DIY Painted Phone Case

Inspiration:

         I am currently in the market for a new phone case and I decided to use the opportunity to design one and see if I’d like the outcome.  Our phones are a daily part of out lives, what’s a better way to express yourself than through your phone!

          Every day, I carry my sketchbook with me.  Drawing definitely helps to keep me calm and at times occupied. A couple weeks ago, I kept drawing fish and fish scales on the page.  I thought that would be a great design for a case. Browsing through web, I saw different ways to decorate a case: markers, spray glitter, and paint.  Since the pattern is more intricate, I decided to go with paint.  I was really excited for the outcome of this project!

Materials:

Clear Iphone case (Can be found on amazon.com)

Acrylic Paint

Brushes

Gloss Paint
Scissors

Tracing Paper

Instructions:

1. Choose the pattern for your case. In this case, I drew the pattern out. You can also search for pattern templates online. There are a lot of free resources.

2. Trace the design onto the tracing paper. Make sure the lines are dark. Draw the pattern large enough to cover the case.

3. Cut the tracing paper so it fits the inside of the phone case. Use a few pieces of tape to hold it down.

4. Using the pattern as a guideline, paint the phone case with the colors of your choice. I used two coats of paint of each color. After I painted the individual scales, I outlined them in gold acrylic paint. Let the case dry.

5. Once the case is dry (I waited a day), coat the case with gloss paint.

Results:

It was interesting seeing how it looked being painted almost by free hand. In person, the texture looks amazing. Next, I would like to see how it looks painted with a stencil. or outlining the scales with a gold pen rather than a brush. What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Cutout Painted Candle Vases

Inspiration

I saw this cutout ceramic hurricane at west elm and I fell in love with it. What really caught my eye was the cutout design and I wanted to bring that same accent decoration to my new apartment.  I saw these glass vases in Michael’s that were on sale for $3 and decided to try it out and see if I liked the outcome.  Ideally I would like a set of 3 hurricanes of different sizes displayed together.

Disclaimer: I’m currently in the middle of moving into my new apartment, and my craft supplies are mostly in boxes. I wasn’t able to get candles for the final product. However, once I’m settled in, I will update this piece with the vase with the candle.

Materials

Tall Glass Vase/ Glass Hurricane

Acrylic Paint

¾” Masking tape/Painters tape

Brushes

 

 

Instructions

1. Before beginning the project, wash and wipe the vase clean with water and rubbing alcohol.

2. Tape the vase with the masking tape at a slight angle. Keep the tape at a tape’s length apart. If you’d like you can mark where tape should be placed with a marker (washable preferred).

3. With your choice of paint, paint the sides where the glass is visible.  I recommend that you paint three layers onto the vase and wait about 10 minutes between layers.  After all the layers are complete, Let the paint dry fro 15-20 minutes. Make sure that everything is dry before continuing.

4. Once the vase is dry, pull off the tape.  Do not worry if there were any mistakes with the paint.  The great thing about this paint is you can scrape it (details later on in this post)

5. Tape the vase with the making tape but now in the opposite direction. Use the previous painted lines as a guide to where you place the new lines of tape.

6. Repeat step 3.

7. Repeat step 4.

8. Once the vase is complete, you can use a small glass scraper to take off any unwanted paint. I haven't gotten the scraper yet, but you have a few days until the paint is completely sealed. This brand of paint is specifically made to use on glass surfaces. In the instructions on the bottle, you can either let the glass item air-dry or you can bake it.  Since the vase won’t be used for eating purposes, I’ve decided to let it air dry.

Results:

Stay on the look out for an updated post with candle photos!

Inspire Photo 8/14

Geometric Hangers

Inspiration

We’ve all had those moments where we felt the need to spruce up our closets. I had those same thoughts a couple of weeks ago.  In my case, it wasn’t about sprucing up my closet with clothes, but rather about updating the closet itself.  I’ve always loved wooden hangers, so last year I bought some from Ikea (less than $4 for 8!) I loved them and decided to get some more for the big move  (I have more closet space yay!!!).  After looking at my hangers, I decided they needed to tell more of a story and that is where it all began.  I know you might ask: who will see the hangers? What's the point? It doesn’t matter who sees them, it’s all about the details you put into your items.

At first, I thought I would just darken them with some wood finish.  After thinking about them some more, I decided to put a little more work into it and paint a simple design.  I went with triangles. Overall, I am happy with the end result and I am looking forward to finish the rest of them!

