<![CDATA[Di's Studio Designs

<![CDATA[Di's Studio Designs - Blog]]>Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:07:05 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Pumpkin wire wreath DIY with fall faux florals]]>Sat, 12 Oct 2024 14:01:21 GMThttps://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/pumpkin-wire-wreath-diy-with-fall-faux-florals

Fall faux floral arrangement on a Dollar Store pumpkin wireframe

In today’s DIY, I will show you how I made a fall door wreath using a pumpkin-shaped wireframe from Dollar Tree, spooky Halloween ribbon, and fall faux florals.

It’s getting close to Halloween and nothing is on my front door! So I decided to make a door wreath using a pumpkin wireframe I bought from Dollar Tree last year. The wireframe will be dressed up with black cat wire ribbon and faux floral stems in red and cream (my favorite color combination), all from Factory Direct Craft with a few green leaves scavenged from my faux floral stash. Since I want to reuse the materials after Halloween I used minimal hot glue in this project.

Here’s the best part—this simple DIY project can be done in under an hour!

The supplies I used for this wire wreath project:

Wire pumpkin-shaped frames (Dollar Tree)
Halloween Black Cats and Bats Wired Ribbon
Hydrangea, Berry And Eucalyptus Bundle
Burgundy Artificial Cushion Mum Bush
Black flowers with eyeballs, skulls, and bats (Dollar Tree)
Green leaves
Black pipe cleaners
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Scissors

I am an affiliate associate of Amazon, Blick Art Materials, and Factory Direct Craft so some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest.

Black eyeballs flower with skull and spider

How to create a large bow for the wire wreath

Cut the ribbon into various size strips and hot glue the edges together to create loops.

Stack the loops on top of each other, bunch them tightly in the center, and tie a black pipe cleaner around them, leaving enough pipe cleaner to attach to the wireframe later.

Cut a long ribbon and tie it tightly in the center of the bow to cover the black pipe cleaner, leaving tails hanging down.

Attach the bow to the top of the wireframe with the black pipe cleaner.

Create V-shaped tail cuts and fluff the loops to create the desired look.

How to arrange and attach the faux florals to the wire wreath frame

Place the green leaves (and other greenery) along the bottom of the wireframe, attaching them to the back of the frame with pipe cleaners. Create a symmetrical pattern on either side leaving the center open.

Place the red flowers on top of the leaves working your way to the center but leaving a gap for the focal flowers. Attach them to the frame with pipe cleaners.

Arrange the cream-colored flowers in the center to create a focal point and attach them to the frame at the back.

Place the black flowers, skull, and spider picks on either side of the cream bouquet and attach them to the frame.

Red, cream, and black faux florals on a pumpkin wireframe

And you’re done! Tweak the floral arrangement and fluff the ribbon for the final look.

Pumpkin wireframe wreath with black cat ribbon and red, cream, and black faux florals

So what do you think of the finished pumpkin wire frame door wreath? Leave me a comment below. And if you’ve done a project like this previously and have some helpful tips to share please share them!

The companion video for this tutorial (for visual learners) is on my YouTube channel. Remember to like and subscribe for more DIY craft projects and tutorials like this one.

Also, join me on Patreon! Become a member for only $4/month to see more DIY projects, behind-the-scenes videos, and drawing tutorials.

Check out my online shop for handcrafted faux floral designs, fairy-themed decor, and Celtic wood-burned art.
https://www.disstudiodesigns.com/index.html/

If you’d like to read more of my holiday/fall/Christmas decor DIY blogs, click the links below.
https://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/diy-projects
https://www.disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/behind-the-scenes
https://www.disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/project-updates
https://www.disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/seasonal-inspiration

]]><![CDATA[How to apply dollhouse roof shingles]]>Sun, 06 Oct 2024 11:04:38 GMThttps://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/how-to-apply-dollhouse-roof-shingles

Dollhouse roof with wood fishscale shingles

If you’ve ever tried to apply shingles in a straight line on a dollhouse roof you know the challenge of keeping everything straight and in alignment! The struggle is real!

