Friday, May 27, 2011

Trees for Lucy

It was so fun to do something crafty after such a long time! I've been brainstorming and collecting inspiration for Lucy's new big girl room, and it's really great to start implementing. I've been seeing lots of birch trees used in design recently, and I totally love the look.

First, I sketched the trees on the wall using a regular pencil.
Then I used pieces of torn painters tape to make the markings in the trees.
I used leftover white latex wall paint from our dining room (I wore a mask and opened the window for all of you who are concerned). At first I was bummed to see how much paint leaked through the tape (curse you textured walls!), but the I realized that it actually looked pretty great.
Here's the final result! It turned out just as I had hoped.
The only problem is that I can't get the pencil off the wall. I thought I could just erase it, but I might have to use the tan paint to cover over it. If you know any cleaning secrets, please pass them on!
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46 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Try magic eraser to get the pencil off your walls.

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  2. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! They sell them everywhere (Target, Walmart, grocery stores, etc.) and they remove just about anything. I've never tried them with pencil, but I can't imagine it not working.

    Love the trees! Karilee

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  3. marshahicksMay 27, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!

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  4. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I've had magic erasers take paint off too though so be careful!!!

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  5. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Try baby wipes, you'd be amazed what they can get off the walls.

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  6. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Magic eraser will remove just about anything, and does not remove paint. These have become my saving grace w 2 little monkeys in the house ;) LOVE the artwork! Absolutely fabulous!

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  7. Jessica DeaneMay 27, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Love love this!

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  8. Suzanne BMay 27, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Wow, that turned out GREAT!

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  9. cottagepinkperfectionMay 27, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. cottagepinkperfectionMay 27, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Beautiful job! Here's a tip I have learned to keep the paint from seeping under the edges of the tape. Paint over it first with a clear acrylic, let it dry and then paint your color. Works every time! You are a talented woman in many ways!

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  11. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    looks like your oust side.

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  12. Life Unexpected.May 27, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    not sure about how to get pencil off but for next time try using chalk to draw it. you can paint right over it and then it wipes off easy with a wet paper towel!!

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  13. JennyMay 27, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    I had good luck with baking soda on a wet rag.

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  14. AshleyMay 27, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Gorgeous trees!!! And JJ, I HAVE to know where that rug in Lucy's room came from. It is to die for!!

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  15. LaurenMay 27, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    You can get pencil (or crayon, for future reference ;) off walls by rubbing it with a warm damp rag with some baking soda sprinkled on it and a little bit of soap. It will
    come right off! It does not harm the paint I have on my walls, but you may want to be careful with the fresh paint...

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  16. JohannaMay 27, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Love the trees! Funny, you had the same complaints as I did when I painted a saying on my Sabbath school classroom wall...the paint leaked under the stencils and I still haven't taken the pencil marks off the wall!!Now i'll use some of these ideas!

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  17. kdMay 27, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Love, love, love it! Hope you don't mind, but I'm working on my Isla's nursery & may use your trees as some much needed inspiration! I'm w/everyone on the Magic Eraser. Works wonders on our walls. (We have a boxer who likes to shake his jowls...turns into cement on the paint! grr) The Eraser takes it right off. Only suggestion...don't press too hard. It can leave true eraser-like marks on the wall that are really visible in certain lighting...

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  18. Kylie MarieMay 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    would you please come paint my house?!? i LOVE trees :) and this is absolutely wonderful!!
    oh and i will add in my vote for magic erasers!!!

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  19. JulieMay 27, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Oh my ~ you are SO creative!! I love the white trees!

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  20. UnknownMay 27, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    Magic Erasers will take care of the pencil. I love the trees and how creative you are! For some reason the one with the heart reminds me of the tree from "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us.

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  21. AnonymousMay 28, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    The walls turned out beautiful! I'm inspired... my daughter's walls have been white for two years, and we're all ready to add SOMEthing to her walls.

    I was also going to recommend the magic eraser, as well as the caution to use it carefully. It will remove paint if you scrub long enough, especially flat paint.

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  22. Claudia JabieskiMay 28, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Oh, I just love it.... You are so darn clever, girl! :)
    Claudia J

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  23. SueAnn PippinMay 28, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    I love outdoorsy type things and was thinking about doing something with one of my spare bedrooms, I think I'll use your idea. You are amazing! So talented in a lot of ways.

