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Make a DIY Breakfast-in-Bed Tray

DIY Breakfast-inBed Trays

I’ve often found myself on the lookout for the perfect breakfast-in-bed tray. Nothing’s ever seemed quite right—too small, too wobbly, too tiki hut. So when I spotted these DIY trays on Curbly it was a bit of a yes-of-course moment for me. The perfect breakfast-in-bed tray is the one you make yourself.

One idea comes from Martha Stewart and involves glue, fabric, and a baking sheet. Quite simple. (And just think of all the fabrics out there to choose from!) Or why not paint the thing? You could really go so many directions with this one.

DIY Serving Tray by Lovely Indeed

DIY Serving Tray by Chelsea Costa

The other DIY from Lovely Indeed is a bit more involved but looks oh so nice. It involves a wooden wine box, gold metallic tape, and a carpenter husband. (And just think of all the colorful tapes you could use!) Visit the DIY links for instructions and more pics.

Will you be serving Mom breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day? Will you try one of these trays, perhaps with your own personal twist? Remember these free printables are the perfect finishing touch and if you’re looking for recipes don’t miss House & Hold’s drool-worthy breakfast board.

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DIY Serving Tray by Lovely Indeed

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Make this Gift: Succulent Cupcakes!

Succulent Cupcakes by Pixel Whisk

Succulent Cupcakes by Seton Hurson Rossini

Prepare to have your mind blown. These are cupcakes! Succulent cupcakes! No really, I’m not kidding.

The absolutely creative Seton Hurson Rossini of Pixel Whisk made these knowing how much we all love the tiny little plants. I mean, you do love tiny little succulents, don’t you? They’re so cute you just want to gobble them right up. Now you can!

DIY Succulent Cupcakes by Pixel Whisk

Succulent Cupcakes by Seton Hurson Rossini

Want to make your own? Head to Pixel Whisk for the step-by-step tutorial. Now I’m not suggesting this is the easiest of crafty baking feats. Clearly Seton is one talented lady, but just imagine the look on your recipient’s face when you give them one of these adorable potted sweet treats. So worth the effort. Give it a try!

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DIY Succulent Cupcakes by Pixel Whisk

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Wrap It: DIY Paper Calla Lilies for Mother’s Day

DIY Paper Calla Lilies

DIY Paper Calla Lilies, by Chiara Alberetti Milott

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! These paper calla lilies from Oh Happy Day are a perfect way to dress up your Mother’s Day (or wedding, bridal, baby shower, and birthday) gifts. All you need are a few basic supplies and you’re on your way to wowing that special lady in your life. I love these paired with brown craft paper and a band of neon, don’t you? The possibilities are endless, really, so go nuts!

See how to make your own paper calla lilies over on Oh Happy Day!

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Buy It or DIY It: Dipped Gifts!

Dipped Wooden Utensils by House of Earnest

Dipped Wooden Utensils by House of Earnest

Lately dipping and dying isn’t confined to Easter eggs and Grateful Dead t-shirts. Nope, this trend is everywhere and I’m completely digging the dipping.

From fashion, to furniture, hair dos and kitchenware, a dipped pop of color plays up the original texture of each piece the paint touches—glass seems clearer, ceramics softer, metals more shiny, and woodgrain more beautiful.

As a DIY gift, adding your own dipped embellishment is a fun and relatively simple way to add a personal touch to your present. (Wink, nudge. Mom would love these!) I’ve rounded up some favorite tutorials to get you inspired and walk you through the steps to do it yourself.

If you’re not so inclined, leave the dipping to the pros. Included are some really wonderful options for you to buy and gift too. Enjoy!

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Wind & Willow Home Dipped ShopPretty Painted Centerpieces by Project WeddingColorblocked Cutting Boards by Lostine & Dipped Wood Knife BlockMixx Spoon Set from MoMAPainted Wooden Spoons by Little Bit FunkySuperior Servers by Ladies & GentlemenPainted Havtorn Vases by IKEA Life At HomeHave & Make Dipped Wooden Utensils by House of EarnestDipped Chopsticks by Penelope & Pip

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How to Make DIY Origami Bows from Recycled Magazines

DIY Origami Bows

DIY Recycled Magazine Origami Bows, by Jessica Jones

In honor of Earth Day and because these were just too cool not to share, I thought you’d all get a kick out of these awesome recycled magazine origami bows! All you need is a single piece of scrap paper and you’re set. Aren’t they lovely? I might just start turning everything into a pretty bow — watch out!

Check out How About Orange for more pretty pics and Let’s Create for the detailed tutorial.

Happy folding!

P.S. If you’ve got a surplus of magazines (who doesn’t?) and are feeling extra crafty, check out these pretty magazine bows too!

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Make This Gift: A Colorful Leather and Wood Trivet!

