I Painted One Of The Most Creative Halloween Costumes

Okay, I realize that Halloween is now over for this year, but let me just show you one of the most creative Halloween costumes ever!  I got the idea from Family Fun Magazine last year.  The original costume idea  is called Alien Encounter and full instructions can be found by following the link.  I had to change things up from the original idea posted on Family Fun because they used paper mache for the alien.  We tried that but that paper mache head was just too heavy for my son to carry around.  Instead, I painted a gallon milk jug to look like an alien.

YES!  A gallon milk jug is painted to look like 

the aliens face!

Last years Alien Abduction

My son got so many compliments on his costume last year, that this Halloween he wanted to do something similar.  Instead, he was abducted by a VAMPIRE!  Here is a photo of this years costume:

Again, I used just a plain gallon milk jug and primed and painted it to look like a vampire.  I decided that I had to add some texture to his hair to really make it look realistic so I applied masking tape to the bottom of the jug (top of head) to cover the grooves in the plastic.  Then I painted the hair black.  After it was dry, I used a hot glue gun to apply "hair" on top of the vampire's head.  I then painted over the hair one more time.  The texture really made the hair look realistic.  The kids in my son's class couldn't stop touching it!  I added some cardboard "ears" to complete the look.  The cape nicely covers the milk jug's handle in the back.  

My son has already decided that next year's costume will be a similar abduction.  He loves the attention he gets from people as they try to figure this costume out!  Oh, and he loves the extra candy he gets while trick or treating in this creative costume!

And because I am such a proud mommy, here are my other cuties in their costumes:

Batman

Of course, you know Slash from Guns & Roses, right?

Now you can start getting ready for Halloween 2012!  If you want more detailed instructions on how I put this costume together, which has several changes to the Family Fun costume, please let me know.  Thanks!

I Painted Mine Yellow!

Pretty often when I want to do something, I just do it.  But, I admit it...sometimes it takes me FOREVER to make a decision.  Especially when I try to involve my husband in the decision-making process.  Take, for example, our front door.  It really needed to be refreshed with some paint. It was basic builder's white.  Well, actually, a dirty-looking shade of off-white which I realized later as I began to paint our trim a nice, crisp white. But, I digress...

You see, last year, we decided it was time to paint our front door.  And we couldn't make a decision on a color, so we left it.  FOR A WHOLE YEAR!!! So recently, I decided it was time to finally JUST DO IT already.  Our house is a steely blue-gray and our shutters are a dark, dark blue.  Well, I didn't want the door to match the shutters because I thought it would be too dark.  

But that's what EVERYONE DOES!  

Walk around our neighborhood and everyone's door matches their shutters, unless they have replaced their builder's basic door with a fancy wooden one.  If you live in the suburbs like I do, take a walk around your neighborhood and I bet it's true there too. Am I right?

I searched online for information and images on painted front doors.  I learned that it really is okay not to have a plain white door or one that matches your shutters.  I learned that it's okay to have a different accent color on your front door.  It's OKAY if it stands out, or "pops".  In fact, it's even a very good thing.  Really.  (But try to explain that to your conservative husband, and, well....just realize that you two are both very different and then go with your gut!)

So I considered several shades of red, which is a classic front door color. Nope, not for me.  I considered a lighter shade of blue, a darker shade of blue, and I considered gray, brown, black, and even white again.  I used this awesome online tool by Sherwin Williams called the paint color visualizer which allows you to upload your own photo and then change the paint colors of your selected areas.  

I also grabbed a bunch of paint chips that I thought might work.  Then I cut them down into little door-shaped rectangles (and even drew a doorknob on several of them, just for effect).  Then - and this part will really intrigue your nosy neighbors! - I stood on the curb facing my house and held up the little paint chip rectangle until it was directly in front of my actual door.  If you squint just right, it will look like this little paint chip is your actual door.  It works, really!  See, most people will tell you to buy several little sample bottles of your possible colors and paint them on the surface your considering and then make your decision.  Not me.  That's not how I roll...

The problem was, none of the "popular" front door colors appealed to me.

See, I LOVE yellow, but, you can't paint a door yellow, right?  Everybody knows that.   So like any normal, creative, DIY-er, I strolled around blogland until I found these pictures of people who weren't afraid of a yellow door and I knew I had to do it!  

From My Notting Hill

From Your Nest Design

From Simplified Bee

Photo credit:  HGTV.com

So I DID IT!  I painted our front door yellow!!!  And I LOVE IT!!!

The BEFORE - with the plain white door.  Okay, but just not me...
Obviously, this is an old photo - the shrubs have grown up quite a bit!

And the AFTER!

My new yellow front door.  So happy.  So cheerful.  It's totally ME!

This color is "Shoreline" from Valspar.  

