Striped Gallery Wall

A little cabin fever with sub-zero temps had me looking at areas of our home to “clean” up which lead to painting a striped gallery wall. Strange how my brain works but once I cleared the bookcases (so much dust!), that inspired the idea to dress up the entire area. 

What I used: 

  • FrogTape® Multi-Surface
  • paint – I used leftover paint from our laundry room. Color is Valspar Mineral Ash. Existing wall color is Benjamin Moore Smoky Taupe. 

What I did:

I cleaned the wall above our build in bookcases. I marked where the framed prints hang on the wall then using the level, marked light pencil lines horizontally. 

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

Then I applied the FrogTape.

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

I used my thumbnail to secure the edges of the FrogTape to the wall in order to get nice crisp paint lines. 

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

Then simply painted the wall two coats. 

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

While the second coat was still wet, I removed the FrogTape and let the paint dry. 

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

Then hung up my prints and restyled the bookcases. Paint is such an easy way to create a new look, add some interest and to freshen up the space.

DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff DIY striped gallery wall tutorial @diyshowoff

Now to come up with some seating for this area. Stay tuned!

FrogTape Blog Squad

Disclaimer: I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

DIY Color Block Painted Door Makeover

Remember when I finished the combined nursery / guest room  makeover a few months ago…

combined nursery/guest room @diyshowoff 

I had a few finishing touches left to share. One of them was taking this plain door that leads to the guest bathroom…

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

and giving it a fun look. Paint is such an easy way to make a fun and bold statement, add a pop of color and definitely a touch of “wow” to the room…

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

What I used:

  • plain white door
  • sample of Valspar paint (color: rushing stream, finish: satin)
  • paintbrush
  • FrogTape
  • yard stick and pencil

What I did:

1. I gave the door a good scrub. Amazing how unnoticeable the dust is on those recessed panels. Who knew?

2. Using my yard stick, I found the center point of the door horizontally. Then made marks for where I’d like each “chevron” point to be. I didn’t really space them out exact. From the top, the first section is 14 inches down. 

3. Using FrogTape, I created a “v” shape. I eye-balled the angle. 

4. I repeated the “v” shape. A lot of my spacing and angle had to do with the panels, not exact measurements. 

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

5. I used my thumbnail (a credit/gift card would also work) to burnish the edges of the tape. 

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

6. I painted one coat and let it dry. Then brushed on a second coat. 

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoffchevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

7. While the paint was still wet, I removed the FrogTape. Try pulling away from the paint, as shown:

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

 

Before:

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

After: I am in love with the large scale bold design. It’s so unexpected and fun. 

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

 

and just that small project makes a big statement, doesn’t it? 

 

chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

 

I love how it kicks the guest room/nursery room decor up a notch. 

{before}Guest Room/Nursery reveal @diyshowoff

{after}chevron color block door tutorial @diyshowoff

See the entire nursery/guest room reveal here. See this project and more in the Lowe’s Creative Ideas digital magazine. 

LCI Spring

I received a Lowe’s gift card to put towards this challenge. Opinion and above idea is 100% my own. More DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas or follow Lowe’s on InstagramPinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app.

Felted Soap Tutorial

It’s time for the monthly Michael’s Makers challenge! I’ve been wanting to/meaning to make felted soap for years and I can finally check it off my craft bucket list. But first, January is a great time of year for getting organized. I love these Recollections Memory Boxes with chalkboard labels for keeping crafting supplies organized in my craft room…

organized craft room @diyshowoff 

My craft project this month is felted soap. It’s something I usually purchase, handmade from boutiques…always for gifts but never for myself. I’ve always wanted to attempt to make my own but just never made the time to give it a try. Just one of those crafts that seemed time consuming or difficult. Boy, was I ever wrong! It’s so easy! No craft-talent required, although I bet it’s something we can acquire a skill at doing, to create some beautiful works of art maybe even too pretty to use. A fun craft to do with the kids as well.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

What is felted soap? It’s like having your bar of soap wrapped in a felt washcloth. It lengthens the number of uses of a bar of soap and there’s lots of lather! It’s also pretty…you decide on colors or designs to coordinate with your bathroom decor, seasons or holidays, etc. You choose the soap brand or scent or even make your own.  

Materials I used: Shop Michaels Online

  • bar of soap (I made 3 this time around: lavender, peppermint and even an activated charcoal soap.)
  • wool roving
  • nylon stocking (cut to fit over soap with room to tie opening)
  • water, paper towels, drying rack
  • optional: felt appliqué and felting needle tool

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Do a search for felted soap tutorials. There are a lot of different ways to go about this. This is what I did:

1. I wrapped the bar of soap with a piece of wool roving in the long direction around a bar of soap, as tight as I could get it to stay. I left a little overlap on the edges/corners. I used a thin sheet of roving and kept the overlapping the pieces on the back to a minimum.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

2. I then wrapped wool roving the other direction. I tucked in the overlap on the corners from the first piece of wool roving placed. 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

3. Optional: add thin strands of different colors. Add an appliqué using a felting needle tool. Just place and punch. I didn’t really notice that it ‘stuck’ well (I could easily pull it back off) but it did seem to grab a few fibers and that seemed to be all that was needed to keep it sort of secure and in place. Maybe I did it wrong, I’m not a felting expert. lol! 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

4. I carefully placed the wrapped bar of soap into a piece of nylon stocking. If it was the toe piece, I tied a knot in one end. When I ran out of toe/foot stocking pieces, I used the leg parts of stocking and tied both ends. This just holds everything all together and in place.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

5. In the kitchen sink, I prepared a bowl of hot water. I dipped the nylon covered soap into the hot water and started “washing my hands” with the soap. Rubbing each side of the soap, lathering. Repeating for 15 minutes. Yes, it feels like a long time standing there, but it’s not really a long time for a DIY craft project. It’s worth it. Pull up a stool or chair! Be aware of the appliqué so that it doesn’t slide around or change shape. And don’t forget to give attention to the corners and edges of the bar of soap.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

6. Next I did a rinse in cold water, lathered one more time for a minute or so then a cold rinse and squeezed to remove some of the water.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

7. I then cut away/removed the nylon stocking and patted with a dry paper towel. If it does look as if the felt is not adhered well, repeat steps 5 and 6…without the nylon. 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakersDIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

8. Set aside to dry overnight (I put mine on a rack with paper towels underneath). 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

It’s addicting…

How to Make Felted Soap @diyshowoff.com #michaelsmakersHow to Make Felted Soap @diyshowoff.com #michaelsmakers

I want to make more, try more detailed designs! Maybe add a few drops of essential oil. Open my own shop! Okay, I wouldn’t go quite that far. But, I even made up a felted soap-on-a-rope by tying on wool yarn before felting (then simply decorated it by adding some wool yarn stripes). 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakersDIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

What do you think? Something you want to try? Looking for more fun craft ideas? Check out these January projects from the Michael’s Makers team:

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#michaelsmakers

Haven’t decided what project you’re going to kick off 2015 with? Stop by Michaels’ blog  The Glue String  for inspiration from all 30 of the Michaels Makers.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to clean out your closet, your office or even your bedroom, but you’re sick of the typical containers and boxes – here are some cool and creative DIY storage ideas that might help!

For those of us that just need a place to store our craft materials and organize our scrapbook paper, paint, markers and yarn, you must check out these nifty craft storage systems.