Table of contents for Winter 2014 in Do It Yourself

Flea Market Fun Vintage style is only as far away as the nearest thrift store. Revamp castof s into one-of-akind home accents. BHG.com/FleaMakeover Mantel Upgrades Check out these smart do-it-yourself tips and ideas for sprucing up your mantel just in time for fireplace season. BHG.com/DIYMantels Christmas Crafting Get in the holiday spirit this season by fashioning affordable, handmade accents to refresh your decor. BHG.com/DIYHoliday Gifts Aplenty Expand your joy when you give gifts you make yourself. Get an early start, and check out our 24 favorite gift ideas. BHG.com/DIYGifting…

If you’re building or remodeling a bathroom, plan built-in cubbies and cabinets between wall studs. Maximize vertical storage by letting shelving, towel bars, and other units climb the walls. Put pretty bath items like soaps and towels on display; tuck the rest away or in stylish containers. Though typically small, bathrooms can pack an impressive storage punch. Utilize a petite, freestanding unit, opposite, and stock it with basic wares. We painted the back of the cabinet blue so white textiles and pretty glass containers would shine. 1. A rainbow of color Hand-painted with durable glass paint, these Mason jars make colorful countertop clutter busters. Available in a variety of colors and combinations. $25 this set; gammassoapandstuff.etsy.com 2. Bathing beauty The Hannah Hair Accessories Organizer Shelf saves space and keeps…

1 Loctite GO2 Glue loctiteproducts.com $5 WHAT IT DOES Perfect for DIY projects and repairs, the adhesive sets with no clamping needed. WHY WE LIKE IT The all-purpose formula dries clear and has a flexible bond. 2 Elmer’s ProBond Advanced elmers.com $5−$11 WHAT IT DOES Adhere porous to nonporous surfaces with this weatherproof glue. WHY WE LIKE IT The foam-free formula is extra strong and has a translucent, paintable finish. 3 Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Nexabond Instant Wood Adhesive rockler.com $8−$17 WHAT IT DOES Get a bond that is stronger than wood by applying glue to just one side of the pieces you’re adhering. WHY WE LIKE IT The formula skips solvents, which means no worrying about wood swelling. And the short (1−3 minutes) and medium (3−5 minutes) bonding times…

Angular Danglers Patterned-paper straws are festive, fun, and inexpensive to buy in bulk. Turn them into custom creations to trim your tree or a pretty branch or to give as gifts. Play with shapes and scale to make the most of this geometric project. (See instructions, page 40.) HOW TO MAKE DRINKING-STRAW ORNAMENTS WHAT YOU’LL NEED (A): •Patternedpaper straws •Crafts knife •Cutting mat •Embroideryfloss •Embroideryneedle step 1 To make a diamond shape, cut straws into twelve 2-inch pieces using a crafts knife. Cut a 36-inch length of embroidery floss and use the needle to string on four straw pieces, leaving a long tail at the end. Pull straws tight, shape into a diamond, and knot floss (b). step 2 String two straw pieces onto the knotted floss (c), pushing them…

The Perfect Fit Who knew those faded blue jeans could look so chic? Pair denim accents with lots of white for fashionable flair. Whether you dress it up or dress it down, this versatile material delights in any room. Best of all, it’s ultrathrifty. Secondhand stores have a plethora of jeans for just a few bucks each, or ask friends to send old pairs your way. Gather a pile and try these projects on for size. 1 On the fringe Start with a large section of denim, such as a leg piece. Cut 10-inch lengths for fringe. If your table is round, taper the pieces to fit the edge of a round tablecloth. To fringe, cut 1⁄2-inch-wide strips into the pieces, leaving 1 inch uncut at the top. Wash denim…

Find clickable links to all these sources in the digital edition of this issue. BHGSpecials.zinio.com [P] Paint Color Because of the magazine printing process, paint colors depicted on our pages might vary slightly from manufacturers’ colors. Use paint color names or numbers, when provided, as a starting point. To get a color as it appears in the magazine, take the page to a paint retailer for matching. [T] To the Trade Contact a design professional to find more information about this product or service. LOST & FOUND PAGES 8–14 Vintage playing cards and wrapping paper— grandmothersattic. etsy.com. Wrapping paper used as table runner—Paper Source; 888/727-3711; papersource.com. Burlap ribbon, silver pail—Jo-Ann Stores; 888/739-4120; joann.com. Votives— Pier 1 Imports; 800/245-4595; pier1.com. Woven and beaded chargers—World Market; 800/267-8758; worldmarket.com (product line varies). STOW…

