M A K E :: watercolor mug

We're over on Wonder Forest today, sharing how to make this watercolor mug! It's sweet, it's simple and anyone can make it! Go check it out and say hey to Dana!

xo. melisa

B I T S + P I E C E S

I've been painting a lot more as of late. I spent one afternoon just painting for fun and it was the best. Sometimes you just have to craft and take business out of it - helps you remember why you love what you do. It's fun to make things, purely for the joy of making. When was the last time you crafted just for fun??

xo. melisa

M A K E :: mini notebooks

I don't know about you, but I love toting around little notebooks in my purse. I always have ideas or inspiration at the most random times, so having a notebook handy is crucial. With it being a new year, I wanted to have a fresh batch of mini notebooks ready to go! I decided to whip these little beauties up!

S U P P L I E S   ::  watercolor paper, paint/brushes, scissors, (tracing) paper, pen, sewing machine

E A S Y   A S    1 ,   2 ,   3   ::

1.) Gather your paint supplies and brush away! You can be as meticulous or random as you'd like. I just wanted brush strokes and I didn't want mine to look too perfect. You can always paint flowers, or words… just have fun with it!

 2.) Once your paper has dried, use your scissors to cut each sheet in half. If you have a paper cutter available, that's always helpful to make your edges nice and straight.

3. ) Once your sheets are cut, you can begin to decorate your "covers" using your pen/marker. Another alternative is gluing photos to the front, or using magazine pages like this diy.

4.) Cut the paper you'll be using as your "pages", slightly smaller then your "cover" sheet. I decided to use tracing paper, because I'm obsessed with how fun it is to write on. Seriously, try it. Tracing paper is also pretty sturdy, so you don't have to worry about pages tearing easily when you sew. Use a binder clip, or anything else you may have, to bind the pages together. This will make sewing SO much easier.

5.) Mark where the fold will be and begin to sew from top to bottom! Fold your notebook in half and lay something heavy on it for a few minutes so it stays closed. You're done!!

I'm in love with how these turned out and I promise it's so so easy to do! I can't wait to see how yours turn out - and again, there are SO many different variations you can do! I'd love to see how yours turn out; leave a link!

xo. melisa

today

Today I decided to try my hand at watercolors. I've never really been a painter; I've worked with acrylics, but just for fun. SO I thought I'd give watercolor a try and I'm already in love. I have no real idea what I'm doing, but it's fun just playing around and discovering new things. 

I've always made it a point to have a craft in my life that's just for me, that I don't do for the shop, but just something that feeds my soul and helps me grow creatively - I've been slacking on this as of late. I think this may be a new, just for fun, hobby!

I could use any and all pointers you may have! Links or just tips, are welcome - just leave them in the comments. Thanks friends!

xo. melisa