8.26.2009
DIY Thursday - Patchwork Wall Art (Ballard Designs Inspired)
I love the look of several things coming together to form one piece of art, mosaics and collages are among my favorites. These Ballard Design Patchwork Prints is a perfect example of this. Though they are now on sale for $169 (marked down from $199) they are still out of my price range ('cause I'm
I was able to work it out for just under $20. Want to know how? Come on, girl, let's make some Patchwork Wall Art!
Supplies:
8x8 inch wooden tiles (If you or someone you know is handy with tools, these can be cut from a pine board found at any building supply store)
Black acrylic paint
Mod Podge
Sponge brushes
Coordinating scrapbook papers
Thin plywood or MDF board
Wood Glue
The beautiful array of scrapbook papers available today really make this an easy project. If you don't trust yourself to coordinate papers, buy the paper sets that come pre-coordinated.
I started by cutting and sanding my 8x8 tiles (which actually measure 7 1/4; for some reason an 8 inch board isn't really a full 8 inches).
Paint the sides and edges of the front of the blocks with the black acrylic paint.
While this is drying, use your handy dandy paper cutter to cut squares of paper to fit the tiles.
Once dry, begin to decoupage the papers to the tiles.
Can we take a little break at this point for some decoupage tips? I've read that some of you have decoupage fears - bubbles, lumps, and creases, OH MY! Listen, this isn't rocket science, just follow the steps in the right order:
Apply decoupage medium to the wooden tile AND to the back of the paper (applying to both is important). Now, stick it and press all the bubbles out. Once you're happy with the placement LEAVE IT ALONE.
Just let it dry, go paint your nails, do a load of laundry, eat some lunch while reading People magazine, I don't care, just don't touch it now. DON'T paint more Mod Podge on top yet, this will wreck everything!
Is it dry? Are you sure? Okay, now go ahead and apply one or two coats of Mod Podge on top to seal it.
Let it dry again then dirty it up! Why dirty it up? Because I hate new looking things! I want it old, I want it grungy, I want it to look like I rescued it from the corner of an old barn! How do we do this? Take an old rag or your finger and apply some Burnt Umber acrylic paint to the edges. Now, wet the corner of the rag and smoosh it around. Play with it adding and taking away layers of paint, leaving the center lighter and edges darker, until you get a look you like. (like it clean looking? Just skip this part, ain't no big thang).
Now, this next part came about because I just couldn't resolve in my brain pounding 9 nails into my freshly painted walls. It just seemed so harsh! So, I cut out a thin piece of plywood or mdf a few inches smaller than the finished project (so, I used a board 18x18 inches) and used wood glue to attach all the tiles onto one base.
See? Now I can hang it with one nail, or lean it against the wall like I did here.
Accessorize it a bit, and voila! You have yourself a Ballard inspired piece of patchwork wall art to match YOUR decor! Yes! Oh, and enough change in your pocket for 4 pedicures! 3 lunches out! 140 beers for dollar beer happy hour! MMMMMWWWWAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
I'm participating in Kimba's party, but you knew that, right? You know the drill, click the button to be whisked off to the land of inspiration. Leave some comments for those ladies, they're workin' their little buns off over there!
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Lovely! I really like your color choices. :) I think my problem with Mod Podge must have been that I didn't let it dry before doing a top layer. Oops! Visiting from Kimba's party. :)
ReplyDeleteCute! Like Really Cute! I am going to forward this on to a friend who is decorating their lake house on a tight budget! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
AMAZING! Those scrapbooking papers just make beautiful art - I like it better than Ballards! Smart idea - I'm going to have to copy it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog, and great DIY project. I have spied something something similar here in town at the scrapbooking store. Your's looks much better though.
ReplyDeleteOh My Oh My....I think I'll head right back into the craft room, as I just happen to have everything "laying" around for a great project like this!! I LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love this idea. I want to do this for the wall behind my couch. I just can't decide what colors I want to use. I'll be doing it soon though. My wall is BARE!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented. Love Love Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteOh my stars, I LOVE this idea! Thank you so much for the great tutorial and the tips! I always had a problem with the wrinkling and bubbling, so I'm happy (in a chagrined sort of way) to learn how to avoid it in the future!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I could never do this!
ReplyDeleteI really like this! And thank you for the Mod Podge tips. This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteI love decoupage! You did a beautiful job, I love your paper choices!
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI like your version better.
And by a lot.
these are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLooks good! I like the whole vignette together!
