The Deans List Blog

Hi there, friends!

I’m crafting up something pretty special just for you! In order for this to be the best for both you and me, I am taking an extremely brief break. I’ll be back with something brand-spankin’ new on September 1 — stay tuned!

In the mean time, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear of this exciting change!

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MegaPrepped #CollectiveBias

 

Dip Dyed is the new color blocked, right? Something like that at least. Anyways, when I was shopping last weekend I spotted these cute wicker baskets and decided to pick up a few for storage around the house. Then, I realized we had no space in our guest bathroom where our guests could grab some toilet paper in the event that the roll had run empty. Has that ever happened to you?

Anyways, I gave this cute wicker basket a makeover using just a little dye and some pom-poms to store my toilet paper in! I love how it turned out and how it looks in the bathroom with my shower curtain.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Dip Dyed Wicker Basket:

Wicker Basket
Dye of any kind (You could also use paint and add a little water)
Paintbrush
Pom Poms
Hot Glue Gun
Gloves

To prepare, lay down something to protect whatever surface you’re working on. Stain is no joke and will stain your hands, just like the name states! ;). Starting at the bottom, use your paintbrush to create a very saturated color at the bottom. I like to think of anything dip dyed more saturated at the bottom where the dye sits longer, and casually fades up top.

I kept going around my basket until I reached the color I liked, and then did “a little less” each layer after as I was moving up to the middle of the basket. I let this dry fully before starting anything else.

Then, I grabbed some pom pom trim and hot glued one strand to the very top. I thought this would be a fun accent to add some pizzaz to my bathroom!

Then, I piled in my toilet paper! I am picky about toilet paper. In fact, I probably spend more time in the toilet paper aisle than any other aisle in Walmart!

I picked up a pack of Quilted Northern® Ultra Soft & Strong® with a Cleanstretch mega pack which means I won’t have to buy toilet paper  as much — I’ll be fully stocked for awhile! The Quilted Northern® Ultra Soft & Strong® is a Mega Roll which is a 4X bigger roll than a regular roll. That’s a win-win in my book.

 

 

I’m not sure I have a favorite movie, but during the season of Fall, there’s a few on my list: You’ve got mail and When Harry Met Sally. Strangely, both have Meg Ryan in them. Regardless, they’re my fave and it’s almost how I welcome fall with open arms, as if I needed help (especially if you saw my instagram post the other day!)

This fall gift idea was inspired by a couple of things: my love of fall, my favorite fall movies and my love of school supplies (more on that soon!).

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”

Well, I kind of failed at photographing this DIY, so please use this as inspiration instead of a step-by-step tutorial. I thought this vase would make a fun gift idea for a teacher or even for my own desk at work to remind me of the upcoming season!

To make this Fall Gift Idea, You’ll Need:

Quart-sized Mason Jar (Smooth)
Silhouette Cutting Machine
Vinyl
Tulle
You’ve Got Mail, the movie
Pencils

Pretty much, I cut out the vinyl saying the words “bouquet of newly sharpened pencils”, then transferred onto the mason jar. To make it a little more gift appropriate, I tied some tulle onto the top and added some pencils.

Now, while you’re sharpening your pencils, turn on You’ve Got Mail to fully understand how wonderful fall will be. This is a crucial step in creating this fall gift!

What’s your favorite fall movie? 

Are you loving the tassel trend? I sure am! I am loving them for decor, purses and party decor! They’re so fun and easy to make, too! I had always created them using yarn, but when I was hanging out in the embroidery thread aisle, I realized that they were pretty much already in tassels, but just needed to be cut in half!

I picked a few up in hopes to add them to a new bag of mine. Adding these to a bag just adds a little more “chic” to your outfit! This bag can be used for back to school, an oversized purse or an overnight bag!

Here’s what I used to create a tassel:

Striped Bag (similar)
Embroidery thread
Embroidery Scissors
Hot Glue

First, with the embroidery thread still together, open the “center” and tie a knot at the very top of your bundle of thread. I just pulled off a small amount of thread from that bundle so it would match.

Then, I wrapped gold embroidery thread around the top (as shown) and secured with hot glue. Then, I cut them in half. 

Yeah, I told you they were easy! I love the idea of adding these to small things (or even making a keychain) just to add some fun color!

How cute is that?! What would you add these cute and easy-peasy tassels to?

Have you got your back to school gifts for teachers ready to go? Can you believe it’s already time to ship the children back to school? Personally, as both a non-parent and a full time worker, I have mixed emotions. I’m definitely not ready for the school zones to be back, but at the same time, I am ready for the lunch line at Chick-fil-a to be just a little shorter. C’mon, you think so too!

In case you haven’t put your back to school gifts for teachers together, never fear! This clipboard idea is easy-peasy and will be used all year round.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission on any items purchased from this link at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog! 

Back to School Gift for Teachers: DIY Clipboard [Supply List]

Clipboard (I found mine in the dollar section at Target)
Matte Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Scrapbook or Wrapping Paper

First, cut out your scrapbook or wrapping paper. I chose this scrapbook paper that I found at Michaels, and it reminds me so much of the beautiful flowers from Rifle Paper Co! I just cut it apart leaving a small space so the flowers wouldn’t bleed into the clipboard too much.

Once it’s all cut out, place it on your clipboard how you want it. Remove it, then put a layer of Matte Mod Podge on your clipboard. Press your paper down again, and let dry for a few minutes. Then, paint another layer of Mod Podge on top to seal everything together.

All in all, this Back to School Gift for a teacher takes only a few minutes to create, and only about 30 minutes total in dry time. Also, this gift idea will cost you less than $10 — it definitely doesn’t look it!