Upcycled Wall Art Project

Here is my upcycled CD wall art project. I made this to brighten up our dark office. It certainly does that but would even be more effective with a couple more panels!  I started with a 15x30" canvas and painted it  lime green.  I had a container of Weldbond glue and applied it on thick:

CD wall art before dusting!

I let the glue dry a couple days before hanging. Here it is in the corner opposite the window. What do you think... maybe a couple more panels, one violet and one turquoise or keep it all green? This could look fun in an entertainment or music room too!

DIY Simple Textured Wall Art with String!

DIY Simple Textured Wall Art with String!  

 

 This is a simple project, easy enough for kids.  All you need is a canvas, string, some sort of acid free glue, ( I used Collage Pauge decoupage glue I got at Joann's) Gesso and acrylic paint. Tools: large paint brush & scissors.

I  first thinned the Collage Pauge with a little water  in a container to make it drippy enough so it would run off the string, then dunked about a yard of string at a time into the Pauge, squished out the excess and then added the string to my canvas. Oh yes, it is good to wear some rubber gloves because this stuff is hard to get off of the hands!

When dry add 1-2 coats of Gesso. Let this dry.

 Then add color!

                    Simple wall art to brighten our dark corner of our new townhouse

Like this idea? Comments welcomed!

DIY Thanksgiving Ideas, Recipes & Decor

 

I love these tea lights placed inside gourds from Family Circle

I am so focused on the food I often forget about nice simple little festive touches like this.

Brussels sprouts are my favorite. Most everyone actually eats the sprouts when I make them! The secret is roasting and the maple syrup!  Try roasting parsnips and carrots with them : ) Here is the recipe and others from The New York Times

Maple Sage Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

This is another favorite Thanksgiving dish; Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Maple and Sage. The recipe from Kathy Casey in the Seattle Times. I like to throw pecans on top too! For a "lighter" version you can substitute chicken stock for some of the cream with a couple tablespoon of flour and it is just as yummy

Thanksgiving aprons from Sew What Designs on Etsy

For a festive look while you are cooking you may want one of these aprons from Sew What Designs on Etsy.

These shimmery pumpkins would be smashing on a more formal table! How-to at favecrafts.com

Here is a gorgeous centerpiece from wedding-ideas-guide.com There will be no room on my table for this but it would look great on the side table!

Last but not least the dessert! I love pumpkin tiramisu. I use a traditional recipe with espresso and all but add a small can of pumpkin puree to the mascarpone with pumpkin pie spice ( about 1/2 tsp)   I also add  1/3c each toasted hazelnuts or pecans, chopped candied ginger and dried cranberries.  I make sure to be generous with the shaved chocolate! Here is a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens  plus a bunch more yummy pumpkin recipes!