DIY Cake Stand { or jewelry holder }

I absolutely love the idea of using something for something else... you got me??

Example:  The cute porcelain Anthro egg crates used for storing jewery, water pitchers used as vases, or stacked suitcases as nightstands.

Now that my examples explain my vague description...

 You've probably seen (on Pinterest) gorgeous cake stands used to store jewelry or perfume, but I can't seem to find any for myself at a good price!

Sidenote:  Rox found a beautiful one on clearance at Target (awhile back..) so you CAN find them... I just never have... 

So I made my own!!

Supplies:

2 thrifted decorative plates, a candlestick from Dollar Tree, and a thrifted ceramic cup/planter

E6000 Adhesive and Krylon spray paint in Coral Isle

The process is EASY:

- Glue the candlestick or cup to the bottom of the decorative plate.  Let dry for 24 hours.

- Spray paint the cake stand using as many coats as needed.  You may do well to use a primer first!

That's it!  And I didn't even have to spray paint the off-white stand since the cup and plate were the same color! SCORE.

I used these to display rings and bracelets at my craft fair last weekend, and I loved how it looked!

I don't recommend putting food directly on the stands (especially the painted one) unless it's lined with wax paper or something similar.

I also recommend that you NOT use the clear gloss protective paint after painting with your original color... I had to scrape and scrub and start ALL over on the coral cake stand after trying the protective coat.  It wrinkled up and started peeling away... I wanted to cry.  SO, save yourself the tears and DON'T DO IT.

I've made them using a candlestick and a stove burner cover before... while they served their purpose for a cheap price, they have since broken and are not very sturdy.

So go make yourself a cake stand to use for your jewelry or perfume for just a few dollars!  And let us know if you do!

Thanks for reading!

-Jess

Mason Jar Holders { For Sale! }

UPDATE:  ALL MASON JAR HOLDERS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED! Thanks for your support!

You have all seen the mason jar and pallet crazes, right??

I'm right there with ya!  My eyes are drawn the rustic-ness like a gnat to balsamic vinegar (weird comparison, I know.. just the first thing I could think of.  Anyone else have crazy gnat problems this summer???)...

If you are interested, I'm currently selling a few of these babies:

Given the fact that we are currently packing, selling a house, keeping 2 crazy toddlers from tearing down the house, a big family wedding in two weeks, the list goes on... I am limited to 10 Mason Jar Holders!

First come, first serve!

How this will work:

Leave me a message in the comments section with your NAME and E-MAIL ADDRESS, and I will contact you for payment process and other important details!

As most of you know (like pretty much our entire readership...) the 'of Dwelling and Dress' sisters live in two different towns.  

-Those that live in the Jess' town will obviously have no issue with 'shipping!  We can arrange pick-up after claiming your jar holder.

-For those that live near Rox and Aly, we can arrange pick-up in 2 weeks as I will be able to bring them to that area!

-If this doesn't apply to you or you have no idea if you live near us, we can arrange shipping!  Claim a jar holder, and we can discuss details after!

Remember I'm only selling TEN so grab one up before they're gone!

Thanks so much for the support y'all show us by taking time to keep up with our blog!  We appreciate y'all so much!!

-Jess

Washi Tape Toothpicks

Sometimes it's just fun to eat snacks with toothpicks.

You don't need a party or event.

Get some Washi Tape (I got mine from Wal-Mart for 99 cents!), toothpicks, and scissors.

Cut about an inch of tape for each 'flag', flatten the tape around the toothpick, and voila!

You've got yourself cute, custom toothpicks for your afternoon snack!

Thanks for reading!

-Jess

Bunting & Streamers { Tutorial: Five Ways! }

Summer brings opportunities for backyard BBQ's and dinner parties!

And what's a party without decorations??

(Umm, I guess it's still a party...)

Add a little flare with some homemade bunting or streamers!

Here's how:

1. You will need a little bit of fabric, string (or yarn or twine..), scissors, and hot glue.

2.  Fold your fabric with wrong sides facing together, create a crease (with an iron if you want), and cut as many strips as you would like to have on your finished bunting.  Mine were 3-ish inches wide and just under 4 inches long.  You can see where I marked the two different types of bunting you can then cut!

3.  To make things a little easier and quicker, fold each strip in half (length-wise) and cut your diagonal.

4.  Continue to create your flags until you have as many as you'd like.  I made about 10 of the traditional triangle-shaped flags and about 8 of the other flags.

5.  Unfold each flag and lay them out to figure out how long you will need to cut your string.  Go ahead and leave them spaced-out.

6.  Squeeze a strip of hot glue along the crease, lay your string down, and fold the fabric back with the wrong sides facing together again.  Leave a little length on each end of your string so you can hang your banner when you're done!

1.  You'll need scrap fabric, scissors, and string.

2.  Cut 2 squares for each flower pouf.  I cut 24 squares for 12 flowers each 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches.

3.  For each flower pouf, lay 2 squares cat-a-corner on top of each other.

4.  Pinch the squares in the middle and gather it into a little point.

5.  Tie your string into a knot to secure the flower pouf.  I found the easiest way to do this is to go ahead and make a loose loop in the string, stick the point into the loop, and then pull it tight.

6.  Turn the flower over and "floof" it up a little bit!  After tying all of your flowers, remember to leave a little length of string so you can hang up your garland!

*Original tutorial found HERE*

1.  You'll need tissue paper, string, scissors, and hot glue.

2.  Unfold the tissue paper all the way.  Considering that each large sheet will make four tassels, keep as many large sheets stacked as you will need.  Cut the large sheets into quarters.

3.  Fold each quarter in half.

4.  Cut the tissue paper into fringe starting on the OPEN side of the paper; NOT on the fold.  Leave about an inch and a half at the top of the folded paper.

5.  Unfold the sheet and lay it it flat.

6.  Roll the tissue paper down the middle with the fringe out on either side.  DOES NOT have to be perfectly rolled.

7.  Twist the middle of the rolled paper in middle until you get to the fringe on either side.

8.  Twirl the twist (that's a moutful!) into a loop and secure the loop together with a dot of hot glue.

9.  After you've made all your tassels, string them onto your twine or yarn and secure the tassels in place with a knot.  Remember to leave a little extra length on each end of your streamer for hanging it up!

Although I don't have any pictures of the creative process, this garland is VERY easy.  (And is probably self-explanatory by the picture!)

- Cut or tear varying lengths of different kinds of fabric.

(I used everything from muslin to chiffon to cotton...)

- Cut your sting or twine to the length you'd like for your garland to be plus some for hanging.

- Starting in the middle, tie the longest pieces of fabric into knots onto the string.

- Keep tying in ascending length until you reach the end of your string or your fabric supply!!

Now it's time to plan a summer get-together!

Thanks for reading!!