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More Chalk Paint

Okay, just one more post about chalk paint.  I am feeling much better about it now.  This wonderful old tool box was a great flea market find, but it needed a lot of work.

This is how I found it; damaged and VERY dirty.

The worst part of it was a terrible, oily/dirty stain in the bottom.

But the best part of it was three zinc lined drawers.

So after a LOT of scraping and scrubbing with strong cleaner and elbow grease, it was finally ready for paint.  I decided to try the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on it.  This would certainly be a test of the paint's ability to cover without primer.  I selected the color, Duck Egg Blue.  Lo, and Behold!  It covered that stain with only ONE coat of paint.

I was sold.  Sign me up for the ASCP fan club. 

I wanted to maintain the primitive look of the tool box, so I used dark wax to distress it.  I really love the way it turned out.  The duck egg blue was a perfect compliment to the old silver paint in the lid of the box.  Now, I don't know if I can bear to sell it.  It might just have to hold a few art supplies for awhile.

I also tried the chalk paint on another challenging project.  This picture frame had been attacked with a pink lipstick. 

Two coats of the chalk paint covered it and saved the entire frame.  Yeah!!!

I first heard about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint from Marian of Miss Mustard Seed.  Since then I have read many blogs with glowing praise of the paint.  I must admit, I do like the paint very much.  It does cover well and you don't have to prime or sand a piece before using it.  But it does require the addition of the soft wax finish which I did not enjoy.  The price, at almost $35 per quart, was a bit shocking for me.  That alone makes it hard for me to use this paint exclusively.  However, it certainly has its place in my paint cabinet.

You can find out more about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint here. 

 

Chalk Paint Frenzy

This is the post where I apologize to you for neglecting this blog for so long. I am sorry about that.  Life has been so hectic the last few weeks.  I have been working very hard to prepare my space for the Labor Day holiday.  Our garage has become a paint workshop.

After reading the glowing testimonials on several of the DIY blogs, I had to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I painted three large pieces including this French buffet.  My experience with ASCP is that it wasn't really that much easier to use than regular paint, HOWEVER...the end results are wonderful, indeed.  I especially like the way the Paris Gray and Old White transformed this vintage piece.  Many of our customers today were complimentary of it.

After all that hard work, I must admit, it is hard to sell a piece like this.  Maybe it will sit there for a long time and I will get to bring it home.

One thing is for sure; I will definitely be using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint again...just as soon as I can save enough money to buy another color.

Upcoming Book

I just received word from Seth Apter that I will be a contributing artist in his new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media.  I am so thrilled!  I have long admired Seth's work and his blog, The Altered Page.  The book is due to be released by North Light Books on 3/2/12.  You can pre-order it on Amazon, but I'll wait to see if Seth offers any autographed copies.

To find out more about the book go to Seth's blog.

WIP

Today, in between errands, I started a large collage project.  This was inspired by some work I saw at ArtFest several years ago from a class taught by Anahata Katkin.  Anahata had her students do large works on wallpaper.

The first step was to get the wallpaper taped down onto some garbage bags. 

Then I applied two coats of gesso.  I actually used a brush to save the roller for background paint.

Tristan could tell this was going to be a long project so he settled down with his favorite toy, Foxie.

I wish I had applied gesso to the back of the wallpaper also to help prevent rippling.  Maybe after the piece is done.

Using the roller, I applied a coat of Americana paint in the color, Tangerine.  Then I began pulling out collage papers to add to the piece.  The face was cut from an advertisement.  The body is a piece of paper that covered the work table in the studio.  I liked the square shapes on it.

Then...it was time to fix dinner.  If only we didn't have to eat. 

More tomorrow...

Painted Lampshades

I am experimenting with an idea this week.  I have two lamps that need to go to my booth at the flea market.  The lampshades on both these lamps are rather yucky, yet they are the perfect shape and size.  So, not wanting to invest any more money in the lamps than necessary, I am experimenting with painting the shades.

I originally thought of using plain acrylic paint, but then I found this textile paint that stays a soft texture.  It was really nice to use although the fabric on the shade sucked it up very fast.  Thank goodness for a 40% off coupon at Michaels. 

Here is the first shade on the refurbished lamp.  I really like the look of it, however, when I turned on the light there were lots of places where the paint was thin.  So I am going to give it a second coat of paint.  I hope that fixes the problem of patches of the light shade showing through.

Have any of you ever painted a lampshade?  What product did you use?  Do you have any tips to share?

Living Room Pillows

How many times have I said it: You never know what you will find at GoodWill.

I have been searching for graphic patterned pillows for our living room re-do.  I wanted a touch of black to contrast with all the light background.  I looked in all the department stores in town, even Home Goods, to no avail.  It seemed I wouldn't find that just right graphic print.

Then one day I was browsing in the linens aisle of GoodWill and these NEW pillow covers were hanging there in all their glory.  This particular GoodWill sells new as well as used merchandise.  There were several styles of the covers, red, neutral, blue, but only TWO of the graphic black pattern.  Well, I only needed two, so they were meant for me, right?

The fact that they are off white, not true white, makes them perfect for our living room since our walls and sofa are antique white.

The covers have a zipper closure which makes it easy to insert a pillow.  I had two pillows, bought earlier at GoodWill for $1.00 each, which fit into the covers nicely.  At first I wanted a tight fit, but after seeing these two together, I've decided the slouchy look is very comfortable and appealing.

And the surprising part?  The price...$1.59.  Can you believe it?

Yep, you never know what you will find at GoodWill.

8/10/11 Journal Pages

Today's journal pages in FTB 1 journal.

Isn't this the sweetest picture of a dad and his son?  When viewing vintage photos I often wonder about the story in them.  This one speaks to me somehow.

I also love pictures of old ladies.  Especially this one.  No, she is not in my family.   But I like her anyway.

Working intuitively like this in journaling is so interesting.  And the best part is; there are no mistakes.  You don't have to worry about getting things "right".  It's all right.

Candle Lamp Remake

I found these cute little lamps that would be perfect as night lights.  I love the shapes and the gold leaf finish on them, but I hate the glaring white candle stick on them.  Time for a re-make.

First comes a good cleaning.  A paintbrush makes a great duster for carved detailed areas.

My big idea was to cover those white candle tubes with vintage paper.  I was not worried about risk of fire with the papers because the bulbs in these lamps are very low wattage. Of course, French text always looks good, but what about using some music on them?  Hmm...I like both patterns. 

My assistant was no help with this dilemna.  It's a good thing he only works for cookies.

Finally, I decided the lamps were detailed enough without adding in the pattern of the music.  I think the more subtle text compliments them more.  Time to get out the ModPodge.

Starting in the back, I applied the ModPodge to the candle, then wrapped the book page around it.  I overlapped the seam about a half inch in the back.  When the bubbles had all been worked out I brushed a coat of Modpodge on the outside of the covers to seal them.

It was a quick and simple make over, but I think it made a big difference in the lamps, don't you? 

It's Raining

It has been raining here in central Florida today.  And yesterday.  Perfect rain.  Falling steadily all day long.

Restorative rain.  Falling like medicine being poured out on the starving earth.

Beautiful rain.  Worth more than gold.

Flowing in the streets with its bubbling, swishing, slippery abundance.

Falling off the rooftop like diamonds from the hand of God.

It makes me grateful.  It makes me pray.  I pray for this outpouring in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  I pray God will send His beautiful rain on the parched earth.  I pray He will once again restore balance to our land.

7/27/11 Journal Pages

Today's pages in the Full Tilt Boogie journal number one.