30 Before 30: Create Art for the House

I'm guest posting today over at Standpipe & Sprinkles.  Katie has an adorable family and she blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom to her little girl, Maile, and wife to her husband who is an oilfield worker. You should check her blog out...now!

I'm very happy to report that I tackled my very first 30 Before 30 project. One project that I’ve been seeing on Pinterest a lot lately is, in essence, a painting.  I can barely draw a decent circle, so I never pinned it because I figured that I would never be able to tackle anything involving both paint and a canvas.  But! I made it a goal to create art for the house and I felt this was as good a project as any.  

This project originated at Two Girls Being Crafty and they base it off a print from World Market.  They made it look pretty approachable so I decided to jump in. 

Branch and Circle Wall Art a.k.a Wall Art for Non-Artists

What You’ll Need

Canvas (Size is up to you.  I used 20x24 inches).

Cream colored paint.  You can use spray paint or acrylic. Don’t forget a brush if you use acrylic. 

Acrylic paint in whatever colors you want.  I used a navy blue, dark purple, lavender, seafoam green, and goldenrod.  I already had the navy blue on hand and the others were the cheapest I could find in the right colors.

1 Brown Paint Pen.  I used Elmer’s (If you can’t find it at a craft store, Walmart has them).

Round sponges in different sizes

What You’ll Do

1.        Lay your canvas on a flat surface and, using the cream colored paint, cover the canvas.  After I covered the top, I had a bit of a problem.  I didn’t have a drop cloth or anything to put under the canvas while I painted the sides, so I had to get creative.  I had a small stool that I wrapped tape around.  Then I put the canvas on top so that it would move while I painted the sides.  If you want to recreate my experience, I’d recommend cranking some pop music while you’re painting.  We’re talking One Direction, Carly Rae Jepson, or the Biebster.   

2.       After the paint is dry, remove the canvas from its pedestal.  It’s time to make some branches!  And you might want to switch your playlist to Zac Brown Band’s newest album “Uncaged.”  It will put you in a rustic, branch-drawing mood.  I was pretty nervous about this part because it’s the only real drawing you have to do.  I made some practice branches and realize that branches are just lines.  And they don’t even have to be straight!

3.        Give those branches some time to dry and, if you’re like me, make some dinner and spray paint random objects in your house in the name of crafting.

4.        Now it’s time to put some color on there!  I recommend switching that playlist back to pop music.  Using your round sponges, add circles to the canvas one size circle at a time.  The Martha Stewart sponges I used come out of their holders, so I used both sides.  I started with the lightest colors and then moved to the darker colors so I wouldn’t have to clean the sponges and then wait for them to dry.  What can I say?  I’m inpatient.  Besides, this method worked pretty well.

5.       Keep adding circles until you’re happy.  You might need to add more branches.  I did because I realized I didn’t have enough branches going to the top of the canvas and I didn’t have enough on the right.  Your circles are supposed to attach to either the branches or each other, so you need plenty of branches.  

The great thing about this project is that it’s completely customizable.  Everything from the colors you use to the size of your circles to how many circles you include is completely up to you.   I don’t think it’s possible to mess this one up.  I hung my final project over the tv with some fun fabric in embroidery hoops.

Meme Monday

Guys, I love me a good meme.  Few things make me happier than someone making a silly face and the internet world capitalizing on it.   Every Monday I plan to share my favorite memes with you, my beautiful readers.  So, withour further ado...

Paula Deen Riding Things!


Source



Repurposed Pyrex

I don't know what got into me today, but I was ultra-accomplished.  I got a lot more done in half a day of work than I usually finish in a full day.  I got about halfway through my final paper for the summer.  I marked off my first item on my 30 Before 30 list.  I made a delicious dinner, if I do say so myself.  I did a little redecorating.  And finally, I got my Krylon on between doing all that. 
I got sick of the clutter on the kitchen cart and decided that I needed to rein it all in, but I didn't have a bowl that I liked well enough to have on the counter all the time.  But that's when I remembered that I have a pyrex bowl that doesn't have a lid and is too small to use as a mixing bowl, so I never use it.  Ever.  I'd actually forgotten that I own it. So I decided to take the bowl that was taking up valuable space in my Pyrex cabinet and upcycle it into something more useful. 
A usually, the photos that I actually remembered to take are from my phone.

Repurposed Pyrex

What You'll Need

Glass bowl/dish

Spray paint

What You'll Do

1.  Turn your bowl upside down on a flat surface and spray evenly. I use a table small enough that I can walk all the way around it and spray the entire surface fairly easily. 

2.  Let it dry.

3.  Display!



I wouln't recommen doing this for any dishes that you're going to continue to use for serving, but it served the purpose I needed and I'm pretty happy with the final result.

Bargain Window Shopping

My job isn't one where you can coast.  If you're there and really working you have to think pretty critically all day long.  Usually when I take a little in-cubicle break I head to Buzzfeed or Hello Giggles, but sometimes I just need some good old fashioned window shopping. 

