Category Archives: DIY

DIY Baseball Bed Canopy

August 11, 2017

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Hello!  Welcome to The Craine’s Nest!

I’m finally getting back in the saddle and feeling more myself, after our big  move to Temecula.  We’ve been here about 6 months now, settled in a bit, made a few friends, and I’ve regained some of my energy, happy to say!

What I’ve learned:  it’s hard moving with a 2 1/2 year old!  Hopefully, we’ll stay put for a little while… at least long enough to figure out if Temecula is the place for us.

The people in our family who have decided that Temecula is their beloved home and THE best place they’ve ever lived, are Gabe and Zoe.  They love it here.  In fact, Zoe asks me regularly, if we “can please stay in ‘Mecula forever?”!  Gabe’s made lots of friends and has freedom here that he didn’t have in San Diego (our La mesa neighborhood was a little iffey).  His friends come over a lot, so I thought it was time to get his room together and make it something he could be proud of.  We worked hard and Gabe loves it.

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DIY Seagull Bottle Stoppers

June 1, 2017

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Welcome to the Craine’s Nest!

Lately, I’ve been dreaming about Summer.  Mostly the cooler, younger summers of my teen years spent on the Central Coast of California. I filled many an afternoon hanging out with friends, getting beautifully bronzed via baby oil (it was the 80’s, what can I say?!!!), and swimming in the salty ocean water.  Not a care in the world… it was REALLY fun and sort of heavenly.  Free as a bird and completely oblivious- you really don’t realize that kind of freedom ’til it’s gone, do you?!!!  Soft warm sand, gentle ocean waves, seagulls flying free… I have sweet and happy memories of those sun-kissed days!

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Modern Spring Gift Wrapping with Flowers, Plants, Succulents, and Seagulls

April 19, 2017

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Hi there and welcome to The Craine’s Nest!

Today, I’ll be showing you a modern take on gift wrapping that’s perfect for your Spring Occasion.  Whether your heading to a wedding, baby shower, or birthday party, you’ll be able to find something in this variety of wrapping options, that works for you. From bohemian to romantic to beachy, these gift wraps are beautiful and unique.

My usual practice is to grab something right before a party, throw it in a bag with some tissue paper, and call it a day… but, I do love wrapping presents (especially if I’m not rushed!), and I had fun creating these packages.  Painting the wrap and making the boxes would be a great afternoon project to do with the kids, and if you’re an organized-planner-type, you can do it ahead of time.  It’s always nice to have things on hand when you need them.  Done in advance or on the spot, you’ll find that even the most practical person, really appreciates a beautifully wrapped gift!

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Giving a thoughtfully wrapped present creates a bit of ceremony.  The person receiving the gift knows you took the time to make it special, and in turn, takes just a little more time to appreciate it.  It’s a “stop and smell the roses” opportunity.  Also, having a beautiful package available for a gift to inhabit, might just inspire and motivate you to buy that present ahead of time, instead of rushing to get it at the very last minute!

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DIY Nest Egg Planters

March 12, 2017

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Welcome to the Craine’s Nest!

Spring is here!  It’s fresh, it’s clean, and even in Sunny San Diego, where it’s beautiful all year round, Spring feels different.  There’s no sign yet, of Summer’s hazy gray smog or 95 degree days.  Spring is blue skies and a relaxing breeze.  It’s comfort and renewal.

So, to celebrate flowers, green grass, and a breath of fresh air, here are some unique and adorable DIY Nest Egg Planters…  and just in time for Easter!

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Watermelon with 24K Gold

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DIY Goat Planter

January 3, 2017

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Hi there and Happy New Year!

