The Learning Tree

This is a copycat project of a wedding tree guest book. I had so much fun doing one for my friend's bridal shower, I wanted to incorporate this into work. I had one of the kids I work with complete this "learning tree". She and I drew the tree and listed all of the things she had learned in counseling. I blocked out her name for confidentiality purposes. I think this could be a great project for teachers and counselors!

 

Here is the original wedding tree idea, and the link to the free PDF design on Offbeat Bride's website: http://offbeatbride.com/2012/01/downloadable-fingerprint-tree

Family Silhouettes

I loved the simplicity of this! Bold color and the contrast make this a wonderful center of my family room. There is actually a way to do this with your own silhouette. For the sake of my time and patience, I printed off silhouettes from google images and traced them. If I find the link for the more detailed way, I will post it for you. 

Supplies:

• Picture frames for each family member (hello dollar tree?)
• Bold color card stock
• White card stock

Step 1: Find your silhouettes. Print them from the internet or trace them yourself. Cut these out on the white paper.

Step 2: Measure your bold color card stock to fit your frames. 

Step 3: Glue your white silhouettes to your bold paper.

Step 4: Place your image in the frame and ta-da! All done!

Discovering Chalkboard Paint

This was my first experience with chalkboard paint. Once I worked out a few surface kinks, I loved working with it! I made these framed chalkboards to hang in my hallway:

Supplies: 

• Picture frame with hard wood backing or thick cardboard backing
• Chalkboard paint (only about $.99 a bottle at most craft stores)
• Paintbrush
• Chalk (duh)

Step 1: Remove the backing from the frame. This will be your actual board to write on.

Step 2: Cover the backing with the chalkboard paint. Let dry.

Step 3: Once dry, pop it back into the frame, condition it by gently rubbing chalk all over it, and begin writing!

This is what the boards were used for later:

My fiance is very sweet...and talented! :)

Painted Wall Shelf with Crackle Medium

This heart shaped wall shelf was another thrift store find. Originally, it was all wood, with a few scratches. Now it is refreshed and hanging in our room. 

Supplies: 

• An awesome thrift store find you want to re-vamp
• Dark shade acrylic paint
• Light shade acrylic paint
• Crackle Medium
• Paintbrush

Step 1: Paint your object with the dark shade acrylic paint, let dry completely

Step 2: Brush on your crackle medium, follow the instructions on the bottle. Mine said to let dry for about 10 minutes (until it felt tacky). Here is something like what I used:

Step 3: After your crackle has set, lightly brush over with the lighter acrylic color (a foam sponge brush worked great for this) Let dry!

Mod Podge Table Top

I was am very proud of this project, mostly because it cost about $7.00 total. And  another table on the side of the bed was a much needed addition for my fiance. No more phone, wallet, keys, change, etc...on the floor! 

Supplies:

• Table from a thrift store (I got mine at Goodwill for $5.00)
• Black spray paint (or whatever color you want your table to be)
• Cut up squares of scrapbook paper
• Modge Podge
• Paintbrush

Step 1: Spray paint your table with your base color, let dry

Step 2: Paint section of table with modge podge

Step 3: Place scrapbook paper squares on painted modge podge section

Step 4: Paint over squares with a layer of modge podge

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 until table top is covered. Spray with a glaze or sealer if desired.

The Easy DIY Lampshade

I almost threw out this old, cracked white lampshade. Then the idea hit. I had been on a modge podge craze, and I figured, "why not the lamp shade?" I ran into a small problem. I was fresh out of scrapbook paper. No worries! I googled some vintage patterns, printed them out on my printer, cut them into squares and there you have it: A Re-Vamped Lampshade!

Supplies:

• Old Lampshade
• Pattern paper cut into squares (about 4 sheets worth, depending on your shade size)
• Modge Podge
• Paint Brush

Step 1: Cut your patterned paper into small squares.

Step 2: Paint the a square of the lampshade with modge podge. 

Step 3: Stick one of your paper squares on the shade and paint over it with modge podge.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until shade is covered. 

Super easy! Enjoy your new lampshade!