simple and easy crosses

Just a lil' something I whipped up....
I love crosses...here is a simple and easy way to create beautiful crosses for your home or gifts....





wooden cross and metal cross

cut scrap book paper in shape of cross- mod podge the back

apply to wood and mod podge front

attach metal cross with 527 or e600 glue



add bling...and ta daaa!!



Making new art out of old canvases

I'm on a "making art" spree....We are moving to a new office for work and I,of course, get to decorate it!! My budget is limited so I started thinking of what I could do for cheaper - (the chipper chicken I like to say-Father of the Bride anyone?) I knew we needed some wall hangings, pictures, etc. But that stuff is expensive!!! So thrift store here I come!!!
I spotted some "lovely" paintings someone had done on unframed stretched canvas. There were trees and boats and gardens and abstract. They were marked at $2.00 each...SOLD!! I bought four of them. I didn't take before pics though...let's just say they were some one's beginning paintings. I started by painting them all an off white. Took two coats of spray paint. Next was to figure out what to do with them. A painter I am not. Crafty and artsy are two different things....
If you saw the other post I made art you know I am now loving vinyl wall art and creatively using it. So...I thought I would buy a large piece and stretch it between two (or three) canvases. Although, then I got an idea to use the vinyl as a stencil....

Eiffel Tower

stuck to three canvases (I just cut the vinyl between the canvases)

robins egg blue spray paint

I then spray painted over the vinyl

then painted over it with spa blue...

added aging with walnut ink and removed the "stencil"

hmmm, ya...don't like it...AT ALL...

SOOOOOO - not being swayed by my mistake....I rushed out to Joann with my 40% off coupon and bought ANOTHER Eiffel Tower Vinyl stick on...and here we go again....

painted over with spa blue..

applied aging and my SECOND vinyl Eiffel Tower

Isn't the detail in the tower much better than just a white blah??

I sealed it all in with mod podge which made the cool streaking effect...

Here is the finished-er-second finished product...

Ta daaaaa!

I made art!!

I am in love with the vinyl wall decals...ever since I did the gallery wall I want them everywhere....of course, I can't. So,  I have found other ways to use them. :)

Isn't she pretty?? Want to make one?? I'll show you how!!!

                                 I bought an art canvas and a package of stick and peel wall art.

                                The wall art measurements were 13 x 24 - canvas was 12 x 24 - 

I simply stuck the vinyl onto the canvas using mod podge to ensure proper and permanent sticking.

I went over the entire "painting" with this wonderful product:

it's called walnut ink! I love it! you can use it on wood, paper, or anything porous...it's a wood stain, an ager all in one....this stuff rocks!!! you simply spray it on until desired effect is reached.

I like to spray it and then rub it, then repeat until I like the look of it.

Another layer of mod podge to seal it all in...and....TA DAAAA!!!

free desk re-do!

I love free stuff...who doesn't???

My dear friend Stacey gave me a fabulous desk...for FREE!!! I saw the look in her eye when I quickly said "yes, I want it"...I've seen that look before...like people don't want to give me stuff because they're afraid I'll make it cute and they will regret it...well....I cant help it...so here is the before:

and here is what she looks like now:

and here is how I did it:

First, I took off all the hardware and gave her a light sand

I usually only do a light sand since I am going to distress it anyway...

after two coats of antique white

I distressed with my trusty mouse sander...spray painted the hardware with amazing rubbed bronze

spray paint by RUST-oleum. and ta da!!!

the perfect laptop desk for the master bedroom...ahhhh...love it!!!

Gallery Wall - Done! (kinda)

here is our hallway wall before...

wow...it looks so sad and pitiful....

I wanted a gallery wall and saw a beautiful inspiration on pinterest

shown here:

http://pinterest.com/pin/245727723388055957/

Since the color was the same, I thought it would be easy...then...the hubby says "what about a red wall? or really dark brown?" sooooooooo - out came the painting supplies and we went with red....here is what the wall looks like now...

I say it is done "kinda" because of the four frames on top with nothing in them...I had a printer breakdown and haven't yet filled them all.
In order to achieve the gallery wall look...I removed the paper from the frames (or in some cases drew the frames onto paper) and hung them on the wall as shown:

Here is the layout for the pictures I had on the wall originally plus one more...which is where I thought it would stop...but...once hung, it still looked empty....

I also realized something had to go above the light switch...not stop before it...so a few more pictures added...the quote placed at the top and ta da...Gallery Wall is complete...kinda...

xoxo

Old Hollywood meets glamour meets fabulous Wedding!!!

I recently had the pleasure of planning/designing/executing a gorgeous wedding!!! It just happened to be my sister in law’s…*wink*wink*

She is very classy and traditional so when planning she decided she wanted an old Hollywood feel…the wedding was intimate but glamorous all at the same time. She was AWESOME to work with because she and I know one another so well, she would just say “I trust you” and I would know whether or not she would like the direction I was going in…or not. The overall feeling was an Old Hollywood meets Winter meets whimsy…but all trying to stay within the glamour/class lines….she thinks I succeeded and said everything was perfect….hope you agree….and I hope you enjoy the pictures…..

My beautiful Sister in Law – gorgeous bride!!!

Branches, feathers, sparkle – the gems on top were “dew drop” inspired

Bride’s bouquet...Feathers and bling brought this bouquet to life.

bride and bridesmaid's bouqets

Candles lined the aisle in wedding colors with touches of sparkle added to them.

These birds sat in trees and watched over the ceremony and reception. Aren’t they adorable? (they would be the whimsy)

Guest tables…icicles and birds in the trees…

Sweet Heart Table

Here they are – the happy couple – (er – couples??) We are a dog family….the dogs HAD to be included…complete with bride and groom outfits…

Congratulations Cris and Phil!!! I am so happy for the two of you! And Thank you…for letting me share your day, for trusting me with this important day and for being the easiest most trusting bride and groom!!!