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  24. LorraineMay 28, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    I absolutely LOVE the trees!!! You did an amazing job!! I've been wanting to put a tree in my daughters room and haven't settled on a style yet. These remind me of birch trees, which I love <3

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  25. SarahMay 28, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    I paint murals and the only think I use to take off pencil (that doesn't take off any paint or leave a funny sheen) is a kneaded eraser. They're malleable and gray. You can find them at any art/craft store like Joann's or Michael's.

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  26. Linda ZMay 28, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    That project came out so beautifully!! Very striking, yet subtle at the same time! Great job. :) I love birch trees.

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  27. LauraMay 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    It looks great, I totally love it! Sorry I don't have any tips for you besides try a magic eraser. It's an amazing sponge (I just buy the generic).

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  28. katiMay 28, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    it's beautiful! and yes, got babies? then also have boxes and boxes of magic erasers in your cupboard! they work on anything and i've never had an issue with them messing with my wall paint.

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  29. UnknownMay 29, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    very pretty! I love decorative mistakes the pull things off better than you planned! I also adore the pink chair in her room....very sweet.

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  30. Wild KatMay 31, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Love it, I know WD-40 takes crayon off walls, so maybe it will work with pencil too.

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  31. SimplydannygirlMay 31, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. SimplydannygirlMay 31, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Hmm...

    Cherry Blossom type trees are they...
    Interesting pattern you've chosen.

    Very Creative.......

    Danny

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  33. love, you are lovelyJune 7, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    So beautiful and perfect for your little Lucy's room! I love it!

    I was just wondering if you had made a song for the Sherwin Williams Paint commercial?????????
    It totally sounds like something you would sing and kind of sounds like you too! I researched online and it seams like that I'm not the only one!!!!!

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  34. hapiJune 10, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Hi *jj, Nice blog! How to add the Glitter Effect Mouse Pointer to your Blog

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  35. AnonymousJune 14, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Hey JJ, I did trees in my daughters room as well, I don't have any tips on how to get rid of the pencil but in the future instead of pencil you can use the tape to sketch with, much like you did with the heart and tree indentations. 1st draw it on paper and then go from there. You can always remove the tape and start over as well. Jolan :)
    P.S. Very lovely, I love the heart. My housing drew apples and placed pictures of family pictures to make a family tree.

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  36. AnonymousJune 14, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Oops not housing - cousin - how did that happen lol
    Jolan

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  37. katherine richardJune 18, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Hi JJ :)
    I thought you might enjoy some of my music http://www.youtube.com/user/katherinerichard?feature=mhee

    Be Blessed,
    Katherine

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  38. MariaJune 19, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    That looks so cute! You are SO creative!
    Maybe try a little bit of Mr. Clean. Baby oil could do it too.

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  39. Mary LynnJuly 1, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    That is ADORABLE!!! Also, I'd try the magic erasers they have. Those things are AWESOME. The have wanna-be's at dollar stores, which I've found actually work a bit better, though.. Just sayin'. :)
    Loves!
    MaryLynn

    PS- When is your baby girl due to arrive? :)

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  40. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    I get the probelm with pencil not eraseing in my crafts too. I tried makeing a T-shirt for my friend and the pencil didn't wash out. It wasn't till later I figured out they had special penciles for fabic that WASH OUT. Note: #2 pencils NOT a good idea! So, maybe they'll have special pencils for drawing on the walls?

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  41. DreaAugust 2, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    WOW! that is amazing!

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  42. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    wow I really think that is so cool! You are so creative! I love your site I come on almost everyday! You are so amazing! Have the most amazing voice and just awesome! I am going to be a christian singer- songwriter like you! That craft is so crafty! HAHAHA! I cant wait for you to post pictures of your new baby!

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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  43. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Well, you have probably solved the pencil on the wall problem - but I've just found your site, Baby wipes are amazing. Also, white bread rolled into a ball gets pencil off a lot of things. Third option is a really soft eraser. Love your site. Inspiring.

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  44. AnonymousAugust 23, 2014 at 4:13 PM

    next time to keep paint from seeping under paint over the edges with the original color that will seal the edges and prevent it from seeping under the paint that's how I do it and it comes out a perfect line every time

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  45. AnonymousAugust 23, 2014 at 4:14 PM

    sorry paint over the edge of the tape it will prevent it from seeping under the tape

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  46. UnknownDecember 28, 2014 at 8:00 PM

    Tray using chalk to draw your trees. Whatever you don't absorb in the paint will just brush off later.

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