Hottest Trends in DIY

Neon is not just trending in the fashion world, says Brittni Mehlhoff, founder of papernstitch, a curated blog for art and other handmade goods. It is popping up in home decor now too. If you'd like to incorporate these bright colors into your house, then Mehlhoff suggests embellishing a plain object using a few spools of neon string and a pair of scissors. Tie a knot around a vase or container you want to add color to. Then wrap the string around and around until you've reached your desired look. Tie it off, and you're good to go.

There are no rules when it comes to mixed media jewelry, says Cathie Filian, one half of the Emmy-nominated duo Cathie and Steve. You can make a necklace your own by weaving a ribbon or a piece of an old T-shirt through a chain. You could also add rhinestones, pendants or medallions, says Filian. Try it with a necklace you already own. This is an easy way to repurpose it. Filian suggests going to your local bead shop or craft retailer for jewelry staples such as chains, jump rings and medallions.

Washi tape is one of the hottest supplies for quick and easy craft projects these days, says Mehlhoff. Find the right pattern, and you can transform nearly anything this Japanese masking tape will stick to, from envelopes to vases. With just a few strips, a basic birthday card envelope is sure to catch the recipient's eye in the mail, making the sentiment that much sweeter. Mehlhoff says Etsy.com is a great place to shop for Washi tape, as is the retail chain Paper Source.

Making your own prints, either by silk-screening or painting, is big right now, with the chevron pattern still super popular, says Filian, who suggests buying a silk screen kit, stencils and fabric paint at Michaels. You can do everything from making graphic tees to painting your own floor carpet. Simply use blue painter's tape to mark off a pattern, or stencil one that's more complex. Filian says people are now stenciling on drapes and more, thanks to new technology. For DIY regulars, Filian suggests cutting your own stencils from freezer paper and then ironing it on the other side.

With the right vase, a pair of scissors and a little practice, you can create beautiful floral arrangements yourself using blooms purchased from your local farmers market or grocery store. Says Mehlhoff, Now that spring is here, fresh flowers perfect for simple DIY arrangements, such as peonies and ranunculus, are everywhere. Cut the stems short—meaning close to the vase's opening—for a uniquely casual look. She recommends trimming the stems under water at a 45-degree angle and removing all leaves from the stems. Change out the water every other day or as needed to make the arrangement last.

Ruffles are huge right now, says Filian, who sees them on clothes, headbands and home accessories. Adding a ruffle to a pillow is a good place to start for people new to the DIY world. You can even remove one from a dress you already own but no longer fits, she says, and then simply sew it onto a pillow. Filian believes that the popularity of vintage aprons is what led to this renewed interest in ruffles. They are soft and sweet and have a romantic aspect to them, she says.

Another trend taken straight from the runway is color-blocking, which means combining more than one color in big, bold swaths. If you want to make over a plain-Jane wallet, then Mehlhoff suggests adding a block of color, courtesy of a couple jars of textile paint and an acrylic brush. (Her personal preference? Round brushes.) You can give a tired wallet or handbag an update in about 30 minutes, she says, and you'll be totally in style.

Decoupage, which is where you glue paper onto different surfaces from furniture to jewelry, is more popular than ever, says Filian. Anybody can do it. All you need is scissors, a foam paintbrush and Mod Podge, the 45-year-old glue that helps seal your creation. Filian explains that in Victorian times, decoupage was a way to preserve bits of paper, such as letters, but nowadays it extends to revitalizing glass, wood, ceramics and metal. I use fabrics and scrapbooking papers to transform a glass vase into a luminaria or give a table a whole new look.

Now that cupcakes have essentially taken over the dessert world, it's no surprise that people are finding unique ways to dress them up. Decorating with icings and candies is popular, but making embellishments for cupcake toppers is even bigger, says Filian. Common materials include scrapbooking papers, felt flowers and wooden letters. The more your presentation is personalized, the more the guests will get out of it, she says. You can even buy basic cupcakes at the grocery store and then add your handmade topper.