Thursday, January 17, 2013

The first official project of 2013!


 Because I do not have enough to do....

    In between taxiing kids around and everyday life in general I decided to indulge my curiosity in a little project I had had my mind on for some time! We have never had a backsplash in our kitchen and I have pondered on this..... I did my research and then some! I have watched every tutorial and read every bloggy experience, even the horror stories! I finally found the courage to experiment! I found this to be a very tedious yet enjoyable experience! One that ended in victory! We all sit at the counter to "oooooh and awww!" our beautiful new space! We absolutely love it! 

Supplies:
bravery
sponge brushes in various sizes
ruler
grout line stencil tape
painters tape
various colors of paint 
water based polyurethane
deep breathing
small paintbrush for touch ups



 Start by painting the background the color you wish your "grout" to be. For best results allow to dry for at least 24 hrs. Then you can begin the design process one of two ways.... build your design by sketching it out on paper and then transfer the design to your intended space. Do this in sections. If you have a good eyeball and imagination you can begin by building your design directly onto the wall, also by section. Whatever is easier for you!



    Once you have your design sketched out and in place...take a deep breath, stand back and let the admiration begin! Before you begin anything, make sure you have grout line stencil tape in your possession! I looked high and low for this tape! It is hard to find! Use the stencil grout tape to tape over your pencil lines. Be sure to press the tape firmly into place. Yes, this is a pain in the rear! Think happy thoughts! It will be so worth it! Use scissors to cut your tape for sharp precise lines. Use the painters tape to protect the outer borders and cabinets.

     Many tutorials include adding dimension to your tiles by using drywall compound after this step. If you choose to do this, work by section to apply the compound and remove the tape promptly! Do not let it dry under the compound! Once it is all dry, re apply tape and follow the next few steps... DIY Network has a wonderful tutorial for using drywall compound Faux tile backsplash We obviously chose to not use the dry wall compound....

Ready to paint?

    Find a few shades that coordinate with your colors. These small color samples from valspar are perfect! For under three dollars they are just right for a project of this size! Dip your sponge into one of your colors. If you start in the middle of a taped off tile when your brush is wettest, then work out to the taped edge with a drier sponge it will cut down on paint bleed! To achieve the faux tile look apply a few different colors....

and blend!



 Work in sections...

 to apply your paint. As you finish a section, remove the tape from where you began. This will help you avoid removing more than tape! Don't be afraid to be creative! I really enjoyed shading random areas a little lighter here, a little darker there! Also different pressures on your sponge will create different effects! Experiment! Continue working by section until you have completed your backsplash!




Viola!

After you have removed all of your tape it is time for touch ups! By using a drier sponge around the tape lines I was able to significantly cut down on bleed, however I did still need to correct a few areas. What do you think? Once your tiles are complete and have dried for 24 hours apply a water based polyurethane to seal and protect! This will also give the illusions of glossy tiles! Now to the repainting of the rest of the kitchen!

Ready to try this? Good luck!

30 comments:

  1. Get out of town!!!! This is soooo awesome! Great job!

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    1. Hey there! Glad you like! Thanks for stopping! Always good to see ya!

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  2. Replies
    1. Hi you! Thanks! It was fun! Cant wait to see your cute face in March!! XOXOXOX Love ya bunches!

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  3. Looks amazing! Great job!

    New follower here from the blog hop.

    http;//www.nadanadalimonada.com

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  4. Oh, I love that. It turned out beautifully! Love the Bravery and Deep Breath as a part of the supply list. Joined your GFC via blog hopping around and saw yours. http://onecreativeprocrastinatinggal.blogspot.com/

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    1. Bravery was indeed needed;) Thanks so much for your wonderful comment! Now following you back!

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  5. Following you via Bloglovin from the Bloglovin hop! :)
    Katie~
    http://dysfunctionsjunction.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I will always chuckle now when I eat reese's pieces:)

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  6. Wow that turned out awesome!!! Stopping in from the Aloha Friday hop :)

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  7. WOW! I would have never thought to paint a back splash like that. It looks great!

    I found you on the Blog Lovin' Blog Hop.

    http://whispersfromaworkingmom.blogspot.com/

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    1. We really love it! More than we thought we would! Once we repaint everything else and get our new flooring it will be a whole new place:) Thanks for stopping!

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  8. what a great post. I love the back splash! I am visiting from the blog hop. Just started following and I hope you come visit my blog too! www.mendezmanor.com

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  9. Looks GREAT!!! The back splash is amazing!

    Followed you from the blog hop!

    Leenie
    www.undecidedmamas.com
    Check us out :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! The cookies look delish! Thanks for stopping!

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  10. following you from Aloha!plz follow me back.
    http://fashionwithfitness.blogspot.com/

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  11. it turned out terrific. I love the first thing on your list. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo

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    1. Thanks Katherine! Thanks for the hop as usual;)

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  12. Hi there!!! I'm Hanna. I found you from the blog hop and I love making new friends and meeting new bloggers:) I am your newest follower:) You can me any old time over here at

    www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com

    I'd love to see you:) xoxoxoxo Hanna

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    1. Thanks! I am glad you came by!I will be visiting soon!

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  13. Fantastic idea! I had a friend who would of loved this~ She used floor vinyl tiles to make bricks...this looks better! thanks for linking up!
    Kim

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    1. Hey Kim! Well thanks! It was a super fun project! Thanks for hosting:)

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  14. Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for stopping:)

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  15. Omg that is just AMAZING i so love it, (applause)

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    Replies
    1. Hey lady:) Thanks for stopping by! I need to visit you.....maybe I'll do that right now:)

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