Benefits of Learning

Wow I can't believe how many tutorials we have done. I hope you enjoyed them as much I have. We have covered topics such as beauty, fashion, home decor, and even cooking! Everything a girl in her twenty-something years should know a bit about by now. It has been a wild ride and it feels great to look back on all the new things I've learned in such a small amount of time.

It is always good to look back on the things you've accomplished and give yourself a pat on the back. Although there may be people out there who are better than you at something it is all about your personal journey. All you should ever hope to be is better than the person you were yesterday.

Some researchers say that keeping a busy lifestyle and taking time to do things for yourself can aid in avoiding depression and poor sense of self-image/worth. This is why it is so important to take the time to reflect and realize the power of positive thinking! A study done by Mayo Clinic states that positive thinking can lead to health benefits such as:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

So Remember to always take a second to smell the coffee before you get onto your daily grind. It's great to reflect and give yourself reasons to have a positive outlook on your day!

Tutorial 10: Turn Your Scarf Into a Vest

Let's tie the knot!

Hi. My name is Alana, and I have an addiction. I am in love with my scarf collection. I have over 50 different scarves I've collected over the years and I can never have enough! I'm sure if you have a pinterest you have seen a million and one ways to tie a scarf but this one is simple, easy, and practical. Get a double use out of your scarves! Here, I will show you how to get more than one use of your favourite accessories. These chic racerback vests will be sure to keep the spring in your step through the coming summer months! Enter my world of style and fashion and Learn Something New!

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Duration: 30 seconds (told you it was easy!)

Materials:

• 1 scarf or beach cover of your choice

Step 1. Fold your scarf in half

Step 2. Tie the 2 ends in your hands together in a small knot

Step 3. Separate the pieces of fabric and now you have 2 armholes

 Final Result

Lessons Learned/Tips:

• Looks super cute with a cinch belt

Tutorial 9: DIY Fishtail Braid/Plait

Braid it 'til you made it!

Fun Fact: Did you know that women have been styling their hair in braids since as far back 3500 BC? There are quite literally hundreds of different styles and looks that range from your simple 3 strand plait to Chinese staircase braid and all sorts of lovely complicated styles. Braids are fantastic for those days when you're in a hurry to get out the door and they can also be worn for casual or professional settings. Here I will show you how to make a fishtail braid suitable for the workplace :)

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Duration: 10 mins

Step 1. You can either start with putting your hair in a side pony tail or leaving it down. 

Separate your hair into 2 sections.

Step 2. Grab a section of hair from the back/bottom layer and pull it over the outside of the section and pull it into the divide and grab it with the other hand so it is now part of the other section. 

Step 3. Grab a piece of hair from the back of your second section, and pull it over the outside of the section and grab it so it is now in your other hand.

Step 4. Repeat. So remember you are grabbing a section of hair from the back pulling it around the outside of that "half-section" and grab it with the other hand so it joins the other half section. 

In simpler terms this action could be said as:

Pull the piece around to the front then grab with the other hand. 

Step 5. When you get to the end finish with a hair tie. 

Step 6. Pull the sides to loosen the braid. Works well for more casual styles when you don't start by tying your hair up in the first step

Final Result!

Lessons Learned/Tips:

• Tie it up before you begin for a neat braid (more professional)
• The first few times you do steps 1-4 may feel messy but as you continue the stands of hair you should be grabbing will be the highest strands stick out of the back of your braid then it will get  less messy underneath

Tutorial 8: DIY Summer Tank Top

It may be spring but I'm dreaming of summer!

Working with fabric and sewing something is so much fun but sometimes can get aggravating if you are still getting the hand of it. Reviving an old favourite t-shirt or tank top can be a breeze. There are plenty on "no sew" techniques to making a perfect top for the nice weather. It's been too long and cold a winter here in Ontario for my liking. It just turned to spring and I'm anxiously waiting the heat and thinking about ways to beat it. I really enjoyed doing my Loop Swoop & Pull T-Shirt DIY and decided I would try my luck at it one more time. You can find the tutorial I used here!

Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Duration: 30 mins

Materials

• scissors
• oversized tank top
• ruler
• chalk

Here are my results!

