In my never ending quest to save you from making stupid mistakes, I've stumbled on a new one! There is some background though. (of course!)
Last year, I wanted some kind of holiday greenery thing that I could hang up above the fireplace. I wasn't sure I had space up there for a wreath (though I am now reconsidering that...) but while I was browsing at the giant craft store I came across a cheap swag kind of thing. Green, with red "berries" and 2 small pine cones. Not too big- not too small, and did I mention cheap? It was cheap.
This year, I pulled it out and I noticed that a few of the "berries" had chipped. They were painted red, but when they chipped you could see the white Styrofoam underneath. Because it was bright white, it really stuck out and it was the only part I could look at. My eye was drawn to it every time. I was bugged. I set it aside for a few days to decide what I was going to do.
Today, today I was feeling smrt, so I thought to myself, "Hmmm... I think I have some nail polish that is exactly that same color those "berries" are painted. That would work and it would even dry to be shiny like the other "berries". Genius!"
Um not so much.
Did you know that nail polish dissolves Styrofoam? Yup. Now you know. So while the white is covered, the "berries" now look even more realistic - at least if the look you are going for is a festive rotting-from-within look.
So, moral of the story, nail polish does not equal craft paint. You're welcome.
December 07, 2007
In which I do something stupid so you don't have to
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Oh, you just made my afternoon.
AKJ, I rely on your wisdom, as always.
See, I would have done the same thing, down to the "ooh, it'll be siny.'
Mr. Kluges however said, "Well, yeah. It's got solvents in it."
The first thing that popped into my brain was a red sharpie. Guess I should stick with my instinct if something like that comes up. Thanks for the tip. =)
I found that out about styrofoam when I was a kid... with superglue... then I saw what else would melt it.
I totally wouldn't have thought of that, though once you said it I was like, "Oh yeah, right."
I say embrace the new realism of your Christmas decorations. Maybe you could paint some brown tips on the greenery too.
Post a Comment