Photocopier Art

I spent all morning getting the house ready so we can head to Arkansas, but somehow, I got done early and was just sitting around. I was about to go crazy waiting on Ben so I decided Izzy and I were going to do a project. It needed to be quick, in case Ben came home so we could just be done with it. It needed to be mess-free, because I've spent the last few days cleaning and can't bear to do any more. So I landed on a Pinterest find: Photocopier Art! I took Izzy into the office, stood her on the scanner glass, and hit copy. I was giddy with excitement when the first one came out. This is one of my favorite Pinterest finds yet.

*Note: Be gentle- the scanner plate is GLASS, so it could break. You may want to support your child's weight or have them sit down and set their feet on the scanner*

I messed around a bit to see what I liked, and honestly, I like them all. If you close the lid, you get a black background (aka- LOTS of ink). The lid open provides a white background. I think I like these a little more, especially since they use less ink. We only did black and white, but color would probably be neat too.

I will definitely be doing this more in the future. I think it would be cute to get Ben in on it too. You could also do this at Staples or a similar store. Black and white copies are usually 5 cents- can't beat that! We just printed on regular copy paper, but you could easily do it on photo paper and frame it for cheap wall art. I would recommend doing the originals on copy paper, then simply copying them onto the photo paper so you get your favorites on photo paper without wasting any. So happy with how they came out. To me, they are reminiscent of sonogram pictures.

Home Projects Part 3: Guest Room

While it's nowhere near being done, I have completed a few little projects in the guest room. First I snagged the comforter set (comforter, 2 throw pillows, 1 roll pillow, 2 shams, and a bed skirt) for just $20! Talk about bargain shopping. Not the softest, or best pattern in the world, but considering how often it gets used and how cheap it was, I am totally okay with it.

Next, I moved our desk into the closet. I can't even explain how thrilled I was when I figured out that it would fit. We rarely have guests, and when we do, they rarely require the entire closet to store their belongings. Having the desk in there is awesome. I can just pull the curtain shut, and whatever project I was sewing or working on goes away- it's great.

My most recent guest room project was a little display for the dresser. I use the dresser to hold all of my craft supplies and tools, and I use the top for work space when I'm working on a project. However, I figured that when we do have guests, we should have something attractive for them to look at. With this in mind, I made a display. I got a book from Dollar Tree, drew half of a vase shape and cut it out. I glued the ends together, and there you have it- a book "vase." If I did it again, I would use an old book. My new one was a little stiff and difficult to get it to fan out nicely. Oh well- live and learn. Next, I cleaned an old red wine bottle. Done. Then, I took a clean white wine bottle, filled it with green paint, and swirled it around until it was covered. Guest room dresser display- done.

I still need to fill up some wall space, and that will be my first task when we get back next fall. I'm thinking of just finding a nice branch to hang on the wall above the bed. Maybe spray paint it, maybe not. For the other wall, I think I'm going to put up framed dried leaves. Simple, pretty, goes with the theme. I'm also planning on finding two cheap matching lamps to go in the master bedroom, one for each bedside table. Then I will move my lamp in here, maybe paint it or otherwise dress it up. It's not much, but I think by next fall, it will be a great little guest room.

*UPDATE 4/17/13*

This update is months overdue, but I made quite a few changes to our guest room last fall. I'll just post pictures with a short explanation, and if you have any questions, you can comment or e-mail me.

My in-laws' curly willow tree died so I was lucky enough to score those branches for free! I found the vase at Marshall's in Dallas while vacationing with my parents last summer. I just hot glued some burlap to the top and called it good!

I wanted something big and cheap to cover the wall above the bed, so I relied on my trusty toilet paper rolls again. I used them in our bedroom too, but with a more organic, random look. I like the more geometric style of this one, too. I used the tutorial from The How-To Gal.

This was a pretty simple update. I added a little green bottle the the display, then some paper flowers to one of the vases. I took another branch (from the curly willow tree) and stuck it behind the dresser, then put some magazines on a tray that we received as a gift a couple years back.

My little craft closet. I had Ben put nails along the frame of the magnetic board to hold my thread and bobbins. I then spray painted it and the wooden shelf yellow. Next, I used cup hooks to hang dowel rods in order to hold my tulle ribbon and Kraft paper (which I need to get more of!). I like having a place for everything, and these small changes have helped to accomplish that!

Last, but certainly not least, I put up this window. I have an amazing window hook-up where I was able to score this beauty for FREE!!! I sprayed it with Krylon's Looking Glass Spray (I bought it at Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon, so it ended up being a little over $7 for the can) following this tutorial from Atta Girl Says. I could not love this window any more, especially since the only cost was for the spray paint!

