Cowboy Kimono Blog

Tag: DIY

Step-by-step guides and creative projects you can do yourself — from fashion to home decor and beyond.

  • DIY Fish Ornaments Stuffed with Recycled Paper

    DIY Fish Ornaments Stuffed with Recycled Paper


    Shredded docs → sassy fish. 🐟 Reel In the Craft of the Day!

    If your living room tree is more “ever-delightful” than “evergreen,” these Kraft Paper Fish Ornaments are a playful way to keep it dressed up between holidays. They’re eco-friendly, easy to make, and give you an excuse to break out the crayons, paints, and markers like a kid again. Bonus? This recycled craft adds some serious charm to your earthy, year-round tree.

    Colorful Kraft paper fish with various designs.

    Supplies You’ll Need

    Directions

    1. Download & Print
      Grab the fish template and print it on letter-size Kraft paper.
    2. Double It Up
      Place a blank sheet of Kraft paper behind each printed design. Hold both sheets together and cut out your fish shape. (Keep each cut-out pair together!)
    3. Decorate
      Color, paint, or doodle your heart out on one side of each fish.
    4. Staple & Stuff
      Lay the decorated fish on top of its blank twin. Staple halfway around the edge so it looks like cute little stitches. Leave an opening, then stuff it with shredded paper. Tuck in any strays.
    5. Add the Hanger
      Cut 5-inch ribbons, knot them into loops, and staple one to the back of each fish at the top fin.
    6. Close It Up
      Finish stapling around the fish to seal it in. Done!

    Pro Tip: Try this same method with my other templates—birds, bugs, shells, starfish, or milagros. Mix them together for a whimsical, garden-of-delights tree that feels alive all year long.


  • DIY Sunburst Chairs: Hand-Painted Upholstery with an Ethnic Chic Twist

    DIY Sunburst Chairs: Hand-Painted Upholstery with an Ethnic Chic Twist

    Sometimes the perfect upholstery pattern just doesn’t exist on a fabric bolt—you have to make it yourself. That’s exactly what I did with these mid-century modern dining chairs. Inspired by the layered, global vibe of Ethnic Chic—a style that blends cultures, textures, and traditions into one “well-traveled” look—I decided to hand-paint my own bold sunburst motif. The result? A fresh, personal update that feels both modern and timeless, and a project anyone can tackle with a little creativity and patience.

    Upholstered seat and seat back before and after hand painting.
    Upholstered seat and seat back before and after hand painting sunburst pattern

    How to Paint Your Own Upholstery Pattern

    Supplies You’ll Need:

    • Dining chairs (or any upholstered seat with removable cushions)
    • Screwdriver (to remove seat + seat back)
    • Wax paper + inkjet printer
    • Computer design program (or a printed pattern you love)
    • Fabric paint + small paintbrushes
    • Damp cloth

    Steps:

    1. Prep your chair
      Unscrew the seat and seat back to make painting easier.
    2. Create your pattern
      Design your motif on the computer (I went with a circular, sunburst-style pattern). Convert it to a bold outline in the color you’d like—reddish-brown worked beautifully on my cream fabric.
    3. Transfer the design
      Print the pattern onto wax paper with your inkjet printer. Lay the print ink-side down on the fabric and rub the backside to transfer the design. Wax Paper Ink Jet Transfer Tutorial
    4. Paint the pattern
      Use fabric paint and a stiff brush to carefully go over your transferred lines. Don’t rush—steady brushstrokes will make your design pop.
    5. Clean it up
      Once the paint is completely dry, gently wipe away any leftover transfer marks with a damp cloth.
    6. Reassemble your chair
      Screw the seat and seat back into place, and admire your one-of-a-kind creation!
    Dining chairs with hand painted sunburst pattern
  • Shell Yeah, My Tree’s Still Up.

    Shell Yeah, My Tree’s Still Up.

