Hi Everyone!  Today over at the Pink Pagoda they’re having a cool Blue and White Bash!  I, of course, just had to get in on the fun!! Bounce over there later to see all the fun posts about all things blue and white.

Remember I said I have been working on something kinda loco??  Well, due to my undying love of the Summer Palace wallpaper by Osborne and Little I am working on creating a stencil to imitate the spirit of the original, with obviously, my own little twist.

Check out this beauty…

This is no wallflower wallpaper!  Look closely at the details… 3-4 different colors (depending on the color way), and lots of tiny, gorgeously maddening details.  And I love, love, love the blue and white combination.  Classic, yet adventurous.

So, where to start, right?  I headed over to staples with a word document of 1 repeat of the pattern and had them enlarge it for me on medium grade paper.  It will cost you about $10 bucks, but totally worth it.  I got mine printed to be about 10″ x 24″ and of course it’s blurry.  That’s where you get the power to decide how far you’re going to take the details.

I decide to do 2 stencils that will overlap to get the 3 color effect.  First, I’ll paint the wall white for color 1, next I’ll put on the slightly darker color with broad details, and then finally (if I can do all this successfully!!), I’ll put the 2nd stencil over the first, for the super details and the darkest color.

I began by marking out the second color with a bright blue marker.

Can you see my little lines?

Now, this is crucial.  You MUST make sure that the piece that you plan to cut out has a complete cut space.  And also, anything within that space will be cut-out too.  I know that sounds obvious but if you are imitating a wallpaper the way I am, you will have to manipulate the design a bit to make this possible.

Then I made sure to mark the template stencil and the plastic sheet with lines to match the centers together.

I actually taped both to my dining table with blue tape – which worked great!  And when I had to put my fun project away, I just covered it with a table cloth.  Haha, kids!!  Hidden from your little eyeballs!  So simple, yet so genius, huh?!

For stage 3, go back to your template and using a different colored marker, trace out the super details.  Then transfer that to the plastic sheet too.  It sounds so easy when you type it out – but I feel you if this is taking longer than you thought.  Just marking out my two stencils in-between calls, potty training and dishes took me two weeks.

Next, the cutting!!  Bu-ah-ha-ha!  Catch up, so we can do that together next week, ok?

I want to thank Pink Pagoda for this super fun chance to participate!

And as always, Happy Creating!  Tootles!

Happy Monday, Homies!

Weekend lazing around is over, and now it’s time to get that to-do list out.  Am I alone on this one?  That’s seriously how I start my week, jotting down all the things that need to get done; Patch some holes, measure and cut some stuff for The Mother Project, pick up groceries, finish a sewing thang, and oh ya, get some actual work done!  This week, I’ve decided that if I can cross off the 5 major things on my list, then I can go to Ikea on Friday.  Nothing like a little motivation to get the engines fired up!

But first, a little inspiration to start the week… and possibly add a new project for your to-do list?

A Black Ceiling.

I want one.

Just trying to figure out where, oh where, would it look best.

The bathroom perhaps?

Or maybe the bedroom is a better play?  I think it’s kinda sexy cool.

Is the dining room too predictable?

No one would expect it in a living room, though…

But the hallway/foyer would make a HUGE statement; “I’m Bold!  Welcome.”

Though seriously not as ballsy as putting it in a nursery or kids room

Did I just bombard you with a gabillion photos?!  Secretly you’re loving it, huh?

I wanted to show you how extremely versatile this trend is – it looks so chic anywhere!  And the plus is that the black hides a multitude of flaws (vents in the ceiling, unevenness, texture, lack of light and short ceilings.)  I know what you’re thinking, black ceilings are only for lofts.

Well, not anymore.  Painting the ceiling black adds tons of glamour (on the cheap) and it effectively takes the boundaries of the ceiling away completely – you feel like there’s nothing there creating a sense of space.

So, what do you think??  Ready to plunge into the darkness with me?

That’s all for today!  Happy Creating!

Hi!  How’s everyone doing this fine Friday?

Only a few more weeks of summer weather left, and I wanted to share with you an art idea that you can do with the kiddies or with the buddies – all ages will enjoy this.  Promise!  AND you’ll end up with a super fun piece of art.

Here’s what I did… I printed out a few dartboard patterns on watercolor paper right off the computer.  (It’s thicker than regular paper, which is perfect and if your paper is too big, like mine was, just cut ‘er down to size.  No problemo!)

Here’s the pattern I came up with or you can create your own.

What can I say?  I’m a sharer.

bullseye

While at Target, I picked up a set of 3 squirt guns for a whole dollar.  Quite an investment in fun.

I let my boys pick out their own colors, and wouldn’t you know, they picked red, yellow and blue.  “Primary Colors!”, I shouted.  An accident?  I think not, my friends.

Anyway, after patting myself on the back for such genius progeny, I filled the guns with a bit of paint and a bunch of water.  The key is to keep it super liquidy so the paint shoots out easily.  Test each one prior – you don’t want someone getting all pissy cause their gun doesn’t work.

Line up the cowboys, and have a good ‘ol shoot out!

If I were doing this at a BBQ, I’d let the winner keep his victory bullseye.  Super cute party gift!

Can you tell who won?  Definitely not the kid who got beaned in the back of the head with yellow paint!  Luckily, it washes out easily.

Looks like yellow’s aim is improving!

After it dried, I simply put it into a frame with a matting.  This one is from JCPenney, Sutton Ash Frame.

A work of art and a great reminder of fun in the sun with my boys!

Although… I can really see a bunch of drunk people enjoying this.  I think it would get just as out of hand.  Great for photos!

Let me know if you try out my Bullseye art idea!

Happy Creating!