DIY Typographic Character Coasters

Here is how you can start this DIY project:

The coasters were laser cut from 1/8″ thick cork. The fonts represented include Times New Roman, Gill Sans, Courier New Bold, Futura Bold Italic, and Miso. We picked characters that seemed appropriate for making into single-piece coasters, and scaled them to size, assuming a 3″ diameter glass could be placed on top. For the caret, that meant a larger font size than for the octothorpe.

The 1/8″ cork sheets cut well with a hobby knife if you have a steady hand. 

Besides plywood and cork, we also made coasters out of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Both MDF and plywood are susceptible to moisture damage (an operational hazard for coasters!) so we sprayed them with a clear acrylic coating to make them water resistant.

Done! You can keep the custom coasters or give your family or friends as the personalized gifts.

Fabric Scrap Keychains

If you’re a frequent DIYer, chances are you accumulate bits and pieces of craft materials each time you work on a project. And although you don’t want to waste them, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what to do with all those scraps. Fortunately, today’s homemade gift idea shows us a way to recycle these tidbits into a great little gift.

DIY Christmas Mugs Gifts

2016 Christmas is coming! Maybe you are busy to prepare all kinds of gifts. I’m here to show you an easy and inexpensive gift to give–DIY Christmas Mugs!

Light up Country Christmas

There's something especially magical about the understated beauty of December in the countryside. Here is one way to light up country Christmas.

How to Hang Your Christmas Lights Correctly

It's better to hang Christmas lights vertically, instead of wrapped around your tree in circles. This way every tip of your tree, from branch to branch, will twinkle with delight. Plus, it'll prevent lights from getting stuck in the middle of your tree, covered by other branches.

DIY Pillowcase

Supplies:

- 27″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the body of the pillowcase
- 10″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the cuff of the pillowcase
- 2.5″ x 42/44″ piece of fabric for the for the band of the pillowcase

1. The first thing you want to do is fold the band fabric in half lengthwise (the 42 or 44″ side) with wrong sides together and press with an iron, then set aside.

2.Place the fabrics one on top of the other in this order with the right sides up: Bottom Cuff on the bottom, the Body fabric in the middle, and the Band fabric on the top all with their long (42/44″ inch side) raw edges together.

3. Next, roll of the Body fabric until it is about an inch from the folded edge of the Band fabric. It should be rolled about halfway into the Cuff fabric underneath at this point.

4. Fold the Cuff fabric over top the like you are making a taco, so the right sides will be facing into the center. Make sure the raw edges are all lined up together and pin them all in place to keep them there. Sew down the raw edges using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

5. Pull the inside fabrics outside. It will seem like an odd thing to do but it totally works! It’s a fun little magic trick that make a neat little Cuff and Band for the pillowcase!

6. Press the pillowcase and fold it in half so that the Cuff, Band and Body fabrics are laying wrong sides together, with right sides of the pillowcase out. Then fold the pillowcase in half again bringing the bottom of the pillowcase up to the top (note: you can just square off the raw edges without this last step but if you fold the pillowcase up it takes less space on your rotary mat!) Then grab a ruler and square off the raw edges of the fabric so you have a nice clean edge on the side and bottom to sew together.

7. Starting at the top of the Cuff, sew down the side of the pillowcase and along the bottom using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Clip the bottom two corners carefully and then turn the pillowcase wrong side out making sure to push out each corner. Sew down the edge and bottom of the pillowcase again starting at the Cuff. Use a 1/2 seam allowance this time making sure to enclose the last seam you just made. This finished seam is called a French Seam and when you flip your pillowcase right side out and press it you will have a lovely pillowcase with a nice and neat hidden seam inside!

DONE! This is the custom pillowcase. I hope this tutorial inspires you to do a little selfish sewing too!

DIY Your Own Bag

Supplies:

- Plasti-dip OR Acrylic Paint
- Canvas clutch
- Embroidered Iron-on letters
- Rowenta Iron
- Painters tape
- Brush

Photo Frame Tutorial

Here is the photo frame tutorial:

Supplies:

-16×20 in. piece of wood
-Paint
-Scrapbook Paper (4 pieces) in colors/designs you like
-8×10 Wood Frame
-Ribbon
-Modge Podge
-Strong Picture hanging VELCRO

Instructions:

1. Paint the back, sides, and 1 inch in on the front of your board. Let dry.

2. Paint 8×10 frame and let dry. Distress if desired.

3. Cut your scrapbook paper into 4×5 inch pieces. If you have 4 pieces, then you will end up with 3 of each of the 4 pieces of scrapbook pages.

4. Distress frame and wood if desired.

5. Arrange papers on board so you know that is how you want them. Modge podge pages onto the front of the board starting in the top left corner. You will overlap each page by just a little bit. Continue all around board.

6. Add ribbon to the back with hot glue or with a staple gun for hanging.

7. Apply velcro to the back of the frame and make sure it aligns with the velcro on the board.

Now you have a unique photo frame that makes the perfect gift for anyone for any occasion!

