Blue Angels #6

When you meet a little boy who was still feeling the loss of a family friend it sticks with you. So when I heard him and my son talking about what he would like me to paint on his wall I thought why not ask Decoart if they would help a girl out with a little paint and a dream. Decoart was happy to give some paint to give this little boy a mural.

Here is what he has posted on his bedroom door.

Chalk is a easy way to get a sketch on the wall and it is easy to wipe off when it isn't working.

Day 1, after the chalk sketch I dove right in! When I start I really don't know how it is going to go so I start with a base layer. I don't like people to watch because they probably get worried in the first hour or two. The first day lasted about 3-4 hours. Mind you I was talking to Zanders mom, Lauren. So it was nice to have someone to talk to but time gets away from me quick!

Day 2, Coming back the next day I had a fresh look at what was going on. I had to tweek a couple spots and paint over places that just didn't look right. I love how the color starts to become smooth and the shading starts to pop! Speaking of shading, the Decoart Maxx Gloss paint line is awesome for shading! I put one color on and come back quickly with another shade and blend with your brush. You do have to move quickly because the paint does dry quickly!

Finishing touches! Once your paint is where you want it you can add your special touches. Here I placed the Blue Angels name and then under the wing I placed US NAVY. I really love how it all turned out. In the end I decided to finish it up with a touch of sky.

This is the final picture as I left today. I was painting for about 6 hours and could feel that urge to keep tweeking even with it being at a point I liked. That usually means I need to eat! I do love this finished look. I am not going to lie, I still want to go back and add a few touches but I don't know if that is OCD or it really needs tweeking. I think I will send my 7 year old over to give me an honest review! If I get more time to go back and tweek, I will post a update!

Pumpkin Refresh

Every Fall I drag out my old pumpkins and decorations that are pretty sad looking. This year I thought I would try to incorporate my pumpkins not only in my decorations but as sometihing functional. I have always loved having cloth napkins and placemats available wherever my children sit and eat. This year I thought I would use the pumpkins as my holders but first I had to make them pretty!

I started with these old foam pumpkins I had laying around. I started with measuring the napkins and placemats to see how deep my cuts should be. Using just my kitchen knife I cut out a square in the small pumpkin and a slit in the large pumpkin to slide the placemats in.

My favorite is the small pumpkin with the gold lines!

I used Americana Decor Chalky Finish Vintage and a gold metallic for the stem and design. Happy Fall!

Faux Shiplap

This has to be my favorite spot in my house! I have been loving shiplap since I first watched "Fixer Upper" and I know I can't be the only one! Knowing that I was unable to put up my own shiplap in a rental I figured I could do the next best thing...paint it! I looked up the measurments for the boards, I went with 8x12.

I started by measuring out on my paint guide 8 inches and marking it. I started at the top of the wall, placing the paint guide to the top of the ceiling and marking at 8 inches. I placed a mark about every 6 inches then I used the paint guide to help with painting a straight line. Once the first line was layed down I used it for a guide measuring, marking then painting. Each line becomes a guide to the next.

I moved from top to bottom just as far as my arms could reach. Once I got the hang of it I moved fast. I completed the small wall in my room in an hour or two. My bedroom wall was completed after my kitchen walls. In the kitchen it took me much longer due to not knowing what I was doing and taping each line! Yes, I did that and what a mistake! It went by much faster the second time and without tapeing. I used a Crayola kids paint brush the first time and it worked pretty good. The second time I did it I used a 1/4in brush and made sure I didn't have to much paint on it, dragging it on the tip horizontally.

You have to try this! It makes a room so cozy and for a small amount of paint and small portion of your day!