New Name, New Look

So what do you all think? I told you I was thinking about mixing things up! I think this change is definitely for the best. I can't wait to share more than just my crafting and DIY projects with you all. The question is...are you ready for more of me? I sure hope so! 

I want to leave you all with my "pin of the week" from Pinterest...

This quote couldn't be more fitting for me right now! I think it's something that everyone needs to remember no matter what kind of state your life is in. For me, I'm just trying to survive my last two weeks of working until I get a much needed vacation. I'm stronger than I think- I can do it.

Goodnight all! :) Sweet dreams & sleep tight. 

Contemplation

Hello, hello! 

So I'm having a mini crisis! I'm contemplating turning my blog into more of an "everyday life" blog rather than just specific to "crafts." Of course I'll still craft it up, but I want to broaden my subject matter. How does that sound? Like a good idea?

I guess you'll all just have to wait and see what's next for "Artful Scheming."

:) 

Here's a little color to add to your Thursday...

It's Been Too Long

Hi everyone!

Can you believe it's been a week since I last blogged!? I am SO sorry! I've just been so busy, in and out of town, up and down... it's been hectic! 

Anyway, early last week I completed the simplest of my crafts- the button bobby pins and bookmarks! Here are some pictures!

The supplies! 

Mini paperclip bookmarks

Giant paperclip bookmarks

All together now! 

Bobby pins!

They didn't take long AT ALL! And they're super cute! I'm thinking about sporting one of the bobby pins today! I'll post a picture if I do.

Look out for another post from me today! I've obviously got some catching up to do! :) Happy crafting! 

Possible Purchase

Hello Everyone!

 Time to talk a possible purchase. 

I'm really into photography and really wanting to take it up as a hobby. However, the current camera I have just isn't cutting it. It's great for pictures with friends and family, but it's not made to take "artsy photos."

Here's what I'm thinking...

THE NIKON D3000

Eh? Eh? What do you think? Have you heard anything about it? Do you own one? I have a couple of friends who take professional photography and this is what they use.

It's definitely going to be quite the investment- priced around $500 at most places like Target or Best Buy. But I think it's going to totally be worth it.

I figured I should show you some of my most basic photos. These have all been taken with my regular camera. I think I have some potential!

Nothing fancy, but I think I can definitely improve my skills if I were to buy this camera (and probably some sort of guide for how to use it).

So there's what I'm thinking. Nothing brilliant but I figured I'd share my exciting news. Look for more crafts coming soon! :) Goodnight! 

Christmas In July

Yes, you read it right- Christmas in July. Did you hit up the sale at Michael's? My mom and I sure did. We also got sucked into a fun craft while we were there. We made two adorable frames with a scrapbook paper stencil and paint. Here's a little overview of our adventure! 

We started with a blank frame that we painted white! Then we placed the stencil over the frame and stippled (sponge-painted) the Robin Egg Blue color on the stencil. 

My mom and I after we painted the blue on the frames!

My finished product!

My mom touching up her frame!

Overall it took about 15 minutes, and only cost us $2 for the frames. Well in fact, the frames were 3 for $2 and my entire purchase was 25% off! Of course, we purchased other things too! 

I decided I wanted to make a series of 3 frames so I purchased 4 more to make a pink set and to finish up this set.

Here's a more detailed step-by-step guide to making the third frame at home!

Start with a blank frame!

Paint the inside black so it blends in with the pictures you choose to place in the frame!

Paint the frame your desired color- mine was the Robin Egg blue color. It kind of resembles Tiffany blue- my favorite ;)

Place the stencil over the frame and paint or stipple the second color. 

Wa-lah! You have your finished product!

Here are the three frames placed on my entertainment center!

Feedback needed: do you like this project? Doesn't it seem pretty simple? Overall for the paint and frames it cost me about $3.50. The frames, like I mentioned before were 3 for $2 and the paint and sponge brushes were only $1.50 all together.

You can find the stencils in the scrapbook paper section for about 99 cents or less! 

This is just one of the many projects I have in store for the next week! :) Hope you like them! 

Coming Soon...

Look what I picked up today...

Time to get crafting...

A Little Bit About Me

Hi all you wonderful people! I figured I should include a short post about the girl behind the crafting. But before I start can we just take a moment to celebrate Michael's "Christmas in July" sale? It's only adding to the addiction.

Here's a little about me...

(My sister and best friend, Ashley) 

I am a 20 year old student at a small private school in North Carolina. I absolutely love it! I am a Media Arts and Entertainment major with a focus in Broadcast! And you can't forget my Political Science minor! I absolutely love to write, which I'm sure you'll get a taste of at some point. I love writing feature stories about the people, places, and things that surround me. I also love writing poetry...I'm just a little shy at broadcasting it.

(Part of a news photo shoot last year) 

As my short profile says, I love pink lemonade, blogs, comfy clothes, chocolate, family and friends. I'm a pretty laid back person but I definitely have lots of goofy, off-the-wall moments. It takes a little bit to crack me out of me shell, but once you do...I won't shut up. Sorry? :) 

(On our way to an old Harry Potter premiere) 

I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd- just like my two best friends, Lindy and Laura. I saw the last movie at midnight last night. It nearly brought me to tears. Oops! I also am in love with Food Network. It's basically the only network I watch. Well that and HGTV. I am also really involved at school and (although crazy at times, well most of the time) I wouldn't have it any other way. 