    How to Make Metal Embossed Seashells and Starfish Ornaments

    Yep, you read that right-I keep a tree in my living room year-round, and instead of packing it away after December, I just keep dressing it up with whatever makes me smile. Birds, flowers, seashells, starfish—you name it, it finds a branch. Think of it as a revolving gallery of my whims.

    Today I’m showing you how to make your own shiny DIY ornaments using metal embossing. Don’t worry—it sounds way fancier than it is (spoiler: you’ll be using a ballpoint pen). The end result? Handmade ornaments that catch the light beautifully and bring a little beachy, earthy magic into your space, no matter the season.

    Supplies you’ll need:

    • Sea ornament templates (starfish + seashells)
    • Scissors
    • Masking tape
    • Craft foam sheet (9” x 12”)
    • Ballpoint pen
    • Aluminum craft metal foil roll (36-gauge)
    • Embossing tools (get creative: a ball stylus, a wooden clay tool, even an orange stick from your nail kit works!)
    • Ribbon (about ⅛-inch wide, cut into 5-inch strips—one per ornament)

    Safety note: aluminum edges can be sharp. Pop on a pair of gloves while you’re working to save your hands and keep things clean.

    Step 1: Prep your template

    Print out your seashell and starfish templates. Rough cut around each shape, leaving about a half-inch border of plain paper.

    Step 2: Cut your craft metal

    Snip a piece of aluminum foil from the roll that’s the same size as your craft foam sheet. Place it on top of the foam—this creates your “cushion” for embossing.

    Step 3: Tape & trace

    Tape the paper templates onto your craft metal. With your trusty ballpoint pen, trace the outlines of the shapes. Don’t press too hard—you want lines, not holes. (Flip it over as you go to check your progress.)

    Step 4: Add the fun details

    Now comes the satisfying part: embossing! Use whichever tool feels good in your hand and press in lines, dots, and textures to bring your seashells and starfish to life. Pro tip: flip the metal over to press designs in the opposite direction for extra depth.

    Step 5: Make a hole for hanging

    Each template has a little circle at the top—trace it, then press through with your pen tip to create a hanging hole. Wiggle the pen gently to widen it just enough for your ribbon.

    Step 6: Cut them out

    Carefully cut around each ornament shape. (Reminder: those edges can be sharp, so take your time and protect your hands!)

    Step 7: Ribbon & hang

    Thread your 5-inch ribbon through the hole, tie a knot, and ta-da—you’ve got a shiny, ocean-inspired ornament ready to sparkle on your tree.


    And there you have it—your very own set of handmade, nature-inspired ornaments. I love how they shimmer in the light and bring a touch of seaside magic indoors. The best part? They look just as good hanging with flower garlands and bird ornaments in spring as they do alongside twinkle lights in December.

  • New in the Shop: A 1970s Green Velvet Skirt with Serious Boho Mojo

    New in the Shop: A 1970s Green Velvet Skirt with Serious Boho Mojo

    You know when you find something so one-of-a-kind, it feels like the thrift gods smiled directly at you? Yeah. That’s this 1970s green velvet skirt.

    A Handmade Boho Dream

    Say hello to our latest vintage treasure: a true 1970s green velvet broomstick skirt that practically hums with boho vibes. She’s soft. She’s swishy. She’s got the kind of effortless drama that makes people stop and say, “Where did you get that?”

    How to Style It

    This isn’t the kind of skirt you tuck away for a special occasion. This is the skirt you wear to the farmer’s market, the backyard concert, the Tuesday you just felt cute.

    Style Tips:

    • Pair with classic tennis shoes (for chasing dreams or buses)
    • Add a mandala tee and big, unapologetically pink earrings
    • Toss on a hand-painted denim jacket and become walking art

    The vibe? Cosmic flower child meets artsy downtown cool.

    Vintage, Handmade, One-of-a-Kind

    This green velvet skirt is handmade and vintage, which means there’s only one. When it’s gone, it’s gone. So if your heart’s doing a little flutter right now… that’s your sign.

