Category: Deco Art

Jazz Up your Flip Flops with Patent Leather Paint

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Old or New…Jazz Up your flip flops with Patent Leather Paint from Deco Arts.

While attending the Creativation show in Phoenix earlier this year, I received a bottle

of “new” Garnet patent leather paint to play with.  You could say, I was smitten.

This paint was so fun and easy to work with.

 A quick and easy way to jazz up old or new flip flops.  (also pumps and purses)

To jazz up your flip flops you’ll need…              (*amazon affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. If using old flip flops… Make sure to wipe flip flops well with damp towel to remove any dirt or dust.
  2. Apply patent leather paint evenly with a soft-bristled brush.  The paint will have a slight tacky feel as it is drying.
  3. Apply 2-3 coats of paint to get the desired coverage.  Allow paint to dry between coats.
  4. Cut the shank off the back of the button with Wire Cutter*.
  5. Adhere the button onto the front of the flip flops using Quick Grip Adhesive*.
  6. Allow paint to cure 24-48 hours before using.

Next… Get a pedicure and ENJOY!

The Jazzed Up Flip Flops were created for Craft Ideas Magazine’s Summer 2017 issue.

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Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

How to make a Floral Chalkboard

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DIY Chalkboard with Adornit…

The Floral Chalkboard makes a fun decorative Home Décor piece and is really easy to make.

To make the Floral Chalkboard you’ll need…        (*affiliate links)

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Directions:

  1. Apply an even coat of Mod Podge* over the larger Wood Bracket shape.  Lay decorative scrapbook paper over shape and smooth with your hand.

2.  Using an x-acto knife and cutting mat, cut excess paper away from the Wood Bracket.

3.  Rub Vintage Photo Distress Ink*onto the outside edges of the wood shape using the Ink Blending Tool*.

4.   Paint the smaller wood shape with the Black Chalkboard Paint*.  Add small white dots around the outside of the wood shape with the white paint marker*.

5.  Stencil the words “be Happy” onto the chalkboard using white acrylic paint and the Deco Art Americana Decor Stencil, Inspiration*.

6.  Cut a few flower shapes using the second sheet of scrapbook paper.  Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge* to the back of the flowers and glue to the front of the chalkboard.  Add decorative pearl embellishments to the inside of the flowers.

7.  Glue chalkboard to the front of the floral base using Beacon’s Quick Grip All-Purpose Permanent Adhesive*.

8.  Drill two holes on the top of the chalkboard and add Twine* for hanging.

    

This Chalkboard was sponsored by Adornit as an“it girl” Ambassador.

If you liked the Floral Chalkboard, you might also like the DIY Bloom Floral Plaque.

You can see the full tutorial here.

     

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*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

 

DIY a Colorful Garden Chair for your Gnome

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A Colorful Chair for Colorful Little Gnome…

Every year around this time, my Grandson and I start making our mini gardens.

It’s our special annual tradition.

Last year, we added a Gnome named Mr. Elfsnail.

This year, I decided to create a chair for him to sit on while working in the garden.

We take our gardening seriously.   Read about Mr. Elfsnail’s garden.

For Mr. Elfsnails chair…

I found this cute little wooden chair in the toy area of Dollar Tree and knew it’d be a cute

mini garden chair for my gnome.

How to make a Colorful Gnome Chair

Supplies Used:
  • Miniature Wood Doll Chair
  • DecoArt Americana Paint:  Watermelon Slice, Marigold, Olive Green
  • DecoArt Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint:  Night Sky, Cotton Ball
  • Paint Brush
  • Sand Paper
  1. Lightly sand any rough spots off the chair.
  2. Paint the chair in a variety of colors.
  3. Create small flowers on the top of the chair by dipping the end of the paintbrush in paint and adding small dots as the petals.

Chair measures 3″ tall.

I might have even left it here (glued to the tree) if I didn’t think it’d drive the boys crazy.

A little fun and whimsy. 

For a dollar and some paint, it might be fun to let the boys paint a chair of their own.

For more summer fun… click on ad below ↓

Slimer

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Life’s a Journey

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Of all the goodies I received from ADORNit as part of being an “it girl”  this wood plaque

was the first project I wanted to tackle.

