slot with a pair of scissors or a punch tool.

Embellish the gift card holders some more by adding baker’s twine or some other festive tidbit.

DIY: Glitter Ribbon Garland

December 5, 2012

Filed Under : DIY

As you saw in yesterday’s post on my birthday party decor, I made a ribbon garland out of glittery holiday ribbon. I bought the ribbon at JoAnn and set to work a couple days before the party. Besides the ribbon, all you need is some white cotton string, double-sided tape or tacky glue, and a pair of scissors. I used double-sided tape for mine — it held pretty good because my ribbon was very lightweight and smooth where I placed the tape but if the ribbon you get is heavier or has glitter on both sides of the ribbon, the tacky glue will probably be a better option for you.

How it works: Cut your ribbon into various lengths, fold each piece over the string and make a crease. Unfold it, apply your tape or glue onto both the ribbon and the string, and re-fold. Pinch the fold to give it a more tighter seal. I used mainly gold and a lighter gold for my garland with bits and pieces of silver simply because I didn’t buy enough ribbon, but it still turned out so well. Enjoy making yours!