Can you believe summer is almost here, collegiettes? To get you ready for the semester almost ending and to celebrate my personal favorite season that’s quickly approaching, here are five summer DIYs you have to try!
1. Beach BagThis DIY is crazy simple and best of all, it’s recycled! All you need for the most adorable beach bag is an old T-shirt, scissors and a little inspiration. First, cut the sleeves and neckline about 2 inches in (depending on the shirt), so that it looks like a tank top. Your sleeves will act as the straps, so you can decide how thick or thin you want them then. After that, cut a 3- to 4-inch slit on either side of the shirt and then 3-inch strips along the bottom of the shirt, about half an inch apart. Simply tie the extra straps together, being sure to knot them twice and voilà! Time to hit the beach, soak in some rays and show off your new beach bag.
2. Summer DreamcatcherI know that this summer I will be catching up on some long-lost sleep, so a dreamcatcher will be the perfect way to head into a great summer. I found this DIY easy to personalize and fun to make. Maybe you could even make this into a crafting party for all your friends to try! For this DIY craft, you’ll need string (or any equivalent, this is for the inner part of your dreamcatcher), yarn/fabric (for the outer ring), a 5-inch metal ring (you can find these at any craft store), scissors, glue and feathers. After collecting these supplies, it’s easy! First, wrap your yarn or fabric around the metal ring until it is completely covered. Be sure to leave some extra because at the bottom, you’ll want to braid the fabric and knot it off at the end. Next, take your string and wrap it around random intervals around your metal ring. This will create the inside design. Be as creative or traditional as you want! I personally like the look of a random string pattern, so mine was a little different from customary dreamcatchers. After that, simply knot the tip of your feathers into your string braid, and you have your very own DIY summer dreamcatcher!
3. Camera StrapSummer is a fantastic time for photo shoots, and you should look fabulous on either side of the lens! Whether for yourself or a gift for a friend, this DIY is easy, cute and simple. For this summer craft, you’ll need to do a little hunting, but all of the items are easily found at different stores. First, you’ll need to pick out the perfect infinity scarf for your strap, making sure it is between 32 and 35 inches and relatively sturdy. Then, at your local hardware store, you should find two packages of assorted split key rings. (I found mine at Home Depot in the keys section.) Lastly, you’ll need small spring snap clips found at any major craft store. The rest is crazy easy! Simply add the smallest set of rings to each side of your camera. Then, attach the bigger rings around your scarf. This part may be a little difficult, but if you go slowly you should be able to wrap your scarf around it by gently feeding in between the metal rings. Do this on both ends so your scarf has two rings. After that, add your clips onto the rings, and attach it to your camera! In less than ten minutes, you’ve made your very own camera strap! Enjoy your summer snaps with a lovely new camera strap!
4. Drink CoastersLet’s get real here, ladies; it gets hot in the summer and your dad is probably sick of your ice cold drinks leaving rings on your table. So what’s the easiest solution? Make your own adorable summer drink coasters! This DIY is insanely simple. All you need is paint, paint sealer and ceramic tiles, which are typically sold at craft stores! Let your imagination run wild, and when you’re finished with your artwork, cover it with a thin layer of paint sealer. Leave it to dry for 25 minutes, and enjoy a summer of beautiful coasters you designed!
5. SunscreenThis DIY was a saving grace for me! I have very sensitive skin, so it’s really easy for me to have a bad reaction to sunscreens. When I found this DIY sunscreen recipe, I had to try it for myself, and the results were fantastic! I was very careful to use all-natural, organic materials and the result was a homemade sunscreen I used all summer. For this DIY project, you need 1 1/2 cups of olive oil, 2 1/4 cups of coconut oil, 3 1/4 cups of beeswax and 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide. Be really careful with the powder and be sure not to inhale it. For optional fragrance, you can also put in 2 tablespoons of shea butter for moisturizing benefits! After you get all your ingredients, combine everything but the zinc oxide. I suggest getting a glass container, like a mason jar, for this part. Next, fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place it over a medium heat. Put a lid over your combined ingredients and place the pan in water. After it heats, you should be able to see the ingredients melt. When that happens, shake or stir occasionally to mix it around. When they are completely melted together, take it off the burner, and add the zinc oxide. Be very careful with this part because too much inhaled zinc is toxic! Stir the mixture well, and place it into a container of your choice. It’s as easy as that, and you have your own all-natural sunscreen! It acts like 30 SPF sunscreen, so you’ll need to reapply it for good protection!
Good luck with these fun and easy DIY projects, and I hope you have an amazing summer, ladies!
Photo credits:thepinkdoormat.blogspot.comourprettylittlegirls.combuilder24.info.com