DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it

Monstera Leaf Backpack for Back to School

DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make itLearn how to make this fun (and super easy!) monstera leaf backpack so you can stand out at school. I can’t believe that I am already typing up back to school posts.  Where has the summer gone? It feels like just yesterday that I was posting about pineapples and beach towels and now it’s time to dust off those notebooks and update our backpacks with a fun new design like a monstera leaf pattern.DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it

The best part about going back to school is getting new school supplies. Though backpacks can be a bit expensive and quite generic looking, that’s why I wanted to share with you all a simple upgrade to a plain bag. Keep on reading to find out how to make this monstera leaf backpack!

DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make itDIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it

Materials:

  • Plain backpack
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paint brush
  • Monstera leaf stencil
  • Paper
  • Pencil

How to make a monstera leaf backpack:

  1. Start by making a stencil so you can easily paint on your leaves. I did this by drawing out a monstera leaf on plain, thick, paper. Then I carefully cut out the leaf. You can also make the stencil by copying an image from online.DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it
  2. Once you have your stencil, take a pencil and trace around it directly onto your backpack. Do this several times in different areas to cover your backpack.DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it
  3. Taking some green paint and a paint brush start to paint in the leaf. I first began by going around the edges of the leaf and then filling in the center of it. I used a pretty small paint brush to do this.DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make it
  4. Continue to paint in all of your leaves.
  5. Let the paint dry completely before you use your backpack

DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack | We're Going to Make itTime to throw your books into your new  backpack and get your butt to school! If you want some more back to school DIY’s be sure to check out our Pinterest and while you are there pin this image!

DIY Monstera Leaf Backpack - perfect for back to school | We're Going to Make it

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DIY patterned coasters using resin | Popcorn and Chocolate

Easy Patterned Coasters Using Paper

DIY Patterned Coasters Using Resin and Scrapbook Paper | Popcorn and ChocolateTo find out how to make these easy patterned coasters, keep reading!

Patterned coasters add a fun pop of design to your table. As you know, we love easy crafts and coasters so it’s no wonder that we are back to share another simple coaster diy. This patterned coaster diy was definitely a craft that I would do again and again. You could change up the scrapbook paper patterns you are using for whatever holiday is coming up, you could draw your own designs instead of using scrapbook paper, the possibilities are endless – that’s why I need to make more and more!DIY patterned coasters using resin | Popcorn and Chocolate

DIY patterned coasters using resin | Popcorn and Chocolate

It was a lot of fun trying to figure out what patterns I wanted to do for my coasters. A little known fact is that Rose and I used to scrapbook, so we have accumulated a lot of scrapbook paper. It’s so much that I can’t even lift the basket by myself. We haven’t scrapbooked since college so the paper has just been sitting around (apart from making some awesome photo backdrops).

 

DIY patterned coasters using resin | Popcorn and Chocolate

I didn’t want our paper to go to waste so I’ve been trying to come up with some do it yourself projects to incorporate it. These patterned coaters do just that! Stick around to see what else I end up doing with our scrapbook paper 😉

Click here to find the full tutorial on how to make the patterned coasters with paper

DIY patterned coasters using resin | Popcorn and Chocolate

These coasters would make the perfect gift. You could wrap up a bundle of them and give to a friend who just moved as a house warming gift. If I knew someone who just moved I would definitely do that! They would also make a cute hostess gift if you have any parties coming up.

Jump on over to Homedit for the full tutorial and be sure to pin this image to save the diy for later!

DIY Patterned Coasters Using Resin and Scrapbook Paper | Popcorn and Chocolate

Wooden Tray with Door knob handles | Popcorn & Chocolate

Wooden Tray With Drawer Knob Handles

This wooden tray uses drawer knobs as handles to add a cute, whimsical touch.

Wooden Tray with Door knob handles | Popcorn & Chocolate Ever since I saw these handles I knew I needed them. They are little dogs! Just too cute! But I didn’t want to put them on my dresser so I needed to come up with a DIY that would incorporate them somehow. Welcome this tray. And welcome me learning how to (properly) use power tools.