Thanksgiving Turkey Pillow Case

There are two parts to this tutorial.

I had an old sweater that I knew would make a cute pillow case.

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece - An easy and inexpensive floral arrangement that is the perfect hostess gift! Now, let me share this easy diy idea with you.

How to Make Your Own Hoodie

Here's what you'll need:

1. A T-shirt
2. Some Newspaper (for cutting patterns)
3. Fabric (for the hood and the pockets)
4. A zipper
5. A sewing machine

Why We Really Celebrate Halloween

Tricks, treats, witches, and ghosts…they all play a part in the history of Halloween, a holiday that has been adapted over centuries by many cultures.

How to Make Black Cat Pumpkins

Welcome trick-or-treaters and Halloween guests to your door with a litter of black cat pumpkins. These carve-free kitties are easy to craft. Let's do it together.

DIY Monogrammed Doormat

Materials Needed:

- sisal doormat
- 2 plates or bowls, one slightly smaller than the other
- permanent marking pen, such as a Sharpie
- letter template
- black acrylic craft paint plus a small brush
- measuring tape

DIY Sharpie Mug

Today I would like to teach you how to make a sharpie mug by yourself.

Make a Custom T-shirt by Yourself

Things you need:

- T-shirt
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Studs

Make Your Own Canvas

1. Try and come up with some sort of colour scheme or at least colours that you think might go together and contrast well. Keep working on it until your happy, there is no set way to do this. You could do swirls, blobs, lines, whatever you fancy.

Customize iPhone 7 Cases at Snapmade

Turn your favorite Instagram and Facebook photos into custom iPhone 7 phone cases.No matter what design you choose, your custom case will be as stylish as it is protective! Simply select a pattern or theme, personalize it with your name, monogram or initials, and order today!

DIY Leather Tassel Keychain

Since tassels come in different materials and colors, they are perfect for adding detail to all of your accessories. I am here to show you just how easy it is to create your very own tassel keychain!

How to Make a Painted Heart Bag

Supplies:

- one of the three canvas tote bags found in the pack.
- freezer paper
- puffy paint in red pink and white
- one pencil with a full eraser
- paper plate to mix paint
- iron

DIY Pillow Case

The custom pillow case are very easy to make. Here is how you can make:

DIY Wallpaper Coasters

Here is how you can make your own custom coasters:

DIY a Tank Top from an Old T-shirt

Step 1: Get an old T-Shirt

Step 2: Cut the Sleeves off

Step 3: Cut the Neckline

Step 4: Cut the Backside

Step 5: Make the Ties for the Back Finished!

Hope you enjoy this custom tank top.

DIY Stained Wooden Desk

New school year is coming. Get prepared for the new school year with an organized study space. Here’s how you can easily recreate this desk’s look with wood stain.

2 Ideas for DIY Phone Case

If you are looking for some simple DIY phone case, then this blog is for you.

DIY Custom Cosmetic Bag

I love custom gifts and these custom cosmetic bags are perfect. You can add your own clippings to create collages or edit photos. Create your images/quotes.

NEVER STOP LEARNING

No matter what we spend our time doing in life, we should never stop asking questions; never stop learning. If we never stop learning, we will never stop seeing the possibilities.

DIY: PICTURE FRAME IDEAS

I am so excited to share one of my favorite photo DIY projects.
This DIY is incredibly simple and inexpensive to make – all you need is a photograph, a white canvas, colorful washi tape and a few tools listed below.
DIY Photo Project – What You Need Photos Washi tape {similar to colored masking tape} Square white canvas {I used an 8X6 version} Scissors Ruler Pencil Instructions:
First and foremost, arrange to print out your photos. I, of course, used Shutterfly, my go-to site for printing pictures.
Next, gather all materials and set up shop in a roomy workstation, I used my kitchen table {gotta love city living!}.
Before getting started on the design, you need to mount the photo. The easiest way to do this is to take a ruler and measure the sides of your canvas, leaving a small pencil mark in the center of each side. Next, measure the sides of your photo, leaving a small pencil indent in the center of each side.
Next, line up the dots and secure the photo using craft glue. Let the fun begin! How you use the washi tape is entirely up to you. I created a pattern using vertical, horizontal, and diagonals lines. I cut the washi tape in half for the picture boarder {see photos below}. Note: If you’ve never used washi tape before, it’s about as adhesive as a Post-it note and is easily removable.
Most tapes are sheer, so keep that in mind when choosing certain patterns and colors. Lastly, the simplest designs consist of straight lines and diagonals. There are so many different home décor ideas out there, so just focus on letting your creativity shine! Whether you decide to use washi tape like I did or another type of adornment, remember to allow your photos and most importantly the memories to take center stage with these picture frame ideas!

