(thin) DIY wall art

We have a sliding door in our dining room…

eclectic dining room

It slides to the right to open. Which means, I can’t hang most things like framed art or a clock or mirror in that space if I want to slide the door open. Shown above…I can’t push that door any further than the mirror, otherwise, the door will knock it right off of the wall.

Earlier this week I shared a DIY foamboard project that I used as a fun gallery wall template/background…

foamboard wall art tutorial

Which made me think…foam board is lightweight AND thin and would work great in our dining room. Perfect wall art material fitting behind a sliding door.

This is how I also know that painting foam board isn’t such a great idea. It warps and bows but I’m still loving my project.

Using FrogTape, I taped off alternating stripes, making sure to press down the edges securely to activate the PaintBlock Technology (to keep the paint from seeping under the tape). 

FrogTape Wall Art

Then painted my stripes. (I think using a Sharpie or decorative tape would be a better option.)

DIY foam board art

I then removed my FrogTape. It did remove the paper backing in places which is what gives my finished project an aged, distressed look. Even though it didn’t go according to plan, I didn’t give up. 

Using my Silhouette Cameo, I created vinyl decals (flatware silhouettes and the letters “D I N E”). Vinyl and transfer paper provided by Happy Crafters

applying vinyl decals

Then I used a glaze to ‘stain’ the bright white stripes and the areas where the paper pulled off with the FrogTape. 

diy foam board art

So where the paper pulled away gives it a distressed look:

distressed dine sign

My foamboard is bowed so I did try adding weight for a while with books. Fail. It didn’t help. But I hung it up anyway using command strips. Even with the warping, it’s still a great fit behind the sliding door…

easy DIY dining room art 

With the sliding door open…

dining room sliding door wall art

Not bad, right? Lesson learned: don’t paint foam board but I do love that it’s lightweight and thin so I’ll definitely be creating another DIY foam board project for this space. Perfect behind my sliding door. 

*This post is brought to you by FrogTape. FrogTape provided by Shurtech. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience. For more FrogTape projects ideas, check out the FrogTape Blog Squad.

 FrogTape Blog Squad

*This is a sponsored post. Vinyl and transfer paper provided by Happy Crafters.

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Cheap and Easy DIY Temporary Accent Wall/Wall Art/Gallery Wall Template

I’ve been working on creating a “summer carnival mantel” for the “Fun in the Sun” Blog Hop. I wanted a background that was “NO COMMITMENT” and decided foamboard + FrogTape would do the trick. 

foamboard wall art 

Materials:

  • tri-fold {display} foam board
  • FrogTape

*I’m a member of the FrogTape blog squad and this is a sponsored post.

foamboard wall art tutorial

Tutorial:

I simply alternated FrogTape stripes on each of the 3 sections of the tri-fold display foamboard…

foamboard 

foamboard FrogTape wall art

I wrapped the tape around the outer edges and used my thumbnail to secure the tape edge into the fold for a clean line into the inner creases. 

FrogTape Wall Art

All done! FrogTape green worked out to be a great accent color for my colorful and eclectic summer carnival theme (have you seen my multi-color curtains in the family room)?

family room

Best part? Totally re-usable for changing up decor! Try wrapping paper, fabric, vinyl decals…add interest, color, pattern, texture. Great for rentals. So many options! *Note: Paint is not a good option and will warp foamboard.

Hanging:

The thing I loved about using this as a background for my ‘fun house’ mirror wall was that with the foam board laid out on the floor, I arranged the mirrors and frames. Then marked where I wanted things to hang with a pencil.

tracing wall gallery

Since it’s super light weight, hang with Command Strips.

hanging foamboard 

It’s nice that the command strips allow for moving around to be sure the foamboard is level.

Ievel

 

foamboard wall art

Nail through the foam board for placement of mirrors, frames or art.

hanging gallery wall

Then display! Here’s a sneak peek of the ‘summer carnival’ mantel…

DIYShowOff summer carnival mantel

And when I’m ready to change things up like I usually do, I can cover the foam board for a completely different look.

foamboard wall art tutorial

Neat, right?