    Get the Look

    Go ahead. Get the skirt. Throw on the jacket. Be the walking art gallery you were born to be.

    Shop the 1970s Green Velvet Skirt Now

  • How to Create a Hip Jackalope Display

    How to Create a Hip Jackalope Display

    This quirky little garden project began with a plain old cement rabbit from a local garden store—and ended in one of my favorite creations yet: a hip jackalope garden display that brings personality and humor to any outdoor space.

    Finished jackalope garden display with groovy glasses
    Groovy garden vibes with this jackalope statue 🕶️🦌

    Materials I Used

    • Concrete rabbit ornament – from local nursery
    • Apoxie Sculpt – for antlers
    • Acrylic paint – Blick & Michaels (colors used: warm brown, black, white)
    • 3D fabric paint – for texture details
    • Plastic novelty sunglasses – Etsy

    How to Build a Jackalope Garden Display (Step-by-Step)

    Step 1: Base Clean & Prime
    Clean your cement rabbit thoroughly. I used a stiff brush to remove dirt, then gave it a rinse and let it dry in the sun. A layer of white gesso helped the paint stick better.

    Step 2: Build the Antlers
    Using Apoxie Sculpt, I formed two simple antlers—kind of like big branching Y’s. Let them cure fully overnight, then lightly sanded the surface for better paint adhesion.

    Step 3: Paint & Detail
    Paint the rabbit in your desired color scheme. I went with desert tones—brown body, soft white chest, and black outlines for pop. Once dry, I added 3D puff paint for extra texture along the fur lines and ears.

    Step 4: Accessorize
    The finishing touch was a pair of novelty sunglasses I picked up from Etsy. I hot-glued these right onto the snout for max cool factor.

    Close-up of sunglasses on jackalope garden statue
    Shady and serene 🌵

    Why I Made This

    I was going through a tough time mentally when I began this project. Sculpting the antlers and painting slowly over a few days felt like a form of meditative healing. Giving a bunny antlers and calling it a jackalope somehow gave me a laugh I really needed—and now it brings that joy to everyone who sees it in my front yard.

    Final Thoughts

    If you’re looking to combine playfulness, art, and a little bit of desert folklore into one project, the jackalope garden display is it. Whether you’re gifting it, auctioning it, or just sprucing up your own yard, this DIY jackalope will absolutely steal the show.

    🦌 See the full Jackalope tutorial on Cowboy Kimono

    Connect with us:

    Instagram • Facebook • Pinterest • Etsy Shop •

  • Paint a One-Of-A-Kind Sofa Table

    Paint a One-Of-A-Kind Sofa Table

    What is one way to hide a chaotic heap of twisted cords beneath a colossal TV screen? My solution includes strategically positioning a visual diversion: A custom console styled with arty pots on the bottom and a Nambé bowl on the top. This project is for a home with an interior that is a nice mix of Modern and Ethnic Chic. (What is Ethnic Chic?)

    Materials

    Materials needed for project: table, drawer knobs, paint color, and paint marker

    How To

    I’ve been pinning images of illustrated furniture for years. This project was my chance to dive in and give it a try. I found an unpainted sofa table that was the right size and style. Once the table was assembled, I removed the knobs, pulled out the drawer, and lightly sanded and primed all surfaces. Then I coated it with a few layers of satin latex paint and gave the drawer slides a very light coat to keep them in good sliding condition. I created an illustration the same dimensions as the drawer front using Adobe Illustrator. Next, I printed the illustration to size and it became my pattern. I traced the artwork by sandwiching a sheet of Saral Transfer paper between the print out and the drawer face. After the artwork was transferred to the drawer front, I drew on top of the traced image with a paint pen. NOTE: It was really important to let each layer dry the recommended amount of time, as well as, lightly sand between coats. After all the paint had cured for two weeks, I covered the table with several coats of poly acrylic (again – pay attention to drying times and sanding between coats). I rubbed a bar of soap on the drawer slides to improve their glide and attached the knobs. Kinda cool. Kinda artsy. I heart.

