Big Sea Turtle Art DIY | Coastal Decor | Craft Klatch

Learn how to create big artwork for your home!  It's easy and inexpensive art to match your home decor!  You can customize the art in both size and style, I just happened to go with a coastal decor theme and went with sea turtle art!


Here is a quick video tutorial, so you can see exactly how we made it:

The size will vary depending on the size of your wall and the design on your shower curtain.  I was going for maximum impact and it we made it approximately 61" x 61".  You can go square or rectangular.  The materials will be the same, you just need to customize it for you and your space!

The links below help support this channel,  as I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You will need:

Shower curtain (choose any design that fits your decor):  https://amzn.to/2CNZeBZ

Sealer:  https://amzn.to/2NLtwGs

Staple gun:  https://amzn.to/2CPRgsm

Staples:  https://amzn.to/2PF2vGD

1" x 2":  Go to Home Depot

White flat sheet:  https://amzn.to/2CovKtF

Glue:  https://amzn.to/2NJdNI1

Original project inspiration:  http://www.houseofjadeinteriorsblog.com/2014/05/diy-octopus-ar.html

Directions:

1.  Find a shower curtain with a design you like.  You do not want a plastic shower curtain.  You want a fabric/polyester type of shower curtain.

2.  Next you want to build a frame out of 1" x 2"s.  As I mentioned before, customize the size to your decor and design.  Cut the pieces to size.

We added support pieces to make sure the frame was square and sturdy.

3.  Glue and nail the frame together.

Ours ended up looking like this.

4.  Once we had the frame built, we realized the shower curtain fabric was a little thin and you could see the frame through it.  We decided to get an inexpensive white sheet and apply it to the frame first.  Another option would have been to paint the frame white.  We stapled it on and cut off the excess.

5.  We repeated the process with the shower curtain.  Take your time with the corners to make them neat.  You will want to cut off the excess.

This is what it looked like finished, but.....

6.  We were worried that it might get dirty and be hard to clean.  So, I used a sealer, to help protect it.  I thought it might make it stiffer, but it didn't seem to.  It also did not change the color.

I did several coats.

Here it is up!  It had just the impact that I wanted it to have and it brought some additional color to the room!  Double win!

That's it!  I hope you like it and give it a try!  Remember:  Life's too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!™  Stay safe!

Mona

Whimsical Crab Coaster DIY ~ Another Coaster Friday ~ Craft Klatch

Make a Crabby Coaster in this DIY craft video!  So fun!!! 

Here is the video tutorial, so you can see exactly how I made it:

DIY Beach Decor, Crafts and DIYs ~ Craft Klatch

I created one of a kind, inexpensive, beachy decor for my home!  I used beautiful iron on vinyl from http://www.BestCreationInc.com.  I also used some items from Dollar Tree and customized them to go with the beach theme.

Disney Princess~ The Little Mermaid Coaster ~ Another Coaster Friday ~ Craft Klatch DIY

If you love Disney Princesses and The Little Mermaid east, check out how to make this Ariel coaster DIY!

DIY Flip Flop Coasters ~ Another Coaster Friday ~ Craft Klatch

Yay Summer!!!  I love summer and one of my most favorite things to wear are flip flops!!  Today we are crafting fun flip flops in this DIY craft tutorial.

When I make these wood coaster, remember you can use them and have kids paint them and that would be crazy fun!  If you don't want to make them out of wood, you can always use cork or clay as alternative materials!

Resin Beachy Plaque | DIY Projects | Craft Klatch | How To

I love summer and can't wait for it to get here.  My favorite place to be is at the beach, so I decided to make a Beachy Plaque!

You will need:  

Tin plaque:  I found it at Michaels

Wood flip flops and sun:  also Michaels

Resin:  http://amzn.to/2n57Xrv

Sand:  http://amzn.to/2mnmQS5

Seashells:  http://amzn.to/2n5dcax

Acrylic paint

Blue glitter:  http://amzn.to/2noPmUA

White glitter:  http://amzn.to/2mIzbD9

Glue:  http://amzn.to/2mVxGlF

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:

1.  The tin plaque has gaps in it, where the string goes through and at the seam where it is put together.  Resin will run through those areas, so the first thing I did was seal it.  I used glue to cover the seams and the hole.  I let it completely dry.  

2.  While the glue was drying, I painted the wood pieces I intended to use.  I made the sun yellow and orange.  I made the flip flops blue, with some other fun accent colors.  That took at least two coats and I set it aside to dry.

3.  I mixed about two ounces of the resin and kept a little bit aside.  

4.  I mixed sand and white glitter into the resin and then put it into one side of the plaque.

5.  I pressed the flip flops into the sand.  

6.  Then, I added small shells around it.  I used the resin I reserved and poured it over the flip flops, to make sure they were completely covered in resin.  