Why I love this project:

  • Easy.
  • Cheap.
  • Lightweight.
  • Great for gallery wall template.
  • No commitment.
  • So many customizable options.
  • Re-usable.

See the summer carnival themed mantel for more pictures. 

summer carnival mantel

*This post is brought to you by FrogTape. FrogTape provided by Shurtech. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience. For more FrogTape projects ideas, check out the FrogTape Blog Squad.

 FrogTape Blog Squad

DIY Outdoor Giant Dice Game (LCR)

As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas team, I have the option to participate in monthly challenges. One of the themes to choose from for June is DIY Outdoor Games. Our family spends a lot of time together in the summer months at mom’s pool and at our home for cook-outs and bon-fires. Having a few games on hand makes get-togethers fun. 

DIY giant outdoor LCR dice game tutorial

I decided to make a giant version of a new-to-me dice game called LCR. Lowe’s supplied a gift card to complete this project. I think this would be a great summer DIY hostess gift too! 

DIY giant LCR dice game

Materials I used (can be altered using some leftover supplies too):  

  • Scrap 4″ x 4″ 
  • Sandpaper/sanding block
  • Stencils (3 “L”s, 3 “C”s, 3 “R”s and 9 circles). I created my own but Lowe’s also sells vinyl letters or you could draw/paint them free-hand. 
  • Rust-Oleum’s High Performance Enamel (gloss black)
  • Rust-Oleum’s Ultimate Polyurethane spray
  • 2 boxes of large canning jar lids (total 24 lids)
  • Rustoleum’s Self Etching Primer
  • Rustoleum’s Spray Gloss Protective Enamel (red)

TUTORIAL

Dice: 

1. Measure and cut cubes from the 4″ x 4″. Note: A 4 x 4 will more likely measure 3.5 inches, not 4 inches. My cubes are 3.5″ x 3.5″. I used scrap wood since 4″ x 4″ beams come in 10 foot pieces…although that’s great option for making these as hostess gifts this summer! 

cutting 4x4 DIY dice game

2. Sand edges and surfaces of each cube. 

sand wood cubes DIY giant dice game

Note: You can paint dice any way you choose: All one color with a different color lettering, color the lettering and leave the dice wood-toned, staining the wood and painting the lettering, etc. I will probably try something different with my next set so they’re each unique. 

3. Apply vinyl lettering/circles: one L, one R, one C to each die (the real game set shows them all beside each other on 3 face sides), then apply 3 circles to each die. Make sure to press them down securely. 

DIY LCR dice game tutorial

4. I elevated my dice and used a roller to apply my paint. Once dry, I flipped each die and painted the bottom side. 

giant LCR dice

5. Peel away vinyl stencils.

outdoor dice game tutorial

6. Once dry, I sanded each die for a distressed look then wiped them clean with a damp cloth. 

giant LCR dice game

7. Spray each die with a lacquer/clear coat sealant and let dry. 

sealing DIY dice

Chips:

Spray each side of each canning jar lid with self etching primer (allowing to fully dry on one side before flipping and spraying other side). Repeat with spray gloss protective enamel. Each coat takes a long time to dry, especially around the rubber seal of the canning jar lid. I found working outside helped speed up the drying process. 

DIY giant game chips tutorial

Time to Play!

DIY Outdoor LCR Dice Game Tutorial

Game Rules:

  1. Each player starts with 3 chips. 
  2. First player rolls the dice. 
  3. L = give a chip to the player to on your left. C = give a chip to the center pot. Roll an R = give a chip to the player to on your right.  Roll a dot = keep chip.
  4. Pass the dice to the player on the left for their turn. 
  5. You roll as many dice as chips you have (if 4 or more, roll all 3 dice).
  6. Losing all of your chips doesn’t mean you are out of the game…the game changes quickly! There is a chance another player will roll an L or an R and pass more chips to you. 
  7. Last person possessing one chip wins the center pot. 

DIY giant outdoor LCR dice game tutorial

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*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this project. The tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own. DIY results may vary.