Masking Tape Wrapped Canvas

I was planning on returning these 3 canvas prints to Ikea because after getting them home they felt a little too colorless once I got them in the room.  Then I said, DIY! 

Idea 1: Wrap edges in ribbon but couldn't find the right color green. 
Idea 2:  Paint but terrified that if it looked horrible it was permanent and then would have an ugly piece of art. 

Thinking...more thinking....
Idea 3:  I realized that I could get the same look by painting some masking tape.

I got a large picture that had glass in it and cut four 31' strips of tape for my 30"x30" canvas and put tape on top of glass.  I mixed some acrylics that I had until I was happy with the green.  Painted on a couple of coats, let it dry and then trimmed out the canvas.  To remove the paint from the glass just used a razor blade and scraped at an angle.

TIP:  Make a bit more mixed paint before applying.  It seemed like the more paint I added to the tape it would lose some stickiness. 

It now has a little bit more life in the room and the color on the canvas are temporary so it can be switched out when tired of this look. Score!

Rosette Book Wreath

I was planning on going to bed early one night when I decided to quickly look at Pinterest before turning in. BIG MISTAKE.  Found this little guy and couldn't wait to make it after seeing a friends book wreath that she had made. 

I couldn't get the Home Depot fast enough (so awesome that they are a 3 minute drive away) to get some of this foam pipe insulation to make the wreath part and make this baby for $1! 

http://www.thepennyparlor.com/2010/09/coffee-filter-wreath.html

I curled it into a round shape and duct taped and then put it away to get started on the rosettes.  I discovered the next day that I had used REALLY old duct tape and there was not a big crease in the bottom.  GRR..  Once creased you are done. Fail. 

Plan B, go to Home Depot and buy yet another piece of insulation and try again or just go to Michaels (5 minute drive), pay a little more but save the aggravation of it not working again.  Went to Michaels and got a Styrofoam circle which was a little smaller than what I wanted but I was frustrated and wanted to start this silly project.

On to the rosettes.   Not gonna lie.  These little buggers took a couple of hours.  Totally worth the wait but hard for people like me who live for instant gratification with crafts.  Cut circle, cut in spiral, roll, glue repeat.  Do this until you are sick of doing it and then a little bit more. 

TIP:  Before you glue on the rosettes, be sure to wrap the Styrofoam or foam with strips of pages so you will just see pages if you don't get them super tight together or have a gap.

Here is my after, it needs some color and the light tan wall it is on is not the best backdrop.  I may add seasonal things inside like birds for spring or a colorful ribbon but here she is today in my entryway.  My total cost was around $4 but insulated a basement pipe too!!

DIY end table - my Ana White "Clara"

I love Ana White, not only because she saves me money but what an amazing story.  I used to be terrified of using tools and now I puff out when I am walking around my favorite Lowe's or Home Depot store picking up supplies and wood.  I have built a couple of things using her plans and oh what fun.  Seriously, if you haven't gotten tried it, go out to that garage now and start playing.  Nothing cooler than building something with your hands and having your kids cheer you on. 

I was planning on just buying a table from a store but found the Ana White "Clara" table and it had the look I wanted.  It is a kids size table and just sized it up for a large end table which I wasn't able to find in the stores.  Easy peasy!  Well may not have been if I hadn't ponied up for the Kreg Jig, which helps to screw things together from the back and underneath.  Didn't even have to use wood glue!!  Table maaayybbe cost me $20 after using stock wood and fits my space. I needed my table to be 30" x 30" roughly so used a couple of 1x6 (really 1x5.5") and squished them together since wood doesn't come that large in 1 big piece. Thank you friend for loaning me your mitre saw with a laser.  Can do with a circular saw too but mitre makes it so much easier.

Instructions:

1.  Figure out how large your table need to be

2.  Cut legs same length 

3.  Cut wood to go in between legs to support

4.  Cut couple of pieces of top of table

5.  Assemble with screws

6.  Sand with 80 grit, then 120, then 220 so smooth and stains correctly

7.  Stain.  I used dark walnut

8.  Protect with poly.  I used semi gloss

Ana White table

FREE Interior Design help

Ok girls, here is the offer of a lifetime! 

I just purchased my first home and have enjoyed decorating my new place and spending hours on Pinterest looking for the perfect furniture, accents, and colors. I understand the frustration and time that sometimes can go with setting up house but have also enjoyed it so much I am starting my own decor business.

Let me help you create the room of YOUR dreams. Give your house a soul by putting your touches into it. I can help with anything from picking a paint color, choosing furniture or placement, wall art, etc. I have a soft spot for DIY so I also help with limited budgets. I can sew too if you want custom bedskirts, curtains, and throw pillows.

Room mood board including sources - First 5 people to respond this month I will do for FREE!! ($25 value)

Send me an email or leave me a comment and let me know how I can help. Seriously, what do you have to lose?

I look forward to working with you!
Heather