DecoArt

Contributor Update

0 · Aug 5, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Contributor Update from DecoArt & Pillsbury // Hey there friends! This last weekend was kind of crazy around these parts… We are actually MOVING again! We finally found a home here in Lincoln that will fit our family sooooo much better than the one we are in right now. Thank goodness. It' s been a long 11 months in our Craig's List, site-unseen, rental adventure. "Anyone can do anything for a year," has been my mantra for the last 11 months. It's been a good growing experience for the whole family. I will however, miss the fabulous yard and the Little Red Barn! I may have to build my own little red barn at the new house.

I wanted to give you an update on what I've been up to over at the two sites that I contribute to each month, the new DecoArt blog and Pillsbury.

DecoArt Blog // Inspirational Lazy Susan

Today, on DecoArt I'm sharing how to make my Inspirational Lazy Susan…

It's a fun piece that I created using one of Rhonna Designs quotes that I think is a great reminder for everyone each day. Not only is it a fun lazy susan, but I coated it with DecoArt's Clear Chalkboard Coating so that you can write little reminders on it as well. It's so fun… For the full tutorial visit the new DecoArt Blog!

Pillsbury // Easy Thai Chicken Salad with Scallion Pancakes

Over at Pillsbury I'm sharing a FABULOUS chicken dish that if you are a Thai lover, you're going to die for!! It's an easy week night Thai Chicken Salad with Scallion Pancakes…

It's super easy and you'll never believe how I made the Scallion Pancakes. Come on over to Pillsbury.com to learn the secret and for the recipe!

DIY Polka Dot Notebook for Back to School

2 · Jul 31, 2013 · 10 Comments

This post brought to you by DecoArt // Back to school is right around the corner for my kiddos and it's time to start working on dressing up our school supplies. I am Target's biggest fan and have been since birth, so… A few trips to Target is a must before school starts. I've been loving the Greenroom line of school supplies and found a fun notebook that I thought would look extra special with some gold polka dots!

Doesn't it look extra special now? This is a perfect project for your kiddos to create some fun notebooks for themselves or to create a fun teacher gift for their new teacher. It's super easy, here is what you will need…

Polka Dot Notebook Supplies

Find a fun notebook.

Select a coordinating paint color from the full line of DecoArt paints. I used Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Muted Gold. These paints are available at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, A.C Moore and other fine craft retailers.
Large Foam Paint Brush.
Cardboard diamond that I cut out myself.

Polka Dot Notebook Instructions

Open up your notebook and lay as flat as possible on a protected table.
Use your paint cap a your paint supply, this way you don't have to create any waste. Just pour little bits of paint in the cap and when you are finished, just rinse it out, dry completely and replace on the paint bottle.
Take your large foam paint brush and dip the tip of the handle into the paint lid and load with a small amount of paint. Then using your cardboard diamond as a guide (a trick I learned from one of my contributors Haley from Life is Sweet) carefully place your polka dots.
Let dry over night to ensure that the paint has completely dried. My polka dots were pretty thick so that couldn't see the notebook through the paint so it took a bit for it to dry.

Like I said before, this would be fun for your kiddos or for a teacher gift for the first day of school.

On August 14th I will be sharing this fun printable tag with the Printable Club that you can use to create a super fun teacher gift for your kiddos new teacher.

Pair your polka dot notebook with a coordinating spiral notebook, some fun pencils and a Target gift card and you'll have one happy teacher!!

Disclaimer // This post brought to you by DecoArt. I am a member of the DecoArt Core Blogger Team and did receive product and payment for this post. However, all thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own!

Hanging Succulent Garden with International Delight

7 · Jul 10, 2013 · 28 Comments

This post brought to you by International Delight // I have to admit… I love my sweet drinks. There is nothing better than starting the day with a cup of iced Choffy or my favorite herbal tea with a splash of International Delight creamer. Currently MY ID is the Cold Stone Sweet Cream… YUM!!! Or, if I'm in a bolder mood, the Caramel Macchiato.

With this being part of my morning routine, I tend to go through a bit of creamer and therefore, I have quite a few bottles that are destined for the trash. Recently, International Delight issued a challenge… Make something out of my used bottles. I really thought that was kind of a fun idea. Well… to be completely honest, I was a little befuddled. Using old containers as a craft muse hasn't really been part of my M.O. when it comes to creating for WhipperBerry. I had to step back and think for a bit and then inspiration hit! I could make a hanging succulent garden with a few of the ID bottles and it would look fantastic.

