Pumpkin Fun

I've never been much of a Halloween person, but I do love fall, and always buy pumpkins to decorate with. I've been wanting to carve some for years, but the mister and I never seem to make it happen- until this year. Since we're not really into Halloween, I wanted to use designs that would last into November and just feel like fun fall decor. Last week my friend Kristin reminded me about the notion of using a drill rather than carving the pumpkins and it seemed simple enough so we went for it.

Seriously- this was the easiest pumpkin carving ever. The drilling can get a little tedious, but it was so quick to make such pretty designs that it was totally worth it.

Here's the rundown on how to do it:

1. Cut the top off the pumpkin as usual, leaving an opening big enough for your hand to reach through. Set top aside.

2. Scoop out the pumpkin 'guts' using a spoon, your hands, a plastic scraper, or whatever else you have on hand that works.

3. Once the inside is all cleaned out, layout your design on the pumpkin with a pencil or pen. Since we were doing holes anyway, we used the tip of a retractable pen with the pen part retracted and just made tiny little indentations where we would later drill. If you're stuck for design ideas, just do an image search for 'drill carved pumpkins' to get some inspiration.

4. Now that your design is plotted out, get to drilling. Try using multiple bit sizes to make your pattern extra interesting. Be sure the bit goes all the way through the shell so that you don't have little bits showing once it's lit. This part can get a bit messy- little pumpkin shavings kind of fly everywhere, so make sure your work surface is covered and don't do it too close to any furniture you don't want to clean pumpkin off of.

5. Clean out any shavings that ended up inside the pumpkin, and you're ready to light it!

See- so easy. If you don't have a pumpkin already- you can easily whip up one of these in less than an hour and use it tonight!

I hope you all have a great Halloween. Since I'm in my hometown for a wedding this week, I get to see my nephews and niece in their costumes today- a special treat since they live so far away!

DIY: Solid Perfume

I first encountered solid perfume in a vintage Avon locket- it didn't smell very good at all, but it did seem like a great idea. Turns out, solid perfume has been around since ancient Egyptian times- so apparently people throughout history thought so too. A few years back I started making my own solid perfume lockets, as part of my jewelry line. Simple to make, using all natural ingredients, solid perfume can double as aroma-therapy, and makes a great gift- Mother's Day is coming up after all (hint hint). 

To make your own solid perfume you'll need:

2 Tbsp. beeswax, grated
2 Tbsp. almond oil
40-45 drops of essential oils (starter scent recipes below)
{All the above supplies can be found at natural foods stores. For a complete selection of essential oils, Mountain Rose Herbs is a great, affordable online source}.
Containers for your solid perfume- I used a vintage stock locket like this, and these little tins, but even an empty chap stick tube or lip balm pot will work.

Start by bringing about an inch of water to boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Measure beeswax into a heatproof glass measuring cup and place in the hot water. Wax will begin to melt. Once it is completely melted, add the almond oil and stir until combined (I like to use a wooden skewer, since some essential oils can affect plastic or metal). Remove from heat.

Let oil/wax mixture cool for about a minute, then add essential oils, stirring to incorporate.

Once oils are added, quickly pour the mixture into the containers you've chosen. If you're using a locket, pour very slowly to avoid spilling. 

Once the perfume has cooled completely, it's ready to be used- just rub your finger over the solid perfume and apply to your pulse points, or anywhere you normally apply perfume. 

Essential oils come in a variety of 'scents', so you can really create a perfume that is uniquely yours- just spend some time at a store that carries the oils, smelling the tester bottles to decide which you like best. To create a scent with layers, mix several oils together. Essential oils are also used for aroma therapy, so you can create a perfume that also serves a purpose- the scent I made today (recipe below) is great for headaches, which I'm sure many moms out there could use some relief from. 

Though the combinations are nearly endless, here are a few recipes to get you started:

Headache Relief: 25 drops peppermint + 15 drops lavender

Smells Like Summer: 15 drops sweet orange + 15 drops lemon + 5 drops mint + 5 drops bergamont

Sweet and Spicy: 20 drops sweet orange + 10 drops ginger + 10 drops clove

Woodsy: 20 drops sweet orange + 10 drops ylang ylang + 10 drops sandalwood

If you'll be making this as a gift- try to think about the recipients favorite scents, taking hints from the perfume they wear or what candle scents they enjoy. 