It’s 2016 and I’m excited to start a new year! January means it’s time to put away the Holiday goods and refresh!  Everyone is organizing, cleaning out, and throwing away…  and there’s nothing quite like getting rid of ALL that junk, to clear your mind, and pave the way for new ideas.  If you’re lucky, while scouring and purging, you may run across a few old things that seem new and interesting again.  Finally, you have the perfect idea for that tacky goat’s head coat hanger you bought ages ago!  I KNEW I could do something with this thing… and I’ve had lots of ideas for it along the way.  First, I was simply going to paint it, and hang it on the wall.   But that was too boring.  Then I was going to decoupage strips of a white and gold Moroccan paper that I found at World Market, and hang it on a balsa wood backdrop.  I think that would’ve been really pretty, but I never got around to it.  Finally, after leaning it up against a terracotta planter, to move it out of the way while cleaning,  I realized that was it!  Serendipity! 

So, here is my DIY Goat Planter.  It was seriously easy to put together, and ended up being the perfect accessory for the empty space in my bookshelf.  A little gold (or whatever color you choose), a little greenery, and voila!  You’ve got an adorable Mid- Century-esque accent to brighten your home… and in this month of the goat, what could be a more perfect birthday gift for a Capricorn?  Problem solved.  You’re welcome.

This DIY is so simple, that once you have everything you need, it can be done in about an hour.  Let’s get going!

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DIY Mini Planter Box 3 Ways

November 15, 2016

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Hello and Happy Autumn!

Here are some sweet little planter boxes that I found in the Dollar Bin at Target, for $3.00 each.  I don’t think it’s actually called the “Dollar Bin” anymore, since some of the items are $1, some are $3 and some are 5… but who’s complaining when they offer such awesome trinkets, at these prices!

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3 boxes.  3 levels of DIY.  3 adorable creations!

These boxes can be used for anything from plants and flowers to office supplies to gift baskets. Fill them with Autumn gifts if you’re going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving dinner or plant them with mini Amaryllis for a Pre- Christmas offering.  Stuff them full of beautiful baubles for Christmas or give them as a New Year’s present filled with candles and mini bottles of wine or champagne!

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DIY Spooky Skeleton Serving Spoons

October 9, 2016

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Welcome back to my last Spooky Skeleton Post!  This will round out the series.  I’ve had fun making these creations, and I hope you’ve been inspired by them!  In this post, I will be making 2 sets of Skeleton Serving Spoons.

This project is a snap, so let’s get these little guys ready for your Halloween soiree!

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DIY Ice Bath Skeleton Party Bucket

October 7, 2016

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Hi there and welcome back!  Happy Halloween!

Today, I’ll show you how to make this Ice Bath Skeleton Party Bucket.  This is the third in my Halloween DIY Skeleton Series, and the second of my Skeleton Party Buckets.  It’s SUPER simple to create, and a great edition to the first Ship of Fools Skeleton Party Bucket.  If you’re having a Halloween gathering, these little guys will make your house Party-Ready!

All you need for this VERY easy Halloween DIY is:

  • One of these Skeletons from Michael’s (on the left) or Target (on the right).
  • This Lucite Party Bowl from Target.
  • This Metallic Copper Spray Paint from Michael’s.
  • Crystal Clear Spray Acrylic.  This is a lacquer that won’t change the color of your spray paint.  Available at Michael’s.  *Note*  Some colors of spray paint are changed more significantly than others, when using lacquer.  For example, the Rose Gold Metallic Spray that I used in the First Ship of Fools Party Bucket, changes dramatically with any lacquer.  The Metallic Copper I used for this project, did not change at all.  This Crystal Clear is definitely the best spray I have found for spraying over spray paint.
  • E6000 Adhesive.  Michael’s.

That’s everything!  Simple!  Hopefully you have some of these things left over from the last project… let’s get rollin’!

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DIY: Ship of Fools Skeleton Party Bucket

October 5, 2016

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Hi there and welcome back for the second creation in my Halloween DIY Skeleton Series!  This DIY is fun, simple, and quick, so for those of you who like instant gratification, this is your project!

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The Ship of Fools Skeleton Party Bucket can be used for ice and drinks, candy, or treat bags… just a few ideas on the menu!  It holds about 3/4 of a bag of ice and 3 or 4 beers (if you really squish ’em in).  Of course it can be used for soda, water, or treats!

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