Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Pulled String Painting

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Pulled String Painting

Welcome to the June Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by My Pinterventures. The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen!


This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn a small commission to help with my craft expenses (at no extra cost to you).Thank you!


 This month, I chose to create something very simple but quite interesting: Pulled String Painting. I first saw a short video that was shared on Face Book and I was amazed and intrigued! Then I jumped on Pinterest to see all the different variations and had to try it out myself!

To start, gather:
  • acrylic craft paint
  • string (dollar store)
  • card stock or canvas
  • plain paper
  • flat piece of cardboard (size of the card stock) 
  • paper towels
  • paper plates/paint brushes or skewer sticks 
  • plastic/parchment paper to cover work surface
This is a messy process, so be prepared by covering your work surface with plastic or parchment paper!


 Then, cut long pieces of string - enough to curl, swirl and wiggle on your cardstock or canvas.  Next, you can either dip your string into paint bottles or .  .  .

pour a little paint onto a paper plate and using a paint brush or skewer stick to saturate the string with paint. I like using paper plates - it was much easier than dipping the string into the paint bottles. You don't want a lot of paint on the string - if you do, you will have blobs of paint instead of a nice design on the paper, so use a paper towel to remove any excess paint.

Next, lay the tip of the painted string where you want to start and begin curling and twirling, making loops and shapes with the string in one continuous motion. Leave enough string hanging out to pull. 
 *Once you start a string design don't pick up the string and move it in an attempt to change or you will have unwanted paint marks. 


Then, place a blank sheet of paper on top of your string creation .  .  .


and next lay a heavier piece of flat cardboard on top of the blank paper and hold down gently - not too hard! Then, pull the string out completely in any direction! If you have trouble pulling the string out - you are holding the top piece down too much. And finally, lift up the top pieces to uncover and expect to be amazed with the design you created!



You can repeat this process with as many different color strings as you like - the possibilities are unlimited for making designs! The fun is in your imagination to create and the wonderful outcome! It's oh, so pretty!
*CAUTION:  This can become addictive!


I'm really loving this Pinterest Challenge!

Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

To join next month's #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ July Pinterest Challenge.

Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the co- hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Erlene - My Pinterventures • Lauren - Mom Home Guide 
Lisa - Blogghetti • T'onna - Sew Crafty Crochet 
Pili - My Sweet Things • Debra - Shoppe No. 5 
Roseann - This Autoimmune Life • Terri - Our Good Life 

Monday, June 18, 2018

Plaster Cloth Flower Design on Milk Carton Vase

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A Craft Room De-Stash Challenge

Every month a group of talented bloggers are challenged by C’mon Get Crafty to create a new craft or project from their own stash of goodies! I must admit that I keep a stockpile of empty containers like soda cans, glass jars and different types of boxes and cartons. I love recycling stuff and I never know when I might need one of these items for a project.   This month, for the De-stash Challenge, I'm making a vase out of a milk carton and covering it with plaster cloth - something I also keep in my stash. Besides strengthening the milk carton, plaster cloth is a fun way to add dimension by creating a flower design on the front of the vase.

Materials Used:
Plaster Cloth
Milk Carton
Craft knife/scissors
Paint brushes
Water
Acrylic paint
Outdoor varnish sealer


To get started, cut off the top of a clean milk carton.

Then, place plaster cloth at the edge of the carton (it just happens to be the same height of the carton).  Wet a large paint brush with water and saturate the plaster cloth, smoothing out completely, especially around the edges.
Continue wrapping, wetting and smoothing out the plaster cloth around the carton until it is completely covered. Cut off excess cloth and let dry.
Stuff the carton with plastic bags or newspaper to hold shape while it is drying.
Cut smaller strips of plaster cloth to cover edges .  .  .
wet, as before, smoothing the edges down. And let dry completely.

For the flower stems, cut narrow strips of plaster cloth and .  .  .
 
 
lightly dampen with water, twisting and shaping into a stem down on the carton. Make sure the stem cloth adheres to the cloth on the carton by pressing down. Paint on a clear drying glue if it lifts up.


Continue making and designing stems for the flower.


 

To make the flower, hand cut out small petals (five for each flower stem).



Wet, shape, and mold the petals to flower stems, smoothing out as desired.
Let dry overnight.


You can either paint the flowers and stems or leave as is. It's quite the shabby chic look!
Plaster cloth should be sealed with a waterproof or outdoor varnish since it could be activated with water.

I love this shabby chic look for a vase!

Just perfect to hold pretty flowers!

 
This post contain affiliate links. You are not obligated to click on any link or buy any products that are advertised. If you click on an affiliate link and buy something, I may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Mentions of associated products/services/businesses within the content of my blog may or may not be noted as an affiliate in every reference.  The affiliate money I earn per month helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!


Check out more awesome creations you might be able to make from your own stash! #CraftRoomDestashChallenge


Meet Your Hosts

 

If you'd like to join in the Craft Room De-Stash Challenge, you can request to join our Facebook group here!


Friday, June 15, 2018

Summertime Fun Link Party

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Summer is almost here and to celebrate, I'm joining a group of creative blogging friends to bring you a month long link party highlighting all things summer! It's a Summer Time Fun Link Party! As we jump into summer, you're invited to share your summer time posts with us! Share your crafts, DIY projects, recipes, activities, vacation ideas, and more! 

Meet Your Co-Hosts!
My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies • Across the Blvd 
Simply Inspired Meals • My Pinterventures 
This Autoimmune Life • Kristin's Peppermints & Cherries 
Coastal Bohemian • Our Unschooling Journey 
Purple Hues and Me • Olives & Okra 
The Blue Willow House • Sew Crafty Crochet 
Reviews, Chews, and How-Tos • Our Crafty Mom 
 Cookies, Coffee, & Crafts
   
I'm so excited to be part of this summertime link party and share with you how to make an adorable DIY Flower Basket Cart made out of newspaper. It's a super-easy upcycle project that's inexpensive, costing next to nothing to create! And the best part, you probably already have everything on hand to make! You can find my complete, easy to follow tutorial here!
All of the co-hosts will be sharing a summer post to kick off the party. You can find our posts in the first Link Up at the bottom of the post.  Link up as many posts as you'd like in keeping with the summer time theme. Come back often during the month for inspiration and to add your latest posts, too! All of the co-hosts will share a features post on July 19th.