Back to School DIY Bling Galaxy Backpack

As I was going through my youtube feed and seeing what was New, I came across this Idea

DIY Galaxy Backpack You take a black backpack and paint Galaxies all over it.

I thought, wow, now that’s a neat idea. So I decided to comment on the video and tell my daughter,

“We’re going to make a one of a kind backpack for you going back to school”. She agreed to do it.

Of course when I do a dupe of something I have to put my own spin on it!

So I added Glitter and Bling. This isn’t a full tutorial, but rather a DIY Instructional Post. Enjoy!!!

 

Supplies: 

A Plain Black Backpack (as shown above, but painted), I got mine at Walmart for $8.88.

2 Towels and 1 Washcloth for stuffing the Backpack makes for an easy surface to paint onto..

 

You’ll also need Tulips Soft Velveteen fabric paint, In Colors White, Grape, Blue, and Azalea (Pink).

I purchased these in the t-shirt painting section at Michaels for about $1.50 each (not bad).

 

I used Plastic snack bags for the paint to sponge onto the backpack.

 

   I used a big sheet of wax paper to dab off excess paint.

I then used one yellow kitchen sponge $.92 at Walmart, that I cut into two halves.

Cut the edges off to make it easier to work with and used each corner for a different color.

I also used 2 fine detailed paint brushes, which I purchased a while ago at Michaels in a

set for about $8.00 ?? They are to nice to work with, very Ergonomic for the hands..

 

    I had some glitter on hand and have been wanting to use my daughters Aqua,

Crystazzi Flatback Crystals also purchased at Michaels, which I have used clear flatbacks before

in my tutorial Bling out your last years sandals.

  A close up of the pretty glitter Aqua, Magenta, and Purple

 

We also used bigger generic Crystal gems that were about $1.00 at Michaels.

 

Directions: So we proceeded to load up the sponges with one color at a time.

Then we would dab as much off as we could onto the piece of wax paper, when applying,

you almost want the paint to be rubbed on dry and not splotchy or clumpy

to give each galaxy softness and depth. We used a mixture of Grape and white mixed together first,

then Blue and white, then Azalea Pink and white. We made little clusters just dabbing on a little at a time,

we’d turn the sponge and onto the next color and so on!

 

  Here’s a close up shot of the Galaxy Clusters, yours will look different than mine but you get the idea.

 

Stand back every so often and take a look at how its coming along.

You may need to add more of a color as you go.

 

Also make sure that you randomly dab on the paint twisting your hand as you go,

so that you don’t get the same pattern on each galaxy.

 

We used the paintbrush ends to dab on stars in a circular pattern to simulate a galaxy of stars.

Again, very random or you could paint on a constellation like the Big Dipper,

which my daughter did at the very bottom right. Do you see it  ;)

 

      We also dry brushed on some shooting stars and simulated gaseous explosions,

as seen in space telescopes. We dabbed our finger into some glitter

and before the paint was completely dry, spread it across each galaxy for twinkle.

 

Then we added the Crystazzi flatbacks with Nail Glue (my go to glue for applying gems).

 

 Here is what the final product looks like in Daylight.

I have to admit, My daughter and I were quite impressed with the job we did and

one of the best parts was it was sooo easy. Plus we had a nice Mother/Daughter bonding time.

Just let go and have fun! And that’s just what we did!!

 

Here is a close up of one of the generic crystals from Michaels @ $1.00, you can’t beat that.

 

And another Pretty Blue one, a Planet or a Blue Sun, who knows it’s Outer Space!!

 

Now we chose to go a little heavier with paint on the arm straps, because the material is heavier in nature.

 

Then we glued the bigger Gems onto the Zipper Pulls, those babies aren’t coming off, I tell ya!!

So let me know if you try this project out and send me a link to your blog post or pics.

I can’t wait till my daughter goes to school to hear what comments she’ll get on her New Backpack!!

This project is rated EZ on the DIY scale and is suitable for ages 5 and above with supervision.

 

What back to school projects have you been working on

and if you like this project leave me some comment Love!!

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XOXO,

Christina

Quote of the Day:
Work keeps us from three great evils, boredom, vice and need.
--François Marie Arouet Voltaire

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Day 18 CHALLENGE DIY Style: How To Decorate A Frame With Fashion Jewelry

DIY Style: How To Decorate A Frame With Fashion Jewelry Okay forgive me for not posting yesterday, homework and playing catchup is leaving me no time. Anyways, I wanted to share with my women friends out there a store that is complete accessory heaven. It is actually overwhelming to walk into this store. What I love the most is that it is organized by COLOR!!!! I am a color fanatic, (I was a hair colorist when I practiced cosmetology) so I really didn't know what to pick out. I think you need to have an outfit in mind or pick up one of their fabulous shirts they have there. They also have trendy purses, shoes for the season, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories, necklaces. In all shapes and sizes and lengths. This store blew me away. This is now my favorite place to shop (next to Ulta) and I cannot wait to take my daughter. We'll be moving back to Eastern PA by summer we're hoping and they don't have any stores there and you can't buy online. This is such a bummer. Oh well, guess I will have to make lots of trips here I guess! Well as I went on their website I clicked a link that was explaining what to do with your broken jewelry and to my surprise I came across a tutorial with Lauri from www.tipjunkie.com in it. I am a loyal follower. You can click on the above link!!

Day 6 CHALLENGE Hanging Magnetic Makeup Trays

Now believe it or not I have been saving my old cookie sheets (rusty as they are) to do something with them. Well I was thinking of painting them and putting magnetic ABC's on them but my kids probably aren't going to use them as my little guy is almost 6 and knows his ABC's so I came across a blog that had makeup trays made with a frame and metal sheeting, well I thought why not skip a couple of steps use ribbon and aluminum cookie sheets and make my daughter and I makeup trays. I thought when I saw the example it was a genius idea so I wanted to put my original spin on it as usual!

Here's what you'll need:

>Cookie sheets (metal) make sure they are free from debris

>Glue gun

>Glue sticks

>Ribbon, I had black elastic frilly trim (the elastic tends to hide the hot glue, you may want to test on your ribbon whether the glue will show through or not) but you could use whatever you want, usually they have trims in the sewing dept. of a craft store

>Paint, this can be any kind/type I am using Black (used this in the accessory holder a couple of Challenges ago) because it matches the decor I am going to use in my daughters room.

 >Magnets, these should be a decent size so they can hold the makeup onto the tray.

>Makeup you want to display on tray

Directions:

Again make sure cookie sheets are free of debris

Spray paint cookie sheets on front, let dry and do under sides and also let dry

While paint is drying hot glue magnets to back of each makeup piece you have

After the paint is completely dry Hot glue the trim/ribbon all the way around the frame, being careful at the corners.

Attach makeup to the trays and your done.

Attaching to the wall you make a hole with a hammer and hit a nail through it with a piece of wood under it, then use a screw to screw directly into wall to make it hang on the wall or you could sit it on a makeup vanity or desk, it's up to you!!

Hope you have fun trying this out. It was Easy and Fun! I thought they turned out really cute and was so impressed when I was done.