Tag Archives: Do-It-Yourself

Do It Yourself Chevron Crayon Art

Posted on February 28, 2013 by | Leave a comment

If you search for crayon art on Google or Pinterest a number of different wall décor will appear. I have wondered for some time now how easy this DIY really is, so I took it upon myself to try this popular art trend and was very happy with the results. While the procedure is relatively fool proof you definitely need patience while heating the crayons.

Crayon Art Crayon Art

You will need the following items:

  • Canvas – I used a 12” x 16” canvas
  • X-acto knife
  • Crayons
  • Glue
  • Blow dryer
  • Pencil
  • Ruler

Step 1: Arrange the crayons in your desired colour pattern. If you are using a small canvas like I did you will want to cut the crayons in half with your x-acto knife to allow yourself more room between each chevron pattern.

Step 2: Using the ruler and pencil measure an even distance between your starting lines, this will vary depending on your canvas size.

Step 3: Lay a few crayons on the canvas to determine your layout. Once you know where each crayon will lay you can begin gluing them down. Let the glue dry for about half an hour.

Step 4: This is where you are going to require a lot of patience. Start at the bottom chevron line and turn your blow dryer on high and slowly drag it back and forth, It will take a few minutes for the crayons to start melting. Continue this motion until you are almost satisfied with the results. You will want to do this because as you move to the line above it heat will continue to reach the bottom row, thus melting the crayons more. Continue doing this until you have melted each row and are satisfied with the results.

Author: Ashley Miller

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Chalkboard DIY

Posted on January 24, 2013 by | 1 Comment

I’m a huge fan of do to lists and anything that will help keep me organized in life so it was only a matter of time before I found a wall that needed to be filled with a fun chalkboard! This DIY was easy to assemble and I am having so much fun with it! Do you have a chalkboard frame in your house or will you be creating one in the near future?

DIY Chalkboard

You will need the following

  • Framed mirror
  • Scotch or painters tape
  • Chalkboard paint
  • Paintbrush
  • X-acto knife

Step 1: Clean the mirror of any smudges and let it dry. Once it’s dry you can begin outlining the frame with tape.

Step 2: Apply a generous layer of chalkboard paint. Let it dry for about four hours and then apply a second layer. When applying the second coat be sure to apply it gently. Apply as many layers as you see fit, I applied four layers in total.

Step 3: When the paint is dry use the X-acto knife to cut a line around the inner frame. This will insure that chalkboard paint won’t break apart around the edges.

Step 4: Begin doodling or make a list on your new chalkboard!

Author: Ashley Miller

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Do It Yourself Yarn Art

Posted on January 17, 2013 by | Leave a comment

I have been seeing a lot of yarn art lately and when I came across the perfect yarn, sparkly and pink, at my local craft store I just had to make my own! If you have been thinking about making one I say, do it! It’s easy, fun and a beautiful art piece for either your home or wedding reception.

DIY Yarn Art DIY Yarn Art

You will need the following items:

  • Wooden board painted or natural (I used a 13” X 11” stained wooden board)
  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Pencil
  • Small nails
  • Hammer
  • Yarn

Step 1: Cover the wooden board with paper. You will have to overlap the paper in order to cover the entire board.  Tape the pieces paper together where they join. Flip the paper over and trace out the outline of the shape. If you aren’t confident outlining the shape by hand, print and cut out your desired shape and use it as a stencil.

Step 2: Carefully nail each nail ½” apart from each along the line you traced.

Step 3: Remove the paper by carefully ripping it off. Once the paper is off tie the yarn in a knot around one of the nail, this will be your starting point.

Step 4: Weave the yarn from one nail to another and continue until your happy with the result. If your unhappy with the way the weave is in a certain area you can easily unwind and start again.

Step 5: Once you have weaved the inside of your shape you will want to outline it to make it pop. To outline wrap the yarn from one nail to the next until you have reach your starting point. When you have finished outlining, tie the yarn in a secure knot around the end nail.

Step 6: Display your beautiful art work!

Author: Ashley Miller

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Top 5 DIY Projects of 2012

Posted on January 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

This past year we shared over 30 do it yourself projects and like anything I do have a few favourites. Listed below are my top five do it yourself projects of 2012 and the reason why they made my favourites list!

Top Five DIY Projects

1. Quill Me Maybe – I think this is such a beautiful décor piece. You can create your own letters or symbols to use in your wedding and then incorporate it into your home décor as a reminder of your wedding day.

2. Yarn Balls – This DIY was so much fun to make and one of the reasons I had to include it! Another reason why I love these yarn balls is because they can be used in so many unique ways. They can be used as décor accent on a table, string them with lights and hang them or stick a little gift inside to use them as party favours!