7.  I used a lighter to pop bubbles.

8.  When the initial resin pour had cured, I needed to add more to fill out the rest of the plaque.  I added one to two ounces at a time, until it was full.  I popped the bubbles and let it completely cure.

9.  When the first side cured, I flipped it over and made sure it was level.  

10.  For the second side, I mixed three ounces of resin.

11.  I mixed blue glitter into the resin and poured it into the plaque, - making sure it wasn't too deep.

12.  I placed the sun into the resin.  I popped bubbles and let it cure.

13.  Then I mixed more resin, as needed, until I filled  it completely.  Then I let it cure.

That's it!  Remember:  Life's too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!®  Stay safe!

Mona

Whale of a Sock Holder | DIY Projects | Craft Klatch | Woodworking How To

Do you ever lose a sock on laundry day?  No matter how hard and long you look for it, it is not to be found!  Then, it mysteriously reappears weeks later, only now you have thrown out the other sock.... or lost it?  Ahhh!  It's a vicious cycle and one lonely sock!

Now you can keep track of socks without mates, until they can be reunited, with this fun Whale Sock Holder!!!

You will need:

Poster board:  check out the dollar stores

Saw:  http://amzn.to/2l1lQm1

Jigsaw (optional):  http://amzn.to/2l1rowQ

Rotary tool:  http://amzn.to/2kFGbkR

Engraver tip:  http://amzn.to/2mgaZVC

Plastic eye:  http://amzn.to/2mg8IK3

Acrylic paint:  choose to go with your decor

Sander (you can use sandpaper and sand by hand too):  http://amzn.to/2l1spVV

Bulldog clips: craft store

Saw tooth picture hangers:  http://amzn.to/2lAp3wa

2' x 4' sheet of 1/2 inch plywood:  home improvement store

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:

1.  Draw a whale on poster board and cut it out.  That will serve as your template.

2.  Cut out the whale using a saw.  I used the handheld jigsaw to cut the wood down to a manageable size and finish off some details my saw was unable to reach.  Otherwise, most of it was done using the Bladerunner I have listed above.

3.  Once you have it cut out, sand it.  You want to make sure you get rid of all the sharp and rough edges.

4.  When you finish sanding, wipe off all the dust with a damp cloth.

5.  I used my Dremel too, with an engraving bit, to add details to the mouth, the water, the eye and the fin.

6.  Now start painting.  I used acrylic paints.  Here are the colors I used, in the order I used them:  white, mushroom, gray, aqua, ocean blue.

7.  Once they are all dry, take out your sander and start sanding.

8.  You want to sand the edges and the face of the whale.  The wood grain will start to show through and so will the different colors.  Sand until you have the colors you want showing through.  If you sand a little too much some where, you can always give it a watered down paint touch up.
9.  Glue on the eye.  I used a plastic eye that had a post on the back.  I snipped the post off and glued the eye onto the whale.
10.  The whale is fun to hang on the wall all by itself, so you don't have to go any further.  But if you want to add the bulldog clips, they can be used for socks, notes, or really anything, then use a screwdriver to add the screws and the clips.
11.  To hang it up, you can add a wire to the back with some screws.  You can drill small indents, so it can hang flush with the wall (just don't drill through!), or you can add the sawtooth hangers, like these here:  http://amzn.to/2lWn8lT, or you can also add some eyescrews to the top and run a rope between them!

That's it!  Now go hang up some socks!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember:  Life's too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!™  Stay safe!

Mona

Flamingo Seashell Mosaic How To ~ Craft Klatch Beach Crafting with Nature Series DIY

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Time for another seashell beach craft!  This time it's made with those little shells you find on the beach that burrow into the sand, right at the water's edge.  I don't take any live ones. There are tons that are already open and dried out waiting for you to make a beautiful project!  

You will need:

-  Wood plaque:  http://amzn.to/23iN1qQ

-  Small shells in pink and gray/black

-  Glue:  http://amzn.to/1rcMtH1

-  Grout - I used charcoal, I would recommend white or sand colored

-  If you use charcoal grout, you might need some watered down white acrylic paint

-  A sharks tooth

-  Blue acrylic paint:  http://amzn.to/1rN5KzA

-  Green acrylic paint:  http://amzn.to/1rcN6jY

-  Triple Thick - spray or brush on:  http://amzn.to/1SXeGhH
-  Old sponge or paper towels
-  Sheer pink nail polish (optional)

