Sunday, August 19, 2012

College Dorm

So, I just finished my first year college. I lived on campus and I am living on campus again this year. My best friend asked me to do a blog about things you need for a dorm. Not only things you need, but how to do it in a cute and fun way. I attend Texas Sate University in San Marcos, and the dorm I live in was comminity style.
So there are a couple of things that you should have in my opinion.

The Basics
  • Bedding
    • Most college dorm will have twin size beds. 
    • Go in to shopping for your dorm with a color or theme in mind. 
      • It helps tie everything together and make it feel like home a little more.
    • If you have a roommate and you want to collaborate y'all's decor make sure you talk with them, and come up with something that you both like. 
      • Yes, you both will be living there, but you also want to come back to a place that you can call your own. 
    • Most store will sell sets, where everything from the fitted sheet to the and pillowcases and comforter are all in the same bag. 
      • Ranging form 20$'s and up. 
  • Clothing
    • You will need to bring everything you will need for the semester.
      • I live in Texas, so i need a wide range of clothes because the weather is so random!
      • If you live in an area that has rain a lot, rain boots a rain coat and an umbrella will make walking to class in the rain a little more bearable.
    • SHOES! 
      • I brought all of my shoes and I were them all, you will never regret bringing that extra pair of shoes.
  • Bathroom.
    • There is a wide range of bathrooms on campus. It may be community, or it could be suit style.
    • SHOWER SHOES! Never risk it, you do not want to get a fungus!
    • More than two towels, I personally have three of each of my towels! 
    • When you buy stuff for college, I suggest you buy in bulk and get it out at once so you are not going back and forth to the store every month!
  • Decore!
    • I brought things that make me fill at home. That way when I wake up I fell safe and at home not in a random place!
    • Keep your roommate in mind when you decorate. You might not want them to be offended by something. It is better to play it safe and ask.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Crayon Art

Okay. So I know everyone is in love with the Crayon Art projects. I know I was. So! Here is how I did it.
First of all you are going to need canvas, that you can pick up at any local arts and crafts store. I personally used a 12X16 canvas for all of my art work. Its only about 10$. You will also need about 2-3 boxes of 24 pack crayons. You can chose to do it landscape (which requires 58 crayons) or portrait (which requires about 46 crayons). Adding to the list of what you will need is a tube of Craft Glue, that is fast dry and is not heat reactive. Optional is some ribbon to hang your DIY artwork.
   LIST OF THINGS YOU WILL NEED

  • 12X16 canvas
  • 2-3 boxes of 24 packs of crayons.
  • Craft Glue
  • Ribbon (optional)
  • Blow Dryer

First step:
  Organize your colors in the order you want them on the canvas. I recommend you do not start gluing till you have the all organized how you want them.               


Second Step:
Once you have them in the right order you can now glue them to the canvas. The way i glued mine was a line of glue neat the top of the crayon, one in the middle and one near the tip of the crayon. (On the canvas, not the crayon, it is much easier this way.)

Third  Step:
Let the glue dry. What you can do while you wait, is clean up the extra crayons, put the glue up, take pictures of the process, and anything else you want to do. I usually let mine sit for about 10 to 20 mins.

Step four:
Start the blow drying! Take a blow dryer, put it on its hottest setting and hold it close to the crayons, without touching them. You will start to see the wax begin to melt and it will start to see it roll down the canvas. You can guide the wax by following the drop down. The more wax you melt the more canvas that will be covered. After you get on section done (about 5-7 crayons) move to the next ones. You can always go back to the other sections, all you have to do is remelt the wax.




Step Five:
Let the crayon wax dry completely. you can go get the ribbon at this point. It should only take about 3 mins. 

Step Six: (optional but recommend)
Take a piece of ribbon a little longer than the canvas and staple the end of the ribbon to the edge of the canvas. Make sure to not press down, the gun will have enough power to get into the wood. Stretch the ribbon to the other side of the canvas, loosely. Staple this end to the canvas. Cut off the extra ribbon.



Step Seven: 
Hang up you new art work and show it off to all your jealous friends!







THANKS FOR READING! 
Good luck! :)

~Katelyn Mechelle