today i’m loving native vermont. the scenes that these muted colors paint make me just want to plan a visit.

wrap up: {animals} {art} {native vermont} {paint}

happy friday, lovelies! even though i’ve been back since monday, i still feel like i’m trying to get back in the groove of things from our break. do you? or, is it just me? i still have a few bags to unpack and things to do around the house, of which i plan to get to this weekend, but in addition to that, i hope to get a little creative.

photo by heather hackett.

i found this easy recipe for making your own watercolors over on heather hackett’s blog, lilac silhouette. made with ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry, this recipe goes together quickly and will have you painting in no time. you can head on over to lilac silhouette for the full how-to and recipe.

what do you plan to do this weekend? i’m hoping to paint a little. :)

wrap up: {diy} {paint} {recipe} {watercolor} {weekend}

i found this odd book shelf at the thrift store, and quickly saw the potential.  after a little wood glue and lots of paint, it turned out to be one of my favorite pieces!

ta da! there’s a lot going on here, so let’s break it down:

- mirror: thrifted and painted
- antlers: found
- cork: sticky on the back; from the hardware store

yup, I FOUND THESE!! yes, i was that excited, they’re huge!  david and i went on a long trail run this weekend and at the top of this heinous hill, i looked down to find these deer antlers.  it make the whole run worth it!  i made dave carry them back the whole way, so glad he didn’t trip and poke his eye out!

at first, i couldn’t figure out what to do with the blank slate on front that was screaming for attention.  then i remembered i had a roll of sticky cork board!  perfect for little notes, inspiration pieces or orders to fill- it’s my favorite part of this makeover.

remember all the little things i found on our nature walk? i finally figured out what to do with them!  i found this shadow box while out thrifting and gave it a coat of grey spray paint- then pinned all my little foundlings to it.

it even has shelves on the side, which make it the perfect craft organizer for my sewing room. everything’s neatly organized (for now) and easy to get to.

wrap up: {antlers} {before and after} {bookshelf} {cork} {mirror} {paint} {refurbished} {shadow box} {thrifted}

just in case you missed it, my diy chalkboard garden pots were featured on design*sponge yesterday!  it’s such an easy peasy, fun project, and it uses the same technique for custom color chalkboard paint that we used for our pantry door. budget friendly and finished in less than an hour, this project is an easy way to pretty up your home, patio or garden!

materials:

- terra cotta gardening pots (unglazed)
-1 cup flat latex paint in your desired color
- 2 tbs unsanded tile grout for each cup of paint (avail. at your local hardware store)
- sponge brush
- tape
- paper
- exacto knife (or scissors)
- chalk
- label template

instructions:

1. download the label template and cut each shape out into rectangles that will fit onto your pot (you can increase or decrease the label size for varying pot sizes).

2. using an exacto knife or scissors, cut the templates out from the inside to create your stencil.  tape the stencil to your garden pot along the outside edges.

3. in a cup or bowl, mix one cup flat latex paint with 2 tbs unsanded tile grout, then stir well until all of the clumps dissolve.

4. dip the sponge brush into your ‘chalkboard’ paint and begin painting inside you stencil using brush strokes from the outside in.  fill in the stencil, being careful not to get paint under the edges of the paper.  let paint dry (about 15 minutes) and apply a second coat.

5. once the second coat is dry (another 15 minutes) remove the tape and stencil to reveal your chalkboard design!

6. once fully cured ’season’ your chalkboard by rubbing the entire area with a piece of chalk and wipe clean with a damp cloth.  now you’re ready to write away!

wrap up: {chalkboard} {craft} {custom color} {diy} {garden} {paint} {patio} {pot} {project}

this beautiful work comes from kate macandrew, a mixed media artist from england who is obviously, inspired naturally! i love how she combines her passion for nature with her ability to take beautiful photographs, paint and draw- and she shows all three in each of her art prints.  each print has so much character and depth, and seamlessly takes your right in to nature.

