DIY Decor & Crafts

Interactive Art

Published on March 14, 2011March 14, 2011 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

While browsing Etsy, I found this cool vinyl map wall decal from Tweet Heart Wall Art. The decal usually measures 22 inches by 38.5 inches, but that was larger than I needed. After a few messages with Sunny, we nailed down my order. I got a 10 inch tall by 19 inch wide map in Brimstone Yellow. It arrived three days later!

Color me impressed with Sunny’s help and speed.

So, what did I do with this map? I turned it into interactive art for the boys bedroom.

The process was exactly the same to create this as it was this magnet board I made over the summer. The only difference was the addition of the vinyl decal. Because this was my first experience with a large vinyl decal, I rushed peeling if off and tore parts of Russia and Africa. So, I peeled those off and smushed them back down.

After making the actual map board, I made a few magnets. To make your own magnets you’ll need magnet sheets (pizza magnets work wonderfully), printable adhesive labels (I used Avery full sheets with True Block, just to make sure the magnet design didn’t show through), a printer and scissors.

Type out the continents, oceans and other large landmarks, (for my size map, I need equally small magnets, so I used 10 point font). I also created a few arrows. Then, print onto stickers, remove the backing to place on your magnet and cut to size.

Then, help your kiddos scoot the labels and arrows around the map.

When we’re not playing, the map takes center stage on the art wall, right next to the customized Made by Girl alphabet print and our free Valentine’s day All You Need is Love printable. If you’re afraid this is going to fall on Everett, don’t fear. I placed a few dots of sticky tack behind each corner to keep it firmly in place. Just a few more framed prints and this wall is done…for now.

I know. Another map in our house. It’s an addiction. To refresh your memory, here’s the other side of the room.

So far, we have painted the bed sun yellow, painted a chevron pattern on a jute rug, created free magazine art, refinished and decorated a bookshelf, and made more DIY origami art. Heck, we even reorganized the closet! The bedroom redesign we started last summer is nearly complete. What’s left? A few more art prints and a new, to-be-determined light fixture and possibly a new set of light blocking curtains.

With spring just around the corner, we are finally getting nice weather to tackle some lingering projects. What are you preparing to do? Yard work? Deep spring cleaning? Spray painting? (Me too!) Perhaps you’re a go getter and you’ve already finished a project or two?

Map Lovin’ Round Up

Published on March 10, 2011March 22, 2011 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

Yesterday, I shared a cut out road map I made of Savannah, Georgia along with other maps throughout our home. Many of you seem to have a similar weakness, so I decided to share some of my favorite maps. Check out Ork Posters for typographic map posters.

These hometown hearts map prints from CAPow on Etsy are too sweet.

This I’m So Happy print by Two Sarahs is perfect for those in Oregon. If you like this, check to see if you can get a custom print of your state.

How about a state watercolor painting from Poppy and Pinecone? Love!

While searching Etsy, I found another map cut out artist, Studio KMO also has map art prints.

City Sketch notecards by Architette could be framed to make an art piece.

Map letters from Little White Dog would be a fun addition to any home.

Do you have a favorite I didn’t mention? Any new favorites? Do you prefer vintage maps? Typography? Globes? Art prints? Have you made any map art recently? On a similar note, how about constellation art? I’m thinking I need to add some to our house. Let us know!

All images found via the featured Etsy seller’s listing as linked above.

Map Lovin’

Published on March 9, 2011 by Our Humble Abode31 Comments

Whether vintage or new, maps and globes are a weakness of mine. Along with birds, built-in shelving, anything colored Sea Green (like our guest bedroom), and chocolate. I have several vintage globes on a shelf in my office.

This small United States map to share places Ben and I have traveled together sits on my bookshelf.

A large, modern-day world map poster hangs on a wall in my office. The colors are always fun and it’s interesting to see the landscape change over time.

In a little more artsy fashion, I recently added a paper cut out of the Great Lakes, too.

Well, I did it again. This time, a road map of Savannah, Georgia, where Ben and I honeymooned nearly five years ago. I decided I wanted something bold and graphic, so I bought two large sheets of cardstock, one cream, one charcoal grey. Then, I used Google maps and Photoshop to piece together modern downtown Savannah. After printing my template (on several 8.5 by 11 sheets taped together), I taped my pattern to my cream cardstock. Two days later, I had a complete cut out. I didn’t have a frame ready, and I also didn’t want to damage the design, so I taped it to the wall.