So…on a night when I had so many things I could/should have done,

I spent a relaxing evening just painting.

I haven’t done this in such a long time.  It was just what I needed.

I started with this plain life’s journey plaque from ADORNit.           (measures 11″ x 13″)

I used a small flexible nail file to run through the grooved channels to clean it up a bit.

I base coated the entire plaque with gray acrylic paint.

Having the gray paint, deep in the grooves of the plaque, works as the outline between colors

to make the colors stand out.

For me, having grooved channels made it so easy to paint and stay in the lines.

FYI…You might want to seal coat your project once your finished.

I’ll be honest… I’ve never been camping in my life. 

I’m not sure what drew me to this plaque so much.

My idea of roughing it is a bad hotel room.

Hmmm…Maybe if I had a cute little camper like this, I might even try it.

Life’s a Journey, Make the Most of it!

DIY…Bloom Garden Stepping Stone

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Create a little fun and whimsy in your Garden with a Bloom Garden Stepping Stone.

(The links and instructions to make the Garden stone are included down below.)

I just got the Garden Issue of Craft Ideas Magazine and I’m so excited that I can finally share

with you my “Bloom Garden Stone”.   (you can find it on page #24)

Make sure to check out the entire Garden issue of Craft Ideas,

the issue is full of great garden themed ideas and inspiration.

Materials and Supplies:                                                                                    (*affiliate links)

Directions:

  1. Cover the sides and bottom of an old cake pan with Petroleum Jelly for easy removal.
  2. Mix Rapid Set Concrete Mix according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Fill pan with cement approx. 1″ thick. Shake pan a little to fill in the gaps and smooth.  Allow a couple hours for cement to set before removing from the pan.  Let the cement stone dry for a day or two before painting.

3.  To create a better surface for painting and stenciling, paint cement stone first with DecoArt DS17-9 Americana Multi-Purpose Sealer*

4.  Mix together Night Sky and Cotton Ball acrylic paint and basecoat entire stone.

5.  Tear a piece of white cardstock with an irregular edge as shown to create a mask stencil for  cloud background.

6.  Place cloud mask stencil onto stone and paint with an upward motion. Move mask stencil around stone to paint additional clouds and let dry.

7.  Stencil bloom flower using a mixture of Watermelon Slice and Marigold and stencil “bloom” with Night Sky as shown.  Paint leaves Woodland Green and let dry.

8.  Apply DecoArt Americana DuraClear Varnishes* using paintbrush over stone to help protect the stone from the outdoor elements.

You also might like this stepping stone project I created with my grandson Nick.

The Bloom Garden Stone was created for and sponsored by Craft Ideas Magazine.  Craft Ideas for Every Occasion, Every Skill Level.

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*Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Revamped Sunglass Case

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I picked up a “free” sunglass case at the Thrift Store the other day.

I was looking for something to paint using  the  New Patent Leather Paint

that I received from DecoArts.

I love the look of shiny patent leather.  And… in red?  Oh my!

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Combine them all with embroidered letters from Joy*

and you have a personalized custom monogrammed sunglass case.

Here’s what I did to my case…

  • If your case is old, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt or grime.
  • Apply a even coat of patent leather paint onto the sunglass case with a soft bristle brush.
  • The paint will have a tacky feel as it dries.  Allow to dry between coats.  You may want to give the case a second coat of paint.
  • To give the case a custom monogram.  Using a good craft glue, glue Iron-on Embroidered letters from “Joy” on to the case.

*As a member of the Creating with Joy Design Team, this post was sponsored by JOY® SA.

Save on Paper Crafting Supplies at CreateForLess!

*Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

How to make a Chippy Window for Spring

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Happy Spring!

To celebrate the first day of Spring I’m sharing how I made this cute little Chippy Window.

To make the Chippy Window…

I started with a 7gypsies 8×8 Shadowbox Insert that I painted with white acrylic paint

 

To achieve the look of an aged, worn, old chipped painted window…

I alternated layers of Deco Art Media White Crackle Paint* and

Deco Art Media White Crackle Paste* from DecoArt.

