A Beautiful Mess

DIY Light Up Headboard

Today we are teaming up with Valspar and their Love Your Color Guarantee to share our latest addition to Elsie’s guest bedroom: a light up headboard! We wanted to create something unique and playful for this room in her home. We were inspired by marquee signs and wanted to create that feeling but in our own homemade way. We’re not exactly master craftsmen, so we kept our design simple and enlisted a little help from our dad. Here’s what we did:
First we built a headboard. We wanted a tall but simple headboard that could also hide electrical work behind it (for the lights). We used six thin planks about the same length as the bed. We braced these together with two long 2x4 boards behind, and added a frame (using 1x4s) to the top and the two sides.Next we used a projector to trace the word onto the bedframe. It was so hard choosing a word! Before we landed on “Sleepover” we thought about doing “Good Night” or “Welcome” or “Sweet Dreams.” Since the bedframe is in the guest bedroom we wanted something cute and inviting. If you choose to create this project, have fun choosing your own words for your bedframe. We ended up using a font called Buttermilk.Next we planned where to add all the holes for the lights to shine through. Keep in mind that you can easily adjust where the holes are as you drill, but try to evenly space them all along your design.Now drill your holes. Before we started we drilled a few practice holes in a scrap piece of wood so that we could choose the best size of drill bit to use. Once we settled on the size be sure to use care as you work. You do have to drill all the way through the board without drilling into a wall or other work surface.Once you have drilled all the holes sand and clean off the surface of the headboard. Paint your design. We used Valspar Signature paint in Lincoln Cabin Black.Once your paint is dry, it’s time to add the lights! We used over 300 Christmas lights in our design. Simply push the lights through each hole and tape in place using electrical tape. You may also need an extension cord at the end depending on how far away your outlet is from your bedframe.We just love how this headboard project turned out! We can’t wait to have holiday guests over tonight to show off our new guest bedroom décor. Happy crafting! xo. Elsie and Emma

SAFETY TIPS: We spoke with our local fire department to double check the safety of this project. Be sure to follow these guidelines if you plan to recreate this project:

-Before purchasing your lights check for a label of an independent testing laboratory (most commercially sold christmas lights will have this). Some lights are specially made for indoor or outdoor use, be sure to use lights made for indoor use.

-Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose/broken lights. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the number of strands that can be safely connected.

-Your finished project should not have any exposed bundles of cords or wires, only the final cord or extension cord so it can safely reach an outlet.

-Just as you would with your house decorations or your Christmas tree, always turn off lights before leaving your home or going to bed.

Animal Stencil Statement Pants DIY

Every closet needs a good ole pair of statement jeans. This look is great to pair with a bulky sweater for the winter months but still great for rolling into the warmer months, since we chose more of a spring time animal. Take a look below to see how we created these pants.
Supplies: light colored jeans, fabric paint, paint brush, adhesive foam sheet, sponge brush, pen, and scissors.

1. Begin by tracing the outline of the bunny onto the foam. 2. Once you've created an outline you're happy with, cut it out and apply it to the wood block. To create a thicker stamp, repeat this process and attach two layers of the foam, extending it farther from the wood. 3. Lastly, paint a thin layer onto the stamp and begin applying it to the pants in a pattern. We chose a paint that's the same color—just a darker shade—to give it more of a subtle look than a black or white might provide.xo. Kinsey

Emma's Annual Instagram Calendar

As 2013 approaches (or possibly the end of the world... uh...) I realized it was time to make a new Instagram calendar for my mom. Last year I made my mom a calendar using all Instagram photos of my pug (my mom LOVES dogs). I saw her use it all year, she hung it in her art studio. I'm making it an official tradition this year, because I made her a new one for 2013.This year there were a few features that I changed. I still used all Instagram photos (printed from Postal Pix) but the photos feature my dog, Trey's dog and one surprise "dog" appearance. I also decided to try a slightly different technique for creating the calendar this year. Here's what I did:1. Supplies needed: pretty papers, photos, mini calendar (I bought mine at Walmart for $1 but you could also create your own and print off the pages), scissors, glue and a stapler. 2. Deconstruct the mini calendar and use it as a guide to create your calendar pages. Go ahead and place your pages together so you can clearly see where your photos and calendar pages will go. 3. Cut out your calendar (and photos if necessary) and glue to the pages. 4. Staple the inside folded edge to bind the calendar together. Optional: add glitter numbers to the cover!A couple of tips: I would recommend using a glue stick for this project. Even though I tried to apply my glue evenly I still had some wrinkles in my pages after it dried. I think using a glue stick would solve this issue. I also recommend using thinner paper than the blue ones you see above for the actual pages. My calendar ended up being a little difficult to fold because all of the papers added so much bulk. If you find this to be an issue for you then try binding your calendar more like I did for last year's edition. :)Easy, inexpensive and cute! Ring in the new year with your own homemade calendar. xo. Emma

Restyled Scarf DIY

I always seem to forget how much I like scarves, until it gets to be about 30 degrees outside. Then I realize, I LOVE scarves. This is an easy way to spruce up a plain jane scarf you might already have lying around. Take a look below at how we created this little number.
Supplies: Large knitted scarf, thick yarn, needle.

This project is a simple technique. Begin by creating a line of small stitches all the way down the length of the scarf. Repeat this process to where the stitching is every other one, giving it a more checkered look. Repeat once more so that there are three lines of stitches next to each other. Continue to repeat this process until you have three sections of three lines of stitches.

This project is very simple but a little time consuming. I finished mine in about the length of a movie or two, so it makes for a perfect project to tackle during a cozy night indoors. I love the folky vibe it gives off; I'm thinking I could make them in so many different colors!Happy stitching! - Kinsey