BAM!

*Disclaimer: Keep in mind this was for a rental house at the beach.  My personal house isn't covered in one "type" of art.  Which is fine, I just happen to like a little more variety.

Big impact.  Little money.  We all like that right?  Well, many of us do.  If not Pinterest would not exist.  It does.  In a huge life changing way.  Back to the art work.

I started by sharing this post & this picture of my Salvation Army frame score:

Some of the projects I shared with you:
3tier hanging frame.  Total project $1.25

And the mirror:  Total project $5.25

And then I did a few, too simple, to even blog about (I know, the above were stretching it!)  I edited the two pics on right because I don't have the original source.  Another reason for not doing a whole post.

I am in LOVE with this sea horse.  The colors are so vibrant and simple.  I need to make another one for my house.  I have no idea where to put it, but have no fear, I will find one!  Chevron wrapping paper (which I need for another project and I have been SEARCHING for (and even bought fabric, and wouldn't you know it...Target.  Clearance!  YES!) and stationary which I already had!

These next two were a favorite of mine to finish.  I love the art & color in them.  I thought for sure I'd be painting those "pretty" gold frames.  But after deciding what to do with the mats (because they HAD to be painted) I thought the gold would be best.  I am soooo glad I did.  I LOVE them as well.  Again, I don't have the original source, so I didn't feel right doing a whole post with pictures posted again and again of something I can't credit.  I did have to get their artwork blown up $.50 for each piece.  I had to give you a before close up of the beautiful mats!  The painted mats are a little distorted only in the picture thanks to editing!

The Top mat I painted white and the bottom one some aqua/turquoise I had laying around!

Here is the Salvation Army loot after:

Then there was the 9 blue canvases.  $15.42 for 9 sqft of art!  A STEAL!

And the "Where's the Beef Beach" post about this sign: Which cost a whopping $7.50

Lastly there was yesterdays post about Coral for $18.00.

The big HUGE total for 20 pieces of beach house art: $68.67!  I challenge you to do match that.  Seriously, I'd love to see what you create.  I have some very talented new followers!

I'm linking up with Coastal Charm Savvy Southern Style , The Thrifty Home, & House of Hepworths

Coral

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Before I show you pictures of the entire art loot and the itty bitty price tag, I have one 3 more pieces to show you.

I got these frames from Michaels on clearance for $6 each!  I know!  11x14 and matted.  I liked that they could be fancy or casual depending on what you put in them.

I found these coral images at The Graphics Fairy a looooooong time ago and pinned them so I would be sure not to forget about them.  I love coral.  The color, the shape, and a little reminder that everything is better at the beach!  There are all kinds of great images.  Some are in black & white or color (these coral pieces also come in B&W)

So, I finally printed them out and blew (still only 8x10 so able to do that on my copier/printer!)them up.  The picture doesn't do it much justice (actually none at all) but I LOVE these.  I've been thinking I should go to Michaels and check to see if they have more.  I'd love these in my bedroom or bathroom.  Big.  Classic.  Easy & Cheap!  Woot!
                                 
What's your favorite "big art"?  Was it a cheapy?  Was it a big splurge?

New outlook

My last Salvation Army "art" refresh is a mirror.  Who can't use another mirror?
Remember this old girl?

 Dried flowers and broken glass.  Poor thing needed a new home.  Someone to appreciate her.  Maybe that is what Amanda Bynes needs too?  What has happened to our sweet little Holly?!  Home girl has gone crazy.  For $5.25 I was willing to see what I could do with her.

Spray paint primer=best invention ever.  Then brushed on some already owned blue/aqua paint!

 Scrap book paper and modpodge!  I love scrapbook paper.  So many options.  Keeps the painting and stenciling to a minimum.  I like keeping a (should be) easy project on the easy train.

 Duck taped some cardboard to the back of the mirror to keep it a little more stable than it was.

 Ta-Da $5.25 and Amanda looks like a new girl.  Too bad it's not that easy for Amanda in real life.

Another (almost) free refresh!  On Monday I will show you the whole shebang together and a final cost for a house full o' art.

Where's the Beach?

More beach house art.  I told you I was filling this house with new art.  Well at least seeing what I could do in 1 week.

When searching for artwork and ideas for the beach house I found this image on Pinterest, but originally from here:

I love the blues, love the letters (I'm from the south, we'll put letters or a monogram on anything that stays still long enough), and the worn wood look.  I wasn't really sure how to recreate it without buying anything.  My goal has been big impact low cost.  Isn't everybodys?

I got the letters at Michaels ($1.49ea) They were the cheapest letters they had.  I was using my coupon for the canvases and they don't let you use more than 1.  Boo.

I had a piece of 1/4" luan board and blue paint.  I wanted to make it small so that it could fit almost anywhere in the house.  Even above a door jam or window.

                                                  Here is where I started (what I had):

 I cut the wood (yup, used the jig saw mom!) and sanded down the rough edges.  Gave it a quick coat of Sherwin-Williams Blue Reef (trying not to add too many different shades of "sea")  Same color I used on the calendar canvases.

                                                         Primed & painted the letters:

Then I used some brown Sherwin-Williams paint to age/distress the letters and arrow.

                                                Hot glued the letters on and...

Stapled some twine to the back to hang it from.  Easy peasy $7.50.  You couldn't buy this sign for anywhere near $30 in a gift store at the beach!  I still have 2 sets of art to finish...mom comes today for the pick up!