Sweet Potato & Leek Pancakes

This ersatile dish of Sweet Potato & Leek Pancakes with Smoky Baked Beans

is perfect for breakfast, brunch or lunch and is even hearty enough for dinner too! It's also a favourite of the vegetarian in my life. It works well prepared ahead of time should you be entertaining, you can simply reheat the pancakes and beans and serve with minimal effort and fuss.
 Feeds: 4 Preparation time: 10 - 15 minutes Cooking time: 7 - 10 minutes 

INGREDIENTS:
1 large leek, cut in half and sliced into thin long strips Large knob of butter
2 small to medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated 2 spring onions, cut in half then into thin strips ½ zest of lemon Generous sprinkle of sea salt flakes, freshly ground black pepper and a good dash of white pepper
3 organic free range eggs, whisked
4 tablespoons of rice flour (for a gluten-free option) or plain flour Vegetable oil for frying Pot of crème fraîche to serve Boston style baked beans: Glug of olive oil ½ white onion, diced 1 clove of garlic, crushed and finely chopped 1 tin of cannellini beans or haricot beans 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika ½ tin of tomatoes ½ pint of vegetable stock 1 teaspoon of molasses Generous sprinkle of sea salt flakes and black pepper 1 tablespoon freshly chopped oregano

PREPARATION: Begin by melting your butter in a frying pan, add in the shredded leeks and cook over a medium to heat until soft, this should take four to five minutes. Next, combine the grated sweet potatoes, spring onions, lemon zest, seasoning and cooked leeks.
Once you've thoroughly combined all ingredients add in the whisked eggs, again mixing well so all ingredients are now evenly coated in egg. Gradually add the flour until you have a relatively thick and sticky consistency. Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan. You ideally want between one and two centimeters depth of oil. Test that it's hot enough by adding a small dollop of the mixture - this should fizz and float to the top. It's also good at this point to check the seasoning of your cooked mixture and adjust if necessary.
When you're happy with your sweet potato and leek mixture begin to gently spoon generous tablespoonfuls into the hot oil, leaving a little room for them to spread out either side. Cook for around two to three minutes on each side or until golden. Once cooked gently transfer to paper towel to absorb some of the oil. You can keep these warm in the oven if you're cooking these up in batches. For the Boston style baked beans, add a glug of olive oil to a pan and allow to heat before adding in the chopped onions and garlic. Sweat for several minutes and then add the beans, tinned tomatoes, stock, smoked paprika, seasoning and molasses and cook over a medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, finally add in the fresh oregano.
Serve the sweet potato pancakes with a generous dollop of Boston style baked beans and another generous dollop of crème fraîche with a little extra freshly ground black pepper.

DIY These 6 Phone Cases in Under 10 Minut

Materials
– clear iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 or HTC

Summer Style: How to Alter a Cowboy Hat with Mod Podge and Fabric!

This time we are altering a Cowboy Hat with Mod Podge and Fabric! This project can be whipped up in under an hour. So grab some Fabric Mod Podge and your favorite floral fabric and get making! We nabbed the plain hat for 9 bucks and the fabric was less than 2 bucks!
Gather your supplies: Hat, Floral Fabric, Scissors, Paintbrushes, Fabric Mod Podge, Extreme Glitter Mod Podge, Gem Glue, Rhinestones
1. Cut out the flower motifs from the fabric.
2. Apply the Fabric Mod Podge to the back of the fabric.
3. Position the fabric pieces to the hat. Smooth with your fingers.
4. On the curves: cut darts (slits) in the fabric and overlap the ends.
5. Add sparkle! Paint Mod Podge Extreme Glitter over the flowers.
6. This is the Extreme Glitter Mod Podge dried. I love the different sparkles.
7. Glue a ribbon for a hat band and add gems for bigger sparkle.

DIY SWEATER PILLOWS

This project is a great way to cozy up your couch in the Winter time!

DIY // CORK STORAGE BOXES

These cork houses are great storage in two ways

DIY POP UP CARDS

 I’ve been seeing a lot of pop-up cards

DIY CACTUS PILLOW

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

sewing machine

1/2 yd. Fabric (washed, I always wash my fabric prior to using it)

1 yd. Yarn

DIY Painted Mugs – That Won’t Wash Away

Supplies:
* Mugs {$1 at Dollar Tree}
* Oil Based Sharpie Paint Pens

DIY a awesome bag:

