DIY Book Ends

Back to school time! Time to restock the desk area for homework assignments and school projects. Add cute set of DIY book ends to perk things up. 

A to Z book ends tutorial @diyshowoff

As a part of the Michael’s Makers team, I have the opportunity to create a monthly themed project. This month’s challenge is “Back to School”. A bit of a ‘challenge’ when your nest is empty but these will work in grand-baby boy’s nursery too. 😉

What I used: 

  • 4  wood blocks 
  • wood glue and clamps
  • scrapbook paper and scrapbook cards
  • multi-surface acrylic craft paint and foam brush
  • gloss finish decoupage and foam brush
  • {thin} washi tape
  • letter A
  • letter Z
  • hot glue gun & glue

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial

What I did:

Start with applying a bead of wood glue to each block to create an “L” shape. Clamp, wipe away any excess glue and let dry. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Once glue was dry, I removed the clamps and applied a ‘white wash’ look using a foam brush and multi-surface acrylic craft paint. I only applied one coat so that the wood grain still showed through. Let dry. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Cut scrapbook paper to size for inside of the “L” shape and the outside of the vertical wood piece. I used scrapbook paper and cute patterned scrapbook cards. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Apply a coat of decoupage to one side at a time as a glue. Place scrapbook paper onto decoupaged surface. Smooth out air bubbles. Apply another coat of decoupage over the scrapbook paper, sealing it. I brushed on the decoupage in the same direction as the wood grain. Repeat decoupage + scrapbook paper to all sides. Decoupage will go on with a ‘milky’ look but dry transparent. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Add washi tape to sides, smooth out bubbles/make sure it’s adhered. Apply a coat of decoupage to seal. *There’s also the option to apply the decoupage before the washi tape to act as a ‘glue’. 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Apply a second coat of decoupage to all surfaces. I let mine dry overnight. 

Attach wood “A” and “Z” using hot glue gun. Wouldn’t they be cute with succulent planters, plastic animals, vases, figurines instead too? 

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Once hot glue sets, you’re good to go!

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

Ready for keeping school books within easy reach and an organized desk top. Useful, functional book ends that coordinate with your home office, library, reading room, craft room, nursery or homework station…love it!

DIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakersDIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakersDIY Show Off back to school book ends tutorial #michaelsmakers

See MORE ‘back to school’ crafts from these blog friends:

Teachers – It’s time to start planning for the new school year and Michaels has all of the ideas and supplies you need to create a one-of-a-kind classroom, plus you get a 15 percent discount on all classroom purchases!

In addition to the products available for teachers, parents and students can find organizational tools to keep on track throughout the year as well as project ideas to personalize school supplies

Check out Michaels’ Back to School Pinterest Board to find fun and creative project ideas to kick the year off right! 

As a member of the Michael’s Makers team, I receive a gift card to complete and share fun craft challenges.

Michaels.com: Your 24-hour Arts & Crafts Store

 

 

 

Craft Room Tour

Have you been following along the Craft Rooms and Spaces series hosted by Angie at Country Chic Cottage? It’s so fun seeing where bloggers create, getting ideas and motivation to maybe initiate some spring cleaning and organization in your own space?

DIY Show Off craft room tour

Thanks to Angie for the invitation to participate! I had no choice but to finally put things away. Here’s my chaotic craft room when I agreed to join the series…

craft room mess before

Yikes!

I’ve made some changes and cleaned things up for your arrival today. Ready for oodles of pics? There’s lots to see!

Craft Room at diyshowoff.com

Looking into the room from the hall (the resin button plaques on the wall are several years old, so no source to list).

Craft Room Tour at diyshowoff.com

One first thing you’ll notice is this room is PACKED full. But when everything is organized and tidy and in it’s place, its a great space for getting creative. The old farmhouse dining room table serves as a great workspace.

diyshowoff craft space

The skirt is sewn into simple custom sized rod pocket panels and attached using tension rods on 3 sides. I’m ready for an updated fabric/pattern but what I really love about the skirt is that it hides even more storage (things not so pretty to display, boxes of supplies and such) under the table. 

