Quick Change Cork Board With Duct Tape

I purchased this cork board at Target today for $8.99

The Board Dudes Framed Cork Board 23"x35"

 It is the right size for my space but ULTRA BORING!  

Here is a super easy way to give your 'ho hum' cork board a make over in 5 minutes!

This works for blackboards also!!

All you need is duct tape.  Yes, I am on board with the super trendy fashion looks of good old fashioned duct tape!  This project, I am sure, has been done, by many college folk as well as grade schoolers!  This is just a quick reminder of how easy it is to update something you may have already at home!

INGREDIENTS:

1. Scissors

2. Duct tape (most craft stores, office supply store, and even home decor stores)

STEPS: 

Simply tape it down one end, cut it with scissors, then another, and another, and another.

AFTER 

DIY Home Office Desk Skirt Hides Clutter

Does your desk look like this underneath?

Looking for an instant way to hide your 'under desk' clutter?

I have a small work space that sits in an awkward area and accumulates a lot of clutter and wires underneath.  After staring at my crap long enough I decided it was time to conceal the mess-in a pretty way. 

This is great project for renters who have a work space they share with their living room or bedroom.  Also works super well for inexpensive plain desks!!

With little cost and even less labor, I created a table apron out of a single ready made drape! 

Now I no longer see the mess.

  

This desk apron can be removed any time and placed back on again because it is held on with Velcro!

MY INGREDIENTS:

1. A curtain from Target- Threshold™ Farrah Fretwork Window Panel

 (or any piece of fabric a few inches bigger than the size of the length and height of your desk will do!)

2. A pack of 'sticky back Velcro Squares' - Most office supply, craft stores and home repair stores carry this.  Choose black or white to blend in with your desk (I would have used white for this project, but wanted you to see the squares so chose black.

3. Stitch Witchery - Most craft stores carry this.  

4. An iron and ironing board.

5. Scissors.

STEPS:

STEP 1. 

Measure the length (width) you need from desk leg to desk leg and add on two inches on either side.  

 Fold the two inches over to the back side of the fabric on each side, and using the stitch witchery,  iron a straight line.  

STEP 2.

Attach one side of the Velcro squares along the desk as shown above.  They should stick on quickly.  Place the coordinating back side of each Velcro square on top of the matching square so the sticky side is facing you.

Stretch the newly ironed fabric along the Velcro squares pressing it firmly to the sticky squares as seen above.  YOU HAVE NOT CUT THE LENGTH OF THE FABRIC YET.

STEP 3.

The fabric is now attached to the Velcro on the desk as shown above.  Using push pins create a hem where the fabric hits the floor.  Remove the fabric from the desk.  The one side of the Velcro should come off with the fabric (if it does not, use a thread and needle to keep it  attached.) 

Now, like you did to the sides of the fabric, create a hem along the bottom with the stitch witchery, using the push pins as your guide.

DONE! FINISHED! TA DA!

Now clutter disappears!  

And with one swift movement of the hand, you can remove the apron and get to your clutter!

This is a fun and functional idea for small spaces!!

30 Minute Table Runner Makeover

Do you own a table runner that has been either sadly laying across your table going unnoticed, or folded up in a cabinet because you were tired of it when it was displayed?  Well, I have an inexpensive and easy way to change up that runner in less than thirty minutes!!!

The runner before.

Last night I did this quick little DIY project I just had to share because it was so easy!

I had picked up an inexpensive table runner for a dining room I am decorating for my client Keri.  I loved the modern pattern and the colors, but it looked a bit boring when I placed it on the table.  So I bought some flirty little looped fabric trim, and in thirty minutes I created a runner that was more dramatic!  I have yet to bring the finished runner to Keri's home, so I don't have the 'AFTER' photos of her dining room, but I will soon!!

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:

-Scissors

-Hot glue

-Decorative trim 

(pick up from a fabric store)

*My runner required 6 yards of trim

STEP 1

Measure the length of your runner.  