Wooden Tray with Door knob handles | Popcorn & ChocolateI was quite proud of my handiwork and that I didn’t take off any fingers whilst drilling holes into the wood. Although this project does sound daunting – it is by no means so. You can get all of your wood cut at Home Depot and can use wood glue to hold the tray together instead of hammering nails into it. Coming from someone who has barely used any tools before in their life I was able to make this whole tray so I think you can too! Check out the full tutorial over on Homedit. We show you step by step instructions on how to put together his lovely wooden tray with drawer knobs as handles.

Wooden Tray with Door knob handles | Popcorn & ChocolateThis project gives you an excuse to go look for fun drawer knobs, which means going to places like Homegoods or Anthropologie… sounds like my kind of project! Let us know if you end up making this tray! You can find the whole tutorial here on Homedit.

Wooden Tray with Door knob handles | Popcorn & Chocolate

P.S. If you like the coaster in the first photo you can find the DIY here

Wooden tray with drawer pull handles | Popcorn & Chocolate

Embroidered pencil case for back to school | Popcorn & Chocolate

Embroidered “Stay Sharp” Pencil Case

DIY pencil caseWhat happened to summer?! Just a few weeks ago we were sitting on the beach playing backgammon and eating our key lime pie ice cream. I can’t believe it is already that time when kids are going back to school and the leaves are starting to fall and the weather is getting cooler. I ain’t complaining though; I love the fall. It is definitely my favorite season.

DIY embroidered pencil caseDIY embroidered pencil case | Popcorn & ChocolateLast year we enjoyed quite a few adventures in New Hampshire. I can’t wait to go hiking again and carve those pumpkins! But before any of that fall stuff happens, kids have to get back into the swing of school, and that means buying school supplies! That was always my favorite part of going back to school: getting all the supplies you needed for the year ahead.

Hand-stitched pencil pouch | Popcorn & ChocolateHand-stitched pencil pouch | Popcorn & ChocolateThis year we have a fun, embroidered pencil case that you can make yourself to add to your pile of school supplies. It is fairly simple to make in that I haven’t embroidered much before and I was able to make it. We embroidered “stay sharp” on our pencil case as a cute little reminder to well, stay sharp when working.

Embroidered pencil case for back to school | Popcorn & ChocolateThis pencil case is the perfect addition to throw in your school bag to keep all your brand new pens and pencils together. Plus, since it is handmade, you don’t have to worry about anyone else having the same one.

DIY Embroidered pencil case | Popcorn & ChocolateSo grab your embroidery thread and canvas and read below to find out how to make this embroidered “stay sharp” pencil case!

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a piece of canvas to the size you want your pencil case to be. We cut ours to about 9.5 inches by 9 inches. Remember to cut it long enough that folding it in half will be the size you want it. You want to leave extra room on the sides because you will be sewing up the sides and you’ll lose a little room with your stitches. Definitely air on the side of too big.
  2. Next determine what phrase you want to put on your pencil case. We chose stay sharp. If you fold your canvas in half, you will be writing the phrase in the middle of the top half (with the opening at the top and on the sides). Once you have a phrase or word in mind, either hand write or trace this onto your canvas with the embroidery transfer pen. We typed out the phrase on the computer and traced the font onto the canvas. I would recommend spacing your letters out a little bit to make the phrase easier to read.img_1997
  3. Once your phrase is written, you can place the embroidery hoop over the first few letters to make the canvas tight.
  4. Thread your needle with embroidery thread and knot the thread at one end.  Starting with the needle in the back of the canvas, pull the needle through to the front all the way until it hits the knot. Next, take your needle and about 2 centimeters away from where your needle just came out, following your stencil, poke the needle back through so it is now on the back of your canvas. Continue this running stitch until your whole phrase is filled out.
  5. To tie off our embroidery you will flip the canvas over so you are looking at the back and using your needle, thread the needle through the previous stitch to create a loop. Then thread the needle through that loop but hold your finger in the loop you’ve just created because you’ll want to double knot it. Pull the first loop in tight to the stitch in your canvas and you should now be holding a second loop. Now thread your needle through the second loop and pull all the way. These instructions are useful if you’re confused! I’m describing the knot that they did in the green thread. 
  6. To create the little polka-dot-balls, or french knots as they are called, take a new piece of embroidery thread (can be pretty short) and thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Poke the needle through from the back to the front of the canvas and then holding the thread in your left hand and the needle in your right, wrap the thread around the needle twice and then place the needle right next to where you just pulled it out and push it through to the back of the canvas while holding the thread in your left hand tight. Tie the thread off and repeat wherever you want little dots!

