Ok, this is also a post that I did back around September or so… But, my family is out of town so I don’t have a whole heck of a lot to work with as far as content for new posts.  This would, however, make a great Valentine’s Day gift.  What better way to give your sweetheart a little shout out than with a piece of art?  This is something that will last for years and it’s very “in” right now.  Here’s the how to…

COUPLE’S SUBWAY ART:

1)  First, you will need a picture frame with glass.  Plastic will work too, but glass will hold up better.  Clean the glass with cleaner and let it dry really well.
2) You could do this in PhotoShop or paint, with acrylic paints, sharpie markers, print it out on the computer or use vinyl.  The latter is my preferred medium.  You will need to come up with some words or phrases that describe you and your sweetheart.  Pet names, wedding dates, surnames, ect work well.  Arrange your words and phrases as you would like on the glass. 

3)  Adhere the words to the glass.  Now, if you’re me, you’re using self-adhesive vinyl.  All you have to do is transfer the vinyl to your surface (glass).  If you’re not me and you’re using something else, good luck.  No, just kidding.  If you’re using paint, it would be wise to make sure it’s dried thoroughly before you try to frame it.  Puffy paints might add a fun 3-D effect to this project.  If you are printing something off the computer, you can print and frame.  Easy peasy.  Or you could get really crazy and cut the phrases apart before you glue them on.  Possibilities are endless and completely personalizable on this step.  Let your imagination run wild. 

4)  If you’re me, once again – it’s a crazy life as me, huh? – your vinyl is now adhered to the glass and you’re ready to frame it.  I am loving the backless frames.  But, I’m also a big fan of Dollar Store frames… they are cheap and if I have to replace them, no sweat.  They have real wood frames you can paint, de-stress, ink, whatever your little creative self wants to do.  I use a little Tacky Glue and glue the glass into the frame.  Set something heavy, but not too heavy (a set of scriptures works great…) on the back of the face down frame to hold it in place while the glue dries.  Let it sit overnight.  Ugh!  I know.  I’m a here and now kinda girl, but sometimes the wait really is worth it.  This time is one of those times.  Promise.  Besides, you’re pretty much done with it at this point.
5)  Hang.  Or wrap for a gift.  Either way, enjoy it!

If you would like your own personalized subway art, check this out.  You will receive vinyl personalized to your specification and ready to apply to whatever you wish to use as your background display board.  If you order, your vinyl will ship within 3 days (depending when you place the order, I try to reserve weekends for my family).  These make great Christmas or wedding gifts.

Ok, so you may remember this project over at House of Hepworth’s around Halloween.  It was all over the blogosphere, I know I saw it at least three times.  And rightfully so, it’s super cute!  I kinda wanted to make one too, but I thought ‘everyone’s doing it…’ and I wanted something new.  So I stashed the idea in my mental filing cabinet, unsure of whether it would stay filed or not.  My mental filing system isn’t always reliable.  Lol.

Well, I was fulfilling an order and needed a bigger picture frame.  I wasn’t really thrilled with the idea of running to Walmart two Saturdays before Christmas.  That place is a zoo when it’s not Christmas time.  I thought ‘well, I’ll go check the thrift store that is literally a block away before I drive the 10 minutes to Walmart’.  I was rather thrilled when I found a 10×13″ frame in good shape with a $2 sticker on it.  Then I noticed a shiny piece of dryer hose…. and I thought about the pumpkin.  But, it’s Christmas time, no one’s gonna wanna make pumpkins!  I wrapped the ends together and held it up and BAM!  Inspiration struck like lightning!  Then I noticed the $.25 sticker and I quick like a bunny added it to my picture frame.  That ended up being all I got.  And, with my military discount, my total was $1.60.  He didn’t even charge me for the dryer hose.  Sweet!  That is the reason I love that thrift store chain so much, I always leave in a much better mood than when I get there.  Even when I go in happy.  And what little money I do spend (it’s always less than the sticker price) goes to a good cause.

Here is what the inspiration fairies delivered!:

 It’s a little plain, but I was going for simple.  When I actually have somewhere to display it, I will probably spruce it up some more.  The part that got me really excited: I spent maybe a quarter on this project.  I did have to buy green spray paint and the little ornament balls and the presents were in the dollar section at Target.

Here’s the how-to:
1)  Take your vent hose and decide how big you want your wreath.  I didn’t do any cutting on mine, as was already pretty short.  If you buy the hose new, though, you will need to trim it down.

2)  Spray paint your the hose.  I only did one coat, partly because it was really cold outside and partly because I kinda like the silvery glint that shines through.  Let it dry completely.

3)  Pull the two ends together to make your circle.  I used hot glue to secure it.  It dries the fastest.  Who wants to sit there and hold it while the glue dries, right?

4)  I then glued three red ball ornaments together in the shape of holly berries.  They are pretty small, smaller than the little ones at the Dollar Tree.  I found them in our Target dollar section and have seen them still there in past few days.

5)  Glue those styrofoam, foil-wrapped squares on top where ever you would like them placed (those I did get at the Dollar Tree).

6)  Wrap a ribbon around the wreath and ht glue the end to where the ribbon meets back up.  You can glue the ribbon to the wreath if you want.  I tied a half Windsor knot at the top and then secured it with hot glue to hold it in place.  Guess it was worth learning how to tie and tie.  =]