It's been a while since my last DIY project. So I decided to make a grand come back with this DIY Cake Stand tutorial, which I literally use every time I have a cupcake party. That's why I secretly call it the DIY Cupcake Stand tutorial.

 

It literally cost me $3 to make + it looks so pretty + decorative.

 

materials

Wanna make it? Piece of cake (pun intended). All you need is:

 

 

step by step

 

 

Step 1: Eliminate the top part of the candelabrum. You won't be needing that part.

 

 

Step 2: Glue the top part of the candelabrum + attach the plastic plate perfectly in the center for balance.

 

 

Step 3: In a safe outdoors location, spray paint the entire project for an even finish. Now, don't come too close with the spray paint or else the paint will drip. I recommend to spray 1 meter or so away from the project.

 

Step 4: Let it dry for 30 minutes.

 

 

Step 5: Flip project + re-paint to cover every little corner.

 

Step 6: Let dry for 30 minutes.

 

Step 7: Repeat spray painting process until the surface of the cake stand looks uniform + well coated.

 

safety tip

When taking out your cake stand creation for a spin, I recomend, for safety, to never place food directly on the surface. You can use dollies or keep your cupcakes in their paper cups like seen below.

 

decorative tip

If you want to wow your guest at your next party, I suggest making these with different candelabrum shapes + heights + diverse paint colors. The result is a symphony of cake stand heaven. I pinky promise. Give it a try.

 

 

What do you think? You can definitively try this at home right? I thought so too!

 

Let me know how it goes. Bonus points for sending me pictures. I love pictures.

 

Ohhh + don't forget to visit the rest of my Tutorial Gallery for more creative inspiration. See you there!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

My abuelita Mery created the world's best yarn knitted hangers. How could she not, she made em' day + night for the entire family. I swear she could hold a Guinness record for speed + amount made in a lifetime. She was fierce.

 

Mine were pink, to match my ballerina room of course. I loved them then. I love them even more now.

 

Oh yeah, I still got my bubblegum pink hangers, here, featuring my favorite pieces, cuz they make my clothes look pretty, but even better that that, my spaghetti straps never fall + my sleeved dresses never widen. It's a granny's wardrobe secret that I'm spilling today. That's what happens when you're a good apprentice (wink).

 

These DIY Wrapped Hangers are a modern spin to my all time favorite version, because the originals cannot be beat. They are perfect for every closet. Perfect for all clothes types. Even David wants them + I know you will too. So, go grab your supplies cuz it's crafty playtime.

 

step by step

First let's start with the knitted hanger.

 

 

Materials for the hanger: Gather your materials: 2 hangers + yarn of choice + scissors + wood spools (from Olive Manna). 

 

 

Step 1: Fill your wood spool with some delicious yard to make the wrapping process super easy.

 

 

Step 2: Stack two hangers together for extra thickness + durability.

 

 

Step 3: Wrap the entire hanger surface with the above knitting technique.

 

 

Step 4: When wrapping, make sure to close the gaps between each loop, like shown above.

 

 

Step 5: Voila. Hanger is ready.

 

Now, for the cherry on top of the cake, let's add the oh so cute pinwheels.

 

 

Materials for pinwheel: pencil + scissors + 2 contrasting felt colors (from Benzie Bazaar) + silicon glue + needle + matching thread.

 

 

Easy breeze, right? If the visuals didn't suffice + you would like the how-to instructions, you can find them in this pinwheel tutorial I did a little bit ago.

 

 

Oh my! just posting this makes me so tremendously nostalgic, but immensely grateful to have the opportunity to share a little piece of my grandma's spirit with you.

 

I hope you enjoyed it big time!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

A little while back I fell in love with this DIY Jersey Knit Bracelet tutorial by Vanessa Christenson from V and Co. + I knew I had to give it a shot sometime. I thought it was the perfect way to recycle my old t-shirts + style my beachy attires. Just lovely.

 

Vanessa was a total sweetheart when I contacted her about my craft crush + even allowed me to borrow her idea to showcase it on my DIY TV segment on Tu Mañana. So very cool.

 

And so I made a DIY Two Finger Knitted Bracelet. Wanna see?

 

 

materials

Here's what you'll need:

 

 

step by step

 

Watch the video featured at top to see the step by step guide to making your very own Two Finger Knitted Bracelt.

 

Once you master the two finger version be sure to hop on to Vanessa's DIY Jersey Knit Bracelet page to upgrade to three fingers + then four. Talk about a crafty challenge!

 

Your fingeres will surely appreciate the break from typing.

 

 

I'm absolutely thrilled I was able to introduce my Panamanian crowd to the oh so talented handmade community I belong to. Thanks for the inspiration Vanessa, you rock!

 

For more DIY inspiration, you're gonna wanna check out the Tutorial Gallery. There's a creative bonanza going on in there.

