CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Borrow My Pen?

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:00:55 -0800

Worldwide Fred has dreamt up another wacky solution to your insignificant problems. Borrow My Pen? ($8) would have come in handy (no pun intended) in college, or any school for that matter. You remember how classmates ask to borrow a pen and never return them? Here's how to stop pen theft in its tracks. Offer your unprepared friends one of these ballpoints with subversive taglines like "Springfield Sexual Addiction Center," "Electrolysis Is Us: The First Name in Unwanted Hair Removal," "Van Nuys Center For Cosmetic Surgery: Specializing in Difficult Gender Reassignments," etc. Pretty hilarious, huh? Just be sure not to use these when signing a mortgage in front of your co-op board.

DIY: Paper-Covered Pens

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:30:57 -0800

I just came across this great tutorial for making paper-covered pens that would make a fun and affordable stocking stuffer for the holidays, so I thought I'd share. You most likely will have all of the supplies in your home, so this DIY is certainly budget beautiful! All you'll need is some clear ballpoint pens, scissors, a ruler or paper trimmer, pliers, double-sided tape, and some scraps of thin paper (try magazine or wrapping paper). To learn the steps, read more.

First things first: Pull the ink shaft out of the pen case by gently grabbing the tip with your pliers.
Cut a 4.5-by-5-inch strip of paper.
Wrap the entire ink shaft tightly with strips of your tape, pressing out any bubbles.
Wrap the paper over the tape, overlapping the edges of the paper and pinching the seams together.
Then, slide the ink shaft back into the pen case. Fini!

Source

Love It or Hate It? Bic Pen Vase

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:25 -0700

You've heard of blown glass, but how about blown plastic? These Giffin' Termeer Daisy vases ($19) are made from upcycled Bic pens that are heated until their plastic becomes malleable, and then blown into a bulbous shape.

Source

October's Vogue Features Kelly Wearstler's Hollywood Home

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:02:13 -0700

Since so many of you have a love it or hate it relationship with designer Kelly Wearstler's unique style, I figured that you'd be interested in taking a tour of her Hollywood mansion. Good news - now you can.

The October issue of Vogue includes a special feature on interior designer Kelly Wearstler’s Hollywood mansion, gorgeously photographed by Francois Halard with a profile penned by Hamish Bowles. Definitely head over to Vogue for the complete tour, and also check out the outtakes, which are only available online.

There are definitely some fascinating facts to be learned, such as her scrupulously color-coded shoes and vintage hats collections, and her use of color (cerulean blue) and pattern (faux crocodile) in her young sons' bedrooms. I know that I find Kelly Wearstler absolutely fascinating (and fabulous), and this Vogue profile only reinforces that impression.

View 0 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Vogue

How-To: Be a Better Laundress

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Tired of pulling laundry out of the dryer and seeing that it's frayed or faded? Have you dyed your honey's tighty whities an embarrassing shade of pink? Don't worry, there's hope for you yet! You can still be an absolutely fabulous home laundress, when you use these tips.

Button-up pants and shirts, close zippers, and turn garments inside out to reduce wear from laundering.
Check for stains after washing and before drying, because drying sets the stains.
Don't use hot water unless you're washing items you believe must be absolutely clean and disinfected. Hot water wears down fibers.

For the rest of the tips, read more.

Don't bleach wool, silk, or garments with more than 5 percent spandex.
White sheets made of cotton not treated for wrinkles look best longest.
Inspect and pretreat stains and soils with liquid detergent. Use a bleach pen for pretreating stained white areas of garments with stripes or patterns.
Always wash garments with like colors to avoid those pink-stained whites! However, if you're washing in cold water, your clothes' colors are much less likely to run.
If you have a lot of loads, sort items into further subcategories, such as into heavy and light clothing.
Avoid fabric softener, since it leaves a coating on clothes. Use dryer sheets instead. Or, for the lightest impact on your clothing, avoid the dryer altogether and hang your clothes.

Source: Flickr User skenmy

Get the Look: A Bright, White Dining and Living Space

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I love the stark, white look of this open plan dining and living space. From the sleek white walls to the whitewashed floors and furniture, the whole look is calm, soothing, and pristine. And while it may be white, it's certainly not dull. I love the charming sheep statue in the dining area, as well as the minimalist canvas on the wall.

For similar artwork, check galleries in your hometown for artists working in pen and ink. I also like Seneca Cotton Warehouse ($45), which has a similar look to the artwork in the photo. Craft your own DIY photo display, similar to the one shown here, with pushpins and a piece of driftwood leaned against the wall. The driftwood plank adds a necessary natural element to a room that might otherwise seem too sterile.

Of course, this room wouldn't be complete without a sheep sculpture. Add a little bit of gold bling to your dining space with this LaLanne-Style Sheep in Gesso and Brass ($1,750). You know it will be a conversation piece!

To get the rest of the look, read more.

