White color splash

White is the best basic color in interior design if you ask me. It is pure, bright and creates a sense of cleanliness and sincerity. It makes all the other things speak out. I love white rooms with a splash of color accents because the colors really stand out, white visually creates space in a room and you can change the color accents easily whatever the season (or your mood) is.

Here is some inspiration.

DIY tip: punch a bunch

A very easy way to make a sweet artwork is by using die-cut punches. You can buy them almost everywhere. I stumbled on two punches yesterday in a drugstore.

What do you need?

A die-cut punch (any shape you like)

A couple of magazines

Photo glue

Paper (white or colored)

Cut some shapes with your punch from a magazine page. I like to use magazines because of the variety in colors and therefore the different front and back of your punched shape.

Now pick to pieces and double fold each. Glue two folded shapes next to eachother so that it forms a new shape.

When you keep on making little 3D shapes like this, you will create a colorful and pretty collection! Very easy isn't it? It's also a sweet thing to use on a homemade birthday card for example.

 

DIY washi tape keyboard

Tatadadataaaa... Here it is! The result of my washi tape project. I gave my Macbook a little makeover!

I spotted this idea in a Dutch magazine called Flair, where a photo was showed of a with washi tape covered laptop keyboard. A Google search brought me on Kira's blog (she also wrote about the Etsy shop  where I ordered the washi tapes I used) and I just had to try it myself!

I used 5 of the 8 different tapes I bought because they matched well together. As you may have noticed, I'm a fan of soft pastel colors. It's not simple to choose a set of well-matching colors from all the available tapes and especially not when you have to judge them from a laptop display. I chose three tapes based on a 'ahh those are sweet'-feeling and forgot they had to match with the rest ;). So keep that in mind if you want to do it yourself.

It is a very easy DIY, all you need is a little patience. The first thing I did was cleaning my Macbook (which was the first time in two years I believe..). Just water and soap will do. Then I started cutting the tape in the right sizes. Washi tape is very easy to remove and restick if you made a mistake. I cutted the edges of to prevent the corners from curling. A couple of hours later and your Macbook has a new look!

I have to admit, the keyboard is not very comfortable for typing anymore because of the rough texture of the tape. And, although washi tape is transparant, the letters and numbers are not always very readable... But say for yourself, the result is pretty cool isn't it?

Cross stitch inspiration

Last night I sat on the couch and I thought it would be nice to do some crafting. But for most crafts you want to sit behind a desk or you have to use a lot of materials and need some space. Then I thought of stitching. It sounds a little bit old-fashioned, but a search on Pinterest results in very modern and so beautiful stitch work. My favorite works are cross-stitched.

Look how amazing that Vogue cover is! It's made by Inge Jacobsen. When you take a closer look you will see it is cross-stitched on the original cover.

I think I am going to buy some stitch materials because my hands are itching to start (is that a correct English saying? I don't think so.. But in Dutch it is ;) ). Here some more inspirational pics.

DIY stamps!

Lately I love making my own stamps. It is so easy, you don't need a lot of materials en the effect is so much nicer than a regular drawing. It's a surprise every time you try a just carved stamp for the first time.

What do you need?

A simple eraser (I buy them at Action or Wibra, 2 for 99 euro cents!)

Little knifes or 'gutsen' (don't know the English word, see picture)

Ink

I usually draw my illustration on a piece of paper first. When I am happy with the design, I turn around the paper and lay it on the eraser. I scratch on the back of the paper with a pencil. The illustration will apear on the eraser. Just carve everything that you want to keep white and done! Your DIY stamp is ready.

I made my blog header with stamps too.

This is one of my favorites at the moment (sorry for the bad picture quality):