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

A couple of weeks ago I published this eco-friendly DIY Recycle-Your-Fave-Zine Necklace tutorial. That's when I discovered that rolling magazine tubes with silicon glue is the best keep secret to release stress + decompress. Who knew!

 

As it turns out, I got so carried away putting my outdated magazines to good use that the idea for an alternate crafty project seemed only fair. That's how this DIY Recycle-Your-Old-Zines Photo Frame was born.

 

Isn't it pretty? And it comes perfectly handy now that David + I are decorating our new home sweet home. I promise to show pictures once everything is ready or at least decent.

 

The good news is that you can do it too + today I'm going to show you exactly how.

 

This is all you'll need…

 

 

step by step

After you gather your materials...

 

 

Step 1: Strip down into small parts, using your hands, your old magazine. Sorry Ready Made Magazine, we had our good moments, but I gotta let you go.

 

 

Step 2: Roll away each paper strip + add silicon glue to the tip to keep in place.

 

 

Step 3: Continue rolling all your magazine stripes. Be alerted, things will get sticky.

 

 

Step 4: With the hot glue gun, cover the entire photo frame surface with magazine tubes.

 

 

Step 5: For that raw look, leave the edges untrimmed + asymmetric.

 

 

Step 6: You're finished. Yayy!

 

It's so easy + practical, I'm scared I might be tempted to cover the whole house with recycled magazines tubes. I wonder what David will think about that, LOL.

 

Let me know how it goes on your end. You know me, I love it when you create things with love.

 

 

Ohh + if you have any questions about this tutorial or need further details about how things were made, please feel free to contact me. I'm always available to help.

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

This is one of the funnest + cutest project I've done to date. By far.

 

It all started with a pile of beautiful store catalogues accumulated over the months. What was I to do with those paper stunners? The trash bin didn't seem right. So I after some creative-aerobics, BANG! The idea for this DIY Recycle-Your-Fave-Zine Necklace came to me.

 

Wanna give it a try? This is all you'll need…

 

 

step by step

After you gather your materials, this is how to make your very own necklace...

 

 

Step 1: Strip down your favorite zine into small paper parts.

 

 

Step 2: Roll away each paper strip + add silicon glue to the tip to keep in place.

 

 

Step 3: Continue rolling all your paper parts. Be alerted, it will get sticky.

 

 

Step 4: Cut your recycled paper tubes to the desired length. I cut mine unevenly for that asymmetric necklace look.

 

 

Step 5: Apply water base sealer to all your paper tubes + let dry for a few minutes.

 

 

Step 6: Poke each paper tube with thin needle + pass elastic fisher's thread through.

 

 

Step 7: Keep going until you form your desired necklace design.

 

 

Step 8: Add your jewelry end to finish off.

 

 

Step 9: Voila! Que bonito! Love it!

 

I feel like I can wear this DIY Recycle-Your-Fave-Zine Necklace with so many outfits, it's kinda out of control.

 

 

If you have any questions about this tutorial or need further details about how things were made, please feel free to contact me. I'm always available to help you make things with love.

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

I've been busy like a bee these past few days, working around the clock on some custom illustrations for some terrific clients + of course planning everything for the wedding + attempting not to DIY it all LOL. But in the midst of all this madness, a girl can always find time for a fun crafty project.

 

Today I found the perfect tutorial. It's fast, super simple to do + so versatile. This DIY Tic Tac Toc Chalkboard can adorn any little corner of the house + distract little ones + adults alike during any occasion. It's also portable, so David + I could even bring it on our road trips + play on the go. Love it!

 

materials

If you want to give this project a try, here's what you'll need:

 

 

- square wood board

- thick painting brush

- thin painting brush

- white acrylic paint (I got mine from DecoArt)

- chalkboard paint (I got mine from DecoArt)

- chalk

 

step by step

After gathering your materials...

 

 

Step 1: Using the thick paint brush, paint the entire board surface, including the edges with the chalkboard paint.

 

Step 2: Let dry. It's hard. I know, but it's crucial to resist the urge to keep going.

 

Step 3: Add a second coat of chalkboard paint to make sure the surface is well covered.

 

Step 4: Add the Tic Tac Toc lines with the thin painting brush + white acrylic paint.

 

Step 5: Let dry. Again. Practice your Yoga poses while you're at it.

 

Step 6: Whip out your chalks + start playing. The winner gets a Red Velvet cupcake (wink).

 

 

Sweet right? I hope this got you in the mood to get crafty.

 

If you have any questions about this tutorial or need further details about how things were made, please feel free to contact me. I'm always available to help you make things you love.

 

Not the crafty type? Hakuna Matata! I can make something special just for you if you wish, so bring on the custom orders, they're my fave!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

A guest post by Renae Bradley from Benzie

Loosing teeth is always such a momentous occasion -a rite a passage signifying an important part of growing up. My son was more ready than I was when he lost his first tooth and to help us celebrate I created this little pouch. Six Tooth Fairy visits later -his pouch is still his favorite tooth keeper!

