Getting Crafty | KimmiKillZombie's Blog

FRUGAL GIFTING: 7 Thoughtful DIY Christmas Gifts For Everyone On Your List!

November 25, 2012 1 Comment

When you’re young and on a budget, The whole Christmas season can be one big stress-fest. I have a word document on my computer with everyone I have to buy gifts for. In italics I write ideas, In regular type I write purchased items, and then when that person is finished, I grey out there name. Doesn’t that seem so complicated?

It’s because it is. I have to start shopping early in the season to be able to afford gifts for everyone in my family and still be able to pay the gas bill on time. And I’m sure it’s like that for a lot of young people around the holidays. You show everyone you love them by spending $20-50 on a trinket that reminds you of them, or clothes you think they would pick out for themselves.

I get gifting. I love Christmas. But it doesn’t have to be so bland and depressing for you on the giving end. So clear out the cobwebs in your wallet, this year, your going to go the homemade gift route!

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TUTORIAL: Black and White Silent Film Costume!

October 28, 2012 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Life

Have you ever wanted to spend the night in grey-scale? Live it up in the style of Old Hollywood Glamour? Swell! Because this year the boyfriend and I did just that, and I’ve created a tutorial so you can re-create it! I’ve included step-by-step instructions, including where and how to source your wardrobe, how to mix your paints, and how to layer the makeup for a realistic effect!

I’ve also entered this tutorial to the Halloween Contest on Instructables, so if you dig it, please Vote for it!

TRY THIS: DIY Your Own Sharpie Mug!

August 26, 2012 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Life

How cute are these do-it-yourself mugs from A Beautiful Mess? A great, super easy craft for a blah day! (Plus, it’s totally great for us frugal crafters; re-purpose old boring dishware, or simply pop into the dollar store!)

If you’re a wiz with lettering, these would also double as great housewarming, party favors, or hostess gifts! Hooray for cheap and cute gifting!

If you are going to craft up a few these bad boys, note that they are not dishwasher safe. Some crafters have also recommended Pabeoo markers for a more permanent, lasting effect!

Of Gardening, Long Weekends, and BBQs!

May 22, 2012 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Life, My Offline Life

Isn’t my backyard awesome? This past weekend was a long one for us Canadians, and though came down with a bad bought of Laryngitis last week and had absolutely no voice, I tried to make the most of my weekend!

I planted some beautiful white and purple flowers, including violets, peonies, white daisies with purple centers, a blue hydrangea bush, and a ton of sprawling petunias.
My boyfriend’s mother also gave me a huge planter of chives, so we happily gorged on loaded baked potatoes with sauteed mushrooms. Yum!
Though I had no voice, we had a bunch of friends over for an all-vegan barbecue! We served veggie chicken burgers, and veggie hot dogs along with plenty of beer!
My sister had a barbecue the following night and I embarrassed myself horribly at beer pong, played with sparklers, and we lit some amazing fireworks!
I spruced up my picnic table by re-painting it lavender, to go with the ornate frames I painted + mod-podged last year!
We also spent some quiet time enjoying the sun by reading our books and having a game of BATTLESHIP (A note to other outdoor players; take your sunglasses off! There could be cheatin’ afoot.)

But today I’m back to work, and back to the blog! Expect some awesome BBQ and summer related posts over the next little while!

If you also enjoyed a long/lovely weekend, how did you spend it?

DIY: Geeky, Breaking Bad Valentines!

February 14, 2012 1 Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, My Offline Life

Happy Valentine’s Day! Because this year we’re pinching pennies, Jon and I agreed not to do anything huge this year. Typically I load him up full of candies and sweets, and we go out for a fancy-shmancy dinner. One Valentine’s, he surprised me with a limousine, and swept me away to an eclectic cafe downtown!

So, in light of our budget-conscious Love Day, I crafted Jon these cute and geeky Breaking Bad themed Valentines! Tutorial + Template below!

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KEEP YOUR COOL: How to Keep from Going Insane This Christmas

November 24, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Life, MUST DO!

In Canada, Thanksgiving has been over for a while. We’ve had a few weeks to mull over autumn, put away our corncobs and compost our pumpkins. But even in Canada, the US Thanksgiving marks an important day on our Christmas calendars, the santa clause parade. This is also the day the malls overload with children who have donned their reindeer antlers and are either waiting excitedly, or reluctantly to see Santa. And – I’m pretty sure I don’t even need to get into the insanity that is known as Black Friday.

So, from now until Christmas, you’ll head to the store armed with a list, and push through crowds of people, listen to the same Josh Groban Christmas CD, and wait in countless lines just to buy your cousin a pair of knitted mittens.

But, if you plan it right, and arm yourself before risking the mall, you can get the most out of the pre-Christmas season, without loosing your mind.

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MAKE THIS: Magnetic Make-up Storage Board!

November 9, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty

Do you have too many eyeshadow palettes to count? Are you tired of endlessly rifling through a messy, crammed and powdery duffel bag to find your rouge? Why not organize!

We found this nifty tutorial to organize your make-up and brushes for quick access! Simply create and hang in your bathroom, or in arm’s reach of your vanity. A great way to clear clutter, and display your awesome shades for quick-picking!

INSPIRATION: Last-Minute Halloween Decor

October 27, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Inspiration

Last Minute Ghostly Jugs [Tutorial]

In a last-minute rush to find tips, ideas, and inspiration to decorate your place for Halloween? Maybe you’re having a last-minute party, or forgot to make a stop at the pumpkin patch this year. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Not all of us have the creativity, nor the time required for some of the elaborate set-ups I posted in my previous Halloween Decor Inspiration post, so this post is for you.

Here are some quick, and easily re-created decor with minimal cheese factor– with minimal glue-gunning required.

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TRY THIS: Create Your Own Pumpkin Stencil, Online!

October 26, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty, Miscellaneous

Enter Sir Scares A Lot. If you know anything about me, you know I love cheesy flash games and ‘designers’. I also love Halloween. Now I can merge my love of both by creating stencils for my Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns online!

Not only is there a cool selection of traditional andsilly face shapes (like eyes, noses, and mouths), but there is also a free-form carve and scratch tool, so those of you who are artistically inclined can completely design an intricate carving from scratch.

Once completed, you can then share your carving with friends, or print a stencil to re-create your Sir Scares A Lot on a real ~~boy.~~ pumpkin.

Enjoy!

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HALLOWEEN CRAFT: Eerie, Dripping Candlesticks

October 25, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Getting Crafty

There’s nothing more subtle and eerie on a Halloween night than a room lit entirely by candles. The creepy, dancing shadows they cast on the walls, the dim and wavering light…

Okay, mood set.

Here is a great, and easy craft that will give your Halloween decor a much needed finishing touch. So step away from the blacklight, unplug your motion activated ghost lamp that sings and dances to ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’, and get get crafting. Tutorial below.

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