Bad Craft, part 2

Sometimes I can do it right... other times, like I posted yesterday, it's wrong.

Either way, this little project was a no-brainer, once I figured out the things I had to do, and the pattern I ultimately settled on.  (the pattern selection was the most time consuming!) 

First off, I started with this seen-better-decades frame that I got for $5 at the thrift shop.  I painted the frame, and covered the print with a white canvas fabric.  I used spray adhesive for the front side, then hot glued the edges around the back (one of the things I did NOT do in the error version of this craft).  Since the marbles from my failed attempt pulled right off, I didn't waste anything more than the fabric.

 

 

 

Then, with my warmed up glue gun, I determined a pattern (but not after playing around with a few before!) and glued the marbles down in the desired pattern.  Pretty simple, huh?  Like this wreath from October...  Hmmm... I'm getting ideas for a new wreath :)

 

  

hehe, didn't do this version, but the possibilities are endless!

The pattern is very geometrical.  I realize I like straight lines.  After all, I've posted about this pattern here, here and even here.

 

  

  

  

Enjoy, and I hope I inspired some of your own crafts :)

Bad Craft, part 1

Trial and Error is good- you live, you learn, right?  That's what I'm telling myself.

This will be the post about the Error.  The trial, and success story will be tomorrow.  :)

My initial attempt at creating some artwork for the end of the hallway, in addition to using up some of the green flat sided marbles (like the ones I used to make this wreath in October) I picked up months back at the dollar store didn't turn out, well, quite as expected.

Here's what it looked like when I realized this was going to be the error half of this series post:

Yes, that's the fabric peeling back away from the frame it was in.

While it was good to start with, I realized I did a few things wrong.  I used this Pottery Barn clover mirror as the shape inspiration... I suppose I was thinking of doing a St. Patrick's day project, but why?  I never have decorated for St. Paddy's day before.  I think I was just lucky that my marbles were green.  :)

 

 

Full Tutorial tomorrow, but here's what the frame I purchased looked like this first and this is a taste in how I put this together.  And, how I ultimately had to re-do it.

 

  

For a few days, it DID look like this:

In the end, it's hanging in the hallway with a new pattern.  Here's a sneak peak:

Anyway, stop by tomorrow for the full reveal on the version I think will stick for a while.  :)

PS:  Don't forget to leave me a note on my SUV post.  I'm totally enjoying reading the very informative comments.  I've even read some of them out loud to Z!  :)

Fall Colorful Decor

With all of the great design ideas online, I was starting to get disappointed that none of these ideas were in my house.  I bought gourds for the first time ever this season, for $3.49 a bag at Trader Joes.  (Don't you remember those things looking gross and warty when you were little?  I do, and I never thought I'd put them in my house... but the colors, oh the colors...)

So, I sucked it up, got up the courage, or just stopped being lazy, and finally got some of those great fall colors out for my tabletop this evening.

Here's my Tablescape for the next few weeks for Fall (before the awesome Christmas decor comes out!)

I painted these candlesticks off white (they were $5/ea on clearance at HomeGoods, but were blue, which just wasn't going to work) and added glorious orange tapers

I bought 3 bags of Gourds from Trader Joes this weekend ($10.50 total).  Love the texture and color.

 

I had extra marbles from this wreath project, and they added some bling to the table against the burlappy type table runner, and woven placemats (should I take the place mats off the table while the runner is on?  Is it too much of the same color?)

Here's a close up of the tapers, gourds, crystal bling, and orange candles!

Here's the whole room!  You can see the fun green sideboard/buffet project here, and the grey frame project here.  I love how it's coming together!

I hope you like it!  I'm probably most proud of this table-scape than any other I've put together.  I love the color, plus my new table runner, which I'll show you how to make soon.  (Hint:  I didn't sew a stitch!)  *UPDATE*: Check out the table runner no-sew project here!

Plus, I'm participating in "Between Naps on the Porch" Tablescape Thursday by Susan!  Yay, my first McLinky party!

Be-Jeweled Wreath

After another GREAT idea from Kate over at Centsational Girl, I tried my hand at making this overly simple, but astonishingly gorgeous holiday wreath.

This one really caught my eye- the color, the sparkle, even the embellishments. I gathered the super easy supplies: 14" foam floral wreath, orange flat sided marbles, terra cotta acrylic paint, ribbon, and a gold sprig.

What a BEAUT:


To make this, it's almost so simple that with the exception of the hot glue, I would say this is a project a 7+ year old could do. First, paint the wreath the main accent color for your marbles. Before gluing any marble gems, add the ribbon which you'll cover with the gems later. I used a sponge brush, and unscrewed the lid and poured some onto a piece of aluminum foil. I had to let the wreath dry on one side before flipping to do the other side. I ended up doing 2 coats, just in case, and was glad I did because you don't actually cover the ENTIRE surface with marbles- they don't all fit in like a perfect puzzle.






Then, start gluing! I first started putting the glue right on the wreath, but later realized it was easier to glue the backing of the gem, and attach. :)




This was such a relaxing project!


At the end, I attached the gold sprig (with hot glue) I also purchased, and because it was wire, I was able to bend in the position I needed.

The final:

Total project breakdown:

Wreath Form: $3.50
Paint: $0.50
Marble Gems: $10.50
Ribbon: already had (bought 2 spools, 4 yards each, for $3.50)
Gold Sprig: $1.15

TOTAL: $15.50ish

I love it! Thanks for the inspiration again, Kate!