Tuesday, November 30, 2010

My Family Picture Wall Makeover

I have a built-in nook in my family room. I’ve never done much with it since we have lived here.

Then I got my new canvas from the Canvas People and knew that I wanted to do something fun with that space.

Cutting Edge Stencils sent me a wonderful new wallpaper stencil to try out as part of The DIY Club and I thought it would be a perfect place to add a little personality to the room. It is the Parsley Blooms Wall Pattern Kit.

This is what the nook looked like before.

The first thing I did was paint the alcove. I used Mythic Paint’s flat indoor paint and the color is Aquarium.

I love the soothing blue-green tones. I also love Mythic Paint because it is no odor and toxic free so it’s safe to use indoors and around my kids.

Once I got the wall painted and it had dried I added a little white paint to the Aquarium color and created a couple different, lighter shades to use the Cutting Edge Stencil with.

I taped the stencil to the wall using blue painters tape. Then I rolled the paint onto the stencil. And Cutting Edge Stencils are so easy to work with. They are virtually goof proof. I started at the edge of the wall and did each color about 4-5 times with the stencil, spacing the flowers out pretty evenly. I didn’t want it to seem too uniform, so I had the stencil overlap in a few places. If you haven’t tried Cutting Edge Stencils, you really should. I say this because I have used their stencils for a few projects and every single time the stencil has turned out great.

They are so easy to use.

Then I hung up my pictures and plates! I used DISCHangers to hang up the plates. They are wonderful! You just put a little water on the back and then wait a few minutes and you are ready to go!

So now I have a real focal point in my room.

I hope you are having a great week so far!

PS --

I have so much to share soon!

I got my mantels done and a new Advent Calendar to share.

Plus I made a Ruffly Christmas Tree and a Wreath for my front door! And some Felt Trees for my Mantel

I just need some time to write up the posts – lol!

XOXO

Friday, October 29, 2010

Guest Project -- Make a Thanksgiving Blessing Board!

Hello all, this is Heather from WhipperBerry! I am soooo excited that Jen invited us WhipperChicks to guest post today on Tatertots & Jell-o! {Giddy!}

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I started thinking it would be lovely to have a place for people to write down and display what they are thankful for at your gathering.

So…I came up with the idea for a blessing board and here is how you too can make one…

First, you need to find a open frame that you like. I found this one on clearance at a frame store. Didn’t love the color, loved the price, so I spray painted…

…and distressed a little with some sandpaper.

Next, I drilled holes in the inside of the frame. I didn’t measure, I just placed holes roughly two inches apart. I didn’t want them to be perfect because I wanted the twine to have a more natural feel once strung.

I then installed Screw Eyes in each of the holes. I chose screw eyes so that I could restring the frame with ribbon or another material if I wanted later.

Using heavy weight hemp twine I threaded each of the screws going back in forth.

Now the fun part begins, embellishing. I wanted to keep the frame rather neutral so that once Thanksgiving was over I could use the display board for other things. Think Christmas cards, Valentines, children’s artwork or school work.

The “give thanks” board is created with a basic precut birch wood board from the craft supply store. Spray painted, distressed and then attached with Scotch Dual Lock Fasteners. It’s kind of the bigger and much stronger brother to Velcro and I found that at Target.

For the “Give” I used brown vinyl and my lovely Cricut. The “thanks” is created with chip board letters from the craft store, glued on. I then embellished with burlap and sweater flowers.

For a tutorial on how to make sweater flowers come on over to WhipperBerry and I’ll show you how.

Emily our paper genius at WhipperBerry fancied up some basic clothes pins with spray paint, paper and Mod Podge. She also created a fun printable subway art tag for your guest to write down what they are grateful for.