Here we go again! Last week I posted a quick photo of the framed piece in the above shot and got lots of emails. It's a work of art I created by using super complicated ideas and tools reserved only for the top echilon of creative mavericks. Ha. Just kidding. But it's really cute and this PRETTY + EASY PRETTY EASY DIY is your by special request. It's a good whip-it-up project that is the bag-of-chips of backyard BBQs. I might be addicted to BOTH the DIY and this paint chip art. I must also include a warning that this DIY includes thievery and is brought to you by grainy + mysterious ISO1600.
Without further adieu - THE PRETTY + EASY PRETTY EASY DIY...
STEP1: do this project on a whim and don't take photos so that if you are so inclined to share it as a DIY YOU HAVE TO START OVER from scratch.
STEP2: this is a crucial step and it includes many micro-steps like get your car keys, stub your toe, search for your flip flops and go to a hardware or paint store... I started with a quick trip to HOME DEPOT.
STEP3: instead of heading straight to your destination area browse around and fall in love with a single REDUCED-TO-CLEAR pattern of Martha Stewart pillows.
STEP4: take apart a display to snatch one of the last remaining CLEAN pillows
STEP5: feel victorious and a little COCKY - YOU ARE A RENEGADE
STEP6: wander past the outdoor lights to see if you can find a heavy period-style light to replace the light over your backdoor that is a carriage light installed UPSIDE DOWN by the previous owners - man it totally annoys you EVERY TIME YOU SEE IT
STEP7: start to freak out a little because you are not certain what kind of light you want and what direction you want to take with the outside of house90 and have a mini identity crisis in isle 24STEP8: make a bee line for the paint section when you realize that your bravado is wearing thin
STEP9: collect enough paint chips to make up for the four trips you used to collect the previous paint chips for the original paint chip project
STEP10: act absolutely-not-suspicious when the sales person asks what type of project you are working on that requires so many colours and paint swatches and blurt out I RUN A DAYCARE!!! because although it's a lie - it's kind of true because you have a bunch of kids and way too many plastic toys
STEP11: wipe the nervous sweat from your brow and talk yourself into taking just a few more paint swatches because you really are like Robin Hood and the small element of criminal activity in this project is going to be far over shadowed by the hours and hours of visual enjoyment that will be found when you are done
STEP12: totally stress yourself out by using the hideous invention that is called SELF CHECKOUT. Blech.
STEP13: Admire your paint swatch collection WHEN YOU ARE SAFELY AT HOME
STEP14: Resume your bravado.
STEP15: Gather your supplies for this project; paint swatches, tape, scissors, an old picture frame
STEP16: carefully cut the paint swatches into single colour segments
STEP17: get totally bored with the tedium and start cutting haphazardly which results in uneven cuts, but saves about 17 seconds off the total project time.
STEP18: admire your handiwork
STEP19: grab the picture frame and carefully take it apart by removing the back
STEP20: remove the cardboard insert
STEP21: organize your paint chips in a random pattern on the cardboard insert with a visually pleasing colour palette and rhythm. The key here is to be RANDOM. Do your best. Change it up. If there's too much of a pattern then it looks too PATTERNY which is not as cool as being randomly cool.STEP22: tape paint chips to the cardboard insert in your random pattern. Don't worry about being perfect because crafting is all about leaving a trace of your personality. Unless you're perfect and then just carry on.
STEP23: trim the edges of any paint chips that overhang the cardboard insertSTEP24: reassemble the frame and feel good about upcycling
STEP25: admire your awesomeness
STEP26: clean the fingerprints from the glass
STEP27: take an artful photo of yourself with your DIY project like you have seen other crafty bloggers do. Look away from the camera to avoid making a silly face and feeling like a weirdo.
STEP28: make your bed so you can style a quick photo by a nice neutral coloured grey wall
STEP29: give your point-and-shoot camera a shake because it's acting weird and taking blurry shots
STEP29: prop the frame on the dresser by other framed photos so it feels more like you live in a house and less like you live in a pleasantly neutral grey jail
STEP30: admire your handiwork AGAIN because it's AWESOME and YOU are AWESOME and your HAIR looks amazing and YOU JUST MADE A COOL CRAFT FOR FREE!
Ta DA! Pretty easy AND pretty + easy. You don't need to be an artist or a painter to hit this one out of the park and it's beautiful to boot. Best part is that it can be tailored to whatever palette you love. I especially like seeing the names of the paint colours. I left some right-side-up, but prefer the ones that are sideways or upside down. So cool.
Estimated time for this DIY: approximately 90 minutes including trip to Home Depot
Cost: 0
WOW-factor: moderately awesome
Difficulty level: 0 (once you get over the stealing part)
Frustration level: zilch
Level of ease: UBER-easy
Results: Very interesting art piece that pulls together your house palette in a unique and sassy way!
Today: My girl tribe and I are off to the new Butterly Garden at the zoo. We're looking for inspiration and fresh air and good conversation with our friends. I LOVE WEDNESDAYS. (Please don't rain on us!!)
GO!
