Setting Up My Art Room...Part 1

I am transitioning from first grade (*sob) to Art and Computer Instruction PreK-5th Grade.

Besides having to clear out my beautiful camping classroom, I have get to set up TWO new classrooms for the upcoming school year.

I've been pouring through Pinterest pins and finding things I want to incorporate. One thing our previous art teachers didn't have is a meeting rug! Well, excuse me! Coming from 1st Grade, how could I NOT have a meeting area for my youngsters!

Dilemma: Have you priced cute art rugs?

This 

Momeni Lil' Mo Hipster Ivory Splash Rug (5' x 7')

at Overstock.com is $299!

I had a very specific need: 24 little bodies with their own place to sit AND something way, way cheaper than $300!

So, I saw posts about painting on carpet! LIGHTBULB moment!

Here is my art room rug for under $50! 

I started with a 5x7 carpet from WalMart for $19.97

Next, I printed out 3 paint splats and traced over them onto 3 Plaid make your own stencil sheets.

I used a spray glue to coat the backs of the stencils and laid them out on the carpet. I applied one coat of white. I used Plaid's Folk Art Multi-Surface (fabric included) acrylic paint and a trim roller.

I decided I better space out my stencils better before painting them all, so I cut 7x10 pieces of paper and positioned them on the carpet (not exact).

Much better! Now I could finish painting all the splats.

 I let the paint dry overnight. I couldn't WAIT to see the rug with colorful splats on it!

Day 2:

I used the same three stencils and decided on a paint scheme.

Here you can see I only have blue left to paint.

Here is the finished rug! Notice the bookshelf behind it...

All, in all, this rug cost around $50!

Project 2: Plastic Tablecover Shelf Curtains

I won't go into how I made the curtains...there are several posts about it out there...but I must say, I LOVE it!!!!

I will post more pics of my new art room soon! Stay tuned!