Inspired by the horizon, where sea meets sky, these dreamy dip-dyeing projects capture the relaxed beauty of summer's essential elements. They're as much fun as putting your toes in the surf -- and almost as effortless.

So head on outside and give this carefree craft a try. With three simple hand-dipping methods -- immersing fabric and paper in dye, candles in wax, and baskets in paint -- you can give ordinary objects bold bands of color. Start with inexpensive, commonplace items (the plainer the better, in fact, since white or cream is best for showing off colorful embellishments). Before you purchase supplies, look around for things to recycle or reuse. Give a T-shirt or an unused candle new life, or put leftover paint to use.

Set up outdoors, where you'll have plenty of room and won't worry about drips. As you work, admire the varied shades and asymmetrical lines created by hand-dipping. Just as every wave's wet outline on the sand is different from the next, uneven borders lend these crafts their one-of-a-kind charm.

Projects
Pillows with Dyed Bands
Dip-Dyed Candles
Dip-Dyed Lampshade
Dip-Dyed Throw Rug
Dip-Dyed Baskets
Dip-Dyed T-Shirt
Dip-Dyed Stationery and Cards

Dive In!
These projects for dip-dyeing are just the beginning -- once you get started, you're sure to come up with other ideas for transforming all sorts of everyday objects. These tips for working with different kinds of dye will help you make a splash.

Dipping Three Ways
Into Fabric Dye
Cloths made from natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, and linen, take dye best.

Very tightly woven fibers may resist dye. To test, drizzle a little water on the fabric. If the drops bead on the cloth instead of being absorbed, it may not take dye well.

Dye fabric to use for a sewing project, such as the throw pillow, or start with a simply constructed store-bought item, such as a tote bag, a curtain, or a dish towel, and transform it with dye.

Fabric dye also works on items such as uncoated paper and unfinished wooden boxes and bamboo blinds.

Into Melted Wax
In addition to pillar candles, you can dip tapers or birthday candles in colored wax. Hang them by the wick to dry.

Into Paint
A dip in white latex paint gives the woven materials used for baskets a crisp, fresh look. Of course, other colors could work, too. Use any extra wall paint to decorate a set of baskets. They'll make stylish organizers that will match the room they're in.