How to Dye Synthetic Fabrics (Including Faux Sheepskin)

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Learn an easy method to dye synthetic materials at home. I’ve dyed a surprising variety of items over the years — napkins, shoes, woven baskets and even hangers — but one small project kept nagging at me until I finally tried it: a $13 faux sheepskin rug from Ikea. It felt like a simple idea … Read more

99 Problems? 17 Cakes That’ll Fix Your Monday

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Vanilla bean cake

I’ve been making an effort to choose healthier options lately, but every now and then a person needs a little sugar. You know what I mean?

Today, I’m celebrating one of my favorite indulgences: cake. Do you really need an excuse to enjoy the Rolls-Royce of desserts? I didn’t think so.

Whether you crave frosting, want new recipes, or enjoy DIY cake decorating projects, this roundup has something for everyone. Here are 17 cakes to try that might make your Monday (or any day) a little sweeter.

1. (above) Vanilla Bean Cake from Fork to Belly

Edible flowers cake

2. Edible Flowers Cake from Designlovefest

Too legit to quit!

3. Slang Cake from Sugar & Cloth

Momofuku birthday cake

4. Momofuku Birthday Cake from Liv for Cake

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DIY Holiday Stockings Made from Repurposed Tea Towels

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How to Make DIY Holiday Stockings with Old Tea Towels

Over the years I’ve discovered that tea towels are an unexpectedly useful material for small sewing projects. They often feature attractive colors, patterns and textures, and their size is ideal for making items like stockings. I also use tea towels for styling and dyeing projects.

This season I went through my growing pile of kitchen linens and decided to turn several tea towels into handmade holiday stockings.

Below is a straightforward tutorial in case you have a few extra tea towels you’d like to repurpose. Each stocking takes less than an hour to make. Give it a try and let me know how yours turn out.

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DIY Air-Dry Clay Paint Palettes: Step-by-Step Guide

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These DIY paint palettes are easy to make and can encourage kids (and adults) to pick up their brushes more often. My son loves crafting, especially painting, so I made several small clay palettes just his size. They’re formed from air-dry clay, which means no kiln or oven is needed, and they require just a … Read more

5-Minute DIY Paper Ornaments Made from Paper Plates

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This might sound a little unusual, but stick with me! After my son’s construction-themed birthday party, I found myself with a stack of leftover paper plates. We don’t normally use disposable plates, but hosting the party at a park made them the practical choice. Rather than toss the extras, I decided to turn them into … Read more

6 DIY Projects to Tackle This Weekend

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Whether it’s the festive energy of Cinco de Mayo or a break from my usual neutral palette, I found myself drawn to colorful projects this week. I mixed in a few bright ideas to shake up the usual lineup of DIYs. There are six easy, inspiring projects below — a couple jump out at me … Read more

6 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Finish in One Day

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This weekend feels a little off because the Fourth of July falls midweek, but it’s still Friday—and that’s a reason to smile. I’m looking forward to taking a couple of days to rest, though I admit I’ll likely tackle some deadlines over the break. The tasks ahead are enjoyable creative projects, and I can’t wait … Read more

6 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Make This Weekend

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I’m gearing up for the weekend with a handful of fun projects to tackle before heading out on a short road trip with Jeff. I still don’t actually know our destination, but I’ll figure it out before we leave tomorrow. Here are six creative DIY ideas to try this weekend: Ombre mini pumpkin centerpiece — … Read more

Before and After: My New Master Bathroom Remodel Reveal

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I recently moved into a new apartment and have been slowly working on decorating it. With travel and a few behind-the-scenes delays, progress has been steady but slow. To build momentum, I started with a small space I could finish quickly: the bathroom. It’s compact, required only a few new items, and I knew a … Read more