Tutorial for Painting Dandelion Wall Graphic

I'm back from a wonderful weekend getaway with three of my fellow mom friends. We enjoyed laughter (with a few snorts), good conversations (with no interruptions), cake (without a care about calories) and a few glasses of wine (with no whine from children!) It was heaven.

As promised, I finally have the tutorial for painting dandelion graphics on your wall.

I know some of you may be intimidated by painting something graphic on your walls. But, I'm hoping if I break it down for you it won't look so hard.

Start by sketching out your design using chalk or pencil. I personally prefer chalk, but if your walls are too light you can use pencil.

From here on I'll show you the design using black paint on white paper (because it will be easier for you to see.)

You will need a few different paint brushes. These are the ones I used:

Chose a contrasting paint color for your mural. For ours I used a mixture of 2 parts white ceiling paint mixed with 1 part of the wall color. But, you could use straight white or black for a more striking graphic.

Start by using the flat brush and paint the two stems first. 

Next use your round brush or liner to make the lines on the dandelion head. 

Lightly set the brush on the wall and drag it away from the center in a straight line.

Think of it like drawing a very large asterisk on steroids.

When you are done with the two heads they will look like this.

Next you will paint the seed for each fly away fairy (did you call them fairies as a kid?)

Gently press the round brush down to make each seed. Do not drag it.

Randomly make your seed heads at different distances and angles.
Try not to be too symmetrical. And be sure to paint more seeds closer to the flower and fewer as they blow further away.

Next take the liner brush and add a stem to all the seed.
Be careful not to use too much paint or too much pressure.

Make an asterisk on the end of each seed stem. Add extra arms until you like how it resembles a dandelion fairy! Keep in mind that these don't have to be perfect.
They will be viewed from across the room. So, don't stress out.

Add more "asterisks" around the head of the dandelion until it looks full.

Continue  adding until your dandelion head is filled out.

Finish up by adding leaves to the underside of the dandelion. Use your liner or round brush to create an an elongated "S" shape.

Now step back and admire your work! If you really screw up you can always take some of your wall color and paint over your mistake.

Now you too can have a peaceful windblown dandelion mural on your walls.

What do you think? Will you try it?

Speaking of peaceful, Topsail Beach was very peaceful (despite a strong wind and cold temperatures.) Here are two of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

A Solo Flyer at Sunrise

One Lone Clam Shell

Sharing this project at these FABULOUS link parties:

DIY Showoff  Project Parade

Skip to My Lou - Made by You Mondays

Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Mondays

Mad in Crafts - Mad Skills Party
Tip Junkie - Handmade Projects Tues.

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tues.

All Thingz Related- anything related Tuesdays

Creating a House of Grace- Twice owned Tuesdays

I'm Topsy Turvy - Topsy Turvy Tues.
Savvy Southern Style - Boring to Better Tues. 

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday

Domestically Speaking - Power of Paint
The Tshirt Diaries - Upcycled Wednesday

Fine Craft Guild - Tutorial Link Party

Somewhat Simple.com - Strut Your Stuff

Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursdays

The Virginia House - We Can Do It Cheaper
Tools are for Women Too! - Modern Craftswoman

Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show Off Your Stuff

Decor Mamma - Frugalicious Friday

In the Fun Lane- Fresh Coat Fridays

Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Fridays

Tater Tots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special 

A Little Knick Knack - Everything but the Kitchen Sink

  Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

 

Fireplace Makeovers - Readers' Spotlight

Up on the rooftop click click click, down through the chimney with Good St. Nick!

I think about this song when I gaze at my beautifully painted fireplace. That's right, I said painted! Those bricks you see – well – they are bricks, but that isn't their real color. It is faux painted!

Last year this is what my fireplace looked like:


If you want to see how I did it, hop on over to Remodelaholic on Friday for the tutorial.

In the meantime, I want to share with you some other fabulously faux painted fireplaces. These three readers each contacted me after reading my post on faux painting brick and sent me photos of their fireplaces!

I think you will agree that they all did a fabulous job. Way to go gals!

"I came across your website looking for ideas on what to do with my painted white fireplace. After a year of living in the house, I couldn't take it anymore. The layers of paint were too thick to strip and refinishing would have cost too much right now. So I gave your helpful hints a try. I am amazed how great it turned out. Next, get rid of the awful tiles and put in wood flooring. Thank you so much for posting your refinished fireplace and how-to."

Thank you.
Pam Blackburn
Levittown, PA

Pam's Fireplace Before:


Pam's Fireplace After:

"Thought you'd be interested in seeing how your idea worked for me. Attached are before and after pictures. Thanks for your help - my fireplace looks awesome now - just have to buy a mantel."

Louise Russell

Louise's Fireplace Before:


Louise's Fireplace After:


And finally, Megan took her fireplace in a different direction. She had an ugly red brick fireplace and turned it into a light taupe beauty.

"I found your great blog on the internet a few weeks ago and just wanted to thank you for giving my husband and I the courage to paint the fireplace in our new house! You really gave us the confidence we needed to try and brighten up our fireplace on our own! Thank you so much!! We had been quoted $1200 to have the bricks refinished, and I ended up spending about $30 with your method! The attached "after" shot was taken before I was completely finished, but it'll still give you an understanding of where everything was headed and how much of an impact your tutorial made on us! Thank you!!"

Megan Cahill

Megan's Fireplace Before:


Megan's Fireplace After:


So what do you think? Are those amazing transformations or what? I think all three are definitely Santa-worthy now.