DIY- homemade cards

There are many occasions in which you need to congratulate, wish someone luck, thank, or celebrate someone.  That's why a homemade heartfelt cards would be the perfect gift.  Just choose which card you want to make and get started.  Most of the materials you should already have. But, if you don't have these materials you can buy them at a stationery store.

Materials:

• Glue
• Scissors
• Card stock
• Decorative paper

1. You can start with white card stock to make your card stiff.
2. Then take a decorative piece of paper and glue it to the card stock.  Make sure you cut the decorative paper so that it matches the size of the card stock paper.
3. Before you fold your card let the glue have time to dry, so the papers won't separate.
4. Cut fun shapes out of any paper to add more dimension to your card. (Ex. Hearts, a square you can write in, or stripes)
5. You can add a flower or bow by hot glueing if you want.
6.  Write a title or saying on the front and something inside to finish off your card.

You can make this card however you like, funny, sweet, or heartfelt.  When you make cards make sure you make them your own.  Also homemade cards are much more appreciated.

Some of the cards I made (below) were for my cousins graduation or even just a fun card for summer.  These cards are fun to make so sometimes I like to just make them for no reason.

DIY- Chalkboard

This week I'm going to tell you how to make a chalkboard wall and frame.  I love art and it would be super fun to have a wall I could draw on whenever I wanted.  You could use a chalkboard in the kitchen as a menu or grocery list too.  I will also be showing you how you can make your own chalk board paint!

What you will need:

Any color acrylic paint and Non-sanded grout (making your own chalkboard paint)

Chalkboard paint

Foam brushes or regular brushes

Frame with cardboard, glass, or plywood backing

Wall

Measuring spoons (1 tablespoon and 1/2 cup)

Disposable cup or mason jar

Spoon or Popsicle stick 

Chalk

CHALKBOARD WALL:

I would recommend using chalkboard paint for a wall because it will look nicer than making your own paint.  If your wall has a rough surface than paint on a primer coat before using the chalk paint.

Tape off the areas around the wall you don't want to be painted with painters tape.

Paint three coats of chalkboard paint to have great results. You can use a paint brush, roller, or both depending on your wall space.

Let the paint dry in between each coat.

Once you finish the third coat you can take off the tape at 45 degree angle upwards as it is wet.

Let it dry then you are ready to use it.

CHALKBOARD FRAME:

 Choose any color acrylic paint you want. (You don't need a lot.)

Take your mason jar and add 1 tablespoon of non-sanded grout and 1/2 cup of your acrylic paint.

Use a spoon to stir up the mixture. Make sure there are no clumps.

Now that it is all mixed take a sponge brush and coat the glass of the frame.

The paint dries quickly, so use a small amount when you are painting onto the surface.

Let the paint dry 5 minutes in between each layer.  You will know when it's dry because you will see the streaks in the paint.

It takes about 4 coats for your glass to become opaque.

Let it dry, then you are ready to prime.

Prime by covering the whole thing in chalk, and then wiping the whole thing off with a pare towel. 

You only need to prime when you are making your own chalk paint.

Now you have your own chalkboard to do whatever you'd like with it.

DIY- Glitter Jar

When you are at home do you ever realize that you have too many pencils or make-up brushes?  Well I have a way for you to organize them and have a new fashionable decoration for your room.  This craft is super easy to do and won't take you long at all. It will also make it so you don't have to diminish your collection of make-up brushes and pencils. As you are doing the craft, you do not need to be microscopic.

What you will need:

• A mason jar
• Painters tape
• Mod podge
• Glitter (any color)
• Foam brushes
• Newspaper 

The first thing you need to do is set out your newspaper so you don't make a mess.  Then take your mason jar and place a strip of painters tape two-thirds of the way up on the jar.  Take your mod podge and spread it on the jar underneath the tape with the foam brush.  Make sure you put the glue on the outside of the jar.  Pour the glitter on the glue turning the jar as you go, to spread it all over.  Do not worry about the glitter that falls onto the newspaper because you can pour it pack into the glitter container. You can use a funnel but you do not need to.  Once your done take off the painters tape slowly and you can spray the jar with spray glue to help the glitter set.  Let it dry then your ready to use it.  You can also tie a ribbon around the jar.

