DIY Leopard Acrylic Tray

After last week's one dollar dino post, I had a couple of e-mails asking about my leopard lucite tray.

It's actually a fantastically simple DIY inspired by the lovely Eileen of A Creative Day.
 Eileen's tray was inspired by the 'les touches' fabric and was created very simply with a gold leaf pen.

via A Creative Day

I was in love, and knew I had a small lucite tray that needed some leopard loving of it's own (I purchased it at Home Sense for around $5). AND it just so happened that I had the same gold leaf pen, so how could I not?
I went with a more traditional leopard design.

Now it's a perfection place for jewelry:

 Sunnies:

Every day beautify products:

Or even office supplies:

I just love it!
Hope you had a great weekend dolls xo

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My DIY Greek Key Bench

  Two DIYs in one week? Moving really has me on the ball people.
Today I bring to you the story of a bench.
^ Here is what it looks like now. I use it as a coffee table/ottoman in front of my couch, but it could easily go at the foot of a bed or in a front foyer! I love how versatile a good bench is.

Let's travel back in time to July, 2011 to see what the piece used to be:

Picked this baby up at Good Will for $4. It was chipped, bubbling and a strange height for a coffee table. But I saw the potential of those great legs (and yes, it took me over a year to finish even start this one).

The First step was to remove the top of the table:

^ It was attached with these L-brackets that easily unscrewed.

Next, I used the top as a template to cut out the 2inch upholstery foam that would sit on top to form the cushion of the bench.

I cut out the foam with a serrated knife and used spray adhesive to attach it to the table top. I did the same for a layer of cotton batting.

^Since my bench is four feet long, I ordered 2 yards of fabric and cut it down to size.
The fabric I chose was 'Greek Key, Buff' from Tonic Living.

Then, with the help of my parents, I staple gunned the fabric to the underside of the table and reattached the top. Oh and I also painted the base of the bench white!


I'm so pleased with the end result. The entire project cost me around $40. I had the paint leftover from an old project so that kept costs low, but it required very little paint!
Then, on a trip to Home Sense, I was even more pleased when I spotted this:

The EXACT same fabric on a similar looking bench for 200 dollars!

Pretty amazing if you ask me!
xo

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DIY: Gold Skull

What a weekend that was my loves! But I am officially moved in to my new place in TORONTO. Though I'm feeling a bit lonely right now, I love the space and know that soon enough it will feel like home.

Today I've got an easy peasy skull tutorial, perfect for the fall, Halloween, or really just any time of the year if you ask me!

This tutorial is inspired by the latest skull trend, and more specifically this image:

via

If you have a Micheals near by, you're set, because that's  where I got all of my supplies! If not, its Halloween decor time so you should be able to find skulls at local dollar stores, etc.

Supplies: Skull and Gold Spray Paint (seriously, that's it...maybe some newspaper).

^ I found this paper mache guy at Micheals for only $2 (when I used the weekly 40% off coupon).

The one and only step: Spray paint!!!! I did three coats.

Then display and enjoy. I just love how this little guy adds some edge to my new home!

I have a whole slew of fun projects to share with you over the next few weeks (including my greek key bench you can see in the photos above), so stay tuned!
xox

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DIY: Touch of Gold Picture Frame

I wanted to frame my ultra glamorous print of Audrey Hepburn that my mom got from a vendor in NYC, but I wasn't sure what colour of frame to use since the print came with a black matte.
I thought white would be too stark of a contrast and take away from the picture, but black might be too basic.
In the end, I went with a plain black Ribba frame, to which I added a gold band on the inner part of the frame.

I love the result, and it was super easy:

1) The Supplies:

Picture Frame (I used Ribba) / Piece of art / Painters tape / Krylon 18kt Gold Leaf Pen

2) Pop the guts (glass, matte, backing etc.) out of the frame, leaving the frame only.
Carefully cover the face of the frame with painter's tape, making sure the edge is straight and clean.

3) Using the gold leaf pen, colour in the inside edge of the frame

4) Allow the paint to dry for about ten minutes

5) Peel  the tape off slowly, frame your art and enjoy!

The result is fantastically subtle. From straight on, the frame looks all black, but viewed from an angle, the touch of gold adds the perfect amount of sparkle.

all photos via Tiffany Leigh Interior Design

A super quick and easy project! What do you think?

xo

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Reveal: Bohemian Treehouse

Last summer, I did a styling makeover on the treehouse in my backyard, and have been waiting until the heat of this summer to reveal it to all of my readers! This has been one of my favourite projects so far... turning a blank and unused kids space into an adult friendly backyard oasis.

Here is the Tree House Before:

And here is the Treehouse After:

I love how the space turned out! It is the perfect little reading retreat.What do you think!? xo

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DIY: My 'Brilliant' Glitter Art

Warning: This DIY will leave you feeling looking sparkly for days
Cost: About $10 (excluding frame)
Difficulty: 3/5

Recently, while watching Home with Novogratz, I discovered the amazingly talented glitter artist Camomile Hixon who combines glitter with a sense of humour and purpose to create some amazing artworks. I especially like her word art, so I decided to recreate the look with some glitter, some glue, and a homemade stencil!

The materials:
1. A picture frame
2. Painter's tape
3. 24 kt Gold Extra Fine Glitter (or any colour you want!)
4. Permanent Marker
5. Fine cutting knife
6. Spray glue (The jar of glue you see pictured didn't work)
7. Cutting Surface
8. Cardstock Paper (I used printer paper, but it got so wrinkled..go with a heavier stock)
9. Overhead paper (You know..that clear plastic paper)
10. Newspaper
11. A heavy book

Write your word of choice onto the clear paper using permanent marker. You can free hand it like I did, or you can print off the word and trace it.

 Carefully cut out your stencil using a fine cutting tool. Take your time with this process.

Attach the stencil to your cardstock with painters tape. Also use painters tape in the center of letters where you do not want glitter (like I did here in the B, Ls and A).

This step was an epic fail.  Save yourself the hassel and use spray glue over your entire stencil (also make sure everywhere you don't want glue is covered in painters tape. I didn't and the newspaper stuck...See in the next photo where the upper right hand corner is bare)

Cover the whole thing in glitter!!!

Cover with newspaper and a heavy book, to ensure that lots of glitter sticks. Leave for about 20 minutes, remove the book and newspaper. Shake off all the excess glitter (I was able to pour most of it back into the jar).  Lastly, spray the piece again with the spray glue to seal in the glitter. Let it dry for about 20 more minutes. Carefully peel off the painters tape and stencil.
Frame your masterpiece!

I love how sparkly and glittery it turned out, it even has a bit of a 3D pop. The edges aren't perfectly crisp, but the scattering of glitter is so pretty. The word 'brilliant' sitting on my desk will inspire me to believe in my ideas every day!
Now that I've taken you through the whole messy process...I will let you in on my secret for the NEXT time I create some glitter art....glitter paper. I think it'll make the whole process a lot less messy.
What do you think?!
xo
 
Ps. I'm picking the winner of my giveaway TONIGHT as promised. Last chance to enter!

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