Happy Fall Y'all Decoupage Pumpkin Canvas (Step-by-Step Directions)

I have a slight confession. I love decorating for fall! And I love being able to use my own creativity to create things for fall. Several weeks ago I purchased a Cricut Machine off of my sister-in-law, and I've been dying to put it to real use, too!!

I saw an image on Pinterest that someone had created a pumpkin using fabric and was ironing it on to something as far as I could tell. Ironing isn't my thing, so I started thinking how I could use this inspiration to create something of my own. So I decided I would make a canvas using scrapbook paper to make a pumpkin image. 

Happy Fall Y'all Decoupage Pumpkin Canvas

Visit imperfectsliceoflife.blogspot.com to see tutorial

So, my fist step was to find some scrapbook paper I liked. I headed to Hobby Lobby (my favorite place to buy scrapbook paper) when papers were half off, so of course, no better time than 

then to buy the paper! I picked out 5 cute patterns for the pumpkin, and then one marbled brown paper for the stem. I also picked up a roll of orange gingham ribbon to use for the hanger at Hobby Lobby, also half off! I had an 11x14 Canvas on hand from a previous project, as well as the Matte Mod Podge, acrylic paint, and orange cardstock that I used for this project. 

First things first, painting the canvas.

I decided I wanted to use an Antique White Paint to make the background have a starchy-er look to it. I purchased this brand of acrylic paint at Meijer for a previous project. 

Be sure when you are painting the canvas that you have an even coverage off the canvas. You don't want to have lumps and bumps in your canvas. Unless that is the look you are going for!

Let the paint dry.

While the paint was drying I moved on to cutting the pumpkin "slice" shapes. 

I simply drew the shapes on the scrapbook paper, and cut them out. Laid them next to each other to make sure they had a nice shape and fit together well. I also cut the stem shape out and made sure it fit with the pumpkin. 

As I looked at the canvas, I loved the Antique white color, but it was still too white, so I decided I would use a little orange and yellow to make it look more fall-ish. 

First I added small swooshes of Sunflower yellow (purchased at Hobby Lobby when they were 30% off)

And then I added some Bright Orange swooshes in (purchased at Pat Catan's)

Next I laid the pumpkin pieces onto the canvas to be sure that everything was sized correctly and I was happy with the shapes.

Next step: Mod Podge 

I decided I would use my Matte Finish Mod Podge to help with creating the fall feeling of the canvas.

I purchased this at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon.

I Mod Podges the pieces onto the canvas. 

While that was drying, I set out to cut the perfect letters with the Cricut to finish off the canvas.

I knew I wanted it to "Happy Fall Y'all!" and I thought I wanted a font similar to Times New Roman.

So I programmed the Cricut to cut the letters for me. I had it cut the letters to be 2 inches tall.

Once they were all cut, I laid them out onto the  canvas. Once I was happy with the design, I Mod Poodged them to the canvas. 

And then I put one more layer over the whole canvas to make sure everything was evenly covered and sealed.

I let the canvas overnight, and then hot glued the ribbon I had purchased to create the hanger. 

Enjoy the fall season and your imperfect slice of life!

Notions Jar with Pin Cushion (Step-by-Step Directions)

Let me just start off by telling you, I love Mason Jars! We used Mason Jars as centerpieces and decorations at our wedding.

      

I'm sure it all stems from the many summers I spent as a child helping my mom can tomato juice, applesauce, peaches, jellies and pickles. Thanks Mom!

Any who, I love to sew (when I have time), and there are so many times that I have needed somewhere to put all the little things I needed for my project, but normally I just set them on the table, and then I may or may not end up losing them. 

So, I set out to make the perfect little jar to contain those things, and to put a pin cushion on top, would make it even better!

I found a fat quarter on sale for a dollarr while I was at Meijer several weeks ago, so I picked it up to help me complete this projects

And I bought a wide-mouth pint Mason Jar for $1.25 at Pat Catan's when I was making one of my craft runs. 

So the first step is to paint the jar.


I always like to start on the bottom. 

After the first coat dries, I always go back and do a second coat to get smooth, even coverage. 