    painted console with southwestern roadrunner graphic

    Connect with us:

    Instagram • Facebook • Pinterest • Etsy Shop •

  • Animated Chalk Art

    Animated Chalk Art

    Creating chalk drawings on dark paper is my current favorite drawing activity. For me, drawing the light instead of the shadows is a both a drawing technique and a formula for contentment. Converting these drawings into an animated video involved lots of watching and re-watching online animation tutorials. Here’s the basic process along with links to the videos I found most helpful:

    Preparation

    1. Create thumbnail sketches of actions to be animated.
    2. Work out the sequence of events.
    3. Write-out notes to the side of sketches to describe camera angles, zooming in or out, sound effects, etc…
    4. Photograph models or collect reference images for each major action. (I took photos of my son with a strong light coming from the bottom for this video)
    5. Modify the reference images in Photoshop as needed to unify lighting or amplify dramatic moments. Convert to black and white images.

    Drawing

    1. Print images at medium quality on copy paper (20#) to fit the size of your dark paper and scanner bed. (I use 8″x10″ black card stock which fits on my scanner bed)
    2. Transfer image to black paper, tracing only the very basic outlines and shapes.
    3. Draw the light values onto the dark paper using a white pastel pencil. Re-establish darkest values and lines with a kneaded eraser and/or pencil eraser.
    4. Scan each drawing and save as a jpeg. Improve contrast as needed in Photoshop.

    Animating

    1. Place jpeg images in a Photoshop document as layers.
    2. Select VIEW > Timeline to begin animating. Here are two video tutorials that I found very helpful:
    3. Save Timeline animations as mp4 clips.
    4. Create graphics in Powerpoint or Keynote.
    5. Combine animated clips, sound effects and music in iMovie.
    Final Chalk Art Animation by Marisa Mott
  • Red and Green Chile Hominy Casserole

    Red and Green Chile Hominy Casserole

    This was one of my Mom’s go-to-breakfast dishes. The original recipe had cream of mushroom soup and crushed Cornflakes which have been replaced with Bechamel sauce, mushrooms, and bread crumbs. The updated recipe is spiced up a bit with the addition of red and green chile.  Great served with fried eggs and bacon. 

    Click for Recipe
  • 3 June Bugs You’ll Love Immediately

    3 June Bugs You’ll Love Immediately

    Still trying to decide if this paper craft is cuter than, happy as, or crazy as (a June bug). Either way, I’m ready to release this swarm of June bugs into my living room. The bright colored insects will serve as tree ornaments celebrating the holiday known as summer.

    Paper Bug Craft

    Did you know?

    1. Real June bugs emerge from the soil at the end of spring or the beginning of the summer and are famous for bumping into porch lights and sneaking into houses. “(A June bug) Often tries to sneak into houses, either by flying right in when the door is open, or by hitching a ride on somebody’s clothes like a little ninja. Harmless to humans and cannot bite. Despite their name, they can come out as early as May.”URBAN DICTIONARY
    2. June bugs are related to scarabs from ancient Egyptian iconography.  TERMINIX FACT
    3. June bugs have a spiritual side. They  show how to balance and remain grounded. METAPHYSICALSCIENCES2012  Learn more about their SPIRITUAL MEANING

    Supplies

    • Download June Bug Template
    • Chenille Stems/Pipe Cleaners
    • Colored Construction or Cardstock Paper
    • Markers, Posca Paint Pens, Yarn, or Paint
    • Mod Podge
    • Colored Tissue Paper
    • Googly Eyes
    • Glue
    • Scotch Tape
    • Scissors

