Not Your Average Gal

Copywriter. Content Creator. Constant Sassypants.

crafts

Halloween Candy Corn Decorations

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Anyone who knows me, knows I love Halloween.  Some may even say I <heart> it.  That’s about as far as you’ll get me using teenage internet lingo for the day…  I mean, I even convinced My Main Squeeze to dress up as a Garden Gnome for Halloween a few years ago.  THAT’S how much I <heart> Halloween.  He’s so good to me.


Uh oh.  I did the <heart> thing again.

So last Halloween, when I saw how easy this project was, I immediately headed to Joann Fabrics and scooped up the few materials I would need to put my own spin on the project.  This is a very easy project and even kid friendly. (If they are old enough to use a glue gun…no lawsuits here!)

How to make Halloween Candy Corn Decorations

This is what you’ll need:

Styrofoam or foam cones

Yarn

Hot glue gun

Start at the base of the cone and work your way up with the varying yarn colors.  Use the glue gun at the start and end of each new color of yarn by holding it down until you can’t feel the tip of your finger anymore.  Jokes.  Just hold it as long as it needs to stay down on it’s own.  Shouldn’t take long because, you know, you’re using glue.  You can also use the glue sparingly in between sections as you feel you need it.  Be careful using too much hot glue.  For 1) OUCH! and 2) you can melt the foam if you use too much in one place.  When you get to the top of the cone (if it is a flat-topped cone), just swirl the yarn around in a flat circle so it covers the top completely.

That’s it.

No, seriously.

People think I’ve spent sooooooooo much time on making these when they see them.  And while I may lead them to believe it takes hours and Martha Stewart talent.  It doesn’t.

If you do this project, I would love to know or any of your Halloween projects for that matter! Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Halloween!

How to make a headboard on the cheap!

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My Main Squeeze encouraged me to blog about all the projects I’ve completed around the places we’ve lived.  I mean, my blog is named: Caroline Made This!  I just never really thought much about it because it is truly a hobby; something to do while watching The Real Housewives or The Jersey Shore.

What?

Who said that?

I’ve found some amazingly talented men and women through Pinterest and the project I completed below was indeed inspired by a pin I found when I searched for “how to make a headboard” for our new bedroom.  I used the information I discovered while researching instructions and decided to combine information and  head out on my own to create what ended up being a super easy, super cheap headboard!

My favorite phrases!  Super cheap.  Super easy.  Just like me!  Wait.  Forget that last part…

How to Make a Headboard

 This is all you’ll need:

Plywood

Batting

Fabric

Staples and one of them fancy staple guns (Say it with a Southern accent…)

Wall mount(s) (This, obviously, depends on if you use the studs in the wall and how heavy your plywood is. Be sure to check how much weight the wall mounts can carry.)

Screws or nails

 

The size of your headboard depends on how large your bed is and how high you want it to sit.  So measure it out and be sure to do it WITH your bed already made because your comforter and pillows do add some “bulk” to the bed.  Use those measurements for your fabric and batting, but add a few (3-5) inches to give yourself enough extra that enables you to staple it to the plywood.

Next, head to Home Depot.  Look completely lost and walk aimlessly around the aisles for 45 minutes.  Oh wait, that’s just me.   We had the plywood cut in 2 equal dimensions so we could fit it in the car.  Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may have to do it as well.  I’ll show you how I adjusted cutting it into 2 separate pieces below:

Buy enough brackets and screw them to the back of the plywood so that you feel both bracketed pieces are now one sturdy piece. We bought three brackets and it was very sturdy.  Now that you have all of your materials and the wood cut to the dimensions you need, lay the batting on the ground and place the plywood on top.  Now staple to your heart’s content.  No, really.  You can’t really go wrong here!  Just make sure you used the same type of “fold” on both sides of your headboard so you don’t have a lopsided edge.

Next, place your fabric on the ground and lay the plywood (that has the batting already stapled on it) on top.  Staple away again!  Do you see a pattern here?  Speaking of patterns…

Notice the pattern I chose?  While I LOVE it, I was quite lucky that the lines turned out even.  Lucky or talented…take your pick.  Be sure to choose a fabric that has a design that will not be ruined if it’s not stapled evenly.

Admire your work:

Now, find a stud.  A stud in the WALL, people.  Hang that wall mount where you want or need it depending on where the wall stud is.  Put in the screws to the back of your plywood, adjust the wire and hang it!  So glad we had the Bax-man to supervise the project…

 

There are many techniques you can use to hang your headboard.  I didn’t take many pictures of this portion because a lot can depend on how heavy the plywood is.  After looking through other tutorials, I thought this was the best technique and it worked for us.  But use your discretion and adjust how you need it to hang based on what tools you have and the placement on the wall.

Be flexible, people. 🙂

     

And that’s it!

I must be sure to give credit where credit is due: Thank you Thrifty Decor Chick and Design Sponge for your great blogs and inspiration.  Be sure to visit them to see the great headboards they’ve created!  Plus you can follow my finished projects on Pinterest!

Follow Me on Pinterest

What do you think?  Share your thoughts on any projects you’ve done or if you have any suggestions!

Pinterest? More like Makeyoufeelbaderest.

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So you know this thingy-ma-bob called, Pinterest?

It’s fascinating.  It’s brilliant.  It’s officially using up any time I have left.  You know, after I’ve checked my email, perused the news online, posted on Twitter, stalked on Facebook…

I’ve found some wonderful recipes that I’ve tried and crafts that I’ve created through this site. I mean, come on, I didn’t think of this stuff on my own:

But even if I’m not a mother or wife (don’t give me the *sad eyes* people…I know it may be shocking…but it’s okay and a choice right now to be neither…) I end up feeling like I’m totally incapable of giving a good gift, or making a dessert or *gasp* making my own homemade bathroom cleaner that smells like nectarine and mint and babies bottoms.

I meeeeeeeeeeeeeean.  Really, people?

Let me provide you with a few examples of the offending parties:

  1. I simply typed in “Baby Shower” into the Pinterest search.  This was the first image that showed up.  See the Rice Krispie rattles with various boy and girl color bows? See the rain clouds and rain drops? Showers? Get it? Baby…shower? I’m done.
  2. My dear friend made a similar centerpiece for a recent baby shower I attended.  It was awesome! It’s a friggin’ motorcycle! Made out of diapers and bottles and baby clothes!  She told me she saw it on Pinterest.  *shakes fist in the air* Damn you, Pinterest!  She’s a teacher.  That stuff is in their genes, right?                                                                   
  3. Yes, because my pantry looks EXACTLY like that.
  4. Because when I think of delicious tasting cup cakes…I think…HYDRANGEAS! Mmmmmm…

 

And you know what?  Some of you will actually go out and do the above projects.  And do them extremely well.

Shame on you.

Now follow me on Pinterest so I can be eternally annoyed at your creative genius:

 

Follow Me on Pinterest

 

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen on Pinterest?