Posts in DIY
Baked Candy Cookie Brownies "Brookies" Bars
Baked Candy Cookie Brownies "Brookies" Bars

Like I have said in some previous posts, I knew the kitchen in this new apartment was going to be 100x better than any other kitchen we have had and therefore I wanted to bake a lot more. Since being in the apartment for 1 week, I have decided to make a mix of a few of our favorite things: cookies, brownies and candy! In this recipe I am using a box mix that I found at the store for “Brookies” but you can also make a cookie batter and a brownie batter if you want more of a home made flair (though, box is just as good).

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DIYCarissa Melillobaking, cookies, Chocolate Chip cookies, Chocolate Chip, brownies, brookies
The Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
The Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

So, do you remember that Friends episode where Phoebe tells Monica that her Grandmother made the greatest chocolate chip cookies which then sends Monica into a tail spin where she needs to figure out the greatest cookie recipe? By the end of the episode we as the viewer (and Monica) come to find out that this amazing recipe is the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe.

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DIYCarissa Melillobaking, bakes, bake, bakery, cookies, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip cookies
DIY T-shirt Yarn
DIY T-shirt Yarn

Get ready to transform a t-shirt that you never wear anyway into chunky yarn for crocheting, knitting or weaving! I went through my closet recently and got rid of a bunch of tees, but a few were very sentimental to me. I wanted to make a quilt, but with us doing frugal April and a need for yarn for weavings, this DIY is going to have us rolling t-shirt yarn for years to come! I also feel like maybe making a blanket out of the shirts that are sentimental to me could be just as cool!!

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DIYCarissa Melilloyarn, t-shirt yarn, t-shirt, re-purpose, reusable
Quick and Easy Crochet Hat
Quick and Easy Crochet Hat

ne of the first things I learned to crochet was a hat because it was super simple! Over the years I have looked at different patterns, both knitting and crocheting and found out what pattern works best for me. That's because I wrote it! I like using yarns that change colors as you go which is why I have chosen a Caron Tea Cake because the yarn is different throughout! Lastly, I love having a rib on my hat so we are going to be working towards making a hat with a rib on it, and it is much easier than you think!

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DIYCarissa Melillocrochet, crocheting, crochet hat, hat, handmade, homemade
DIY Friendship Bracelets
DIY Friendship Bracelets

Making friendship bracelets is one of my secret guilty pleasures and one of my favorite things to do. Honestly, if someone gives me the chance or the excuse to make a friendship bracelet, I am running to do it. I remember when I was in grade school I used to spend so much time taking them that when I got in trouble I would “punished” from using the string (LOL). I know that most people know how to make friendship bracelets, but let's just say this is the refresher course!

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DIYCarissa Melillofriendship, friendshipbracelets, bracelets, friendship bracelets, string, handmade, homemade
DIY Cookie Cutout Soaps
DIY Cookie Cutout Soaps

I love soap making. I became completely obsessed with it this past holiday season when I wanted to make gifts for people that were not incredibly overwhelming but interesting and cool looking so people thought they took a lot more time. I always use melt and pour soap because they are incredibly easy to shape, add color and also add scents! I also live in an apartment and do not have the space by any means to mess around with the chemicals that are needed to make soap.

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DIYCarissa Melillosaop, Soapmaking, cutout, cookie cutter
Finger Knitted Coasters/ Trivets
Finger Knitted Coasters/ Trivets

Finger knitting is a super fun and easy alternative to knitting which can be totally hard depending on your skill set. Finger knitting can also be taught to kiddos and there are a handful of projects that can be done. With everyone being home, we are cooing a lot more and we are in the need of having trivets and coasters because we do not want to ruin any furniture!

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DIYCarissa Melillofingerknit, knit, knitting, finger knitting, fiber, fiber art
DIY Pour Painting with Dish Soap
DIY Pour Painting with Dish Soap

I have been seeing a lot on the internet and on social media that pour painting is the newest trend. There is a part of me that has been completely averse to it because there are people making a significant profit off of it and it “didn’t look that hard.” Now that I have tried it, I honestly feel that that is the best part!!! This process is so simple (though quite messy) and leaves you with an amazing project. I now want to pour paint on everything! 

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DIYCarissa Melillopainting, pourpainting, pour, art, artist, artmaking
Cardboard Pom Pom Makers
Cardboard Pom Pom Makers

Everyone knows that I am also the pom pom queen. Pom poms are super important to me, to be honest. I love how aesthetically pleasing it is to get a perfectly round orb shaped pom pom and the enjoyment of creating something so cute out of just wrapping yarn. I have A DIY on her for making pom poms using Clover Pom Pom Makers. I figured with people being home and stores being closed that people may not have pom pom makers. What people probably do have is cardboard, because everyone is online shopping.

