DIY Marriage Wall Art

Sometimes it can be difficult to remember that marriage is a partnership.  In our family, my husband works third shift at his civilian job in addition to being a member of the Army National Guard (and having served two tours).  This pretty much means that our time together is coveted.  It also means that I am in charge of most of the day-to-day workings of our home and family.

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[bctt tweet=”Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple #DIY #marriage #wallart.”]

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

If you are anything like us, you and your spouse can get caught up in your respective roles and forget that you’re supposed to be in this together.  Instead of traveling on an intertwined path, you and your spouse being living parallel lives separate from each other.  This is dangerous for your marriage and sometimes takes a conscious effort to avoid.  This DIY marriage wall art can be a prominent reminder in your home to not only keep your marriage on track but also provide and excellent model for your children as well, especially when they see you and your spouse living it.

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

Materials

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

Step 1

Cover entire canvas with black acrylic paint, including the edges.

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

Step 2

Once the paint has dried, write the word “MARRIAGE” vertically down the center of the canvas with your pencil.

Tip:

  • Start in the middle and work your way to the top and bottom of the canvas.  This will help you achieve more even spacing with your letters.

Step 3

Still using your pencil, write the remaining horizontal words on your canvas:

M EANS

p A rtnership

wo R king

fo R giveness

fr I endship

l A ughter

encoura G ement

(means, partnership, working, forgiveness, friendship, laughter, encouragement)

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

Step 4

Carefully go over all of your letters with white paint.  It may require 2 or more coats.  Just continue adding coats of white paint over your letters until you achieve your desired look.

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

Step 5

Stamp hearts onto the canvas, also with white.

Tips:

  • To keeps stamped images from being too heavy with paint, use a paint brush to put of thin layer on the stamp and then stamp on canvas.
  • Be sure to turn your stamp various directions when stamping (occasionally stamping partially off of the edge of the canvas) to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Step 6

After paint has fully dried, create the distressed look using a dry brush technique.

Tips:

  • Dip your brush into the white paint then brush back and forth on a scrap piece of paper 2-3 times, leaving only a small amount of paint in the bristles.  Then brush onto canvas.
  • Brush over the entire canvas (including words and stamped images) during this step.

 

Step 7

Choose floral stems that match the décor in your home and glue them along the edges as pictured.  Try to arrange them in a way that does not cover the words on your painting.  If some flowers or leaves do cover your words, pull them back and glue them into place.

 

Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own using this simple DIY marriage wall art.

This simple DIY can have such an impact.  Make one for your own home and make another to give as a beautiful wedding gift to newlyweds to help them start their marriage on the right path.  Let’s build marriages up any small way we can, starting with our own.

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Invest in You First with the Military Spouse Wellness Summit

Invest in yourself with the first ever free, online Military Spouse Wellness Summit

We all know the importance of taking care of ourselves to be at our best for our families.  When it comes to actually doing this, however, we struggle with putting ourselves first.  It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and put our own needs on the back burner.  That is why I am an ambassador for the First Annual Military Spouse Wellness Summit.  I want to help you start putting your personal wellness as a top priority.  Want to know the best part?  This event is online and 100% free thanks to InDependent, The Army Wife Network, and The USAA Educational Foundation.

Military Spouse Wellness Summit 2015

What is the Military Spouse Wellness Summit?

It is a free online event that will give you access to 10 interviews with experts about health, nutrition, fitness, and finance.  These are all designed to help you be the best version of yourself each day.

Military Spouse Wellness Summit 2015

When and Where is the Summit?

The Summit begins Monday, October 19 and ends Friday, October 23 with a bonus day Saturday when they announce the big-prize winner!  Listen online! You can join up while on a walk enjoying the fall weather or tearing it up on the treadmill at the gym. The recordings will available during the week of the event (Oct. 19-24).

[bctt tweet=”Mark your calendars for the #MilSpouse Wellness Summit, October 19-23. It’s a free online event with gifts! @independent_org #MSWS15″]

What Do You Get When You Register?

EVERY REGISTERED participant receives a 1-year membership to Thrive Market (Retail Value $49) and a chance to win tons of PRIZES by MetLife Dental, MSB New Media, SpouseBox, Elva Publishing, QALO rings, Lucy Activewear, and many more.  Registration is easy!  Simply click on any of the pictures in this post or click here!

Bonus for DIY Adulation Readers

In support of this event I’m starting a new series exclusively for you to help promote your wellness in the weeks leading up to the Summit.  Check back on Monday for the first article, a tutorial for a DIY Yoga Mat Bag!  Join me and many others at the 2015 Military Spouse Wellness Summit and start putting your best foot forward every day!

Military Spouse Wellness Summit

Stay Positive in Parenting with these Busted Cards

Parenting is a massive undertaking.  It is a responsibility that we should and do take very seriously.  We are charged with raising these little people into strong, self-assured, and capable adults.  This is not always easy and often we get so caught up in teaching them the rules and keeping them safe that we forget deliberate praise.

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It is important, though, and can do wonders for the entire dynamic of a parent-child relationship.  When you use positive reinforcement it solidifies their desire to continue the desired behavior and also helps you to stay positive as a parent.  When you are seeking out the good in addition to it occurring more frequently, you will also notice it more often.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

This all makes sense in theory but imagine now that your kids have been fighting since breakfast, you were late getting the eldest to school, and nap time was an uphill battle in the afternoon with the babies.  You are stressed, cranky, and by dinner you are ready to snap.  It is a lot harder to remember the importance of positive reinforcement when you’re ready to tear your hair out.  At least it is for me.

I needed something to help me on those really tough days and you likely do too.  After a lot of brainstorming (and trial and error) I was finally able to come up with a solution that I hope will help you and your family as well:  Busted Cards.  These are a simple concept that you can utilize in your everyday life.

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Materials

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Step 1

Print out these free Busted cards on a sheet of cardstock and cut them out.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Step 2

Write each of your children’s names on a card.

[bctt tweet=”Stay #PositiveinParenting with these! “]

Step 3

When you “bust” them doing something good, punch out one of the holes.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Bonus Tips:

  1. Keep the cards and hole punch in a clear, re-sealable bag.  When at home, hold it to your fridge with a magnetic clip.  Toss the bag into your purse or diaper bag when on the go.
  2. Each card should last about a week if you try to “bust” your kids 2-4 times a day (which I recommend for it to effectively help you become more positive in your parenting).
  3. Stick with it.  If the end of the day is getting close and you still haven’t punched any holes, don’t give up.  Try to find even small praises for your kids:– Thank you for keeping your elbows off of the table during dinner.– You were so patient while I put your little sister to bed before we read our book.– I love that you came in right away when I told you it was time to stop playing outside.
  4. If you would like to provide extra incentive for your kids, get some small toys and tell them that they get to pick on when they fill up their card.  (You don’t have to tell them it should fill up weekly since that part is more to help you be a positive parent than it is for them to behave better.)

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

How do you stay positive in parenting?  I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!

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