(My sorority "big" and best friend Bethany) 

So that's me in a nutshell. I really don't like writing about myself, so I'm keeping it brief.

Can't wait to get crafting on Sunday so you can see some more of my creative side! Hit up the Michael's sale starting Sunday. I sure am planning on it! :) 

The Little Things

First of all, great news! My wonderful parents are coming to visit me on Sunday and we're taking a very exciting trip to Michael's. I'm in heaven! I can finally get started on these next few projects! Hooray!

So I found a couple more projects to work on after my shopping trip on Sunday. They're all pretty simple, but sometimes it's the smaller things that brighten your day the most. :)

Button Bookmarks

Like I said, pretty simple. All this requires is hot gluing buttons onto paperclips to make adorable book marks! How cute would this be as a gift for a book-nerd? (I can say that because I am one) Imagine- buy your friend a cute book with a couple of these bookmarks in a cute home-made goodie bag! I think it would be fun. Opinions?

Button Bobby Pins

Same concept with a twist on it. As an avid bobby-pin wearer/user/whatever these would be an adorable addition to my collection! With both projects I can't imagine they would be expensive AT ALL! All you need is buttons! :)

Decorative Styrofoam Balls



This project is going to take a little more effort! I stole this idea from both Pinterest and my friend Crystal's blog.

Here's the gist of it. (Did I spell gist right?) You get however many styrofoam balls you want and the jar you want to place them in. Then you need plain tacks. You then spray paint all of the tacks the color you need them to be and then tack them into the balls! Wa-lah- project accomplished.

Don't forget the spray paint you want to use!

And lastly...

Cookie Sheet Magnet Boards

Now this is a must for any college apartment! I am most certainly doing this for my apartment! All you need is paint, cookie sheets, magnets, and something to hang them up with. I think this project it pretty self-explanatory. You can even check out websites like Pinterest to get cute DIY magnet ideas!

Have you all joined yet? If you can't tell I am absolutely obsessed with it!

Goodbye for now! Get crafting my lovely friends! 

Morning Musings

I've found my next two projects! :) Want to see what they are?

Scrapbook Paper Coasters

My new apartment is in need of some cute coasters! And I've got a couple birthdays coming up too...

Here's what I'll need:

4- square tiles (4.25" x 4.25")

4- pieces of scrapbook paper (3.75" x 3.75")

4- pieces of felt

Mod Podge

Sponge brush

Glue

Clear acrylic sealer

It seems pretty simple and pretty inexpensive! I can't wait to get started. Problem is...no car....so no transportation to Michael's. Anyone in the Elon area want to craft?! I'll be sure to show you how they turn out! :)

Painted Decorative Keys

Aren't those simply adorable? I know they are a little out there, but they'd be cute to hang somewhere or even have one or two hanging from the mirror in your car. I can't imagine this project would be very expensive at all. Just find some vintage keys...I already have the paint....and then ribbon, which I also already have in my craft box! Ta-da! And done! Once I find some keys I'm jumping on this project ASAP! 

Thank God for Pinterest and its cute ideas. Not a member yet? JOIN. It will be the best decision you make. I promise.  ;)

DIY Debut

Hello, hello! 

This is (obviously) my first post! I'm really excited to get things started and show you all my crafty side! After completing a variety of crafts in the past few days, I decided to start my own blog to document my projects! Hopefully you will all share your DIY-designs with me or feel inspired by my posts.

After spending hours on the wonderful website Pinterest, my sister and I were feeling inspired this weekend during our girl time! Here's some of the things we created! 

Magnetic Makeup Board

Inspired by a Pinterest post, I spent around $10 making this craft! First I needed to find a magnetic board! I found a dazzling hot pink one at target for around $7! Then I purchased cute ribbon and magnetic "tape." After hot gluing the ribbon on the edges, I applied the tape to the back of my favorite makeup items. They stick right on there perfectly! It's a quick project that could even make a great gift! :) 

Magazine Decor

This is another simple project. that only cost about $2! I was influenced by a pin that showed a simple DIY design! In the original pin, the user hole-punched paint chips and strung them along to make this cute decoration. Well, I figured I could use magazine covers instead! This is another cheap and quick project that can spice up any dorm room or apartment! 

All you need:

yarn, magazine covers, something to trace, a Sharpie, scissors & a hole-punch!

After cutting out the shapes, hole-punch, string along and put it right on your wall! It's perfectly adorable! :)

Hall Passes

Okay, now here's a teacher project. My sister teaches second grade and was in need of new, cute hall passes for her students to use. Inspired by Pinterest (are you surprised?) she made these, among several other projects.

What's Next?

That's a great question. Join me as I explore the crafting and DIY world. I want to showcase my photography, DIY projects, and inspirations with you! And I want to hear about your projects as well! Stay tuned!