ReplyDeleteJust this week I made a deal with myself to finish switching over my master bathroom to coordinate with my not-so-new anymore blue and brown bedroom....I've been looking all summer for something to hang above my tub, but can't find anything the right size....bingo!!! This could be it!! Now I gotta work on getting me some wood tiles!! Thanks again for your fabulous inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Love it
ReplyDeleteAcccckkkkk! This is absolutely gorgeous. I've seen it in Ballards many times and wanted to re-create it, but never did. I'm lazy like that!
ReplyDeleteYours turned out FAB, and I love that you attached it to ONE big board on the back. GENIUS.
love the wall art!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by... actually, your ruffle-y goodness last week was my inspiration for the little ruffle dress... I hadn't ever tried out ruffles with tshirt material, but your gorgeous jcrew-y shirts convinced me that I needed to try it out! so thanks for the creative inspiration!
Um, like totally gorgeous! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteI love pretty scrapbook papers. This is a great idea. Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteRoeshel
I have seen that same Ballard art piece and thought, "I could do that." I was stuck, however, on how to get the design or artwork for the squares. Scrapbook paper! Genius!! I may have hubby cutting squares this weekend. :) Great job.
ReplyDeleteOh! Super cute idea! And it looks pretty easy to do...I've been needing some wall art, and I love the pride in DIY projects...Thanks Jen!
ReplyDeleteThis is quite wonderful - I'd love to post on my blog. Come see me!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! Thanks for the tutorial - I'll be following it soon :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot people copy this idea and I love seeing it each time! Yours turned out super cute.
ReplyDeleteVisiting over from SITS and I LOVE Ballard Designs and love even more what you have done!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely bookmarking your blog because you have great ideas for decorating.
Amazing job!! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! I have a problem with leaving the mod podge alone it completely dries. And thanks for the tip about applying the mod podge to the back of the paper. Gotta try that out!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I came over from SITS and I'm glad I did! I'll be following from now on!
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE it Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteAwesome and beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You make it look so simple. Great job!
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm coming over just as soon as I get my kids in school, and we're doing this together! I LOVE it, and I've been eyeing up the Ballard ones, too.
ReplyDeleteLove this! And especially the improv to one piece. I love to lean instead of hang. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove your style!!! I can't wait to hop around the rest of your site!
ReplyDelete~Andy @ poppiesatplay.blogspot.com
These have been on my To Do list for weeks now. Yours turned out fabulous!!
ReplyDeletei saw this once from someone else but the colors where much more muted, I love these warm colors!
ReplyDeletewow u make this look so easy
ReplyDeletethanks!
Love it! I keep meaning to do something like this because I have way more scrapbook paper then I will ever use.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I've seen it done on canvases - but this would definitely be less expensive! And I'm guilty of not letting my Mod Podge completely dry, will show some patience in the future.
ReplyDeleteOhh myyy and I just happen to have some tiles that I picked up at Target for $1.25 that are screaming for this idea!
ReplyDeletePS--thanks for the comments and I used the site:
http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds
that someone told me about a while back.
Think I should update my blog with it?
:)
simple but elegant. great idea
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI say would like to say, with my head held high...
ReplyDeleteUntil today, I was a mod-podge dummy!!! Thank you for the advice to just leave it alone. I ALWAYS got bubbles and now I know it's because I was just too impatient!
I saw two similar projects on Craftster last night and I love these! With all the fun paper available, there is a style to fit virtually any decor.
ReplyDeleteRockin' cool. This is going into my bookmarks for sure.
Seriously cute! I now wanna make one but have no idea where to put it!
ReplyDeleteWow, that makes a great impact for a little $$. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteWow, I LOVE this one! Your instructions are great too. You are the tutorial queen!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!!! Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeletethis is excellent! i'm doing it. visiting from asptl.
ReplyDeleteI see another Knock Out!!!
ReplyDeleteCame over to get info on that video of pictures. I am finally at the point I can do that project. I have all new buttons on my page-tell me what you think and there is a button "I've been featured on Its So Very Cheri" that you can grab from the KNOCK OUT party favorite features.
Cheri
I like yours better than theirs! WTG!
ReplyDeleteI like yours better than theirs! WTG!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. I'm seriously going to have to try this. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I love that Ballard Design artwork too. I am always drawn to the art in their catalog.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is such a wonderful idea. My idea of crafting is printing a card off the internet. But I think I can tackle this....
ReplyDeleteWonderful finds here! Also, I found something interesting I thought I would share…from something I wrote this month…
ReplyDeleteDÉCOR TIPS & QUIPS from AlphabetPIX.com
Bringing Out Your Inner BOLD!
