Surviving College Life

DIY Holiday Gift Roundup - Gifts for Guys

Don’t worry, I wouldn’t leave the guys out of this gift-giving season (see girlie gifts here!). Here are some DIY presents to pass on to the boys!

For Little Boys

• Plush Owl Toy - Cute (and green) this repurposed scarf-to-owl toy is perfect for animal-crazy toddlers.
• Eye Spy Bean Bags - Remember Eye Spy books from when you were a kid? Throw in the squishiness of a bean bag and you’ve got this fun toy.
• Super Hero Cape - Pretend is not just for girls. This super hero cape will keep kids running around the yard for days.
• Dinosaur Playmat - This dino playmat is cool, but a little sewing-intensive. For an easy no-sew version, pick up some canvas fabric draw out your map with fabric markers.
• Kid’s Work Apron - For the artist or handyman, this work apron is helpful and fun.

For Boyfriends/Brothers/Guys

• Fabric-Covered Moleskines - For the thinker or the artist, these fabric covered moleskins are a perfect gift. (Just be sure to choose some nice, manly fabric).
• Cassette Tape iPod Case - I love the concept of a cassette tape iPod case (might want to make yours less pink, though, huh?). Clever.
• Mini-Terrarium in a Lightbulb - Awesome for some dorm zen for your favorite nature lover, these lightbulb terrariums (pictured above) are inexpensive but pack a lot of visual punch.
• Freezer Paper Stencil Tee - Make the ultimate custom-tee with this freezer-paper stencil tutorial.

For Dads and Granddads

• Neck Pillow - I don’t know about you, but my dad is all about catching catnaps whenever he can. What about scaling up this comfy neck-pillow so he can nap during half-times?
• Car CD Holder - My guy is all about having tunes in the car but our CDs always get lost or scratched. If your Dad hasn’t moved into the iPod zone yet, why not whip up a CD case for his car? (Again, might want to shoot for some more manly fabrics…)
• Papercut Portrait - Artistic and just plain old cool, this papercut portrait tutorial will help you make a personal, meaningful gift.
• Custom Ball Cap - For the traditional grandpop, skip the tie or socks and make him a customized baseball cap. I bet he’ll wear it even if it says “#1 Grandpa.”

1 comment December 2nd, 2010

DIY Holiday Gift Roundup - Girlie Gifts

It’s that time again–save your budget and get your DIY on with these inexpensive DIY gifts for family and friends!

For Little Girls

• Dress-Up Tulle Tutu - Cheap, easy, and ballerina-beautiful, this tutu couldn’t be more perfect for playing pretend.
• Ruffled Parasol - Go the extra mile and pair this with the tutu above for tons of dress-up fun.
• Felt Dinner for Two - This one will take some time, but it is awesome if you’re hungry for some pretend dinner!
• Hair Clip Holder - Thrifty and pretty, this would look great in any girl’s room.
• Soft (& Cheap!) Floor Pillows - These bath towel pillows are inexpensive and extra soft–perfect to cuddle up with.
• Super Cheap Pom Pom Lamp - I can’t believe what this combo of tule and dollar store items turned into! Dreamy!

For Girlfriends/Sisters/BFFs

• Anthropologie-Inspired Scarf - Want to give the gorgeousness of Anthropologie without the painful pricetag? This simple scarf tutorial is a great place to start.
• Quick & Easy Sketchbook - A simple sketchbook for the artist in your life (guys would like these too!) that won’t break your budget.
• Paper Mache Party Lights - What’s a dorm room without funky lighting? These cool party lights will be a spunky addition to any bedroom.
• Blue Sky Thinker Pillow - Classy and understated, this is perfect for a girlie girl OR a tomboy. Win-win.
• Easy Feathery Headband - This sassy headband (pictured above) is perfect for girls night OR date night. So pretty!

For Mamas & Grandmamas

• Teatowel Apron - Minimal sewing & maximum cute, this teatowel apron is perfect for getting Mom to whip up a batch of those brownies you looove.
• No-Sew Fabric Wreath - A little bit of no-sew decor, this super cute wreath is sure to please the decorator in any girl.
• Silhouette Art - An awesomely inexpensive (and surprisingly sentimental gift) all you need is some paper, scissors or an x-acto, and a frame.
• Spa Set - The holidays are tough on our baking/decorating/entertaining moms and grandmas–and this DIY spa set is a great way to help them chillax.
• Hexagon Glasses Case - Young fresh fabrics make this case mama-chic.
• Mocha Cocoa Mix - Girls love chocolate, so this cocoa mix with a kick of mocha is a sure-fire winner.

1 comment November 29th, 2010

DIY Halloween Costume + Accessory Roundup

Well it wouldn’t be a holiday if I didn’t give you a DIY post, now would it? Here is a collection of cheap (and fun!) costumes you can make yourself.

Random Accessories

• Lederhosen T-Shirt from Stitch, Rip, Repeat
• Where the Wild Things Are Hatfrom Instructables’ jessyratfink
• Fake Beard from Craftzine
• Dreadlock Wig from Craftzine
• Black Widow Hair Ornament from theNewNew
• Zombie Makeup from Instructables (freaky!)

TV/Movie Inspired

• Charlie Brown Ghost (It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!) from Craftster
• The Black Knight (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) from theNewNew
• Optimus Prime (Transformers) from Instructables
• Grumpy Bear (Carebears) from Craftster
• Statler + Waldorf(those grumpy guys on The Muppets) from Craftster

Inanimate Objects

• Toilet Paper Costume from Instructables
• LEGO Costume from Craftster
• Giant Ball of Yarn from Craftster

1 comment October 26th, 2009

Dorm DIY: Hip, Fab Dorm Decor

Everybody getting settled in okay?