DIY Leather and Wood Trivets

DIY Leather and Wood Trivets, by Kate Pruitt

Hello, beautiful! These pretty wood and leather trivets are perfect for friends who love to cook or as a housewarming gift for new neighbors. They’re simple, modern, and oh-so-colorful! Plus, you can totally customize the colors to match your gift recipient’s decor (serious bonus points, you guys). If you’re not sure, you can’t go wrong with a minimalist raw wood/white/and black leather combo!

Check out how to make them over on Design*Sponge.

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Makin’ & Eggs: 24 Easter Egg DIYs to Dye For!

Makin' and Eggs: 24 Easter DIYs to Dye For

Color and creativity blossom like crazy in the Spring. Blogosphere you are an imaginative bunch! After rounding up these gorgeous DIYs, I’m now completely antsy and dying to get crafty with these awesome ideas.

For your Easter brunch hostess, your kids, your table, and by all means yourself, here are 24 fantastic DIYs to turn the incredible, edible canvas into a work of art.

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Lovely Indeed Washi Tape DIY and Roy Jot Easter Succulent DIYWashi Tape and double-stick Tape Easter Eggs diysPolka dot eggs and Ombre eggsNatural Easter Egg diys and dotsEaster Message Egg by Present&Correct and PoppytalkNeon Dipped Eggs and Thread wrapped eggsPink Deviled Eggs by The Year in FoodEaster Egg Brownies by La Receta de la FelicidadLove Eggs and Jello EggsDipped wooden Eggs and String wrapped eggs by Craftberry BushRIT dyed eggs, Candle eggs and painted egg

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Best Mail Day Ever: DIY Birthday Surprise!

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DIY Birthday Mail Surprise, photo by Jordan Ferney

Birthday mail is the best mail, don’t you think??  Now, imagine getting 112 birthday greetings from all your favorite people that, when combined, forms a giant mural!  BEST mail day ever, right?  Jordan from Oh Happy Day has the deets on kicking off this awesome birthday mail campaign — check it out!

DIY Birthday Mail Surprise, photo by Jordan Ferney

My favorite part, aside from how ridiculously clever this DIY birthday idea is, is all the sweet notes written on the back!  This would be a great way to get family and friends in on a simple but heart-warming birthday gift — kind of like this 60 years of memories idea — but with a little more pizzazz!

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DIY Birthday Mail Surprise

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Make This Gift: DIY Cross-Stitch Pendant Necklace!

DIY Cross-Stitch Pendant, by Brittni Mehlhoff

Oooh, I love this little DIY gift idea so much.  Brittni from Papernstitch shares her technique for making this abstract cross-stitch pendant, but the possibilities really are endless!  I’m thinking triangles or polka dots done in some neon or metallic thread — what do you say?  How would you customize this gift?  Share your pattern ideas with us!

Check out Brittni’s step-by-step tutorial right here.  You can snag blank cross-stitch pendants from Lovely Lovely for $7.50.

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Wrap Magazine: Issue 4!

Wrap Magazine, Issue 4

Remember that awesome illustrated wrapping paper magazine we told you about a couple weeks ago? Wrap, Issue 4 is out!

Wrap Issue 4, Julia Pott spread

The theme for the issue is, “the great continent of North America” with prints by illustrators from Toronto to Texas and NYC to LA. It includes great interviews and more articles than ever, plus they just announced a new subscription service to receive all three issues for this year (with June and October yet to come!).

Catch a glimpse of the latest issue in the video below, and see how to wrap with pages from Wrap!

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Screen Shot 2012-03-06 at 12.38.49 PMWrap Issue 4, Julia Pott spread

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Make This Gift: Cheerful Paint-by-Numbers Coasters

DIY Paint-by-Numbers Style Coasters

DIY Paint-by-Numbers Coasters, photo by Halligan Smith

You guys, please tell me I’m not alone in my obsession with coasters… I mean, I really can’t get enough of them! Good thing there are so many fantastic DIY possibilities out there, including these colorful paint-by-number style beauties created by Halligan Smith. The way I see it, everyone needs coasters, right? Consider making and giving a set for birthdays, thank-yous, house warming parties, or just because! Halligan shares the process (and even offers free templates for all four designs) over on Design*Sponge, so go check it out!

Have you spied any other clever DIY coaster designs? Let’s have a coaster part—share your faves in the comments!

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Make This Gift: Custom Art from Your Own Fingerprints!

ManMadeDIY : How To: Make Custom Art from Your Own Fingerprints

Custom Fingerprint Art, by Chris Gardner

Here’s a DIY that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, wedding gifts, or just because. It utilized something so specifically you and turns it into art—your fingerprints!

You’ll need to have some simple creative computer skills (or know someone who does) and be quite cunning to acquire the fingerprints without raising any suspicions. Just tell your Valentine with a wink and a smile, “Shut it! No questions.”

Our friend Chris at ManMadeDIY put together this handy tutorial to take you through the steps for making your own. And if his visual style isn’t quite yours, get creative! There are many ways to adapt the idea changing the scale, colors, paper colors and typeface. Have fun! And let us know how yours turns out.

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