Snowflake Glitter Art, My Turn

So...

I was really excited about the snowflake art my girls did.  It was fun.  I mean, who doesn't like to play with glitter, right?

I decided to make my own.

This time, I found the masking tape.  It worked waaaaaaaaay better.

First I drew the shape of the snowflake on the canvas.

Don't do that.  It's too hard to cover up and really not necessary.  The shape is pretty basic.

Then I picked out and mixed the color I wanted...

(while playing a little footsie with the Mister...)

And painted over the entire canvas, taped snowflake and all.  Then I waited.

A long time.

Well, it wasn't so bad.  I just went to bed.

The next day, I peeled off the tape. 

ooooo-oooooo!

  (See those stupid pencil marks....they don't come off.  Bad idea.)

I decided to try and cover up the pencil with white paint. Don't do this either.  It's unnecessary.

Especially if you are like me and have an ongoing war with straight lines.

Or if you do this.

Interesting thought:  I was told once that there is a tribe in some far away place that will intentionally add flaws to the crafts they create.  The idea is that only the gods can do perfect and they don't want to offend the gods by creating something perfect, so they purposefully add an imperfection.  

So, there you go...that's my imperfection.

 Now it gets fun.

Ok, it was already fun.  Not it gets more fun.

I got some Mod Podge.  I got some super fine glitter.  We had a party. 

Looking back, I kind of wish I had maybe added even more glitter and maybe even experimented with a little paint.  I'm not sure how that would have worked out, though.)

It took some time, but I globbed that happy mixture on top of the snowflake. 

 I laid it on thick.

And I giggled with glee as I watched it dry.

It is so sparkly!

Then I let it dry and... 

TaDa!!!!!!!!

I have to say, I like it...but I'm not really in love with it.  If I did it again, I wouldn't make the background color so dark and I would try to find a way to make it look more glittery.

But still... 

It's pretty.

And I got to play with glitter.

Everything is better with glitter.

And chocolate.

Welcome Home

I have this big black filing cabinet sitting right near the entry to my home.  Because of its location, it has a tendency to get very, very cluttered with all the things we drop as we walk in the door.

I hate that!

So, I cleaned it off.

I wish I had gotten a before picture, but that might have been embarrassing.  =)

Anyway...

Now, it looked a little too empty and I had a great excuse to start a new project!

Yay!

I pulled out this framed picture that I found at a dollar store some time long ago.

I pulled out the picture...ripped it off actually.  It was in there pretty tight and I lost the frame in the process of removing the picture. 

That's ok, though.  Because of the way it was put together, the frame wouldn't have worked anyway.  So, I salvaged the glass and the board from the back. 

The rest...well, it gave its life for the cause and I see that as heroic. 

Moving on. 

I pulled out my Cricut and cut out some happy words.

I wanted something that would be welcoming as the first thing we saw coming in the door and also reassuring and uplifting as it reminded us what being home means. 

I laid my words out on the glass in order to see how it worked.

This was my second or third arrangement.  It worked the best.

So I stuck them on permanently.



Next, I got a piece of blue scrapbook paper and Mod Podged it to the back of the glass. 

Doesn't that look better?  

Simple Embellished

Recently, my sister-in-law sent me these really cute little vases. 

 I love them.  Really, I do.  But...

Well, when I looked at them, I thought, "Ooooo!  These are nice and simple.  I like simple.  But, hmmm, I could do something with these.  I could make them even prettier!"  

I tried to resist.  Really, I did.  But...

The idea kept nagging at me and I had to give in.  

Here's what I did:

I pulled out some Valentine-y paper and laid it out.  You know, to see which one called to me.

I picked the one that had shapes already printed out on it.  Because I wasn't in the mood to try to cut out "the perfect heart."  

Cut out the heart, add Mod Podge generously.

Then, not being able to let a bottle of glitter be alone, I added some of that on top of the Mod Podge.  I didn't take a picture of that, though.  I wasn't sure I liked it.  I may have gone a little too far with the glitter.  Maybe not.  I don't know.  You'll have to use your imagination and decide for yourself.  (Or just check out the finished picture below and base your judgement off of that!)

Next, I left the vases to dry, then ate a sandwich and watched Little House on the Prairie before I went to bed.  Then I went to bed...and slept very well, thanks!

In the morning, here is what I found!

Yeah, I went a little overboard with the glitter on that middle one.  If I did it again, it would get the same glitter treatment as the other two.  

Still, I think they turned out pretty cute.  Even simple things like to be dressed up every once in a while, right?

Here's what I learned:

• Most things, even if they are already nice and pretty, look better with some pretty paper Mod Podged on.
• Sometimes glitter isn't necessary.
• Glitter is always fun.
• I love Little House on the Prairie. 
• You should always make sure there is no wet glue on the rim of your Mod Podge bottle before you close it or you might have a hard time opening the lid that you have glued shut.