Do you have a great essential oil recipe? I'd love to hear about it- leave a comment below so we can all try it! 

DIY: May Day Treats

 

Did any of you celebrate May Day as a child? I don't remember doing it regularly, but I know there were several years where we made little baskets out of construction paper, filled them with treats, left them on the neighbors doorsteps, rang the bell, and ran away before they could detect who left the little surprise on the first day of May. May Day has a long established history, which I won't go into (if you'd like to learn more, Wikipedia has a great deal of information on the holiday), and though it's roots are in pagan festivals, I've always loved this tradition of surprising your neighbors with a little anonymous treat!

For this DIY, I kept things simple. Though you may not have the exact supplies I'm using- the basic concept can be adapted for pretty much anything you have on hand. This is also an easy project, so it's a good one to get the kids involved with! Let's get started.

For the paper cone (or Tussy Mussy, to use the fancier, vintage term) you'll need:

Heavier 8.5"x11" paper (use whatever you like or have on hand. I used this paper in 'paper bag').
Washi tape (again, use what you like- I picked summery colors/patterns).
Twine, cord, yarn, ribbon, or wire (any of these will work).
Hole punch in a small diameter
Scissors

With the sheet of paper oriented with the long side facing you, work the bottom right corner to curl it slightly.

Starting with the bottom left corner, gently curl the left side of the paper towards the upper right corner.

Roll until you have a cone the shape and size you like. For small treats you'll want a tighter, more narrow cone. For larger items, it's best to keep the top opening as wide as possible.

Once your cone is shaped, tape the loose edge down with the washi tape- pressing firmly to make a good seam. Since I did larger sized treats, I made my opening wide, which left that hole at the bottom- no need to fix it- the large items won't fit through there.

To ensure your cone doesn't come apart, tape a 'seam' at the spot where the inside corner meets the back of the cone. You can do this with either washi tape, or Scotch tape- if you'd prefer the seam be less visible.

Now that your cone is assembled, punch two holes near the top and towards the back, about 1/2 an inch down. You don't have to be exact, just pick a spot where the hole is far enough from the edge to not rip the paper, and far enough back to keep the cone balanced once it's full.

Feed one end of your twine (or other material for hanging the cone) through one of the holes and tie a small knot to secure it. Repeat with the other side. You now have a complete cone, ready to be filled! Repeat until you have the number of cones you plan to deliver.

To fill the cones you'll need:

Fresh flowers
I used ranunculi, but if you plan to do multiple flower filled cones and want a less expensive flower, mini carnations in a single color are a great choice- they smell nice, are actually quite pretty when arranged well, and last a very long time).

Fruit, candies, small cookies, or any other treat you can think of.
I used strawberries because they're in season here in Cali, but small tangerines, kumquats, or other small fruits would be cute too. I didn't have time to bake anything so I picked out some all-natural fruit jellies from Trader Joe's. If you'd like to bake something any small cookies would work- I think Mexican Wedding Cakes or Macaroons would be charming and are the right size for the cone.

Disposable pastry bags cut to the size of your cones.
I used these for several purposes. With the flowers, I put water in the bag so the flowers stay fresh while they're waiting to be discovered. I put the berries inside one to keep them from bleeding through the paper. With the candies, I used a bag to keep the sugar coating from getting all over and attracting ants to the neighbors door. Depending on what you fill your cones with you may not need the bags.

A quick tip- while you're arranging your flowers in the pastry bag, set it inside a glass to keep your hands free.

The last part is easy- fill your cones with the treats you've selected, make a little tag out of whatever you have on hand (just don't put your name on it- the fun is leaving these anonymously), and deliver them on May 1st! Ringing the doorbell is optional, but it's best to leave these for people you know will be home within a few hours of leaving it- that way everything will be fresh and tasty.

My favorite thing about this project is how easily customizable it is- I made a few variations, but you are only limited by the supplies you have on hand. Be as creative as you like.

Do you have any May Day traditions? I'd love to hear about them!

All styling and photos by Danae Horst for Gather and Hunt

DIY:Simple Spring Vases

Confession- Easter totally snuck up on me. For some reason I had been thinking it was in April, only to discover a little more than a week ago that it was in fact at the end of March. After a minor panic attack, I went into planning mode, knowing that whatever I choose for Easter posts, simplicity was key- for folks like me who didn't have much time to work on elaborate crafts and recipes.

