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It’s finally starting to look like Spring around here! Flowers are blooming, trees are getting leaves, and pollen is descending upon us in clouds. Ha! With all of the color outside, I was itching to bring in some vibrant colors inside!
I’ve been needing something round to complete Little Girlie’s gallery wall, so I decided to make her a super colorful mirror! I wanted the mirror to incorporate the colors in her room and have a bit of texture. After a bit of brainstorming, I came up with a design that used the most unlikely of materials… popsicle sticks!
Here’s what you need to get started!
–Popsicle Sticks
* (I used the wide, thinner ones so they would be easier to cut)
* (I used the wide, thinner ones so they would be easier to cut)-Acrylic craft paints
-Beveled edge wreath form similar to this one
*
*-Hot glue
-Paint brush (This one*
is my favorite for knocking out a job like this quickly!)
is my favorite for knocking out a job like this quickly!)
I started out by prepping my popsicle sticks for painting. I only needed the rounded tips, so cut the sticks in half so I could paint both tips at the same time. I knew I needed to get the tops and the sides/tips painted and would have a million to paint, so came up with a quick way to paint them… tape them hanging off the edge of the counter! That way, I could paint them all at once and could easily get to the sides without them sticking the a surface.
Quick tip: I taped them on in groups of 10 for easy counting.
Of course, I underestimated just how much counterspace I’d need to tape 240 popsicle sticks onto!
After I finished taping, I stepped back and surveyed the kitchen. It looked like a crazy town. It was then that I realized I had crossed over to the crafting dark side and needed to be admitted into a support group. People probably fear coming to my house for fear that I’ll paint doodles on them or hot glue embellishments to their clothing.
Anyway, back to the crazy town kitchen with 240 popsicles hanging on for dear life… I gave them all two coats of paint and am happy to report that my wacky taping method worked wonderfully. I was done super fast!
Side note, if you wanted a more neutral color scheme, you could stain the sticks different shades instead of painting them! Ohhh, so sophisticated! 🙂 If you do that, tag me in a picture. I want to see!
To assemble, I cut the popsicle sticks down and glued them on to the wreath form in overlapping rows. I worked in vertical rows until I had gone around the entire wreath. It’s helpful to cut the sticks as you go because the inner ones need to be a bit shorter (about 3/4″) and the outer ones need to be a bit longer (about 1- 1/2″). I could only get in 5 full rows across of sticks, so ended up cutting my popsicle sticks lengthwise to create a sixth row and cover the remaining exposed outer edge.
Quick Tip: When you start, only glue the first row near the straight end, leaving the curved tip unglued. This will allow you to slide your last row under your first row and avoid a start/stop seam.
When I was done, I simply glued a mirror and picture hanger onto the back!
It was a bit of a process, but really so easy! I just love how it turned out!
It’s the perfect finishing touch to Little Girlie’s gallery wall! I’ll show you the rest of the updated gallery on soon, so be sure to check back! (Update: check out the updated gallery wall here to see where this cute mirror landed!)
I love the bright, vibrant colors!
What’s the craziest thing you’re ever done in the name of crafting? I want to hear your stories!! 🙂
Linking up with Savvy Southern Style, Remodelaholic, Thrifty Decor Chick, and many other awesome blogs!
Great-looking project! I like your instructions to not glue the rounded edge of the first row so you could slide the last one underneath it. How did it turn out so evenly spaced? Luck?!
Thank you!! Yes, I learned from experience about that first row…mine has a seam! And the even spacing was definitely luck! Haha! Working in vertical rows and cutting as I went really helped. I did the first quarter with a batch of sticks that I had cut all at once and really struggled, so again, I learned the hard way! 🙂
This turned out so pretty, and with just popsicle sticks! Such wonderful creativity with simple things – love it! Found you at Linky Party Palooza
This is so pretty and unique. I love that you posted such great instructions. Thanks.
My goodness this turned out so pretty. And I have to say I admire you for your tenacity to actually paint all those popsicle sticks and then to glue them on. It was worth your time though! Beutiful and original.
So pretty! I love how simple this is!
I absolutely love this wreath! I love the colors you chose and the popsicle sticks look so chic (I didnt know that was possible). PS I think I have made it to the crafting dark side too 😉
OK, So I just clicked on the feature for you at Savvy Southern Style, and commented on you darling kid's kitchen, then as I'm pursuing today's links, the wreath is what caught my eye, and lo and behold it's you again! Wow, you are so so talented! This too is sooo cute! Pinning again! 🙂
Your comment made my night! Thank you!!! So kind!!
I know, right?! Who would have though popsicle sticks and chic would ever be in the same sentence? And glad to know I'm not the only crazy craft lady! Haha!
Thank you! Simple is the name of my game! 😉
Thanks so much! So glad you stopped by!
Thank you, Mary!!
Thanks so much!
So pretty! You did a great job!
If you have time, I would love for you to come and share this post over at the Really Crafty link party that is live right now! http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/03/welcome-to-really-crafty-link-party-12.html).
So fun and creative! I love it!
My mouth dropped when I saw all those popsicle sticks lined up on your counters! Haha… totally worth it. So pretty and unique!
I think this is such a cool idea Samantha! I love the everything about it! Thank you for sharing at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link! Pinning!
Cat
Thanks so much, Cat!
That is so cute!! I love your clever solution for painting the sticks easier! (See fellow crafter here…others see crazy…we see totally clever 🙂 ) I bet your daughter loves it too! XO