Make it: Crochet Pot Covers

You wanna know what my latest obsession is? It involves a metal hook ranging from sizes 1 to 15mm or maybe even larger if you're into using your arms. I'm talking about CROCHET! (And yes, there is a thing called arm crocheting) I again blame Pinterest for this current affliction or maybe my daughter Marisa. She was crocheting way before I was, making beautiful beanies with all sorts of colored yarn. And when I get into something, I REALLY get into it: trips to Michaels and Joanns, stalking Pinterest for hours for the perfect granny square or slouchy beanie, buying crochet books (and getting totally confused with the patterns) and constantly asking myself, "Do I really need 50 skeins of yarn in amazing color combinations?!?" Of course I do! Since I work in the hardware store, I was also asking myself how I can utilize my yarn love in a hardware store capacity. Well here you go:

3 in a row. Love the colors!

I used single and double crochet stitches for this orchid pot.

This is more of a granny square stitch.

This shell stitch took me forever but I love how it looks!

This is my first crochet pot cover using single and double crochet stitches.

Doesn't this look like candy corn?!?

The first three are all displayed in our popular garden shop. And I had to place these on the top shelf, at eye level, for all to see (cuz I'm just vain like that). Teaching crochet is a whole other monster so I'll let an expert teach y'all how. Here's a link to crochet tutorials: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/crafts-hobbies/Crocheting/Stitches.html
Hope I provided some eye candy to inspire you to create!
Until next time,
Keep making, keep creating, keep doing!
Nori Lee
Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Terrarium Ornament

I was racking my noggin, trying to figure out an awesome way to display my beloved terrariums on my Christmas tree without actually having to take care of them. And lo and behold on Pinterest I saw the Terrarium Ornament!

Terrarium Ornament

After you put it together, you won't need to water it either. It makes a great Christmas gift as well. And the things I put in there are from my weekend natures hikes (so it's cheap and free!). Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients

1 - Glass teardrop terrarium
Reindeer Moss
Acorn
Pine needles
Bark
Leaves
Plastic animal
Twine

Here's what you do:
1) Lay down reindeer moss first
2) Arrange all the other things on the list however you like on top of the moss
3) I spray painted my plastic animal a gold color
4) Tie a piece of twine to the top of the terrarium
5) Hang on tree
6) You're done! (here's a closeup)

Closeup

So cute and easy, right?!?

Til next time: Keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori
Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Cheap Christmas Gift - Painted Cup

So Christmas is coming up and you're looking for some ultra cheap but very thoughtful gifts to make for those special people in your life. Here's something that is quick and easy: the painted cup!

Here's what you need:

1 - white cup or mug

1 - painters tape 

1 - gold leaf paint

1 - small paint brush

1 - paint thinner for cleanup

Here's what you do:

1) place painters tape on cup to form an upside down "v" shape, do this on both sides 

2) press down the edges of tape really well so there won't be any wrinkles

3) give the gold leaf paint a good shake before you open it

4) paint inside the "v" using long strokes

5) let dry for 15 minutes and paint again

6) carefully remove painters tape

7) tada! You're done!

Note:

This painted cup is hand wash only! Don't put in dishwasher and don't scrub the painted part. 

Til next time: keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware

www.speedyshardware.com

Do it: Dutchboy's New Paint App

Hi Folks!

Today I'm gonna get a little paint techie on you. I know it's November and a lot of you are thinking about thanksgiving and turkeys and football but the folks at Dutchboy were busy creating a new app called Paintlist.

Just a little background: Dutchboy Paints have been around for over 100 years and is known for it's high quality and durability. It's been rumored that the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is painted with Dutchboy Paint.

In the 1980s, the company was purchased by Sherwin Williams, another very popular paint company. Their name was inspired by a way of creating paint called the "Dutch Process". Currently Dutchboy has ten lines of paint for DIYers to choose from. Their innovation through the years have led to the creation of a new app that's available for download from iTunes App Store or Google Play.

Now, many of us have playlists for our favorite songs, wishlists for Christmas but what about a Paintlist for our favorite colors? This app actually listens to our song of choice and creates a custom palette based on that song! If you're like me, alot of times I get so confused by the thousands of colors combinations there is to choose from, but with this app, the choices are created for you! All you need to do is download the app into your smartphone, click Mix it and it'll ask whether we want to use the mic or load from our phone's playlist. The app will listen and create 3 custom color palettes for you. It even provides the specific Dutchboy color numbers for us to take to the hardware store. And all the colors palettes are saved for us to pull out anytime. I've tried it. It's kinda fun and it totally takes the stress out of picking colors. If you want see a demo go to http://www.dutchboy.com/paintlist/. Once you find your Paintlist combo, just bring it to our hardware store and we'll have our paint experts mix those perfect colors for you to take home. So give it a whirl and let me know what you think! 

Til next time: Keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori
Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Last Minute Halloween Pumpkin

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe its 2 more days til Halloween! Being the last minute person that I am, I just bought my pumpkins 2 days ago from Trader Joe's. Our crew is supposed to decorate these for the store (how come I still see 4 naked pumpkins on the counter?!?) Someone's gonna get a beatdown! Haha, Just kidding, I would never ever do that! I kept debating whether to carve or not to carve, use massive glitter or bling it out with rhinestones. But then, I saw the most amazing painted pumpkins from this blog: Alisa Burke Redefining Creativity and had to try to make it for myself.