DIYShowOff Craft Room

The walls are lined with inexpensive shelving units, some tucked for a perfect fit against the back wall, providing TONS of storage and organization. A string of lights adds a fun festive feel.

DIYShowOff craft room tourdiyshowoff home officecraft room

A small DIY desk area holds our desktop computer, although I’m more inclined to work from my laptop in the living room most days. 

work space at diyshowoff.com

I love the mix of old crates, baskets and vintage finds for storing craft supplies, mason jars for scrap ribbon by color…

diyshowoff craft room storagecraft room organization at diyshowoff.comcraft paint storage at diyshowoff.comcraft room tourstorage for craft roomvintage craft room storage at diyshowoff.comcraft supply storage at diyshowoff.com

I recently added some shelves to the window for plants to bring some “life” to the space. 

diyshowoff craft room

 I love that this window sits low, close to the floor. The shelves add a little privacy (second floor) but still allow for lots of natural light to flood the room.

window plant shelves at diyshowoff.comwindow shelves at diyshowoff.comwindow succulents

I don’t remember where I got the light fixture (maybe Urban Outfitters years ago) but I really like the cage and sometimes clip cards or paint swatches there. 

craft room light fixture at diyshowoff.com

The walls are filled with a mix of fun frames collected over time, some with family photos, others just random art or thrift store finds and continues to grow here and there. 

gallery wall at diyshowoff.comCraft Room photo wall at diyshowoff.comCraft Room gallery wall

Pet Silhouette Art Tutorial

Framed Pet Silhouettes on Burlap

A DIY chalkboard + cork board + burlap message center helps keep ideas and schedules more organized. 

DIY burlap message centerCraft Room message center

A lot going on, right? A LOT of junk which I’ve unsuccessfully tried to downsize but perhaps one day I’ll grasp the truth that if I haven’t used it in 10 years, I probably never will but I’m still waiting for that day to arrive.

Craft Room at diyshowoff.com

Ready to see more craft spaces? Start the tour at here to see Angie’s super organized space. Or if you’re visiting from the creative room at Major Hoff Takes a Wife, welcome friends! I’m so glad you stopped by! Or following along and ready for the next awesome craft room tour on the list? Head over to Homemadeville!

craftroomtourbutton

Stylish Spaces – That DIY Party Highlights

One of my very favorite sources of DIY eye candy – your room makeovers. Here are some gorgeous room highlights from That DIY Party…

Entryway Style at Circus Berry

main-entry-style at Circus Berry

Kitchen Makeover at Turtles & Tails

Kitchen makeover at Turtles and Tails

 Kitchen makeover at Fisherman’s Wife Furniture

kitchen makeover at Fishermans Wife Furniture

Kitchen makeover at Maggie Overby Studios

kitchen remodel at Maggie Overby Studios

Kitchen progress at Nalles House

kitchen progress at Nalles house

 Hot beverage bar at Creatively Southern

hot beverage bar at Creatively Southern

Master Bathroom Makeover at HomeRoad

master bathroom makeover at homeroad 

Family Room Makeover at That’s My Letter

family room makeover at That's My Letter

Fall living room at the Happy Housie

Fall-Living-Room-at-thehappyhousie

Pudel Design studio reveal

Pudel Design Studio Reveal

Boys bedroom reveal at Little Bit of Paint

boys bedroom makeover at Little Bit of Paint

Vintage industrial boys’ room makeover at Freckle Face Girl

Boys Vintage Bedroom at Freckle Face Girl 

Coral, Aqua and Navy girl’s room makeover at The Chronicles of Home

coral navy girl room at The Chronicles of Home

Bunkroom at Hunting Creek Homestead

bunkroom at Hunting Creek HomeStead

Twin boy nursery at Our Pinteresting Family

twin boy nursery at Our Pinteresting Family

Shared girl/boy bedroom with vintage Disney theme at Persia Lou

vintage disney shared girl boy bedroom at persia lou

See more DIY:

thatdiyparty.pinboard

Thanks to these talented ladies for linking up their inspiring creativity and hard work! 

Cecilia’s beautiful Christmas Tree for the Christmas tree party & contest.

Cecilia's Christmas Tree