DIY 41: how to make a coffee scented candle

Hey pixels!! Nothing says home more than a nice decor. And which decor is ready without a couple of cute candles? Candles add light and fragance to your home, and they make any situation even better.

What about making candles at home? Trust me, my happy pixels, it’s easier than you’re thinking now. It just requires a couple of steps to complete all the work. The results are great; you choose how strong is the scent, and the colour you want.

Today I’ve made a coffee scented candle. Did you know that just the smell of coffee can help to activate us in the mornings? And contribute to improve our mood? It could be a great choice during our breakfasts, or if you work at home, you can burn one at that moment when you feel sleepy. Think about it, my happy pixels!!

You’ll need:

• 1 mason jar
• 19-20 tablespoons wax (any kind of wax)
• 1 cotton wick
• 1/2 tablespoon ground coffee (it will add scent)

Directions:

Make sure that your mason jar is clean enough. Before making a candle, I always clean mine with water and a neutral soap. Allow to dry completely.

Melt your wax using a double boiler. Keep in mind that wax can be difficult to clean–you may want to purchase a cheap, heat-safe pot that you designate specifically for making candles.

When wax is melted, add coffee and stirr until it’s completely dissolved.

Place a wick in the center of the candle mold.  Place it on a flat surface in a protected workspace (such as on a cookie sheet or a cutting board.) The wick should be in the center of the candle mold with about 4cm sticking out of the candle. Loop the end that will be out of the wax around the center of a pen or pencil. Rest the pen across the top of the mold you will be pouring your wax into. Make sure the wick hangs down straight into the center of the mold.

Pour the melted wax into the mold. Pour slowly so that it does not spill over. Make sure not to knock the wick out of the mold accidentally. Wax will shrink a little once it has cooled so keep that in mind when pouring it into your molds. I usually make more wax amount and I refill the empty space a couple of hours later.

Allow the wax to cool completely. Remember to refill the empty space with more wax. If needed, reheat it using the double boiler.

When the candle is totally cool, trim the wick down to about .65cm. This will contain the flame.

Add a nice sticker, and voilà!! A cool candle with a wonderful scent!!

Note: you can make variations. Instead of coffee, you can add some other scent and colour to make lavender or orange candles, for example. I did a cinnamon one, and it smelled great, too.

Do you like candles, my happy pixels? Do you buy them or do you make them at home? Are you going to make one? Please, let me know in the comments below.

DIY 40: how to organize using wood boxes

Hey pixels!! As you may know, I’m not the most organized person ever… I’m not… I’m always trying to manage new ways to stay organized, I keep failing…

My last idea is the next one: to use nice painted wood boxes to storage my stuff in a pretty way. Maybe is not a new idea, but at least has been a nice DIY, too.

I collect my boxes from the supermarket, and I already had the paint at home. So, at least, the cost of the project has been 0€!! And painted boxes can double as a decorative item. That’s great, you just have to get many of them and buy a nice chalk paint.

I guess you can buy this kind of boxes at some shop, if you can’t find them for free. I’m not sure… Or to use any other kind. The effort is worth, I think it’s a cute DIY. Just choose your favourite colour, a brush, and start painting!! I’m sure yours will be awesome, my happy pixels!!

You’ll need:

• wood boxes
• chalk paint in your favourite colour: mine is vintage turquois (I had some leftovers from when we restored a piece of furniture)
• a brush
• optional: sandpaper

Directions:

If needed, use sandpaper all over your boxes.

Paint all over the box. I painted all: sides, interior and under the boxes. All in blue. I painted first the sides and inside the box. Then, when it was dry, I painted the other side.

 Allow to dry completely. Paint a second layer if you think it’s necessary.

Do you use any kind of boxes to organize or storage your stuff? To decorate? Are you going to make this DIY? Please, let me know in the comments below.

DIY 39: positive thoughts in a jar

Hey pixels!! First day of 2017; did you had fun yesterday? I hope so, my happy pixels. The last day of the year is always special. It’s when we remember how time flies; and when we make a list of  New Year Resolutions.

But, we really complete our resolutions list or we forget it? This is why I’m proposing this DIY, my happy pixels. It’s all about positive thinking and happiness. We, people, tend to remember better all the times when we do something wrong or when we are unhappy. But we tend to forget all the good things that happens to us every day. I  want to change the game with this DIY.