I can't even tell you how tickled I was when I finished this project. Not only that but I came up with a few more that I may try. I mean seriously, what can you really do with an old plastic bottle? Who knew that it could be the perfect vehicle for such a fun idea. It's so simple, here is how you can make a hanging succulent garden of your very own…

I used the large International Delight Bottle, removed the label and the lid and cut the top portion off with a craft knife.

Next, I cut openings into the side of the bottle as a fun way to add more succulents into my little garden container.

I used DecoArt Americana acrylic craft paint to add color to the plant containers. I used Sea Glass, and Sizzling Pink from the Neon Collection. The design was a little free form. I added some little stripes and some splashes of color on each container leaving some open areas to add more contrast.

Then, I added some small succulents that I found at Lowes with some pea gravel and soil designed for succulents. I even layered the soil and pea gravel to add a fun effect in the container that you see above, on the right. Once you have everything painted and planted then you have to decide… Will you leave them as is… or hang them?

I think they look great either way, and they add a fun pop of color to any room. Here is how they would look dressing up a table…

… Or, you can carefully poke some holes in the side and add some black and gold twine from Knot & Bow and hang them for a totally different look.

Isn't it FUN?!

So, what's YOUR ID? What would you make out of your empty ID bottles? Does your flavor inspire your creation?

Come follow the all the fun and share your ID with International Delight on any of their social media platforms…

Find ID on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalDelight

Find ID on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/indelight

Find ID on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/indelight/

Find ID on Instagram here: http://instagram.com/indelight

Find ID on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/indelightchannel

What's Your ID? International Delight is looking for their most passionate flavor fans. Put your ID on the map to enter to win a Magical Trip, play games and discover more unexpected delight. Share your ID flavor at http://whatsyourid.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Picnic Caddy

2 · Jun 17, 2013 · 6 Comments

This post brought to you by DecoArt // I am always keeping my eyes peeled for fun items that I can dress-up with a little paint. Fun little finds that have some character, but with a little zip of color make them the star of the show! I found this great "Junk Shop" here in Lincoln called Simply Bungalow and it's FULL of all kinds of goodies. Heidi and her Mom do a fabulous job of curating a wonderful shop and I have fallen in love with it. The other day I stopped in a found a rustic caddy that I thought would make a fabulous picnic caddy…

Isn't it fun how a little paint can really add some pizzaz to an item? The contrast between the wood and the ombre paint is just lovely. It's going to be perfect to carry out our plates and utensils outside into our backyard oasis this summer. You can make one for your table as well.

Keep an eye out for a great wood caddy. This one was made with old reclaimed wood, but you can find newer ones and stain them the color that you like, it's super easy.

If you're handy you can even make one of your own. Ana White has a great reclaimed wood caddy with all the plans, that would be perfect for this project.

Supplies

Wood caddy
DecoArt Americana Acrylic Craft Paint – I used Whispering Turquoise, Sea Breeze and Bahama Blue

Some type of graphic stencil – You can find all kinds of stencils at any of the craft stores out there or you can make your own out of vinyl with your Silhouette or Cricut craft cutting machines. I made mine with my Silhouette CAMEO using the 12×24 cutting mat. It was perfect for making the large stencil that I needed.
Painters tape
Sponge brush

Instructions

Clean and dry your wood before you apply your stencil. This just makes sure any dirt or dust is removed before you try and paint. Apply your stencil to the wood if you are using vinyl, or tape any other type of stencil onto your surface.

I even added an edge of painters tape around the vinyl just to make sure I didn't have any over paint issues.

Next, I started at the top and added one color of paint (Bahama Blue) on the top row, the second color (Sea Breeze) on the middle row and the third (Whispering Turquoise) on the bottom row. This creates a subtle ombre effect.

Let that dry for just a few minutes and then carefully remove the stencil. Let it completely dry and then turn and start your next section. I used a chevron stencil for the sides and the raindrop stencil for the front and back of the caddy. I distressed it just a bit to have it look a little more rustic and then I was finished! Isn't it cute?

My kiddos love to load it up and take it out to our picnic table outside to get things set for our breakfast, lunch or dinner…

You won't need a center piece anymore! You'll have a beautiful and functional caddy for your table. No ones needs to know how easy it is to make!!

Disclaimer // I am a member of DecoArt's Core Blogger group and received free product along with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own!