So that's it! I think I am finally done decorating the guest room. I think I've done a pretty good job with the small space, especially considering my small budget!

Home Projects Part 2: Our Bedroom

When I began decorating Ben's and my bedroom, I wanted a sort of masculine meets feminine, geometric meets organic feel. Here's what we ended up with:

For starters, we received our DKNY Chrysanthemum quilt as a wedding present. It's a floral print, but it's monotone, so it's very understated. Then we picked up some striped Target Home sheets. They were like these, but the colors are more greys and creams. Feminine floral quilt, masculine striped sheets. So far so good. Next came the wall decorations. I ordered some candle sconces from Bed, Bath, and Beyond ($13.00 for the pair!!!). They no longer carry them, but you can find candle sconces for very little just about anywhere. Next, I made the leafy wall decoration using... wait for it... toilet paper tubes! Just cut them into small circles, glue them, hold it together with clothespins until dry, them spray paint it! Awesome, free DIY.

The curtains ($10 each), lamp ($12), and flower pillow ($6) were all from Magic Mart. Lastly, I hung up some of Ben's pictures (after spray painting all of the frames black for a uniform look), and voila! My vision is achieved! Organic, but geometric. Girly, yet manly. Perfect for a master bedroom. 

Notice my favorite decoration made an appearance. I love falling asleep and waking up here : )

Home Projects Part 1: Izzy's Room

I figured it's about time that I start blogging about the projects that I've completed around the house. Most of them were simple decorating projects, and all of them were very inexpensive. One of the first rooms I wanted to get decorated after moving in was Izzy's room. I just figured she would appreciate things to look at on the walls more than anyone else in the house! For starters, we got Izzy's crib and changing table are from Pottery Barn Kids. We already had the baskets, but they were from Walmart. The bedding Glenna Jean's "Maya" bedding from Baby Super Mall.

My first project was to make some wall panels that mimic canvas. I had saved some foam from Izzy's crib packaging for just this type of project! I simply cut it down to size with a knife, sanded the edges, and covered it with fabric. I used fat quarters from Walmart, which are $1 a piece, and I used two. Then, I used hot glue to stick buttons and flowers to them. The smallest piece I wrapped with yarn. So for less than $5, I made some wall art! One of them is a little wonky, and I plan on redoing it at some point... it just hasn't happened yet. Overall, I'm happy with how they turned out!

My next task was to refinish Izzy's name letters, and make a "mobile." When I bought Izzy's name letters, I had envisioned her room being black, white, and Tiffany blue, therefore I purchased black and white letters. Once we moved here, however, my plans changed (mainly due to the fact that I couldn't find crib bedding in that scheme for less than $500!). We decided to go with sunflowers, so the color scheme was creme, brown, and golden yellow. Lovely : )

But I still had these black and white letters! What was a girl to do... refinish them, of course! For the "I," I simply painted the frame with a coat of satin brown spray paint. The first "Z," I Mod Podged some silver zebra cardstock to it, and hot glued some golden yellow ribbon the the edge. The second "Z" also got a coat of satin brown spray paint. Finally, I wrapped the"Y" in cream yarn. So happy with the "new" color coordinating letters.

As you can see from this picture, I also made the "mobile" up in the corner. This was an ongoing project. I made two of them by wrapping yarn dipped in glue around balloons, letting it dry, then popping said balloons. The big yellow one is a tissue paper pom pom (there are tutorials for these EVERYWHERE). The cream one is yarn wrapped around a styrofoam ball. The silver one is four circles of card stock, folded in half, and glued together. I made two yarn pom poms (one cream and one golden yellow). 

The flower is made from circles of toilet paper tubes glues together and spray painted brown. Finally, the brown sphere is strips of card stock secured with brads, then spread out. I secured them to the ceiling by screwing white hooks to the ceiling, then tying them up with fishing line. I am thrilled with how it turned out, and I highly recommend making them. You can easily customize it with whatever objects you want.

   

Lastly, Izzy needed some shelves. I ordered some white wall shelves from Bed, Bath, and Beyond (they no longer carry them) for about $15 for the pair. I lightly sanded them, then hit them with some of my trusty satin brown spray paint. Once I got them hung, they now hold baby albums and various other little trinkets she has gotten along the way. I love the little bit of storage they provide, as well as the little bit of decoration they add to the wall.

  

Overall, I love how Izzy's room looks. It has just enough decoration without being overwhelming, and it's all out of her reach! Plus, I really think the colors we chose will be able to grow with her. So happy to finally be making this rental feel like home : )