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DIYCarissa Melillopom, pom poms, poms, handmade, cardboard
Basic Crochet Stitches
Basic Crochet Stitches

The most response that I have gotten about what DIYs people wanted for this time off was crocheting. Most people who know me, know that I am either constantly crocheting or constantly with a crochet hook. I taught myself to crochet when I was about 13. My mom was and still is an amazing crocheter and I always would watch her hands make these amazing and super large blankets for most of my life. I learned by watching my moms hands move through the process.

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DIYCarissa Melillocrochet, crocheting, fiber, fiber art, fiber arts, handmade
Make A Notebook From A Paper bag
Make A Notebook From A Paper bag

I feel like I am always looking for a new notebook and like I can never get enough of them. I also feel like I have a collection of paper bags that really just never seem to go away, no matter how many we use. Honestly we once went through our stash and had to recycle upwards of 100 paper bags. I would always much rather re purpose something so then I decided to make these notebooks out of the paper bags. I can decorate each of them differently and use each of them for different things.

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DIYCarissa Melillopaper, nag, notebook, diy, DIY, handmande, homemade, stationary
DIY Cardboard Loom Weaving
DIY Cardboard Loom Weaving

When it comes to weaving, learning the basics is the most important. I have a DIY on here already for weaving the basics using a peg board loom. Since most people are at home and do not have a loom but are absolutely online shopping, this cardboard loom is essential for all those working from home and needing an activity to keep them grounded and to feel productive in the down time.

I am going to show you the basics of creating your own loom, some simple weaving techniques and how to create a wall hanging!

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DIYCarissa Melilloweaving, DIY, diy weaving, cardboard, loom
DIY Felt Rainbow Plush
DIY Felt Rainbow Plush

Today is the most fun holiday because it is completely full of my favorite thing, RAINBOWS! I feel like I have been preparing for my whole life leading up to this, (have I mentioned my rainbow necklaces on here yet? It is an obsession to say the least). Anyway, a few years back I sewed my first felt rainbow ornament for my Christmas tree and it was so very fun! I enjoied layering the colors atop one another and also learning a new sewing stitch to sew it like a stuffed animal. I figured with everyone staying home this week, this could be the perfect sewing craft and you can also make a kid version one where instead of sewing you just use some glue! Let’s get it started!

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DIY, HolidaysCarissa Melillosewing, sew, handsewn, handmade, rainbow
DIY MINI RAINBOW PIÑATA
DIY MINI RAINBOW PIÑATA

I love piñata’s a lot. I have wanted to make one for quite some time. Every year for my birthday I always try to get one just because they look so fun! A few years back I remember I was in Michael’s and in the seasonal section there was a kit to make your own piñata. I loved this idea but for some reason, I did not buy it and when I went back to get it it was gone! I have been thinking about it since that day, which was like 2 years ago so I finally decided to make it and I am so glad I did!

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DIYCarissa Melillopinata, candy, handmade, homemade, homegrown, party, decor, party decor
DIY Punch Needle
DIY Punch Needle

I have totally fallen in love with punch needle and making these cute rug like structures. I feel that they are very simple, fun and move a bit quicker than embroidery, but still takes enough time to be mindful and engage in a project. I am not proficient by any means but I love anything with an immediate gratification experience! I am totally self taught here though thanks to a few amazing Instagram-ers and a lot of improvising. I hope that my free flowing and experience with punch needle will inspire you to try this DIY and make something fun and colorful!

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DIYCarissa Melillohandmade, homemade, punchneedle, punch needle, fiber art, fiber, fiber arts, home decor
DIY Weaving
DIY Weaving

big part of who I am as an artist, is a weaver. I have been weaving since I was in college and truly loved it. The repetitive quality of going over and under was so medative to me. It quickly became my meditative practice and I was weaving all the time. When I was in graduate school, studying Art Therapy I decided to write my thesis on the therapeutic properties of weaving.

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DIYCarissa Melilloweaving, handmade, homemade, home decor
DIY Cosmic Brownies
DIY Cosmic Brownies

Who doesn’t love a good Little Debbie treat?? Well, KC really loves cosmic brownies. When we first started dating I used to get them for him every time I saw them. To be honest I still do that, but they are hard to find in our area! Normally for Valentine’s Day I get him a new backpack and fill it with boxes of cosmic brownies. Today is February 23 2020 and for the past 7 years we have celebrated every 23 in the year. For this month I wanted to make my own cosmic brownies to celebrate! Follow along if you want to make your own as well.

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DIY, HolidaysCarissa Melillobaking, cosmic brownies, handmade, homemade, baker