silhouette sunday: DIY wall clock

If you're old school like me and still like to glance at a clock every so often (instead of a smart phone or Fitbit), did you know you could make something totally custom with a clock kit and your vinyl cutting machine?!

First you'll want to measure the center of whatever medium you choose. I picked up this square 'blank' from a craft store, but use your imagination! Cute plates, vinyl records, and CDs would make great clocks, I think! Mark the center of your item if there's not already a hole in the middle and use a drill to make a hole large enough for the "post" of the clock piece.

Silhouette Sunday: DIY Heidi Swapp Lightbox Inserts

If you've spent more than ten minutes in the craft world over the past year, chances are you've seen one of Heidi Swapp's adorable light boxes (or some variation of it). But... did you know you could use your cutting machine to make custom inserts for it? It's so easy!



First, because I have two (the mini and the full-size) lightboxes, I took out an existing insert I had and measured it. This is the size that I'll cut my transparency sheet to. Remember transparencies?! Overhead projectors were so much fun years ago-- now you have a use for those sheets you stashed! Don't worry if you didn't save any, I got a pack of 6 on Amazon for around $5.

the DIY guide to home improvement store hacks: ways to save money on upgrades, crafts, and more!

Home Depot used to be the bane of my preteen existence. Going to the obnoxious orange store with my dad on the weekend usually meant being dragged around every aisle while being promised a hotdog and tiny bag of Lay's afterwards.

I seldom got the snack, but I did (somehow) develop a deep adoration for the ever-present sawdust and concrete floors of that place. Now, at 24, I don't mind frequent trips to home improvement stores and hey, neither should you! So I put together a small list of ways I pinch pennies at these money-sucking black holes. Good luck 😉

Silhouette Sunday: Lighted Inspirational Glass Block

I spent most of this Sunday bemoaning a stiff neck (I guess that's what I get for falling asleep all lopsided while watching Fixer Upper), so here's a slightly delayed tutorial for this beaut...

Unfortunately I didn't progress pics, but I've laid out how to do this simple yet pretty craft below! First, the list of "ingredients"

• A glass block (like the ones for shower walls/windows. I found mine at Goodwill on 50% off day and almost didn't buy it. Since there was a hole already drilled at the top, my mom pressured me to get it "for a craft" ...so here we are now. If you can't find one with a hole pre-drilled try following this tutorial-- though I can't vouch for the effectiveness, it looks pretty simple!)
• A strand of christmas lights (OR some battery powered twinkle lights)
• Etching cream (more about etching cream in my last post)
• The usual vinyl supplies (vinyl cutter, permanent adhesive vinyl, etc)

(I don't think this is the "home" Coldplay was talking about in the song these lyrics are from but... if the shoe fits...)

To start off, I laid on a thick coat of etching cream to the side that I wanted to apply the lettering to. While this is an "optional" step, I think it really completes the look. The less transparent the block, the easier it is to read the message, I found.

After letting the etching cream do its job, I simply measured my block, designed the lettering in Illustrator, and cut the vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo.

The block originally had traditional (aka plug) Christmas lights in it, but I opted for these battery powered "twinkle lights" I found at HomeGoods for ~$8, just so that I could place the block wherever I wanted without the limitation of having to plug it in. I really like how the block looks without a cord coming from it. To keep the block simple, I taped the battery pack and switch to the back of the block. Perfect!

Some tips for those of you trying this at home: 

• Cut a hole in your block larger than you think you will need. Mine is about the size of a quarter wide, and was perfect for threading lights in and out. Smaller, and I would have easily spent double the time trying to get Christmas lights to cooperate with the tiny crevice.
• The battery powered lights were SO worth it for me, but I only knew they were right because I tested the lights in the store. Some battery powered lights are weak and very orange-toned. Keep in mind your end result and purchase accordingly. 
• Feel free to decorate your weird "light slot" with fake florals to make it look less obvious. I stuck a branch of faux baby's breath in mine and actually liked it quite a bit! You might also be able to plug this area up with hot glue, which can be removed pretty easily to replace lights if you ever need to.

easy weekend breakfast/brunch: egg cheese and biscuit sandwich

On the weekends I really love waking up early (Not all the time. There are weekends where I'm like "there was not enough caffiene to get me through this week-- I'm sleepin' IN" and I sleep til noon, trust me.) and making breakfast.

Some days it's all savory (eggs, toast... and don't forget bacon) while other days it's sweet (cinnamon roll pancakes and fresh fruit salad, can I get a "heck yeah!"?). Today I kept it super simple and made a small batch of biscuits and baked eggs.

I love the muffin tin method of cooking eggs, if not because of the easiness (I'm lazy-- sue me) but because they come out almost perfectly every time.

bath & body works [fall haul + coupon breakdown] and goodwill

I got wind of a B&BW sale this weekend and just couldn't hold back. I have had a few 3 wick candles in my online shopping cart for a while now, but I would not allow myself to purchase unless they were <$10 (the price they were when I first started buying their candles about 4 or so years ago). I can practically hear my mom rolling her eyes about my ever-expanding candle collection (hi mom!) but I just can't resist a good deal on these smells! I can't!

I ended up getting a bunch! Keep reading to see how I spaced out my purchase to get the maximum savings...

DIY Scented Wax

Ever wanted to make your own scent? Keep your favorite candles around for longer than originally intended? Then I have a solution!

I wasn't ready to let go of my Yankee Candle sampler votives that I got for $1 during a sale (and burned on a plate), so when they burned down to the last of their wicks, I improvised.

What you'll need:

• Candle warmer 
• Candle wax from a burned candle (such as leftovers from a Yankee votive sampler mentioned above)
• Glass container (preferably from an older candle, such as the container from a B&BW mini)
• Knife (to cut up old wax)

Taking the leftover glass container from my Oceanside mini, I removed the wick of the previous candle and chopped up the wax from the sampler votives.

After you've done that, transfer as much as will fit initially into the jar, and turn on your candle warmer!

In about 30-45 minutes (depending on your candle warmer), you should have a melted pool of delicious smelling wax. Keep it at this level, or keep adding chunks. It's up to you, really. Your room will smell awesome in no time and you'll have recycled your candle beyond their advertised "15 hours of fragrance."