materials
1/2 yard fabric A
1/2 yard fabric B
1/2 yard lining fabric, I prefer to use canvas or a home dec weight fabric rather than interfacing 20 buttons, yes 20! all the same, or 10 of one kind 10 of another, but they all should be about the same size sewing machine, buttonhole attachment (you can do it!) iron directions
1. Out of each 1/2 yard of fabric cut two 14 inch wide by 15 inch tall pieces and one
2 inch wide by 41 inch long piece. You should have plenty of fabric to work with, but I want you to mark all the piece on your fabric first to see how it will fit. The strap will go along the top (the long side will be perpendicular to the salvage) and the two main piece of the bag should fit below it (the short side going with the salvage). 2. On the bottom of each piece cut a 1 1/4 inch square out of both corners. This is going to make a boxed bottom for the bag.
3. Now you need to sew all the pieces together. Start with fabric A: before you sew, mark a 4 inch wide space in the middle of the bottom edge, sew the bottom of the bag together, right sides facing, but in between the marks use a basting stitch (just a very long stitch). Take it to your ironing board and press the seam open. Then sew up both sides,right side facing. Don't sew around the notches we cut out! the easiest way to press the side seams open is to lay your bag flat and fold down one side of the seam, iron it (see above), then flip it over and fold the other side of the seam down and iron. fabric B and lining: Sew the bottom seam first (no basting) right sides together and press the seam open. Sew the side seams and iron as above. Again don't sew the notches!
4. At on of the square notches, fold the bag so that the bottom seam and the side seam line up. Iron it flat and sew closed. Do this on both notches for fabric A, fabric B, and the lining.
5. Take fabric A where we did that bit of basting and rip out all those basting stitches. This will be the hole where we turn the bag right side out, which is the next step...
6. Turn the fabric A bag right side out and put it on your hand (really!). Then take the fabric B bag, inside out, and pull it on top of fabric A. It's important that that the right side of these two bags are facing each other. Then lastly, fit the lining (inside out or right side out, it doesn't matter) on top. You should have a big oven mitt like thing on your hand now. Poke your fingers into the boxy corners and try to get them all to match up.
7. Line up the raw edges at the top of the bag. If all the fabrics don't line up (mine never do) trim them so they do. Now sew all around the top of the bag.
8. Stick your hand through the hole we made in fabric A and pull out fabric B and the lining. Then stuff fabric B and the lining into fabric A. This is a little confusing to explain and weird the first time you do it, but it works I promise! 9. Iron the top edge.
10. Hand sew the hole in fabric B closed. It should be easy to make it straight and pretty much invisible because you can just follow where the basting stitches were. The best stitch to use for this is the ladder stitch.
11. Now for the strap. You should have three strap pieces--42inch by 2inches--one from each fabric. Stack them all on top on one another making sure the right sides of fabric A and fabric B are touching.
12. Lay the strap out flat. On the left side, on the bottom measure in one inch and cut from there to the end of the top edge. This just makes a pretty angled end to the strap. Do the right side, except measure in one inch from top and cut down to the end of the bottom edge.
13. Sew all around the strap, leaving about a foot wide opening in the middle of one side, so we can turn it out easily. You could also do the basting stitch trick here if you like. Turn that sucker out! You can use a chopstick, a pencil, a tweezers, whatever works, but be sure to poke the corners at the ends of the strap out. Iron it well after it's all right side out.
14. To sew the opening closed you can topstitch all around or hand sew it--it's up to you. If you want to topstitch it and want to match your thread to your fabrics, just put the one that matches fabric B in the bobbin and the one that matches fabric A on top. Then be sure to sew with fabric A side on top and you're good to go.
15. Now we're going to attach the strap to the bag! Place the strap so the pointed part is at the bottom edge and it is centered over the side seam.
16. Starting about an inch from the top of the bag lay 5 buttons along the strap all the way to the bottom (about an inch before the angled bit begins). My buttons are 1 1/2 apart, but your bag might have turned out a little bigger or smaller, so just make sure they are evenly spaced.
17. Mark where all the buttons go. Then do a test run with your buttonhole attachment on your sewing machine.
18. You can see above I have my test buttonhole next to my strap (with the mark on it), so I know about where to start the buttonhole. When you hold your awesome bag all full up with awesome stuff the button will slide down to the bottom of the buttonhole, so keep this in mind for where you place the buttonhole in relation to the button. I hope this isn't horribly confusing--I'm trying to be extra clear so you don't have to rip out any buttonholes, because that's no fun. 19. Mark the buttonholes in the same way on the other side of the strap as well. Sew those buttonholes! You should have 5 on one end and 5 on the other. Carefully cut the buttonholes open. Pin the strap onto the bag and make marks through the buttonhole for where the buttons go. All the marks should all be on the side seam.
20. It's time to sew all those buttons on. Settle in on the couch with a needle and thread (and a podcast or two). You are going to sew two buttons at a time: they will be in the same place, but one will be on one side and one on the other. The awesome bag is reversible, remember? When you are finished you should have 20 buttons sewn on!
 21. Attach your strap however you like, on whichever side goes with the very cute outfit you have on today. Ta Da! you made The Awesome Bag. You are awesome! 20.
It's time to sew all those buttons on. Settle in on the couch with a needle and thread (and a podcast or two). You are going to sew two buttons at a time: they will be in the same place, but one will be on one side and one on the other. The awesome bag is reversible, remember? When you are finished you should have 20 buttons sewn on! 21. Attach your strap however you like, on whichever side goes with the very cute outfit you have on today. Ta Da! you made The Awesome Bag. You are awesome!

