DIY projects

Ready to get your craft on? Here you’ll find my favorite do it yourself projects and party ideas. If you are searching for something specific try the search box on the right or see my list of categories at the bottom of the page.

DIY Caramel Apple Kit

by Kimberley Hasselbrink

I have a particular fondness for the sweets that are specific to fall and winter. Caramel apples are classic, and this little kit is a fun way to give them new life. You can bring the kits to a get-together, give them out at your own parties, or take them along on a cool weather picnic. You could also set up a Caramel Apple Bar and have all the ingredients arranged in dishes for guests to make their own. These kits are best when paired with a petite vintage butter or cheese knife to cut the apple into slices and slather caramel on each slice. You can find handsome old knives at thrift stores, or on Etsy or Ebay.

Materials:
6″x3″x3″ gable box with window
raffia or paper shreds
3 two-ounce plastic food containers and lids per kit
small butter knife
gift tags
decorative yarn or twine
pen
1 apple per kit
caramel sauce (or use wrapped caramels to make it even simpler)
choose at least two of the following: chopped pistachios, pecans, walnuts, almonds, coconut flakes,   chooped crystallized ginger, sesame seeds
Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter

Steps:

1. Heat the caramel sauce just a little bit so that it softens and is easier to pour into the plastic containers. (Be careful not to heat it too much or to cool it too fast, as that can cause the caramel to harden.)
2. Fill a two-ounce plastic container about 3/4 full with the caramel sauce.
3. Fill the other two-ounce containers halfway with whatever toppings you have chosen: nuts, coconut flakes, crystallized ginger, etc.
4. Place a small handful of paper shreds in one side of the box. Nestle the apple in the paper so it doesn’t get jostled.
5. Stack your three containers, with the caramel on the bottom, snugly into the opposite side of the box.
6. Tuck the packet of hazelnut chocolate butter and the knife into the container.
7. Seal.
8. Label the inside of the gift tag with every ingredient that you’ve chosen to include. Like this: Contains: 1. Apple; 2. Caramel sauce; 3. pecans; 4. candied ginger; 5. chocolate hazelnut butter; 6. enjoy! Also provide instructions for how to use the kit: Slice the apple using the knife provided; spread a little caramel or hazelnut chocolate butter on the apple slice; dip the apple slice into any or all of the toppings; enjoy!
9. Cut a 12-inch length of yarn or twine and affix the gift tag to the sealed box.
Note: Caramel in jars often needs to be refrigerated after opening. If you are preparing the kits in advance, store the caramel containers in the fridge until ready to use.
Do you have ideas for other creative toppings that would be perfect in these kits?

39 comments | Share

Mini Piñatas DIY

Yea! It’s a piñata day! We miss Mexican food here in Paris since it isn’t as readily available as back home so we started having Taco Tuesdays where my friend Rubi makes amazing homemade tacos. Last night we got together and I made everyone their own personalized mini piñatas. There was one at each person’s plate filled with treats and surprises. You just open the flap on the bottom to remove the treats. So fun!

Materials Needed: Cereal boxes, scissors, exacto knife, crepe paper in folds, tape, glue

Step One: Draw a picture of the donkey on a cereal box and cut it out with scissors. You need one for the front and one for the back of each pinata. Then cut out long strips from the cereal box about 1.5″ thick. Tape the front and the back together with the strip. (See more detailed instructions here.)

Step Two: Once your armature is built its time to decorate. Cut off the end of the crepe paper fold and cut on one side to create the fringe. Add lines of glue starting at the bottom. Then glue on the fringe, wrapping it around the pinata until its all covered.

Step Three: When you are done cut a trap door at the bottom to fill with treats like small candies, gifts, party poppers, and confetti. Guests can choose to use the little door or can take it apart anyway they like to get the goods.

I loved making these! They were ridiculously fun to work on. Next time I’ll make the ears separate but I started making them late at night so I didn’t think of it until the next day when they were close to done. I also experimented with tails but I thought it looked better sans tail so I left it as is.

You can find the other piñatas in my piñata series right here.

All photos by Oh Happy Day

67 comments | Share

Giant Confetti Bags DIY

This DIY project contains two things I am obsessed with. 1. Giant Confetti. They sell it at all the party supply stores here in France and I have to admit I have stocked up on way more than I could ever justify owning. And 2. Printing on paper bags with a home printer. It is still one of my favorite tricks ever for fancy looking favor bags. Go here for more pictures and my tips on how to do this at home.

Photos by Oh Happy Day

28 comments | Share

Glitter Disco Ball DIY

by Brittany Jepsen

I was wanting to make a Halloween disco ball for this year’s festivities, but I’m no fool! That would have taken ages. I decided to go with a cheaper, easier, more time-efficient option: glitter. I’m not usually a glitter fan, but once I saw this orange/pink color combo, I had to try it out. Hung in a doorway or for a party, they add a little sparkle to the season. To really get in the mood you could add a jack-o’-lantern face to it or group them in large bunches.

Materials Needed:
paper lantern (I show a white 10″ and 12″ in this tutorial)
spray glue for glitter
glitter
drop cloth or something where you can let the glitter drop

Here goes!
Step 1. Follow the directions on the package of the paper lantern to insert the light bulb and create the globe shape.
Step 2. With your glitter can, spray the lantern in patches then immediately add a handful of glitter. Let the extra glitter drip onto your drop cloth. You can use the extras as you go along or at the end.
Step 3. Repeat, repeat repeat! The key to glitter is layers upon layers. You don’t want it to look sparse so you might have to go over it again and again.
Pro Tip: Do this in an area where you wouldn’t mind glitter remaining. Glitter has a mind of its own and will stay on whatever is near. And don’t think using a broom will help much. I learned this the hard way.

Happy Glitter-ing!

Photography by Elovephotos for Oh Happy Day

33 comments | Share

Tiny Tassels DIY

I was experimenting the other day with my medium of choice: crepe paper! And I tried my hand at making some tiny Confetti System inspired tassels. These would be adorable for little favors. Crepe paper is so great to work with because there is no need to use glue and you don’t have to spend time poofing out the tassel like with tissue paper. See the whole DIY at Project Wedding.

photos by Oh Happy Day

23 comments | Share