A Dumb Blonde's DIY

You may not like it, but I'm really proud of this.

Sometimes I overestimate my abilities, and making this spooky "diy" was one of those times. Honestly, for anyone else, this would probably be ridiculously easy. I however, spent about three hours on it.

Keeping with the Halloween theme I seem to have this month, I decided to make this spooky craft. I'm no fan of spiders, but I couldn't resist the chance to use those beautiful wooden frames found at Michaels. Not to mention, I had a coupon, and most of the supplies already at home. This is right around where I would tell you how long it takes to make this craft, but I seem to be incompetent with spray paint, and many other things, so my estimate would be inaccurate.

Anyways, the first thing you need is supplies. You will need, some sort of frame, spray paint (or paint), white yarn, and whatever other decorations you want (I used spider stickers). One thing I failed to remember is that a hot glue gun is extremely useful for this project. I managed without one, but you would be better off just buying one (they're pretty cheap anyways). I had most of the supplies at my house, but I couldn't pass up a chance to go to Michaels. If you also plan on going to Michaels, use the link for coupons.

To begin, paint or spray paint your frame. If you spray paint it like I did, here are some tips that I learned while being dumb blonde. This was my first time using spray paint on my own, so try not to judge me. Things I didn't do, but you should: shake the can before use, make sure you know which way to point the nozzle each time you pick it up, spray at an angle, and let it dry before flipping it to the other side. I'm glad my mistakes can not only prevent your own, but also entertain you.

This is how a professional works.

When it's dry, glue a total of four pieces of yarn from the middle of each side, and each corner like you were drawing a snowflake or star. Next, create a spider web pattern (I made a spiral) with another
piece of yarn, gluing it where it needs to be strengthened. As you might remember, I don't own a hot glue gun, so after many failures, I was able to secure the yarn with a mixture of staples and mod podge (I don't recommend it).

Now you are free to decorate it however you want! Comment how making this turned out for you, and vote on the new poll. Tell me whether my next "do it yourself" project (when I decide to make it) should be with food, or another craft.

Mark the Date

Image courtesy of OpenCareer

Get out your pens, pencils, and other writing utensils! Today is the day we laugh in the face of fear! No longer will we worry, and wonder in anticipation of an audition, performance, or test. From now on, we will walk with a confidence, and certainty that will make the teachers ask you for a grade, interviewers will ask you for a job, and parents will ask for your permission to leave the dinner table!

So maybe I was a little bit too enthusiastic, but who can blame me? As teenagers, our lives are riddled with unnecessary anxiety. Not doing well at events like sports games, tests, or auditions may not be the end of the world, but as teenagers, they are still and important part of our lives. Everyone works, learns, and feels in different ways, but this is how I go into a potentially stressful situation.

A small warning, this post isn't about how I prepare beforehand. You can use this advice if you have studied and practiced for hours, or if you walk in completely unprepared.

 First, when I am dreading the event to come, I try to remind myself that just as sure as it is going to begin, it is going to end. At this point, there is nothing more you can do to change what is going to happen. You will get through it, I promise.

Next, in a lot of situations, especially tests, people around you will be in a nervous and talkative frenzy. They will share information all about the hours they spent preparing, and how they still feel unprepared.. Try not to participate in this. I know it can be hard not to get caught up in all the sharing, but most of the time you will begin in an even more nervous state than when you first walked in. Try listening to music, or reading a book instead. I don't suggest studying, sometimes when you have spent a lot of time preparing for a test, the best thing to do is relax, and trust yourself. A last minute cram session isn't going to do very much good.

Last, when you are anxious and on edge, you might rush through what you are doing, and make silly mistakes. You will only make things harder for yourself if you don't have a clear and calm head. Freaking out isn't going to help solve your problems, and people are more willing to help out someone who isn't screaming, moaning, or acting generally insane. When I want to calm myself down I just pretend that it's no big deal, and that everything is okay. You don't have to believe it, but sometimes just acting cool and collected can help. This trick helps me when I forget something important, when I make a big mistake, or even when I'm just generally flustered.

I hope this helped you, make sure to suggest and comment!

I Was Feeling Really Productive

I had to lie on the ground to take this picture, so I hope you appreciate it.

On Friday night, I was overtaken by the urge to create something, and not just an ordinary something, but this life changing candy corn ice cream treat (I may be exaggerating a little with the whole life changing thing). This Halloween inspired energy would not last long, but luckily, neither would this project. I knew my Halloween inspired energy wouldn't last long, so this quick, and easy project was perfect. A "do it yourself" dessert was just what I needed to get my mind off of the stress I was feeling from school.

 Before you can start, you will need supplies. Vanilla ice cream, along with red and yellow food coloring are the only mandatory supplies to make this, but special glasses, whipped cream, candles, straws, or other decorations are optional. One container of of ice cream just barely filled four of my glasses, so take that into consideration when planning to share with others.

First, leave your ice cream out to let it soften. Then take one third of your conainer, and add yellow food coloring to it until you are happy with the color. After that, add it to your glass. If the ice cream smears on the sides of the glass, be sure to wipe it off to make your layers clear. Before you add the next layer, put it in the freezer for about 20 minutes.

Repeat the process two more times using the red and yellow food coloring to create orange, and leaving the the last layer white. When you are done, you can let it thaw to a milkshake consistency, or freeze it back to ice cream. Be careful abut how long you leave it out; the layers will mix as it begins to melt.

I hope you enjoy making and eating this sweet, make sure tell me about your successes and triumphs while making it. If you want to watch the video I go the idea from, and for another candy corn inspired dessert, click here. Be sure to comment, and suggest other things you want me to try, or talk about.

I was trying to take an artsy picture. I will let you decide whether or not I accomplished that.