Weekend Warriors, simplify the DIY

For those of you who watch HGTV and immediately run out to your local home improvement store only to have a pile of unopened or half completed projects come Sunday evening, here are a few simple weekend projects you can start Saturday and finish Sunday.

Steppin' Up the Storage

 

Re-purposing an old step-ladder into a shelving display is a simple project that can be completed in a matter of hours. Consider using a wood ladder and showing it a bit of love. Sand it down to get rid of any nicks and digs and sprucing it up with a layer of tinted-primer or wood stain. Gently sand the ladder in random spots to give it a little character. IKEA has great wall shelves that are already finished (look for the EKBY, ANTONIUS or LACK series, www.ikea.com) which can be placed on the ladder rungs, finishing the shelving display. Added bonus, the shelves are adjustable and depending on the objects you're displaying you can adjust the height.

Dyeing for Some Color

I recently saw this in Inside Out magazine (an Australian home design publication) and thought it was amazing! This most definitely is going to be a weekend project for me, especially since I saw the exact style of pillows over-priced at Urban Outfitters.

What you'll need: pillowcases (or other fabrics), rubber gloves, fabric dye (we used Rit dyes in Teal and Dark Green), salt, dishwashing liquid, large rectangular plastic tub, broom, masking tape, two dining chairs. Using rubber gloves, fill the tub with hot water and add the dye, salt and dishwashing liquid according to the manufacturer's instructions. Wet the pillowcase, squeeze out excess water and tape the side not being dyed to a broom handle. Place the tub on the ground between the dining chairs and balance the broom horizontally on the chair seats so that the pillowcase hangs directly into the tub.To achieve the ombre effect (shaded light to dark), leave the bottom third only of the area to be dyed immersed in the dye for 10 minutes. Unwrap the pillowcase a little to allow the middle third to be immersed for 5 minutes, then unwrap further, so that the final third can be dipped briefly to achieve an even-lighter shade. Remove the pillowcase from the tub, run under cold then warm water until the water runs clear. Wash the pillowcase separately in warm water with detergent to remove excess dye. Repeat for other pillowcases. Tip: Natural fibers, such as cotton, linen and silk, will achieve much richer shades than man-made fibres. Create projects with Tamara Maynes at her workshops. For information and bookings, visit www.tamaramaynes.com

Something for every Mood

If you ever find yourself with a few minutes or hours to kill or just looking for inspiration or even eye candy, might I suggest visiting the Garment District in NYC. Located between 6th to 9th Ave. and w34th to w40th St. (and even up to w42th St. near 9th Ave.), the Garment District is full of fabric, trim, bead and haberdashery shops. One of the more famous spots is Mood Designer Fabrics. Perhaps you've seen it on Project Runway, its where the contestants get all their materials. Mood's selection is endless and don't forget to check out their extensive Home's section downstairs. Though you may or may not see Tim Gunn, Mood's in-house celebrity, Swatch the dog, is always there walking around barking what's hot and what's not. Worth mentioning, they have a very helpful staff ready to cut you a sample.

Just a block over is M&J Trimming. Find every decorative detail to bedazzle, bling and enhance your entire fashion collection. You'll be tempted to be a hot mess and get one of everything. Editing is a great tool when thinking in terms of composition and design.

At the end of a long fashionista day, make sure to feed your eyes and tummy with Baked by Melissa. Home of the mini-cupcake, these sweet treats are a great way to taste more flavors without the post-dessert guilt trip. They are known for the mini Tie-Dye cupcake and the surprise mini of the month, January is Milk & Cookies, yummy!

I spy with my little eyes... Architecture

This passed Friday I was in Bryant Park hoping to get one last look at the pop-up holiday shops around the ice skating rink. Unfortunately I was too late and most of them had been dismantled. As I stood there watching the ice skaters enjoying the warm winter day, I looked up and noticed all the towering buildings through the barren trees. In this one city block, you could see some of America's best architectural structures; Bryant Park is a hodge-podge of architecture, style, activity and people.

1. American Radiator Building, Architect: Raymond Hood- Gothic & Art Deco
2. Empire State Building, Architect: William F. Lamb- Art Deco
3. New York Public Library, Architect: Carrere and Hastings- Beaux-Art
4. Bank of America Tower, Architect: COOK+FOX Architects- Sustainable Design
5. Grace Building, Architect: Gordon Bunshaft, SOM- International Style
6. Chrysler Building, Architects: William Van Alen and Walter Chrysler- Art Deco
7. Trash Receptacle, Designer: Ignacio Ciocchini- Tulip-shaped

This ain't your Grandma's knitting circle

It's sharp needles, blood and zombies! It's called needle felting and its the next wave of craftiness, though I consider it more of a stress relief. Needle felting is quite easy, all you do is take a sharp-corrugated needle and stab at a piece of unlucky wool till the object you desire begins to take shape. It helps to work on top of a piece of dense foam to catch the needle and also to wear protective finger caps. I learned this the hard way after stabbing myself repeatedly trying to make a felt button for the first time.

These are some creative pieces that have been made in the felting circle. Bring your own needle, felt and foam, we'll provide the band-aids. If you bleed on the chicken, it can easily become a Zombie chicken.

Available for sale from our friends at Lil' Chick, custom requests accepted and always looking for a new challenge.