Paul and I are trying to focus on building up our savings, so extra spening isn't really an option.  But that won't keep me from browsing my favorite online shops.  I headed over to Forever 21.  Some people may stray from Forever 21 because the clothes look too young, but I shop in the plus size section and a lot of it is totally age- and work-appropriate for someone closer to her late 20's than her teens and early 20's.  The quality isn't bad at all and I always get compliments on the items I get there.  I usually find a lot of dresses and shirts that I really like and this visit didn't disappoint. 

1.  I love this apple print top and the Peter Pan collar.  I'd pair it with a cardigan to break up the print a bit.

2.  The neck of this blue dress really speaks to me. I love cut outs when they're done right.  I recently pinned a similar one from Mod Cloth, but it was a lot more expensive. I love that this isn't over the top and that the cut outs are just around the neck.  It also comes in really fun purple.
3.  I wish I could tell you why I like this bird dress, but I can't. I don't know if it's the colors or the cuffed sleeves or the way the pattern flows, but I just love it and want it.  I want it so badly.

4.  This feather print top isn't something I'd normally go for, but I really like the colors and the flowy fabric.
5. I've been wanting a pair of dark skinny jeans for a while now.  I can't decide if I really like these or if I just really like the way they're being worn here.  I'm really digging the cuff with the sky high heels.  But let's face it, I'd probably end up wearing with them with Chuck Taylors.
The best part?  Everything is under $25!  And those jeans are less than $15! 

What are your favorite stores for internet window shopping? And seriously, how fantastic is that bird dress?

30 Before 30

The other day Paul and I discussed the idea of making a bucket list, but I know that if I theoretically have decades more to complete the items on my list, I'll never complete any of it.  I work best with timelines, so when I saw 30 Before 30 lists on a few blogs I follow, I decided to do the same.  I like the idea of making a list of things I'd like to accomplish in the next few years.  The added benefit of putting the information on here is that, hopefully, it will keep me accountable. So, without further ado, here we are. 

30 Before 30

1.  Get baptized.  I've never been baptized and keep meaning to take steps to do so, I just haven't.

2. Be a mom.

3. Finish my master’s degree. 

4.  Become a librarian.

5.  Upcycle a piece of furniture.

6. Learn to play two songs on the guitar.  These will probably be by One Direction.  Please do not judge me.

7.  Create a piece of art for the house.

8.  Hike McAfee’s Knob. 

9.  Learn to decorate cupcakes and cakes.

10.  Go on a cruise. I went on one when I was 14 but I feel like it would be more fun as an adult.

11.  Run a ½ marathon.

12.  Go to Smith Mountain Lake.

13. Plant a vegetable garden.  Or maybe just one vegetable.  I do NOT have a green thumb.

14.  Pay for the person behind me in the drive-thru at Starbucks.

15. Get Paul a good gift that he really enjoys.  Apparently I haven't really accomplished this so far.

16. Develop a go-to nice occasion hairdo.

17. Take my mom to New York.

18.  Cook Thanksgiving dinner.

19. Learn to knit or crochet and complete one project.

20.  Learn to sew enough to cover our throw pillows.

21. Go to Natural Bridge.

22. Eat at New York Deli.  Its 2 minutes from the house and Paul and I keep saying we’re going to go and we still haven’t after 3 years. 

23. Find a primary care doctor I actually like.

24. Get back into my wedding dress.  And maybe to the point where it's too big.

25. Pay off our credit cards.

26. Go to a drive-in movie.

27. Redo our bathroom.

28.  Find the perfect pair of black shoes. 

29.  Read an entire Hemingway novel.

30.  Pack a picnic, take a trip to a winery, buy a bottle of wine, and enjoy!

So there it is!  Do you have a 30 Before 30 list?  Or maybe just a few things you've decided to accomplish in a set amount of time?

DIY: Striped Letter Wreath

The trophies that I made for work put me back in the crafting spirit.  I've been seeing letter wreaths for a while and finally decided that it was time to stop talking about how I should make one and actually get to work.  As always, I got ahead of myself and didn't take details at every step, but 3/4 isn't too bad, right?

Striped Letter Wreath

What You'll Need

1 Wooden Letter

2 colors acrylic paint (I used Martha Stewart)*

Painters tape

Artificial flowers or felt flowers (or both!)

Burlap

Epoxy or hot glue**

What You'll Do

1.  Using the lighter of your two colors, paint both sides and the edges of your letter.  I did two coats.

(Yes, I used the latest issue of crime times as an impromptu drop cloth.  It really classes up this tutorial, huh?)

2.  When your base color is dry, use painters tape to mark off diagonal lines.  As with most everything I craft, I eyeballed the lines and it turne out fine. 

3.  Using the darker of your two colors, pain over the tape an the exposed part of the letter.  I kept the pain to the front, not wrapping to the edges. 

