DIY-ify: Paint Chip Pillow

Written on February 21, 2013 at 3:09 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Say hello to my Paint Chip Pillow. Hi. I love paint chips. I used to just wander through the paint chip section and read all the random and odd paint color names (I know, weird). This love for paint chips has inspired me to create the Paint Chip Pillow. I made 5 different paint chip printouts for you to enjoy! This is a two-sided pillow, so you can have a different paint chip color on each side.

Supplies:

- Two pieces of 14 by 21 inch white fabric

- HP Iron On Transfer paper

-  A bag of stuffing

- Iron

Directions:

- Cut out two 14 by 21 inch rectangles of white fabric.

- Print out a test sheet (on plain ‘ol paper) of your choice of paint chip colors: Blue one and two, Red one and two, Purple one and two, Yellow one and two, Green one and two. If it all looks good, print out your paint chip colors on your iron on transfer paper (p.s. the wording is backwards on the printout, that’s so it will iron on normal when transferred to the fabric).

-  Let the printed out transfer dry for a few minutes. Turn on your iron to the highest setting, make sure the steam is off. Set up a spot to iron on your paint chip. Lay down some fabric (to protect the surface you’re ironing on) onto a flat/hard surface, not your ironing board since it’s not hard enough.

-  Trim your paint chip transfer printouts. Leave an 1/8 inch trim around the pictures. When it’s all trimmed up, get your paint chips centered and set up to iron.

- Follow the iron on directions for the transfer paper. Let cool for 5 minutes.

- Peel back the paper.

- With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, sew the rectangles together (leaving a 1 inch seam allowance around the entire seam. Don’t forget to leave an opening to flip the fabric right side out.

- Stuff the pillow.

- Stitch the opening.

- Done. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy your paint chip pillow! If you love this, please feel free to share!

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

DIY-ify: Welcome pumpkin

Written on October 18, 2012 at 3:00 am , by Chelsey Andrews

I absolutely loved this “Welcome” pumpkin I found on the BHG site. I know that painting anything freehand on pumpkins (especially words) can be pretty darn difficult. That’s why I’ve drawn and created a little printable for all of you to enjoy and use on your own pumpkins! See? I love how it turned out.

It’s easy-ish (the hard part is cutting it out). How-to:

- Print and cut out the “welcome” free printable.

- You can now choose if you’d like to use part of your cutout as a stencil, OR you can use the actual “Welcome” word and Mod Podge it on to your pumpkin. I went the Mod Podge route (followed by a quick sealant spray to keep it from coming off in the rain).

- If you’re painting on the “Welcome”: using some black (or whatever color you’d like) acrylic paint to stencil on the word.

- If you’re using Mod Podge: Follow the bottle’s instructions to adhere the word onto the pumpkin. Optional: spray on a sealant to keep the word waterproof. I used sealant, since our pumpkin will be getting a little wet. Side note: depending on the type of printer you have, mod podge could smear the ink. You can use a little water and a q-tip to remove this (nail polish remover will also work for big ink stains). If the “Welcome” word fades from the Mod Podge, go over the word with a sharpie or black paint pen.

- Optional: hollow out the pumpkin and place a jar IN the pumpkin to make a pumpkin vase. Add water and flowers = cute fall floral arrangement.

That’s it! You are done. Enjoy!

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

DIY-ify: What’s your home improvement schedule?

Written on September 20, 2012 at 3:59 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Raise your hand if you have a home improvement list longer than your house is tall… I know I can’t be the only one. Home improvement can be frustrating and overwhelming (not to mention spendy). Better Homes and Gardens has offered up a guide to inspire you to split your home improvement into 12 months. The idea is to plan out your updates and tie them to a specific season, your budget, weather, and life.

It’s the middle of September, what home improvement and DIY plans do you have? We are prepping for the cool weather. My husband and I need to clean our gutters, replace filters, and check our 90-year-old home for leaks in the windows and doors. We are also finishing up a little picket fence around the home before the weather goes downhill.

I made some free printables for you to enjoy. I’m hoping this will help you get more organized and plan out your year of home improvements! There are links below for each month to print (including a blank list).

Free monthly checklist printables:

// January // February // March // April // May // June // July // August //

// September // October // November // December // Blank //

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

DIY-ify: Fridge Work Station

Written on September 6, 2012 at 3:59 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Running a business from home can be, well, a little crazy. Especially with a kiddo running around. I finally got tired of losing my lists, pens, pencils, and anything else I seem to need everyday. SO, this brings me to the Fridge Work Station. I don’t actually sit next to my fridge and work, but I now know where all my office supplies are. Using a bunch of old empty tins, we are officially organized. Plus, we now have a chalkboard to leave to-do’s or love notes. 

I know technology is supposed to negate the need for paper notes, but you just can’t beat the classic pen and paper. Having all necessary info right out there. It’s hard to miss.  I tried all those handy apps to help keep me organized, but those haven’t been as helpful as I had hoped.

It’s a quick project, here’s how I created it:

Supplies needed: 

- Super strong magnets (I suggest purchasing these at a home supply store)

- Strong permanent glue

- Empty tins (I used 4)

- Small chalkboard

- Optional: A small vintage wooden box + wire to wrap around it

- Freebie lists to print: Shopping, Notes, and Blank

How-to:

- Using the glue to adhere the magnets to the back of your tins and chalkboard. Wait 24 hours (to let the glue dry). And, that’s it!

- If you find a vintage wooden box, and don’t want to glue magnets directly to the box: wrap and tie wires around the end. Glue the magnets to the wire (instead of the box).

- If you want, print out the freebie lists I provided.

- Enjoy your organization.

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

DIYify: Open Pantry Storage

Written on August 9, 2012 at 3:59 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Do you have an open pantry? Sometimes clutter can take over and then you can’t ever find anything you’re looking for. It’s a sad day, but this sweet little organized pantry has inspired me! It’s open, organized, and lovely to look at. Would you like your pantry to look like this? Oh man, me too. So to get us all started, I’ve gathered up some links and goodies to create your own pretty open pantry. Just like the photo above.

Plus, I made some free label tags for you to print out. I’ve added wording to some of them, but there are also blank labels to print. You’ll find the link below.

1. A free printable, from me. Labeled tags, blank tags. 2. Screw Eye Hook, Amazon 3. Glitter Twine, Knot & Bow 4. Chrome Cabinet Shelf, Storables  5. Glass Canisters, The Container Store  6. Large Bamboo Crate, Storables  7. Kerr Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Amazon

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

DIY-ify: a trip to the museum

Written on June 28, 2012 at 3:59 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Hello friends! A favorite trend I’m enjoying right now: “Museums” on the wall. In fact, I have quite a few butterflies already on my walls at home. I photographed these butterflies from my collection to share with you. Now you can make your very own butterfly wall art! Just print the images out to your desired size, and put your butterflies in a favorite set of frames!

I’m really enjoying this shadow box styled Ribba frame, from IKEA. It’s already matted with a 4″ x 4″ opening, a perfect size for the butterfly prints I’ve made for you. Just trim the extra paper, pop it in the frame, hang, and enjoy!

Another idea: If you want to get a little more creative, how about cutting the butterfly out, bending it a little (for a 3D look), then glue onto white paper?

 To print, just click on the links below and right-click save. All butterfly images are for personal-use only.

- Butterfly 1

- Butterfly 2

- Butterfly 3

- Butterfly 4

- Butterfly 5

- Butterfly 6

- Butterfly 7

- Butterfly 8

Enjoy! And, please let us know if you create this for yourself.

Frames: RIBBA Frames, from IKEA, $9.99

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama