A short tutorial... Glitter Camo Frame

Once upon a time....my boss (true story, but she's my "assistant" boss, I suppose) asked me to "bling" her frame for a fancy certificate she had just received. She said I could do anything I want...

The before. 

The frame...a sad dark brown wood-like thing with a gold paint 'beads' around the inside. 

I used the following for this frame: 

- Acrylic paint

-Various colors of Martha Stewart Ultra Fine Glitter.

-Random nail polish colors to match the glitter colors, and a clear polish.

-"Paillette" nail decor (tiny plastic hearts and stars for fingernail decoration)

-Any clear enamel for topcoat (a sealer works best).

The directions are simple. 

Prep: You will need a flat surface, something to lay under the frame to catch the excess glitter (I used foam plates to 'catch' the glitter and return it to the tubes to use later). Remove the glass and the cardboard backing from the frame. 

1. Paint entire frame with a base coat of any color of Acrylic paint, (I used a light pink, color doesn't matter too much but a light color will let the glitter shine as a lighter color, and dark base coats will make the glitter seem darker in color). 

2. Apply another base coat and let this dry overnight (12 hours). 

3. Allow to dry overnight, or at least 12 hours. 

4. Paint nail polish in sections, one color at a time. Any design or just 'blobs' like I did. Immediately sprinkle heavily with glitter. Let sit for about a minute and shake off excess glitter. 

5. Repeat this process for every color you choose to use. 

6. Using a clear nail polish around the inner edges of the frame, add the paillettes in matching colors.

7. Do any touch ups that are needed. Adding more nail polish and glitter as needed. 

8. Nail polish dries in about 15 minutes, so allow it to dry completely. 

9. Spray entire frame with the clear enamel sealer (take it outside, of course), then allow this to cure for 24 hours. 

10. Replace glass, and cardboard backing....and you're done! 

Update: Sweepstakes & a coming soon informational note!

Greetings Blog-world...Blog-ville? Meh. It's been a busy weekend...and I don't have much to add right now..but I have great amounts of good things...very soon. 

So, COMING SOON: 

I have a couple crafts to share, which may or may not contain glitter.

I also have book reviews, one of which I just started reading...so it may be a bit for that one. A couple product reviews also..shhhh...I can't tell you what they are yet, you really must learn to be more patient. 

I have more, but I don't want to be overly ambitious and rush myself into things...so I will leave you with that...for now. 

And now...a few sweepstakes --

Win a iPad (and an iPad Mini for a friend, read details)  

Rubbermaid - Dorm Room Sweepstakes  (win organizers)

Infinity Markers Giveaway (daily) 

Dofino Cheese - Send your love with lunch sweepstakes 

Yay..and Good Luck! 

Homemade Glitter - Pinterest Find....and fail.

I adore glitter. I believe there is not enough sparkle in the world. If I were President...or (preferably) Queen of All Things--I would decree everything that isn't already sparkly to be covered with glitter. So, when I saw a Pinterest photo that claimed you can make homemade glitter out of salt...I was all over that!

To be honest, it does sound too good to be true. If we could make our own glitter so easy..why would it cost so much? But then again, lots of things are overpriced. So, I gave it a try. I took my salt, mixed in the liquid food coloring and baked it in the oven. I let it cool. I looked at it. I now have blue salt. It's pretty, but it's not glitter. I have now found several other people (via there blogs) who have tried this with the same results. DANG IT!! Oh wait -- My kids might think this is awesome, though...I could use this stuff instead of colored sand for those cute little sand sculptures in glass jars.

Final Results: When you mix food coloring and salt, then put it in the oven ---you get hot colored salt.

DIY Glitter Flats (or heel...or whatever)

 If you pay attention to fashion (or if you watch commercials on TV), you may have noticed the growing trend in sparkly glittered shoes. The shoes, mostly heels and dress flats, are adorable and ...expensive. I found a pair of Jimmy Choo Walsh Glitter Ballerina Flats on the Neiman Marcus website for $425!! Don't believe me--click here! Ok, yes this example is on the extreme side, there are generic knock-off's available at Target and Sears (among others) ranging from $15 - $60. I'm a thrifty kinda gal...so I say BAH!! HUMBUG! If I can make it cheaper, and (even better) more the way I want it...then that's how it's gonna be!


 Last Halloween, my daughter was a witch...I bedazzled a black dress and made her some glittery black flats to match. The same glittery flats that are now "in style". I do not have  after photos, sadly, but I do have a before photo.

 Aren't those...special. I got them at a thrift store for 50 cents...what did you expect? So, I glittered them, and they looked great. The shoes are no longer with us, but they looked very similar to the ones shown in the photo below.

(Photo from Vanilla Joy, DIY Fancy Glitter Shoes)

 This photo is from a DIY Tutorial from Vanilla Joy -found here.  Same theory, although I have some personal recommendations to add. 


 Firstly, I took a pair of ugly gold flats with a plastic decoration...It was sewn on, and easy to snip off and remove. Instead of painting them black with spray paint (which would chip and fade on the slick material over time), I used a Sharpie and hand-colored them. 


 I also used Martha Stewart glitter, which I adore...but that's a post for another time. I used the colors "Onyx", and "Hematite" for extra sparkle. There's a kit that would come in handy if using the same colors from Martha - (black is at the far right, and hematite is in the center).

 Once everything is all sparkly and shiny...and dry - seal it! This can be a tricky part, as many spray sealants will dilute the glitter's shine, and cause the glitter to look matte. I did not seal the shoes I made, and the glitter only lasted through 2 -3 uses. I may suggest Krylon's Clear Glaze (spray), however I am unsure of the results. 


That's all for now....I'll be adding many more crafty things soon!