Photo by lisegagne/iStockphoto.com

Remember last year when I mentioned that I would share my brother Troy’s painting tips? Well, now is as good a time as any to follow through—especially because Sherwin-Williams has proclaimed this National Painting Week.

All this week Sherwin-Williams is offering design, color, and painting ideas at NationalPaintingWeek.com. Each day has a designated color with a fun project idea to try in your own home. Best of all, in honor of National Painting Week, Sherwin-Williams will provide one lucky Crafty Nest reader with five gallons of FREE paint! Keep reading to find out how to win.

I paint a lot of furniture, so I’ve offered advice on that subject. But I’m far from an expert when it comes to painting walls. Instead of giving you the same canned advice that we’ve already heard over and over: fill nail holes, paint in a W shape, etc. (yawn), I interviewed two pros who aren’t afraid to name the best tools and colors.

First Becky Ralich, a Sherwin-Williams color and design expert, will share her paint color advice. Then Troy Ewing, a builder and house painter, will share his best painting tips and favorite tools for getting the job done fast—and right the first time.

Tips and photos after the jump! Read more »

My grandmother and great-grandmother were crafty too. My great-grandmother specialized in tatting, crochet, and ribbon roses. My grandmother dabbled in many handicrafts, including painting china, sculpting clay roses, découpaging, quilling, welding, and making 3D pictures (I’ll teach you the latter someday). She even made adorable miniature Play-Dough Christmas scenes inside gilded duck eggs. Oh, how I wish I had a picture of them.

My grandmother made these decorated plastic ball ornaments for us grandkids one Christmas, and we received another one year after year. She made these for me when I was in my peach faze. Before that was my lavender faze. I soon learned not to choose a favorite color because every gift she gave me (bless her heart) was my favorite color. I got tired of my “favorite” color quickly.

My grandmother intended these ornaments as Christmas decorations. I loved them, but I never hung them on my tree because they didn’t seem Christmasy to me. They’re perfect for Easter, though. You can hang them on an Easter tree, set them on candlesticks and group them as a centerpiece, or dangle them from a a gossamer garland. Any way you display them, these clear Easter egg ornaments are fun and easy to make. Click “Read more” to see a two versions of the entire Easter garland. Happy Easter!

Tutorial and photos after the jump! Read more »