Inspiration: 2 Creative Blogs You SHOULD Be Following

I know, I've been doing a lot of Writer Talk, Reader Talk, and Interviews lately as opposed to the creative design/DIY/inspiration posts I used to do all of the time. It's not that I've given up on that side of things, I've just found that the writer and reader side of posts to be more relevant in my life right now.

Holli and I are writing books that we hope to will finish in July. (Largely in part to Camp NaNoWriMo we plan to participate in.) This means my brain has been a little more inclined to think about things like writing resources, Dos & Donts, POVs, humorous writer musings, and, of course, book things.

So, to show you that I still very much love everything design + inspiration, I wanted to share with you two of my favorite creative blogs that you SHOULD already be following.

1. A Beautiful Mess

Honestly, ABM is one of the sites I visit during my daily online routine. I can't put my finger on the exact way I came to know about this lovely blog, but I've been glued to it for more than a year.

ABM is lifestyle blog run by sisters Elsie and Emma. Their topics include Crafts, Photography, Recipes, Decor, Fashion, and Beauty. While I appreciate all of those creatively fueled categories, their crafty DIYs and Decor (specifically the At Home With series) posts are my bread and butter.

I love this site because, despite their obvious popularity, both sisters and the people that work with them seem to be humble and absolutely love what they do. If you ever need an inspirational boost or some creative juice, I suggest you roll on over to their site and spend some time enjoying everything they have to offer!

Their Home page's mini About: A beautiful mess is all about creative a beautiful life. We share daily inspirations, DIY projects and recipes. We believe that the best things in life are homemade.

Amen, sisters!

2. Design Love Fest

Oh, how I love me some Design Love Fest. Different in vibe from ABM, Design Love Fest still has all the goodness of a creative and inspirational design blog. 

Bri Emery, founder and editor of DLF, has a knack for style, a flair for life, and is just adorable in general. In the past year the evolution of Blogshop has made DLF even more fun to follow as well as the my favorite reoccurring topics of Make It, Design, Interiors, and Advice.

The graphic designer part of me (as well as the freelancer side of me) is what loves Design Love Fest the most. If you work from home, are a designer, or just love pretty things in general I suggest you put Design Love Fest in your bookmarks!

DLF's tagline: Where type & images totally make out.

*Drool*

Do you have any blogs that you just love?

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: Old Box into Writing Utensil Holder

Hello, my name is Tyler and I'm a pack rat.

I don't throw away many things. I can, at times, be the Queen of Clutter--a pack rat to a tee. It's a problem, I know. However, this post isn't about me overcoming my keep-everything-because-you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it tendencies. Instead it's about using my problem to help me with my problem.

WHAT?!

I love pens and pencils. Out of everything in my life these are the two items I very rarely will ever throw away. Even if they are broken or out of ink. Maybe it's because I love to write? I don't know, but  I was tired of the three plus cups that housed these writing utensils on the top of my desk.

So I decided to up cycle some cardboard from a box I used (that I didn't throw away...surprise, surprise) for moving to make a writing utensil holder!

At first I was just going to make a cube (minus the top) and be done with it. My mind changed immediately when I saw Herman Marie's Strange Plant. It is weird and charming and not perfect and I absolutely love it. Since I was working with cardboard and knew it wouldn't be a refine finished piece, I decided I wanted to make two panels into my own version of Marie's Strange Plant!

What you need
Cardboard
Scissors/box cutter/ Xacto knife
Hot glue gun/glue stick
Your own template
Pencil
Ruler

What I did

1. I wanted to make the two decorative panels first so I took one of my cups and measured how tall and wide it was. I decided that each of the panels should be 4 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. That would be my square that I wanted to look like a pot for my plant. Then I drew out the pot and went ahead and drew what the "plant" part would look like. I love cacti but I wanted it to look sturdier (and BE sturdier since it was cardboard) so I made it blocky instead of rounded. When I was done I had my template.

2. I took my template and placed it on top of the cardboard. Using a pencil I traced out two panels.

3. I used scissors to cut each panel and then placed them next to each other to see how they measured up.

4. The bottom square came next. It was the same size as the planter's pot.

5. I went ahead and painted my design on to the face of each decorative panel and let it off to the side to dry. I did a few coats on the pot part. Now, it isn't going to look as smooth as painting on canvas, but I got it to where I was happy.

