Today I want to share more details on how I performed the card stock and wood tests.
Painting Wooden Whales
For the wood I chose these adorable wooden whales.
Then I used a blue metallic blue paint in both acrylic and craft paint.
They are just so cute! I couldn’t help but pick these as my test samples.
The Card Stock Test
Next up was the card stock test.
I chose four pretty shades in both types of paint and just did a simple block pattern.
These were so simple to do and fun to make! I might even stick them behind a frame and put them around the house. For now I’ve used washi tape to put them on the wall.
Hi Megan, thanks for doing all the testing for me!! I think I get so overwhelmed with all the paint options, I just don’t know where to start. Now I can look back at your article here and on Teal and Lime and see what you did!ReplyCancel
I believe anyone can be an artist. You just have to know how to finagle the rules to get a result that you like with the skills that you have (which are always growing the more you try).
I’m not hear to tout my artistic skill. Actually, I shouldn’t be saying anything about my artistic skill because I got my lowest grade in college in the art class I took. I didn’t know until I started the class that they actually grade you on skill. #welcometotherealworld
Yes, drawing may not be my strong suit but I love geometric shapes and more abstract art (at times).
So I bought two canvases and attacked them with painters tape.
Then I painted them using four different shades. One canvas was done with acrylic paint and the other with craft paint. Check back on Wednesday to see why I did this.
After the paint was on there how I liked it all I did was rip off the tape and my art work was finished!
Instant artwork! Is it a masterpiece? No, but I had fun doing it, let off some creative energy, jammed to some tunes on a rainy Saturday, and got a thumbs up from the husband. All in all, I call that successful.
Well, one year after my last guess bedroom update, I’ve finally made another. I’ve only been holding onto the materials to do this oh for about…eight months maybe?
It all started when it was time to change up a mostly brown room into something a little more us – like this colorful and jazzy duvet.
Obviously the curtains and headboard did not go with the new duvet whatsoever. That put me on the search for new material for curtains. I found the material about a month or so after the new duvet.
It is this beautiful white chevron pattern that subtly complements the duvet. I put it in a drawer saying I would do it one day soon. Well that one day happened this week.
How to Make Curtain Panels
Materials
Curtain fabric in the width and length desired for the windows. Allow 2 inches all around for seams. (Each of my panels was 90 inches).
Same amount of fabric for lining
Curtain rod for each window
Curtain rings (1 package per panel)
Sewing machine
Needle and thread (that matches curtain color)
Scissors
Pins
Instructions
1. Cut the fabric and lining to the desired length. I used the width that the fabric came (shown doubled in the picture below).
2. Match each curtain to a lining, laying together with the outside of the curtain facing inside (just like when making a pillow). Smooth out fabrics and pin.
Pinning tip: I found it helps to smooth the fabric as you pin to help avoid bunching when sewing. After each pin I would swipe my hand across the fabric just to make sure it was lying flat. I also found the sequence below to get the smoothest pinned curtain.
3. Sew around the perimeters of the fabric. Leave just enough unsewn on one side to be able to pull the curtain through. Trim any extra strings and extra fabric around the seams and corners. Pull fabric through and hand sew unfinished section.
4. Iron – this took forever!
5. Then just attach the clips to the curtain and slide onto the rod! So easy!
Each step in redoing this room really changes the whole look of it! It used to be so dark and now it is so light and airy. But my! That headboard is SO distracting. It almost makes me not like the curtains but I think I am just distracted by that dark hole.
So onto recovering the headboard…and adding artwork and other fun finishing touches (when am I EVER finished?!)!
You know what Susette? I totally agree! I actually bought one around the same time I bought my fabric for the curtains. I just haven’t felt like ironing it and fooling with it! Soon though!ReplyCancel
I have an unabashed sweet tooth. I have a whole section of this blog dedicated to desserts. Sometimes I know I go overboard so I am always on the lookout for something that tastes sweet and yummy but doesn’t rack up calories by the hundreds.
Thankfully I have discovered the date. Who would have known that dates can be used in desserts to add some richness and sweetness and depth while being a healthier option than a couple of cups of sugar!
I first discovered their deliciousness when I tried a recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Ingredients
1 cup packed dates, pitted + chopped
pinch of salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2-3 tablespoons almond milk, coconut milk or regular milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-5 cups Rice Krispy
Half bag od dark chocolate chips
Directions
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Add the dates and salt to the bowl of a food processor and process until they form a thick paste. Add the peanut butter and 2 tablespoons milk, process until smooth and creamy. Scoop the mixture out and into a microwave safe bowl, microwave 30 seconds, stir and microwave another 30 seconds. Continue until the mixture is warm and melty. Stir in the vanilla. If the mixture seems too stiff add 1 more tablespoon milk, but no more. If you add too much milk the cereal will become soggy.
Add the cereal to a large bowl. Slowly mix in the peanut butter mixture until throughly combined. Press the cereal into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
Microwave the chocolate on 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars in an even layer. Cover the pan and place them in the fridge for 1 1/2 -2 hours or until firm.
Remove the bars 10 minutes prior to serving, cut and store in the fridge
I love these as both a dessert and snack. The dates really help you feel full but they also quiet your sugar cravings.
I’m so excited to share with you another Hometalk appearance I did on local TV! I have so much fun doing these local TV spots – you know actually showing my face instead of just being behind a computer. Plus, I really support Hometalk and their community, so it’s a win-win.
This month’s segment was about spring cleaning – specifically my DIY cleaning recipes. It was on Daytime Blue Ridge, and we had so much fun! The hosts are always a blast to be around.
Spoiler alert: there’s a simulated exploding toilet. Enjoy.
It was also fun to interact with the other guests before hand – like the Star Wars guy, another blogger, Girl Scouts, and a cute little dog!
Also, there is one line that I said that my co-workers mercilessly made fun of me (in good fun) for saying. Can you guess it?
Headed over to see the results…
Thanks Paula!
Hi Megan, thanks for doing all the testing for me!! I think I get so overwhelmed with all the paint options, I just don’t know where to start. Now I can look back at your article here and on Teal and Lime and see what you did!
Hi Nicole! I am so glad that you found this helpful! It can get overwhelming – I agree. But now perhaps one part is a little simpler!