How about this? If the last day of December you could read about all your best moments of the year, and remember all that happy events and thoughts you’ve had, I’m sure you would feel much better. Well, you can do it easily with this DIY. Keep reading, please!!

You’ll need:

• 1 big box or mason jar
• our happy free-printable

How it works:

It can’t be easier, my happy pixels!! Just remember: when something special happens, or after a good day/moment, write it down on one of the cards. Store the card in the box/mason jar.

This way you’ll be keeping all this precious moments. Next first day of January, open the box/mason jar and read all the papers. You’ll be amazed remembering all the beautiful things that happened to you during 2017.

What do you think about this DIY, my happy pixels? Are you going to make it? Please, let me know in the comments below.

 

DIY 38: felt Christmas stockings

Hey pixels!! Have you decorated your home? I’m starting decorating mine. For this reason, I’ve made this awesome DIY: felt stockings. I  want them full of candy on Christmas morning!! I’ve been good all year…

 

Do you have stockings? If not, or if you want more (who has too many stockings?), you can make them. This tutorial is so easy that you can have 5-6 units in 60′. Or more if you’re faster than me at sewing.

I’ve made two units. Now I’m looking for the right place to hang them. In a visible place, so Santa would fill them with many candy!!

You can customize yours with more colours or decorations. Use your creativity, my happy pixels!!

You’ll need:

• sewing machine
• felt (in 2-3 matching colours)
• pen, scissors
• optional: ornaments: tassels, pom poms….

Directions:

Draw the shape on your felt (use a sock as a pattern). You need 2 for each stocking. Cut.

Cut some decorations for your stockings, like this squares I’ve used.

You’ll need too a strip of felt about 5cm. long to make a loop. One for each stocking.

First, sew your decorating shapes onto the front side of your stocking. Then, place both pieces of stocking felt back together and sew! Sew around the edges of the stocking until the entire thing is sewn together, except the top of course.

To finish,  fold your felt loop in half and sew onto the back right corner of the stocking. For most of this sewing, you could also sew by hand but it will take quite a bit more time.

What do you think about this DIY, my happy pixels? Are you going to make some stockings? Please, let me know in the comments below.

 

Advent Calendar in a jar+ free printable

Hey pixels!! It’s almost December! That means two things: Winter and Christmas.

December starts this week, and the first day of December it’s the first advent day. That means opening the first mini present on your advent calendar!! Do you have one?

Advent calendars usually have chocolate or candy, but why not a calendar filled with activities? Each day your calendar suggests to you a nice and happy thing to do that day.

It’s that easy: fill a jar with the activities printed, and each day you pick up one. You’ll fill your countdown to Christmas with joy and happiness. Trust me, my happy pixels, I’ll do it, too!!

Materials:

• mason jar (big enough)
• scissors
• printed template (you’ll find it here: advent-calendar-2016)

Just print (it’s a double side printing), cut and fill your jar with all the papers/cardboards. Take one each day until Christmas day.

Happy activities you’ll find at the calendar:

1. Drink a cup of hot chocolate
2. Send Christmas cards
3. Go to a Christmas market
4. Sing Carols
5. Play Board Games
6. Dance
7. Drink eggnog
8. Ride your bike
9. Visit a museum
10. Make Christmas cookies
11. Make a festive picnic in your living room
12. Wear a Santa hat
13. Make a wish
14. Read a Christmas story
15. Give someone a present
16. Give someone a hug
17. Decorate your house
18. Knit a scarf
19. Watch a Christmas movie
20. Have a coffee
21. Write a letter to Santa
22. Go for a walk
23. Snowball fight
24. Finish wrapping presents
25. Eat cake and have fun!!

Do you buy or make your own Advent Calendar, my happy pixels? Are you going to print this one? If so, why not Instagram a picture? Use the hashtag #thehappiestpixel.

 

Improve your home with an amazing Autumn houseplant (DIY 36)

Hey pixels!! How are you? Are you good taking care of plants?  You won’t need it to have this amazing and resistant plants at your home this Autumn. The following ones are the best and stronger plants that you can have at home this season. You won’t be disappointed by them.