If those cinderblock walls are getting you down–never fear! I’ve got some more great DIY ideas to spruce up your dorm room!

• Brighten up your ceiling with one (or many!) DIY Paper Cloud Lanterns.
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• Bed looking schlumpy? Learn how to make a duvet cover out of sheets. (The ever inspired Wendy of Mmake Stuff attends the University of Florida and made a duvet cover, floor pillow, and other dorm room accents for her friend, and they’re gorgeous!)
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• AND learn how to make a DIY tufted headboard (above). So elegant!
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• This amazing cardboard canopy from Anthropologie doesn’t come with directions (and probably has a hefty price tag if you want to buy it) but I bet you could DIY something similar (maybe not quite so large?!) for REALLY cheap, and it looks fantastic!
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• Need some space away from your roomie? Upholster a once-cheap privacy screen into something tres chic!
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• Storage space is always an issue, but these collapsible storage boxes are amazing.
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• Walls need a pick-me-up? Check out this funky patterned deer head from the new Dorm Decor Book that came out in May. I haven’t gotten to see inside yet, but this book looks like an awesome resource–it’s supposed to have 30+ projects for your dorm or apartment.
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• Or try using inexpensive bamboo panels as minimalistic wall-decor, or textiles as art.
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• And another sneak peak at the Dorm Decor book shows you how to make a cute, cozy argyle fleece throw blanket!
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• If your windows are a little too naked, Young House Love has your ticket to a creative way to hang curtains if you can’t put up a curtain rod. (You might remember that post from before–it has a lot of awesome ideas for spicing up a temporary space.) You can use some cheap curtains from Ikea (I’m itching to visit there now that I’ve done this post!) or even find some plain old sheets for a good price–it’s all about creativity!

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Add comment September 23rd, 2009

Cheap, Amazing Dorm Room DIY

Dorm decorating can be a seriously daunting task–at first glance it doesn’t seem there’s much you can do with a white cinderblock wall and some painter’s tape or rubber cement. But once you start thinking outside of the box you might be surprised how amazing–and cheap–a little DIY dorm decor can be.

Wall Paper?

If you’re not into the traditional posters-and-Christmas-lights dorm look, why not paper your walls with something a little more exciting? Cute wrapping paper and a staple gun can paper your walls in no time, inexpensive fabric can be cute and temporary, or why not make a polaroid wallpaper (like the amazing room above, found via Apartment Therapy.)

Do Over

Want the chic look of brand new decor on a serious budget? Grab a thrift-store find or a hand-me-down and some paint and get cracking. We repainted a 1979’s desk from wood-color to black, swapped out the brass hardware for some sleep silver handles, and voila, we had a modern looking desk for only about $20.

Or check out this amazing transformation (spotted via YoungHouseLove). That cute turquoise lamp was once a nasty brass throwback, but a little spray paint and it’s reborn. Without DIYing, it would probably run you $40+, but I recently saw a similar lamp at Goodwill for $7. Add in painting accoutraments, and you could probably get the whole thing done for $14!

This works with pretty much anything, too. My sweetie and I have reupholstered our old couches, sewed up a slip cover for a freebie chair and redone other wood furniture with sandpaper and paint. You can even repaint old photo frames for a new look on the cheap.

Want More?

Check out my previous post on college dorm decor on the cheap, which has links to DIY ideas and tutorials (or peruse the whole dorm category for more ideas on making your dorm your own).

And check out sites like Young House Love, my latest DIY decor obsession, for all kinds of price-range appropriate oraganization, storage, and decor ideas. I love how they transformed this don’t-paint-or-hang-anything apartment sunroom into a chic, gorgeous bedroom with only $200 (and a trip to Ikea!). I am in LOVE!

8 comments August 26th, 2009

DIY Father’s Day Gift Roundup!

Here’s the traditional DIY gift roundup. I wish I could say my Dad was getting one of these cool, crafty, and thoughtful things, but I’m afraid I opted for the DVD route this year. But that doesn’t mean you have to.

Remember, if you want to make this stuff for cheap, don’t forget that thrift stores are a great source for fabric, cookware, etc. DIY can get expensive if you don’t use all your resources!

Also… I know ties are a traditional Father’s Day thing… But do they really want to get ties every year? Poll your dads, the public wants to know.

Let Him Eat Cake

Does your dad like cake? Apparently there are a plethora of dads out there who do, because I came across a myriad of Dad-related cake ideas!

• Lawn Mower Cupcakes. I don’t like coconut, which makes up the “grass,” but maybe your dad does.
• “French-Fry” Cupcakes. Awesome idea! Cupcakes + KitKat bars!
• Tie Cake. Finally, a tie you can eat.
• Collared Shirt + Tie Cake. And a shirt + tie combo. Mmmm.

Customize It

If you must give Dad a shirt or tie, at least make it unique.

• Custom Handmade Tie. Dad has enough paisley–find a funky fabric or something vintage to cut up and recreate into a brand new… tie.
• Custom Screenprinted T-Shirt. Hey. You could screenprint a tie on it! But please don’t.
• Knit a Necktie. I’m not sure whose dad would want this, but I bet you know if your pop is a knitted tie kind of guy.

Digital Age

• Neoprene Laptop Bag. This suggests using an old wetsuit. If you don’t have one yourself, you could try thrifting, ebaying, or even just asking around. But make sure you clean it well, please.
• DIY Digital Picture Frame. Though not exactly cheap, this is still pretty cool, and probably cheaper than buying one.
• Star Wars Wii Case Mod. This is because my dad loves Star Wars so much. Here’s to you, Dad!

Don’t forget to give your dad a nice big hug. Or at least pass him the remote.

photo by What’s Cooking America

Add comment June 19th, 2009