Button Tree Art

This wonderful piece of art was so simple to make. Now, I took a lot of shortcuts to make it but there are other ways to create similar looking replicas. I cheated using a Cricut Paper Cutter and black paper.

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Materials:

• Black Construction Paper
• Buttons (I used 40 various cream and white buttons)
• Grey Paint - of course I used by beloved gripper paint because that's what I had laying around
• Super Glue - Sure you could use a hot glue gun - but it's just more SUPER!
• Canvas - Mine is 11x14 inches

Directions:
Paint your canvas the color you prefer for the background. I used grey but I imagine a light blue would be lovely. Next time, I may even try pink and white sponge work done to resemble a sun set. Let paint dry and apply extra coats as needed.
I used my wonderful and FABULOUS cricut paper cutter and vinyl to create the base for the tree. Alternatively, you could us black paper and a stencil or even just paint it if you are so inclined. Using mod podge or any adhesive, attach the tree to the DRY canvas.

  

Arrange your buttons as you would like. I used various ivory and white buttons that are each unique - wonderfully, these are what I happen to have at home. At first I used mod podge (as seen in the image) but quickly switched to super glue for a better stick.

My amazing stepmom gave me a ton of buttons a while back but if you don't have any, they are great to buy on eBay, online discount craft stores or even Etsy.

And that's it. Let the button glue dry well before you display.

Don't feel like making this yourself? I get it! That's why I made this one for you! Buy it and anything else in the blog (minus the food sadly) in my etsy shop!
Check out my etsy shop: 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91149908/elegant-grey-and-black-button-tree

Teal Flower Art

I MADE THESE!! I cannot believe it because words like "hand painted" or "sewing machine" scare me. Don't worry, no sewing machine was used for this piece.

I was unsure if I would be able to make this and it turn out right - but it did!!!!

I just love this and I promise that it is really easy and versatile. 

Materials:

• 3 Canvases - Around 5.99 each or just wait for a sale and buy them in a pack. I got them for around $2 each at Micheal's on sale.
  

  

  The black edges are just wonderful

• Grey Paint (of course I used my gripper paint) - Grey Spray Paint at Home Depot is around $3; I just used what is at home
• Black Paint, stainer, or what is on hand - Black Spray Paint at Home Depot for $1 (which is the regular price)
• Teal Paint - At Home Depot for $5; I just used Spray Paint
  
• Six Sticks - FREE 
• Six Paper Flowers - See the Paper Flower Tutorial in the DIY Projects section on this blog
• Foam Brushes - Under $1 each - You can also use a paint brush, but you will need one foam brush.
• Tacky Glue or hot glue. Something that will dry clear. - About $4

 Directions:
Painting The Canvas: Obviously, this is the first part of this project. Painting is done in four easy stages: grey, black, teal, black edges.  

Stage One: Grey: Paint each canvas grey - I recommend using to coats. Wait to completely dry.  


Stage Two: Black Streaks: Using black paint and a paint brush or foam brush, create the streaking effect on the piece. I used a stainer that was out for another project but black paint or black spray paint can be used as well. If using spray paint, just spray on a paper plate or elsewhere and using a foam brush, apply the paint. 

QUICKLY Stroke with Foam Brush

Paint the Canvas Teal

Stage Three: Teal: This part is where you need clean foam brush. Paint the entire canvas teal, even the sides. QUICKLY take your foam brush and stroke the same direction soaking up some of the top teal paint. This will allow the dark streaking and grey to show through causing a beautiful, antiqued look. Allow this to completely dry. 

Apply at an angle

Stage Four: Black Edges: This part was inspired by the Christmas gift my sister made me. You MUST check out her Etsy store; she is the sister that got all the artistic talents! Here is her Etsy Store site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LinseyRundell?ref=pr_shop_more
Okay so back to the tutorial. I used my fancy $1 spray paint. Like always, I was painting on my favorite old box as my work space and simply sprayed the paint on the box (a paper plate would work here as well). Lightly (LITTLE PAINT IS KEY - You can always add more), dip the foam in your black paint - just the tip (insert pervy jokes here - CHRISTIE!) - and the angle the foam brush along the edges of your canvas creating a faint black outline. Let the completely dry while you search for sticks. 
Adding the Rest:

Glue on Sticks

Glue on Flowers

At this point you should have three dry and painted canvases, your twigs, and folded your flowers - I made these from an old book. Check. Check and Check. Okay. This part is SO easy. Just use tacky glue or a hot glue gun and glue on the sticks and flowers. Yep....that's it! Let the glue completely dry and show off your new HANDMADE beautiful art to everyone! 