Materials

Ikea

Bumerang Wooden Hangers

Home Depot

Wood Finish

AC Moore/Michaels

High Gloss Paint

Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint

Brushes

Masking tape

Instructions

1. Staining the Hangers

Paint the wood finish onto the hanger and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Then, wipe of the remaining stain.  If you would like the stain to be darker, repeat this step.

In this project, I made the mistake of painting the wood stain after painting the design.  The stain definitely made the design pop. In hindsight, painting the stain first would have made the process a lot easier.  So learn from my mistake!

2. Taping the Hanger

I used the masking tape to create triangles of various sizes on both sides of the hanger. I taped the top and the bottom as well to avoid marks on the edges.

3. Painting the Hanger

Paint each taped triangle.  Between each layer, wait 5 minutes for the paint to dry.  I painted 3 layers of purple. Wait 10 minutes for the paint to fully dry. Remove the masking tape.

4. Outlining

I outlined each triangle with yellow paint.  I painted the lines by freehand.  However, if you’d like you can re-tape or use a straight edge to avoid accidents.  Wait for the paint to dry for 5 minutes.

5.Gloss Paint

Lastly, paint the hanger with high-gloss paint to seal off the acrylic paint and make the hanger stronger for wear and tear.

The Results

Inspire Photo 8/12

Inspire Photo 8/9

Inspire photo 8/8

Photography By Ashleé Douglas

Painted Coasters

Inspiration

I decided it would be great to have coasters at the new apartment.  My friend and I are planning to have a lot of guests over throughout the year for dinner parties and movie nights, so why not have coasters! I turned 21 in May, and I’ve always had the feeling coasters were very mature.  Throughout college, I’ve never once thought about having these, and I’m starting to think that it’s about to have a couple.  I started searching for tile ideas, and one that caught my eye were painted tiles.

The next question: What is the design on the tile? I started seeing these outward patterns.  I loved how they focused your attention to the middle and then as looked out the pattern grew.  I wanted to give that effect to the coaster in a simplified manner.  I decided to go with the chevron pattern.  It’s not too busy and it definitely catches the eye.  It was a perfect combination.

Materials

Home Depot

4.25” x 4.25” tile

Heavy Duty Felt Pads (4 for each coaster)

AC Moore

Thin Masking Tape

Paint Brush

Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint

Gloss Paint

1. Taping The Tile

To create the outward Chevron pattern, you have to begin by marking an X in the middle of the tile. Once you have centered the X. Tape Triangle on each 4 sides.  Please make sure that the triangles are centered with the X.  It keeps the design precise.

2. Choose your color

Once you have chosen your color, paint the tile. I recommend painting 2-3 layers of paint to enhance the color.  Let the paint dry for about 5 minutes and then peel off the tape. Let the paint dry again for another 5 min.  After you are certain that the tile is dry, paint the tile with High Gloss Finish.  The finish will seal the tile and make it suitable for use.

3. Felt Pads

Stick on 4 felt pads on the bottom of each coaster.  This will help you not damage your furniture. 

Alternative: You can glue squares of felt on the bottom of tiles as well.

The Results

Just need to make a couple more and we are ready for the housewarming party!

~Creativity is something that is inspired from within and without~

A Little About Me...

I've always been a lover of art. From photography, to painting, to clay, it has always been a place that has provided solace and a means to express myself in a way that words never could.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be moving to a new apartment. I basically have a blank canvas before me. I thought this would a perfect opportunity to personalize the space and complete some DIY projects.  From the living room to the bedroom, there are ways that one can bring their own flair to the space.  Especially, in a way that is fun, practical, and affordable!

One thing you should know about me is that I’m a fan of home decor stores.  One of my favorite pastimes is perusing through the aisles and flipping through look books for stores, such as Ikea, West Elm, and Pier 1. I can spend hours thinking of different ways of styling a space.  Many of the projects that I will be completing in the coming weeks will be specifically for the home.  However, projects are based more on what inspires me next.

A Creative Space

Creativity is something that is inspired from within and without.  I encourage my readers to not copy, but to build upon the projects they find. Many times, I find cool projects online, usually on Pinterest. Questions you should ask yourself:  What’s my style? What’s my story?  What inspires me?  How can I bring myself into this project?  The beautiful aspect of inspiration is it’s never ending.  There is always something out there to move you.

Each week I will post a new DIY tutorial and feature photos of inspiration. I guess you could say that I’m starting a craft journal, and you are welcomed to read along. I am excited to begin! I hope that I am motivated to work and that I can encourage you, the readers, to start your own projects.