Step 1. Decide how high you want your shirt to be cut. I'd suggest trying it on and making a mark with chalk or soap to keep your fabric strips aligned

Step 2. Cut off the hem at the bottom of the shirt

Step 3. Measure pieces 1/2" or 1" away from one another so you have an even number to pieces

 

Step 4. Knot neighbouring strands of fabric 

Final Result!

Lessons Learned/Tips:

• Use a tank top that at least comes 6 inches below your belly button
• Great for wearing with crop tops!
• Stiffer fabric would show knot details better and keep its shape

Tutorial 7: DIY Photo To Wood Transfer

Rustic Wall Art!

Art is what makes your life interesting and is where you can express yourself. Wood has the ability to hold onto paint and ink in a great way! Many artists like to use use as a good alternative to canvas when they are feeling creative. This room decor wall hanging will spruce up any bedroom. It also makes for a warm inviting atmosphere. Wood art is a great addition to your space! In this tutorial I will show you how to transfer ink to a piece of wood. This is easy, and fun as long as you are willing to spend a few seconds with your ink printer. 

Materials:

• Wax paper
• Scissors
• computer
• Ink printer
• piece if wood
• credit/debit/I.D/gift card

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Duration: 20 mins

It is vital that you make sure your printer is a ink printer, using a laser printer will not transfer the image onto your piece of wood.

Step 1. Choose your image (I only had black in so decided to choose a simple black image)

Step 2. Flip the photo horizontally or reverse the image

Step 3. Cut a piece of wax paper down to the size of a regular 8.5" x 11" piece of paper

Step 4. Place the paper into your printers drawer. Go to your computer and print the image.

Make sure you are carefully paying attention to the wax paper feeding into your printer as it may jam if not feed slowly into the machine (as it happened to me)

Step 5. Place wax paper face-down on wood and tape to the sides of your wood so it doesn't move

Step 6. Firmly smooth the image out using the edge of your credit card. Don't e afraid to press hard. It takes a lot of elbow grease to transfer the ink into the wood. Just be careful not to rip your wax paper!

Step 7. Remove Wax paper once you notice the ink on the wax paper stops lightening up

Final Result

 Lessons Learned/Tips:

• Works better when you have newer ink
• Best way to use this is to create an outline for a painting (My results were very light so I am going to use it as a stencil and paint where the black is)
• make sure your piece of wood is as soon as possible to get the stencil on as neatly as possible

I hope you enjoyed this easy tutorial and it adds that extra "cottage" feel to your your place. If you are  a fan of a warm "cottage" feel with natural elements then you may like my River Rock Mug Coasters tutorial! 

Tutorial 6: DIY Marble Designed Nails

Attention Nail Polish Addicts!

Am I the only one that notices how many nail videos are circling around these days. It's amazing to see all the nail art designs floating around out there! It only I knew how to do these when I was kid I'd be ecstatic! People are going things I nerved would have thought about. Recently I've notice the water cup nail polish techniques and I cannot fathom how someone discovered that. I decided learning a new beauty trend couldn't hurt seeing as I love to do my nails but can't stand paying for manicured fake nails. Painting nails can be an awesome pass-time and are a super cute way to match your outfit!

Naturally I had to give this a quick try. *Read Lessons Learned/Tips first if this is your time doing this technique just like it was mine

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Duration: 40 minutes

Materials:

• White nail polish as base coat
• 2 different colours of nail polish
• Clear coat nail polish
• Small bowl of water
• Q tips or toothpicks 
• Elmer's school glue
• Nail polish remover

Step 1. Paint the base coat of your with white nail polish and dry completely

Step 2. Brush the Elmer's glue onto your finger around your nail (not onto your white nails)

Step 3. Fill your bowl with water

Step 4. Drip your nail polish into the water alternating colours each time

Step 5. Dip your nail straight down into the bowl so you finger create a 90 degree angle with the water surface

Step 6. Leave your finger in the water and use a Q-tip to collect the remaining nail polish in the bill or use it to separate you nail from the rest of the mixture carefully

Step 7. Peel off the Elmer's glue around you nail to get rid of nail polish around fingers or if you didn't do that take off as much as you can with nail polish remover.