Then I remembered that I had an empty frame sitting under the bed. The only problem? It didn’t have glass. So I called a few local hardware stores and found that Ace Hardware cuts glass. I ordered a sheet and picked it up later that day, excited to frame my hard work. I wasn’t too excited when I realized it was about 1/8 inch too large for my frame. So, Ben to the rescue. He scored the back of the frame and cut the wood out for the glass to fit. As he cut my frame, I cut a mat. After attaching all components, we had a new piece of art for our guest bedroom.

It hangs between the entrance and closet doors.

It’s not perfect, but I love how it looks.

What are your weaknesses? Do you share the same affinity of maps and globes? Perhaps you like nearly everything from a specific store? Any chocolate cravings?

Simple Solution: Great Bathroom Lighting

Published on March 3, 2011 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

So, this might seem strange. More than once, we’ve had people ask, “Why is the lighting in your bathroom so great?” They weren’t referring to the actual lights, rather the quality of light. Three things are going on to make that happen.

1. Large mirrors. Both of the mirrors in our upstairs baths are huge. The main bath mirror is three feet wide and 4 1/2 feet tall, so it reflects a lot of light. Our master bathroom mirror is about the same size, filling the wall both in width and height. Mirrors are your friend, in almost any situation.

2. Light colored walls. This isn’t a must, but again, it helps bounce light around the room.

3. Ditch the overhead light fixture which casts harsh shadows. Opt for sconces on either side of the mirror. By using sconces, you’re getting equal lighting from both sides, eliminating those harsh shadows. It doesn’t matter much if you choose a down lit or up lit style. Ours happen to be down lit, just because the fixtures we chose looked better hanging. Height matters! A rule of thumb for hanging pictures is eye level or 60 inches from the floor.

We have sconces in all three of our bathrooms and all are within five inches of each other. The main bathroom sconces are 70 inches from the floor to the center of the electrical box. The master bath are 66 inches from floor to center. By keeping the fixtures near eye level (even if it is someone who is 6’2″), the lighting is more direct. This also means you can use a lower watt bulb and pitch the flood light.

Anyone interested in changing out their bathroom lighting? Do you have a design problem and would like our help? Send us an e-mail at ourhumbleabowed@gmail.com.

Etsy Me: March

Published on March 2, 2011March 22, 2011 by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

We finished our basement nearly a year ago, but we’re finally adding art to make it look lived in. Second to Target, Etsy is my go-to place for art and home accessories. Why? Because there are so many options, from around the world, right at your fingertips. That and, I love when I can get something custom-made to my specifications. A few weeks ago, I started a new series highlighting my recent Etsy purchases.

Since that post, I’ve also purchased a few small prints from Cat N Photography. I fell in love with the sweet sentiment of the Heart print, while the Float print will fit nicely into a gallery wall I have planned for the basement, but more on that when I get around to it. Both prints are 5 inches square. Fortunately, Cat had a BOGO sale, so I got both! For now, I have the Heart print on the guest room nightstand.

Cat was so friendly and accommodating; just a pleasure to work with. And, the quality of prints is fantastic. It looks great in an 8 inch square frame I swiped from the boys’ bedroom.

Now I have to find a few more cheap square frames. IKEA is in order.

I believe the art you have in your home should reflect your personality and as a bonus, it should have meaning. When I saw the Great Lakes in teal paper cut out art by Crafterall, it struck a chord with this Minnesota girl living in Montana.

I was thrilled to tear open that package. I got so giddy once I saw the cut out. The attention to detail is amazing.

Then, I saw Lake Superior in teal. I decided to pick one up as a gift. I’ve had great luck dealing with Etsy sellers, and Marnie is no exception. Seriously, she was friendly, thoughtful and super quick to respond to my messages. The art pieces were packaged nicely and arrived completely unscathed. Definitely impressed with Marnie, her products and service.

While browsing nature prints, I found another fantastic shop, Ara133 Photography. This shop specializes in surreal, abstract photography. Now, I usually don’t gravitate toward surreal art, but this isn’t too out there. Again, I made my purchases during a BOGO sale, so I got two prints. Both are 5 inches square, too. The Willow print has beautiful coloring and a nice balance of sky and leaves. Yep, still need to find a frame for this one, too. If You Listen has beautiful contrast of a bare tree against a bold blue sky.

Unknowingly, I got three pieces of art. What was the third piece? Ara133 Photography’s business card.

Seriously, it was too beautiful not to frame, so I dug out a 5 by 7 frame, cut a mat, popped it in and placed it in the small basement bedroom.

The blue statue and hazy purple-ish pink background coördinate perfectly with the blue and fuchsia color scheme I’m planning, but for some reason, the pinks don’t seem as bright in photos.

Please note: We were not compensated for this post, we simply love the items we’ve purchased from these shops and want to share with you!

All images found via the featured Etsy seller’s listing as linked above.