Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Paint Chip Mosaic Art

Well, this week on The CSI Project, they’re having a Hardware Store Challenge.  This is a project that I did many moons ago for my own hall bathroom.

At the Goodwill one fine day, I came across a lovely ornately-carved wooden frame, housing a hideously ugly old Ozark barn painting that someone’s beloved grandpappy probably slaved over.  (Sorry grandpappy…)  The frame is nice sized for the space in there (26” square) and for the $2.50 price tag, I couldn’t say no.  My hubby deleted the before picture (don’t they always?), but it looked a little something like this:

cleaningup

I had the idea to create a mosaic, right over grandpappy’s ugly painting using paint chips from Home Depot (free) and some Mod Podge.  I went to HD, nervously approached the paint section, and hurriedly and with a heavy conscience stuffed as many paint chips as I could into my purse that were in the color scheme of my bathroom.  :)  I mostly used the fancy finishes like the metalics and candlelights from Ralph Lauren and such.  It gave the finished product a little more interest than using only the flat colors.

When I got home, I cut a bunch of 1 inch squares from the assortment of paint chips and set to Mod Podgin’.  Here’s how it looks in my bathroom, in it’s GORGEOUS $2.50 frame:

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(Boy!  Is it hard to get a good picture in there!!  I had to resort to using the flash.)

Here it is in some natural light (so you can get a better idea of what the colors ACTUALLY look like):

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Hopefully next time I’ll have another Twice Lovely project to share.  I picked up this great little desk for $10 and a pretty wonderful table and 4 chairs for $30 (not a set, but I have plans to make them one!) at last weekend’s 50% off Saturday at GW.  They’re are just sitting there, mocking me that I’m not able to get around to working on them.  (Shakes fist)

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Right now I’m working on a pirate treasure chest toy box for a friend of mine to give as a new baby gift.  FUN!  Can’t wait to show you guys.

In other (and completely unrelated but equally fun) news, I’m competing this Thursday evening in the local”American Idol” style karaoke contest!  Eeeek!  I’m so excited and nervous.  I love to sing.  (A little Ann Marie tid-bit you might not have known.)  Maybe I’ll get the hubby to do a little video to post…

To a productive week!

 

I’m linking this project to the Hardware Store Challenge at The CSI Project!

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10 comments:

  1. it looks great! i love that the artwork itself has a modern feel but the frame an antique feel, so it blends the two styles nicely. what a clever idea!

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  2. Love the artwork! What a great idea. I'm thinking of where I could use that myself..

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  3. How fantastic! That is brilliant! Well done!

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  4. Ann Marie, your mosaic is really cool. I laughed at your paint chip guilt... if there were a paint chip police, I would be high up on the "Most Wanted" lists.

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  5. This is such a clever and creative project. Well done!

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  6. When you said you got the paint chips at HD the image of my children pocketing handfuls of those cards raced through my mind.

    I'm constantly scolding them about taking the chips so I wondered how you felt walking up and grabbing a lot.

    LOL, now I know.

    This is super cute. I think if I could get away with it I'd do the same thing... my problem is I've indoctrinated my kids. If I started grabbing handfuls of them I'd be questioned thoroughly about my motivations. :)

    That's the trouble with kids, you can't change your mind.

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  7. This is such a simple and neat idea! I like it! How long did it take you to do?
    I saw this on The CSI Project.

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  8. I love that paint chip art. Soooo fun and inexpensive!

    And the other projects look like they will be fun too!


    Thanks so much for linking up to The CSI Project's hardware Store Challenge! We hope you will come back next week for the Martha Stewart-inspired challenge -- The MS Craft Department are our guest judges!!!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  9. LOVE your blog! LOVE your ideas! Oh if I could afford it-my hubby is a student- THIS is what I would do for a living too! Good luck with all your ventures! I'll be checking in regularly!

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  10. Ooh! This could translate to an awesome kid's craft on a smaller scale. It looks great so grand!

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We love lovely gals showin' some love!