Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Cookie Sheet Magnetic Board

Looking for an easy way to make a magnetic board? Just use a cookie sheet!



This would look great in any room of the house, because you can customize it with any fabric you want. You could use this in a bedroom for pictures, in a kitchen for recipes and reminders, or in a kids room for pictures and reminders. This would be easier than using a cork board with pins.


Materials: 

1. Flat cookie sheet
2. Fabric of your choice
3. Ribbon
4. Material to attach fabric (hot glue, etc.)
5. Material to attach it to the wall (pin, nail, etc.)

Instructions: 

1. Determine how much fabric is needed
2. Cover the cookie sheet with fabric
3. Tie the ribbon through the hole
4. Place a nail in the wall and put the ribbon on the nail to hang
5. Find magnets or make your own


Jo Ann fabric and craft stores have a variety of fabrics to chose including sports teams, kids themes (such as Disney), solid colors, stripes, holiday collections, etc.

Click on the link to find a fabric for your magnetic board!

http://www.joann.com/fabric/

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Melting Crayon Art

Melting crayon projects have become very popular over the last year. There are many different ways that one can melt crayons onto a canvas board to make a unique and beautiful design.

This was the first version of the melting crayon project I had ever seen and made one last year. I also made this simple project with the kids I was nannying for during the summer. I helped them glue on the crayons, but they did all of the melting.


But now I am seeing versions that appeal to be "more complex" or "sophisticated". It is the same process, just adding letters or a picture to the board. (and not glueing the actual crayons to the board or melting them entirely so you can no longer see them.)




These colorful canvas boards would make a great addition to any room. I think they would be great in a  child's bedroom or even in a bathroom. I currently have mine hanging in my bedroom!


Materials: 

1. Blank canvas board (any size)
2. Crayons
3. Hot glue gun
4. Blow dryer
5. Optional: Cut out words or stickers to use on the board or to remove later so that an area appears white where the cutout was placed

Instructions: 

1. Arrange the crayons that you want to use on the blank canvas board (point facing down)
2. Use a hot glue gun to glue the crayons onto the canvas
3.  Time to melt! Use a blow dryer (on high) while holding your board up at an angle so the wax runs down the canvas. Try to stay towards the top to avoid splattering (Tip: Layout newspaper or something that can catch the extra wax while melting). Be patient! It takes a few minutes for the wax to warm up and start dripping. But once it starts, then it will continuously drip.
4. Once you think your design is finished and you are happy with the result, let it dry


Enjoy playing around with the different varieties involved with this project! After all, this is artwork, so there is no way to mess it up!


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Baby Mobil

Here is one more blog dedicated to a nursery idea! Ever since I found out we are having a girl, I have been researching many different nursery layouts and themes. I have found that I really like the simple two color rooms such as light pink and gray or light pink and creme together.

I found this DIY baby mobil on Pinterest by a blogger, Ashley. The step by step instructions on how to make this mobil can be found here

Materials: 

-wire wreath frame 
-chandelier crystals
-fishing line
-fabric or trim (to hide the wreath frame)
-sheetrock anchor with screw


Instructions:

1. Spray wire frame and let it dry
2. Cut the fishing line (6 pieces about 2 feet long)
3. tie one end of each string to the end and tie the other ends together
4. Add the crystals 
5. Add the ruffle 




For more pictures and detailed instructions click here

The blogger states that this is time consuming, but I am up for the challenge. The finished product looks great and it would be a great addition to a baby girls nursery! If anyone has any other great ideas to go with this "theme", please comment! 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Hanging Fabric Letter

This next project is also from Etsy and can be purchased on the website. I think these adorable hanging letters would be fun to make.





This DIY project can also be done in a variety of ways ranging from the fabric or paint used, how the letters are arranged, and any other decorate elements that you want to add such as the bows and ribbon. Click on the Etsy link above for more ideas or to purchase one of these letters. 

I am excited to make one of these to match the colors of the nursery!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Birth Announcement

I am expecting in February and just found out that we are having a girl! With that said, I would like to take the next couple of blog posts for ideas that I would like to use in the nursery. I am very excited to be able to decorate this space for a little girl, so I want to get all of my ideas in one spot. 

These birth announcements can be found on Etsy to buy. They are very cheap to buy, but if you are like me, you want to DIY. 



I would suggest using an adobe program where it allows you to easily move type and change color. I am not suggesting that this particular announcement be copied. You can take your own creative approach on it such as colors used, words, and how it is displayed. 

This typographic approach could be used for other events as well, not just for a birth announcement. Get creative with it! :) 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Updating a Dresser

I have had this idea posted on my Pinterest board for awhile now, which comes from this blog! I would love to try painting a piece of furniture to make a space look more creative and decorative!   This would work with any peice of furntiture, so it could work for any room. For example, you could paint an end table or coffee table for the living room or a nightstand for a bedroom. The possibilities are endless! 




This blog recommends using this product instead of sanding......



This blogger used two coats of primer and two coats of paint. 

The finished product looks awesome!