Make It {Custom Wall Art}

Art can get pretty spendy, especially when you're trying to decorate an entire apartment or house. I have a few prints of my own, but I want a new piece for my kitchen area. This fun DIY is impossible to mess up and it takes less than hour! Let's get started...

The Supplies:
painting/art - $10, Hobby Lobby
stick-on letters - $3, Hobby Lobby
acrylic paint - $1, Hobby Lobby
paint brush - $1, Hobby Lobby
Total Cost
$15

Visit your local thrift store or rummage through your parents attic for an old piece art. Since you will be painting over the majority of the painting, it doesn't matter how ugly it is. Just as long as it has some color to show through for the letters. 

Step 1// Come up with a saying or phrase
Since I need a piece of art for the kitchen area, I wanted it relevant to eating or drinking. Mojitos are my favorite mixed drink so it makes sense!

Step 2 // Arrange the letters on the painting
To ensure even spacing and proper placement, arrange the letters where you want them on the painting. DO NOT peel the sticky part off the letters until you have the entire sentence laid out. I used 2" letters, but there are smaller options if you go with a smaller painting.

Step 3 // Remove the peel and stick each letter down.

Step 4 // Paint
Squirt some paint on the canvas and brush away! Start with a little paint and go from there. I did 3 coats and let the painting show through a little for a weathered or worn look. You can choose to paint it as opaque or translucent as you wish. 

Coat 1

Coat 2

Coat 3

Step 5 // Peel off the letters
Once it is completely dry, peel off the letters.

Ta-da!

This is a great, affordable way to customize the art in your home. Use whatever phrase or color you'd like! I will probably frame mine and hang it above my bar cart. 

Happy Friday, and as always, share pictures of your own creation!

Make It {Safari Canisters}

Happy Friday! This past week I did an easy DIY project I had been wanting to do for a while. I really want to go all out on my new apartment and make it as cute and complete as possible. All while managing a low budget. So I have dreamed up a few projects (plus my couch makeover which I am still working on!) to help accessorize my place and make it feel like home.

Without further ado...

What you need:

• $5 - Canisters with lids   I got mine half off for a total of $5 for all three at Hobby Lobby.
• $6 - Animals  Make sure they fit the smallest lid size. I went with a safari theme, but you can do deer, moose, or whatever you like. I found mine at Hobby Lobby.
• $5 - Super glue
• $6 - Gold spray paint

______________________
Total Cost = $21

Plus the spray paint and glue have many more uses left!

Step 1:

Put a drop of glue on the bottom of each foot of the animals and place them on the lid. Make sure they are centered. Press and hold to make sure it's secure. I let mine dry for a full 24 hours before I spray painted.

Step 2:
Find a clear workspace (preferably outside) and lay down some newspaper or cardboard to protect the area. Spray paint your 3 animals. Make sure you coat the entire item from all angles. Wait about 5 minutes or until the paint is dry and spray it again. Once the paint is dry, flip over the animals and look at for any areas that might not be fully coated. Spray any areas that need it. Let dry.

Coat one

 That's it! The project is so simple and affordable and the overall look is fun and glam. It turns a boring canister into a fun new item for your vanity or shelf! Adds some character don't you think? Creating your own accessories for your home is often much cheaper than buying something similar and you can add your own touch! What DIY projects have you made for your home?