    Directions

    1. Print templates.
    2. Either trace bug pieces and leaves onto colored paper using transfer paper or pinch template and paper together and trim.
    3. Gently curl wings using a writing element with a curved exterior – like a marker. Hold the element like a wand, place it under a wing with your thumb on top of the wing and gently pull from the inside to the outside of the wing. Repeat for each wing.
    4. Decorate bug pieces as you choose. Some ideas: paint ombre gradients, draw tangle patterns with markers, layer colored tissue paper with Mod Podge, glue yarn in swirly patterns. Stuck? I got a lot of inspiration from my Pinterest collection of beautiful bug art: bug_inspiration
    5. Attach layers using scotch tape or glue. Layering formula for each bug is shown at the bottom of templates.
    6. Attach googly eyes. The moth doesn’t have room on its head for the eyes, but they can be glued to the wings!
    7. Cut and bend chenille stems to match the legs and antennae shown on each template. Tape in place on the back/undecorated side of the bugs.
    8. Fold leaves as shown on the bottom of each template. Veins can be added by drawing and applying gentle pressure on the back with a dull pencil.

    Once your paper June bugs are ready to swarm, you can strategically place them in houseplants, decorate a year-round holiday tree, give them to friends named, “June,” or use them to decorate the fridge door!

    Download Templates

  • Irresistible Paper Ox Book Corner

    Irresistible Paper Ox Book Corner

    An irresistible paper craft originally created to celebrate the Year of the Ox, 2021. Simple instructions follow – but first a brief history of the Lunar New Year from Pinterest:

    Celebration of Luck, Health, and Togetherness

    “Marking the first new moon of calendars traditional to many East Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a multi-day celebration of luck, health and togetherness celebrated by billions of people around the world. February 12 marks this year’s festivities, beckoning in the Year of the Ox according to the Chinese zodiac. And while this year’s celebrations may be at home this year, the rich traditions of this holiday aren’t going anywhere.“

    How Lunar New Year Came To Be

    “The legends behind the Lunar New Year date back thousands of years. The tale goes that at the beginning of each new year, there was a monster that attacked a village. The monster was afraid of loud noise, bright lights and the color red, so the villagers banded together to scare it off by hosting loud celebrations and wearing red. Each year is represented by a different animal, the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, with this year represented by the ox, which symbolizes patience and cheerfulness. The Chinese zodiac has been adopted by many countries throughout Asia. Lunar New Year is celebrated in a variety of ways across different Asian cultures. For example, in China, the celebration is often called the Spring Festival, in Tibet it’s known as Losar, and in Vietnam, it’s called Tết. It’s widely celebrated amongst the Asian diaspora all over the world, making it a truly global holiday.” https://www.pinterest.com/today/article/how-to-celebrate-lunar-new-year-2021/64041/

     

    Supplies

    • Printed and cut-out origami square 
    • Printed and cut-out ox features
    • Printed and cut-out tassel strips
    • 2 – 3 inch pieces of yarn or thin ribbon
    • 2 – 2 inch pieces of yarn or thin ribbon
    • Glue
    • Glue stick
    • Scissors

    Directions

    1. Print template’s front square, flip paper and print back on same page.
    2. Cut out red square from the printed page.
    3. Fold origami bookmark using photo guide or YouTube video link
    4. Cut out nose, ears, head flower, nose ring, horns and tassel strips.
    5. Clip tassel strips as shown in photo (below).
    6. Glue nose beneath eyes, making sure not to glue the pocket opening. Glue the nose ring to the nostrils.
    7. Gently pinch each ear on the tip and glue to the back side of the head.
    8. Glue the horns slightly above the ears.
    9. Glue the head flower over the printed flower.
    10. Make the tassels by putting a dot of glue on the left and right, unclipped edge of each strip. Place the tip of a 3-inch piece of yarn or thin ribbon in the glue with the remaining length going up and away from the unclipped edge. Repeat for the second strip. Tightly roll each strip lengthwise. Pinch for a few seconds to allow the glue to take hold. Put a dot of glue on the top, unclipped part of the tassel and wrap with a 2-inch piece of yarn or thin ribbon. Glue the end and repeat for the second tassel. Tie the tassels together at the top and glue the knot to the back side, center of the head.
    Clip tassel strip up to dotted line
    https://youtu.be/BEwl0fvqo18
     
    Download Template