I'll be sharing our Easter table tomorrow, and the menu and some easy recipes on Friday, but I thought I should start with the DIY- so you'll have enough time to make it for your Easter table if you want.

I've been really enjoying keeping things simple lately. With the arrival of spring, a clean and simple palette keeps things fresh for me, so I let that freshness inspire our table setting, and this easy rope wrapped vase (or candle holder).

For this project you'll need:

Empty glass vase or jar
Heavy duty cotton twine
Scissors
Safety pin
Hot glue gun

Begin by braiding three strands of twine together. The length of the strands will depend on how big your vase is, but you'll need about two times the circumference of the vase multiplied by the number of times you want to wrap it (sorry for the math-speak). I find it easiest to use a safety pin to anchor the braid to something sturdy. Braid as carefully as you can in order to keep the cord flat, rather than twisted.

Once you have a braided cord of the length you need, tie a knot at both ends.

Attach the cord to the vase with a small amount of hot glue and let cool. Don't worry if glue seeps out around the cord, you can either remove it when it's still warm, or cut it away with an Exacto knife later.

Begin wrapping the vase, pulling the cord as tightly as you can without dislodging the glued end. Wrap until you've reached the end of the cord. Secure the end with more hot glue. 

If you prefer to hide the ends, rather than have the knot showing, cut the knot off, apply the glue and tuck the end behind the cord above it to secure. 

There are a number of variations you could try with this projects as well: wrapping it with unbraided twine or a piece of cotton rope; covering the rope with sections of colored thread; using colored twine instead of natural; etc. If you try any of these, I'd love to see!

Once your vase is complete, use it however you fancy. I planted herbs and flowers in mine, which will serve as the centerpiece of our Easter table, then be transplanted outside in a few weeks.

As always, if you make this project, share your photos with me- tag me on Instagram (@gatherandhunt) or Twitter (@gather_and_hunt), or post it to the G&H Facebook page!

DIY: String Art for Valentine's Day

I know, I know- another DIY? I promise- this isn't becoming a craft blog, I've just been having a lot of fun crafting lately and thought maybe you would all like to join in on the fun.

1960's string art {Via Little Byrd Vintage}

Have you noticed that string art is making a comeback? Based on activities, meant to make math concepts available to children, created by the mathematician Mary Everest Boole in the late 19th century, string art became popular as craft in the late 1960's.

String art from the Bing lounge at Alt Summit {Via Camille Styles}

Today, string art is popping up everywhere. There were even several impressive string art installations at Alt Summit this year, which sparked the idea for this DIY.

Keeping with the ombre theme I decided on for Valentine's Day this year, the mister and I created a few pieces of string art perfect for the holiday, but simple enough to use for other occasions as well (weddings, anniversary parties, etc).

Ready to make your own piece of string art?

You'll need:

A stencil for the pattern you want to make. I just picked a font I liked and printed out large letters. (The font I used is Trend Sans 5, available from My Font and on sale right now).

Wood- for this design I used a piece of basswood 12 in x 6 in (available at craft/hobby stores)

Cut tacks no longer than 7/16 inch, depending on the thickness of your wood. I choose copper tacks to match the colors of my thread, but they also come in silver and black. Other DIY's for string art use other kinds of nails or tacks- choose what you prefer, just make sure they have a decent sized head.

Embroidery thread in desired colors. For the ombre look I used three colors (DMC #351, #352, #967)

Hammer (I had the best results with my short and stubby hammer, but any size will do)

Pliers (preferably bent nose jewelry pliers)

Scissors

Washi tape (or any light tack, removable tape)

Optional:

Ruler (to measure the space between tacks)

Self healing mat (to protect your work surface)

Let's get started...

One.

Cut out your stencil. For letters, don't worry about cutting out the inside of letters like 'o', 'a', etc.

Two.

Using the washi tape, tape your stencil down to the wood. Be careful to not place the tape close to the edges.

Three.

Line your stencil with tacks. Use the pliers to hold the tack while you hammer it into the wood. This will save your fingers and keep the tack from going in at an angle.

Four.

Remove the paper stencil by gently pulling it through the tacks. Don't worry if a tack pops out- just hammer it back in.

