Burn Baby Burn: Wood Burning 101

Anjelika Temple
Jan 05, 2015

Confession: We are having a total love affair with our brand new wood burning tool. We first started to swoon over it while creating our Wood-Burnt Serving Board Kit, a collaboration with Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. Now, we can’t help but find ourselves burning every piece of wood we come across, especially in the Brit HQ kitchen!

For today’s #31DaysofDIY project, we’ll take you through the basics of using a wood burning tool. It couldn’t be simpler — don’t be surprised if you end up with a LOT of custom cutting boards, wooden spoons and more after you see just how easy it is :)

No idea what #31DaysofDIY is? It’s a brand new tradition here at Brit + Co that’s all about kicking off 2015 right. We’ve challenged ourselves to make or learn something new every single day for the month of January, and we’re inviting all of you along for the ride. From DIY basics like Sewing 101 to learning to design and laser cut our own stencils, we hope this month of making inspires you to make all year long.

Materials:
– wood burning pen

– wood burning tips

– wood burning alphabet bits

– wood objects

– wood practice board

Instructions:

1. Let your wood burning tool heat up.

2. Try out each of your bits on a wood practice board. To switch bit attachments, turn off your burning tool and let it cool down completely before unscrewing and replacing bits.

3. Plan your design in pencil on the board if you like.

4. Follow along your pencil design using your wood burning tool.

5. Remove your pencil lines with a good eraser.

6. That’s it! Hand wash your wood-burnt objects in between uses and treat with mineral oil for a lasting design and sheen.

We stocked up on a bunch of kitchen goods like wooden spoons, a utensil holder, a cutting board and napkin rings.

We’ll start with some simple line art. You can create stripes, chevron patterns or pretty much anything that involves straight lines.

Line Art

The arrow is definitely our favorite.

The whimsical leaf pattern is a beauty, and never fails to impress. Use it on the handle of a wooden spoon or to add a touch of personality to a cutting board.

Leaf Pattern

That napkin ring looks legit!

And now for some alphabet bits! Alpha-bits? :)

Typography

Press your letters into the wood objects, and you’re good to go. Yum!

What’s cookin’ good lookin’? A whole bunch of wood-burnt awesomeness.

Finally, we used the point tool to create itty bitty polka dots on one of our wooden spoons.

Polka Dots

Pointillism FTW.

And just like that, we’ve got a whole collection of personalized wooden things! How easy was that?

What will you try wood burning? Share photos of your creations to Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter using the hashtag #31DaysofDIY. We’ll feature our favorite projects and makers throughout the month of January here on Brit.co.

11 Paleo Desserts That Don’t Make You Feel Like You’re On A Diet

Paleodesserts typically avoid processed ingredients, grains, dairy products, and refined sugars – but that doesn’t mean they have to be bad. Sure, they primarily focus on using whole foods, but there are tons of paleo desserts out there that don’t feel like you’re eating on a diet at all.

Common ingredients in paleo desserts include almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, dates, and various fruits like berries or bananas. You can feel really good about eating these 11 paleo desserts. They’re nutrient-dense and perfectly sweet! From snack-sized bites to fully-fledged cakes, we’ve got you covered.

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are superior when it comes to paleo desserts, or any desserts for that matter. These addictive bites take on the flavors of pumpkin and chocolate, all without leaning on process ingredients! (via Brit + Co)

Cherry-Cranberry Almond Paleo Scones

These paleo scones are just as good as the ones you'd snag from your local coffee shop. Cherries and cranberries dot the sweet dough for a fresh touch, plus there's a delicious cranberry glaze to top it all off! These paleo desserts would work so well for serving a large party crowd – or, you could save the leftovers all for yourself. (via Brit + Co)

Fudgy Paleo Brownies

Though you might assume paleo desserts say 'no' to chocolate, this brownie recipe will instantly prove you wrong. The batter, made primarily from almond flour, coconut flour, and cocoa powder, gets balanced out in terms of moisture with coconut oil, eggs, and maple syrup. Dark chocolate is the key to this dessert's success! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Paleo Gummy Bears

Our list of paleo desserts wouldn't be complete without the more fruity snacks! These paleo-friendly gummy bears only require three ingredients and a gummy bear mold with a dropper. You can make any flavor you want depending on the type of fruit juice you use – just make sure it's labeled “not from concentrate” and is organic to abide by the paleo guidelines. (via Clean Cuisine)

Berry Paleo Banana Bread with Lemon Glaze

Banana bread is the ultimate treat you can snack on in the morning, afternoon, and at night. This paleo version is doctored up with even more healthy stuff like three types of berries and an addictively tart lemon glaze. Swoon! (via The Endless Meal)