One of my current craft projects involves applying shingles to a miniature fairy house roof. The rhythmic visual effect of overlapping tiles on a roof is strangely satisfying…but the same can’t be said of the process of applying those tiles! With a little preparation though this activity can go a lot smoother.

Today’s blog outlines steps to help make the application of dollhouse roof tiles easy and precise so you can enjoy both the process and the result.

Wood fish scale shingles on a dollhouse roof

Materials and supplies used for this project:

How to prepare your dollhouse roof for shingles:

You know the phrase…”Fail to plan, plan to fail.” Those words of wisdom are very applicable in this situation! Before a single shingle touches your dollhouse you should lay out guidelines. The guidelines will keep all of your rows straight, parallel to each other, and evenly spaced. If you are going to make mistakes it is far easier to fix them with a pencil and eraser than glue and wood!

Step 1: Use one of the shingles to figure out where the bottom row of tiles will sit. Make sure the roof base isn’t showing. Once you’re satisfied with the placement, create a mark just above that shingle.

Step 2: Use a ruler to measure the distance between this mark and the bottom edge of the roof. Make two or three more marks the same distance from the roof’s edge. Draw a line with a ruler to connect these marks and the vertical roof edges. This is your guideline for the first row of shingles.

Stop here and assess whether this line runs parallel to the bottom edge and roof peak and whether the roof base is straight. For now, just be aware of any discrepancies.

Step 3: To make a guideline for the second row grab a tile and establish a good placement overlapping the first row of shingles. Create a mark above that tile for the second row. Measure the distance between that mark and the first guideline. Mark that distance at either vertical edge and draw a line across.

Take the time to sort out these first two lines; make sure they are properly spaced and parallel to each other, the bottom edge, and the roof’s peak edge. Start to make adjustments if needed.

Step 4: Measure the distance between the first and second guidelines. Use this measurement to mark the side edges for the rest of the guidelines.

A little tip: Make sure to measure from both of the roof sides. This will help later if you have to make adjustments for any out-of-square issues with the roof base.

Step 5: Assess your tick marks and adjust up or down to compensate for mistakes in measurement or edges that are out of alignment. Once you’re satisfied everything looks good draw the rest of the guidelines.

Step 6: Once the lines are drawn assess everything again. It sounds like overkill, but this is when you fix any issues with alignment BEFORE you glue things in place! If the lines are not parallel to the edge of the roof peak remeasure and adjust the lines. This is critical. A line of shingles near the roof not parallel to the roof edge will be so noticeable it will ruin the look of your dollhouse. So take the time to carefully align all the guidelines across and down the roof slope.

The time spent on creating good guidelines will save you headaches and heartaches later!

Steps for applying your dollhouse roof shingles:

Now that we’ve properly prepped the roof with guidelines it’s time to start laying down some roof tile!

A note about glue: You can use any glue you like, but stay away from quick-drying glues like super glue and hot glue because you will want to make small adjustments in tile placement as you work.

Step 1: We always start roof shingles at the bottom and work our way up, with each progressive row overlapping the previous one. Grab glue and a tile and pick a spot to start in the center of the bottom edge. Add glue to the back of the shingle and place the tile with the top edge up against your first guideline. Press in place.

Step 2: Spread some glue on either side of that tile and lay down a few shingles, pushing each edge to the guideline and checking to ensure the row stays straight. Also, ensure your tiles hang down straight and are not slanted sideways. Check to make sure everything looks even.

Step 3: When you get to the ends you will see that most times an entire tile will not fit, so you’ll have to trim the excess and fit it into place. Ensure these end tiles are tidy and flush with the roof’s edge.

Step 4: Start the second row, working from the middle outward as in the first row. The tiles in this second row will overlap where two tiles underneath meet. Lay down glue and place all the shingles for the second row, ensure each tile is lined up properly and evenly. Trim the ends as necessary.

Dollhouse roof shingles being applied to a roof with guidelines

Step 5: Follow these steps until you reach the roof’s peak, always assessing and adjusting to ensure everything is straight and parallel.