Five.

Start your thread by tying a double knot around one of the tacks (start where ever makes sense to you, it doesn't really matter).

Six.

Line the section you're working on (if you're only doing one color, line the whole shape). You'll need to decide which makes the straightest line- lining the inside or outside of the tacks- then loop the thread around each tack to secure it.

Seven.

Begin filling the design in by crisscrossing the string around the tacks. This is fairly free form, just make sure to cover the whole section by looping around different tacks and using different angles until you're pleased with the design.

Eight.

To finish a section after it's filled in simply tie another double knot by looping the end of the thread around a tack and knotting it.

Continue steps five through eight until each section is complete, and you're done!

There are countless designs you can use for a string art project, we did two word designs and one large heart, all using an ombre pattern. What design will you use? If you make your own string art I'd love to see it! Send me a photo or tag me on Instagram (I'm @gatherandhunt).

P.S. Special thanks to my mister for being the hands in this shoot. It's the first time I've done a DIY where I didn't have to fake complete a step with my left hand while shooting with my right (I really need a better tripod).

Round 'Em Up: DIY Valentines

In what is now an annual tradition (this post last year was wildly popular), I thought I'd share my favorite Valentine's Day DIY's.

Love these arrows and quiver from Sugar and Cloth! The way to my heart is definitely with arrows. Ashley even incorporated date night ideas into the craft, so they're more than just a valentine.

This printable astronaut valentine from Dandee Designs is great for kids, kids at heart, or if you happen to know an astronaut. (Ha ha).

With this big blizzard making it's way over the east coast, these handwarmers from Armommy would be a welcome valentine. Armommy even has the fabric you see for sale, or you can use your own.

For some old school charm (at least for those of us born pre text messages and email), these junior high love notes from Assemble are perfect! Plus, you probably already have notebook paper and pen.

An easy, and useful valentine, these rulers from Thompson and Spring would be perfect to send off to school with the kids since they'll meet even the strictest food/allergy policies.

When I first saw these honey stick valentines from Smile and Wave, I actually said "genius" out loud. Brilliant and cute. That Rachel is so clever!

A project that might take a bit more skill, but will be useful long past Valentine's Day, these heart coin purses from Fabric Paper Glue are made of leather, but you could substitue a heavy vinyl if leather's not your thing.

Lastly, my very favorite of the bunch- this awesome gilded dinosaur valentine from Lovely Indeed! You may not know this, but my husband and I love dinosaurs, and we even have a collection of dino toys that we pick up whenever we win tickets from skee ball. This clever, but easy dinosaur would definitely be a hit in our house. This one would even work for the Valentine's haters in your life (since he's eating the cute little hearts), right?

What are you making for Valentine's Day this year? I've been working on a few string art projects which I'll be sharing on Monday. Tonight we're having a little V-Day get together with some friends so I'm headed off to get all the last minute details taken care of.

Have an awesome weekend!

DIY: Easy Triangle Hair Clips

{Silly photo via Smilebooth for Method}

A few weeks ago, while planning this outfit (for a party at Alt), I couldn't find the right hair accessories for that dress, which I really wanted to wear. I'm not very talented in the hair-do department, so I really depend on accessories to bring a little something special to my party hair. Not wanting to waste any more time searching the stores, I decided to craft something up. 

These little triangle clips were a breeze to whip up, and I got loads of compliments on them as well (I even made a few extras to gift to a few blogger friends). Want to make some for yourself? Well read along and you'll learn how. 

Triangle Hair Clips

Time: 20 minutes (plus 10 minutes drying time)

Materials:

Metallic 'pleather belting' (I found mine in the ribbon/trim section at Joann's)

Bobby pins

Jewelry glue (or any glue you like that has good hold and works with fabric and metal)

Self healing mat

Metal straight edge

Exacto knife (or scissors if you don't have one)

Clamps or clips (optional)

Sheet of paper towel to dry on

One.

Start by deciding what kind of triangle you want. I picked an equilateral (or close to it) since it was the easiest to measure and cut (an equilateral has sides of equal length). Line your straight edge up where you want to make the first cut, then run the Exacto knife along the straight edge, pressing hard. Remove the scrap piece. 

Two.

Now line the straight edge up where you will make your next cut. Repeat step one. 

