DIY Canvas Art: Washi Tape and Interior Paint

Today, when I went to Target, I discovered Washi Tape. It's so awesome and probably my new found-love! I was looking for duct tape but Washi tape is a sort of masking tape in which you can use as a design on many things. I needed a quick and easy design for my 3 foot x 3 foot canvas. It is quite large but since it was in my closet taking up space, I decided today was the day that I'd get it out of my closet and up on a wall. 

I used the exact same green paint (interior paint) that is in the teen bedroom below. My main colors are teal/light blue, bright/neon green and purple (of all shades). I know, the pillow situation is a disaster but I can't do that until next month due to budget. Also haven't decided what the pillow arrangement will look like.. so yeah. Her pillows have lost all shape and form, they just sag as if gravity got to them too. It's a terrible mess and I apologize for showing them (and still having them)! 

At Target, I actually went twice since I decided on the second run, I did want the bikes design on the Washi Tape. It is retro and just looked nifty. The first run I had only bought white glossy duct tape. Unfortunately, I can't find the blue Washi Tape that I used (it has a feather, wavy like design) online; it's not even on the Target website where I got it! Crazy. Apparently they have nothing for Washi under Search. I also couldn't find the exact bike pattern. Ironically, when I googled for it, I got images of actual bikes being Washi Taped!! I was like, wow, I'll buy that bike! Any how, there are a ton of designs on this cool site, Wishy Washi Tape and they are priced $1.00 less than Target. At Target, the tape is on sale at $2.99 and each mini roll is 10 feet. 

After painting the entire canvas that same green as her walls, I carefully placed the duct tape at the top first, then the bottom, the middle and in between those lines. It helps to ensure it will be spaced out evenly doing it that way. Some of it still seems slightly crooked, oh well. I guess a DIY project will come with some artist flaws. Any how, it's still better than anything I can find at Ross, Marshalls, or any other Home Decor place I go to. Nothing is NEW, it's all like the same art and/or same colors used - always. I just wish they opened their horizon and made some cool retro stuff in the art department. But I guess that's where I come in. And I am probably the worst artist ever. I attempted the idea of chevron and I could not get the lines to look even so I gave up that idea real quick. Pinterest misleads you into thinking that's an easy project! So if you're thinking of doing Chevron and you find a super easy way to do it, holler at me because I'm clueless. My second favorite design are stripes. They are probably the easiest to do for me. Below you can see two closer viewpoints of the canvas. 

even closer....

And for the finale.... here it is hanging on the wall. It looks a bit lost up there so I may need to figure out how to get it ... less lost. The pillow situation will probably help bring it forth once I get that. So, the canvas was really easy to do, only took me half a day to complete since the sun is at 110 degrees right now and the heat dried the canvas twice in less than 10 minutes. I didn't have to wait forever for it to dry which was great! 

And now that I see the image clearly... I know that I definitely need teal pillows to bring in the lamp so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, although surprisingly there is teal in the duvet cover (which is Paisley Pop by Pottery Barn)... I think that will help bring it all in! 

Well, thanks for reading and looking at my art. I hope it inspires you to buy some Washi tape if nothing else! LOL. Okay, tatta for now.

A Pre-Teen to A Teen Bedroom Do-Over

It's been a while since I've blogged any "Do It Yourself" stuff but my hubby and I were having some money problems so I couldn't upgrade anything. We had doctor bills, his dad to pay off (from a personal loan), student loans, IRS and all our utility bills. It was up to $1,200 and when our rent is $1,288 and Child Support at $1,700 we were falling behind - badly. We were fortunate enough to finally get paid commissions on a project that was DUE over a year ago. Hallelujah! We are thankful that it came in this month. 

First off, here are the PRE pictures that I just found (7/23/2013) sorry. I knew I took them but I finally found them on an SD card. I have lots! 

So I went to Wally World since I kept seeing this Neon Green paint that was considered "mistinted" but I thought it was the perfect color to go with her Pottery Barn Paisley Pop Duvet. I know, the pillow situation is a mess and some of those pillows look gross. I may go back to Wally and get their cheap but nice standard pillows as well as a Teal Flat Sheet since that light blue one doesn't quite fit the bed right - and it has a hole. Any how, back to the paint. It's a bright neon green and Glidden brand. It took two layers to paint the wall that was painted burgundy. And practically one layer for the rest since those were still white. 

I paint by hand and without dumping the paint into a tray. I find that very wasteful. I have used 1 can so far for 2 walls. I still have enough to complete one more wall but right now my wrist is feeling some carpel tunnel so I'm taking the rest of the day off. Painting takes me forever but I realize it gives me something to focus on for hours and I produce less waste, therefore I don't need to go to the paint guy at Walmart and ask for more. I paid $10.92 for the can (that you see on the desk). I try very hard to never pay for the full retail price of paint since I like to save and become creative by using what I have. 

I actually think the brown looks really nice now that I see it in the photo as I was thinking of buying a white desk. Now I think I'll stick to brown but that specific one has to go. The drawer is broken ... may just keep my eye out for a desk at Goodwill or something that I can touch-up. Target has one I like a lot but I'm not sure if the quality of it is really worth $189.. so I'm keeping my eyes open. 

There's the unpainted wall and I'm not sure if it's going to stay white or be a different color... since I don't have enough paint for this side. A target shelf with towel bar is on the bed but I'm going to use it for her school supply stuff since I'll add plastic bins on hooks to the towel bar. Easy access and cute look.