Easy silk scarf dyeing

Hello everybody! I've been little busy this past week because I've finally started working after a year of unemployment (Woohoo!). I'm still in the process of adjustment so I didn't have much time for DIY projects, but I have some things to share that I made last month.

As I mentioned in my first post, most of my DIY projects are gifts for my friends (usually for their birthdays). „Birthday season“ starts in August and ends in March and during this period I'm working on a birthday present almost every month. This post is about the present that officially opened the season 2013/14 ;)

For this project you will need:

• Plain silk scarf 
• Colors for dyeing silk
• Bucket with water
• Towel

Step 1: Soak your scarf in water and wring the extra water.

Step 2: Lay down the scarf on some old towel.

Step 3: Splash colors on the scarf.

Step 4: To get softer, lighter colors and the watercolor effect, soak the scarf in the water, get out immediately and wring the extra water.

Step 5: Let it dry completely and then iron for 5 minutes.

I haven't tried silk dyeing before, so I'm really pleased with the result. Most importantly, my friend loved it too. We both love wearing scarves and I was happy to give her one she can wear during summer as well. Now I need to make one for myself. :) I already know how it will look like, but I think it will have to wait for a while...there are other projects with priority status.

Turn an old notebook into a charming diary

When I decided to start a blog, the first thing I realized was that I need some sort of a diary to write down my ideas and information that will help me in making my own blog.

I searched through my stuff and I found this old diary.  And, when I say old, I mean really old. It dates from 1982, which means it's actually older than me. It belonged to my grandpa, but it was barely used...so it was perfect for this project.

If you have an old diary or notebook lying around your house and you would like to give it a new life, here is how.

You'll need:

•          An old notebook (obviously)
•          Mod Podge (or Art Potch, or something similar)
•          Decorative rice paper (you can also use decoupage paper or napkins)
•          Brush(es) and scissors
•          Bucket with water and a towel
•          And maybe some color (depending on the color of your notebook's cover)

Step 1: If your notebook has a dark cover like mine, paint the cover with some light acrylic paint. I used white. Do the same if the notebook cover is colorful or has some design on it, you don't want it to show underneath your new motifs.

(side note: I applied only one layer of the paint using a sponge so my brush moves are showing underneath the paper, but I was going for this slightly 'distressed' look. If you want to avoid this, just apply several layers of paint.)

Step 2: While the paint dries, prepare your rice paper. Cover your notebook with the paper and measure how much of the paper you need. Leave some extra paper on the sides to glue it on the inner side of the cover and cut it. If you are using paper/napkins with smaller motifs you can just cut out the individual motifs.

Step 3: Soak the paper in water for a minute, and lay down on the towel to get rid of the extra water. (Don't do this with napkins!)

Step 4: Cover the front cover with Mod Podge and adhere your paper to the cover. Allow it to dry completely. Repeat with the spine and back cover. (Or just glue on the motifs in the desired order.)

Step 5: Seal with another layer of Mod Podge on the top. Trim any excess of paper...and voila! You have a brand new notebook :)

„Hello world, hope you're listening...“

So..., I've started a blog, oh boy! I've been thinking about doing this for some time now, actually, and finally (slightly 'pushed' by my friend) I decided to take this leap. Honestly, I don't know what will turn out of it. I have my hopes and expectations, but, I guess, only the time will show what it will turn into.

I think the title makes it clear that it is a DIY blog. In a certain way, I see this blog as a DIY project as well. I know absolutely nothing about blogging (or web design) so I'm looking forward to learning something new along the way. Also, I see this blog as my 'DIY diary', a place where I can share my inspirations and projects – because, let's be honest, it's much more fun when you can share a project you are so proud of with someone. :)

Hopefully, in time this blog will gain some readership, so I expect to meet and connect with other fellow crafters and DIY lovers out there and exchange ideas, experiences and tips with them as well.

Why DIY?

Well, to be honest with you, I've been making things for as long as I remember. I stopped during high school (don't know why), but then started again during college. My friends and I have a custom of making personalized (birthday) presents for each other, so we are basically creating something every month. And I totally love this! I believe that all the most valuable things in life are handcrafted (or in other words HEARTmade) so I always enjoy making that 'perfect' present for that special someone. And almost nothing makes me feel so proud and happy as a successful project. ;)

Also, this year I realized that crafting is a great therapy and I should do it more often and more regularly. I hope this blog will help me achieve this. My wish is to post new content every (or at least every other) weekend, depending on my other engagements. I think that's not too ambitious and I can pull it off.

Let me just be clear about one thing - I'm not a DIY expert. I still mess up sometimes and my crafts aren't perfect. But my craft skills are improving with every new project and I've 'mastered' some new craft techniques during the past few years so I'd like to share what I've learned so far. I really hope that anyone who stumbles across this blog will find something interesting and/or useful. Feel free to snoop around and comment as much as you like. I'll try to answer your comments and questions as often as I can.

I hope you'll join me on this journey and we'll get (seemingly) crafty together.