8 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Finish in a Day

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Happy Friday! I’m gearing up for the weekend with a set of DIY projects to try. I’m especially pleased to have no firm plans for the next few days — aside from possibly mixing a few cocktails. There’s something delightful about enjoying an unstructured weekend; I’m not alone in that, right? If you’re looking for … Read more

Painting and Pastels: Creative After-Work Rituals to Unwind

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This post is sponsored by Skinny Cow. Recently I started painting again purely for enjoyment — a simple way to step out of my head and unwind from a busy schedule. It’s become a pleasant ritual that helps me transition from work mode to home mode. Spending a few minutes with brush and color feels … Read more

Simple Delicious Pumpkin Muffins Recipe You’ll Love

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Pumpkin muffins have quickly become my favorite treat for crisp fall and chilly winter days. This recipe is easy to adapt into vegan pumpkin muffins with just a couple of simple swaps. This is the season when baked goods and sweet treats feel perfectly acceptable at any meal, and pumpkin is everywhere: pumpkin bars, pumpkin … Read more

Minimal Wall Hanging DIY That Doubles as a Stylish Plant Holder

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Inspired by the popular necklace silhouette, this large-scale DIY wall planter combines minimalist wall art with practical plant display. It works beautifully with eucalyptus, dried flowers, air plants, or other lightweight botanical accents. It’s very budget-friendly (under $15), easy to customize to any length, and perfect for party decor or everyday styling. Materials One piece … Read more

New Paper & Stitch Studio: Before Renovation Photos

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It’s been two weeks since we packed up the old studio and moved into the new space. Time has flown, but the transition has been exciting and productive. While we’re still settling in, finishing a few DIY projects like building workspace tables, and unpacking boxes, I wanted to share the “before” photos of the studio … Read more

Casual Summer French Twist: Create the Look in 60 Seconds

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On sweltering days—like today and really most days this past couple of months—I want my hair up immediately. Anything that keeps hair out of my face is welcome, as long as it takes no more than a minute or two.

Patience runs thin when it’s hot, so any hairstyle I can assemble quickly is on my favorites list. This one certainly fits the bill.

This casual summer French twist is one of those “set it and forget it” looks—comfortably effortless and fast. Yes, it’s a bold comparison, but it sort of reminds me of the simplicity of a George Foreman Grill: quick, reliable, and gets the job done.

Want to recreate this DIY ‘do in about 60 seconds? Follow the step-by-step instructions below.

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6 Weekend DIY Projects to Try This Weekend

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Yesterday I attended a friend’s art show, which was inspiring and full of great work. Today I’m taking it a bit slower—wrapping up some behind-the-scenes projects before heading over to a small festival that’s happening just across the street from our house. Perfect for those moments when you want to do something fun without going … Read more

Painted Pastel Summer Pie Party and 3 DIY Entertaining Ideas

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I’m bringing out pastels and simple DIYs for a colorful summer pie party. I partnered with Edwards® Desserts to add a sweet centerpiece and develop three easy, budget-friendly entertaining ideas you can recreate with only a few materials. Each project centers on paint and pastel tones, and all are straightforward enough for anyone to try … Read more

Paint Ceramic Cookie Jars Into Cute Cat Planters: Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Paint Ceramics + Transform a Cookie Jar into a Cat Planter

I’ve owned this ceramic cat cookie jar for years. It turned up again after our move to the new studio, so I decided to refresh it and turn it into a planter.

Why convert it? Two simple reasons: cats are the unofficial mascots of the internet, and I rarely need a cookie jar—cookies never last long enough to justify one. Turning it into a planter felt like the perfect second life.

I didn’t have to repaint it before adding soil and a plant, but I wasn’t keen on the original brownish-green finish. I grabbed primer and paint and went to work. Painting store-bought ceramics is straightforward, and with a little prep you can get smooth, lasting results. Below is a concise, practical guide plus photos of the finished cat planter.

Here’s what the jar looked like before I started.

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