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:
1.  Paint the plaque blue, with a green border.  This will take at least two coats.
2.  Arrange your shells on the plaque, in the shape of a flamingo.  I only did the neck and head.  
3.  Once you have it laid out as you would like, one by one glue the shells into place.  Allow to dry.
4.  Put painter's tape around the flamingo, to protect the blue and green paint.
5.  Mix grout and apply to the flamingo.  Make sure to squeeze it between the shells.  **Follow the directions on your grout.  Scrape off the excess, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then remove with a damp sponge or paper towel.  Let it dry for a couple of hours and then with a soft cloth, polish off the haze.  This will be messy.
6.  While still wet, carefully remove the painter's tape.
7.  If you used a white or sand colored grout, you can skip this step.  If you used charcoal colored grout and you like it, you can skip this step.  If you used charcoal colored grout and it just looked too harsh (like I did), then you need to water down some white acrylic paint and paint it over the grout lines.  Immediately wipe off any that gets on the shells.  Allow to dry.
8.  My shells also needed a little more vibrance, so I took a sheer pink nail polish and painted it over only the shells that would be pink.  I left the gray/black ones alone.
9.  I would suggest finishing it off with some Triple Thick spray.  It was too rainy, cold and humid for me to do that, so I went with the brush on Triple Thick.  Either way, finish it off and you have an art piece that was made with your beach memories!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember, Life's too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!!  Stay safe!!

Mona

Beach Treasure Mother of Pearl Flower DIY ~ Craft Klatch Crafting With Nature Series

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I have some beautiful mother of pearl and I wanted to make an easy home decor piece.  I made a mother of pearl flower.

You will need:

-  Mother of pearl pieces

-  Square wood plaque

-  Background paint of your choosing

-  Triple Thick

-  Ultimate glue

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:  

1.  Paint the plaque with the paint.  I chose blue.  It may take two coats.

2.  Paint Triple Thick on the mother of pearl pieces.  Allow to dry and then repeat on the other side.

3.  Arrange the pieces on the wood plaque.  

4.  Use your glue to glue the pieces in place and allow to dry.

5.  Add white to the original color and paint along the edge to set it off.  Allow to dry.

That's it.  Thank you for stopping by!  Happy Crafting and stay safe!

Mona

DIY Resin Sun Coasters ~ Another Coaster Friday Craft Klatch

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It's snowing here as I write this....in late March....so I definitely need a little sunshine in my life!  These sun coasters brighten up my house just enough!

The links below help support this channel,  as I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You will need:

Coaster mold:  http://amzn.to/1XQ9CJP

Resin:  http://amzn.to/22Ia3Jp

Construction paper:  http://amzn.to/22y3zAk

Pigment powder:  http://amzn.to/1o8XzLn

Glitter:  http://amzn.to/1UOzDtF
Parchment paper :  http://amzn.to/1q4M3lP
Resin (use whatever resin brand you like):
Easy Cast:  http://amzn.to/2yjYmBC
Art Resin:  http://amzn.to/2yk9X3z
Clear Cast:  http://amzn.to/2z4rxGw
FX Poxy:  http://amzn.to/2AF3Pkk ~ According to the manufacturer, this one is heat resistant to 500 degrees F and is UV resistant.

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:

1.  Mix two ounces of resin, according to the package directions and separate into two cups.

2.  In one cup, mix yellow pigment powder and a little bit of red pigment powder.  You should end up with a nice orange.

3.  In the other cup, mix a bunch of fine yellow glitter.

4.  Pour them into the coaster mold cavities.

5.  Pop the bubbles with a lighter and allow to cure at least 12 hours.

6.  After 12 hours, unmold them and set them aside.

7.  Trace the coaster on a piece of paper and draw a template for the sun's rays.  They can be as long or short as you want.  Trace the template onto the a piece of yellow construction paper and orange construction paper.  Then cut them out.

8.  Mix two more ounces of resin and separate into two cups.  In the first cup add the yellow glitter.  In the second cup add the yellow and red pigments.

9.  Working on parchment paper, pour some of the yellow glitter resin onto the yellow construction paper cut out and spread it around.  Flip it over and cover with remaining resin and spread it out.  Make sure it is completely covered.

10.  Take the yellow coaster and press it onto the resin covered construction paper.  

11.  Take your lighter and carefully pop the bubbles.

12.  Repeat with the orange resin and coaster.

13.  Allow to cure a minimum of 12 hours.

14.  Peel it off the parchment paper.

15.  Using OLD scissors...not your good scissors...cut the excess resin from around the sun rays.

TIP:  At around 12 hours, the resin is still pliable.  If you wait too long, you won't be able to cut it with scissors.

That's  it!  Now you have some bright, sun shiny coasters!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember:  Life's too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!™  Stay safe!