Repeat steps one and two until you have the desired number of triangles.

Three.

Flip the triangle over. You'll see it has a slit in the material. 

Gently peel the larger end away.

Flip the opened up piece over. 

Four.

Take your Exacto knife and make a small slit, parallel to the fold. The slit need not be any longer than 1/4 in. 

Five. 

Insert the bobby pin into the slit until the bend in the pin reaches the edge of the slit.

Six. 

Flip the piece back over. Apply a thin coat of glue to half of the pleather material (the half the slit is on). Be careful not to apply too much, and avoid applying glue too close to the slit.

Seven. 

Fold the material back into a triangle and press together. 

To ensure an extra secure hold, use clamps or clips. If using a metal clamp/clip, fold a small piece of paper towel up and place it between the sides of the clip to keep it from leaving a mark on the material. 

Eight.

Let dry for 10 minutes or so (depending on what kind of glue you used). 

Done! Easy, right? If you make these for yourself, I'd love to see a picture of them! Tag me on Instagram (gatherandhunt) or email them to me! 

Are you enjoying these DIY's? I know they're not vintage, but hopefully you like them anyway? I love hearing your feedback, so please let me know what you think!

DIY: Borax Magic

A few years back I saw several tutorials online for ornaments using Borax (the laundry additive with the mule team on the box) and pipe cleaners. While the idea was cool and I love anything crafty that involves science, the ornaments themselves didn't hold much appeal to me. I tabled the idea- figuring I'd eventually find something to use the technique with.

This year, when I started working at Anthropologie, the Display Coordinator I was working with mentioned that she had used the same process, but with feathers. This idea intrigued me-and while I didn't manage to get specific instructions for the crystalized feathers, I decided to give it a try anyway with both feathers and some geometric pipe cleaner shapes.

Ready to make some yourself? Here's what you'll need:

• Pipe cleaners in your color choice
• Clean feathers (available at your local craft store)
• Borax 20 Mule Team laundry additive (available in the laundry soap aisle)
• Pliers (preferably jewelry pliers)
• Wire cutters
• Paper clips
• Embroidery needle and floss
• Containers deep enough to submerge the item you're crystalizing
• Wooden dowel long enough to rest on top of the container
• Hot water

Once you've gathered everything, let's get started...

1. Bend your pipe cleaners into the shapes you like. For our New Years party I wanted lots of geometric shapes. The wire cutters will come in handy here if you're making shapes that are shorter than the full pipe cleaner. Use the pliers to bend the ends of the pipe cleaners around each other so they'll keep the shape you form.

2. Prep the feathers by poking a hole in the quill with your large embroidery needle. If the quill is too tough for the needle a bead reamer or awl will work as well. Once you have a hole thread the needle and string the feather onto the embroidery floss. *Update- I have since discovered that a fine gauge wire works better than thread since the crystals won't form around the wire. You may also skip this step if you'll be doing numerous feathers or don't have a container deep enough for them- see step 6.*

3. Unbend the paperclips to make a little hanger for the pipe cleaner forms. Place the loopy end of the paperclip in the spot you will be hanging the form from once it's crystalized (if you'll be hanging them at all).

4. Prepare the Borax solution. For a 1 quart container you'll use:

    3 c boiling water
    9 Tbsp of Borax

Once the water is hot, mix with the Borax in a container (preferably glass or at least a heat proof plastic). Stir until the Borax dissolves- the solution will be cloudy at first, then fade to just slightly opaque. Since I was making a large amount of solution I had to work in batches, heating about 2 quarts at a time- as long as the solution is hot at the end, it will work properly so don't worry about a little cooling down from boiling.

If you're crystalizing larger, or many, objects you'll need a large container deep enough to submerge them in. In case you don't feel like doing the math, here are the measurements I used for a few standard container sizes:

5 qt container = 3 qts + 3 cups water and 3 cups Borax
3 qt container = 2 qts + 1 cup water and 1.5 cups + 3 Tbsp Borax

5. If you didn't mix the solution in the container you'll be submerging things in, transfer it to that container now. Place the dowel across the top of the container (use tape to secure if it tries to roll away).  If you're using a smaller container, a pencil can be used instead of the dowel.