Want a summer braided tank

Grab a t-shirt, needle and thread, a pair of scissors and follow me.
Tutorial Things you need.
Shirt (Mine was a large mens)
Scissors Needle Thread Chalk
1 Mark your shirt.
2 Cut the front and back.
3 Take the front of your shirt and cut 3 pieces so you can braid it.
4 Braid both sides.
5 Cut down the middle of the back of your shirt about 3 inches into your shirt.
6 Tie it in a double knot. This is where you can adjust the shirt to fit you.
7 Take each piece from the back and cut that into three pieces.
8 Braid
9 Tie off all 4 braids.
10 Take your two front braids and criss cross them in the back, then pin them to the back of your shirt. *here is another place where you can adjust the shirt to fit you.
11 Take your back braids and pin them up to the top braids.
12 With a needle and thread attach your braids and stitch your bottom braids to the edge of the shirt.
13 Trim the excess material. Now you have a cute little summer tank. Have a wonderful Sunday.

DIY Father's Day Card

Here is a new Father's Day idea: DIY Father's Day card. It's super easy.

1. Trace your child's hand, then cut out two copies. My paper was double sided so I made sure that when the thumbs match up - the yellow side would be inside, and the blue side would be outside.

2. Cut out a strip of paper and fold it accordion style. Use letter rub-ons or stickers to add the words "I Love You" on the outside, and "This Much" on the strip of paper.

3. Glue the ends of your accordion strip on the insides of the hands and your card is done.

If you want to search more personalized gifts for Father's Day, come to Snapmade. Here you can customize many kinds of personalized gifts by yourself.

DIY Bottle Cap Photo Frames

First, paint the inside of the caps with two coatings of white hobby paint.

DIY Mustache Mug for Father's Day

DIY mustache mug - a funny gift for Father's Day.

Supplies:

- mug
- sharpie
- pebeo porcelaine
- gel and pen

How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

 How to get a better night's sleep?

1. Turn down the thermostat

Sixty-five degrees is the optimal temperature for sleeping, according to the National Sleep Foundation. That’s because, throughout the day, your circadian clock alters your body temperature right along with your energy levels. And when your clock says it’s time for bed, you experience a rapid decrease in your core body temperature. In fact, from the beginning to middle of the night, your temperature drops about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to enter the deepest stages of sleep. Keeping your room cool facilitates this process, while temperatures higher than the low- to mid-70s are known to impede the brain’s ability to switch to sleep mode.

2. Exercise as early in the day as you can

Research suggests that regular exercise improves sleep quality and duration. And while the effects are generally seen sooner in people with sub-clinical sleep problems, after four months of regular exercise, a gym membership can prove as (or even more) beneficial than most sleep medications even for those with serious cases of insomnia. Apart from reducing stress and anxiety, regular exercise increases the amount of time you spend in deep sleep. And while studies are at odds over the best time of day to exercise, if you find evening workouts interfering with your sleep quality, it’s best to make sure you give yourself at least three hours after leaving the gym before you hop into bed. Exercise temporarily raises levels of hormones and neurotransmitters that can leave some people feeling amped up for hours.

3. Skip the nightcap

By acting on your brain’s GABA receptors, that glass of wine may help you fall asleep. But, unlike sleep meds, which also work on GABA, alcohol targets sub-receptors that are more related to sedation than actually sleepiness. So even though alcohol may help you fall asleep, it won’t help you stay asleep. If you like to have a little relaxer after work or with dinner, just make sure that you wrap things up three to four hours before going to bed. That will give your body plenty of time to metabolize any alcohol from your system so that it doesn’t interfere with your brain patterns during sleep. Also, that should give you enough time for any diuretic effects to take hold before you try to go to sleep. 

4. Nix even the occasional cigarette

While we hope you know smoking isn’t a healthy activity, most women would be surprised to hear that it affects your sleep patterns—and for the worse. While nicotine in itself is a stimulant, potentially triggering insomnia and mid-slumber awakenings, people who currently smoke are also 2.5 times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, a condition in which you temporarily stop breathing during sleep. That’s because smoking triggers inflammation in the nose, throat and bronchiole tube that can cause both swelling and excess mucous production, essentially blocking your airways.

Want to have a good sleep with a custom pillow case? Come to snapmade.com.

DIY Customized Phone Case

Hey guys!! Today I want to show you a simple and super creative way to make your own customized phone case. Here is what you need:

Easy DIY Craft - DIY Mug

What you will need:

- White ceramic mug
- Ceramic/glass paint marker
- Oven

DIY YOUR OWN ERASER JEWELRY

Can you image that the erasers can be made into a personalized jewelry? Today I want to show you how to make the eraser bracelet.