Step 6: Once you get to the top row of shingles you may have to cut the tiles, depending on how you plan to finish the roof. Whatever the situation, ensure the tiles are parallel, straight, and cleanly applied.

You are now ready to do the finishing touches to your roof!

Items featured above:
Apex trim and Roof Angle from Factory Direct Craft

Finishing your dollhouse roof:

This final part is outside of the scope of today’s blog (but stay tuned for a future tutorial!) but you will want to add finishing touches and details to make your dollhouse roof pop. At the very least you’ll want to cap the roof with a roof angle or a flat ridge. There are also options for roof gables to clean up the sides and add a little flair. An apex trim might also create that “Wow!” factor.

But that is a tutorial for another day!

I hope you liked this tutorial and learned something from it! I know how hard these projects can be and any tips are worth their weight in gold! Leave a comment below if you’ve had any experiences with dollhouse shingles. Let me know if you found this blog informative or ask questions!

The video for this tutorial (for all you visual learners!) is on my YouTube channel here. Remember to like and subscribe for more tutorials like this one and other DIY craft projects.

Or join me on Patreon! Become a member for only $4/month to see more in-depth tutorials, DIY projects, and behind-the-scenes videos.

Visit my online shop here to see other fairy house designs!
https://disstudiodesigns.com/fairy-houses.html

Looking for more decor DIY and fairy-related blogs to read? Click the links below to see my latest articles!

https://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/diy-projects
https://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/category/fairy-houses-and-gardens

]]><![CDATA[Three simple methods for creating a 3D cone cutout from a pencil drawing]]>Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:33:13 GMThttps://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/three-simple-methods-for-creating-a-3d-cone-cutout-from-a-pencil-drawing

If you are a crafter or artist who would like to know how to create a three-dimensional cone shape from a 2D drawing this article is for you!

In today’s blog, I will share three simple ways to draw a 2D pattern for a cone. We will try the following techniques: 1) use a triangle point to draw a circle, 2) use a triangle’s diagonal line to draw an arc, or 3) draw triple triangles.

Before we get started…

Let’s delve into a bit of light geometry. (I promise to keep it simple!)

We are essentially working with two geometric forms—a triangle and a circle. The 2D drawing will be a triangle shape that will become a 3D conical form with a circular opening. Picture the top point of the triangle as the point of the cone and the bottom edge of the triangle as the opening of the cone. Once you understand that concept the rest is easy!

Let’s first talk about a few circle terms: circumference, diameter, and radius. The circumference is the measurement around the circle’s edge. The diameter is the length across a circle if you draw a line from one spot on the circumference to the opposite side, dividing the circle in half. The radius is half the distance of the diameter.

Now let’s discuss how this relates to the triangle we will work with in this tutorial. The triangle we will use measures 3” W x 2 1/2” H. This means the bottom edge—the edge that will become the opening to the cone—has a diameter of 3” and a radius of 1 1/2”. You don’t necessarily need to measure your triangle this way, but I just wanted to show the correlation between a 2D triangle drawing and a 3D conical shape.

Now that we understand the basics let’s get to the three methods of creating a conical pattern. Grab a few supplies and let’s get drawing!

Tip before you start: If you make your cone a little bigger than needed you can make adjustments when working with your 3D cone and trim off the excess.

I am an affiliate associate of Blick Art Materials so some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest.

Method 1: Draw a circle using the center line of the cone

This is the simplest of the three methods. You will use the length of the diagonal line and the top point of a triangle to create a circle that will become a cone once cut out.

What you’ll need:

Paper (grid or plain)
Ruler
Pencil
Tape
Exacto blade or scissors
Compass

Draw a triangle to fit the height and width of your project (to scale).

Divide the triangle in half along the vertical axis.

Open your compass to the length of one of the triangle’s diagonal lines.

Set the compass point at the top corner of the triangle and draw a circle going through the bottom point of that diagonal line.

Make a hole at the top of the cone and cut down the center line.

Carefully fit the sides together to form the cone, securing the overlapping sides with tape.

