~DIY ombre watercolor Valentine's banner~

Here is an easy little project for you for the upcoming holiday.

It's a watercolor banner and it can be made in under 30 minutes, start to finish.

 Start with 4 pieces of watercolor paper cut into a triangular shape.

You can make them any size you want.

I used a paper cutter for a more precise cut, but if you don't have one, scissors work just fine.

Next you will need letter stickers from the office supply store. These are vinyl stickers and are different from regular ones. They are reposition able and will not stick to the paper or tear it.

Pick a word. 

I chose love, and set your letters aside.

You will also need watercolor paints and watercolor pens.

{Pens optional}

Place one letter on each piece of paper, centering it.

I varied the fonts with mine.

Using a colored watercolor pencil that matches your paint choice, outline each letter.

Starting at the bottom, work your way up with the paint.

To get the ombre effect, put the paint on heavy at the bottom, 

mixing with more water as you work your way up.

Blot dry with paper towels if you are impatient like me. 

Then peel off your letter.

When they are dry, stack them up and punch holes in each corner.

Run twine or ribbon through and hang.

xoxo

~thrifty thursday~{stir stick ombre picture frame}

This project started out with my husband cleaning out his garage.

He brought me a box full of stir/paint sticks and asked if I wanted them.

Here is what I made with them~

An ombre picture frame, and I will show you how you

can too.

 Cut the stir sticks to the correct lengths.

You will need long pieces, as well as short pieces for the middle.

Then you will need a unfinished wood frame. 

This one I got at Michaels craft store.

 Here are the short pieces for the middle, they will go on either side of the opening.

 Lay everything out on your frame before you go any further.

This way you can make any adjustments before gluing down.

 I decided to go with pinks for Valentine's day, but you could do any color combination.

 For the ombre affect, start with a light colored paint and gradually make it darker and darker.

I started with white, then added a light pink, then

 I just started adding hot pink as I worked my way down.

 Set the sticks aside to dry.

 While they are drying, you can paint the sides of your frame.

 For the next step you will need wood glue and a disposable brush.

 Once everything has dried, you can brush wood glue all over your frame.

 Start applying your painted wood pieces as you had it laid out in the beginning.

 Place heavy objects on top and let dry thorougly.

 Add a picture to the center and you are done!

xoxo