You still have time! Here's what you'll need:

1 - Pumpkin

1 - Primer Spray Paint

1 - Gloss Spray Paint

1 - 4 Tulip Fabric Paint

Here's what ya do:

1) Wipe down and dry your lovely pumpkin

2) Spray the pumpkin with primer. DON'T SKIP THIS STEP or you're life will be ruined forever! The primer preps the smooth surface so the spray paint adheres better. 

3) After you completely covered the pumpkin with primer (it may take up to 2 coats), let it dry for a few hours. Go read a book! or wash the dishes or something...

4) Now spray the entire pumpkin with your glossy spray paint. I used glossy in celery color. I just wanted a hint of color but you can use any color and any sheen you like. Wait for first coat to dry and spray second coat.

5) Take one of your fabric pens and start doodling! I used white first and then silver, gold and last is black.
My base design was white and then it got alot easier after that because all you're doing is accenting. So you can go crazy!

6) Let it dry overnite and then you're done!
Since this is a no carve pumpkin, it won't mold in a week like the other ones. Hopefully it'll last way past Halloween and maybe you can even use it as a centerpiece for you scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner! (Is that wishful thinking or what?!?)

Til next time: keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori
Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Chalkboard Craft - the Chalky Clipboard

Everyday I pass by the paint section of my hardware store and that dreaded chalkboard paint always calls out to me for attention! My countless hours in the diy section of Pinterest turns up at least 50 different ways to use this black as midnight paint. Black paint always scared me, I have no idea why. Maybe because it reminds me of being out in the woods with no flashlight or wandering around aimlessly in my dreams with no shoes on. But, as I was perusing Flipboard (another one of my all time favorite apps) I noticed in the background of a home decor magazine the most clever idea for chalkboard paint I've seen: the chalky clipboard! And I said to myself, I can totally handle this. So I gathered the very few materials I needed and jumped right in. The chalkboard paint wasn't so scary. And I didn't even get a drop on the white shirt I was wearing! Here's super duper easy project you can do in no time flat! 

You'll need the following:

1 - clipboard

1 - paint brush

1 - chalkboard paint

1 - painters tape

Here's what you do:

Place painters tape around perimeter of clipboard. You can use any width tape you like. I used 1" but you can use a thinner one. And you should use painters tape because it comes off way easier. Shake your can of chalkboard paint for 30 to 60 sec so all the paint is evenly mixed inside the can.

Use your paintbrush to spread the paint evenly on the clipboard. Some people like to use foam brushes but I used what I had which was a regular old paintbrush with bristles. Go in one direction. Wait for the paint to dry for 1 hour and paint another layer. After the 2nd layer, gently remove the painters tape and let it dry overnight. 

Some people like to rub chalk all over the painted surface and then wipe off so when you write, the chalk can adhere better. I didn't need to do that with this project. The chalk went on pretty smooth. Here's finished product:

Wasn't that super easy? And I'm proud to say that I am no longer afraid of chalkboard paint. It will forever be my friend. 

Til next time: keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware

www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Airplant Framed

I'm freakin plant obsessed right now. What brought on this manic behavior , I have no idea. I was cleaning out my closet and found a bunch of white Ikea frames that looked depressed because they had not pictures in them. Well, lo and behold, I saw on my dear Pinterest, an awe inspiring pin that could not be ignored. And being the Pinterest fanatic that I am, I had to hack it! Some genius thought up the idea of displaying airplants in string in a picture frame. You can put airplants practically anywhere and with a little bit of sunlight and regular watering, they'll thrive. Here's what you'll need

1 - picture frame with the glass removed

1 - string of your fave color

A bunch of nails

1 airplant or 2 or 3

Hammer

Do this:

Turn over the picture frame and pound nails all around the perimeter of the frame's backside. Take your string and keep criss crossing to the opposite sides of the frame until you get the design you like. Keep the string taunt. When you're done, secure the string so that it won't unravel. Insert the airplants randomly into your string design. Voila! You just created your very own unique airplant display. Now you can hang it up or surprise someone special with this handmade goodie!

Here's another one I made:

Seashells are great with airplants too!

Til next time: keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware

www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Kokedama

What is a kokedama you ask? Well, it's an awesome moss ball with a plant shoved in the middle. It's pretty much one of the cutest things I've ever seen. It originated in Japan and it's actually related to the much beloved bonzai. And it's pretty easy to make. Here's what you'll need:

- Any small potted plant (for this one, I used a mini dracaena)

- potting soil mixed with some clay soil 

- sheet moss

- string: twine in your choice of color

- scissors

- gloves

- pie pan

- bowl of water

Wasn't that super easy?!? Now you can either hang it with more string or simply put in on a pretty dish and sing to it or whatever you do for your plants to keep them extra happy.

Wanna see kokedamas in real life? Drop by our shop in San Francisco. We have a bunch of these lovelies hanging out in our window display. 

Til next time, keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com