Create-Celebrate-Explore

Handmade Wall Mounted Pencil Holder

If you have read my 40 by 40 list, you will know that one of the things that is high on my priority list is to finally finish organizing my craft room and office.

A couple of days ago I had my husband make me these:

He purchased a long piece of maple from the hardware store, along with a drill bit that was around the size of my pencils.  He cut the maple into three equal sections and drilled holes across the top of each.  He screwed the three rows onto the wall one on top of each other allowing enough room for me to take pencils out and put them back.

Now instead of cluttering my craft table with tubs of my art and fabric pencils, I have the perfect place to store them that is within reach.

AS SEEN ON:

Craft:

Kidzui Blog: Tree Art

Come on over to the Kidzui Blog to get the tutorial on how to make this fun Fall Tree Art craft with your kids.

Paper Poppy Wall Art

Create lasting memories with your child this Mother's Day and make a wall worthy masterpiece with them.

You will find a complete tutorial for this project on my post over at Multiples and More Crafting with kids: Mother's Day art so please swing by there and say hello.

 

AS SEEN ON:

Make and Takes ... The Long Thread

Alphagator Art

I purchased a fabulous Alphagator vinyl wall cling from an Uppercase Living party quite some time ago.  However, being a military family who will have to move again at some stage I didn't want to use it on the wall - I get attached to things.  I decided right away that I would put it on a canvas and paint a little something around it, and lucky for me I found a square canvas on sale at Michaels for $4 and it was the perfect size.  I couldn't believe it when I scored such a bargain. 

Now Flynn has a new piece of artwork hanging in his bedroom.

You can purchase Uppercase Living products here

 

This post linked to: Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Skip To My Lou and Making The World Cuter

Handmade Art for the Play Room

You have seen a photo of the kids play room here, but one thing that has been missing is artwork on the walls. 

I whipped up this piece yesterday.

Materials:

• square canvas
• acrylic paint
• scrapbook paper
• ribbon
• sand paper
• 2 x screw eyes
• mod podge

How to make:

Coat the front of the canvas with a layer of mod podge.  Smooth the scrapbook paper over the top.  The paper will appear to bubble a little but don't worry.

Paint the sides of the canvas.

Lay the canvas front side (scrapbook paper side) down on a flat surface.  Place something heavy into the recess of the canvass on the back side to apply pressure.  Wait until dry.

Once dry, trim any overhanging sections of scrapbook paper (I had a few millimeters around that needed to be cut off).  Apply the second coat of paint around the sides of the canvas.  Leave to dry.

Take a piece of fine sandpaper and very gently sand the edges where the scrapbook paper meets the painted edges.  It will blend the paper into the canvas and paint and give it a worn look (see photo below).

Apply a layer of mod podge to the painted sides and over the front of the scrapbook paper.  Again, the scrapbook paper will appear to bubble, but don't worry, as it dries it does smooth out.

Once dry, wind the screw eyes into the top of the canvas and attach the ribbon. 

WATCHING AN ARTIST AT WORK

Cannery Row, Monterey CA

FEED YOUR SOUL

Feed Your Soul is a free art project. Each month artists contribute a print which can be downloaded for free.

It is well worth your time to check it out, the free artwork currently available for downloading is absolutely amazing, and if you are an artist, there is a link to submit your artwork for consideration. 

This project has been organized by Jen Wallace of Indie Fixx. 

FROM JAY TO ME