DIY: Make Your Own Herringbone Art

Things I love:

Coasters
Unique Wall Decor
Multi-functioning Decor
Pinterest
Herringbone Style

...and this DIY combines them all!

I have this wonky bit of wall space in my office that I've been anxious about filling. On top of that want, I've also been really pumped about getting some coasters for the office. So, to Pinterest I went and it was there that I found a pin that linked me to A Teaspoon of Happiness and their post on DIY Canvas Art.

It is a very neat DIY inspired by ANOTHER pin of an expensive herringbone style painting. The DIY by A Teaspoon of Happiness had a very cute way of making their own painting with way less expense. I wanted to try it too!

What I used

4x4 wooden square 

Acrylic paints (from Hobby Lobby)

Washi Tape

Paintbrush

Since I wanted something that, depending on how I felt afterwards, would act as either a coaster or wall decor, I wanted to use a wooden square instead of a canvas.

What I did

First I got out about 6 - 8 different paint colors (some I altered by mixing together) and painted random splotches all over until the surface was covered completely.

Then I watched some HGTV while it all dried.

Next I took my washi tape and taped out a design. I didn't use a ruler because I had no patience for that, and just did the whole thing by eyeing it.

Then I took my white paint and painted the space in between the tape. I did two coats. 

After it was dry I removed the tape!

Since I was working with such a small space I decided only to white out one block with my white paint. 

I have to say that I am pretty pumped with the outcome! I'm still on the fence about making it a coaster or wall art! I think I'll go ahead and do some ombre paintings on two other squares I have!

We shall see!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Christmas Craze: Coaster Craze

Christmas Craze? More like Coaster Craze! See, I've been kind of addicted to making drink coasters lately. It's not that I drink an abnormal amount and need extra coasters around the house, I just WANT tons of them all different!

So I figured if I want them so badly, then maybe other people will too! So here's Christmas Craze Day 7! (Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6)



This Christmas Craze DIY is all about designing & making coasters as a personal, awesome, inexpensive gift for Christmas!

If you know me then you probably have picked up on the fact that I'm semi-obsessed with Design Love Fest. I check it everyday and often am absolutely inspired by the creativity of it. So when I read Make It / 25 I instantly fell in love and knew I HAD to do it. All credit for this idea definitely goes to them!

Now, to the Batcave everyone!

What you'll need:

• A design for your coasters! Mine can be found below. You can simple click it and save it to your desktop then print.
• Access to a printer! Make sure you have enough ink!
• Cork coasters! I got mine from Hobby Lobby. $2.77 for 6.
• Mod Podge Matte
• Spongey brush
• Photo paper! I got soft gloss photo paper from Target. Letter size to make it easier.
• Scissors
• Tacky Glue
• Felt

What I did first was come up with a fun color scheme and font. Since I have recently found M3 Design and this lovely post with a lovely font, I used the Ostrich Sans font family! Then the colors from this pin! (I used Adobe Illustrator to make my design. If you have that and aren't sure how to use it, leave a comment and I'll make another post about how to do it! I would do it now but I need to pack up the apartment something fierce!)

Once you have your design, print it out onto your photo paper! Then with scissors (or X-acto knife if you can cut circles like a pro...I really can't!) cut out your designs. Now, I created and printed my design out then put my printer into a box BEFORE I actually bought my coasters. I downloaded Design Love Fest's pretty designs (again, go here to see) and was using those sizes as a template. However, the coasters I got from Hobby Lobby are a tad bigger BUT it's an easy fix!

Take your mod page and, using your spongey brush, cover the coaster thoroughly. Then take your design and place it onto the coaster. Make sure to get the bubbles out by running your finger over the design. Then put it under a book while it dries. Do the same to the rest of your coasters and designs!

After they are dry, put a coat of mod podge over the design. I did three coats each.

Now, if you are using the coasters from Hobby Lobby that are a tad too big, just take your scissors and cut off the excess cork. It cuts really easy unlike its brother, the cork squares!

If you don't want the bottom to be cork (I LOVE CORK) take your felt and use tacky glue to glue it to the bottom of each coaster!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY! Once I'm unpacked in my NEW place (hopefully tomorrow!) I'm going to set up my studio and be able to make another round!

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6