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these in my etsy store: 
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/89805426/set-of-three-hand-painted-teal-flower

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Flower Crayon Art

Handmade Crayon Art is too easy to make!  And with a little practice it becomes a LOT better. I saw the idea of creating art - rather than just melting crayons on canvas. This is my second attempt. I simply melted the crayons - I used green, yellow, and brown - and turned the canvas upside down creating a planter look. I used handmade paper flowers. This project is so versatile. You can paint the canvas, use any crayon colors, and any flower colors or patterns! I greatly enjoyed this project!

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Materials:

• A ton of crayons - I used 25 - $5 At Walmart
• Canvas - Mine is 16x20 - Around $6
• Tacky Glue - or any glue that dries clear - $2
• Paper Flowers - see Paper Flower tutorial under DIY Projects in this blog
• Hairdryer or Embossing Gun - FREE!! - We know you must have one

Directions:    
Glue the desired colors to the bottom of your canvas. Let completely dry; I waited about 30-45 minutes. Once the glue has dried, get your hair dryer prepped. When I began, I had the canvas straight up. However, I found that if you put it at a 45 degree angle, it produces the best results. Fanning evenly back and forth it should take about 5-6 minutes before the crayon will start to melt. Once you have them melting nicely, you can guide whichever lines down father which will create the stems for your flowers. Let this completely dry before attaching the flowers. I used mod podge to attach my flowers but I imagine tacky glue would work as well. 
That's it! It's so simple and fun to make these. I also think this project would be fun to do with your kids or while babysitting!
Helpful Tips:
A small mouthed hair dryer works best. 
Evenly fan back and forth.  

If you are lost or need further help just see my Heart Crayon Art Tutorial under DIY Art Projects. It was the first crayon art I made and the tutorial is very thorough.  

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these in my etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahweston2010 

Heart Crayon Art

This piece is perfect to go in your daughter's room. It is also a great project to do with your children or while babysitting. It's easy to make and has so many options.
I learned that the more narrow the hairdryer is, the better your art comes out. This piece was done with a very wide-mouthed hairdryer. This was done with a wide-mouthed hair dryer; which is why it's not quite what I envisioned.

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Materials:

• Canvas - I used 12x12 - Around $7
• LARGE Box of Crayons - Around $5 at Walmart
• Tacky Glue or Hot Glue Gun - FREE - Use whatever you have
• Hair Dryer or Embossing Gun - Come on...you have one!

Directions:
Pull out the colors you want to use, I used various shades of pink and red. Peel the crayons and break them in half. Using tacky glue, attach the crayons in a heart pattern and let dry for about half an hour or longer.

Helpful Tips:
I peeled the crayons but you can just break them and attach them with the paper.
Keep flat while waiting for the glue to dry or else the crayons will slowly move.

Once completely dry, get ready for about a 20-30 minute project without moving. Get comfortable and turn on the television. 
Angle your picture however you want the melting to flow - weather it is an angle to the left or right or straight down or up the canvas. Take your hairdryer and evenly pan over each crayon. Once you loose hope that it will not melt, you are nearly there!! It takes about 5-6 minutes to actually begin dripping and then it is a quick process.

Helpful Tips:
I focused on one or two crayons and this caused the dripping to be less controlled. Be sure to move your hairdryer evenly over the crayons and you will have more control over the dripping.
The crayons will splash and drip off the canvas, do this project over paper or an old broken down box to protect your floors.

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these in my etsy store:
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/89268410/heart-crayon-art

Modern Art

No need to spend too much money on the decor in your house because you can just make it yourself! This project is so simple and fun to do.
For this project I just used paint and masking tape I already had at the house - making it a very inexpensive project.

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Materials:

• Canvas - I used 16x20 - Around $7 each
• Masking Tape - maybe $2
• Spray Paint or Paint - About $5 Depending on what you use
• Paintbrush - If using regular paint - under $1

Directions:

This project is extremely easy to do. Simply begin by taping your canvas in your desired pattern - or rather lack thereof. Either spray paint or use regular paint on the canvas. Let dry to the recommendations on your paint container. Apply a second layer and let dry. Once it has completely dried, carefully peel the tape off and viola! You're done.

  Helpful Tips: 
I used regular paint that I had laying around the house and old masking tape, but the tape bubbled up and therefore the paint leaked under; which ruined the painting. I am going to buy spray paint and new masking tape before I try this again. 


Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these on my etsy store: 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89241092/modern-art