This week, I am excited to share a fun and colorful DIY with you using watercolor paper scraps and a hexagon hole punch. 

I was inspired by a similar collage from Mommo Design that I saw on Pinterest. Since, I paint often and teach a watercolor class, I decided to de-stash my all of those watercolor papers in my studio file that have been accumulating for months! Like most artists, I can never seem to throw my work away, so if you have that same problem...then this project is for you! 

If you don't have extra painted papers lying around, you can use patterned papers, paint your own or even ask your kids to paint some papers for you! ***Bonus, this project could entertain and engage your kids too;)

I ended up sorting all of my little stacks of papers into groups by color family. I had a lot blues and greens so I decided to use those up first. I even mixed in some of the marbled papers that I had created last Spring for an interesting bubbly textural effect. 

Next, I explored the composition a bit before deciding on how to place them. Then, I started to arrange them vertically. Once I felt good about the spacing and borders, I began glueing them down individually using a glue stick. To give you an idea of the size, each hexagon fits inside a 2" circle. 

Finally, I created a little vignette in the corner of my art studio because I imagine this piece in a kids room, nursery, an entryway or bath. 

One thing that surprised me was the number hexagons that it took to fill the space. I used exactly 40 hexagons to fill a 9" x 12" opening. 

Here is the full list of supplies, should you want to try this out at home. 

• hexagon punch (extra large)
• watercolor scraps and hand painted papers (90 lb watercolor works best)
• 11" x 14" white frame with a 9" x 12" mat opening
• white glue-stick

TIP: I tried to include some white space within the hexagon shape to achieve a more modern and graphic effect. 

Overall I am happy with how this one turned out, and honestly the most satisfying part for me was the act of making the art. Please feel free to pin these photos and share! I would love to see the results what you make. 

One month ago, I hosted my first shibori workshop as part of a series of upcoming maker's events. It was super fun and creative, so basically I can't wait to share all the pictures with you. Since I put so much energy into that event, I wanted to share a simple and mess-free DIY. As many of you know, I have been updating my art studio to create a coastal vibe and modern office where I can work on my designs. I needed new curtain tie backs to tame my white linen panel curtains. I was really happy with the results and the whole project only took 15 minutes out my work-day. High-five!

This post originally appeared in early July, and quickly became one of my most popular posts. I am adding an update and improvement today to the project after using the ties for over a month. Here is how you too can make simple and inexpensive beaded curtain tiebacks in around 15-20 minutes. Happy Crafting! 

For this project you will need only two things:

1. Various-sized natural wooden beads
2. Faux suede vegan leather cord, make sure to select the 6 pack that includes the neutrals, white and gray cord. 

***Please note that my original tie-backs were strung on twine, but I decided to restring them for a more durable loop and finish them up using the faux suede cord. I plan to use this cord again on another project! 

Read on through for the full project and list of supplies!  

Today, I am excited to share final pictures from the vintage desk restoration.You might have followed or read the previous post, where I shared my tips and strategies for refinishing hardwood. Today, you will see the before and after pics finally! You may remember that I started this project way back in the New Year. As I began, it quickly brought me back to all the before and after projects that I have tackled over the years. ​

Here is a peek of how it looked by the pool, as the finishes were drying.  For the finish, I applied a dark walnut stain. ​