Easy DIY – Eraser Stamped Journals

I’m in a crafty mood lately, so yesterday I decided to try my hand at the ‘Pinterest-popular’ eraser dot/stamping technique. The basic concept is to use a pencil eraser as your paint brush. The project was fast, easy and since you can wipe the erasers clean…there was very little mess. 

Supplies:

– Blank cover notebooks. I used Moleskine Pocket Cahier booklets which come in a set of three.

– Paint in your favorite colors. You can use any type of opaque paint for this project. I used Acrylic paints because that is what I had on hand, but you can use craft paint or even stamp pads for another cool look.

– Classic #2 Pencils with pink erasers. I also tested the dot technique with a Pentel Clik Eraser and some craft Stencil Daubers. All worked, but the yellow pencil/pink eraser provided the best result.

– Paper Towels and a little water for clean up, and small paint brush is helpful for any paint touch-ups you may find necessary.

 

 

I decided to do the first notebook with metallic dots. I used the pencil eraser to dot copper dots on first. I found it helpful to keep a small paintbrush on hand to gently tap down any paint that peaked as you can see on some of the dots above. It’s not necessary to do this step, it was just my personal preference.

 

I gave the copper dots a minute or so to dry, then I used the same pencil eraser to dot on some gold paint.

 

Then I added some silver dots. Since you are using such a small amount of paint, the booklet dries very quickly.

SUCCESS! I love the finished journal!

 

While the metallic booklet was drying, I tried using the Pentel Clik eraser to dot the other booklet.

 

I used Aqua, Dark Purple, and Silver for this one.

 

I didn’t like this finished booklet as much since the Clik Eraser didn’t stamp the paint as cleanly as the Pencil Eraser. You can see the difference in how poorly the purple stamped. That was partly due to the eraser and partly due to the type of paint. The aqua and silver worked just fine so I would recommend testing the paints you choose on a piece of paper before you stamp your final product. I had such good luck with the fist booklet that I didn’t test out the purple paint…but you live and learn.

It’s still pretty in it’s own way and now I have two lovely personalized booklets to write in. Bonus, clean up was a breeze and the whole project was done in less than 20 minutes. These would also make great gifts to the book/journal lover in your life!

 

What DIY Projects have you been working on lately?

Beauty Talk #4 – December Favorites

My last beauty post covering my September Favorites was surprisingly popular, so I’m picking back up with my favorites from last month.

 

 

Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Stem Cell & Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner ~$10 each

I’ve been a big fan of the Acure skincare line recently so when I needed new Shampoo I decided to give them a chance and I’m incredibly impressed. They have a subtle almond scent which is delicious, and I find that my hair is less oily when using this shampoo. The Conditioner is effective but light which is great for my fine/thin hair. Definitely recommend.

Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream  $15 (full size)

I’m constantly using hand cream and I’m impatient when it comes to allowing lotion to soak in. The Caudalie hand cream has become my go to cream for when I’m working at my computer (which is always). I can apply, and immediately get back to work because it soaks in within seconds. The smell is classic Caudalie and a bit earthy but it fades rather quickly in case that bothers you.

Clairol Beautiful Brown – Amethyst (purchased from Sally Beauty Supply)  ~$6.00

When I was in college I used to box dye my hair Burgundy, I loved it and miss it…but growing it out was awful. The brassiness, the orange, I don’t want to go through that again. But I still like to dye my hair on occasion, to boost my already dark brown hair with a pop of color. My favorite hair dye, hands down, is Clairol Beautiful Browns. You can buy a bottle at most beauty supply stores for about $6 and it’s Semi-Permanent which means it fades gently over the course of about 28 washings. No grow out, no odd roots…it just naturally fades over time. Plus, I can usually get quite a few uses out of that little bottle.I switch between Wine Brown (burgundy tones) and Amethyst (more purple tones). Indoors my hair looks dark brown, but outside it has a beautiful glint of red/purple. Great for anyone that wants to avoid Permanent hair dye.

 

Bare Minerals 5 in 1 Cream Shadow – Soft Linen $18

I actually use this cream shadow as an eye shadow base. It prevents my eye shadow from creasing and evens my skin tone to make eye shadow colors pop. It also dries to matte finish so it’s great for more mature lids that want to avoid shimmer (i.e. my mom uses this too!)

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eye Shadow – Playa del Pink $18

Josie Maran has the Argan skincare market on target, I’m a fan. I really like her cleansing oil, but last month I was reaching for her Watercolor Eye shadows all the time. They pack a punch in terms of color, dry quickly, and blend fairly easily with just your fingers. They work well all alone for a simple wash of color but really shine when paired with darker shadows. I’ve only own this one color, but I swatched the others at Sephora and they are all beautiful.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner – Midnight Cowboy $19

December was the perfect month to break out the glitter eyeliner. I’m in my 30’s so glitter liners can be a little tricky, as sometimes it can come across as too young. That is actually why I like the Urban Decay liner, it’s buildable (as in the picture), but light in application. I wing out my eyeliner using black liquid liner, then gently add a thin line of glitter above the black. it adds the most beautiful sparkle when the light hits it, and in my opinion comes across very classy/elegant. I get lots compliments when I wear this one out. I also own the silver and copper colors which are also gorgeous, but the beige of Midnight Cowboy tends to blend into my lid color better to give the subtle sparkle.

NUDE Skincare Advanced Renewal Serum $78 (full size)

I haven’t yet splurged on the full size of this produce but it’s on my wishlist. This small size was part of a gift set that I purchased in early in December and I’m impressed.  It’s light, soaks in immediately, and doesn’t compete with other skincare products. I use this at night and it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and moisturized. I haven’t been using it long enough to confirm any claims that it prevents the signs of aging or firms the skin, but I will say that I seem to have a good skin day after using this product. Whatever it’s doing, I like it. 

 

Thanks it! What Beauty products are you loving this month?

 

 

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Happy New Year!

 

 

I don’t typically set New Year’s resolutions as I prefer to set goals at my birthday instead; but this year I chose a mantra.

Be Brave.

Quit the job you hate, start a business, write the novel, take the trip, say yes, say no, take the chance, say I love you, believe in yourself, give more, dance more, laugh more, dream more, but in all you do, Be Brave.

It’s disheartening how many things we don’t do because we’re scared…fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of rejections, etc. Just imagine the amazing things that you could do for yourself…for others…for this world, if you were able to push past the fear.

The fear won’t just magically disappear for me, but this year I’m choosing to be brave in the face of the fear and let those resulting actions help build the life that I have always imagined. For anyone who is on their own journey of challenging the fear, please share. I’d love to hear how others are doing, what goals you have, what challenges you are facing…we can all support each other through this exciting journey!

Happy New Year!

I’m wishing you all an Incredible (and Brave) 2015!