Artsy Chaos

I know, I know.... it's only August and school hasn't even begun yet. But Halloween is coming!! When you love Halloween as much as we do, you can't help but get excited.  The other day I decided to play with glitter paper. What could be better than glitter AND Halloween? This project is much easier than it appears. If you can paint, trace a shape, cut and glue, you're set. It really is that easy to make a totally unique one of a kind item for your decor. Happy Halloween!! (In August!!)

We're so excited to be having a Summer giveaway for all of our wonderful friends, fans, and customers! We will be giving away: *Summer Letters Set ($21.99) *Flowers on Dowels Set ($11.99) *Butterfly ($7.99) *Snail ($7.99) *Caterpillar ($7.99) *Bee ($5.99) *Scrapbook Papers to finish the wood and embellishments! Giveaway will end on May 12th - Mother's Day. Good luck!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finishing your Artsy Chaos unfinished wood project is much easier than you think! If you can trace a shape onto paper and cut it out, you can decorate our wood with fun scrapbook paper! If you can glue, you can embellish too! The first thing you need to do is trace your wood shape onto your choice of paper. Place the wood, front side down, onto the wrong side of the paper and then trace around it. Next, cut out the traced paper shape just barely inside the line. Don't worry if the paper isn't cut exactly right. Set the paper you have just cut out aside. Next you will paint the wood. I use a very watered down acrylic craft paint. You only need to paint the sides and back of the piece. Again, it doesn't need to be perfect! Let the paint dry thoroughly. The next step is to glue the paper you have cut out onto the wood. I like to use a craft glue like Aleene's Tacky Glue. Using my fingers or an inexpensive sponge brush, I spread the glue onto the wood in a thin laye...

Today I have a really easy project to create. It would be a great last-minute Christmas gift. Wood heart ! To begin, simply trace your heart onto a sheet of patterned paper. You could also use another shape or even a plain wood block. Cut the heart out of paper and set aside. Next, you will want to paint your wood heart in a neutral color or coordinating color to your patterned paper. Once the paint is dry, glue the paper to the wood using Mod Podge or craft glue spread very thin. If your glue is too thick, bubbles in the paper will occur. Let dry, pushing out any buckles that the paper gets. Cover the project with a thin layer of Mod Podge if desired. Now it's time for the fun part! Use your imagination to add ribbons, die cuts, brads, flowers, charms, any embellishment. I have even used the bling from an old broken necklace. The sky is the limit! Depending on the project I am creating, sometimes I decoupage (Mod Podge) the painted and papered wood and don't decoup...

So I have yet to start Christmas shopping. Oh, I have a few things I have gotten here and there but overall, zip zilch nada. No shopping yet! I know, terrible, right? And do you know what's worse? I still want to make some handmade gifts. There's still time... I am optimistic. There must be others out there like me. You know, the I-feel-like-I-can-be-super-woman-but-realistically-I-know-I-can't-be-but-I-really-want-to-try type? With this in mind, I have been scouring the internet, blogs, Pinterest, for easy but fabulous ideas for handmade gifts. (Click on the pics for the source.) Have you seen all the dollar store mugs/plates projects floating around? You use sharpies to write/draw clever, sentimental, cute things on them and bake for 30 minutes at 150 degrees. I am a little worried about this one, however, since there are many failed project posts floating around also.  I just love these sweet decorated pebbles! Plus, I have a whole box full of rub-ons that ar...

I just love Christmas music and have my car radio set to the 24/7 holiday music station all December. It's just so happy, calm and carefree.  Amazon.com is giving 5 free Christmas downloads every week for 25 days in December. Yay! This week's free songs are now available and include Little Drummer Boy and Angels We Have Heard on High.  Run over to Amazon.com and gets yours! Merry Christmas !

So I hope everyone is busy making Christmas presents for those on their lists! Handmade gifts are so thoughtful and full of love. Here at Artsy Chaos, we've been working on some projects including this monogram wood frame. This is a great project because you can customize with whatever papers and paints suit your fancy! Let's get started! First off, I painted the front and sides of the frame with black acrylic paint. Spray paint would work as well. There is a reasoning behind the madness of painting the frame black first! When we arrive at the distressing stage, the black peeks through the top layer of paint. After the black base coat dries well, paint the front and sides the color of your choice. I chose grey because it seems to be all the rage these days! Next is the distressing part. I don't mean distressing as in pain-causing, gosh! Ha! Grab some sand paper or a sturdy nail fine and sand the sides and edges of the frame so that the black paint is expos...

