SimpleSolutionsDiva.com

DIY

Make A “No Sew” Scarf

I’ve always fancied myself a seamstress. . .

As a kid, I used to make costumes for my cats, making them get married or go to a ball. I’d spend hours on costumes, and quite a bit of time trying to get them on the cats! Once done, I’d sit back and admire my work, as I applied Bandaids to my face and neck.

But I never really LEARNED to sew. Yes, I could sew on a button (Thanks Grandma!), but I never really learned on a sewing machine. I envied people who could! So over the years, as I tried to create Halloween costumes for myself and eventually my kids, I found I became very adept at using a hot glue gun to seal seams!

Well, with THIS project, you don’t need ANY hot glue, sewing machines, or even needle and thread! Just a yard of fleece fabric, some masking tape and sharp fabric scissors! (MY kind of sewing project!) And look how nice they are:

img_2967

 

This makes a great, last minute gift idea, or even better, it could become a community service project for middle school or high school students! Make a few scarves in one day and donate them to a homeless shelter!

A Few Tips:

  1. Fold the yard of fleece in half, line the edges up and cut off the white edging where the print stops.
  2. ssd-scarf-3Use masking tape to mark off the four scarves and to provide a straight line to cut along. Scarves should be 8-10 inches wide – on this project I marked off 9.5 inches.

ssd-scarf-4

 

ssd-scarf-1

 

 

Tips To Create A Photo Wall!

 

I LOVE photos of my family (If you doubt it, check out this #ClearTheClutter video I did with professional organizer Chris Stone of NeatlyDesigned.com on how to reduce the number of photos you have!)!  So it was a natural progression for me to create a photo wall in my home!

The Diva’s Simple Tips To Create A Photo Wall:

  1. Create A Photo Wall That Appeals To You!
  2. Choose A Unifying Theme (For My Wall, I Chose Black Frames)
  3. Give Yourself Time!
  4. Display More Than Photos – This Provides Visual Interest!
  5. Use Different Types Of Photo Formats
  6. Arrange Photos On Wall First – Keeps You From Making A Million Holes In Your Wall!
  7. Have Fun!!
Here is the photo wall in my home! What is yours going to look like?
Here is the photo wall in my home! What is yours going to look like?

 

Close-Up: Here is a close-up of my favorite frame, which has the photos “floating” between two difference panes of glass – giving depth to the photo collage!

photo wall 5

 

photo wall

“Green” Ways To Clear Your Drains

SSD Clog drain

 

Let’s face it, clogged drains are gross. No one really wants to deal with them, but deal with it we must! Do you want to start with chemicals and toxins? Nope! The Diva has some “green” tips on how to clear that clog and prevent them!

Note: I have two daughters with very long hair, and you can imagine how often their bathtub (and bathroom sink) get clogged. I have tried chemicals to unclog them, but I really wanted to find more “green” ways of unclogging and KEEPING the drain clear.

Step 1: “Green” Drain Cleaner (A Natural Clog Clearing Solution) – Remove all water as best as possible. Boil 3- 4 cups water. Pour down the drain 1 cup each of baking soda and white vinegar. Let that sit in the drain for 10 minutes, then follow it up with the hot water. Try it a couple of times if it doesn’t work.

SSD Drain Cleaner

 

Step 2: Remove the Clog –You’ve heard people say they are going to “snake” the drain? This is an easy way to do it and costs a LOT less than the plumber (less than that grande, fancy coffee drink you might order!). Try using a product called Pypthon Drain Tool (picked it up at Home Depot).Kind of gross but cool!  You feed this plastic tool down the drain, and twist it around a bit, making sure you have the built-in cover/protector set over the drain. Then you slowly pull the tool out — yes, it is covered with gunk! But the cover/protector (see photo below) keeps the gunk from touching your hands!  FYI – You shouldn’t do this after you have used a chemical drain cleaner. Here is a link to the product if you are interested: Python Drain Tool

Screen Shot 2016-04-02 at 1.47.36 PM
Photo Courtesy of HomeDepot.com.