Make Your Own Custom Towel

Supplies:

- A stencil
- Towels (washed & ironed)
- Acrylic paint
- Dura-Lar
- Foam brush
- Small paintbrush
 - Masking tape
- X-acto knife
- A cutting surface
- An iron & a dryer

DIY Teacup Candle Holders

Supplies:

- vintage tea cups
- candle wax flakes
- candle wicks
- wooden skewers, chopsticks, or even pencils will do
- a stove
- a saucepan
- a glass container, like a pyrex or an old sauce jar
- tape
- scissors

Instructions:

1. You’ll want to start off by cleaning your teacups. Just your regular dish soap is great and make sure you dry them thoroughly when you’re done. You don’t want any water in your teacups when you pour in your wax. Wax and water do not mix.

2. Measure out the amount of candle wax flakes you’ll need. For each teacup you’ll need twice the amount of wax flakes to fill it.

3. Set up the candle wicks in your teacups, you’ll want them to lay flat against the bottom. Then use your chopsticks/skewers/pencils to hold them up and tape the ends of the chopsticks so they stay put.

4. Fill a sauce pan half full of water. Place the measured amount of wax flakes in the glass container. Then place the glass container in the sauce pan. Turn your stove on to medium-high. I found that the wax flakes I used started melting slighting before a full boil. This may vary for you depending on the wax flakes you have. As the wax melts it will turn clear.

5. Once all your wax flakes have melted, carefully remove your glass container from the sauce pan. This is the time to add your coloring and scents if you have chosen to use them.

6. Carefully pour the wax into your teacups and fill until they are about half an inch or 1.5 cm from the top.

7. Let the wax cool and set for a few hours. I would let them set at room temperature to prevent any cracking from cooling too quickly.

8. Once your candles are set, trim your wicks to about 1cm long. Light your candle and enjoy.

Beautiful custom candle holder, right?

DIY Hug Pillow Case

What You'll Need:

- a throw pillow
- scrap paper for tracing your hand templates
- one piece of felt per pair of arms
- a pen that writes well on felt
- scissors and/or a rotary cutter
- hot glue gun or preferred adhesive, meaning something like fabric glue, although it has a tendency to bleed through felt, or stitch witchery if you like ironing.

What You'll Do:

1. Trace your kids' hands on your scrap paper and cut out with your scissors.

2. Place your paper hand template on your felt and trace. Then flip the hand over and trace once more hand.

3. Cut out your felt hands.

4. Position your hands as desired and glue into place.

Cute custom pillow case, isn't it??

DIY Necklace for MOM

Believe it or not, Mother's Day is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about gift ideas for your moms. Custom jewelry is a good gift. Here is how I make the custom necklace:

DIY Mother’s Day Mug

Want to give your mother the special gift? Here I can show you how to make the Mother's Day mug by yourself.

DIY a Mug With a Sharpie

Do you have a plain, boring mug that needs a bit of spicing up? Personalize your mugs by drawing on them! Here's how to start:

5 Terrible Habits You Need to Stop Immediately

1. Do Not Answer Calls from Unrecognized Numbers

First, the interruption will throw your concentration, costing you far more in time and brain power than just the conversation itself, and second, if it’s important, you’ll find yourself in a poor negotiating position, scrambling to formulate your thoughts when the caller is already well prepared. Instead, use Google Voice to check your messages or a service like PhoneTag to have them sent to you as email.

5 Dumb Ways You’re Wasting Money Without Realizing It

Here’s five signs you need to curb your spending before you send more cash to the dump:

1. You Buy New Stuff Just Because It’s New

You’re the guy in line at 2 a.m. on the day the new iPhone is being released. But guess what? There’s always going to be a new iPhone coming out. And a fancy new fill-in-the-blank. Commerce is what makes the world go ’round. If companies stopped creating new versions of things to sell, they’d go out of business. However, it doesn’t mean you have to buy into the super-hype and rush to get everything the minute it hits the shelf.

It’s not just electronics. The new car smell is still hanging in the air and you’re at the dealership again looking at next year’s models? Cars depreciate 11% the minute you drive them off the lot, and lose 19% of their value in the first year. You don’t get your money’s worth out of a car until you’ve driven for a while.

2. You Sale Shop for Things

You Don’t Need It’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Super Saturday, or Free Shipping Day, and you’re right out there among the rest of them. Fighting your way through the crowds — real or virtual — to get your hands on stuff you never knew you wanted. You hate to miss one of your local department or computer store’s special sales (nearly every weekend), and you never pass up two-for-one coupons for things you don’t even need one of. “But look how much I’m saving!” you say. But look how much you’re saving if you keep your wallet in your pocket.

What’s that you say? You only shop at discount stores, dollar stores, and places with Barn, Depot or Warehouse in their names? Look how much I’m saving! Yep, you’re saving what it would have cost if you’d bought the same things at high-end establishments. But if you don’t need them, then you’re not saving a cent no matter what you paid for them. Plus you’ve got to figure out where to put everything when you get it home. You want to wind up living like someone on Hoarders?