Method 2: Draw an arc to one side of a triangle and use the radius to divide the arc six times

In this method, you’ll create a cutout pattern using the triangle radius six times to get the correct size for your cone. This method is a little more complicated than the first one but still easy to do in just a few minutes.

What you’ll need:

Paper (grid or plain)
Ruler
Pencil
Tape
Exacto blade or scissors
Compass

Draw a triangle to fit the height and width of your project (to scale).

Divide the triangle in half along a vertical axis.

Open your compass to the length of one of the triangle’s diagonal lines.

Place the point of the compass somewhere off to the side of the bottom point of that diagonal line and draw an arc. Mark the center.

Draw a line connecting that center point with the top of the arc.

Open the compass to the length of the radius (half the distance of the triangle’s bottom edge).

Place the compass point at one end of the arc and create a tick mark on the arc.

Move the compass point to that tick mark and make another mark further down the arc.

Repeat this process four more times until you have six tick marks.

Draw a line connecting the arc’s center point to the last tick mark.

Make a small hole for the top and cut out the arc form you just drew.

Line up the edges of your cone pattern and tape together.

Method 3: Draw three identical triangles stacked next to each other

In this method, you will use the diameter (bottom edge) and angle at the top of the triangle to create two more identical triangular shapes along a diagonal edge. The shape the three triangles make aligned together creates a faceted arc that you can adjust into a smooth curved edge for the cone’s bottom opening. This is the most complex of the three methods but it works like a charm!

What you’ll need:

Paper (grid or plain)
Ruler
Pencil
Tape
Exacto blade or scissors
Compass
Protractor

Draw a triangle to fit the height and width of your project (to scale).

Using the protractor calculate the angle at the top of the triangle. Line the protractor up with the left edge of the triangle to get the angle.

(Here is a quick helpful video I found on YouTube that shows you how to use a protractor to find and draw angles.)

Move the protractor to the other diagonal edge and make a mark at the same angle to one side of your original triangle.

Draw a line from the original triangle’s top point through the mark you just made.

Repeat this process, moving the protractor to the new line you just drew to calculate the angle again. Draw a line from the triangle’s top point through the new mark.

Measure the length of the diagonal line of the triangle and mark that length on the two new lines you just drew.

Connect the two new marks to the bottom edge of the original triangle. They should all be the same length.

You should have three identical triangles stacked along their edges.

Now we will create a smooth curve around the bottom of the three triangles.

Open the compass to the length of the triangle’s diagonal side.

Place the point of the compass at the top corner and draw an arc connecting (or going around) the corners of the three triangles.

Make a small hole for the top and cut out the arc form you just drew.

Line up the edges of your cone pattern and tape together.

Paper cutout cone pattern arranged on flattened clay.

Paper cutout cone made from grid paper set atop a wooden castle tower.

If you’d like to see the video for this tutorial (for all you visual learners!) you can find the YouTube tutorial here. Please remember to like and subscribe for more tutorials like this one and other DIY craft projects.

Or join me on Patreon! Become a member for only $4/month to see more in-depth tutorials, DIY projects, and behind-the-scenes videos.

Would you like to read more drawing tutorial blogs? Visit my blog page and click on the Celtic Inspired and DIY Projects categories for tons of fun and informational tutorials!

And—as always—happy drawing!

]]><![CDATA[18 Magical Hobbitcore Fairycore Home Accents]]>Sat, 14 Sep 2024 13:15:10 GMThttps://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/18-magical-hobbitcore-fairycore-home-accents

Images from Amazon.com. Click the links below to view or purchase.

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, this is for you! The Fairycore, Hobbitcore, and Goblincore home decor trends on Pinterest inspired a list of my favorite Hobbitcore finds on Amazon. All of the items on today’s list are influenced by the Hobbit house and the famous movie we all know and love! If this is your vibe, read on!

Item 1—19.4 cm x 6 cm x 5.5 cm The Great Garden Smial Hobbit Hole replica figurine from the Weta Workshop Store

The minute I saw this gorgeous figurine I knew it had to be at the top of my list! Of course, you must have a replica of a Hobbit house in your Hobbitcore space!