Summer Decor: Stained Boxes and Rainbow Llamas

 

This week's party continues here.

We have these great built-in shelves in our kitchen, and I like to switch things out seasonally. However, I'm not a big Summer Crafter. I kind of fell into my latest idea when I was drawn to two kinds of wood llamas I found at Dollar Tree. I shared one set here, and this is the other. When I saw these carved boxes at DT right next to these llamas, an idea was born. 

I also incorporated my current obsession of paper flower making with tissue paper and coffee filter flowers. 

Supplies:

• Wood Llamas
• Carved Wood Boxes
• Faux Stain (I used the diluted acrylic paint from coffee filter flowers)
• Acrylic Paint, White
• Gem Mesh Ribbon
• Self Adhesive Rhinestones
• Glue Gun and Glue

They look to me like they were made for each other! I painted the llamas with a coat of white acrylic paint (not shown). I wanted them to be simple since I had a plan to bling them up.

I had "dye" left over from dyeing coffee filters, and since the boxes were destined for the same place, the color coordination was perfect. I used a paintbrush to apply. 

Here are the boxes all stained! Don't ask me why I decided to use them upside down. I thought they'd make cool "stands" for the llamas, that's why! 

I had this Gem Mesh from DT in my stash and it gave me an idea. I decided to use it as a border around the boxes, and since it's two rows, I cut them apart and used one row per box. Attached with hot glue. 

Now it was time to finish the llamas! 

I had this sheet of rainbow rhinestones in my stash that were perfect. They coordinated with the Gem Mesh colors and my overall palette. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics as they were being applied but it's pretty self-explanatory!

Did I mention these light up! Like a dummy, I tested one in the store, but not the other and of course...only one works so learn from my mistake. No biggie. I love them unlit too. 

And now, they're at home on our shelves!

Summer display filled with desert-inspired flowers, and a little whimsy! 

Sharing At:

Halloween: DIY Haunted House

 

Back on my Halloween crafting! I "built" my own Haunted House using a few supplies from Dollar Tree, paint, and frames from my stash. 

Supplies

• Wood Haunted House Signs (Dollar Tree)
• Wood Plank (Dollar Tree)
• Multi Surface Acrylic Craft Paint (Craft Smart, Michaels)
• Folk Art Metallic Paint (Walmart)
• Hot Glue and Tacky Glue

I had these Haunted House wood signs in my stash from last year, and I was smart enough to have picked up a wood plaque I found at Dollar Tree. My brain came up with the idea of using them together to build a Haunted House. My plan is to put a flameless candle in the middle to give it that haunted feel.

I painted the wood plaque base with Craft Smart Multi-Surface black acrylic paint. Then I painted both house signs (both sides) with the same paint. 

After they dried and I made sure they were facing the right way, I covered the outsides with school glue.

While still tacky, I lightly brushed with the rose gold paint to create a weathered old house look. While that was drying, I got out a few small frames to use for windows and a door. 

I painted the round frames with the rose gold paint.

The "door" frame I painted first with black then dry brushed with the rose gold. 

To assemble the house, I used a combination of hot glue and tacky glue along the bottom of each side of the house then attached to the base. I find that the combination helps things stay where they're supposed to! 

I also picked up some variegated bottle brush trees at Dollar Tree that I'll add when it's time to put out but I couldn't wait to share. These signs are ones I see year to year so hopefully if this interests you, you can find them! 

A haunting we will go...

Sharing At: 

Sundays on Silverado