Coconut-Coated No-Bake Energy Bites

For paleo desserts that you *don't* have to actually bake, energy bites are the sweetest solution. These can be crafted within minutes using a short list of ingredients: prunes (healthy fiber FTW!), almonds, chia seeds, and surprisingly, orange juice! Pop one in your mouth for a workday snack, or wait for bedtime to indulge in this daily sweet treat. (via Live Eat Learn)

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

This spoonable paleo dessert is also plant-based, gluten-free, and made with 5 ingredients. The creamy base is made with 2 ripe avocados, which get masked with the flavors of cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and the natural sweetener of your choice. (via Veggie Society)

Paleo Coconut Cream Pie

You may be a bit skeptical at just how good a keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free pie could really taste, but we promise this one is ahh-mazing. The coconut flour, coconut milk, coconut whipping cream, and *actual* shredded coconut form the signature flavor without taking over too strongly. You'll wanna eat slice after slice! (via No Eggs or Ham)

Paleo Thin Mints

Wanna enjoy your fave Girl Scout cookies year-round? Look no further than these paleo thin mints that incorporate the minty, chocolatey flavors you love, without any harmful additives. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Paleo + Vegan Caramel Apple Slices

Us any apple variety you love alongside some melted dark chocolate and caramel to create these mouthwatering apple slice pops. You can go crazy with with topping 'em with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and the like, but it's really up to you on how to best enjoy them. (via Rachel Mansfield)

4-Ingredient Chocolate Chia Pudding

This chocolatey chia pudding is too tasty. With an ample serving of chia seeds, cocoa powder, almond milk, and maple syrup, this is a certifiably healthy paleo dessert. (via Two Spoons)

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Grab Your Slushees & Check Out Where The "Glee" Cast Is Now

ICYMI, the 15th anniversary of Glee is coming up on May 19 and we're feeling all the feels. But we're not the only ones! "It's incredible, like, that's my family. We did something that was groundbreaking," actress Amber Riley says in an interview with ET. "I'm always grateful to Glee for being the catapult for my whole entire career, and for giving me such a vast knowledge and vocabulary of music."

The teen drama played a huge role in the careers of stars like Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, and Alex Newell, and so many members of the cast of Glee has starred in a number of other titles. Their continued success proves just how talented they are, which is why I rounded up all their latest projects so you can spend more time watching them! Here's where you can see the cast of Glee in 2024.

Lea Michele as Rachel Barry

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Without a doubt, the most notable thing Lea Michele has done since the end of Glee is FINALLY starring as Fanny Brice in Broadway's Funny Girl. It was a super meta moment that brought reality and Glee lore together, and the entire internet lost their minds. You can also watch her in Scream Queens and New Year's Eve. Lea is currently expecting her second child with husband Zandy Reich, and has been very vocal about her struggle with PCOS.

Corey Monteith as Finn Hudson

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Before he was on Glee, Corey Monteith had roles on Smallville and Supernatural. He's also reportedly the inspiration behind Taylor Swift's "Mine" from Speak Now. You can also see him in Monte Carlo and Final Destination 3. Corey passed away on July 13, 2013.

Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Chris Colfer is one of my personal favorite members of the cast of Glee, especially since Kurt is such a sweetheart. You can see him in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and you can read his The Land of Stories book series! The actor and author has been in a relationship with Will Sherrod since 2013.

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester

Images via Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Fox/Presley Ann/Getty Images for DAOU Family Estates

Jane Lynch is one of the most iconic members of the cast of Glee thanks to her portrayal of Sue,and since the show wrapped, she's been involved with a number of other hit projects. You can see her in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Wreck-It Ralph, Selena Gomez's Another Cinderella Story, and Only Murders in the Building. The actress lives with her wife Jennifer Cheyn, who she married in 2021.

Jenna Ushkowitz as  Tina Cohen-Chang

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Gold Meets Golden

Jenna Ushkowitz joined the cast of Glee after her run in Spring Awakening on Broadway. She's done a few other Broadway shows like Waitress, and won Tonys for as a producer on Once on This Island and The Inheritance! You can also see Jenna in Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" music video, as well as Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj's "Swish Swish," and listen to her And That’s What You Really Missed podcast, which she co-hosts with Glee star Kevin McHale. Jenna married David Stanley on July 24, 2021 (Kevin was her "man of honor" — cute!!) and in June 2022, gave birth to their daughter.

Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Gold Meets Golden

In addition to starring in Glee (and listening to his And That's What You Missed podcast, of course), you can see Kevin McHale in Bratz, Zoey 101, and American Horror Stories. He's been in a relationship with actor Austin P. McKenzie since 2016.

Ali Stroker as Betty Pillsbury

Images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Ali Stroker was a finalist for The Glee Project (a reality show that gave contestants the opportunity to appear in the show) before guest starring in season 4. Since the 2013 episode, Ali has starred in Lifetime's Christmas Ever After and also had a small role on Only Murders in the Building. The actress also became the first person with a disability to both receive a Tony nomination and award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for portraying Ado Annie in Oklahoma!

Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray

Images via Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Fox/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

After playing Debbie Marshall on Milo Ventimiglia's Heroes, Dianna nabbed the role of complicated cheerleader Quinn on Glee. She's also had roles in Burlesque, I Am Number Four, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and The Chosen One. In 2022, Dianna finished her third residency Café Carlyle which is sooo giving Quinn Fabray.

Alex Newell as Wade "Unique" Adams

Images via Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Trevor Project/Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Alex Newell stole hearts as Unique on Glee, and since the finale, they've also starred in Empire and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, as well as Broadway's revival of Once on This Island and Shucked (for which they became the first openly nonbinary performer to win a Tony).

Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose

Images via Kevin Winter/Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Melissa Benoist just starred in Max's Girls on the Bus (watch our interview with her here!), but she might be best known for the title role in The CW's Supergirl. You can also see her in Patriot's Day, The Longest Ride, and Whiplash. Like other members of the cast of Glee, Melissa starred on Broadway and made her debut as Carole King in Beautiful. After splitting from Glee co-star Blake Jenner in 2017, Melissa got remarried to Chris Wood in 2019 and gave birth to their son in 2020.

Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans

Images via Kevin Winter/Getty Images/Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Verizon

My personal favorite project from this Glee cast member is Falling for Christmas, which also stars Lindsay Lohan! You can also see him in iCarly, The Bold Type, and The Middle. The actor and singer dated Emma Watson in 2018, and in 2020, Chord released his song "Hold On," which has over 826 million streams on Spotify.

Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury

Images via Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Fox/Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

In addition to being a part of the cast of Glee, Jayma Mays has starred in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Heroes, and Red Eye. She married Adam Campbell in 2007 and gave birth to their son in 2016. Most recently, Jayma starred opposite Amy Adams and Maya Rudolph in Disenchanted!

Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Hubert Vestil/Getty Images

Amber Riley's Mercedes is one of the best parts of Glee (and her rendition of "Bust Your Windows" is among the best performances on the show!!). Since the end of the series, Amber has starred in The Wiz Live!, The Little Mermaid Live!, and Monster High. She won Dancing with the Stars season 17 in 2013, and released her RILEY EP in 2020.

Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson

Images via Jason Merritt/Getty Images/Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Alzheimer's Association

Darren Criss won an Emmy in 2018 for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which is only slightly more impressive than his involvement in the viral, deep-cut production of A Very Potter Musical (kidding!). You can also see him in Melissa Benoist's Supergirl and Muppets Haunted Mansion. Darren married his longtime girlfriend Mia Swier in 2019, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2022.

Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn

Images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Blake Jenner starred in The Edge of Seventeen with Hailee Steinfeld and Haley Lu Richardson, as well as Supergirl and What/If. Blake married Melissa Benoist while they were both in the cast of Glee, but the couple divorced in 2017. In 2019, Melissa revealed in an Instagram video that she's a survivor of domestic violence + injuries she received from a past partner. Blake responded in 2020, revealing he had been the partner Melissa referenced.

Dot-Marie Jones as Coach Beiste

Images via Jason Merritt/Getty Images/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for GLAAD

Not only does Dot-Marie Jones play a coach in the cast of Glee, but she's also a 15-time world arm wrestling champion IRL. You can see her in Lizzie McGuire,Material Girls, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and Killing It. Dot-Marie has been married to Bridgett Casteen since 2013.

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Naya Rivera's Santana was one of the best characters on TV, and she had incredible vocal chops to boot. You can see the actress in Step Up: High Water, CSI: Miami, and Even Stevens. Naya passed away in 2020 while boating with her son Josey in 2020.

Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce

Images via Frederick M. Brown/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

After you've binge watched Glee (again), you can see Heather Morris in Santa Fake, Cora Bora, Raven's Home, and So Help Me Todd. She competed in season 24 of Dancing With the Stars (she was also a backup dancer for Beyoncé, slay!), and shares two children with husband Taylor Hubbell.

Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester

Images via Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Fox/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Matthew Morrison has been in a number of musical productions outside of Glee, including the OG Broadway casts of Hairspray,The Light in the Piazza, and Finding Neverland. Most recently, he starred in Christmas movie Paris Christmas Waltz. Matthew shares two children with his wife Renee Puente.

Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang 

Images via Michael Buckner/Getty Images for InStyle/Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Harry Shum Jr. starred opposite Nina Dobrev in Love, Hard on Netflix, and you can also see him in Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D, as well as Everything Everywhere All At Once. He plays a small role during the credits of Crazy Rich Asians, and will reportedly star in a spinoff about his character and Gemma Chan's Astrid. He shares a child with wife Shelby Rabara.

