ps i made this

One of my favorite blogs, PS I Made This is genius!  I keep wanting to make the things Erica dreams up and recently - I finally did.  All it took was a trip to Home Depot and my own supply closet.  

That's right - it is copper pipe fittings (at 50 cents each) and ribbon!  I needed something new for the recent round of gallery events....  Of course, the necklace is so eye catching and everyone wants to know where I got it.  Perfect for anyone looking for a statement piece under $5 for the weekend!

 To view the PS I Made This post, click HERE 

bedroom updates: phase 2 (before and after)

Last week, I posted this about my bedroom dresser update - a major change!  The most recent update in my bedroom was small, only $50 but with big impact.  

Observe the before - no headboard and tiny lampshades....

While I wait for my dream headboard (I will commission one by my friend & talented designer, Brandon), I hung two canvases horizontally behind the bed to create the illusion of a headboard.  The too-small lampshades were replaced with new larger drum shades.  

The after...

I'm contemplating changing the canvas color, but for now, they add a little brightness - plus they pick up the yellow in the crown pillow my mom made!  Since canvases have been lying around for years (the perk of working in the arts!) - the project only cost me $50 for the shades.  Similar canvases can be purchased at an art supply store for less than $20 each.  

PS - The silhouettes are my brother and I - my parents had them done when we were each about five years old.  I had them scanned, enlarged and printed on color paper about a year or so ago before putting them in inexpensive Michael's frames....

bedroom updates: phase 1.

I'm not much into spring cleaning, I am more of a first-of-the-year cleaner.  During my holiday, I cleaned out countless cupboards, closets and drawers as if they have never been cleaned out.  My bedroom needed a little updating as well.  

Phase #1 was my unfortunate bedroom dresser (completed last year).  The dresser was a holdover from my ex's college days, ugly pine wood from Ikea.  Don't get me wrong, Ikea has some gems, but this isn't one of them.  Add some matte medium and pages from my antique book collection plus some Anthropologie knobs and it is transformed.... 

Unfortunately, no before picture exists but I found a similar one online that is a dead ringer (minus the top drawer configuration).  Imagine this as the before:

Dresser Redux DIY.

matte medium - can be purchased at art or craft supply stores

paper or plastic disposable plates

pages torn from an antique book*

paint brush

sandpaper 

cloths/rags

spray paint (for the top and sides)

clear craft protectant spray

decorative knobs (I love Anthropologie's selection here)

*other types of paper would also look great: Asian newspaper, wrapping paper, old maps, etc. 

Step 1 (paint)

Sand and prepare the surface.  Wipe clean.  Spray paint and allow to dry completely (I needed 3 thin coats, allowing to dry about 1/2 hour in between).  

Step 2 (paper)

Pour matte medium in a paper/plastic disposable plate.  Completely submerge paper in the matte medium, using a brush to coat on both sides.  Lift paper and allow excess matte medium to drip onto the plate.  Affix the paper to the wood, pressing down to banish any air bubbles.  Repeat until desired area is covered.  Allow to dry completely (it takes about a day).  

Step 3 (finish)

Once dry, spray clear craft protectant (at least 2 coats), allowing to dry between each coat (about 1/2 hour).  About an hour or two after the final coat, it should be safe to add the knobs. 

make-your-own christmas ornaments.

I am partial to Christmas trees with character - my little tree is a mix of store bought and homemade ornaments.  A couple years ago, I made Christmas ornaments using clear glass balls filled with paint.  It is super easy and produces a stained glass effect of color.  A couple of mine....

christmas ornaments: make-your-own.

clear glass ball ornaments (can be purchased at a craft store like Michael's)

assorted paint (not necessary to use glass paint, but I did for the blue in the 2nd one)

Take off the top from the ornament.  Use the plastic trays for drips and drying.  Squeeze paint into the ornament, tilting to guide color down.  The paint will pool at the bottom so sometimes you need less paint than you think!  If doing 2 or more colors, allow to dry for a little bit in the plastic tray (maybe just make more!).  

After about 30 minutes, move onto the 2nd color.  Allow to dry without tops in the plastic tray for a week.  Test before fitting top back on (the prongs will scratch wet paint otherwise).  The bottom pool of paint will take a couple weeks to a month to dry completely but they can be hung on the tree while they finish drying.