Welcome to the $250 Euro Style Lighting Shopping Spree Giveaway Event!   Sponsored by Euro Style Lighting and hosted by We Have It All   EuroStyleLighting.com is a contemporary lighting team with over 100 years combined experience! They carry some of the finest European style lighting designs from chandeliers and ceiling fixtures to table lamps and outdoor lighting. Not only does EuroStyleLighting.com carry unique lighting, but they also carry furniture and home decor ranging from bar stools and chairs to tables, cabinets and mirrors. Be sure to check out the review and photos Euro Style Lighting Swag Style Chandeliers . Euro Style Lighting is offering our fabulous readers a chance to win a $250 shopping spree to their store! Who's Ready To WIN? Enter to win by filling out the form below, it's super easy!

Welcome to the $250 Euro Style Lighting Shopping Spree Giveaway Event hosted by We Have It All ! This event is free to join with an announcement post.  Event Dates 11/1 through 11/15 US Only Euro Style Lighting has a huge selection of traditional and contemporary lighting for your home as well as a selection of furniture and home decor. Are you a blogger who would like to join us in this fabulous event? Sign up here! sign ups close 10/29

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It's about that time again... Back To School! During the month of August, 5 Minutes for Mom is having a big giveaway event to celebrate. (Or make it easier and not have to fight those crowds!) So hop on over and enter to win some great prizes. Have fun!

Welcome to the Dyson Housewarming Giveaway event!! Do you need a new vacuum? Maybe you just WANT a new vacuum? You are in luck!! This event took months in the making and Mom to Bed by 8 , the Iowa Mom is proud to bring you this fantastic home essential and offer you the chance to win one too! Big thank you to our lovely co-hosts How to Have It All , Mark Your Savings and GiveAway Bandit . Dyson DC23 TurbineHead Canister Vacuum Delivering 220 airwatts of suction power, this canister vacuum cleaner features advanced Level 3 Root Cyclone technology to ensure thorough, efficient cleaning with no clogging or loss of suction. It also offers a TurbineHead brush bar that's ideal for cleaning medium and short pile carpets and can be turned off for hard floors. Certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the unit expels air that contains up to 150 times less mold and bacteria than common breathing air thanks to the vacuum's money-saving,...

It's time to give back to DAD! Sponsored by: Route 249 Mom Does Reviews Jackie's Reviews, Mom Blog Society It is open to both US & Canada The giveaway will run May 15th, 12:01 until May 31st 12:01 1 winner will receive their choice of the gas grill or Paypal Cash Value 129.00 $100 Gift Certificate to Omaha Steaks DAD Branding Iron Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit & 7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron $100 Omaha Steaks Gift Card Sponsored by Mom To Bed By 8 Branding Iron and Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit Sponsored by Dixie Lands Deals 7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron Sponsored by I Love My Coupon Fans & Coupon Queen that Saves the Green This Fiesta gas grill is spacious enough to meet your grilling needs. It is suitable for preparing a meal for up to four people. With this grill, you will enjoy cooking your favorite meals outdoors. Fiesta 25,000 BTU 2-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner, Blue: Porcelain-coated cooking grid 260 sq. in....

It's time to give back to DAD! Sponsored by: Route 249 Mom Does Reviews Jackie's Reviews, Mom Blog Society It is open to both US & Canada The giveaway will run May 15th, 12:01 until May 31st 12:01 1 winner will receive their choice of the gas grill or Paypal Cash Value 129.00 $100 Gift Certificate to Omaha Steaks DAD Branding Iron Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit & 7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron $100 Omaha Steaks Gift Card Sponsored by Mom To Bed By 8 Branding Iron and Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit Sponsored by Dixie Lands Deals 7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron Sponsored by I Love My Coupon Fans & Coupon Queen That's Saving The Green This Fiesta gas grill is spacious enough to meet your grilling needs. It is suitable for preparing a meal for up to four people. With this grill, you will enjoy cooking your favorite meals outdoors. Fiesta 25,000 BTU 2-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner, Blue: Porcelain-coated cooki...

Sign ups for this event are now CLOSED. Please stay tuned to see when you can enter!! Free blogger event for Fathers Day!! Are you a blogger? Sign up now!! It's time to give back to DAD! Sponsored by:  Route 249   Mom Does Reviews   Jackie's Reviews  and  Mom Blog Society Sign Up will run from April 14-May 14 It is open to both US & Canada The giveaway will run May 15th, 12:01 until May 31st 12:01 1 winner will receive their choice of the gas grill or Paypal Cash Value 129.00 This Fiesta gas grill is spacious enough to meet your grilling needs. It is suitable for preparing a meal for up to four people. With this grill, you will enjoy cooking your favorite meals outdoors.   Fiesta 25,000 BTU 2-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner, Blue: Porcelain-coated cooking grid 260 sq. in. primary cooking area 175 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack Two stainless steel burners with 25,000 BTU cooking performance 10,000 BTU side burner P...