DIY-easy curls

I'm going to tell you how to do an easy hairstyle that you will often patronize when you need something quick to do with your hair. This hair style is affiliated to curling your hair, but without all the work. These curls are super cute and aren't to fancy. Their perfect if you want to look cute on a casual day. All you need for this is an hair dryer and hairspray is optional. It doesn't matter what kind of hair dryer, anything will work.

First, start with clean, a little damp hair. Comb your hair thoroughly, making it sleek so you don't have to comb through your curls. Then divide your hair into two sections, as seen in the first picture. Now twist the two sections of hair away from you. Take the hair dryer and dry the hair on warm completely. Now just use your hands to untwist your hair, bringing it forward. You can use hairspray to make it last longer. You can also use a comb for loser looking curls, but I don't think that is necessary. It can be easier if you have someone else do it for you.

This is super quick and easy, and it looks great! This is the perfect hairstyle to do if your in a rush. It's awesome because it looks like you spent time curling your hair, but you barely did any work. I'm sure that you will get tons of compliments on your hair. I hope this works for you and have fun with it.

Nerves

We all have many fears, but one of my biggest is, nerves.  Being nervous isn't my biggest fear because there are many more fears, like the dark, but it is a very common fear that I hate.  I get nerves when I have a track meet, have try outs for a sport, can't find something I lost, or even if I can't find a dress for an event.  Nerves make your stomach hurt and you can't do anything about it.  Being nervous dose not make me feel good at all; it makes me want to throw up, especially at a track meet.  When I'm about to run a race I feel like I'm going to jump out of my body because everyone's is watching you and waiting to see who wins the race.  Starting a race is the worst, you are looking down at the track trying not to over cognitive things and you are just sitting in your blocks waiting for the gun to go off.   If you ask anyone on the track team they will say one of the worst things about track is the nerves.  Whenever I start getting nervous I pray and ask God to help me calm down because I know that He is my protector and will always be there for me.  There are so many things in the world satan has put to distract us from God but, in the end these fears bring us to God.   God will ultimately will be the solution to all problems.

DIY- ombré nails

It seems, everyone is crazy about nails.  There are so many new trends and styles out there to jazz up any outfit.  I'm going to tell you and easy, cute look for your nails that you will love.  The great thing about it, is that it is quick and easy.  The nails have an ombré gradient sponge technique that is vivacious!

What you will need: makeup sponges, 3 different colors of nails polish, white nail polish, scissors, clear coat, nail polish remover, and q-tips.

First, paint two coats of white nail polish on all of your nails, so that the 3 other colors will show up really well.
Second, cut the makeup sponge so that it is almost the size of your thumbnail.  You can use the same sponge for all of your nails.
Then put the 3 vivid colors you have chosen for your nails, and paint all three on the sponge. Make sure to use a generous amount of paint.  Paint the colors next to each other not mixing them.
Next, you will pat the sponge onto your nail.  The polish will get on your skin.  Finish the rest of your nails.
Take a q-tip and dip it in nail polish remover. Swipe the q-tip on your skin to get rid of the excess nail polish.
Lastly, top all of your nails with a top coat to make them last longer, and shine.

You can try using two or four colors, but three usually works the best.  There are many ways to do your nails, but I'm sure this will be one of your favorites.

DIY- Yogurt Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a recipe on how to make yogurt chocolate chip cookies, found on allrecipes.com.  They look and taste delicious.  The ingredients needed are:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
 1/4 cup margarine or butter
 1/4 cup shortening
 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
These ingredients can make a batch of 3 dozen cookies.

1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2.  In a medium bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, margarine and shortening until light and fluffy. Stir in yogurt and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until incorporated, then mix in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

3.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges begin to brown. Cool for a minute on the cookie sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

   These crisp cookies are great to make when you are in a hurry or you just want to make a little treat for yourself.  It is also cool because you don't need to use egg.  To impart these cookies with your friends will make them jump for joy.  Follow these precise instructions if you want them to turn out to perfection.

