Fabric Wall Hanging

 For a while I wanted "gratitude" up in my house somewhere.

I thought about vinyl but didn't want to pay for it
(u know me:)

It was before I figured out how to make faux vinyl.

(click here to learn how to make faux vinyl)

I decided that the next best option would be to make a wall hanging.

I didn't have any spare wood on hand to make one.

So, the idea just sat around in my head. 

(Remember reading about the power of patience?

If not click this link to read more).

Then one day as we were driving to the community pool we passed a house with a ton of trash sitting out on the curb.  I didn't want to stop.  My hubby said that it looked like there might be some good stuff (I didn't see anything...because I didn't look in it...duh).  I got out and took a look.  I actually did find a ton of good stuff.  I think the best find was this frame. 

It is pretty big.  It still had its glass in it.  The picture wasn't great but I know I good find when I see it. 
We loaded up the stuff into the back of our van and went swimming.

About a week later I finally figured out what to do with it.  I wanted to paint "gratitude" on the glass (like I did in my hand painted mirror project...click this link to check it out).  So I got started.  I took out the picture, cleaned the glass, and painted the frame.  The frame was dry and I was putting the glass back in when it broke...I wanted to cry...I almost did.

I had my heart set on finishing my project.  I had to walk away so that I wouldn't get angry.

I sat on my bed thinking of how I could still make it work.  Then it came to me...use fabric...paint on the fabric.  I had fabric!  I had the perfect color.

I knew that if I painted on the glass I could just wipe away my mistakes. 

Painting on fabric is totally different.  One mistake and it's done.

I decided to use a stencil.

Here is how I did it...

Supplies:

• frame (with backing-or make one out of cardboard)
• paint (for frame/lettering)
• paint brush (I prefer foam brushes for stenciling)
• fabric
• box cutter/exacto knife
• Packing tape or hot glue gun (with glue:)

1.  Prep frame (paint if needed)

2.  Place the fabric into the frame from the back.

3.  Place the frame backing into the frame.

4.  Pull the fabric along the edges pulling the fabric taut/tight.

5.  Tape the fabric in place to the frame backing/backboard

(make sure the fabric is taut/tight).
I used good old clear packing tape ($1 at Walmart).
It is what I had on hand.

6.  Secure the frame backing/backboard into the frame

(double check to see if the fabric is taut/tight)

Did I say that enough?..ok...I think you got the message:)

7.  Find a font and saying you like. 

Use your computer to enlarge the letters to the size you want.

For large projects it will run onto multiple pages.

8. Cut out the lettering with a box cutter/exacto knife/etc. to create the stencil.

Remember...not to totally cut out the center pieces. 

Leave it connected with a little bridge.  This gap can get painted in when you are done.

9.  Tape pages together(if necessary) and tape the stencil to the fabric.

10.  Paint the lettering using an up and down "blotting" stroke.

You don't want to use sweeping strokes as that will force the paint under your stencil.

Go slow.  Take your time.  Hold each letter down as you paint.

11.  Remove the stencil.  Fill in any gaps.

Tada!

my cost = FREE

(I had or found everything I needed)

mileka:)

How To: Coat Rack

I got this idea from a book I read:

         Way to Be! by Gordon B. Hinckley

Cost = $1.50

I wanted to make a coat rack for a while now.  I was so tired of finding jackets all over the place.  I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted it.  After reading the book above, I decided that I wanted to use key words from the book. 

 1. Find a board (I love using shelving boards- they are thick and sturdy-and precut).

 2. Paint board black (or what ever color you want).  I paint the back of the shelf board because the front side has a coating...and I am NOT sanding it!  I dislike sanding!

 3. Create your design.  I did it on the computer so I could choose the font that I wanted to copy.  I grided my master (by folding it) and my board (with a tape measure and pencil) so that I could enlarge it.

 4.  Paint wording (or use vinyl).   I love hand painting!

 5. Screwed in cup hooks.  I put them in underneath instead of on the front face of the board. I thought it would look nicer that way. I didn't have hooks so I bought some.

$1.50 (Walmart)

6. Hang it on the wall.  I used 3 picture hooks.  I did get some help from my hubby to put in dry wall anchors to make it more secure.

