When you have piles of scratch paper lying around and you can only do so much paper mache you’re not about to throw it all into the trash. Because we are notoriously dependent on notepads, these cute handmade notepads came to be. Our scrap paper was mostly bond paper (with at least one side unused) and we thought this was perfect to make minimalist white notepads for memos and reminders and to do lists. All that’s essential is a cutting tool and some regular Elmer’s glue (yes, no need for fancy padding compound) We recommend a guillotine paper cutter which is as scary as it sounds but does the job of cutting all that paper to size really fast. Although a simple exacto knife could do the job too. You could also paint the finished note pads with any beautiful acrylic paint color to personalize them further. IDEA: Make a whole bunch of these notepads and color code them for the notepad addicts in your life using the acrylic paint which is totally OC, kind of geeky, but also sexy.

SORRY MARIE KONDO you’re magical. But there are times my inability to declutter has served me well. Take for instance, this semi-large piece of thin wood that I just could not throw away. A piece of garbage really, except for its natural, smooth grain that worked well with paint or on its own. I made a clock with it, a little shelf for Caroline’s toys, and the pencil holder you see above.

For the pencil holder, I simply had my carpenter friend cut three equal pieces to make all the sides, I glued them together using wood glue. Finally I filled in the corner gaps with wood filler, and then sanded the living daylights out of them. This pencil holder is a totally hard-working member of my desk right now and will remain so in the future.

Get the step-by-step in the downloadable September issue of Hopefull Magazine, where this DIY appeared first. And here’s the little shelf I made for Linny.

Thanks guys!

We’ve got a lot to thank Finland for. Among them is the Finnish Sauna (there are reportedly three million saunas in the country), and Angry Birds. That ubiquitous game released in 2009 which, nearly a decade later, remains one of the most popular in the world, next only to Candy Crush and Fruit Ninja. Sorry, I’ve never played any of those. But to be fair, I’m not much for games, or apps for that matter. But crafts, yes! Just in case you haven’t noticed.

Himmeli is traditional in Finland, they’ve been making them for centuries. But only a few years ago has the art of stringing pieces of natural reed into geometric shapes been embraced everywhere, with modern versions taking Himmeli to the next level.

I shot the photo above late last year, as part of a feature on ornaments for my friends at Northern and Southern Living magazines, and was quickly enamored. Instead of reeds you can use plastic straws, copper or brass tubing, you can make them into planters, desk accessories, light pendants, or elaborate sculptures. So much Himmeli, so little time!

Here’s a simple tutorial to get you started.

And thanks for reading!

We’ve had a lot to do with chickens lately. One day, Gabby and the crazies came home from a school fair with a baby chicken in their hands. The kids were in tears. The chicken was acting hysterical—sopping wet from an accident in the car. It seemed like everyone was yelling, me most of all. We’re not allowed to have dogs in our apartment. Poultry is out of the question. I gave my husband the stink eye. You enabler how could you do this…

Projects that are easy, pretty and useful are my favorite. This is one of them. And after an afternoon of making, I now have something handmade to give to a couple of good friends (and myself). These votives look amazing unlit, with their simple but stunning gilded triangles. They might lend some modern whimsy to a tired old coffee or dining table. Drop some scented votives in them and light them up, whether you’re with company or not. They are super simple, you’ll see.