Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Paint a Rug Party....the Finale

OK, this was the fastest three posts I have ever done. 
Probably because I have been paining 4-ev-er! If you want to start at the beginning of this party, go here.

Also, I have a giveaway going on, if you would like to enter.

Let's start with this


This is where I left you


Well, I taped and taped, and taped to get the best design I could without going back and moving other pieces of tape. Using graph paper would have been the way to go.

Nevermind, I wasn't sure this was going to work, anyway.

I mixed flat black latex paint with the paint medium. The ratio on the container says 2 parts paint to 1 part medium.


Because this rug has a high/low pile, I started with a brush painting into the middle of each stripe


I thought this would help prevent the paint from bleeding under the tape.
This was way toooo sloooow!

So I changed to a small roller


Still too slow.

So I changed to a longer roller


At this point, I really didn't care if it turned out. Actually, I was perfectly fine to tell you how it was a big fail....I just wanted it to be over.

This is what it looked like after one full coat of paint


Now you can really see how the high/low pile is affecting the paint absorption. 
Another coat of paint....maybe some wine :D

And I needed to use a stencil brush


I must say it looks good from this angle


Let's take a closer look


See it?


I just didn't have it in me to do ANOTHER coat of paint. Dang, those lines are crisp!

Did you happen to notice my zebra pillows?


They keep this guy company

Here are the lessons I learned
Do
1. Try to paint a rug.
2. Use a flat weave rug.
3. Use a paint medium at a 1:1 ratio... regardless of what the label says.
4. Use the 3M tape that I used.
5. Use flat latex paint.
6. Lay your pattern out on graph paper first.
7. Participate in a rug painting party :)

Don't
1. Use a high pile rug.
2. Be impatient....it takes time.
3. Be afraid....it's not the solution to world peace, just a rug.

You know I'm not in this alone.....let's go see how the others did. I heard somebody finished in 30 minutes....show off.

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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Paint A Rug Party...take 2


I'm Done! Just kidding. Welcome back to week 2 of the Paint a Rug Party. For week one, go here.  You may recall that I am working on a square rug in my dressing area. Well, this is my official inspiration. I am going to attempt this Greek Key rug.

Frontgate
I stumbled upon Tatertots & Jello's Greek Key rug tutorial.  If you are using the Ikea rectangular rug...then go there and print one of these out

Tatertots & Jello
It's the perfect grid layout for the Ikea rug.  She said it was a lot of Algebra. I love algebra, and feel that geometry is a more accurate description. 

Regardless, if you are using an existing rug, then scrap all of the above...because you we will never be lucky enough to have it that easy. 

Here is the rug, and one thing is for sure....it will never look like this, again.



I had no idea what size tape to use, so I bought 3 sizes


I started with the 2" wide tape for the boarder. Most of the rug tutorials...OK, all of them, use a huge amount of tape, and then peal away for the painted spaces. Being as thrifty as I can be when I want to.....I decided to spot pieces of tape to set an even distance for the next row.



Using the edge of the tape as my guide, I would run the next row.



I used a razor blade to cut the edges straight.







Here is where I started rethinking the entire project....REMEMBER the tape will be the original color of the rug. You have to keep thinking in reverse. 



After measuring the inside dimension, It was clear that the 2" tape was too big to continue. So, I changed to the 1.5" tape for the pattern portion. I wold try to do a few rows on one side before I moved to the next. 



And before I knew it, I lost my square corners, and my marbles.



I kept at because I knew you were coming by to take a peak. 



It started resembling the pattern. I think I will do the center portions on all four sides, and then cheat the corners where needed.


Have you noticed how many bloggers are doing feet shots to end their posts? 

By the way, I have been playing with fonts and watermarking my prints throughout this post. I did it on PicMonkey. It was a lot faster than taping this rug!

Now let's go see if Jennifer got the rug and how everyone else did this week. We also have a party crasher....Beth from Design Post Interiors. 

*****UPDATE THE FINALE, GO HERE******


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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Camper in Trouble

I don't entertain a lot in my home. Probably because I find it stressful, and feel responsible for my guest's entertainment experience. Call me co-dependent. 

Of course this carries over into blogging...

So, naturally when I reach out to other bloggers and ask them to participate in an event...I feel the need to support them as much as possible. The emails really do fly around behind the scenes. I want EVERYONE to have a good time and be successful. Recently, I was referred to as a Blog Camp Counselor. 

Well there is a camper in trouble! Jennifer from The Pink Pagoda entered the Paint a Rug Party by her own free will. She wants to paint a runner for her daughter's hallway. One problem, she can't find one in cotton like the larger Ikea one she already has. Who would enter a rug painting party without a rug to paint?

Can you tell what this co-dependent Camp Counselor is about to do?

You guessed it


I even added her signature blue & white to the picture.

Time for another Ikea hack. Here is what you will need, campers.


The white duct tape is really the key! Start with a cotton rug on the WRONG side
Decide on your width...Jennifer wanted 39", so I placed temporary tape at that exact measurement (outside line)

Do the same thing at the other end of the rug...connect the outside edges with a straight edge. You will want to cut both sides of the rug for uniformed sides

Next, I ran the duct tape along the outside edge of the line. Note how crooked the manufactured edge is....we can do better than that.

Using a straight edge, again...and leaving plenty of tape left on the rug, make a line on the tape




Cut along the line


Then you have this
 Not done yet....Jennifer, are you still with me?






I am so glad this does not fit my hallway. If it did, I would have to tell her that I tried to hack a rug, but was unsuccessful...because, I would totally keep it!

And now for the stylized shot
The rug is in the mail, Jennifer. She knows I'm not painting it for her....doesn't she? The moral of this story is....be careful who you party with. Now if you will excuse me, I have a rug of my own to paint.
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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Paint A Rug Party!

Last month, I invited everyone to join in and attempt a rug painting project. There are no rules except for the timeline....three weeks. 

12 brave bloggers have agreed to participate and document their process along the way. I am fairly certain that none of us have ever tried to paint a rug. Hopefully, this group will offer plenty of tips and inspiration. I know it will be entertaining....these ladies are fun...and funny!

I hope you stick with us for the next three Thursday's. 

Here is the low down of my rug project. 
This is the little dressing area between my bedroom and bathroom.


The entire space could use a makeover, but for now I'm going to concentrate on the bland rug.

 I am actually going to paint the existing rug...well, that's what I'm thinking. It's a bit worn, so I hope the paint will 
act like rug botox....or is it filler? Anyone?


It has a woven waffle pattern, and I have a feeling that will be the death of me. I can't remember if it is 100% wool? I am also guessing that painting on synthetic can lead to additional headaches? I will definitely let you know.

Now for my inspiration....might as well dream big.

At first I was thinking Greek key

Jonathan Adler via Decor Pad
 I have a feeling the high/low of the waffle weave would make this too difficult.

 How about stripes?
Jonathan Adler
That might be too ambitious. 

Maybe squares

Jonathan Adler

Labyrinth via Layla Grayce

Do you have any suggestions for pattern or color? I will have an update for you next Thursday. 

I can't wait to see what these talented women are planning...let's click over together.

Simple Details
                                                                 Trapped In North Jersey

By the way, if you want to join in and don't have a blog....email me your finished rug and I will show it off for you.

******UPDATE for week 2, go here*******

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