DIY Headphones

I don't think I've ever said, "My headphones look boring", however the thought has crossed my mind that the while Apple earbuds they give you do get grimy quickly. Two ways to fix it: a.) clean them off (boooring) or b.) cover them up! Today's post comes to us from Refinery29 and using embroidery thread, you can decorate your earbuds to show off your school pride, your fraternity or sorority colors, or even for gay pride!

All you need are:

* A pair of scissors
* A pair of headphones
* Some embroidery thread
* A ruler (if you want all the pieces the same length)

Tip #1: Cut out all of your pieces first. If you only cut out one of each color, you're stuck trying to cut more pieces while holding onto your work. It ain't easy and it's easily avoidable!

Tip #2: If you cut a string 12", it will end up being 1 1/2-1 3/4" long on the headphones, just to give you a frame of reference. However, the longer the thread, the more likely it will get tangled in the headphones while you're working.

Once your string has been cut out, start by tying the first string at the top of the wire and make a secure knot. After that, it's just a matter of wrapping the string around and around and around the cord.

Tip #3: Wrap around the excess string you have sticking out, so it's flat against the wire. That way you won't have a bunch of different colored string ends sticking out!

Once you're ready to change colors, tie the next string tightly above the end of the first color, and start wrapping around the wire again. Just like before, wrap the excess string ends in so they aren't sticking out.

If you come to a point where you want to stop, simply make a strong knot and cut off the excess.

Tip #4: If you find your string wasn't long enough and you tried to tie two strings together to no avail...

Just tie and wrap a new piece of string on top and wrap over them! Think of it as a colorful Band-Aid for your headphones.

Tip #5: This takes a while so if you can't get through it all in one sitting, I hear ya (see what I did there?). If you want to take a break but you're not at a stopping point, just grab some tape and tape it down to your table. It won't unravel, I promise.

Final tip: I found it went the fastest when I could hold the cord in my left thumb and index finger and and the string in my right and I could twist the cord around and around in my fingers.

And there you have it! Now go show the world your exciting "new" headphones and make the world a more colorful place!

TOTAL COSTS: $2.34 for 6 colors
$.39/color of embroidery floss at Michael's
Headphones, scissors, and ruler already on hand

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME: About 3 hours

EASY-PEASY SCALE (1 super easy - 5 very difficult): 2 out of 5
It's not difficult at all, however if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel, this is not the project for you. I don't have either and my hands were definitely starting to cramp up after an hour and a half. So take breaks, have fun, and enjoy your DIY project!

Father's Day - Baseball Edition

I think it's fair to say that most fathers like sports, whether it be golf, baseball, football, or hockey. With baseball season upon us, I decided to do give my own father baseball-themed gifts, some bought and some made. If your want to hit a home run this Father's Day, why not try these DIY gifts sure to make your pop feel like the MVD -- most valuable dad!

Ball #1 - The Card!
Want to make your dad a card instead of spending $7 for a Hallmark card thousands of other dads are going to have as well? Grab some white card stock, some red embroidery floss, a needle, and a pencil. You can grab a ruler too if you're super ornery like me.

Start by cutting your paper to be 5"x7" and draw a half circle on one side. Draw dots on either side of the line so you know where you want your "laces" to be. Mine were approximately 1/2" apart.

Poke your needle through all the dots, so it'll be easier to thread the embroidery floss through. Starting at the top, thread your floss through all the holes to make them look like laces. I went right to center, top to center, left to center, then onto the next row.

This is what the back look like, which you can cover with red paper or felt, if you like.

Write something witty on the front and your card is complete!

Ball #2 - The Baseball!
If you have a child, this is the easiest project I can think of. Baseball + ink pad + child's hand = lifelong memento. I recommend doing this if the child is a little older, though, as I tried doing this with my month-old nephew and it took three people to get his hand to open up enough to place on both the ink pad and the baseball, hence why it's a bit smudged. Still, it's the thought that counts, right?

Ball #3 - The Cookies!
Does your father have a sweet tooth? Make a batch of sugar cookies and top with royal icing (I made mine from scratch from this recipe on AllRecipes and they turned out ah-may-zing).

Once they're frosted and hardened (I let mine set overnight), take some red frosting (I cheated and used Wilton sparkle gel) and pipe on the laces. It's that easy!

Try not to eat these before giving them to your pops - maybe he'll be nice enough to share!

Ball #4 and a Home Run - The Snacks!
You can't go the ballgame without peanuts and Cracker Jacks! You can find both in your grocery store with the popcorn/peanuts/snacks. They make great filler in a box or a gift basket!

TOTAL COSTS: Depends on project
$.39 for embroidery floss from Michael's
$5.99 for baseball (3-pack from Toys 'R Us)
$1.99 for ink pad from Michael's
$2.99 for sugar cookie mix from Vons
$2.99 for red Wilton piping gel from Vons
$1.55 for 3 boxes of Cracker Jacks from Vons
$1.99 for peanuts from Vons

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME: Depends on project
1 hour to make the card (however I was very picky as to the placement of the laces)
Less than 5 minutes to make the baseball handprint
Overnight + 10 minutes to bake + 30 minutes to decorate cookies

EASY-PEASY SCALE (1 super easy - 5 very difficult): Depends on project
If I had to rate these, I'd say the baseball is the easiest to make, followed by the cookies and then the card. Overall, though, I'd say the hardest is a 3 out of 5. You just have to be patient and have a steady hand with all of these, but know that your dad will be amazed by your creativity and thoughtfulness!