Blog2020-08-16T00:13:47-07:00

Salvaged drawers = DIY modular bookcase

I picked up these drawers on Freecycle. They were salvaged from the kitchen of a 1940s house that was demolished. My original plan was to put the drawers on wheels and use them as under-bed storage. Turns out, no two drawers are the same height, which would look […]

December 3, 2008|Furniture|

DIY faux-frosted glass doors

I got this idea from the plastic adhesive window coverings that Sarah Gaffney used in Sunset magazine’s 2008 Menlo Park Idea House. The window coverings (see below) from British designer Emma Jeffs are sold by Design Public. Sarah wrote […]

November 26, 2008|Furniture|

Bookshelf makeover

Kelly and Sarah, two former Sunset magazine coworkers, planned to use this shabby bookshelf in Sunset’s Menlo Park Idea House last summer. After removing the doors, which were in a dire state of disrepair, they painted it. Paint: Benjamin Moore Aura Steam (AF-15) and Caliente (AF-290). Then they decided […]

November 19, 2008|Furniture|

DIY hanging postcard collage

Last year, I asked for suggestions on ways to display my postcard collection. Everyone had great ideas. But this postcard “tapestry” idea came to me, and I had to try it. It would also work well for photos or Christmas cards. You can easily rotate in new ones whenever you like. […]

November 12, 2008|Wall Decor|

First-aid tape = quick DIY hem repair

I just had to share this: If you need to make a last-minute mend of a fallen hem or a temporary patch of a tear, reach for your first-aid kit. 3M Micropore first-aid tape works remarkably well in wardrobe mending emergencies. It even held through multiple washings […]

November 5, 2008|Home Hacks|

Carving pumpkins with a drill

I’ve been dying to try drilling pumpkins for two years, and I finally did it. It’s fun, but after drilling three pumpkins, my hand got tired from holding the drill. But it was worth it. Those daisies are sitting in a jar full of water inside the pumpkin. How, then, did […]

October 29, 2008|Holiday Decor|

Food jars = DIY hanging lanterns

Do you have a balcony or porch railing and some jam jars? This is a cheap and easy way to shed some light for trick-or-treaters, or just create a mood for nighttime porch sitting. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about the wind (or little feet) knocking them over. […]

October 22, 2008|Lighting|

Repurposed dishes = DIY cake stands

This one was my friend Kristi’s idea. While window shopping one day last spring, we saw a glass cake stand in a jewelry store window. She said, “You could make one of those.” I spent the next couple weeks scouring thrift stores for plates, candlesticks, vases — anything I could find […]

October 15, 2008|Kitchen & Dining|

DIY mini magnetic picture frames

Instead of chucking these old mismatched frames that I accumulated from thrift stores, I painted them all the same color, attached magnets, and gave them a whole new life. If only I could give this 1980s fridge a new life — in the junkyard. But because I’m renting my apartment, I’m […]

October 8, 2008|Wall Decor|

Sofa table = DIY piano keyboard stand

A few years ago, I achieved my dream of owning a Yamaha DX7 keyboard, the synthesizer behind that bell-quality sound of 80s pop music. But, I couldn’t just plop it on top of any keyboard stand. A former roommate gave me an old piano bench, and I found an unfinished […]

October 1, 2008|Furniture|

DIY bathroom makeover on a budget

Living in a rental, there is only so much you can do when you want to upgrade your bathroom. With a wall-mounted sink and no storage to speak of, my small bathroom needed a little help. Paint isn’t an option, and the neutral tile colors limited my color choices, so I […]

September 24, 2008|Rooms|
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Crafty Nest is Undergoing Reconstruction

Why are many posts missing? Where are my comments? You might find yourself asking these questions as you explore this blog. The fact is that my old site broke beyond repair. I’m working as fast as I can to manually rebuild Crafty Nest post by post. I’ll eventually copy over all your comments too. Please be patient with me as I tackle this massive undertaking. Thank you for visiting!

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