Bill Blass said, ìStyle is primarily a matter of instinct.î Decorating takes on a new meaning for each individual. Clever and chic for Janie may be yesterdayís yawn-fest for Carol. Different tastes in dÈcor mean different furniture, artwork and color palettes. So what is the rule of thumb for making your place zing if itís not a certain style, pattern, or color?
Bold, baby! Bring on the bold!
Boldly say what you want to say when designing a room. Make a statement and let your personality shine through. If you go in for the palest blues to soothe and relax, add a custom zing to make it pop! Love black and white photography? Maybe even some of that ultra-hot photo alphabet wall art in black and white? Splash in some passionate pink or revved up red on the wall to make it sizzle.
No longer are walls content with neutral shades. Any color of the palette goes! Splash on muted melons or eccentric eggplants with savvy sage. Classic colors cozy up with velvety crimsons and Dijon yellows. Color is fantastically bold and beautiful! Rich textured throws, swags, rugs and runners jazz up every room, every time.
Patterns are all the rage now, too. Twists and twirls, paisleys and pearlsóbold is key! Did you ever in a million years think of dotting stripes and striping dots? Designers these days are pulling out all the geometrical stops. Paisley mixes with all sorts of combinationsóchecks, polkas, and weathered solids. Discover a new way of looking at the world around you in different shapes and deigns.
Mix it all with gorgeous gilding in silver and gold. Toss in a few well-chosen accents óbold and beautiful. And with the trend of decor becoming more and more personalized, a meaningful piece of photography will make you feel right at home. Black and white as well as the historic look of sepia photography looks gorgeous in any room. Add all these ingredients together, and youíve got yourself a decorating design that not only expresses your individual style but does so as personally and beautifully as you want it to.
Whatever you want to say while decorating, say it with your own personal sense of style. Put it out there for the world to see and donít look back! Embrace your individuality whether your nature is ìJanie jazzedî or ìCarol calmî. Express yourself! When people enter your home theyíll shoot you a complementary smile, knowing it looks and feels sooooo perfectly like you. And no one can do YOU better.
To take your individual decorating accents and style to a whole new level of personalization, check out http://www.alphabetpix.com. Imagine photographs of natural alphabets, clip art photo messages or even personalized photo place mats. Consider yourself a person on the go? Youíll love AlphabetPIX.com pictures to go with alphabet letters! (Intrigued yet? Check us out now!)
Amp up that ìyouî factor, bringing the bright lights, bold city look to the forefront with clever photography of New York architecture and nature. And, if itís gorgeous enough for your home, you KNOW personalized photo gifts are great for any occasion!
by T. Miller
Décor Tips & Quips from AlphabetPIX
Create your own personalized name art with Photos That Look Like Letters at http://www.alphabetpix.com!
Wonderful finds here! Also, I made an interesting discovery. Here’s an excerpt from an article I wrote about it this month…
ReplyDeleteDÉCOR TIPS & QUIPS from AlphabetPIX.com
Bring Out The YOU In Your Home Decor!
Bill Blass said, “Style is primarily a matter of instinct.” Decorating takes on a new meaning for each individual. Different tastes in decor mean different furniture, artwork and color palettes. So what is the rule of thumb for making your place zing if it’s not a certain style, pattern, or color?
Bring out the Y-O-U!
Make a statement and let your personality shine through! Add your zing to make it pop. Hang something personal on the wall with a few well-chosen accents-bold and beautiful. The trend for decor is becoming more and more personalized.
Whatever you want to say while decorating, say it with your own individual style. Put it out there for the world to see and don’t look back. Express yourself! When people enter your home they’ll shoot you a complementary smile, knowing it looks and feels sooooo perfectly like you. And no one can do YOU better.
by T. Miller
Décor Tips & Quips from AlphabetPIX
http://www.alphabetpix.com
Take your individual decorating style to a whole new level of personalization, and discover a new way of looking at the world around you - Create your own Personalized Name Art with Photos That Look Like Letters!
tags: alphabetpix, personalized name art, alphabet photography, alphabet photo art, name in photos, photo letters, photo name designs, name gifts, name photos, photo alphabet, personalized gifts, name designs, decorating, home décor, interior design, wall art, design ideas, wedding gifts, personal gifts, personal art
Brilliant web site, I had not noticed hopestudios.blogspot.com earlier in my searches!
ReplyDeleteCarry on the superb work!