Do It Yourself Spring 2021

Senior Editor BRIAN KRAMER Senior Associate Editor NATALIE DAYTON Associate Art Director JESSICA ENO Assistant Art Director EMILY BUTTERWORTH Editorial Apprentice RACHEL O’BRIEN Contributing Copy Editor NANCY DIETZ Proofreader MARTHA COLOFF LONG Administrative Assistant RENAE MABIE HOME & GARDEN Executive Editor SAMANTHA HART Senior Editors BRIAN KRAMER, SALLY FINDER WEEPIE, KRISSA ROSSBUND, NICOLE DEAN TEUT Senior Associate Editor NATALIE DAYTON Design Directors KIMBERLY MORGAN METZ, MICK SCHNEPF Associate Art Director JESSICA ENO Assistant Art Director EMILY BUTTERWORTH Senior Graphic Designer BRITTANY MUELLER Administrative Assistants RENAE MABIE, KATIE MORT, KIM O’BRIEN-WOLETT Photography Coordinator ALYSSA RICHARDSON Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® Manager SANDRA GERDES FOOD Executive Editor JAN MILLER Senior Content Manager JESSICA SAARI CHRISTENSEN Senior Editor CARRIE BOYD Style & Design Director STEPHANIE HUNTER Associate Art Director RAE DANNEMAN Administrative Assistant COURTNEY BUSH Culinary Specialists SARAH BREKKE, JULI HALE, COLLEEN WEEDEN Food Styling Director GREG LUNA Food Stylists LAUREN MCANELLY, SAMMY MILA, KELSEY MOYLAN EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATION Editorial Directors JENNIFER DORLAND…

Well, hello, crocuses! I can’t remember a moment when I’ve been more ready to shake off the old and welcome the new. Spring has always been a time to refresh, but this year I’m motivated to revise, repair, and reboot. I’m eager to revitalize everything in my home and yard—and, by extension, my life. That’s why we’ve packed this issue with projects and ideas to give your style a wake-up call. Start with needle punch, one of the easiest, most satisfying crafts Team DIY has ever tried. All you need is a punch, yarn, monk’s cloth, and five minutes of practice to begin creating texture-rich pillows and rugs (“Pleased As Punch, page 49). Then take a shine to the metallic trend with the latest sprays, pastes, and foils that make old…

GLOW UP Use a wax metallic finish to give an old lamp a distressed look, this photo. Choose a lamp base with a raised pattern like our dotted design. Use a rag to apply the finish (ours is Amaco Rub ‘n Buff in Gold Leaf) to the surface, inset photo, then rub it off the higher points while still wet. Let dry. POLISHED PILLOWS Put your own metallic touch on plain pillowcases, this photo, with foil transfers and glitter gels. To add defined rectangles, as seen on the square pillow, cut strips of iCraft Deco Foil Hot Melt Adhesive and iron onto pillowcase. Let cool, then peel off paper backing. Cut strips of iCraft Deco Foil Transfer Sheets slightly larger than the adhesive sections and iron atop adhesive, following package directions.…

AFTER EXPERIMENTING WITH VINTAGE MACRAMÉ KITS, LISE SILVA GOMES DEVELOPED HER OWN UNIQUE STYLE OF KNOTTING. HISTORICAL KNOTTING PRACTICES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE HER WORK. THE MAKER: LISE SILVA GOMES Sacred Knots not only sells its unique crafts, but also uses its site to build community within the crafting world. Q: What inspires your work? A: A lot of my inspiration comes from dreaming. I allow myself space to close my eyes and meditate or visualize things I want to make. Inspiration sometimes can just be an energetic thing. I like to surround myself with things that inspire me on the highest level. It really invigorates you to become a creative powerhouse. Q: Why was creating a community through your platform important to you? A: I think community is so essential for our…

1. KONG ZOOM GROOM NATURAL RUBBER BRUSH Whether shampooing wet coats or scrubbing on dry, these pink or blue natural rubber brushes collect loose hair and stimulate with a massage feel. $9–$10; petedge.com 2. WHISTLE GO Lost pets get found with a snap-collar GPS device that features real-time location tracking and escape alerts via app and text. Keep an eye on more than your pet’s location with fitness features, health monitors, and a food-portion calculator. It’s waterproof and has a battery life of up to 10 days. $129 + annual fee; shop.whistle.com 3. NAIL CLIPPER FOR CATS Sharp blades on these nail clippers make for quick and precise clipping on even the most squeamish of kitties. $6; target.com 4. CAT SCAT MAT Let’s keep those cats out of your houseplants. Tell your cat…

MAKE IT CANVAS TOTE MATERIALS • ¾ yard faux-leather vinyl (handles, bag bottom)• ½ yard canvas fabric (front and back bag exterior)• ⅞ yard cotton fabric (lining)• 1¼ yards fusible fleece interfacing• Fabric shears or scissors• Sewing machine• 90/14 heavyweight sewing needle• Pins and clips• Thread• Ruler or sewing gauge• Iron• Ironing board Step 1 Cut your fabrics (A). From the faux leather, cut two 6¾×22½-inch rectangles and two 3×22-inch strips. From the canvas, cut two 12½×22½-inch rectangles and two 1¾×22½-inch strips. From the lining fabric, cut two 18¾×22½-inch rectangles with 22½-inch length parallel to the selvages. From fusible fleece, cut two 18¾×22½-inch rectangles. Step 2 Fit your machine with a 90/14 heavyweight sewing needle. Make handles by folding two long sides of two 3×22-inch vinyl strips to center, overlapping slightly. Hold in place with…