The yellow is so cheerful and happy.  And quite the contrast to the subdued gray-blue of the house.  I love walking up to our front door now.  And my husband?  Well, let's just say that he doesn't totally hate it...

What do you think?    

Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirts

A rainy day.  Three boys.  Three plain t-shirts, freezer paper, and paint.  That's all it takes to create a one-of-a-kind shirt.   Well..I guess you really don't need the boys....  But without them, it's just not quite as much fun!

The purple shirt isn't one of my own creations.  My littlest guy loved his shirt so much that he had to wear it immediately and got it dirty before I could snap the photo!  You'll be happy to know, however, that it has been washed several times and the paint is holding up quite nicely.  

If you found this post, you've probably already searched for freezer paper stencils and know how to do it.  But just in case you're not familiar with the how-to's, I'll explain it. You'll need the following things:

• Freezer Paper
• Image for your stencil
• Exacto knife (or small scissors)
• Iron
• T-shirt (pre-washed, without using fabric softener)
• Paint (I use plain ol' acrylic craft paints.  You can also use fabric paint which is more expensive - your choice!  You can also add "Fabric Painting Medium" - sold where craft paints are sold - but I find it unnecessary.)

1. Freezer paper can be found near the plastic wrap and foil at the grocery store or Wal-Mart.  One side is just like paper, while the other side is shiny, like waxed paper.  Once you have your freezer paper, all you need is some inspiration for your shirt design.  Ask your kids what they want on their shirt - you might be surprised by what they pick.  My boys picked:  skateboarding, biking, and "all sports".  You can search for stencil images online or in kid's coloring books.   Or you can do what I did and use a photo of your child as inspiration.  My oldest son wanted "skateboarding" and, being 9 years old, knows what he wants and what he doesn't.  So after looking at a ba-jillion "skateboarding" images that just weren't right, I suggested that we use his silhouette on his shirt.  WINNER!!!!  So I found an action shot of him skateboarding, enlarged it to the ideal size, and traced the outside edges.  Instant silhouette!  
2. After you have your image, you need to make a stencil using the freezer paper.  Cut the freezer paper down to a few inches larger than your image and then, on the paper side, trace your image.  (Some people have printed their image directly onto the paper side of their freezer paper with good results.  I haven't tried this, though.)  You might want to start with a simple pattern first.  Then take an exacto knife and cut out the image, keeping any inside pieces like eyes or the inside of an "O" which you'll use in the next step.  
3. After you have cut out your stencil, it is time to iron it onto your shirt.  Place it on your shirt shiny, waxed side down.   Then, place a piece of cardboard or parchment paper inside the shirt to prevent any paint from leaking to the back (part of an old cereal box works great).  I fold and tape my shirt snugly so that it doesn't shift while I'm painting.  Iron over it using the appropriate setting and it will magically stick to the shirt- but only temporarily!  Be sure that there are no gaps where paint can seep under. Remember to add your little cutout pieces!  I iron on the main part first, then add the little extra pieces one at a time - it's just easier that way!
4. Paint!  If you've never stenciled before, it's important to use a lightly loaded paintbrush and apply it starting at the edges of the stencil  and work your way inside.  I usually do two coats of paint to ensure an even application.  It's so easy, even a 5 year old can do it with fantastic results!



I love this look of concentration!  Really, it's super easy!



Don't worry, it won't look this terrible for long!  And if you happen to get a little blue where your orange should go, don't worry, just blend it all together and it'll look like you were trying to create depth and shadows in your design!

5. Once you have finished painting, let it dry lightly and then...THE FUN PART!  Remove your freezer paper stencil and say "Oooohhhhhh!" and "Aaaaaahhhhh!

Here is the "All Sports" shirt for my middle son.  This shirt requires stencil overlays - first we painted the background colors of the balls and after that dried, we added the second stencil for the details.  

Shaun White fans will recognize this symbol:  the red "M" is actually the logo found on the Shaun White clothing collection from Target!  I merely turned the "W" upside down to create an "M", which is my son's initial! And the silhouette is from a photo of my son skateboarding...He wears this shirt as often (perhaps even more often) than his Shaun White shirts!  I always say he is like a walking billboard for Shaun White!

I Saved a HUMMINGBIRD!

My family and I really enjoy watching the tiny hummingbirds zoom by on their way to our hummingbird feeder.  They have really gotten used to us being there and have even visited the feeder when I was watering a nearby plant and was less than a foot away!  Even my youngest son was able to watch them feed from less than a couple of feet.  We have spotted as many as 5 at a time fighting their way to the nectar.  And by fighting, I mean, really fighting!  Hummingbirds really don't know how to share very well...

