Painting with Words

Painting words was a big challenge for me!  I always struggled with making each letter perfect and even more, I struggled with finding the perfect brushes.  I finally found the perfect brushes at Michael's, it's a firmer, thin, rounded brush.  For today's craft, I wanted something for the entry table in my home.  I change the decor on the table with the seasons.

I started with something fun for summer, because I felt guilty "wishing the summer away." (haha)  I simply painted the canvas white, painted my "Sunshine and Summertime", and added polka dots!  

This was actually an idea I had last fall that I never got around to! I'm obsessed with sunflowers (you'll see some fun sunflower crafts later) and fall in general.  For this canvas, I painted the canvas a tan, painted my "Happy Fall Yall".  Once that dried, I painted the sunflower! 

I've been sealing my paintings with a Mod Podge spray to protect the paint.  Again, this was super easy!  I would suggest painting letters when you have the opportunity to take your time.  Hope y'all enjoyed this post!

Desk Organizer

Since my "crafty idea" from earlier today was soooo easy, here's another fun creation for today!!!

I love finding ways to get organized!  This creation was something I thought up on my own.  I had a clementine crate that was too cute to throw away, so I decided to reuse it!

What you'll need:
-Clementine Crate
-Toilet Paper Rolls
-Ribbon
-Paint
-Stencil
-Burlap Flower
-Cardboard
-Glue (I used Gorilla Glue)

I painted the crate white and once it was dry, I used a stencil to make the polka dots.  While the Polka dots were drying, I painted the toilet paper rolls white.  I used the toilet paper roll to trace a circle onto cardboard to create a bottom to the soon to be pen holder.  After cutting out the cardboard circle, I glued it to the bottom of toilet paper holder. I placed the burlap flower on the center of the crate and then added ribbon to each of the toilet paper rolls.  I used the toilet paper rolls for pencils, pens, paint brushes, push pins, and paper clips.

I use the organizer to store stationary, as well as the toilet paper rolls I filled.  I love this organizer!  It's helped keep my desk drawers clean and organized.  Hope y'all enjoyed... Till next time!

Cork Board!

This one is a quicky!  I had a cork board that was damaged and I didn't want to throw it out.  I was in the dollar section at Target and found this cute contact paper and adorable flag pins that matched! 

It was so incredibly easy to cut the contact paper to size and secure over the cork board. 

All I had to do was add photos and done!  So simple and matches perfectly with my office!  Hope y'all enjoyed! Have a great day!

Shelly Monograms!

I'm crazy about the beach and monograms!  If you are too, then you'll love this craft!  Way easier than I expected!

What you'll need:

-Letter (I used "H" for my last name)

-Paint

-Sea Shells!

-Paint Brush

-Hot Glue

My letter was a natural wood color and I knew I wouldn't be able to completely cover every inch with shells, so I painted the letter white first.  After the paint was dry I began placing shells and gluing.  I didn't map it out, I just worked each piece one at a time.  

I was surprised everything fit together as nicely as it did.  My biggest concerns were that the hot glue wouldn't hold the shells and that the shells wouldn't fit together well. Happy to report those weren't issues! I normally use shells that I collect at the beach, but for this craft I wanted a better variety of size, shape, and style.  I purchased these shells at Walmart, the shells were about $4 cheaper at Walmart than Michael's.

It fits perfect in my living room that's decked out in beach decor!  I have so much fun making these crafts and I hope you're enjoying them as well!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Adventure Book!

This was one of those crafts I wasn't quite sure where I was going with it and I made a few mistakes... but I still love it! I found photo albums on sale at Michael's and didn't really plan on decorating them... Until I was on a Pinterest binge and saw a few different things that lead me to this!

What you'll need:
-Photo Alum (the one I choose was fabric)
-Sea Shells!
-Ribbon
-Mini Pearls
-Sharpie
-Contact Paper
I get 95% of my supplies from Michael's, other times AC Moore, Walmart, Target, and Amazon (god bless prime!)

Initially, I used the sharpie to write directly on the fabric, but didn't anticipate the ink bleeding, it wasn't cute!  I tried painting over the marker and that did turn out cute, however I wasn't paying attention and I smeared the paint- sad face- there was officially no going back! So after all of my silliness, I used a small piece of contact paper to cover up my fails!  I just used the Sharpie to write on the contact paper.  I'm not very good with cutting a straight line and that's where the ribbon saved the day!  I used hot glue to secure the ribbon and trim the contact paper (to hide my uneven cutting.)  I added the final details of mini pearls and sea shells with hot glue. 

I'm very satisfied with this project!  Now, I just have to decide what photos are worthy being a "Mermaid Adventure!" Hope y'all enjoyed this one! Thanks for reading!!! 

Flip Flop Wreath!

To make the flip flop wreath you'll need:

-4 pairs of flip flops 

-Hot Glue Gun 

-Crazy Glue

-Embellishments! (Ribbon/shells)

-Letter or Word

Initially when I made this wreath I used a styrofoam base, but it ended up not working out the best!  It's actually easier to attach the flip flops to each other. 

To start, organize the flip flops in the pattern that you prefer. I made a "t" shape for the first layer, and then added the second layer between each flip flop. I then used hot glue to secure the flip flops in place, however I found that if you place the wreath in a high sun area, the hot glue won't hold for long! When I touched up the wreath I used hot glue in combination with crazy glue and that seemed to work much better! 

You can add whatever embellishments you prefer! I used ribbon and sea shells. Once everything is assembled, attach a word or letter in the center (it helps cover where all the flip flops intersect.) Michael's always has a lot of cute embellishments, like butterflies, flowers, and such!

I hope y'all enjoyed this craft! Have a great day! 

Here begins the Mermaid tails!

I previously had a blog, Pink Paisleys, about crafting and low budget interior design. Well, I decided to scratch that and revamp! I left a few old craft posts from my Pink Paisley days. I plan to continue posting about all of my crafting, but, add a little more of a personal touch- so you may see beachy things that make me smile or photos of my cat(fish), Olivia! I hope y'all enjoy!!!