make sure to also check out her beautiful blog (hint: designed by the darling tree, who is also designing the new theme for ghtr!)

wrap up: {art} {draw} {mixed media} {nature} {paint} {photography}

along with my plant frenzies, i had a little time to get crafty as well!  i ran across this article on how to paint your own chalkboard as i was organizing some of my magazines.  i had torn it out and stuck it another magazine over 3 years ago!!  i remembered how much i loved the project, and picked up the necessities on my lowes expedition.

what you need:

- flat latex paint in your desired color

- unsanded tile grout (2 tbls for each 1 cup of paint)

- a roller or brush

- 150 grit sandpaper

- painter’s tape

- chalk

how to:

- for small areas, mix one cup at a time.  stir 2 tbsp of unsanded tile grout into one cup of paint, making sure any clumps dissolve.

- apply the mixture to either a roller or brush and and begin painting your surface.  make sure to coat evenly and thoroughly (mine took about 3 coats).  then, let it dry.

- once dry, sand the surface with your 150 grit sand paper to smooth it.

- to condition, run your chalk complety over the entire surface, and wipe clean.

- enjoy your new chalkboard!

here’s my lonesome door before…

and here it is after!

oh the endless possibilities :: cabinet doors, pantry doors, wall spaces, children’s wall, office desks and more!

wrap up: {chalk} {chalkboard} {diy} {paint} {project}

bird no.28

i finally had to make my self stop perusing the many pages that geninne has to offer, so that i could get this posted to share with YOU!  geninne has just about everything i like when it comes to art, blogs, and style.  i haven’t come across anything that didn’t make me go, ‘ooo, ahh, oh!’.

for starters, her etsy shop boasts watercolor after watercolor that are simply splendid.  with everything from shrooms and birds to owls and piles of wood- what more could i ask for?  they’re even affordable.

moving right along, geninne’s art blog is a must see. not only will the images knock you off your feet but she’s features amazing craft tutorials and you can even watch her paint.

(photo: geninne d. zlatkis)

she not only logs her art projects, but also keeps a different blog for her son’s illustrations and another one for her puppy, turbo. to say the least, there’s enough here to keep you busy day dreaming, taking notes and getting inspired for hours.  enjoy!

love, bonnie

wrap up: {birds} {blog} {etsy} {geninne} {paint} {tutorial} {watercolor}

when we moved to our new house, we really looked for ways to improve the place without spending tons of money.  since we were working on a tight budget, we decided to keep the existing cabinets, and do what we could do spruce ‘em up.  replacing cabinet knobs is an easy way to do this, but even knobs can cost a pretty penny, so we decided to make our own!

wooden knobs cost a fraction of the price of designer knobs and with a little know-how can easily be transformed into something unique.

what you’ll need:

- plain wooden knobs (mine are natural woodcraft knobs)

- a small paint sample of the color you would like the knobs to be (lowe’s offers any paint color in 8oz samples)

- white spray paint (available at your local hardware store)

- 3m all purpose sanding sponge

the how to:

spray paint your knobs all white.  it’s helpful to go ahead and start the screw on the back of the knob so you have something to hold on to.   it’s also helpful to have something to stick the screw into to allow the knob to dry (i used a block of foam).

*once dry, paint the top coat color on with a brush, i used color #A64-2 called ‘sweet pea’ by valspar.

*once both layers are fully dry (usually after sitting over night) take the sand sponge and rough up the edges and center.  all of them will be a little different- which creates a cohesive yet eclectic vintage look.

easy breezy, right? :)

well i’m signing off for the day, it’s raining so i’m going stay in and start planning my garden for this summer, yay!  i also wanted to remind you that this weekend is the last chance you’ll have to take the roost survey and enter the giveaway!  i’ll be collecting all the data this weekend and will announce the winner on monday, good luck!

last chance to:

(don’t forget! make sure to leave a comment on this post to be entered in the giveaway!)

what are you doing this weekend?  love! bonnie

wrap up: {craft} {diy} {home} {knobs} {materials} {paint} {survey}