Anyway, the other day, my youngest son yelled to me that there was an "Emergency!"  Now, being 4 years old, he doesn't always understand the concept of emergencies, but this time,  he was right.  There was  a tiny hummingbird in our garage.  Apparently, he had taken a wrong turn leaving our feeder and was hovering near the light in the garage.  He kept staying up near the ceiling and wouldn't fly and lower towards the door.  Every time he hit the ceiling or the wall I was afraid he'd just collapse from the struggle.  I was so worried about him.  I tried everything I could think of to lure him lower.  Turned out the light.  Put a pot full of petunias on the floor of the garage.  Hung the hummingbird feeder in the garage on a hook by the petunias.  NOTHING WORKED!  

FINALLY A FLASH OF INSPIRATION!


I actually held the hook on which the hummingbird feeder was hanging up to him near the ceiling.  To my delight, he stopped struggling to feed!  While he was feeding on the nectar, I  S-L-O-W-L-Y lowered the feeder and moved toward the door.  He was drinking and perched on the feeder the whole time!  I got him to the door and he took off outside!  YIPPIE!  I was so happy for him!


By the way, did you know that the best RECIPE for hummingbird food is actually very simple (and cheap!):

4 parts water to 1 part sugar (just regular old sugar)

I've read conflicting things about boiling the water first but I always do.  I figure I'll be cautious and just do it.  Besides, it helps the sugar dissolve quicker.  Just be sure to let it cool before you fill your feeder!  And don't add any red food coloring!  That red stuff you buy in the store apparently may be bad for them....


Happy Hummingbird Watching!

More Girl's Hair Bow Organizers and Name Signs

Here are a couple of the newest girl's hair bow organizers that I've completed.    These are designed to look like little handbags/purses for those little fashionistas and divas out there.  I have had a great response to these!

Each one is completely hand painted so no two are ever exactly alike (no stencils, vinyl, or decoupage here!).  The hair bow holders come with 2 lengths of 24" coordinating ribbon which provides plenty of space to organize many hair clips and bows.  The handle is a genuine black plastic purse handle.  I always use high quality acrylic paints and use several coats of sealer to protect the finish.

I also sell the completed plaques as name signs which could personalize a child's room or door.  The name signs (of course) are sold without the coordinating ribbon for  organizing clips and bows.

Zebra Stripes and Pink with Polka Dots
Hair Bow Organizer  $34

Zebra Stripes with Pink and Polka Dots
Name Sign  $28

Pink and Black with Polka Dots and Heart Vine
Hair Bow Organizer  $34

Pink and Black with Polka Dots and Heart Vine
Name Sign  $28

I am always designing new ones, so if you would like to see something else, please let me know!

If you would like more information or would like to place an order, please feel free to contact me!

How many times do you start and stop a blog post?

Okay, here's the thing.  Being new to blogging (and being a person who edits and proofreads constantly), I am finding it quite difficult to keep up with blog posts...


Now, of course, it doesn't help that every time I actually have a chance to get on the computer, I begin aimlessly wandering around blogland looking at all the great diy projects and envisioning them in my home (and mentally searching my "stash" of supplies to see if I can run and do any of them RIGHT NOW, without a trip to Lowe's, Home Depot, or Michaels).  


Plus, I admit it.  I am a procrastinator by nature.  I don't mean to be.  I just am.  Except when I have a project to work on for someone else.  Then I am RIGHT ON THE BALL.  So maybe, I need to try and treat myself as I treat others.  Get it done and do it right.  


So, how many other people have a problem with getting things done?  Especially blog posts.  I'm sure that it will get easier as I get used to doing it.  Everything is, right?


Good luck to you all in getting done today whatever it is you need to do.  Now, I have used up all my computer time and need to tend to the kiddos!  Happy surfing...

Girl's Hair Bow Organizers = The Perfect Gift!

I got a telephone call from one of my very favorite little girls today.  She (and her mom) had ordered one of my hand-painted hair bow organizers for her friend's birthday party.  She gave it to her over the weekend and was calling to tell me that her friend (and her friend's mom) "LOVED IT"!  She (and her mom) proceeded to order yet another one for an upcoming birthday party!  (I will post photos of this one ASAP).


It thrills me to pieces to hear from happy customers (especially when they are very fashionable five-year-olds!).  I absolutely LOVE to talk with my customers and come up with new designs and products specifically for them.  It's something that you can't buy at any store and I think it makes the perfect gift.  What child doesn't love getting something with their name painted on it using their favorite colors, hobbies or theme from their room?  

Here are photos of two that I have finished recently.   

It's what I do and it's what I love!

***If you would like to order a hand painted Hair Bow Organizer (or any other item), please contact me!***


Each piece is completely hand-painted - no stencils, rub-ons, or vinyl here! - and finished with several coats of sealer for protection from little hands.  All products used are non-toxic and come from a smoke-free home.  

Pet Portraits

One of the things that I really LOVE doing is painting (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that before).  I also love animals.  So, one of the things I really enjoy is PAINTING PET PORTRAITS for other animal lovers!   