We all have challenging giftees on our holiday list. There’s the person who either seems to have everything or wants nothing. Or there’s the one you procrastinate buying for until the last second, then wind up with a sweater you hope fits the recipient (hello, gift receipt!) or a gift card that seems impersonal. We’re here for you. I’m confident this issue of Do It Yourself will help you avoid crowded mall parking lots and long checkout lines, and instead immerse you in a season of crafting gifts and other seasonal pretties for your loved ones and your home. Start with our gift guide on page 46. Find goods (some under $15) perfect for everyone on your list—seriously, everyone. Does your baker pal already have every cupcake liner ever created?…

Freshen Up Bid bye-bye to winter blues when you construct this pretty paper wreath. Curl precut succulent shapes, attach to the provided wreath form, and hang. No green thumb necessary! $23; papersource.com 1. Panel Play Take on woodworking projects without buying and hauling giant slabs of plywood. PureBond project panels are available in easy-tohandle sizes (2×2, 2×4, 2×8, and 4×4 feet), three thicknesses, and 12 veneer-bonded wood species. $5–$60; homedepot.com 2. Handy Sand Sand spaces large and small with 3M SandBlaster tools. The large sander is ideal for flat surfaces, while the detail version glides into corners. Rotating ergonomic handles make work less grueling. $8 for a detail sander, $10 for a large sander; 3Mdiy.com for retailers 3. Dually Noted Digitize handwritten lists in a snap. Jot on a Post-it…

American Lighting Association Lighting Your Life, an American Lighting Association publication, shows you how to use lighting to add beauty and drama to a room, as well as save energy and create a functional environment. With images of the latest lighting designs throughout, this brochure offers up-to-date home lighting information, including the latest trends in lighting and energy-efficiency tips. Visit americanlightingassoc.com. Progress Lighting Progress Lighting offers hundreds of collections for any residential or commercial lighting project. In addition, the manufacturer’s award-winning literature helps guide and educate individuals in selecting the perfect combination of decorative fixtures and energy efficient options for the home. Please visit us at www.progresslighting.com for our complete offering. Hinkley Lighting Let Hinkley Lighting transport you to an exciting new world where lighting, design and…

UNDER Fifteen DOLLARS IN BLOOM Fashion your own garden of flowers from felt, fabric, and embellishments. Fabric Blooms by Megan Hunt has 42 quick-assembly project ideas, including an embroidered bouquet, floral headband, and velvet succulent wreath. $12; amazon.com PETITE PLANTERS This teensy planter by Wind and Willow (less than 3 inches wide) is perfect for succulents, cacti, and seedlings. Each tiny wood pot is hand-dipped in a no-slip rubber coating in one of several colors. $8; foragemodern workshop.com LITTLE LIGHT Enjoy luxury scent on a budget when you buy one of these mini American-made candles. The 41⁄2-ounce jars pack a punch—the combination of citrus, tropical, and mountain greens-scented wax will burn for up to 25 hours. $12; anthropologie.com CLEVER CLUTCH Stow pens, beauty products, or stray cords in these wise…

1 On the Line If you’re a stickler for perfection, lay out your chalkboard calendar using the 10-inch digital LaserTrac Level from Craftsman. Place it on a tripod or hang it magnetically and use its LCD display to mark off perfectly straight horizontal and vertical lines. $50; craftsman.com 2. On a Roll To tape off the wall calendar, we used FrogTape Delicate Surface. The low-adhesion formula removes cleanly without damaging freshly painted surfaces. $7; frogtape.com 3.Chalk It Up Chalkboard paint is a great way to add labels, create calendars, and keep your office organized. Good news: It doesn’t have to be black! Benjamin Moore’s chalkboard paint base is tintable in any color you want. To create a calendar just like ours on page 60, use the following colors for the…

