Upgrade Any Tote Instantly with a Sewn Leather Handle Tutorial

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Not long ago I bought a large, budget-friendly shopping tote you’ve probably seen: it’s color blocked, from a popular brand, and was only nine dollars. The only detail I didn’t love was the thin nylon straps. They were functional, but didn’t match the look or durability I wanted, so I decided to replace them with … Read more

Stylish Modern Sofas Under $1,000: 16 Top Picks for Your Living Room

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Looking for a stylish modern sofa that won’t break the bank? Below is a curated list of attractive, contemporary sofas—all under $1,000—that look far more expensive than they are. One compact, space-saving pick is even under $250. Whether you call it a couch or a sofa, finding an affordable piece that suits your aesthetic can … Read more

DIY Standing Desk Hack: Convert IKEA IVAR into a Sit-Stand Workstation

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Ikea hacks are some of the best quick transformations you can do at home. Here’s a DIY standing desk (an IVAR Ikea hack) that completely transformed my home workspace. After building a previous DIY desk, I kept thinking about another version that would solve a problem I had: neither of the desks in my workspace … Read more

Summer Outdoor Entertaining Ideas with Crowd-Pleasing Recipes

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The new studio has a wonderful outdoor area I’ve been eager to use, especially while our rooftop deck at home is out of commission until the pavers are fixed. To kick off summer, we hosted a small gathering at the studio in partnership with Duraflame. I’m a big fan of summer bonfires and campfires—there’s something … Read more

6 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Finish in a Day

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Happy Friday! I just moved last weekend and plan to take it easy this weekend, tackling just one small home project. If I were in the mood to do several, though, these six weekend DIY ideas are at the top of my list. Each is simple, stylish, and perfect for a short, satisfying project. 1. … Read more

Why People Choose Handmade: The Key Reason Behind the Purchase

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When I sat down at my computer to write this post, I found myself staring at a blank screen for nearly an hour. Not because I had nothing to say, but because this subject carries so many nuances that I wanted to choose my words deliberately. The value of buying handmade isn’t as straightforward as … Read more

6 Fun Weekend DIY Projects to Try This Weekend

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What are your plans for the weekend? Any DIY projects on the agenda? Since we moved in at the end of April, we’ve been buried in home projects, so this weekend I’m hoping we can actually relax and take a break from anything house-related. My birthday was a few days ago and I was out … Read more

Block Printing Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide to Printing Fabric

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If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to block print on fabric, save this post — it’s simpler than you might expect. Block printing was one of my favorite techniques to explore in printmaking classes. It took a bit of practice before I felt confident, but once you master the basics it’s a fast, satisfying … Read more

Quick Getaway to New Mexico and White Sands National Park

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Last weekend we drove from El Paso, Texas to Alamogordo, New Mexico, and then on to White Sands National Monument to celebrate Ash and Jared’s wedding. It was a very short trip, so we didn’t have time for extensive exploration, but I still managed to capture a good number of photos. By the way, this … Read more