I have been steadily adding to my portfolio as new commissions come in and 

am ready to share a few of them with you...  

Bear, a Newfoundland mix, was painted for Deb and Kyle K.  as a memorial after 
he lost his battle with cancer.  
Bear was described as a "valiant protector" and I added this custom tag in the shape of a shield, 
as a symbolic reminder of his devotion to his loving family.  

This portrait was painted for Nancy and Don R. as a tribute to their beloved Killian.

This is a portrait of Princess, an American Eskimo dog, was  commissioned by Amanda S. and Kris R.
as a gift for his Aunt Sue.   I customized this tag for her.

This painting of "Puppers" was commissioned by Michelle W. and Steve  N. as a gift for his Mother.    

I work from photos that people have taken of their pets and I always ask for a description of their pets before I begin work.   I want to know about the animal's personality and what makes them special to their people.  It may sound corny, but I keep these descriptions in my mind while I am painting and I think that it really helps me "capture" their personality on canvas.  My customers always have the choice of background colors and I love to add personalized details to the portraits when appropriate.  One of my favorite ways to do this is by adding a custom dog tag or pet tag with their name.  Usually the tag somehow relates to the personality of the pet.  Perfect examples of this are the tags I made for Bear and Princess!  

Hand Painted Gifts!

I am a painter.  

Artist.  

But not a snooty, snobby, kind.  :)  

I love to paint things for other people.   I began painting mostly gifts for children, including personalized photo frames, Christmas ornaments, canvas, and even wall murals.   I love the excitement when a child receives something hand painted just for them, with their own name on it!

Here are photos of some of my work.   (By the way, I take requests, so if you are interested in having something hand painted, please contact me for more information!)

$14 - Christmas Ornament
Includes Baby's full name, birth date,
and birth details on back!  All details
can be customized for YOU!
Other Ornament Styles Available!

$25 "Cute As Can Bee First Birthday" Photo Frame.
Size:  Approx.  10" x 10" holds 4"x6" photo
Perfect Gift for Baby's First Birthday!

$25 - Boys Treasure Box
Size:  Approx.  9" x 12" x 4" Deep
Holds lots of little treasures!

$30 - Girls Hair Bow Organizer
Size:  Approx. 9" oval
FREE PERSONALIZATION!
Colors may be altered upon request!

You can also view my Painted Mine! Facebook Page for more samples of my work!

Our Funny List

So, I said I would post a pic of my version of the Subway Art craze and here it is!  "WHAT???"  I can just hear you all saying...What does this mean?

Well, you know how you and your BFF (or husband, wife, whoever) have those "you-just-had-to-be-there" moments?  Stuff that only makes sense to you and them and no one else.  That's what makes your relationship with that person so wonderful.  Those shared memories.  They're the glue that builds bonds in relationships, I think.

Anyway, a loooooonnnnngggg  time ago, when my oldest was just a baby, I was telling my mom something funny that he had said or done and my mom said "Did you write it down?  Because if you don't, you'll forget..."  So I've been keeping a "Funny List" (for lack of a better title) over the years and finally, FINALLY, figured out what to do with it!  CREATE SUBWAY ART, OF COURSE!  I was keeping things written down on a dry-erase board, and my kids LOVE to read it, but it didn't look all that attractive.  Now, it really is a work of art!

I deliberately wanted it look whimsical and handwritten, so I didn't stress about making all the letters perfect (like I normally would) and I left some space to add more as new things come up.  We all love it!

Hello, Blog! It's Me, Jenny.

Okay, first things first.  Let me admit that I am in total awe of the amazing people out here in blogland  who are completing amazing projects!  I have been losing sleep, literally, thinking of all those projects out there just waiting for me.   Do you do that too?  


Here's a little bit about me...


I have always loved all things creative and am definitely a diy-er.  My husband shakes his head and gives me that look whenever I see something in the store and say "I could do that" or "We could buy it and paint it - then it would be awesome!".    We moved into our first home about 5 years ago, painted and decorated a little, but mostly, I am now ready to re-paint and re-decorate.   But, like most people, I need to do it on a budget.  I have Pottery Barn dreams on a thrift store budget...


We have 3 boys and now that they are getting bigger I have a little more time to devote to home projects.   I discovered blogger and have become totally addicted!  The problem is, the more I see, the more I want to do!  Will there ever be enough time to do these projects I have my eyes on?   


Mostly, I am just so excited to be out here, in the same universe as all these incredible, creative people.   It's a bit scary, though, kind of like going back to school and really wanting to sit with the cool kids and hoping that they like me...


The boys are calling me now to go out and play in the snow - that's how things go around here...Just when I start something, the boys go and decide that they need me.  Not that I mind (too much) of course!  So, good - bye for now.  I hope to hear from some of you soon.