Mark Wayne Salling as Noah "Puck" Puckerman 

Images via Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Fox/Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for The Viper Room

Before joining the cast of Glee, Mark Salling starred in Walker, Texas Ranger, Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering, and The Graveyard. He also released his Pipe Dreams album after founding Pipe Dreams Records. Mark passed away in 2018.

Who have you kept up with from the cast of Glee? Check out Where Is The Gilmore Girls Cast Now? for more info on your favorite actors!

Lead image via FOX

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7 Temporary Hair Color Trends To Experiment With This Summer

Festival season is here and summer is shortly on its way, so and to me that signals that it's time to get funky with your hairchoices! Whether it be some fun braids ornew cuts, you can try them all! But my personal favorite has to be dying your hair.... temporarily of course! Growing up I've never taken the plunge and fully dyed my hair, but I always loved to play around with temporary dye as a way to feel the fun change...but not dye my hair pink forever on a late night whim (I would not advise anyone to try this — we all saw what happened in that Gilmore Girlsepisode). So if you're getting that drastic decision itch but don't want to fully take the plunge then we'd recommend these fun styles that the experts say you'll love!

How long does temporary hair dye last?

Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Revolve

Temporary hair dye should only last a week or a couple weeks at max depending on how often you wash your hair. On the Sally Beauty website, it says, "Temporary hair color does not penetrate the cortex or the hair. Instead, it coats the outside of the hair shaft with color that washes out in one or two shampoos." So just a couple of washes and there you have it; your hair is as good as new!

Temporary Hair Color Trends To Try Right Now

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Licorice Red

This is one of the most popular styles at the moment with so many celebrities donning this style. One of my favorites has to be Dua Lipa with this shade of bright licorice red that looks fab on her! I would recommend this color if you have darker undertones because it would compliment the red in such a beautiful way. To achieve this stunning look, you can use ArcticFox's Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in the shade Poison! It's super pigmented and incredibly easy to use from the comfort of your very own home. We like the sound of that!

Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Dove

Blonde Highlights

Temporary hair dye allows you to have so much fun with your hair and venture out into things you've been wanting to try! Blonde highlights are so easy to try and if you've been wanting to take the plunge but were unsure before then temporary hair dye will be your bestie! Give this luxurious light ombre look a try like Ciara's stunning highlights pictured here.

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Light Pink Highlights

This color is so much fun for festival season because you don't have to commit to doing your whole hair, you can simply dye a few sections lightly to give off a highlighted look. Hair expert and colorist, Andrea Cottin from The Hairstyle Review, says, "If you’re looking to change up your hair without commitment, temporary color can be an excellent option. One of my favorite brands is Good Dye Young who carries a product called “I’m Bored” and lasts 2-6 washes. To apply, simply emulsify and apply to freshly washed hair in sections and then blow dry." It't that simple!

Andrea also says, "It comes in lots of colors and my personal favorite is pink as it has been trending in the salon. Another option is by Brite. It’s 100% compostable, and gentle on your hair. It’s applied like a conditioning mask and lasts 5-30 washes. This might be a better choice for those who want a bit more longevity without committing to a permanent color." You heard it here first, folks! Pink is going to be the color of the season!

Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Root Touch-Up Brown

Did you know that if you're in a pinch and can't make it to the salon for a root touch-up that you can get temporary dye to fix up your roots? You just spray directly onto your roots for a nice touch-up to get a natural look like Lucy Hale above! Hair expert Marcy Cona, Global Creative Director at Clairol says, "Root Touch-Up Spray (Temporary): Recently, TikTok users have discovered that using root touch-up sprays are not only beneficial for gray coverage, but can also be used as a fun and easy way to transform your hair to try out a different shade temporarily. If you’re looking to experiment with a new hair color without the commitment, you can try this hack with Clairol’s Root Touch-Up Color + Volume 2-in-1 Temporary Hair Coloring Spray, available in a range of colors, including black, dark brown, dark to medium blonde, light brown, and medium brown."

Image via Ulta

Rose Gold Hue

This is a new development for me as I'm just finding out that you can dye your hair rose gold! Don't mind me sprinting to Ulta ASAP to grab the Kristen Ess Rose Gold Tinting Spray. This new color is sure to be your next summer and festival staple and I bet all the girlies will be asking you where you got it! Bonus? It washes right out so you don't have to worry about the color lingering post-festival season when you're back at your 9-5.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Copper Red

We've seen ginger and copper-toned hair take the world by complete storm! I may be biased but as a fellow ginger myself, I think that gingers have the most fun! So try out this style for a fresh new look like Kendall Jenner did above for a few months. Temporary dye is the best way to see what colors best suit your face and complexion!

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Header image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

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