Pottery Barn Inspired Living Room Decor

Over the weekend on my project kick I decided to do a makeover to the much needed black ugly candlesticks that were on my living room table.  They were being used as decor in our living room, which the color scheme is neutrals - browns, tans, light green accent.  These black candlesticks just didn't go.

First things first, these needed to be painted...plain and crisp white!

I used a white matte spray paint, which took several coats, and covered it with a clear glaze to give them a nice shine.

Now it was time to decide WHAT to put on top of these candle sticks. There were three small round light green candles that sat on them before...they were old, never used, and just looked grungy.  GOODBYE CANDLES.

I wanted to do something clean and natural looking - the pottery barn decor magazine I had just looked at popped into my head and I knew what I wanted to do.  I wanted to decorate sytrofoam balls with fabric, ribbon, and burlap.

I started off making two of the three balls with the following materials...I still wasn't sure what to do for the last so I waited until the first two were done.  The lace ribbon was for one and the tan fabric was for the other.

BALL #1 

LACE:

I cut both types of lace into the following size strips. 

For the white longer lace, I started with one end and rolled it into a flower shape while gluing sections to the bottom as I went along.

as you move around the lace, bunch and glue to the bottom as you go

a nice little white flower

I followed the same technique with the larger yellow lace.  I first folded it it half horizontally, then with the open ends facing up I bunched and glued.

I made about 6-8 flowers out of each color of lace and then attached them to the ball.  I did this in groups so I would only cut as much lace as was needed.

Finished ball #1!

BALL #2

FABRIC

For the second ball, I used a quarter of fabric that I had gotten from Joann's.  I cut the quarter into half and then half one more time (4 sections).  I folded each section into smaller squares - about 12-16 out of each section.  They don't all have to be the same size.

This was super easy and fast...take a square and push your finger in the center.  Put a small tab of glue onto the ball and push the center onto the glue.  Repeat with all the squares making sure they fit up against one another not to leave any sytrofoam showing.

Ball #2 is complete! 

Simple yet fabulous!

BALL #3

BURLAP:

After some thinking I decided to cover the last styrofoam ball in burlap rosettes.  I had just a few strands of burlap left over from a previous project so the scraps would work perfectly for this.  

To make a rosette, follow this fabulous tutorial.  You cut your fabric into long thin strips then glue and twist your way around as you form a rosette flower.

Ball #3 is finished!

ALL THREE:

Now put the fabric balls on top of the candlesticks and you have a beautiful new decoration!

DIY Crayon Art

On Friday I posted some fabulous tutorials that I wanted to try out over the weekend.  Well one of them was some new artwork for the house and I succeeded! 

I found this great tutorial on Pinterest of Crayon Art.  How unique and awesome! I love the combination of colors that were used here and the result of the wax on the canvas. 

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Following the steps found in this tutorial, I created my own masterpiece:

STEP 1:

Collect your materials...crayons, hot glue gun, cardboard, canvas, and hair dryer.

STEP 2: 

Pick out your colors and line them up in the order that you like.

STEP 3:  

Glue them down on the cardboard once you are satisfied with the order.

STEP 4:  

Set up your area...the cardboard I used was flimsy, so I had to tape it to the wall.  I put an old sheet behind in and on the floor because the wax does splatter.  Hang the cardboard so the edge of the crayons hang over the tip of the canvas.

STEP 5:

Start blow drying...I used HIGH power at first to get the crayons heated up at a quicker pace.  I held the dryer over one section at a time until they started dripping then moved to the next.  The power of the dryer will blow the wax in various directs, so you need to play around with where you hold the dryer in relation of the crayons depending on how you want the wax to fall.

As you can see some of the crayons came off of the cardboard from the heat, so it is good to keep your hot glue gun close by.

This takes some time to get EVERY space covered, so have patience.  I ended up flipping my canvas to help speed up the process.

It is definitely worth all the time and effort though...it came out SO cool!  I wish I would have used more blues and less brown since the brown colors overpowered most of the others, but I still love it!

Fabulous Friday Finds - Weekend Projects

I have been super busy these past few months with weddings, showers, trips, and just lots and lots of activities.  I am excited to stay home this weekend and CRAFT!  I have a "to do list" of crafts I've been wanting to make for awhile but haven't had the time...I am hoping to at least get two if not all of these done.

FABULOUS CRAFT #1:

WALL ART

I love painting and making something special out of a blank canvas.  It is very relaxing and I enjoy it a lot.  I have been wanting to fill up some empty wall space recently so I better get to painting!

LOVE for the kitchen!

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Cute saying

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Love the multi-canvas art work

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FABULOUS CRAFT #2:

OWL PILLOWS

I LOVE owls.  They seem to be everywhere now from home decor to fashion.  These pillows are ADORABLE.  Not only would they be a great addition to my SweetP Portfolio, but they would make a cute decorative accessory on our guest room bed.  

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FABULOUS CRAFT #3:

MAKE UP BAG

I have made a couple make up bags before, but of course I want more - a girl can never have too many bags :)  My sissy is also wanting a new make up bag so I want to make one for her.

I love all the different designs and shapes that you can make them in...a must is that it has to be BIG with a wide opening so you can fit all your larger essentials.

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Even though it is a relaxing weekend for me, I will be busy crafting, but it's what I love!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

DIY Chalkboard Container - Birthday Edition

I have SO many plastic containers and glass jars sitting in my craft room just WAITING to be used for a project.  I have painted many of the glass jars for various things, but it's always fun to try something new.  I came up with an idea in lieu of my sissy's birthday today.

A chalkboard canister!

Since my sissy lives in Columbia, MO I was not going to be able to see her today for her special day due to work.  I wanted to send her a fun package of goodies that she could open on her b-day.  I always like packing practical things, but also a nice homemade surprise.  What better way to pack up some awesome goodies in a plastic container that she can reuse as storage for something else!

Clean out your container REAL good to remove any residue from the contents it previously held.

Using freezer paper, parchment paper, newspaper, etc. and painters tape, tape off your area where you could like to spray your paint and cover the rest with paper.

Using the chalkboard paint, paint the taped off area.  Spray 2-3 light coats, letting each dry fully before spraying the next coat on.

The finished product!  I ended up making another one so I could keep it for myself and use it as craft room storage.

I filled my sisters canister with a tank top from Target, fun glow stick bracelets and chalk for the front of the container.

This is such a great fun way to ship gifts with a unique presentation!

Happy Birthday SISSY! 

 Love you and hope you have a great day!

DIY Bathroom Organizer

Awhile back I posted about jars that I had painted here.

This weekend I was able to finish the project and make them into a bathroom storage unit.  

With help from Casey, I attached the silver metal clasps to a slab of wood and hung all 4 jars in a row.

To do so, place 4 marks on the wood in where you plan to attach the clasps. Pre-drill each of these spots.  Taking the metal clasp (one at a time, making sure the adjuster is still accessible) screw into place through on of the notch holes.

Now they hang in the bathroom and are not only so useful but also serve as a decoration piece.

Old sauce jars that usually end up in the trash are now re purposed for a great cause...love it!

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