I love plants, they add green, natural vibes at your home. But I’m not so good taking care of them. this is why I always ask for resistant plants when I buy them. Don’t be afraid to ask for more info about the plants you’re buying, my happy pixels. I’m sure the shop assistant will be happy to help you; and also, you’re not buying an object. Your plant is alive, and every one has its particular needs.

But, why having plants? They are not just for decoration purposes; having plants at home has benefits for you. It allows to stay in touch with a little piece of nature if you live in a big city. Plants absorb dioxid carbon and release oxygen during photosynthesis, so they help cleaning the air.

Having plants makes your house a home. Also, some studies have proved they increase our productivity, so don’t forget to add some plants to your home office, to help you working or studying. If you don’t work at home, you can bring a plant to your office.

And now, a guide to the best Autumn plants:

• Bromeliad
• Lemon cypress
• Kitchen herbs
• Succulents
• Peace Lily
• Mums
• Snake plant
• African violets
• If you’re interested in planting bulbs, some Autumn bulbs are: Narcissus, Hyacinth and Amaryllis.

(Note: I took pictures of all the plants that looked pretty to me. So, probably most of them are not on the list above.)

Do you have plants at home, my happy pixels? Are you going to buy one now? Please, let me know in the comments below.

Guest post: how to organize your closet

Hey happy pixels!! Autumn has just started, and that means I’m going to reorganize my closet and to get rid of all the clothes I’m not using. For me, it’s like a second Spring cleaning, let’s call it Autumn cleaning!! This year, I’ve teamed up with my friend Shivali, from Classifiedbird, so both are publishing this post at the same time!!

I have my own organization method. We should call it: the pixilated method. It has three steps:

First, I select my clothes to separate the ones I’m using from the ones I’m not. I do this for every clothes category: jeans, shoes, shirts…. First, I put all my shirts on the bed and I separate them into two groups. The shirts on the group called “not in use” are for charity. Usually I don’t give my old clothes to friends or family, unless someone has asked me for that special dress.

To choose, I have my own criteria. Basically I ask myself next questions:

• I’m going to use this shirt if I keep it?
• When was the last time I used it?
• It still fits me?

If most answers are no (or a long time ago for the second one), I put it on the “not in use” group. All this shirts end up in a box to take to charity. Then, I start the same process for the next clothes category. Jeans, for example.

I do the selection this way because if I have a look at all the content of my  closet at the same time I feel overwhelmed. I don’t like cleaning and organizing, and I find this an exhausting process. So, if I categorize, I can divide the selection in two times instead of making all in one day.

If you want to have an idea about the result of one of my selections, here is a list of my Autumn basics:

1&2: A couple of nice T-shirts

3: A comfy pair of Jeans

4: A nice skirt

5: Oxford shoes

 

The second step is cleaning the closet. Usually I don’t take all the clothes out to clean the inside, so I make first two steps at the same time. For example, when all my shirts are out of its drawer, I use my DIY natural cleaner to clean it. It’s perfect because you get rid of all the dirt and the drawer it’s perfectly clean until next Spring cleaning.

Now, you can finish with last step: organizing the items you’re keeping. The good news is you can use the space left behind for your old clothes. That’s how I organize (please, keep in mind my closet is tiny):

• Hang just the essentials. Keep other things in drawers or use organizer helpers.
• Put labels on your shoe boxes.
• Organize by color. This way it’s easier to have a general view of your clothes.
• Use a drawer for each kind of stuff.
• Keep foulards and scarves in a box. Roll them, so you can see all at the same time.
• Use plastic boxes to keep out of season clothes. This will keep dust away from them.

And this is a general overview of my method. Do you find it useful, my happy pixels? Do you have your own method? But I should say the most difficult part of keeping your clothes organized starts after step 3. Guess it? Yes, the hardest part is to keep your closet organized. I know the solution is easy: just store your stuff properly right before using or cleaning it. But it’s hard… The struggle is real.

Well, I hope to have helped with my pixilated method. Are you going to organize your closets for Autumn, my happy pixels? Please, let me know in the comments below.

Note: this is not a sponsored post.

Photos: mine and from Unsplash