Cutting Designs Into Canvas!

Birch Tree Forest Wall Art

DIY Birch Tree Wall! 

This was such a fun DIY! Having had all the materials from previous projects, 
this whole project was FREE! Doesn't get better than that. 

Materials:

1.) White Paint/Primer 

2.) 2 Paintbrushes (1 Medium, 1 Small)

3.) Blue Painters Tape 

4.) Step Stool, or Ladder if you're short like me.

5.) Pencil 

 Now get excited everyone, because I only have 5 Steps for you!
 I wont lie to you, this takes awhile, but it is well worth it!  

Step 1: Sketch! Never go into a project like this blind. Its always best to get your perspective right on paper first before you begin.  

                  (My First Tape Attempt)                   (Final Tape Design)

Step 2: Tape! This is the hardest part of the entire thing! Make sure you step back and look at your work as you go. I moved trees around for a full day before I was happy with a design. If you are planning on putting furniture in front of your wall, I suggest marking their locations so you can plan your trees around them. 

Step 3: Paint! Find a reference and go nuts! I attempted to draw a design on the first tree, but found it was much harder to cover or remove lines once I started painting. I just went for it! Let me first tell you that I have my Bachelors in Illustration so I'm obligated to be good at this stuff, but please don't try this if you aren't feeling confident. Draw light designs and everything will be just fine. I also starting pulling away tape early to get a better feel for the width of the trees, but thats up to you.

                  

Step 4: Clean up! Remove the the blue tape, ( if you haven't removed it already) and use your small brush to touch up blurred lines. If you over lapped your trees, you'll also have to connect limbs where tape ran between them. This takes time and patience, so clear a couple hours and crank some music. 

Tadaa! 4 Steps and a few days! This just made my room so cozy and whimsical. I just love looking for faces in the trees, and their glow from the TV at night. I used paint swatch samples to make banners of lights and flags to decorate the wall and plan on adding an owl off a branch. This project is great for any room and any age. Enjoy! 

Table Makeover

The Best Furniture is FREE Furniture!

My Father-in-law is fabulous at finding treasures on the side of the road,
 and for that my house is thankful. His latest find was this wonderful utility table on wheels. Of course I just had to do a little tweaking, so here are my quick steps! 

(Before)


The very best part about this project is that is cost less than $5.00!
Maybe even free for those of you have leftovers from past projects. Run down to your local hardware store and pick up a can of RUST-OLEUM. This stuff comes in so many colors and covers almost everything!


($3.99 + tax)


Step 1: Remove the wheels. 
Place the exposed legs of the table onto pieces of newspaper.
Be sure to pick a safe location to spray your table. I usually set up shop in the shade of our trees.


(Give your wheels a quick rinse, you never know where they've rolled last)

 Step 2: Read the directions on the back of the can and spray away!

I like to work in a circle when spraying large objects. This was you can see your work in different lights and find missed areas. It's up to you if you want to paint the underside of the table.I like to go with the theory, 'out of sight, out of mind.'

(Make sure the newspaper does blow up and scratch your legs)

Side Note: Wear gloves. 

I think the picture says it all on this one.

(If you don't have gloves, use a plastic baggie)

Tadaa!! Pop those wheels on and roll away! 

With the heat of the summer, it took my table much longer to dry. 

Be sure your table is completely dry before bringing it inside.

I love this table!

 I can use it almost anywhere in the house! 

For now It's hanging out with the puppies toys, but I'm bound to move it again! 

Even the kitten loves it! Enjoy! 

Easy Upgrade!

Tired of daily refills? ..

With the heat of summer upon us, it's important to keep your animals hydrated. This quick switch ensured my animals days of water! No more coming home to empty bowls!    

Hanging A Finished Puzzle

Puzzles can be a lot of work, 

so why take them apart when you're done?

In only a few steps, you can turn your finished puzzle into hangable artwork. 

Materials: Puzzle (complete), Cardboard, Scissors, ModPodge,

 Paintbrush, Sharpie, Exacto Knife, Metal Ruler, Tape, Fishing Wire

Step 1: Put a coat of ModPodge on the top of your finished puzzle with an old Paintbrush. 

This will help hold everything together when you transfer it onto the cardboard.

Try to keep your brushstrokes consistent in direction.  

Step 2: Take the measurements of your puzzle with your ruler and draw out 

your rectangle with your sharpie on a piece of cardboard.

Step 3: Cut your rectangle out using your exacto knife. When you are finished lay it over top your puzzle. Use your scissors to trim off any excess cardboard. *I suggest cutting your rectangle a little smaller than the actual size of the puzzle, to ensure you don't see cardboard when it hangs. 

Step 4: Use your ruler to find the center of your piece of cardboard. Then pick a measurement

 that works for your puzzle, and mark two spots equal length apart from the center. Take your time with this. Once your marks are equal, with your exacto knife, slice a small horizontal cut on your mark.   