1 To the Letter Make word art similar to the version in Wendy’s dining room. Use a digital cutting machine to cut words from vinyl in your favorite font and attach them to an artist’s canvas. Wendy used the Silhouette Cameo, below ($300; silhouetteamerica .com). If you’re not ready to invest in a special tool, Great Big Canvas, an online service, allows you to choose words, colors, and sizes to make your own custom word art printed on canvas, poster paper, and more, above. Prices start at $30; greatbigcanvas.com 2 Cardboard Critters Deer, elephants, rhinos— oh, my! Get in on the animal bust trend with these cardboard animals you assemble yourself. Available in multiple sizes and solid colors or prints, these kits are kidfriendly. $20–$250 each; cardboardsafari.com 3 Luxe for…

1 Abstract artwork Gwen liked the textured canvas and simple frame of a piece of thrift store artwork. To make it fit her style, she brushed white and black paint over the original artwork for an abstract effect. 2 Mantel decor Black paint refreshes metallic-frame mirrors that Gwen had grown tired of. “The black drew my eyes to the fireplace more than the metallic pieces,” she says. To make the portrait, she traced a photo of her son, Xander, from her computer screen and filled the silhouette with green and blue watercolors. 3 Built-in black In the same way a wardrobe needs a little black dress, Gwen believes every room should get a pop of the color. Instead of painting her built-ins, she cut foam-core boards to size with a…

Have a Ball Add a fun twist to a party with pom-pom accents. Create balls using pom-pom making tools and yarn: Use a large tool to make 3-inch balls for a garland (see page 29) and a small tool to make 1-inch balls for a cake topper. To crochet the garland’s foundation, chain-stitch a row to the desired length. Double-crochet the second row. For the third row, chain five single crochet stitches, attaching to every fifth stitch from the previous row using a slip stitch to form scallops. (Visit BHG.com/Crochet to watch videos on how to make the stitches.) Chain-stitch hanging strings to the center of each third-row scallop, then, using a large-eye needle, thread pom-poms onto the strings and sew a pom-pom to each end. To make the cake…

Fringe Factor Vellum strips and an inexpensive paper lantern combine to make a sophisticated abstract light. Trace long, thin triangles onto vellum. Cut several stacked sheets at once to save time. Assemble a 12-inch paper lantern according to package directions. Working from the bottom to the top, hot-glue triangle bases side by side onto the lantern, covering each rung of the lantern before moving to the next. When lamp is covered, attach a pendant light cord, following package instructions, and hang. As a precaution, use an LED bulb, which doesn’t get hot. Retro Charm Make a lamp from basic kitchen items. Using a 13⁄4-inch hole saw bit, drill a hole in the center of the bottom of both a colander and a large white bowl. Spray-paint the colander in your…

Work Space Fashion a dazzling office or crafts area by adding small but sparkly touches to furniture and accessories, such as a rolling stool and bulletin board, above. See-through surfaces (thrifted acrylic sawhorse legs, a transparent lamp base) along with natural touches (an unstained wood desktop) provide a neutral foundation that allows glittered accents to shine. On the following pages, learn more about how to get your glitter on. 1 Seat Stencil Apply a gold glimmery pattern to any vinyl surface. Prep the vinyl with a coat of Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint. Let dry at least three days. Spray the back of a floral stencil with stencil adhesive, then lightly adhere it to the vinyl. Apply two or three layers of gold Krylon Glitter Blast spray, allowing the…

Barnwood Wall If the look of barnwood appeals to you, but not the labor of sourcing and planing the boards and nailing to studs, sheathe an accent wall in 3⁄16-inch-thick reclaimed-wood planks from Stikwood (stikwood.com), above. These planks rely on a strong peel-and-stick tape to fasten to painted drywall. TIP: Avoid peeks of bare wall appearing through cracks, gaps, or knotholes in the planks by first painting walls in a color that matches the wood. HOW TO APPLY TAPE TO A WALL WHAT YOU’LL NEED •50 mmwashi tape (We used Pale Wisteria.) •15 mmwashitape (We usedSilver Grid.) •Tape measure •Level •Plumb line •Crafts knife •Straightedge step 1 Find the center of your wall, marking that point where the wall meets the ceiling. From the center point, make marks at 15-inch…