Paintbrush Storage Idea Using a Universal Storage Block

I recently purchased a knife set (on clearance) which included a universal storage block. I threw the knives in a drawer and the storage block in a closet. Then I had an "aha moment."

My new knife set with universal storage block

Perhaps the storage block would hold my paintbrushes?

This is how my paintbrushes were being stored. It was working fine except sometimes the plastic jar tipped and other times I had to search through the brushes to find the one I wanted to use.

How I previously stored my paintbrushes

The knife set's universal storage block consisted of a blue, plastic cup and a removable "rod" insert.

Universal storage block with removable insert

I decided to use the insert and cup as separate pieces. The rod insert could hold my smaller, thinner brushes and the blue cup would be used for the taller paintbrushes and those I liked to keep in their packaging. (If space is limited the rod insert could be used inside the cup, the way it was intended.)

My paintbrush holders using the knife set's universal storage block

Here's a closeup of the "rod" insert.

"Rod" insert closeup

For now the rod insert is holding it's shape. However, if it starts to spread, I'll just put it back inside the cup and the large brushes will just have to go back into their old container.

 © Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Ideas: Dogs and Puppies

I recently painted my first dog on a rock and enjoyed it more than I expected. (I'm a cat person.)

 

To help improve my canine drawing and painting skills, I now have a new Pinterest board for puppies and dogs: Ideas for Painted Dogs Rocks.

I painted this simple Corgi using a how-to drawing from my Pinterest Ideas for Painted Dogs Rocks board:

Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Rock Painting Kits

Not sure if rock painting is for you?

I was in my local Barnes & Noble today and discovered three rock painting kits with everything you need to get started. And they were on sale for the bargain price of $7.95.

I purchased this kit...

...which contained:

• Full-color booklet with project ideas (Note: the booklet does not provide step-by-step painting instructions)
• Smooth river stones
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brush

Items included in my rock painting kit

Each kit was a little different but they all contained a booklet, paints, stones and a brush or two. 

Rock painting kits are an inexpensive way to experiment with painted rocks and a great gift for kids.

Rock Painting Technique: Pattern Tracing

No drawing skills? No problem. You can trace a pattern onto a rock and paint it.

Supplies

• Flat, somewhat smooth rock
• Pattern or photo
• Graphite transfer paper
• Pencil or stylus
• Paints

  
Steps

Find a rock with a smooth and/or flat surface. A rock with lots of pits or angles will be difficult to transfer a pattern onto.

Even though this rock has pits, the pattern transferred nicely because of it's flat surface.

Find a photo or pattern you'd like to paint on your rock. If the photo or pattern is larger or smaller than your rock, that's OK.

This pattern was taken from "Stained Glass in an Afternoon" by Vicki Payne

Measure the width and height of your rock. You'll need the dimensions to adjust your pattern so it fits nicely on your rock.

Copy OR scan your pattern so your original is not damaged. 

• If you copy your pattern on the printer, you'll need to play with reducing or enlarging the image so it will fit nicely on your stone
• If you scan the image, you can insert it into a drawing program and resize the image using the rock's measurements to find a good fit, then print the page

Place a sheet of graphite transfer paper on top of your rock with the waxy side down. (If your rock is dark colored, you'll use white graphite paper. If your rock is light colored, you'll use gray or black graphite paper.)

Place your pattern (face up) over the graphite paper. You can use masking tape to secure the pattern and graphite paper to the rock so it doesn't slip while you're tracing the image.

Trace around all the lines of your image using a stylus or pencil.

Remove the pattern and graphite paper and paint your rock.

Pattern transferred onto the rock

The rock after it was painted and sealed

I used a stained glass pattern for this painted rock but you can use photos and other patterns just as easily. (Remember to copy or scan them first so the original isn't damaged.)

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Rock Painting Ideas: Houses and Buildings

I've enjoyed painting houses and buildings on rocks and stones.

I'm always looking for new ways to paint and embellish rock buildings and have a new Pinterest board: Ideas: Houses Painted Rocks.

The next time I paint a stone cottage or other building, my Pinterest board will be a reference for different colors, doors & window styles, cute embellishments, etc. 

For instance, here's a cute idea for a gnome home window.

Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks