dipped beads

Last week, I wanted to make a little necklace that I could wear with my "First Day of School" outfit.  I decided to create a wooden bead necklace with the dipped paint effect that is all the rage these days :)

Here is how it went:

*  I chose colors that went with my outfit and poured a tiny amount of paint on my paint palette.

*  I used washi tape to cover one side of each of my wooden beads (Note:  painters tape would definitely work better for this but I used what I had on hand).

*  Paint two beads per color.  I had 2 white beads, 2 salmon beads, 2 mustard beads, and 2 grey beads when I was finished.  I also put out some tape (in a roll sticky side out) so that I could stick the taped side of the bead to the table without it messing up the paint.

*  After the paint dries, peel off your tape and Voila!

Beautifully, dipped beads, that you can string with anything!

As you can see, the washi tape didn't work as well as painter's tape would have but I am not bothered by it.  I love this necklace so much and can not wait to rock it at school this year.

xo

janel

painting

Last night, I was working on a little DIY project with paint.

I decided that since I already had the paint out, and some blank canvas, I would try to paint with Amelia.

First thing is first, her cute onesie had to go.  I had an idea of how messy this could get :)

We used the colors that dominate her nursery and really big paint brushes that would be easy for her to grasp.

I held the canvas in front of her with one hand and held her little arm in my other hand.

She held the paint brush.

I didn't move her arm at all but I held it in case she wanted the paintbrush to go into her mouth (didn't happen).

She flailed her arm all over the canvas with the paint.  It was amazing.

This was such a fun little project for us to do together.

There were a lot of laughs and smiles...

Catalina even tried to get in on the fun!

There was also a lot of paint that ended up where it shouldn't.

Messy but oh so cute.

Fortunately, after a bath, and some Lysol wipes the Bumbo and the baby were clean as a whistle :)

And seriously, isn't this the most beautiful art work ever??  I love it so much and decided to hang it in our living room instead of her nursery so it can be seen all of the time.

I love that we are able to create fun things together as a family.

This girl is truly something so special.

xo

janel

loved it.

Let's see....

How did I like Script School?

Here is my answer...

I loved it.

I am a scripting fool.

My husband says I am "the boss of scripting."  I'm not too sure about that but I am sure that I love it, and it's so addictive and relaxing and fun.

Thank you Kal for an amazing experience.

xo

janel

script school.

This past weekend, I signed up for an online class by Kal Barteski, called Script School.  Seriously you guys, this class has awakened my creative soul!  I have been painting all of the time.  When I am not painting, I am thinking about painting.  It's almost as if I am craving it.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Kal, she is the creator of these two beautiful scripted prints below, and many many more.

She is also the founder of the Link with Love movement (which is so important so if you haven't heard about it yet, click over and read).

So yeah, I am loving this class and I STRONGLY recommend it to anyone looking for a creative outlet this summer (or any season really).

Kal is so adorable and encouraging and real and I am loving Script School.  You can sign up for Script School yourself right here!! We can be classmates :)

xo
janel

projects!

This blanket is so gorgeous and it combinestwo of my favorite things, crochet and patchwork.  I am FINALLY a semi-pro at making granny squares.  If you have read my blog for awhile you know that granny squares and I have a love / hate relationship :)

We also know that I need another blanket like I need a hole in the head.

(examples: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten and those are only the ones that I have personally made!)  The collection of blankets is pretty ridiculous but one day soon there will be plenty of fort-making days with the little one and they will be needed.
So yeah, I decided that making this blanket would be a must.  I love BIG projects so much.
After a trip to JoAnn's I came home and started my granny squares immediately.

Those are the colors...I am so excited.
I also picked up a baby blanket Cross-stitch kit.  I haven't ever tried my hand at cross-stitch really but my mom had made me one while she was pregnant with me and I decided that Amelia would need one too.
The pattern is definitely not my style but it's cute and it's classic and it was the cutest of all of the kits they had so...that's that.
Here is what I have so far.

So far, I am really enjoying cross-stitching!  It is so relaxing and peaceful and it looks really pretty. 

I also picked up all of the supplies I need to make these and these!!

It's going to be a very productive couple of weeks!!

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

video games

Last night after the babe went to sleep, I decided to whip up a little project for her nursery :)
I have had two of this vintage paint by number for quite awhile now.

When I saw this project on Pinterest, I knew it's what I wanted to do with one of them.
I decided to use a lyric from one of my newest favorite songs from Lana del Rey, Video Games (I also love the video).
And when I am with Amelia, it definitely feels like heaven on earth so I thought that lyric would work perfectly.

I adore it and I can not wait to hang it up in her room.

And for all you Hunger Games fans...you have to see this parody of Video Games.

Yeah, I love it. 

night all.

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Project #7

Tonight's little project was a cute little photo display for my desk :)

I found a piece of scrap molding at my parent's house last night, painted it and used a rotary cutter to cut a line across the top of the wood.   I only made the groove about a few centimeters deep.  It was just enough for the bottom of a photo to slip in and be held snuggly!!

This was a very quick and very easy project.

Plus I think it turned out rather cute.  Not too mention, it's totally functional!!  I have lots of business cards and photos stuck in it now :)

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Project #3

I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the poor lighting in the photos from today's project.  It has been dark and stormy almost all day.  But, the weather did make it a perfect day for painting.

Tonight I decided to paint.

I wanted something southwest inspired and simple and I think I succeeded :)

I thought about filling the entire thing with patterns but I really really loved the simplicity and the repetitiveness of it.

I can't wait to fill the rest of this little space with other prints and stuff!

Fun fun!

I am super excited about the project I hope to do tomorrow.

Check back.

Also, don't forget to sign up for these two awesome giveaways from earlier this week.

Melondipity.com

Urbanwalls

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.