Boost Your Blog // Using Your Color Palettes

Last week we learned how to use a really cool site called Colour Lovers to make some neat color palettes.  If you didn't see that post, check it here.  Making color palettes is a fun past time, but a while ago I realized I just had a load of palettes that I wasn't doing any thing with!  

If you played around on the site, you may have realized that you can create patterns using your color palettes, but I like the look of those little paint strips & wanted to use the color palette itself for something.  This got me thinking about blog improvement.

We all know that headers are super important on our blogs.  It's the first thing readers see when the come to your site & a good one can really make a simple blog layout pop.  You don't have to have fancy software to make a really cool blog, you just need to train your eye.  Blogger provides some really great customizing options & you can have a professional looking blog in no time! (There will be a really good post on this oh so soon!)

So to make a really cool & fun blog header, open your palette & click Your Screen to download the .png of your palette:

Open it up in the editor of your choice (I have Photoshop Elements) & crop it how you wish.  You can even use MS paint on your computer to edit it....you don't have to be fancy:

Add your text (you can get free fonts from places like DaFont, etc. I always like to read the license to make sure I can use it).  After I added the text, I cropped this one down some more:

Experiment with tall banners, small banners, wide banners, etc.  See what you like.  Add shapes & textures if you're fancy or keep it simple.  Even crop it down to a square for your blog button!

Making a few will also help you decide which color palette you'd like to use on your blog if you have a some you haven't really decided on.  This will give you a jumping off point for customizing your blog through blogger.

You can even make a seamless pattern & use it create a blog banner, too:

So start playing around on Colour Lovers & find some colors you'd like to adopt as your favorite!

What would you do with your color palettes?

Tempted Tuesday // Geode Love

I've recently been really into the look of geodes.  I love the rough cut look but the real thing can be expensive!!!  I've found an alternative in the awesome & affordable chain accessory stores in the mall.

You may know that I used to work for Claire's while in college.  It was the best place to work & I am still hoping to be employed there again sometime soon!  A while ago I found a brown geode necklace & ring on sale & snatched them up.  The ring had a stretchy band, so I don't wear it quite as much because I really prefer metal adjustable bands.  But the necklace is great for creating a natural, earthy look.  The ring was probably originally around $6 & the necklace around $12....but I scored them at 50-75% off.

Let me make an aside right quick: I hardly ever pay full price for things unless I think the full price is fair & reasonable for the item.  For example, the rings listed below I paid or would pay full price for because I think that it's a pretty reasonable price.  I would have rather bought them on sale since I know Claire's/Icing always have great sales.  Any sterling silver jewelry I buy is nearly always buy one get one free or buy one get one half off.  Sales are your friend as well as thrift stores.  The majority of my wardrobe was bought on sale.

(one - Charming Charlie's) (two - Claire's)

Rings // Icing & Charming Charlie's
Dresses //Spotted Moth & Topshot
Other outfit details on Polyvore, see full set here
The perfect natural inspired outfits for play & for work.

On another note, I had to call in sick to to work today because my back is still killing me! I hate missing work, I am such a worry wart.  One, I feel like nothing will get done or something will happen & they won't be able to get by with out me & two, I feel guilty for feeling bad.  I try to convince myself it's not as bad as it is but then I end up feeling worse if I force myself.  So I guess it's one more day in bed for me.

Do you love geodes? What are you transitioning into Spring?

Make it Monday // Faux Enamel Ring

So I am all stuck in bed with an Icy Hot Patch on my back drinking Iced Tea (see this post) working on blog templates, updating the shop, & watching Bio.

I really was excited to get to making something yesterday & this morning for Make It Monday.....but since I hurt my back yesterday, I haven't been able to move!

In the studio yesterday, I started to wedge clay with a little twinge in my back.  I dismissed it because I've always had a little bit of back pain.  I plopped my clay down on the bat & began to center it.  All was well until I sat up.  OUCH!! I was nearly blinded by pain.  Whoops!  So I laid on the floor for 2 hours while Katie made a few things.  It hurts less than yesterday but I still can't move around.

Any way, I decided to finish up the photos for this awesome DIY today & post it: A DIY faux enamel ring.

Enameling has its roots in ancient history in decorating everything from stoneware, metal objects, & jewelry.  The basic enameling process includes adding glass powder to a metal surface & heating the piece until the glass melts.  This process adheres the glass to the metal creating a decorative piece.

I've been really inspired by Art Nouveaux enamel ware & decided to try to imitate the look of enamel with nail polish.  Nail polish?!?! Well, it is also called nail enamel.  What could it hurt.  When I saw a great brushed gold ring on sale for about $3 at Icing, I scooped it up and saved it for this DIY!

While at the craft store I also saw these ring blanks with deep wells perfect to hold the nail polish since it would have to fill up a space too get the right effect.  

You'll need:

ring blanks with deep wells or a textured ring or other jewelry

nail polish (I used some dollar store polishes! But Icing No Chip polish -if you want to spare it- would be a great alternative)

a level place to store the rings as they dry (my nail polish bottles were the right size to slip the rings onto)

The easiest rings first:

Uncap the polish & set the brush where it won't drip on something nice! pour a little of you polish into the center of the ring & rotate.  Be sure not to over fill! The rotation will help distribute the polish evenly & you can always add more if need be.

Line them up to let them dry & make sure to keep them level.  Let dry for a long time! You'll need at least 24 hours to let them dry.  You might be able to speed it up with a fan.  The longer you wait the better.  You don't want to accidentally create a texture on the ring by pressing something into it!

You could add another level of interest by using a glitter polish or even try the nail polish you made from the earlier DIY.  Since the polish came from the dollar tree, it won't be wasting a precious color!

I found the LA Colors Art Deco polishes at the Dollar Store & found out they have a really thin brush perfect for nail art & precision perfect for painting the textured feather ring.  The texture on this ring came to life with the color on it & really emulates the Art Nouveau look I was going for.

You can spruce up thrift store brooches & rings, jewelry you've gotten on sale & aren't too attached to.

Also, Happy President's Day! :)

What crazy things have you done with nail polish???