Artecnica Midsummer Light - White - $95.00	Felix Side Chair - $89.95
Vitra easy edges table - desk - $3,360.00	White Dip Bowls (3.9-in.) by Arzberg - $9.95
Wool Shag Rug in Select Sizes - $595.00	Klubbo Coffee Table - $79.99
Cable Throw - $49.95	PB Square Upholstered Sleeper Sofa - $1,699.00

Source

DIY: Literary Clock

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:34 -0800

If you're stumped for a unique holiday gift, you could bring some timeliness to a friend's life with this book clock ($19.95) from Etsy seller Recycleeh. Or, if you're feeling handy, you might consider personalizing your friend or family member's favorite book by turning it into a clock.

To make this cool clock, simply choose a hardcover book, without a busy cover, so that the clock numbers are legible. The book also needs to be large enough to fit the clock hands. Aside from the book, you'll need a clock hands set (available at Michael's or other craft store), a ruler, a protractor, pen, paper, scissors, and a drill. The stem of the clock hands set varies between 1/4 and 3/4 inch, so be sure it fits the thickness of your book.

To learn the steps for this project, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Instructables:

Use your ruler to find the center of your book. Then mark it with a pen.
If you like, spray paint your clock hands in a different color.
Drill a hole where you marked the center of the book. Your clock hand set should suggest what size drill bit to use, so follow its instructions.
According the instructions, install your clock hands and parts into the hole you drilled.
Using the longest clock hand as a guide for the radius, draw a circle onto a piece of paper with your pen using the protractor.
Cut out the circle, and center the template over the center of the book (where the clock hands are).
Adhere the clock numbers onto the book, a bit beyond the edge of the circle template, evenly all the way around. Begin with numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12 and then fill in the other numbers. Fini!

Source

DIY: Photosynthesized Botanical Calendar

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:31 -0800

Have a nature-loving pal who still needs a gift this season? Then try making her a cool botanical calendar. It's also an easy project that you can share with precocious youngsters, so everyone can get in on the fun!

What You'll Need

Sunprint kit
Foraged garden leaves, stalks, flowers, etc.
Rimmed baking sheet
White, ultrafine paint pen
2009 calendar for reference

To find out how to make it, read more.

Here's how, from The San Francisco Chronicle:

Gather items to use as images; finely textured plants and leaves work best.
Lay item on Sunprint sheet, leaving enough room to write in days of the month
Follow instructions on Sunprint kit: Place briefly in direct sunlight. Expose until paper turns almost white.
Rinse in baking sheet filled with water for about a minute.
Lay flat to dry. Once sheets are dry, press under books to flatten. (Note: It's faster and easier to make several at once, but begin with one sheet to make sure you are comfortable with the process.)
Using a pencil and a light touch, write the months, days and dates on each sheet. Work freehand or use a ruler to mark straight lines. Trace with a paint pen and, when dry, lightly erase your pencil marks.
If desired, punch holes in the top of each page and bind with ribbon to hang.

Source

Cool Idea: Leaves Placecards

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:34 -0800

I saw this cute idea for placecards over at Another Shade of Grey and couldn't help but pass it along. I feel . . . what's it called? dumb for not thinking of this first, but that's life. My life at least. Just pick some fallen leaves up from your own backyard or neighborhood, the most colorful ones you can find, and use a paint pen to write the names of your guests. If you don't already own one, you can snatch up paint pens in a wide range of colors and metallics at your local art store for under $3. Or, if you're artistic, you could attempt to paint leaves with real paints: not as easy. I love the way these leaves pop against the white plate, so I'd suggest either laying it on a white tablecloth or napkin, or directly on your dinner plate, although that's not as cleanly. What do you think? Cute, right?
Source

DIY: Recycled Aluminum Can Ornaments

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:45:34 -0800

I love upcycling items, but since I'm also a bit of a design snob, I want those upcycled items to look beautiful as well. Luckily, I've stumbled across an awesome tutorial that shows you how to make beautiful holiday ornaments out of the humble aluminum can. You'd never believe this pretty leaf started out life as an aluminum can to look at it, would you?
What You'll Need

Empty aluminum cans
Scissors
Sandpaper or sanding block
Pen or pencil
Ribbon or cord for hanging

To find out how to make it, read more.

Here's how to make it, from Little House in the Suburbs:

Cut off the top and bottom of the can with scissors. (Wear gloves and glasses to be extra safe.) A knife is good to make the first cut so you can get your scissors in there. Cut down the side - if you haven't done so already to get the top and bottom off - and flatten it out.
Trace your object. Use a drawing or just freehand it. Bear down with your pencil or ballpoint or other pointy thing so you make a cutting line.
Cut along the lines. Be careful. Cut aluminum is sharp.
With your pointy thing and using your object as a reference, whether it is a leaf like mine or what-have-you, emboss your cut-out with veins, other details, etc. Take a nail and make a hole for hanging the ornament.
Sand the piece to remove any burrs and other hazards and to give it a nice pewtery surface. A sanding block or its equivalent is handy for this. I sanded the front and back. If you prefer, you can sand the color off entirely, but I left it for a distressed look. The veins or other details are emphasized by the sanding so you want to make sure you emboss before you sand for this effect.
Add a ribbon, cord, or a length of raffia to hang it up.

To see the complete directions, including incredibly helpful photos, read the whole tutorial here.

Source