3. You Pay Fees to Use a Credit Card or Checking Account

You’re handing over money to a credit card company so that you can pay interest on the money you owe them? What a deal! There are a few exceptions when the program rewards will more than pay the fee, but generally, paying an annual credit card fee is dumb. There are plenty of credit cards with no annual fee. Get one.

The same applies to having accounts at a bank that charges a monthly checking account fee or a fee to visit a teller instead of an ATM. Do some research and find a bank that will accommodate you with no fees for a minimum deposit you can live with. 

4. You Don’t Use Loyalty Cards at the Stores You Shop at Regularly

Rail as you might at the insidiousness of grocery and other stores that extract personal information from you and track your purchases in exchange for giving you discounts, if you regularly shop at a store that offers special pricing to customers in its loyalty program and you don’t take advantage of it, you’re over-spending at that store by 20% or more every time you shop there. Unless you’re in a witness protection program, it’s absolutely worth the savings to give your local supermarket your address and phone number and let them keep tabs on the brand of butter you buy.

5. You Eat Out More Often Than You Eat at Home

If your breakfast comes in a Styrofoam container, your lunch is delivered in a plastic box, and you’re choosing dinner from a menu, you’re spending way more than you have to. You can’t help it if you’re on the road, but otherwise, you can eat as well or better at home for a lot less money, even if you barely cook at all. Tax and tip alone add about 25% to the price you’d pay if you bought the food yourself and just nuked it. If you actually know how to cook, there’s sort of no excuse.

Boost Your Creativity

Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, a blank easel or an empty stage. It’s all part of the process when you live a creative life or work in a creative field, but some days the blankness gets the better of you. You can’t seem to write the first word, paint the first mark or speak the first line.

3 Ways to Be Instantly More Productive

Here are 3 stategies for becoming your smartest, fastest, best self.

1. Ask yourself why you’re doing something

Make a Tank Top from a T-shirt

Looking for something cute to wear on St. Patrick's Day? Making a personalized tank top from a green t-shirt is a perfect idea.

How to Make a Paper Leprechaun Hat

Materials:

- green card stock (1-2 shades)
- craft knife
- ruler
- paper scoring tool
- 3-inch hole punch
- glue gun
- plastic headband
- Download: Leprechaun Hat Pattern

DIY St. Patrick’s Day T-Shirt

Today, I want to show you a new way to make the St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt by yourself. 

To make the eraser-stamped DIY St. Patrick’s Day shirt you will need:

– clover pattern
– a shirt
– Freezer Paper
– fabric paint
– pencil with an unused eraser Let’s get started!

1. Trace the clover shape on the NON-shiny side of a piece of freezer paper.

2. Cut out the clover shape. If you were doing a more intricate design, you could use an X-Acto knife, but scissors worked fine here.

3. Put the clover, shiny side down, on your shirt. Iron it on.

4. Dip the eraser in green paint and start stamping around the clover. Make sure to put another piece of freezer paper inside the shirt to keep the paint from leaking through.

5. Put the dots closer together around the clover and then gradually faded them out.

6. Let the paint dry and peel off the freezer paper. Follow the instructions on your paint to heat set it.

There you go! That's the funny personalized t-shirt! Cute and simple!

Easy St. Patrick’s Day T-Shirt DIY

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to pull out your best green outfits and your pots o’gold! This easy St. Patrick’s Day custom t-shirt makes a great party craft, and is fabulous for kids of all ages!

The Power of Writing Down Your Goals

Every time I meet with a new client, I have them do one thing before anything else: Write down their personal goals, their professional goals and their physical goals.

I’ve been writing down what I want since the beginning of my career, and honestly, it’s so amazing because everything I’ve written down has happened. I started this habit in college because I loved Oprah, Deepak Chopra, The Power of Now.

10 Easy Ways to Stop Eating So Much Sugar

Do you think there’s no way that stat could include a health-conscious person like yourself? You may want to take a closer look at your plate. Even if you’re not downing sleeves of cookies or guzzling cans of soda, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. In fact, added sugar often lurks in the places you’d least expect it—in “wholesome” bread, your go-to “healthy” snack bar and your post-workout smoothie—and it may be just the reason you can’t get that flat belly you’ve been working on.

The good news is that it’s possible to cut back. To help you do just that (and ward off tooth decay, diabetes and high blood pressure), we’ve compiled a list of easy ways to slash your sugar intake without sacrificing the deliciousness of all your favorite foods.

People Who Exercise May Have Bigger Brains

Yet another reason to exercise: the bigger the workout, the bigger the brain 

Here’s good motivation to get up and move more, even in the dead of winter: a new study published in the journal Neurology found that people who weren’t as physically active in midlife had smaller brains than their peers 20 years later. 

In the new study, the researchers looked at 1,583 men and women who didn’t have dementia or heart disease. They worked out on a treadmill to assess their fitness levels. Then, 20 years later, the people in the study did another treadmill fitness test and had brain scans.

