Sunday, June 17, 2012

WRITING TABLE


Here are pictures of my new writing table for school.  I painted the bottom to match my reading table stools.  Then I did the Modge Podge decoration on the top with the help of my wonderful Aunt Fritzi.  She has the big Cricut machine which I am saving up for!  I am very happy with how it turned out!!!


Before...


After...



Bucket Seats

Here are my buckets newly painted.  I really like the color! I hope they last longer than last year.  I don't know why the top color keeps chipping but if it happens this year I am going to buy new buckets;)


Friday, June 8, 2012


Buckets I made for my reading table last summer.  I love them.  I have a little trouble with the dark brown paint on the top.  It doesn't want to stay.  This summer I painted that part dark red.  I'm not sure it will last either.  The other bucket I made for my nephew's third birthday.  I passed on the family Lincoln Logs to him in it.  This bucket came from Jimmy John's, was white, and the paint is staying beautifully.  My classroom buckets came from Menards and were green to begin with.  I have a feeling I just need different buckets. Oh well, maybe next year:)  The lids also came from Menards. They are contractor "seat" lids.  I put a little batting on the top of the lid for cushioning.  Then I wrapped the material around and under the lid and glued it.  Super easy!
2011-2012 Anchor Charts
Beginning of the year bulletin Board.













"How to" Genre














These are my 2011 Christmas Presents.  After I made my own a tthe beginning of the school year everyone really loves them.  So I made one my son's 3rd Grade teacher, my daughter's kindergarden teacher (which I don't have a picture of), my best friend, and my teaching partner.  I love them!!




How to Make a "Favorite Quote" Art Canvas
Materials:
12x24 Canvas (or any size of your choice)
Mat Finish Mod Podge
Scrapbook paper
Black or Brown Acrylic Paint
Stencils
White Paint Pen
Tools:
Paint Brushes
Paper Cutter




1. First choose a color scheme and pick out scrapbook paper that matches your color scheme.
2. Second cut your scrapbook paper in approximately 1 or 2 inch squares.  Keep in mind the smaller the squares the more you will need to cover the canvas.  This also means more time.
 






3.  Then lay your canvas in front of you with the piles of squares above it so you can access them easily.

4. Next use a large paintbrush to spread a generous amount of Mod Podge on the top corner of the canvas, like you see here.  Lay one square on this corner & cover with  more Mod Podge.
 


5. Now repeat step four, but this time be sure to overlap the first square of paper with the second square.

6. Then continue steps four & five until the canvas is covered.  I like to go around the border first with the most interesting pieces.  *Note: There is no pattern to follow.  Placing you paper squares on the canvas is totally random.

7. After that when the entire canvas is covered you will want to go back and apply another generous layer of Mod Podge over the whole canvas.  *Note: It will be white at first but it will dry clear.

8.  Now let your canvas dry completely.

9. Next cut out or use premade stencils to lay out your quote. *Note: I use my Cricut Machine to cut out the letters I want to use.  You can also free hand bubble letters if you want.
                                                   

10.  Then use a pencil to outline the letters.
11.  Next draw a boarder of your choice or any other shape or design on your canvas.  I like to use a pencil for this as well.

12. Now use your black or brown paint and go over the pencil marks of your letters, shapes, and boarder.  You will also be painting between the letters & boarder to give your art the look that it has scrapbook paper on top of a black canvas. *Note:  I always need two coats of paint.

 
13.  Also you will want to paint the outside edges of your canvas.  I have done this to most of those I have done.  (The canvas you see below that says "Sugar & Spice" I did not paint the outside edges.)

14.  After you are finished painting let your paint dry completely.
                                              

15. Once the paint is dry use the white paint pen to outline the letters and shapes.  This will clean up the lines and make your artwork pop.

16. Finally hang your artwork to enjoy or give it to a special person as a gift.

 
Here are some more examples of other "Favorite Quote" Art Canvases that I have made: