We’re already in the last week of August, and although it may seem as though summer is coming to an end, don’t despair! We remind you that fall doesn’t begin until September 21, so if our calculations are right, we still have almost a month of summer left to enjoy and, of course, create colorful, energetic summer DIYs. Today we’re bringing you a summer classic that belongs on both the menu and your accessories. Watermelon!
Surely you’ve seen one of those fun watermelon DIYs, perfect for you, your kids, or your home. We went looking for the most original, simple, and eye-catching ones so you can keep celebrating summer in all its glory. Of course, some of the five wonderfully fresh watermelon DIYs we’re bringing you can keep you company and brighten up your surroundings in any season.
The best thing about this selection is that you can make all these designs by yourself or as a family. I’m sure the kids at home—those who haven’t started school yet—will love helping you and getting covered in colorful paint. You’d better put them in something that can get dirty without a problem, because we’ll mainly be using water-resistant paint, and therefore paint that withstands washing. Here comes a watermelon DIY!
5 EASY, BEAUTIFUL WATERMELON DIYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
1. Watermelon bag.
This idea, which we saw at Dare to DIY, is perfect for decorating the typical baskets we use to carry all our beach essentials. It doesn’t have to be a basket; you can create exactly the same design on fabric (by painting a tote bag, for example). It’s wonderfully simple: all you need is fabric paint—acrylic works too—painter’s tape, a brush, a paintbrush, and black buttons. Simply divide the surface of the basket with the painter’s tape, painting each section the appropriate color as you see in the photograph. This ensures that the lines will be straight and that the paint won’t bleed into the next section. Let it dry thoroughly, then sew on the button seeds, arranging them however you like. You can paint them instead if you prefer.
2. Watermelon sneakers.
You can find this very common style of canvas sneaker in almost any store or shoe shop. Ideally, find them in a shade of red or coral, although you can also buy them in white and use dye—or even paint them yourself. Once again, we’ll use fabric paint and painter’s tape, plus, in this case, a permanent marker to paint the sole and the seeds. Here, you need to place the painter’s tape over the rubber side of the sole, leaving a thin white line protected underneath it. Take a look at the entire process at Chez Tibounty. Even if your French is rusty, the photographs are explanatory enough.
3. Watermelon doormat.
We’ve settled on two equally lovely ways to welcome yourself home. You can make it stamped, as in the image above, or imitate the shape of a watermelon slice, as in the lower design in the photograph. In the first case, you’ll make the stamp using pieces of sponge that you’ve cut into the desired shape beforehand, dipping them in paint and painting the seeds by hand once it has dried. It’s best to use outdoor paint to ensure greater durability. In the second case, you simply follow the standard process on a half-moon-shaped doormat: painter’s tape to separate the colors in each section—for the red section, spray paint will be more convenient since it’s a fairly large surface—and finish with a paintbrush for the seeds. See the complete process for the first design in eHow and check out the second at The House that Lars Built.
4. Watermelon coasters.
We’re continuing along the same lines with an inexpensive, simple, and very pretty watermelon DIY, this time for inside your home. These coasters are equally useful and decorative, adding a splash of color to your table. In this case, you need a round sheet of cork that you’ll decorate first and cut afterward. The process is the same, except that instead of painter’s tape, you’ll use a piece of cardstock, paper, or cardboard, also round but with a smaller diameter, to define the color sections. As always, green on the outside and red on the inside, with an optional white section in between that will make both areas stand out more. Follow the entire process in photographs at Kittenhood (text in English).
5. Watermelon umbrella.
Although you can also use it as a parasol, this is a small concession we’re granting fall in case you want to anticipate its arrival or simply prepare for summer storms. For this watermelon DIY, we’ll also use fabric paint, which, because it’s resistant to water and washing, is also resistant to rain. To keep things simple, follow the same process as in the previous designs. Separate the color sections with tape, let everything dry thoroughly, and finish with the seeds. If you want them to be uniform and identical to one another, use a template that you can easily create and cut out yourself. Remember that a red or coral umbrella will simplify the process considerably. Here’s the process in images from crecra.com, and if you know Chinese, don’t hesitate to tell us what it says!
Don’t like watermelon? No problem! Use these ideas and techniques to apply whatever designs, fruits, and colors you like best. The important thing is not to let summer slip away too soon, because there’s still plenty of it left.
That said, when fall arrives, it won’t catch us unprepared or without a whole bunch of ideas up our sleeves for continuing to enjoy ourselves and create with the best DIYs. Oh, and don’t forget to visit our craft store to see the new super-cute fabrics we have for you.
Bon appétit!