Friday, July 06, 2012

What to do with dry pens: Creative Project #1

Last Monday I introduced my "Guided easy steps to declutter your home" series and we started by trying all the pens at home and discarding those that didn´t work.
There are bound to be dry pens that you don´t want to discard because their sentimental value. What can we do with those?

Option #1 for those in a hurry:
put the pen in display in front of the picture of the place/the person you got the pen from. 

Option #2 for a creative weekend: a decoupaged pen holder. This one also is useful for working pens, markers and brushes.

Step 1: Start by choosing a wooden pen holder. Oh, yes! You can get creative here, buy a plastic one, put your souvenirs there and call it done. :D
Step 2: paint the pen holder with acrylic white base paint.
Step 3: let it dry and apply a second layer of white.
Step 4: choose two pretty coordinated printed napkins and coordinated acrylic paint for the inside.
Step 5: paint the inside of the pen holder with the acrylics of your choice.
 Step 6: carefully separate the FIRST layer of the napkin (the one with the design) and apply it with decoupage adhesive to the sides of the pen holder. Tip for cutting the napkin to size: instead of cutting it before do it afterwards. Apply the paper with the adhesive and after the adhesive is dry, sand the borders with a very fine sanding paper until it cuts.
Step 7: apply acrylic varnish of your choice.

You can also go over a design that no longer serves your decoration style. Start with the white base over the previous design and go from there. :)
Step 8: smile at the completed task. :)
I´m linking this post to Paint Party Friday by Eva and Kristin
Next week: bills and other miscellaneous scraps of paper.

14 comments:

Carolyn Dube said...

Love how you painted the inside the 3 colors. That added so much pop to it! Next time I do a project like this I need to think more about the insides!

Anonymous said...

wow! you are so creative! This looks fabulous. Pretty AND practical - I love it!

carol l mckenna said...

Very creative ideas and creations ~ ~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

GlorV1 said...

Hi Paula. Wow, very creative indeed and what a good idea. I need one of those for all my pens, etc. Thanks for the great ideas.Happy weekend to you.

misteejay said...

Lovely storage block Paula and as you say, perfect for working pens too.

Toni xx

Netty said...

Smashing alteration Paula. Happy PPF, Annette x

Marji said...

Wow, I need one of these. You make it look so easy - I think I'll have a try. Happy PPF

Mary C. Nasser said...

Very creative and lovely!
Thank you for the step-by-step tutorial!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Carola Bartz said...

What a wonderful creative idea. It reminds me that I want to try out that technique with napkins.

Giggles said...

I need one of these!! Awesome creativity, and functional too!!

Hugs Giggles

Lynn Stevens said...

Great transformation Paula, Isn't it funny the relationship we have with our pens! I pull one out and see its empty ,instead of tossing it in the trash I put it back. Go figure! LOL
hugs Lynn

JKW said...

ah, organization. What a creative solution and so colorful. Different pens and different colors. You'll always be able to find them immediately. Blessings, Janet PPF

Kokopelli said...

I especially love step 8! Looks good and great step by step pictures. Happy PPF!

Tracey FK said...

That is a great project... I am just catching up after being on a break for a few days and have bookmarked this one to attack in the summer break...xx

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