Coat hanger

$1.50

I wanted a slipper (flip flop) basket.  I spray painted a turquoise bucket that I had.  I used krylon plastic spray paint.  That stuff sticks to anything!  It's awesome. 

I didn't include the plastic spray paint in the total because it was an "add on" to the project that I wanted done.  It cost me $4.00 from Walmart.  I didn't use the whole can

(and I have plans for the rest of it)!

mileka:)

How To: Backward Wall Hanging

Here is the "how to" for the wall hanging as seen in...

"Take a Tour: The Kids Bathroom (wall hanging).

(click this link to read the full "Take a Tour" post)

It is pretty simple and easy to do...

...if you don't mind hand painting.  Vinyl is always another option.

1. choose your saying
2. print it out on your computer
3. flip your printout backward and trace it from the back ( I did it that way because I just needed to visually see the letters backward-I free hand painted the lettering to the look of the font wasn't all that important to me)
4. paint wood background color
5. measure and trace guide lines for painting
6. paint your words
7. hang & enjoy

p.s.

Don't forget...

this was FREE because I already had everything I needed.

mileka:)

Take a Tour: The Kid Bathroom (wall hanging)

Take a Tour: The Kids Bathroom (wall hanging)

Here is the wall hanging in the kids bathroom.

Is there something wrong with the picture?

Can you figure out what it is?

The words are backwards.

Why would this crazy lady do that?

Check it out...

...because when you look in the mirror

(while brushing your teeth)...

TADA

it is facing the right way (like magic).

How did I get that crazy idea?

(the story)

I wanted to decorate my kids bathroom.  I couldn't figure out what to do.   I was pretty sure that I wanted to put up some kind of saying (but didn't get any ideas that I was lovin').  I was standing there looking into the large mirror (that takes up most of the wall) and thinking...if I put something up it would be reflected backwards (which would make for a pretty weird saying).  Then it hit me...why don't I write it backward then when you look at it in the mirror it would be facing the right way.



Ala-ka-zam!

How much did it cost?

FREE

(I already had everything I needed)

p.s.

yes, I hand painted it!

(click here to get a quick set of instructions on how I made it)

How To: Handpainted Mirror

This is the hand painted mirror...
as seen in "Take a Tour: The Front Room.
Once again...this is a project I did a while ago so I don't have all the steps in picture form...

BUT...

the GREAT NEWS is...

 it is SUPER EASY!

You don't need anything special!

Supply List:

• measuring tape (to center it)
• masking tape (to mark your painting area)
• paint brush
• paint (nothing special-I used acrylic paint-bought at Walmart)
• a mirror (or something else) to paint on...DUH!

Quick Steps:

1. measure
2. tape
3. paint

Detailed info:

(I recreated the steps on a board painted black for easier viewing...which I will be using for a future project):

  1. I measured the mirror to find the center (both ways). I taped across the mirror.


  

    2. I used the masking tape to mark off my area (measuring the same distance away from the center mark).

     3. I went back and ripped the tape away from the center mark where I would be painting.

    

4. Paint the lettering. 
I painted over the masking tape when making the "g". 
Paint carefully and slowly.  You need to keep the mirror flat or the paint will run/spread out.
But, if you make a mistake...wipe it away and try again. 
Thank goodness it's glass and easy to clean up for a redo.

     5. I removed the masking tape guide lines and filled in the missing spots
(in the letter "g" where I had painted over the masking tape).

     6. Let it dry fully. 
I painted over my first layer (because I didn't like the effect of a single layer.  I felt it was too thin).


Tada! 

Custom painted mirror

FREE

That's it!

measure, tape, paint

(p.s. I use this technique on all of my hand painted items. 
I used tape on the mirror because I couldn't draw lines)

Yes, I did it free hand...and as you can see it's not perfect (which doesn't really bother me)...although my husband always teases me that the "g" is crooked. 

I asked him if he wanted to do it and of course he said no (duh). 

It's special because it can't be bought anywhere. 

No one else has it...which makes it one of a kind...and...I made it all by my self!!! 

I think that too many times, too many people run to the store to buy pre-made items. 

They have no attachment to it and it has little to no personal meaning to them.

Just imagine...a home filled with items handmade by YOU. 

Every day you would look around and see all the beautiful things YOU made and feel a deep sense of joy and accomplishment.

Mileka :)