Allow plenty of drying time between each coat.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

For the background of the window…                                                                          

I cut a piece of 7 3/4″ x 7 3/4″ decorative scrapbook paper and adhered it to a thick piece of

mat-board.  I cut down  a couple of 3″ x 4″ journaling cards from the

“Tealightful” collection from Pebbles Inc. and adhered it to the back of the window

frame before attaching the covered mat-board.  Because the mat board is heavy,

I used a Beacon Adhesive Quick Grip Glue* to attach it to the frame.

I added loop screws onto each side of the window frame approx. 1/2″ in and added a thin chain

to the loop screws for hanging.  Ribbon would also work.

To create the floral swag…

I snipped a few sprigs of artificial flowers and attached them together in the center with

a thin floral wire.  I tied a simple bow to cover the wire.

I attached the floral swag and wood embellishments to the front of the frame with

Beacon Adhesive Quick Grip Glue*   

FYI…I found the “Welcome” and “Butterfly” embellishments at Michaels.

I added the Spring Window to the center of a wreath and hung it on the front door.

I found the greenery wreath yesterday at Homegoods.  It was just what I was looking for,

the perfect backdrop for my Chippy Spring Window.

FYI…Having a problem finding a window pane to use or would like one that’s even bigger?

  (*affiliate link)

Hampton Art Jillibean Soup Mix The Media Window Frame-14 X16 White* 

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Sue’s Favorite Projects of 2016

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best-of-2016

Do you ever wonder which of my projects are my favorite?

Like most DIY people, I try really hard with all (or most all) of my projects…

some of my projects are a hit and some are a miss.

And some are just my favorite…

So… I decided to share them again with you.  (just in case you might have missed one)

Enjoy!

Click on post titles for project instructions

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Splatter Painting

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After working in the booths all day on Saturday and Sunday at the Creativation Show,

I decided on Monday I was going to take some time to do something fun.

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At the show they had a clear acrylic booth set up called the “Splatter Room”.

It was sponsored by Pinspiration, 3M and DecoArts.  (so much fun!)

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Dressed in a hazmat suit and goggles…

I went to town choosing paint and splattering it onto a 12″ x 12″ canvas.

Oh, what a glorious mess.  It was the highlight of my day.

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Here’s my finished Art.  (still need to remove the masking)

I already have it hanging on the wall.

If you ever get the chance to do some Splattering.  I highly recommend it.

 

I’m home from Phoenix, but I haven’t had the chance to sift through all the pictures and stuff I brought home.  I will be sharing my journey in the next day or two.

A Joyful Village

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As the Christmas Season gets closer…

I wanted to share this simple little wood project that I made for the “Creating with Joy” blog.

Being Joyful, is my goal not only at Christmas but throughout the entire year.

For my “Joyful Village”…

I  started with some wood trim scrap pieces cut into simple whimsical house shapes.

My pieces measure 4″ x 2″, 3″ x 2 3/4″ and 3 1/2″ x 2 1/4″.

I painted the house with a couple coats of Americana Decor Satin Enamels 8oz-Grey Taupe*.     (*Amazon affiliate link)

After painting the houses…                                                                             (*Amazon Affiliate Links)

      • I created a roof using Black Corrugated Paper*.
      • I added color to my white iron-on embroidered letters by dampening them and rubbing color directly onto the letters using my Distress Mini Ink Pad-Fired Brick*.
      • After the letters are dry, glue the letters onto the houses using a craft glue.
      • I created a mini wreath and mini pine swags using Pine Craft Stems*.
      • I created small number charms by printing the numbers onto white cardstock and punching with a small circle punch.  I added the numbers inside Metal Type Charms by Tim Holtz Idea-ology*.
      • I tied the charms onto the wreath and swags with thin twine and glued them onto the front of the houses along with a little tiny bow.

The village wouldn’t be complete without a cute little red truck.

I picked up the tiny red truck at the Elkhorn Flea Market in Wisconsin and I glued three little

bottle brush trees to the back of the truck.  I rubbed the trees with clear glitter glue

for added sparkle.

This project was sponsored by Joy SA and DecoArts.

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*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!