Step 8. Repeat

Step 9. Apply clear top coat

Enjoy Your new cute nails!

Lessons Learned/Tips: 

• It is worth it to go out to the dollar store and get some white glue.  I had to use nail polish remover and wash my hands raw until the nail polish came out
• Don't just the nail in flat/perpendicular to water surface otherwise a giant clump of nail polish will form on your nail and you will have to re-do it
• It's best to clear your water of left over nail polish from the previous nail. even though you may have a cool design it doesn't come out as neat unless you get all the excess out 
• Twist the Q-tip or toothpick when collecting leftover nail polish this makes it easier and faster

Tutorial 5: DIY Rock Coaster

There's no place like home, There's no place like home.

Home is all about the little touches that make it your own. As I've gotten older I have come to realize that getting cute things for my own space is actually a lot of fun. Ladies, have you ever seen something and thought "I need to have it". That's what happened when I saw something like these cute coasters. I decided I wanted to make my own to add to my home decor. Make your living room table a place to show your creative side.

Spring may have just started but i'm already thinking about the summer! This is mainly because I love the hot weather (especially after these harsh Canadian winters eh). Exploring beaches, having bonfires, skipping rocks; the summer is filled with so much fun simply by taking a moment in the beautiful nature around us. Bring those summer memories of the beach or favourite place with you home and make a lasting memory.

Learn how to make a rock coaster for your favourite cup of java or tea in the morning.

Here's what you need!

Materials:

• Rocks or pebbles (you can go out and find them or buy them from a craft store)
• Hot glue gun and gluesticks
• Scissors
• Rubber placemat 

Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5

Duration: half hour per coaster

Step 1. Cut your rubber place mat into 4"x4" squares

Step 2. Arrange pebbles/rocks is a way that covers the majority of your mat.

(This is the only reason this project takes so long! It's like playing Tetris)

Step 3. Grab your glue gun and glue the bottoms of your rocks to the placemat

Step 4. Enjoy a cup of tea :)

Lessons Learned/Tips:

• Make sure you don't glue your placemat to any surfaces because these coasters are fragile and you will have to start all over
• I would suggest using smaller stones than the ones I used because the stones would be closer together and could be more even for your glasses
• handle with care and they will last forever

I hope you enjoyed making something personal for your kitchen or living room space! if you want to see any other home decor or organizational tutorials Leave a comment.

 Cheers!

Tutorial 4: DIY Washer Bracelet

Would you say your sense of fashion style is all it's own?

Do you enjoy having unique accessories that grab attention?

This tutorial will show you how to make a one of a kind bracelet using odds and ends hidden in your basement, garage, or available at your local hardware store. It is great DIY to do while you're waiting to go out or if you're having a bad come of mid afternoon boredom. It is easy, simple, and takes practically no time at all!

I love being crafty and learning cool new ways to spice up my outfit. This bracelet is perfect for a casual outing while adding a bit of edge to your ensemble. Using a coloured ribbon will make for a softer touch. 

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Duration: 20 mins

Materials:

• 1/4 flat washers 
• 90 cm of ribbon

Instructions:

1. Slip ribbon through centre of flat washer.  

2. Slip working end of ribbon over and under the middle of your next

 washer.

3. Pull the working end of you ribbon through the top to the underside of your first washer.

4. Thread the ribbon through your second washer from the bottom so the working end of your ribbon is over the right side of your second washer.

5. Repeat this "over and under" sequence as many times as desired.

Final Result

Lessons Learned/Tips:

• You CAN go "under and over" instead of "over and under" and still create your link. However you washer will flip to show the back if you do UNDER first!
• You don't need 2 ribbons I just thought it would add a little extra colour. It would have looked phenomenal to have 2 ribbons with one slightly thicker than the other to have both colours showing in the links between washers. 
• Give yourself more "working ribbon" than you think you will need, loosening and tightening your ribbon through a set of washers takes up more time (I'm speaking from experience!)

There you have it! A fun and creative way to put a little bit more of your own personality into your outfits! In my experience every piece of jewelery I've ever made always gets noticed and it feels great knowing I made something no one has an exact replica of!

This bracelet is is funky, with a certain edge that would work well with an outfit that incorporates my T-shirt Tutorial.