'merry', indeed!
in the first of three different mantel decor projects i'm sharing with you this week,
the element of paint chips in this years' holiday decor is at the fore...
both the framed art and the paper chains make use of a rainbow of colorful paint chips
(sourced from my local Sherwin Willimans dealer),
in simple art projects that both adults and kids will love.
the framed art was created by simply gluing paint chips to plain printer paper,
then cutting out the shape of a tree and letters to spell out a message.
[i drew the letters on white paper, cut them out, traced them with pencil onto the paint chips,
and then cut the paint chips.]
i wanted the letters to be interesting, so i used a variety of fonts...
admittedly, the pink 'E' is unusual.
but the paint chip card was rectangular with holes in it, and i wanted to make use of that.
the letters and tree shape were glued to a fresh new sheet of white paper, cut to size,
and popped into my existing orange 'paint dipped' photo frames (from a previous project).
i thought about repainting the frames in rainbow colors. for a second.
then decided that it might be too much. (that doesn't happen often!!!) so i left them as-is.
i love the simple look of this arrangement.
paired with the 'create' message above the mantel backpiece,
the letters take on a whole new meaning: 'create merry'!!!
i like that. we need more merry this year!
the paper chains are an easy craft - made easier with paint chip strips:
those strips were cut in half width-wise.
half of those were used for the larger (thicker) links shown on the left.
then i cut the remaining strips in half lengthwise again.
half of those were used for the larger (thicker) links shown on the left.
then i cut the remaining strips in half lengthwise again.
they became the smaller (thinner) chain links shown on the right.
the chains are in ROYGBIVP color order -
first a group of more saturated hues, then a group of lighter, paler hues.
that pattern repeats several times on the smaller chain.
i used double-stick tape to hold them together -
and then i had to go back and use hot glue because the tape didn't hold. boooooo.
so my tip is this: just use hot glue the first time!!!
the chains are in ROYGBIVP color order -
first a group of more saturated hues, then a group of lighter, paler hues.
that pattern repeats several times on the smaller chain.
i used double-stick tape to hold them together -
and then i had to go back and use hot glue because the tape didn't hold. boooooo.
so my tip is this: just use hot glue the first time!!!
again, i'm sharing this as inspiration...
if paint chips aren't your jam, use other kinds of paper!
gift wrap, comic books, book pages - there are all kinds of colorful papers in the world!
links to previous related posts:
paint dipped picture frames
merry and bright Christmas theme
fabulous faux mantel
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What a cute idea to use the paint chips. Did the store kick you out as you were loading them into your cart? LOL. I did one for Easter-cutting Easter eggs out of them one year. Love the way they look as chains, though! Happy Holidays- Diana
ReplyDeleteoh goodness, no, i didn't raid a paint department display! i shared in one of my first posts this holiday season that i am using paint chips from some out of date paint fans that the manager of my local Sherwin Williams store GAVE me! i've never advocated that people grab paint chips from retail displays as craft supplies. it's so easy to ask for old ones that they need to dispose of, and i've never had them say no.
DeleteHappy Holidays, to you, too!