The brain scans revealed that people with a lower exercise capacity — defined as the amount of time people could exercise on the treadmill before their heart rate hit a certain threshold — in midlife were more likely to have smaller brains years later, compared with people who had high fitness levels in middle age. They also found that people whose blood pressure and heart rate went up more during exercise were more likely to have smaller brains down the line. Higher-than-average blood pressure and heart-rate spikes could indicate a lack of physical fitness.

People in the study only had brain scans at the end of the trial, which means the researchers couldn’t say whether their brains had gotten smaller over time. But past research has shown that exercise makes the brain better able to combat cognitive decline.

It’s not yet known at what point in life exercise is most critical for brain volume, the authors say. “We are not able to tell from our study whether fitness in midlife or later life matters more,” says study author Nicole Spartano, a postdoctoral fellow at the Boston University School of Medicine. “In future studies I would like to explore this distinction, to see whether one is more important than the other. But it is likely that both are important.”

Looking for some custom tank top for exercise? Come to snapmade.com.

This Is the 1 Thing Ruining Your Relationship

Avoid this cognitive trap

Those of us who spend our lives helping people with their relationships talk a lot about behaviors. We encourage couples to say this instead of that and to act in this way instead of in that way. We also talk a lot about emotions – how to manage them and express them in constructive ways.

While behaviors and emotions matter in relationships, the emphasis we put on them forces one of our central human attributes onto the back burner: our thoughts.

7 Body Language Tricks to Make People Like You

How to capture attention without saying a word?

There’s no question that body language is important.

We’ve selected the best body-language techniques and shared them below.

Make the Hoodie By Yourself

Materials:

- Hoodie pattern pieces
- knit fabric
- rib knit Separating zipper
- Twill tape
- Coordinating thread
- Zipper foot

DIY DIPTYQUE CANDLES

As for the DIY Diptyque candles, you will need:

– A glass tumbler
– Wax beads
– A wick
– Tape
– A knitting needle or pen
– Essential oils

DIY | ENVELOPE PHONE CASE

Materials:

- leather
- topstitching thread
- scissors
- stitching awl
- e6000 glue
- needle
- tape

Is Yoga Good Exercise?

By almost any measure, the answer is yes—but don't let it be all you do.

Be Careful When You Take Selfie Millions of people across the world everyday hold up their cameras or mobile phone (custom phone case at snapmade.com) to snap selfies to share with their friends.

5 Things the People Reading Your Resume

1. If your relevant experience, education, or skills are hard to find at a glance, your resume might as well be blank.

The 10 Most Filling Foods for Weight Loss

Baked potatoes, greek yogurt, and popcorn can help you load up on fiber and protein

Loneliness is a Killer

Feeling lonely can ‘vastly elevate’ a person's risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, scientists warn.

Lacking a network of friends or family is as dangerous to your health as a lack of physical inactivity in youth or diabetes in old age, their research found. 

Scientists from the University of North Carolina examined the association between relationships and healthiness across each life stage.

They determined that weak relationships in younger years can increase your risk of inflammation – at the same rate as lack of exercise.

Furthermore, hypertension in old age is more likely to occur as a result of loneliness than clinical risk factors, including diabetes.

Yet, people who have the support of loved ones are less likely to develop health conditions – and more likely to have a longer life expectancy.

Dr Kathleen Mullan Harris, of UNC and the Carolina Population Center, said: ‘Based on these findings, it should be as important to encourage adolescents and young adults to build broad social relationships and skills for interacting with others as it is to eat healthy and be physically active.’

Previous studies found that aging adults live longer if they have more social connections.

The new study builds on that research – demonstrating how social relationships reduce the risk of poor health at each stage of life.

The size of a person’s social network is important for health in early and late adulthood.

Social integration in adolescence was found to protect against abdominal obesity.
Researchers found body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were higher among those with lower levels of social integration during adolescence.

And, in old age, social isolation can exacerbate a host of health problems, they said.

But, in middle adulthood, the number of social connections do not appear to matter as much as the level of support or strain they provide.

Dr Harris said: ‘The relationship between health and the degree to which people are integrated in large social networks is strongest at the beginning and at the end of life, and not so important in middle adulthood, when the quality, not the quantity, of social relationships matters.’

（Seeking some funny things? Come to Snapmade to create some personalized things with your your design.)

How to Become a Morning Person

It’s early and dark. The alarm sounds, and you reach over to switch it off. After a short pause, you sit up. You swing your legs off the bed, touch the floor with your feet, and reach for your phone. You sit quietly while your phone’s screen illuminates the dark bedroom. There are a few notifications waiting—new emails, a Twitter reply, a prediction of rain. You look at your messages, the news, and the weather. “I’m half asleep,” you think. “I’ll just look at Twitter while I wake up.” Ten minutes pass, then another five. You’re not asleep, but you’re not really awake either.