6. Using the hot glue gun I went ahead and glued both decorative panels onto each side of the base. That way you can't see the cardboard ridges from the front or back.

7. I measured and cut two more cardboard pieces that I could slide in to act as the sides. Before putting those in I put hot glue on the sides and bottom so they would stay.

8. Since I made this holder a bit bigger, I took small cardboard pieces and glue them to the inside on the bottom to make separators.



Then, if you like what you see, then you're done! I know it isn't the most beautiful desk decor but you can personalize it, make it any size, and it's basically free to do if you already have the supplies. I totally dig mine because it holds all of my writing utensils plus my clay roller (that big purple thing)! Plus, I can't help but smile when I look at it! No matter which way I have it facing!



I hope you enjoyed this pack rat's way to handle your desk clutter by using some old box!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: I Spy Book

You know me. I love Pinterest. WHY DO I LOVE PINTEREST?! Because, I find awesome posts like this one!

I love DIY projects, especially creative ones. I also love I Spy books. So, when I found this post about making your own for your kids, I just couldn't help myself! I had to make one too.

Eventually, I'm going to make a little book of my own I Spy pages but for right now I wanted to show at least one. I also think it's a fun, inexpensive way to have fun with the kiddies! Plus, I had fun putting it together.

Below is my desktop craft explosion page! See if you can find the objects in the top part of the picture!

Enjoy!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Advice: Creatively De-stress

I tend to over stress when I really just need to relax. I can't always help it. I'm always trying to find new ways to conquer stress--a way to relax while also staying creative.

I'm happy to say I've found that in clay.




Honestly, I used to hate any activity that was clay-related. I'm not the most patient person in the world but one day I bought me some SuperSculpey and jumped right in. Now when I want to unwind but still work with my hands, I bust out the clay.

This newfound technique has become an under-the-table passion. Not only does it help me de-stress but it also helps me focus and work on being more patient.




So, what's the point of this post?

Easy! Find an a creative activity that helps you de-stress and go for gold! Make it a separate affair from your work and hobbies. Get something that puts NO PRESSURE on you. It doesn't have to be a beautiful outcome--it's the journey that matters.

You never know! One day it may become more than a way for you to de-stress! (I may be working on a little clay project for Almost There! But only as long as it helps me de-stress!)

My fish A, snail B, and tiger C makes me oh-so happy!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: Party Poppers

I made some party poppers and I'm super pumped about it! Fun for Saint Patty's Day! What, what! The inspiration came from this post by Studio DIY. Their Lucky Poppers are definitely fun! (I really need to calm down with the exclamation points.!!!!!!!!!!!!)

What you need

Paper towel tube or toilet tissue tube

Scotch Tape

Tissue paper

Something to tie the ends

Scissors

Glue

Confetti (bought or homemade)

What to do

1. Cut your paper towel tube or toilet tissue tube in half.

(I used a paper towel tube and cut it in half. Then I cut one of the halves into two more.)

2. Tape the middle up.

3. Use your tissue paper and glue (I used Tacky glue) to cover the tube. Remember to leave enough room on each side of the tube so you can twist it close.

4. Twist one side closed. I used some green string! 

5. Pour your confetti (I used cut up tissue paper) into the open side. 

6. Then tie closed that side!

7. Decorate your paper if you are feeling snazzy. I used my silver Sharpie to do the trick!

8. Pull apart for some party popping fun!

I hope you enjoy this DIY! It's an inexpensive way to add some fun to any occasion!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: Tissue Bow Ties

I'm not going to lie to you, folks. I was originally going for something like this for today's DIY. Saint Patty's is so close that I wanted a DIY or two that could jive with parties you may be going to or throwing. A green and black bow tie necklace seemed like a fun thing to try. WELL, I didn't make them as pretty as Oh Happy Day but I did do the whole trial-and-error thing and now know how to make little tissue bow ties. 

Why would I ever need to know how to do that? Because, come on, having more crafty things in my crafty arsenal is always a plus!