4.  As soon as you have all the coats you want (again, I did two), remove tape immediately. I think it's easier than waiting until the paint dries.

5.  Cut the burlap to whatever length you want it.  Using epoxy or hot glue, attach the burlap to the back of the letter.  I put one end on each side of the Y.  You don't have to worry too much about how neat it looks.  It is burlap, after all.

6.  Flip your letter back over and use your epoxy or hot glue to attach your flower wherever is most appealing to you.   

7.  Let everything dry/set over night and then hang!

Full disclosure, this is actually the second one I made. The first one I made what the same green, but it had light blue stripes and a yellow flower.  Paul thought it was a little too girly so I took that one to work to brighten up my cubicle and made this slightly manlier version for the front door. 

*The green is Martha Stewart an the blue is...not.  I'm not sure what brand it is.  But I didn't like it.  With the first Y I did I used all Martha Stewart an it was lovely.  This blue paint was pretty thin and kept sneaking its way under the painters tape. I'll be using Martha Stewart paint for crafting from here on out.

**If your letter will hang indoors or outdoors, but out of the sun, feel free to use hot glue.  If you're going to be hanging your letter in direct sunlight, go for epoxy.  That's actually my rule of thumb for all wreaths.  I've had two wreaths that hung by a ribbon secured with hot glue that I found on the ground when I got home from work because they were in direct sunlight all day.  Ever since I started using epoxy it's been smooth sailing!

DIY Trophies

Every summer my office hosts a picnic.  The employees get a free meal and we plan some sort of event that is intended to raise money for charity.  Two years ago we threw one pie at a supervisor or doctor for every $25 we raised and donated the money to Susan G. Komen.  Last year we had a dunk tank and sold throws for $1 each or $5 to push the dunk button and donated the money to the local free clinic.  This year we got a little more ambitious. 

This year, in the spirit of the Olympics, we decided to host our very own office Olympics.  Teams of 5 paid a $25 fee to compete for the charity of their choice.  Their $25 fee went straight to their charity and the winners earned additional money for their charity.  The events were modeled after a combination of field day and my days on academic teams in high school and college.  The five events that made up our Olympics were egg-in-a-spoon carry, water balloon toss, office trivia, general trivia, and a giant team relay which included a three-legged race, dizzy bat, person scavenger hunt, and an accessory dress up which required participants to find a scarf, a bracelet and a hat, put them on, and then run to the finish. 

While the winning teams would have additional money going to their charity of choice, my fellow Olympics planner and I felt like we needed trophies and medals.  We could have gone to a party supply store and given out generic plastic trophies to the winners, but that's just too easy and I'm too crafty for that.  So I boldly declared that I would make trophies. I went online to fin tutorials but found nothing close to what I wanted to create. 
I developed my own plan and I set out on my journey planning to build my trophies out of plastic cones, wiffle balls, and action figures.  I was going to paint them gold and bubble paint Olympic rings on them. Things didn't go exactly as planned, as cones are more expensive than I'd have liked and my bubble painting skills are lacking, but I was so happy with my final, revised result.  I think they would be perfect for an Olympics party or any competition where awards are needed and cutesiness is appropriate.

DIY Trophy

What You'll Need

1 Solo cup

1 Wiffle ball

1 action figure*

hot glue gun and glue sticks

gold spray paint

mardi gras beads (optional)

What You'll Do

1.  Place your solo cup upside down on a flat surface and, using the hot glue, attach the wiffle ball to the top. 

2.  Apply hot glue generously to the feet of your action figure and attach to the top of the wiffle ball.

3.  Once the hot glue is dry (it shouldn't take long), take your trophy to an open area to spray paint.  I tend to do this on an old table outside.  I think I put on 2-3 coats, just to make sure all the crevices were covered.  Let dry and bring inside.

4.  If you're really obsessive, turn the trophy on its side and spray the inside as well.  Obviously, I was obsessive enough to do this.  

5.  At this point, if you'd like, you can be done. But I just felt like something was missing.  Enter my partner in crafting, Mandy, and just the right amount of extra mardi gras beads.  Wrap the beads around the bottom of the trophie to measure how long the strand needs to be and then cut. 

6.  Put a line of hot glue around the bottom of the trophie, just above the lip of what used to be a cup, and then attach the beads to the hot glue.

7.  Again, you could be done here, but like me, you'll probably have left over beads which can easily be fashioned into a pretty fabulous boa.  Put a dab of hot glue on the back of your victor's neck and attack the beads so they cascade over the shoulders.

At our Olympics the trophies were displayed on a table that included Olympics-colored bunting, which I was also pretty fond of.

I got a lot more positive comments about my little beauties than I was expecting and was sad to have to give them away.  But since they went to people in my office, at least I can visit them occasionally. And I alreay told my husband that when we have kids we'll have at least one Olympics themed birthday party so I can make these again.

*I wanted a figurine that could raise it's arms (in victory, of course), so I was excited when I found little parachut men.  Any action figure with swivel arms would work.