3. Wedding Wand – Being the girl who once upon a time ran around the house-playing princess I loved creating this DIY and I will admit that I spent the rest of my day waving it around! Make them for your guests to wave around after the ceremony or it could also be an amazing gift for the flower girl and all of the little princesses who attend your wedding.

4. Snow White Inspired Centrepiece – This centrepiece is dramatic and easy to make. I love that you can also add your own twist to it by making a few simple changes; for example, use natural branches and wire fresh flowers onto the branches to create a fresh spring centrepiece!

5. Last Minute Holiday Gift. I think this is a sweet and delicious gift idea that can be given as a gift any time of the year. And hopefully the person who receives this gift will be just as sweet and share the goodies once they have been made!

Author: Ashley Miller

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DIY: Mulled Wine

Posted on January 3, 2013 by | Leave a comment

I have been curious about mulled wine for a while and finally took it upon myself to make and sample this warm delight. The mulled wine lived up to the hype and I can say with certainty that I will definitely be making this again for my friends and family. I suggest making this hot drink after a long day on the slopes or ice as it will instantly warm you up and be a delicious relaxing treat.

Mulled Wine DIY

You will require the following items:
• 1 bottle of wine – A cabernet sauvignon or merlot
• ¼ cup of Brandy
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange
• ¼ cup of sugar
• 10 cloves
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger or 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger

Step 1: Cut your orange in circular slices and remove the peel. If you want to add zest, leave the peels on or grate some of the peel into the pot.
Step 2: Combine all the ingredients into a large pot and let it warm, but avoid boiling. Let it warm for 20 – 25 minutes and stir occasionally.
Step 3: Once it’s steaming and the time is up you can ladle the mulled wine into your cup – leave the seasoning behind. I personally found it easier to strain the mulled wine into a large measuring cup for quicker distribution and to avoid getting any large pieces of seasoning in your cup!

Author: Ashley Miller

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Posted in Do-It-Yourself, Featured Recipe, Holiday, Special Event Rentals Blog Posts

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Homemade Fortune Cookies

Posted on December 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Happy New Year!

I think I may have started a new tradition last year when I made homemade fortune cookies for a New Year’s get-together. Instead of coming up with fortunes myself I cut slips of paper and had my guests write down a few “fortunes”. We slipped these into the chocolate-dipped fortune cookies and everyone had a lot of fun reading their fortunes after dinner.

Fortune Cookies

Here’s the recipe, courtesy of allrecipes.com:

Homemade Fortune Cookies

1 egg white

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch salt

1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a cookie sheet. Write fortunes on strips of paper about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Generously grease 2 cookie sheets.
  • Mix the egg white and vanilla until foamy but not stiff. Sift the flour, salt, and sugar and blend into the egg white mixture.
  • Place teaspoonfuls of the batter at least 4 inches apart on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Tilt the sheet to move the batter into round shapes about 3 inches in diameter. Be careful to make batter as round and even as possible. Do not make too many, because the cookie have to be really hot to form them and once they cool it is too late. Start with 2 or 3 to a sheet and see how many you can do.
  • If the batter is too thick add a few drops of water to get the desired consistency. You want the batter to be quite runny.
  • Bake for 5 minutes or until cookie has turned a golden color 1/2 inch wide around the outer edge of the circle. The center will remain pale. While one sheet is baking, prepare the other.
  • Remove from oven and quickly move cookie with a wide spatula and place upside down on a wooden board. Quickly place the fortune on the cookie, close to the middle and fold the cookie in half. Place the folded edge across the rim of a measuring cup and pull the pointed edges down, one on the inside of the cup and one on the outside. Place folded cookies into the cups of a muffin tin or egg carton to hold their shape until firm.

-Optional: Once cookies are cool, dip one side into chocolate for a fun presentation.

Blog Author Lars Erickson

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New Year’s Theme DIY

Posted on December 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Everyone enjoys dressing up for a New Year’s bash but why not take it up a step! If you are hosting the New Year’s party this year why not add some intrigue and make it a masquerade ball. Ask your guests to bring their own masks or supply your guests with one and have them create a mask when they arrive at your party. You can find all the supplies you will need at any craft store.  Buying pre-shaped blank masks, such as I did, is an easy but not always cost effective if you are hosting a large party. You can easily search online for a mask template and use it to cut out masks from various colours of thick craft paper. Also look online for inspiration before you set out to make your mask. I chose to go with glitter since here at Special Event Rentals we like everything sparkly!

DIY New Years Mask

What you will need:

  • Paper plate
  • Craft glue
  • Foam brush
  • Glitter (various colours if you are setting up a ‘make a mask’ station)
  • Various kinds of bling
  • Feathers
  • Stick or ribbon

Step one: Spread glue over the blank mask with the foam brush and sprinkle on the glitter over the paper plate. Do not worry if the glitter does not cover every bit of the mask below since we will be applying a second coat. After the mask has been covered in glue and glitter let it sit for 15 minutes to dry.