Linking up with Coastal Charm , A2Z,  Savvy Southern Style, The Thrifty Home, House of Hepworths, & Tatertots & Jello

One Word Wednesday

                                                                    Art

Beach House needs Beach Glass

This is by far the easiest project I have ever done.  I can't believe I am going to give you a post dedicated to just this.  But I am.  Because I don't feel well.  So it happens to be a great day for this post!

Remember this little frame trio?  $1.29  Perfect for a house at the beach!  But it's boring.

 I was just going to add some cute scrapbook paper, but that would have made this little project way too easy.  Like Kristen Stewart easy.  My mother who swears she doesn't have a creative bone in her body (but so totally does!!) wanted to use sea glass.  Which sounded great but didn't want to buy a bag for 3 pieces.  This is wear those "Craft drawers/bins" in your house can come in handy!  I happened to have some. I had some burlap, that I cute to fit the backing.  I used spray adhesive to keep it in place.  Threw away the plastic photo cover.  Put the burlap covered backing back in the frame.  Broke out the glue gun.....

 and hot glued some glass to the burlap!  Super easy.  Super cheap ($1.29)!  (I think) it's super cute.  Definitely beachy!  Exactly what we were looking for!

 It's also small enough that you can find a place for it.  It can go anywhere.

I believe that may be the easiest and cheapest project I've ever done.  That is what I would call a successful refresh & repurpose!

Weekend Wrap Up-Artwork

I promised you (well at least I promised my gma & mom) on Friday some completed artwork today.

Big wall, over the couch art.  6+sq ft for $12.00.  It is super hard to find over the couch art.  I know this because I am currently looking for some!  I find it all so...so...expected.

So here is some that is hopefully unexpected and won't break the bank.
What you need: 6 12x12 canvas (7 pack from Michaels $19.99-40% off coupon= $12), 1 old calendar, 1 pail sample paint (Sherwin-Williams Blue Reef), spray adhesive, and mod podge.  Of course you will need a paint brush or 2 and if you are lucky like me you'll get help from a super cute 3yo assistant!

The calendar I used was from 2000.  There wasn't much on it.  Except my first & only Bay to Breakers,  my interview in Boston, my brothers wedding, & my last day in San Fran.  It was a good year!  The calendar is a staple gift every year (thanks Nina).  12 months of beautiful artwork and yummy recipes (of which I have only tried a few?!)

 If you can find some conch, here is a recipe for conch burgers!  Mmmmmm (But really, I love the colors on this month)

After trimming off the white edges, we (my assistant & I) painted the edges of 9 canvases (3 will go elsewhere, but 9 would be a great number to use over your couch as well, giving you more artwork for only a few dollars more!)  We painted them with that sample paint I had from another project.

After that dried, I sprayed the backs of the calendar with some spray adhesive (already owned!) and applied them to the canvas.  It takes a few minutes to stick so you have a little time to peel back if you don't like your placement!  I then flipped them over and added some pressure from the under side to make sure it was secure.

I let that dry and my final step was to add some mod podge (already owned but will have to be added to the next project budget since we are now out!) for a little protection!

And that is how you repurpose an old calendar full of beautiful pictures and get 6+ (add spaces between the canvas) sq ft of over the couch art!  Easy!

What do you do with your old calendars?

Linking up with Coastal Charm , A2Z, & Savvy Southern Style

SCORE! Part 2

I told you yesterday about my shopping scores this week.

Yes, I was supposed to be working on my roman shade for the half bath, but my mom needed me to create a bunch of artwork for my grandmothers beach house.  I was so excited thinking of all the possibilities until she threw the B word at me.  You know the one.  Budget.  Booooo.  But I like a challenge.  However, this challenge was two part.  She needs it all by Wednesday.  That's right.  One week.

First I scoured all my Pinterest boards.  The art & printables one is where I started.  This was going to be tricky for a house I've only spent a few hours in.  I could not remember a thing about what was there (walls or art!)  I created a board just for this house so I could keep my thoughts organized.  I should tell you that this is going to be a rental so nothing too fancy and if it got broken it wasn't a huge loss.  It will also be dog friendly.

I made a list of things I wanted to do and supplies I would need.  Grabbed my Michaels coupons and left my mom with the babes!

I stopped at Salvation Army first.  Just to check in and see what I could find.  Here is my loot:
2 big matching frames (always a score in itself, in my opinion!) 1 mirror (another score in itself, only because I think it's hard to find either of these items!) 2 4x6 frames 1 5x7 and one triple frame in white wood and connected by rope...very beachy already!

Since I was there and shopping ALONE I had to look around.  That is when I found this:

No, I don't need it, but I thought it was too cute..well, it could be.  I also had one person in mind. I've already committed to doing her nursery when it's time!  I think this will be perfect.

Ok, back to artwork...I then went to Michaels to finish getting my supplies.  They had a great coupon for canvas packs (40% off each canvas purchase...NOT just one!!)!!  Super, because I needed 12x12 and I needed 9.  I got 2 seven packs ($19.99 each +coupon).

 They also had 11x14 frames in the clearance section for $6, I needed 3.  11x14 already matted!  Score!

Next week I will fill you in on all things ART!  Like how I am going to make 6+sqft of artwork for less than $19.99!