Step 5: I know this is hard to see, but cut a piece of fishing wire and thread it through your cut. 

Once through the back, tie a knot and tape it down upright onto the back of your cardboard.

 (The side that we will be glueing the puzzle to.) 

Step 6: Pull your fishing wire to the top and middle of your cardboard to get an idea of about how much

 more you will need. Repeat Step 5 on the other side. If you find that you have to much wire, just tie a little 

knot to get it to where you want it to be. 

Step 7: Here comes the tricky part! Find something to help you transfer your puzzle onto your cardbaord. I used a cookie sheet. Next, put a hefty layer of modpodge onto your cardboard. Make sure to hit the corners and move quick. The more it dries, the less you will be able to move it when you transfer your puzzle.

Once the glue modpodge dries you are ready to hang! 

I used this Saturday Evening Post Puzzle in creating a 

Marine Corps Tribute Wall for my  boyfriend. 

See that wasn't so bad! Enjoy! 

Every Artist Needs An Inspiration Wall

     

   Here's a little peak at my Inspiration Wall. It was once just a few nails and fishing wire, but now is filled with an array of items. Some are finished projects that I'm still adoring, but most of them are unfinished and screaming for attention. I've added pictures, ribbons, aprons, puzzles and even some drying flowers. It doesn't matter what you add, as long as it continuously inspires you to keep creating!   

Wall Decor

Hanging Pictures Doesn't Have to Be Scary!

A Marine Corps Tribute Wall

3 Easy Tricks I Learned Along The Way!

1.)    Move things around! Lay your frames out on the ground before you start to hang. Some people may suggest tracing your frames on paper and using them as templates to move your design around. I think its better to use the actual objects you will be hanging, as some colors may look better next to others and so on.

2.)   Grab a pencil and a ruler! Make sure to measure the locations of each hinge on all of the frames. This may not be the best idea, but go ahead and draw right on the wall! As long as your walls aren’t white and you draw lightly, your marks should erase off easily. Besides, it’s better than putting extra holes in the wall.  

3.)   Learn to love your level! Make sure your level is out for this entire project. There is nothing worse than stepping back to see your entire masterpiece is crooked.     

Painted Frames

Fun Frame Designs

Why let broken frames go to waste when you can transform them into this!

               The hardest part about painting a picture frame, is deciding what to paint on it! This frame already had a layer of white paint on it from a previous project, but for you, I suggest putting a layer of gesso or primer on it first to provide adhesive for your paint. Once you've found your  idea, do a light sketch on your frame. It will be harder to remove or hide dark pencil marks once you've started painting, so stay as light as you can. I struggle with this, so to correct myself, I gently erase my lines before I paint them so I can just barely see the sketch, and this way it doesn't show through light paint colors. My paint of choice for this project was Acrylic, because it dries fast and is an easy clean-up. Remember to paint the inside and side of you frame if you decide to fill your entire frame with design. Other than that, have fun!  Take your time, and remember...

 "we don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents." Bob Ross 

Quick Lamp Makeover

Say Goodbye to Gold! 

 I've been staring at this lamp since the first day I moved in with my boyfriend...almost two years ago. The shade is too big and the gold and I are just not getting along. Even though it has now found its new and permanent home in our guest room, that doesn't mean it still doesn't deserve an update! Besides, it's an excuse for another DIY project, so why not?

Materials:

1.) Painters Tape

2.) Newspaper

3.) Sandwich Bag

4.) Spray Paint  

Here We Go!

Step 1:
Begin by using your painters tape to tape the brim of the top of the lamp. I chose to add this step before the newspaper because of the shape of my lamp and fear of leaks. If you have a lamp with a more basic shape, taping the newspaper straight on may work just fine for you. 

Step 2:
When you've finished at the top, tape around the bottom. Again, you may find this step unnecessary. 

Step: 3
I layered paper vertically, taping at the top and bottom. Take about two pieces of newspaper and rip them into strips. Fold them to cover the length of your lamp and tape. There may be easier ways to accomplish this task, but due to the waved shape of my lamp, I found this way worked best for me. 

Step: 4
Add tape where its needed until everything is safely covered and secured. 

Step: 5
Don't forget these guys! You can choose to cover the entire area, however since i really dislike gold,  I covered the bare minimum. 

Step 6:
 Use a sandwich bag to secure the plug. Make sure your cord is pulled all the way out of the lamp before taping the bag on in case you missed an inch or two of cord. 

Step 7:
Find a safe location and something to rest your lamp on. (Please try and  ignore my dying grass.. we are in a drought you know.) I had leftover Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Spray Paint (http://www.rustoleum.com/) that i used for this project.  I love this stuff because it dries quick and covers almost any surface.   

Step 8:
Be sure to follow the specific instructions that come with your choice of spray paint.  Make sure to check your work, theres nothing worse than finding a missed spot after everything completely dried. 

TADAA!

Easy as that. We'll save the Shade Makeover for another day. 

Inspiring Quotes for Artists