I told you that covered the ugly pegboard wall in my little booth/shop
with brown paper and book pages.
I used to work in amateur theater and primarily did set design.
Amateur theater never has much money.
As well, our former church did a HUGE Easter production annually for many years
and I did the sets for that.
Again, there was not money for elaborate sets and we couldn’t store them anyway
so I had to be very creative and frugal.
This brown paper technique was great for imitating a stone or stucco wall.
Working in the theater is SUCH fun and really gives an opportunity for experimentation
with all types of effects.
I do have a few pictures of the wall in the booth to show you.
I didn’t do as much to it because of time constraints and because, really,
there didn’t seem a point to doing any more than I had.
I think everyone there thinks I’m a bit wacky already and
I NEEDED to get the space stocked because I was already into my second week of rent with no store open!
As I planned this tutorial last night, I realized that it wasn’t really going to show much of what can actually be done using the paper.
So, NICE PERSON that I am….I went into the garage this morning and created a board with several options for you…
Don’t thank me….just send money…
{just kidding}
Last night when I was writing this (the LAST day of Spring break mind you)….
I went on a RANT about ungrateful children
BUT
I deleted it…..you don’t need that and I felt better just writing it.
Did I mention that
THE KIDS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY
But I will share the STUPID things I do which were revealed to me by my 17yr old
{a grown person who doesn’t need any help from any of us}
He was angry because he had to wash windows……..
but are just the crazed expectations of an unreasonable parent
who is unlike any other parent known:
(it’s NOT stupid if I wash the dish apparently)
or anything else AWAY
{because restriction is stupid and pointless}
having ANY channel blocked on the TV
Did I mention
THE KIDS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY
The kind to wrap packages or torn up paper grocery bags.
Obviously, any other kind of paper works too as long as it can withstand
crumpling and then gluing.
Tear off a piece of paper, crumple it up well.
For the pegboard, I used spray adhesive.
For another treatment, like a wall, you can use ModPodge, rubber cement, wallpaper paste,
or anything you like that will stick.
When you’ve applied the glue, press the paper into place with both hands flat so that you retain the wrinkles and creases. When it’s dried a bit and won’t move on you, you can rub your flat hand in a circular motion to press in more creases.
In the booth, I added torn vintage book pages randomly in the same fashion.
When everything was dry, I lightly brushed on some Annie Sloan dark wax and rubbed it in.
OK…that’s a quick and simple treatment.
Let’s look at what i did today so you can see some options.
There are four things here for you to see. There are MANY possibilities
but I just used whatever I had on hand this morning.
The paper was crumpled and glued to the board.
The first treatment used a light spray of gray primer.
Next, an application of some thinned gesso.
Which was rubbed in with a rag.
See that stone effect taking place?
This one is the upper left. I’ve applied some dark wax to the creases.
Next is a terracotta effect on the lower left.
First, a spray of Paprika by Rustoleum.
Then some dark wax stroked on the creases but not blended yet.
It’s a more aggressive look than blending produces.
Now I’ve rubbed it in with a rag.
I wanted to show you as well that you can spray some
faux stone paint onto this and get a rough texture
but I couldn’t get the can to spray.
I’ve had it awhile…you’ll have to take my word…that’s a good effect.
Back to the board…
Upper left: gray, gesso, dark wax
Upper right: dark wax only
Lower left: terracotta color paint, dark wax
Lower right: gray, gesso, no wax
The check is in the mail….I’m very happy for you that the kids went back to school today! I think you might need to sit down and relax for an hour or so. Come over and eat some cake with me.
Ah I know why I like you! You have rules!!! I taught theatre and you are right, you are always improvising!This is a great cost effective wall! Gotta love book pages too!
Maybe I’m wasting my time fixing the cracked plaster all over our house (which will probably never be finished in my lifetime). I’ll just start covering them up instead!!! Good idea for doing it on the cheap!
Did your kids go back to school yet?
Great wall idea! And teenage boys? This, too, shall pass…keep on, Mom.
Can I get an AMEN! Did I mention my kids went back to school this week! I just think it’s amazing the things people that live here want to be paid for…..like making your bed.
Seriously?
Love your wall and love this post 🙂
blessings,
karianne
Thanks for all the support from REAL MOMS out there! I expect to see some brown paper walls soon!
Lorraine
I too love your post. I promise you will get satisfaction one day and it’s when you become a Grandmother, because then you get to watch your kids get it all back!! I so (secretly) love watching my sweet little Granddaughter give my daughter a hard time. I love the wall treatments too. Sounds like you need a Mommy’s sippy cup!
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Wallpapers