ALUMINUM CAN LIGHTING

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Category: diy

Published on 01-04-12

Save those soup cans and head to the hardware store, we're making this. Love the pop of red and the high gloss white cans! Plus, you can use the leftovers to talk to your neighbors.  #travelphotos

New Years Easy DIY

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Category: diy

Published on 12-31-11

Here is a great "cheating" DIY project. It's cheating in the sense that it's not from scratch, which I love. Buy cheap party/dollar store hats and noise makers and cover them in your own aesthetic. Great idea via You Are My Fave. 

DIY WITH DIANA

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Category: diy

Published on 08-10-11

Simple.Better framing, by Diana Schoebrun. 

Hanging art in your apartment or home can transform your environment. Make your living space more like an artist gallery and cover those bare walls. The price of framing art can become expensive so I decided to share some tips and show how to frame art DIY style.

What to frame? When I travel I often like to check out old bookstores and vintage shops. You can find old prints and postcards that look lovely framed. I also receive unique cards from friends that are screen printed or have beautiful designs. Reuse the card and frame it. Or if you have kids frame their creations and hang it in their bedroom instead of on the fridge.

Let’s get started! You'll need about 30 minutes and some simple materials:
---Frame - I purchased this old frame from a local thrift store for $3. I chose a frame that was red, which picks up the colors of the  
flowers in the artwork
---Art- I received this antique printed engraving of an armadillo from a friend as a gift.
Paper or Mat board- I purchased this acid free cream paper for 39 cents. I decided the art would look better mounted on paper because it was not uniform in shape and the paper was thin. You can also buy acid free mat board if you prefer. Make sure to cut a window that is ¼” wider than the art all around.
---Glue stick or artist tape
---Exacto knife
---Pliers

Other materials that are helpful are a cutting mat, ruler, paper towel, glass cleaner, and dust spray can.

--- First take apart the frame. Flip it over to the back and use your pliers to carefully push back the staples.
--- Remove the cardboard by sliding it out. Then remove the artwork.
--- Use paper towel or cloth to clean off the glass and use cleaner if needed.
--- Measure the inside area of the frame. Mine was 8”x 10”. Then measure and cut your paper with an exacto knife for mounting.
--- Place a tiny bit of glue on the back of the art along the top. I used glue instead of tape since the art was so delicate and see through. You can also use acid free artist tape. The art was actually asymmetrical so I lined up the bottom line of type so it was parallel to the frame edge.
--- Slide mounted art into frame. Make sure before placing cardboard back over the art that there is no dust or eyelashes on the glass. This can be tricky is so if you still see a spot of dust remove the art and use the spary air can or wipe with paper towel again until its clean. Then place art into the frame.
--- Slide cardboard over art and then use pliers to push staples down to hold cardboard backing closed.
--- My frame already came with wire and screw eyes. You can also purchase these at a local craft, frame, or hardware store.
--- Hammer the hook into wall and then hang art. Sit back and admire your masterpiece.

Copyright 2011 simplebetter.com/dianaschoenbrun

constellation DIY

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Category: diy

Published on 03-30-11

A Simple.Better project

This is a simple project I came up by "shopping" from items I already had at home. Through the playing with what I had around the "constellation pin board" was born. Spray paint the board, place the pins in words, stars, what have you and wrap with string and your done! More details to come.
I also plan to blow this out as a wall installation. Hope to post it soon!