DIY String Art Arrows (Step-by-Step Directions)

In case you weren't sure, I loved DIY-ing. My friends and family who follow me on Instagram know this as two of my favorite hashtags are #DIYandCraftObsession and #DIYattheEisenmanns 

Lately, String Art is all the rage, so of course I had to give it a try!

I pride myself on having a very positive message when people come to our home, even though at times I feel that I am not a very positive person. And lately, the frustration of not having a teaching position has been getting me down in the dumps. While scouring the internet for the perfect String Art image to make for our home, I saw an example of a String Art arrow and thought it was super cute. And in all of my trying to keep positive about the lack of teaching position, I am reminded that I must stay true to myself and continue to follow my dream of being a teacher. No matter what discouragement comes my way. So it was decided, the arrow was just what I needed, and I decided that I would write "Follow your arrow".

So I began my search for all the things I needed. I had plans with a friend of mine to do some running around, so we stopped into Home Depot and looked at the different sizes or boards that I could purchase. When I went in, I had the intention of buying a 1x6, but as I looked at the 1x6, I didn't think it was wide enough for what I was picturing (I also had another idea and surprise up my sleeve, but I'll tell you about that later). 

So, I looked at all the different sizes and with the help of my friend, I decided on a 1x10x6. The gentleman who helped us locate the right size also took care of cutting it for us. Most stores offer so many cuts for free and then a charge for the rest, but the very kind gentleman said not to worry about the cost of the cuts. He was very kind and willing to help, proof their are still so many good people in this world. The 6 foot piece of 1x10 was $7.72, and I was able to get 6 pieces that were 9 and 3/8 inches long, and one smaller leftover piece, I'm sure I can use it some how. I also picked up a package of #18  3/4 wire brads for $1.30.

I also went to Hobby Lobby and looked for the perfect color of string. I settled on a beautiful  minty green color, and I found a roll of ribbon that is minty green and matched the string, plus it had arrows on it. PERFECT! I knew I could use it at the hanger for my beautiful String Art!

Ribbon was on sale when I purchased it for $1.49

The thread was 30% off when I was purchasing my supplies, so I got it for $2.37

So, my first step, sand the wood, just to be sure it is smooth!

Next step, stain the wood. I used the same color of stain that I had used on the Yard Yahtzee dice that I finished up a few weeks ago.

After I let the first coat dry, I decided I wanted it to be a tad bit darker, so I out another coat of stain on the wood and I feel like it gave me the perfect color!

Next step was to nail the design into the wood. I had printed out two arrows to use as a template so that my designs would be similar. 

Tape template down so that it does not move. 

I nailed in a few points to be sure the template didn't move. If you use tape, you can take it off once you've nailed down a few points.

I continued to nail the design down. As you can see, I didn't follow the template exactly because I had a specific look I was looking for. So I improvised. 

Once all the nails were hammered in, I removed the templates. 

To start, tie around one point, and start to wind/weave around the nails creating the design in the manner you want. 

 Continue until one section is done and move onto the next.

I then ran the string up the "shaft" of the arrow, and ran it around 3 times, then I moved onto the arrowhead. 

I just started at one point, and then kept moving around the arrowhead until I had covered all parts. 

And to finish it off, I ran the string around the perimeter of the arrowhead three times. 

 And then on the last time around, I tied it off around the center nail and the string that makes up the shaft of the arrow.

Viola!

The arrows are completed.

I then used a staple gun to attach the ribbon hanger to the back of the piece of wood. 

I also completed an Anchor piece for one of my very dear friends. Below you will see how I completed the anchor. I used the exact same steps as the Arrow String Art.

This is the string I used for the Anchor String Art. It was on sale for $1.99 when I stopped in, so I picked it up. 

I used Jute to look like rope wrapped around the anchor. I purchased this at WalMart for $2.96

I burnt the ends of the jute to try and keep it from fraying as best I could. 

Before I started stringing, I wound the jute through the nails so that I wouldn't have to try and feed it through once the anchor was done. 

 I started the same way, I tied it at one point, and then started winding it round and crossing the string to help fill in the anchor shape.

Hopefully this will help you to complete any String Art projects you may try to tackle.

Well this was definitely a challenging DIY for me, but I enjoyed it, so I hope you are able to enjoy your imperfect slice of life!