I love creating projects that are inspired by a picture from a magazine or something I’ve seen in a display in some store in which I love to browse, but know that the tag might as well say “Tina, this is beyond your budget”.

You know the place, you go there to be inspired, but don’t really ever bother bringing your purse in with you.

How I truly love the challenge of breaking down those ideas and inspirational images and figuring out ways to get the look without breaking the bank.  It’s also an opportunity to create a piece of art for my home or as a gift and to make it very personal.

From my “Spark File”, I have a tear page of a project that I really like.

Inspired by this image and the graphics in this artwork and how it all compliments each other in a sort of patchwork above this sofa, I began to think of how to break it down into a doable project.

You see, I live in an apartment right now.  We are in between houses and I am forbidden to paint the walls other than touching them up with the same flat, acceptable builder’s white that graces them now.

But, where there is a cry out from those plain walls for color, there is opportunity for art.

Really, what is this?

It’s squares with graphics and designs in colors and shapes that compliment each other.

I know that coordinating prints can be somewhat confusing, but here is an easy way to create a trendy and high end look that is unique to you for just a few bucks.  Seriously!

#1 The Squares
If you look at the craft supply stores, Goodwill, or even a ReStore (which is where I found these squares), you will find any number of inexpensive materials that will work for this project.  Stretched canvas, wood blocks, and even thick cardstock could be used.

I picked up 3 squares made from countertop material.  I paid $1 a piece for them.  They were the right shape and had a little thickness and heaviness and remember that the mass of an item often translates to quality and expense when looking at an art piece.  Funny, but true.

#2 Supplies
*Scissors
* ModPodge (matt finish for little shine)
* A glue stick for tricky edges
*A paint brush
*A braided chocolaty brown yarn that I decided to use as a trim and add some dimension to the piece
*And the item that will make all the difference in your project, an already coordinated pack of scrapbook pages!
I purchased this pack of coordinating browns and blues at The Dollar Tree, of all places, for only $1 for the whole pack and it was enough to create 3 blocks and I think I could have done 4 with what I had leftover.

#3 Begin
I began by deciding that I wanted 3 different patterns per block.  I randomly divided my square into 3 rectangles and cut or tore the paper to fit in those spaces so they would touch or overlap a bit.

I then began to decoupage, using the ModPodge glue onto the block, by covering the back of the paper and then the block, and applying them in just the spots I wanted.

Once all three papers were adhered to the block in the design I’d chosen, I then put a thin layer of the glue medium on top to seal it then set it aside to dry.

#4 Finish
Once the piece was completely dry, I could then take the hot glue gun and line the edges where the different papers meet and apply my trim. (the braided yarn)
 
Placed all together in any configuration you find pleasing, this project looks as though you may have used fabric or some may wonder from what fine shoppe your perfectly coordinated art pieces were purchased.

Because of the many designs of scrapbooking papers, you can customize this to any color scheme and it’s truly a One Of A Kind art work.  So graphic, so interesting, and truly fail proof.

Here are a few options and suggestions for using this technique:
*Think about a child’s room and all the wonderful ways you could translate this
*Consider covering an entire wall.  What a focal point!  Great for those of us apartment dwellers restricted from painting.
*Consider different trims and edging.
*How about a skinny wall where only a vertical “something” will fit.  Stack them, one, two, three!
*Wouldn’t it be interesting to use rub on lettering or stencils on top of your design creating a personal message or sentiment?
*What about a monogram or favorite passage of scripture as a wedding gift or to celebrate the birth of a new baby?

The possibilities are endless.  Let your imagination run wild with materials and designs.  Be simple or get intricate.

Enjoy and be creative today!
Artfully Yours,
Tina

www.tinalawverdesigns.blogspot.com
www.theartfullife-tina.blogspot.com
(Inspirational photo from bhg.com and all other photos by TinaLawverDesigns)