 

Step 3: Prevent The Clog – Try the Drain Wig (perfect for the tub!). After you’ve cleared the clog in the drain, place this in the tub and it will catch hair and debris that might clog your drain. Pull it out, throw away and replace every 2-4 months. You can find it at Bed Bath & Beyond – here is the link: Drain Wig

Photo Courtesy of BedBathandBeyond.com
Photo Courtesy of BedBathandBeyond.com

 

Thank you to WTLV-TV’s First Coast Living for inviting me on to share these tips! 

Make Your Own Fizzy Bath Bombs

A hot, warm bath and a fizzy bath bomb, along with a wonderful glass of wine, make a perfect evening in! Here is a recipe to make those fizzy bath bombs, using whatever essential oils you like! These make the perfect little hostess gift, or a gift to friends or family, or even just for yourself!

IMG_9460
A Homemade Bath Bomb drying on wax paper, on top of a towel, overnight!

 

Now, will someone please pour me a glass of wine? I’m going to go use one these right now!

SSD Bath Bombs w logo

 

SSD Fizzy BB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make A Pumpkin Tower Three Ways For Fall!

 

This is a great project if you have found a good deal on artificial pumpkins! (Mid-October is when they tend to go on sale, so keep your eyes out for them!)

Pumpkin Tower 3

I like to have decor I don’t have to change up much to carry me from Fall to Thanksgiving, especially since I will go crazy with Christmas decorations! This was the perfect project for me – with just a few simple changes, I have three different looks!

Pumpkin Tower 2

 

What You Need:

  • Three artificial pumpkins, three different sizes and colors.
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Knife to remove stem from 2 pumpkins (if needed)
  • Decorative items to change the look of the Pumpkin Tower. (I used two different bouquets of flowers from the grocery store, fall leaves, plus some Halloween decorations and some burlap fabric I had handy.)

Instructions on how to assemble the Pumpkin Tower are in the video at the top of this post!

Another use for the Pumpkin Tower, besides as a centerpiece: Have it on display in a planter on the front porch. Place some fall leaves and branches under it and it would be adorable!

 

Pumpkin Tower 1

DIY Chevron Pumpkin

Everyone loves the chevron pattern! Here is a simple craft perfect for Halloween through Thanksgiving! It takes your regular pumpkin from Drab to Fab!

Pumpkin Collage

Supplies Needed:

  • Artificial Pumpkin
  • White Spray Paint  or White Latex Paint (also need a brush if you are not using spray paint)
  • Frog Tape Multipurpose tape (green color is the multipurpose tape)
  • Old Newspapers to protect your work surface

Here are some tips to make taping off your pumpkin easier:

I like to use an exact knife to cut the points in the pattern, because i like clean lines. In the photo below, I’m FINALLY using my Creative Memories cutting pad! Once I’ve cut the points I apply them to the pumpkin, building up the design from the points.

IMG_8323

I start by taping off the top of the pumpkin, then repeating the pattern down the rest of the pumpkin (as seen below):

IMG_8324

 

 

Chevron Pumpkin

How Easy Is It To Make Your Own Artwork?

Today’s video is part of the “Putting Pinterest To The Test” Video Series! The Diva tests a pin that says it is easy to make your own, beautiful wall art – as easy as having some acrylic paints, a canvas and some masking tape. How easy is it? Do you need an art degree, or at least a little creativity?

Additionally, the Diva was a little wary that the masking tape might not create a good seal on the canvas, so she tested masking tape versus Frogtape Multi-surface painting tape.

 


SSD DIY Art

 

 

To make your own wall art, you need will the following:

Check the video for directions and helpful tips!

What do you think of our artwork?

Artwork created by the Diva's daughter!
Artwork created by the Diva’s daughter!
Artwork created by the Diva!
Artwork created by the Diva!

 

1 2 3 5

© 2015 SIMPLESOLUTIONSDIVA.COM Designed by The Web Design Chic | ADMIN LOGIN