Thursday, May 5, 2011

Can I get an "A" for effort?

For the longest time, I thought that was the dumbest saying. "Um, Effort starts with an E, dummy pants," I'd think while silently judging the person who used the phrase. Man, I'm so embarrassing sometimes.

And speaking of embarrassing, I decided to tackle a project I've had in my "To Try" files forever.

Erica at P.S. I Made This made these amazing (Seriously, I need new adjectives!) faux pottery vases from puffy paint, spray paint, and cans/bottles.

Confession: I've never used puffy paint OR spray paint before today. (That might be a lie, I have a vague memory of making a shirt in first grade with puffy paint, but I don't know if I actually did or if I'm just creating awesome fake craft memories. I've always been a horrible crafter. I can't draw a straight line to save my life, and I half-joke that I was absent the day in preschool we learned to use scissors because I can't cut right. Back in school, every single project I did for classes or science fairs was a hot mess. So, I'm inclined to believe that I'm just making up the puffy paint memory.)

So, I took a trip to Michael's and the dollar store to pick up some supplies.



Puffy Paint
Painters Tape (dollar store)
Spray Paint
Glass vases (already on hand from a previous project)

I had this totally fantastic Lazy Novice Crafter Idea* that they would look REALLY, REALLY, REALLY cool if some of the glass was showing, so I just wrapped two pieces of the painters tape around the bottom to create four separate sections.


One I did not tape at all, and the other I taped off into a chevron pattern:

Next up, start applying your puffy paint into the patterns you'd like to use. Remember, I can't draw a straight line, so I decided to go with just simple dots. Even I can do that!


The one with the painters tape was super easy to do, because I could just hold the tape and not worry about smudging my masterpiece puffy paint dots. The one without tape? Luckily, my hand fit inside. Taking it out, not so easy. I basically turned my hand into a giant suction cup, so you can imagine me trying to remove it without touching any of the paint, yes? Go ahead, take a minute to picture it. Call me dummy pants if you must.


Next, let the puffy paint dry. Watch The Nate Berkus Show. Talk to your dog about how her day is going and if she has any big plans for the weekend. Touch the puffy paint to see if it's dry. Reprimand yourself for touching the still wet puffy paint. Wait some more.

Finally, a quadrillion and two minutes later, you're ready to break out the spray paint and paint these suckers.



I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor in gloss white. I chose it because that's what Michael's carried, and I know nothing about spray paint.

Carefully remove the tape and viola! Pretty, perfect porcelain vases:



Stop reading and following along if you're here for the tutorial.


You know I'm a lazy novice crafter, so of course they didn't turn out perfect. In fact, I'd say at this point it's a total project fail. I've got high hopes that I can fix it, but that's another project for another day.

So what went wrong?

1. I used cheap painters tape that I picked up from the dollar store. It didn't totally adhere in some spots, but I didn't realize it. You know, being a lazy novice crafter and all.

2. I got spray paint INSIDE the openings. Not a huge deal on the one that didn't have tape, but on the others you can see it through the glass.

3. I didn't listen. Every single blogger who has a tutorial that uses spray paint says the same things. Listen when they say thin, even coats are best. Listen when they say to let the paint totally dry before removing the painters tape. Listen to anyone but me, ok?

In the spirit of sharing successes along with failures, I present to you, the following photo:




I think I might be able to salvage this just fine with a razor, q-tip, paint thinner and a steady hand. But even if I can't, I'm going to consider this project fail a crafting win.

I used puffy paint and spray paint for the first time. I learned about painters tape and following the advice of other more experienced crafters and bloggers. I found out that my hand makes a fierce suction cup.

I'm putting on my big girl panties and linking up to the following awesome parties:

Somewhat Simple

HookingupwithHoH









And, because this is still one of my favorite projects ever, I'm going to link on up here:



Jennifer from Life, Crafts, and Whatever is co-hosting this blog hop/linky party so even though this project is a week old, I'm hoping they'll forgive me for linking this up and not my most current post!

13 comments:

  1. You get an "A" and an "E" for Awesome Effort- they are really cute- fix them up and your good to go!

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  2. Definitely A++ effort, definitely fixable, or the quickest fix = spray paint all white! I love PS projects. My attempt at the puffy paint is HERE.

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  3. Hilarious - this is totally something I would do. In fact, I was spray painting drawers today...did I tape off the insides...um, no. Do I have spray paint all over? Um, yes. Will I fix it? Depends on my mood tomorrow when I bring them inside.

    I would have to agree with frosting - just spray paint the whole thing white.

    Jill @ JunkyVagabond

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  4. Glass can be such a pain to paint. I've done a few things and still don't always have the patience to do several light coats and then I curse myself for not listening and thinking that I'd magically be the exception to that rule. I think with a little fixing up these will be darling!

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  5. You.are.hilarious!
    A crafter who's also funny and eloquent? yes please!
    I wish you lived in Az because I'd totally craft it up with you!
    I'm your newest follower!

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  6. You ladies make me love blogging! I still haven't tried to fix it, but if I do I'll totally share the failure. I mean outcome...I'll totally share the outcome.

    You're so encouraging and sweet, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment! And that you didn't call me dummypants, even though you could have!

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  7. Well that sure is clever. I think you can salvage it too. Thanks for sharing at my newbie party.

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  8. I wouldn't have even noticed the flaws until you mentioned it. Bleeding paint, my worst enemy-let me know when you figure it out and toss a couple tips my way.

    Great sense of humour by the way:)

    Taylor
    Domestic8d

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  9. Oh gosh - loved the post as much as the craft!!
    Thanks so much for linking up!!

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  10. Cute idea! I'm a new follower and really like it!

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  11. You made me laugh...I'm a pretty good crafter but my problem is that I have ZERO patience which leads to a lot of craft failures...But, hey a sense of humor can carry you a long ways ;-)

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  12. You get A+ :) Linking up this awesome post with us made the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop better and more special. Thank you!

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  13. YAY someone jut like me!!!!! - keep at it girl! x

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Aww, Yay! A comment for me? You're super sweet! You're my favorite commenter ever!