Mona 

DIY Beachy Vases or Votives Dollar Store Makeover Craft Klatch

I love crafting with dollar store items because they are inexpensive and you can do so many fun and creative things with them.  This beachy vase or candleholder craft is perfect for weddings, summer entertainment or just to brighten up your decor! 

Here is a quick video tutorial, so you can see how I made it:

DIY Beachy Concrete Coasters - Another Coaster Friday - Craft Klatch

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I was asked for more concrete or cement crafts, so this is what I came up with!  Stay tuned for more to come!!  This craft is so easy, you can get the kids involved in placing the stones in the concrete.  It makes a great housewarming gift, hostess gift, or Mother's Day gift!!

You will need:

-  Coaster mold
-  Concrete or cement
-  Floral stones

Here is the coaster mold available through Amazon:

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:
1.  Prepare your cement or concrete, according to the package directions.  My mix called for one part water to four parts cement mix.  I used 1/4 cup of water to 1 cup of mix and I had more than enough to create these coasters.  In fact, I had a little too much.
2.  Once mixed, pour a thin layer into the bottoms of the coasters.
3.  Take your floral stones and press them into the concrete/cement.  Test the stones with a glass or jar, to make sure they are pressed in and flat as can be.  
4.  My mix called for a spritz of water, but again follow the directions on your package.
5.  Allow to cure and remove from mold.

That is it!!  Easy as can be and they look great and are durable.  If you don't want to use them as coasters, you could have them in your garden to add some color.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting!!

Mona

Easy Beachy Concrete Candleholders DIY - Craft Klatch Concrete Series

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I wanted make some easy concrete candleholders and decided to go with a beachy look.

You will need:

-  Concrete or cement from home improvement store or hardware store

-  Molds - plastic containers, such as yogurt containers or plastic cups

-  Candles

-  White acrylic paint

-  Glass stones - you can find them in the floral department at craft stores

-  Clear drying glue, I used Weldbond

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:

1.  Find some containers and make sure they are clean and dry.  

2.  Mix concrete according to the directions on the package it came in.

3.  Pour into the containers and tap the containers on your table, to help release air bubbles.

4.  When a stir stick stands in the cement/concrete, add your candles.  Press them right into the wet cement/concrete.  You can add some Vaseline to the candles to help them release easier.

5.  Allow to set for a while, until it holds it shape.  Then, you can remove your candles and allow it to fully dry.

6.  Once dry, take some white acrylic paint and water it down.  Brush it onto the concrete and take a paper towel and wipe it off.  You just want to give it whitewashed look.  You can do it with any color.

7.  Once the paint has dried, glue on your stones in any design you want.  

That's it!  Light your candles and have a party.  They are inexpensive to make and would be perfect for any decor, or perfect for a wedding!

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay safe and Happy Crafting!

Mona

Make Your Own Sea Glass! DIY

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For easy reference, click on the Tutorials tab above.

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Products I Use above!

As a kid, I loved sea glass or beach glass.  I still do!  It seems harder to come by at the beach. Certainly you can buy it at the craft store, but I wanted to give making it a try.  I was inspired by a video I saw on YouTube, where a guy tumbled an enormous amount of glass for his flower beds.  It was beautiful!  I wanted to give it a try on a much smaller scale.  Also, I don't have nearly enough glass or a cement mixer!  I have that video linked at the bottom of the post.

Here is my sea glass:

You will need:

-  Rock tumbler (www.orientaltrading.com)

-  Broken glass 

-  Sand

Here is the video tutorial:

Directions:

1.  Set up your rock tumbler.

2.  If you glass is not broken, break it.  In the video, you will see I had quite a time trying to break a wine bottle!  Remember to do it safely.  Wear eye protection and do it in a bag, so glass doesn't get everywhere!

3.  Put broken pieces of glass into the tumbler and add approximately four tablespoons of sand.  Don't put too much glass in, or too much sand.  You need the pieces to actually be able to tumble.

4.  Close up the tumbler and turn it on.  You need to have some patience and you need to realize it's not quiet.  This could easily take a couple of days.  I put mine out the garage.  I checked on it a couple of times a day, until it was tumbled enough.

5.  Once tumbled, wash it off and dry it.  

Now go make something awesome!  I didn't put any clear glass in, but I should have.  The clear glass, once tumbled, is the white sea glass.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Mona

Here is the video I was referring to:

***Oriental Trading provided the rock tumbler for review.  The ideas and opinions are all my own.  Here is a direct link to the tumbler I used:  http://www.orientaltrading.com/rock-tumbler-a2-13646175.fltr?Ntt=rock%20tumbler