Step two: Apply another layer of glue and glitter. Let sit another 15 minutes.

Step three: Apply bling! I chose to emphasize the smooth lines of the mask and traced bling around the edges, but do not be afraid to go overboard, you could add more bling pieces in swirl patterns or if you have thinner glue use it to trace swirls over the mask and shake on another colour of glitter.

Step four: Glue on your feathers, I added the feathers on one side but you can add them all around for a more dramatic look.

Step five: Glue the stick onto one side of the mask, or if you choose punch holes on either side of your mask and string a ribbon through to tie your mask on.

Blog Author: Nadine Gritten

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Do It Yourself Music Note Ornaments

Posted on December 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Music Note Ornament DIYThis DIY is quick and easy! It is a great family project to add some homemade spice to your Christmas tree.

You will require the following items:

  • Glue stick
  • Sheet music
  • Scissors
  • Twine or ribbon
  • Tea bag
  • Hot water in a mug
  • Old dish towel
  • Glitter

Music Note Ornament DIY

Step 1: Begin by printing out your stencils and cutting them out. Make a few different sizes to add dimension and texture.

Step 2: Using your stencil trace your desired shape on to the sheet music and cut it out. You will require four shapes per ornament.

Step 3: Once your shapes are cut out brew a cup of strong tea by using two tea bags. After the bags have sat for about a minute take them out and begin dabbing them onto your shape.  After you feel you have reached the desired color tone let the now tea stained shapes sit for 20 minutes or until dry.

Step 4: Cut your twine or ribbon into lengths of 15-20cm, depending on how low you would like your ornament to hang. Fold all 4 shapes of the same size in half and glue one side of one shape to one another. Fold your twine or ribbon in half and place the bottom ends near the top of the star. Glue the twine or ribbon in place by gluing the remaining two shapes together.

Step 5: To add a little glam and shimmer to your ornament apply a thin layer of glue onto the outside and sprinkle your glitter over top. Allow your to dry before hanging on your Christmas tree.

Blog Author: Cherisse Zerbin

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Do If Yourself Creative Holiday Gift Wrapping

Posted on November 29, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Make your Christmas gifts unforgettable this season with these DIY wrapping ideas. These creatively wrapped presents add an extra touch to any gift exchange. We chose basic kraft paper to wrap the gifts to have a simple base for the extra flourishes. Raffia and a vintage brooch were added for a surprise present before you event open the gift. Another option shown is using some twine and origami to dress up your present. Whichever embellishment you choose, it is sure to impress!

You Will need the following items:

  • Wrapping Paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Twine
  • Embellishment (brooch, origami ect.)

Step 1: Wrap your gift in the wrapping paper of your choice

Step 2: Tie your twine/raffia tightly around the present. Tie end into a bow, or tuck beneath and out of sight.

Step 3: Add your embellishment. We pinned the brooch into the raffia bow and tucked the origami gently underneath the twine.

 

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Do It Yourself Grey Cup Spread

Posted on November 22, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Our team created this delicious spread full of game day grub in honour of the Grey Cup, happening this weekend. This Grey Cup food table is easy to recreate, all you need is a grass table runner, bite sized snacks, hors d’oeuvre plates and football sticks. Below are recipies for two of our favourite game day snakes. We hope you enjoy the game this Sunday!

Grey Cup Spread

Onion Rings
You will need the following ingredients:
• 1 large Spanish onion, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds and separated into rings
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup pastry flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pale ale
• Oil for frying

Directions
Step 1: Preheat the deep fryer to 190°C (375°F). Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet or line a baking sheet with paper towels.
Step 2: In a paper bag or large bowl, toss the onion rings in the cornstarch to coat well. Set aside.
Step 3: In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Whisk in the beer.
Step 4: Using your fingertips or a wooden chopstick, dip the rings in the batter, 4 or 5 at a time. Shake off excess batter and deep-fry for about 3 minutes, turning half way through cooking. Drain on the baking sheet. Season lightly with salt. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

BBQ Chicken Wings
You will need the following ingredients:
• 1 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried mustard
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup water
• 20-25 frozen chicken wings and drumettes

Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Mix all ingredients except chicken in medium saucepan and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Take frozen wings and drumettes and place in foil-lined roasting pan. Heat in 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Flip wings over, pour barbecue sauce on top, making sure chicken is well coated, and return pan to oven for another 15 minutes.

Author: Ashley Miller

Table Designed by Kristina McAnally from Event Planning Headquarters

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