    DIY Embroidered pencil case

  7. Sew the zipper onto the top of the canvas by using the same running stitch as the lettering.
  8. Leaving the zipper open, flip your pencil case inside out and sew each side together using the running stitch. If you do big stitches, you may want to stitch up and down each side to make sure your pencils don’t come poking out!
  9. Flip your pencil case back so it is no longer inside out and you should have a fully functioning and cute pencil case!

DIY 'Stay Sharp' Embroidered Pencil Case | Popcorn & ChocolateI know this DIY might see a little bit more involved and daunting than some of our others, but honestly I have little to no experience sewing and embroidering and I was able to make this stay sharp pencil case all by myself. I’m quite proud of myself and can’t wait to fill it with some pencils and pens and carry it around with me. So, go ahead and give this DIY a try and let us know how it comes out!

Embroidered pencil case | Popcorn & ChocolateIf you are looking for some more fun back to school DIY’s you can check out our color block and ombre wooden pencils or how about some emoji magnets to add to your locker?!

Hand-Stitched Pencil Case | Popcorn & ChocolateUntil next time, stay sharp my friends.

P.S. if you were interested in the cute patch on my backpack you can find it in our Etsy shop All Wool and No Shoddy

Homemade Patch on backpack

Embroidered stay sharp pencil case | Popcorn & Chocolate

Summer pink flamingo painted doormat

Summer Pink Flamingo Painted Doormat

Pink flamingo painted doormat | Popcorn & ChocolateI don’t know about you guys but our summer has been a busy one. Both Rose and I are in a sort of transition period between jobs and apartments and it has put a lot of stress on both of us. We sadly (and begrudgingly) had to move out of our apartment together for the rest of the summer until we know what our next steps in life will be. We’ve both been busy bees and have tried to keep up with the blog and our Etsy as much as we can. We do have a few posts for you planned so stay tuned for some fun goodbye summer/hello school themed posts coming up. But, in the meantime enjoy this pink flamingo painted doormat that we made for Homedit. This DIY was the last to be done in our apartment and it seems fitting that it is a doormat that we can take to our next apartment (wherever that will be)! Summer pink flamingo painted doormat We are excited for what the future brings and hopefully your future will bring you this wonderful DIY summer flamingo painted doormat. It is easy to make and can be customized to any shape/animal/design that you want! We even provided free printouts of the stencil we used so you can simply print, cut, and paint! summer pink flamingo painted doormat | Popcorn & ChocolateWe hope you enjoy this fun summer DIY! I had a grand time making the flamingo cutouts and even stuck them up around our apartment afterwards for Rose to find. Anywaysss you can check out our DIY summer pink flamingo painted doormat over on Homedit or by clicking here. Let us know what you think and comment below what animal or design you would like on a doormat! IMG_1442

Flamingo Doormat | Popcorn & Chocolate

Handmade wall weaving decor

Big Announcement

Helllooo! I am super excited to share with you our big announcement. But first, a little preamble. You might have noticed that we haven’t been sharing much around here.. Or maybe you haven’t and that’s okay because I know there are only so many popcorn recipes one person can handle. Anyways, lately we have had our hands full working on another exciting project completely unrelated to popcorn or chocolate. And this project is…. drum roll please… an Etsy page!! We have created an Etsy page where we are selling handmade wall weavings! We have weaved our butts off since Christmas in preparation for our store. Our first weaves weren’t the greatest (but we still love them nonetheless) but we have certainly gotten much better and have even started making unique themed weaves (think pineapples). We are so excited to finally have our shop up and running that we wanted to share the news with all you lovely people. Head on over to our Etsy page to see our first few weaves! You can also follow our new shop on Instagram and Facebook if you want to see some behind the scenes action.