#R5loudtour

     This is not my usual post, but I was so excited that I had to share it.  So, yesterday was the best day of  my life, because I got to go to one of my favorite bands concerts last night, R5!  At first I wasn't even sure if I was going and I didn't know what it would be like and how many people would be there.  The best part was that I got to go with my best friend alexia and we were freaking out when we got there.  Then right as we were walking to the line to get into the epicenter, we saw them around the corner by their tour bus! Soon after that they opened the doors and there was barely anyone there and we wiggled our way through the crowd and we ended up super close to the stage and center stage.  We didn't know this but there ended being three opening acts before R5 came on. The first act was Alex Aiono and we took pictures with him and he told us to come over and talk to him after the show.  The next act was Taylor Mathews and we took pictures with him after the show too, and he signed our cd's and we talked to him too.  When we were talking to him I told how I liked surfing and he said he did too and then he said we could go surfing together.  After that we talked to his bandmate David and then their band was gonna play some songs in the parking lot and then David told us to come watch them.  The last opening act was Brandon and Savannah who were brother and sister and their set was awesome.  We took pics with them and then Brandon told his bandmate that we were his favorites and that we were the girls he was singing to, and then later in the parking lot he called over to us and told us again that we were his favorites and that we were also the prettiest and his sister said she liked my shorts!  Then he gave me and Alexia a bunch of free merchandise.  Then R5 came on and it was the best thing of my life and I got to touch four out the five people's hands in the band during the concert. Their names are Rocky, Rydel, Ross, Ratliff, And Riker. After they played they let us get their signatures, but they didn't stay to hang around like the other bands.  The cool thing is that their all brothers and sisters except one of their brothers, Ryland is not in the band but he is the manager and we got to hang out with him.  That is why it was the best night of my life.  I was barely ambulatory.

DIY- Surfing

     I think that surfing is one of the coolest sports ever.  I've always wanted to learn how to surf and I was recently taught, so now I'm going to teach you.   The reason I think surfing is so cool is because I love the ocean.  If you are scared to go in the ocean then I don't think this is the thing for you.

1.  The first thing to do is to get a wetsuit or rash-guard so you don't get a rash from the board.

2.  When you are first learning to surf you should start with about a 10-12 inch board, but as you get better you can change the length. It would be superfluous to get a short board now. ( I recommend getting a cheap foam board from Costco as a starter board)

3.  So as you are about to head to the beach, pick the one that has pretty small waves so it will be easier for you to get up, on the surfboard.

4.  You should practice on the beach a few times before you go out in the water.

5.  The first thing you do is paddle out into the ocean where the waves start to form.( when laying on your board make sure your feet are 6 inches from the back)

6.  Once you are out there, in the ocean, and a wave is coming turn your surfboard around.

7.  As the wave is coming start paddling with your arms as hard as you can.

8.  Once you catch the wave use your arms to push your chest up on the board, then slide your legs up so that you are sitting on your knees.

9.  Now put your more comfortable foot forward on the board and once your comfortable stand up on your back foot also.

10.  You are now riding the wave, have fun.

DIY- French-braid

Do you ever not know what to do with your hair, or get bored of never changing your hairstyle? Well I'm going to teach you how to French braid your hair. This is a good hairstyle if you want to get your hair out of your face but you still want to look elegant. My blog is going to be a DIY, and for those of you who don't know what that is, it means Do.It.Yourself.
1. The first thing to do is brush your hair thoroughly.
2.Take a section of hair where you want your braid to start near the top of your head.
3. Now slip your fingers through the section so you will have three even pieces.
4. Now cross the rightmost piece of hair over the middle piece, then cross the leftmost piece of hair over the middle piece.
5.Now you will add some hair from the right side of your head, to the new rightmost strand.
6.Now take that new strand and cross it over the middle one.
7. Add some hair from the left side of your head to your new leftmost piece of hair.
8. Then cross this piece over the middle strand.
9. Repeat steps 5-8 until you get to the point where the braid reaches the top of your neck.
10. From there you can start regular braiding the rest of your hair.
11. Once you finish tie off the braid with a hair tie .

You now have a FRENCH-BRAID!😄Enjoy
I hope this information will benefit you in many ways, check back next week for more DIY's.
Model-Chelsea Taylor
Hair Braider- Kayla McCormick