6. Submerge your items.

For the pipe cleaner forms, loop the top of the paperclips over the dowel. For best results, make sure the entire form is submerged, but not touching the sides or bottom of the container.

For the feathers, you have two options. If you're doing just a few like in the above photo, you can stretch the thread (or wire) across the top of the container and secure it with tape or by bending the wire over the edges. Since I was doing many feathers I decided to just try floating them all in the same tub (photo below). I made sure the feathers were fully saturated with the solution at the beginning and tried to arrange them so they didn't touch each other or the container. This method worked great, and was much easier than suspending them and used less solution.

7. Set the containers somewhere they won't be disturbed, and wait 8-12 hours or so. You may not be able to tell if it's working or not, but don't dismay- it is. You'll probably see some crystals forming on the surface of the solution in a few hours and by the 5th hour or so you may be able to see crystals on the objects as well. Patience is important with this part. (The penny in this photo was an experiment the mister tried- it didn't work because it turns out the crystals won't form on metal).

8. Around the 8th hour, gently remove one of the objects out of the solution. If it's crystalized to your liking, you can remove them all.

9. Let everything dry on a paper towel, then decorate with them!

For our party I used some of the feathers to add a little sparkle to the living room, but today I'll be making them all into a garland for our bedroom (photos to come soon).

Fun, right? This project is great for kids too- The Discovery Museum made a great how-to handout that also covers the science aspect. You can even add food coloring if you want colored crystals. 

Safety note: Borax is actually just the mineral Sodium Tetraborate and is all natural, however you should use care, especially if you're getting the kids involved. You may want to use gloves and eye protection, and make sure to wash hands. Don't use any porous kitchen objects to mix the solution and make sure to wash everything thoroughly afterwards. 

I hope you have fun trying this at home. I'd love to hear or see what you make- leave me a comment or email me your photos! 

it's DIY time! (and the winner is...) {giveaway now closed}

happy Friday morning everyone! i know you're all dying to see what today's giveaway entails, but before we get to that, i wanted to share a special DIY with you.

many of you who visited the booth at Farm Chicks commented on the bunting backdrop i used. it was pretty awesome right? it was similar to the bunting Melissa and I used in the dear darling booth last year, except this year i had a bit of a crazier vision- a whole wall made of it!

since the theme of this year's Farm Chicks Show was 'Find what you love', i knew i wanted to incorporate hearts into the booth design, to play along with the theme. i had a few ideas running through my head (you can see some of my other inspirations on my 'farm chicks booth' Pinterest board), but after asking Melissa if she'd be willing to sew for me (i'm terrible at sewing), i decided on this sewn paper bunting again. 

i have a large stash of vintage dictionaries, most in poor shape, and since i wanted to keep the booth consistent with my black and white branding, dictionary pages seemed like a great choice for the paper. after cutting all the pages out of the binding with a rotary cutter, i ran a few pages at a time through the Sizzix cutter we borrowed from Melissa's mom, using a heart shaped die. once the hearts were cut, i counted out piles that would make a long enough piece of bunting to hang from the top of the booth to the floor. Melissa then sewed one pile in a long row to make one row of bunting. it was super tedious, but at least we did it together (Melissa usually does it by herself when she makes them for party decorations). 

once we had enough vertical rows for the back wall of the booth, we made a few horizontal rows to run along the tops, then i winded them all onto pieces of cardboard to keep them tangle free until Farm Chicks!  

the bunting in the lower left photo is one of Melissa's creations that she occasionally sells- so cute!

i think bunting like this would make a really cute photo backdrop for a wedding or party, don't you?

so, as we promised many of you, today Melissa has re-posted the tutorial she created on her blog, Re.Stock, for making this style of bunting. we hope that you'll want to tackle this project yourself after seeing how simple it is! even if you can't sew (like me), it's a great team project, so enlist the help of someone you know who can sew!

last, but not least, since i know you can't wait to find out who won yesterday's giveaway, the winner of a necklace from Prairie & Pearl and a gather and hunt tote bag is...

Theresa Hanson from Yakima, WA! Congratulations Theresa! Send me a message with your mailing address and your necklace choice (I know you like the locket, but feel free to change your mind), so I can mail your prize to you!

if you haven't won yet- don't lose heart- there will be two prizes to win in today's giveaway, and you'll have all weekend to enter! check back soon for the big giveaway post!