 

materials

Here's what you'll need:

 

 

- wool blend felt from Benzie (I used Parchment and Fern)

- fusible webbing

- tooth pattern

- pencil

- scissors

- iron

- sewing machine (not pictured)

 

step by step

After gathering your materials...

 

 

1. First, iron on a small piece of fusible webbing to the parchment felt. This will be for the tooth.

 

 

2. Cut out the tooth from the Parchment felt and a  2 1/4" x 6 1/4" rectangle of the Fern colored felt using the provided pattern.

 

 

3. To make the felt pouch fold over one side to make the bottom pocket. Sew.

 

 

4. Fold over the top flap about a half an inch above where the pocket opening ends. Sew.

 

 

5. Iron on felt tooth.

 

 

6. And there you have your very own tooth fairy pouch!

 

 

Have fun!

 

Renae Bradley

 

Renae Bradley is the owner of Benzie and Benzie Bazaar - a shop filled with yards of beautiful Merino wool blend felt. When she isn't packaging up Benzie rainbows she enjoys spreading fairy dust and good cheer to her two children; who still believe in Tooth Fairies and magic. Visit her blog or connect with Renae via facebook or twitter.

 

I love making thing. You might have noticed LOL. You might have also figured out that I'm totally obsessed with bunting flags. It's no coincidence that my Friday Video Time backdrop recently got an upgrade with a oh so sweet bunting from Miss Danielle Spurge from the Merriweather Council. My heart melts every time I see it.

 

So today I figured it would be opportune to whip out a little something something nice, inspired by my love for flags. This DIY Fabric Bunting Flag Invisible Necklace is perfect for to wear for any occasion + so easy to craft that you can make so many variations for every outfit.

 

materials

If you want to give this stunner a try, here's what you'll need:

 

 

- fabric straps (ideally hard fabrics like leather + canvas + felt)

- scissors

- tiny whole punch

- fish string (I like the elastic kind)

- jewelry tweasers

- 1 gold plated lobster clasp

- 2 gold plated ring spacer

- 1 gold plated closer

- isosceles triangle mold made out of cardboard

- silicon glue (optional)

 

steps by step

After gathering your materials...

 

Step 1: Use your isosceles triangle mold made out of cardboard to cut our the fabric straps into flags. (Miss Pang are you proud that I used the word isosceles? You see! I told you I was paying attention).

 

Step 2: If your fabric is too thin, add a back layer with the silicon glue for firmness. You want your necklace to sit nicely on your chest without worrying about winds + cats + dancing.

 

 

Step 3: Open small wholes at the corner of your flags.

 

Step 4: Insert fish string to make necklace. Make sure to pass it throught the back so string hides at the back.

 

 

Step 5: Add the jewelry ends to finish.

 

Step 6: Voila! Ready to rock + roll.

 

 

What do you think? Neat project right? I hope I got you in the mood to get crafty.

 

If you have any questions about this tutorial or need further details about how things were made, please feel free to contact me. I'm always available to help you make things with your heart. Not the crafty type? Don't worry, be happy! I can make something special just for you if you wish, so bring on the custom orders, they're my fave!

 

Ohh + the gorgeous hottie accompanying me in the action pics is Carolina Fabrega, host of Tu Mañana. She looks smocking hot wearing the necklace right?

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

Hey wine lovers out there. Oh boy, wait till you see the super fun DIY project I have in store for you.

 

It all began when David + I started dating. We're not big party animals (well David used to be, but I think he got tired LOL) but we do enjoy our occasional wine night every now + them, specially when we go to my parents country house in El Valle.

 

We started collecting our wine corks + unexpectedly we landed ourselves a big pile. When did we drink all those bottles? Times flies. As an irreparable neat freak, I knew I needed to find a crafty project that would help me recycled them + put them to good use. That's how the light bulb ding donged + this project was born.

 

Made from sliced wine corks, this DIY Wine Cork Coasters are the perfect way to recycle + reuse an item that you may otherwise just toss in the trash.

 

materials

For this project you'll need:

 

 

- at least 25 wine corks

- hot glue gun with glue sticks

- thin cork paper circles

- a pocket knife

- a cutting board

- coarse sand paper

 

step by step

When you gather all the troops, follow these oh to simple photo actions:

 

 

alternatives

The possibilities are trully endless with this one. If you go on a wine binge (uhhh that sounds kinda fun + dangerous LOL), you could make cork wreaths + cork boards + cork mats + cork trivets + cork everything with this technique. Ohh + do keep in mind that the wider the variety of wine corks, the more eclectic + memorable your projects will look.

 

 

I don't know about you folks, but I'm gonna make a handful of these for some house warming parties I have in the close horizon. Seems like the perfect gift + the best excuse for a happy hour (wink).

 

xo,

Mayi Carles