The amount of trim you will need is double the length your runner. 

I suggest bringing the runner to the fabric store with you and trying out different decorative trim options that could work with the colors on the runner!

STEP 2

Takes 30 minutes or less! 

Spread the runner across a table.  Starting at one corner, begin hot gluing the trim to the runner.  I suggest running a 4 to 6" line of glue like photo above, then pressing the trim down and holding for 15 seconds with your fingers like photo below.

Keep doing this across the length of the runner until you get to the corner edge.

STEP 3

Cut the excess trim off carefully.

TIP:

The edge you cut may fray like this.  

To stop the fraying, simple use the hot glue on the edges.

Edges should look like this!

STEP 4

Starting in the opposite corner, again, run the hot glue and trim all the way down the runner lengthwise, then cut the excess fabric, hot glue the frays down, and you are done!!!

Looks like this on the backside of the runner!  You get a very finished look!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This project had me thinking about what else you can add decorative trim to and turn it into a runner....how about buying a long piece of fabric and cutting it to create a runner, then adding the trim to hide the cut ends!  No sewing involved!  And you can get great deals on discontinued or large scraps/remnants of fabric at fabric and craft stores! 

DIY Pine Cone Tassels

Add natural warmth to your home this fall season by making some Pine Cone Tassels.  Use them to tie back your drapes, and hang them from door knobs or cabinet pulls.  They are fun, and inexpensive to make!

All you need for this project is yarn and pine cones!  

I used Lion Band Yarn in 216 Ozarka Forest color for this tassel

STEPS

1. Cut 3 pieces of yarn two feet long to use as a door or cabinet pull tassel, or cut three feet long to use as a drapery tie back.  Lay them down side by side flat on a table. 

2. Find the center of the yarns with your finger.  At the center, wrap all the yarn pieces together around the tip of the pine cone.  The natural grooves in the pine cone will hold the yarn in place.


Then wrap the yarn around again half way and tie a knot at the top of the pine cone like this.  The reason you wrap it around again half way is to keep the pine cone balanced.   

3. Make another knot one inch above the knot you just did.  

You are done!  

Now you can use it as a drapery hold back or hang it from a door knob or cabinet door pull.

Extra Credit-Add Beads

You can add beads for a glitzier look!  You want to use large beads.  I bought a pack of table scatter beads at the Dollar Store.  You can find these beads at craft stores also.

You will need the following:

-Large beads

-Green wire used for crafts

STEPS

1. Cut a piece of wire four inches long and bend in half.

2. Take each side of the tassel (all three yarn pieces) and bend the wire around all of them.  

3.  Twist the wire like below (so it will fit in the hole of the bead).

4. Push the threaded wire through the bead like below.  Then follow the same steps on the other side.

Add one or more beads!  Then hang!

Watch this video!

DIY Branch Sculpture For Your Table Top

An easy, cost free centerpiece you can add to any table top is by working with branches!

Decorate a buffet or bar top with this naturally sculptural craft!

For this project you need: 

-gather a few medium branches to work with (from your backyard or local park-look for branches laying on the ground)

-yarn (buy from craft store, Wal-mart)

-a bunch or two of fake leaves, feathers, tall grass  (buy from craft store, the Dollar Store, Wal-mart)

I walked through my local park and collected fallen branches in a garbage bag.

STEP 1

On a clean flat surface, sculpt your branches in various arrangements until you like the look of it.  

STEP 2

To keep your branch sculpture in place, use the yarn to wrap around places where your branches meet. 

Start by cutting a piece of yarn a foot long, tie one end of it around a few branches and make a knot.

Then wrap the rest around and around, and knot the end.

STEP 3

Add a few real or faux leaves, feathers, grasses....whatever you like!  Simply push the ends of each into the wrapped yarn areas.

Dress up your Thanksgiving Day buffet or dining table with a long  Branch Sculpture!  It will add an authentic natural touch to your celebration!

Watch this video!