Colorful Wall Art

Easy and inexpensive way to make your own personalized wall art!

You'll Need:

any size of canvas

old magazines

scissors

a template of letters or a shape

mod podge

foam brush

small paint

Start by cutting out colorful pieces from magazines.  Arrange them to cover the entire canvas.

Glue each piece of paper to the canvas with mod podge (using your foam brush) and then cover over the top with a coat of mod podge.  Let dry. 

 Then you need to choose a template (the template will be colorful, everything around it will be 1 color of paint).  I chose a rooster, because my sister Jordan did her kitchen in roosters.  I printed this from the internet and blew it up to the size I wanted, then cut it out.

I placed the template on top of the colorful canvas and started painting (using white or ivory colored paint gives a great contrast) with my foam brush.  After painting the entire canvas, I peeled up the template and the colorful shape of the rooster was underneath!  One option you can choose to give it an aged or hen-scratched look you can sandpaper a few areas of the painted canvas.

Easy Vase Update

Do you have a plain glass vase that you would like to update?  This is an EASY and INEXPENSIVE way to give your vase a new look! 

You'll need:
a vase (or even an old mason jar)
twine
glue gun/glue sticks
colorful buttons
flowers

Take your glass vase and wrap twine around it.  Glue the end down with your hot glue gun.

Also using your hot glue gun, glue buttons of various sizes and colors to the twine.

The last step is to add flowers and enjoy your updated vase!

Easy DIY Headboard

I recently redecorated my bedroom in gray and white. I decided to use barn wood as the headboard, to bring in color and texture and to add an architectural element to a plain apartment. But I saw one problem with that plan - I didn't want to lean against rough barn wood. So I decided to make a headboard that would coordinate in color, but would be a fantastic textural contrast to the barn wood. I started with a foam core board and cut it to the size I wanted.

Then I needed several yards of batting.

I chose a shimmery gray fabric for the textural contrast. (This is actually an inexpensive curtain panel from Walmart)

Then I laid everything out on the floor, fabric face down, then the batting, then the foam core board.

Then I got out my staple gun and went to work stapling the edges.

The result of adding this easy DIY headboard is an expensive-looking, layered look!

 

 

Dresser Transformation

I've wanted a dresser for awhile. I wanted one with an interesting shape. I found this on Craigslist.

My friend Gayle brought her truck and helped me pick it up (always a little scary) and I was ready to get started! I took out all the drawers and wiped everything down. I also took all the drawer handles off. There was a chunk missing out of the top, so I filled that in with wood filler, then sanded that down when it was dry.

 

One coat of tinted primer - I researched and chose to use this brand specifically, because the top of the dresser was a laminate and this type of primer will cover it well.

 

I did two coats of primer, using a small inexpensive roller on large areas and a little foam brush on the details. Then two coats of paint.

 

I chose "Black Magic" by Olympic in a satin finish from Lowe's - I love shopping at Lowe's - the workers are always so helpful! I used wrapping paper as drawer liners and added modern, chrome hardware. I also learned the tip that if the drawers squeak when you pull them out, you can rub a candle on the guide that the drawers slide on.

 

Let me know what you think!

New DIY Side Table For Under $6.00

I went to a garage sale and Hobby Lobby this morning. I got a cute little table for $2.00. I thought about trying a mosaic tile, but I decided on this:



Here is the table I started with:

And the materials I picked - scrapbook paper in a pale blue houndstooth (2 pieces @ .59¢ each) and rub on inspirational words and sayings ($2.59) (I LOVE decorating in words)!!



The rub on transfers were very easy, just cut them apart, arrange them, remove the paper backing and rub on with a popsicle stick.

Then I painted mod podge over everything.


I let it dry and put the table back together - I love the end result!

Paper Flowers: Unique Gift Embellishments

This works with paper, cardstock, old pages of books, even felt. Start with a square and draw a spiral. Don't worry about being precise!

Cut the outside circle, then cut along the lines.

You'll end up with a spiral snake.

Start with the outer end of the spiral and wrap the spiral, tightly at the beginning.

When you get to the end (the circle at the center of the spiral) fold the circle underneath and glue the bottom of the flower to the circle.

Cut leaves and glue all together on a gift!

My Dining Room Makeover: Interior Design Tips & Tricks

Before, After and everything in between!!

Here are some design tips I put into practice in my dining room makeover:

1. Curtains
*Shimmery curtains give a feel of luxury to a room.

*The longer the curtains, the more formal the room.

*A substantial curtain rod adds a fantastic architectural element to the room.

*Hanging the curtains close to the ceiling gives the illusion of height.

*In an apartment, covering the vertical blinds with curtains makes such a big change in the room.


2. Mirror


Hanging a mirror in a small space makes the room appear larger. A great way to hang anything on the wall is to trace the outline on wrapping paper, mark where the nails should go, then tape the wrapping paper up. This lets you adjust the height without putting holes in the wall. Once you are happy with the position of the wall hanging, nail through the wrapping paper, then tear it down.

3. Black Accent

Adding small touches of black to any room creates a strong visual impact. It can add drama and elegance to any color scheme.

4. Color



I love a neutral palette with pops of color. Bright green accents give this room a clean, modern feel. It's also great that by changing the plates and centerpiece, I can have a totally different room!

5. Texture
Combining various textures also adds visual impact. My curtains have a crinkly and shimmery texture, the centerpiece and candle holders are smooth glass and vases and plants I added have a very organic, rough texture.


Happy Decorating! If you have any before and after pics - I'd love to see them!