What you need

Tissue Paper

String

Tacky Glue

Scissors

What to do

First, cut off a square of tissue paper. Then fold the paper fan-style, accordian-style, whichever way it's called. Pinch the middle and use a little scrap of tissue to wrap around it. Before your wrap put a dab of glue on each side to hold the paper in place.

If you want to make a necklace or garland then put some glue on the back of your bow tie and let it sit against your string. 

DONE!

What did I do wrong? Why isn't it so pretty and all of that jazz? I made my folds too thick and the middle strip just as thick so it looked odd. Then, realizing what I had done, I made the folds and strips that tied the middle together smaller. I quite like the way they look now. Trial-and-error, peeps! 

You can see the difference between the thicker ones and the thinner ones. I'm going to make new necklaces this week that will be prettier. In the end I'm happy I did this DIY because now I can make cute little bow ties! Who doesn't geek out about that?

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: Box Letter (Winter Pinterest Challenge)

I'm all about odd decorations. If you read my first post of Home Details: Office then you already know of a few I've recently made and put up. I really want to put more pieces on this wall so when I came across Young House Love's recent post (Winter Pinterest Challenge), I knew exactly which Pinterest pin I wanted to make.

Spearmint Baby has a DIY for Fabric Wrapped Letter for Nursery (see here for the pin) and as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make my own version of it. Now, I'm not pregnant and I don't have any kids but, again, I like bold decorative pieces. So, I grabbed a box (I literally just unpacked it) and got to work.

First, I cut off two of the box flaps into the shape of a T (for my name, of course). I used regular scissors and it was a four on the pain-in-the-butt meter, but nothing like crying-in-frustration mode I get in when using an Xacto knife.

Next I used the pieces of the box flaps that were leftover and measured out how big they should be to connect the two Ts that I had already cut out. I used a hot glue gun to put these pieces together. 

I highly suggest you watch a TV show while you do this--something that you can focus on but still manage to work without burning your fingers with the lava glue. Netflix was my friend during this DIY.

After I put the T all together I went ahead and grabbed an old shirt to use as the fabric covering. I've always been a fan of the shirt's color and thought it would look really nice on the wall with the other pieces. 

I took the fabric and hot glued the ends on the back. I like the look of bundled cloth so I didn't make the fabric stretch against the cardboard. When I was satisfied with how it turned out, I glued a square piece of cardboard on the back of the T and then two Command Strips (specifically these) on that. Then I stuck that baby to the wall!

I have to say, I'm happy with the outcome! What is also cool about this DIY is that you can alter the design to your liking and use it for parties, decorations, or cute little handmade gifts!

If you haven't check out Young House Love or Spearmint Baby, then I suggest you do. Also, go ahead and participate in YHL's Winter Pinterest Challenge!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

DIY: Heart Decor & Mini Backdrop

I love to recycle things. These hearts behind me? The rest of that P.F. Changs bag from this post. I also am a strong believer that you don't need to spend a lot of money to be creative and happy. Plus, handmade things are some of the coolest gifts you could ever give or receive.  These are a few of the reasons why I created Almost There and why Holli and I continue to run it!

This DIY is simple, cute, and a fun way to recycle some paper bags you may already have around the house. It can be used as a craft project for kids, a decor surprise for a loved one (since Valentine's Day is so close! or just because), and an interesting backdrop for some pictures.

All you need:

• Paper bag/paper anything!
• Scissors
• Something to add some sparkle! (I used gold sparkle fingernail polish)
• Washi tape

Cut out your hearts using either the fold-in-half-then-cut method or the hold-your-breath-and-pray-it-doesn't-look-weird-because-you're-just-eyeing-method. I used both and, if you look closely, at the finished product you can definitely tell I used the second one!

Next take your extra "OOMPH" tool (mine was fingernail polish) and do whatever makes you happy!

Then roll up a little bit of washi and place it on the backs of all of your hearts. The washi won't hurt your walls!

Now you're done! 

It's a fun little decoration to celebrate loving someone and it also makes for a cute backdrop!

Remember, to show some love to your special someone(s) whether they are your little kiddies, a best friend, or a spouse all it takes is a little creativity and some love!

I hope you enjoyed this little DIY!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)