Friday Foibles!

 

This week I got the idea to make a heart piece with a wooden heart, I had. I painted the heart in beach colors and then tried to add a paper heart with decoupage. That didn't work, the paper started bubbling up and then ripped as I tried to flatten it. So, I put another paper heart on a piece of cardboard paper to keep it stiff. That held on but just didn't have the look I wanted. So, I just used rug tape to adhere it, then added a cloth heart with tape, so later I can redo it and make it into a summer piece. Maybe even using tape so I can replace the items each season. 

This is what I had in mind when I made it. What I did, with a little photoshop magic to add flowers and items that aren't really there. Happy Valentines.

We had cold weather last weekend, so we just ride around and look for birds, I can shoot from the car. At one beach, I spotted a common eider and a group of Horned larks. One of these days I will get them, when they stay still.

At another beach I caught a Long-tailed Duck. The birds seem to give me that sideways look.

A Great Heron decided he didn't want his photo taken, either, so I just caught him before he flew off.

And I got lucky, when I saw the Belted Kingfisher, sitting on a telephone pole. I had to be sneaky and shoot from the window, so he wouldn't fly off. They are a large bird, he looks small up there.

Yesterday I woke up sick, and Bill came home sick. Since it was early, we decided to drive around the beach areas on the island. I got some pieces of glass, while I walked a bit and spotted this Song Sparrow, hiding in the bush.

At another beach, I spotted a group of Brants. They come down from the arctic to winter in our bays. And again, I get that look.

On the cove side, a Coast Guard ship, goes by the lighthouse in Newport. It was nice to get out, but today I had to rest. I guess we caught what the kids had. We have a nice weekend coming up, so hoping at least to get out for some rides. I hope this finds everyone well, and enjoying a spell of nice weather.

Friday Finishes!

This week I am still experimenting with photo art and one type I tried is, attaching the photo, face side up. I had Bill cut out a piece of wood, but it is thicker than I would like to use. I like the thinner slat boards for art like this, but I wanted to test it first, before I do anything on good woods.

I like it in one way, but not sure if it is the thick wood, but not thrilled with how it looks. I think trying it on a white slate board, would look nicer for this technique. It is fun to try my photos in art, though.

With this one, I used decoupage to adhere it to the wood and then a coat, over the piece, then finished with a glaze medium. I also aged it a bit before I glazed it, with antique medium.

Another test was with a butterfly photo. I used the glaze medium this time and when I pressed the photo down, the colors started oozing out, so not the best medium to use. But, I was pleasantly surprised to see their was a nice print underneath.

I also used regular printer paper, which is thinner, so that may have left a better print but it was a pain to get off, the paper adhered with the glaze, so I had to be careful not to rub the design off. Overall it worked nicer than the first one with decoupage. I do think a heavier paper is nicer, so I will see if I have one without ridges. I will also try a heavy gloss gel medium, that I have. I have plenty of mediums, so fun to use what I have, to save money as I experiment. Most people seem to use the gel in this method, so hoping my heavy will work. I will also try the glaze with a heavier paper, I do like how it came out, overall.

As Michelle mentioned, most tutorials use laser printers, I am using ink jet, so you will get more color bleeding with that, but it lends to a more artistic look. I am also using cheap mini canvas squares, so not the best surface.

Another little project was a pillow I made, using a design by Ginger of Primitives by the Light of the Moon. It is a free design that she offers on her blog, along with others. I used my colored pencils and was not pleased with the look. I was trying to blend and make it look more like watercolor. I added some extra stitches, so I think that helped cover the flaws.

I did hear about using blending stumps, they look like fun to use and not expensive, so I will try those, on my next colored piece.

This design would be fun to do in punch needle too. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Finish!

First I would like to thank everyone for your wonderful comments. I wish I could answer them all, but if you are a no reply, I can't email you back, but I wanted to let you know that I read them and appreciate them.

This week I made a chair mat for my new chair. I wanted something that was primitive, simple, but a little artsy since this will be my creative room. I looked at ocean paintings and saw some backgrounds that I liked and then drew up my own with elements that I liked.

The rug is 14" x 11", wool hooked on linen. I did the edge with wool yarn and left the backing folded under. Since this is for me and I may want to change or fix it in the future, the extra backing allows me to put it back on a frame.

Now I need to find a rug to match the room. It is a beach room, whites, grays and distressed pieces with touches of color. So, I am thinking that blue may not be a good choice, but something in an aged white look? What do you think? If you see something that you think would match, send me a link, so far, nothing says, that's the perfect rug. I am looking for 6' x 4' rectangle and would prefer a pile, since it is a basement room.

Now we are getting ready for the storm, we are getting more than they predicted, but we are all set with a new generator, just in case. I hope everyone stays safe and warm tomorrow.

Do It Yourself?

I want something to put in my beach  room to hold some of Dani's things and for a bowl to hold the heart stones and things I collect on the beach. I like the idea of a ladder shelf, but I haven't seen any around here and Bill saying he will make it, doesn't mean I will get it, anytime in the near future;)

So, I decided to make a crate shelf and do it myself to save money. I used coupons for the crates and paints, but it still adds up and then there is the paint brushes and sandpaper. Never mind the painting and the hot sun and then sanding and the hot sun and trying to antique it, in the hot sun, lol.

Well, with what we spent on items and the work involved, I think it would have made more sense to buy finished crates at the home store. It did not come out the way I wanted, it is too thick, I wanted a white washed look. I had to give up for the day and I will see if I can talk Bill into sanding them more and then I can do a better edge stain on them. I just wanted a hint of stain and the wood to show through. It still looks nice though and maybe I will just use, as is and keep my eyes open for a nicer beach style shelf. Not sure if this is practical for the items I will put on it.

Here is a close up of the wood and painting. I put some of my stones and the heart ones in a heart shaped bowl, that she had. Today Bill was going to put in the new fan light, but he didn't have time to finish. Adding a few things to the room makes it easier for me to go in and work on it.

Primitive Table Bench!

I finally finished the table bench I was making for my friend's birthday. It is a bit late, but done.
I had finished it and grabbed a can of spray for the finish, except I had grabbed a can of red paint, ugh.

With the storms and cold, I didn't want to work in the basement, but I finally got down there and sanded off the red paint and repainted it black, then stained and put a real finish on it this time.

The pattern was from Mercantile Gatherings, 2010 Holiday Issue. The pattern itself is from the Wooden  
Nail. They sell patterns for different types of primitive wood items, so a good place to find patterns if you would like to make things for yourself. My husband made the bench and I do the finishing.

Table Top Mail Desk!

This week I got a wonderful surprise from Carol and her husband, of Firecracker Kid Primitives. I have been looking for a piece to put mail in, that is also a piece that I can decorate on and big enough that the cats won't knock it off of the bureau. Carol's husband filled my wish list and then some.

I have a place to put mail, and plenty of space to decorate with and I can say, the kitties are not too happy that I took their window spot, lol. They left it  unfinished for me, so I can do my own painting and antiquing. It is 25" long and I can't wait to finish it and decorate around it. I am thinking of going with a black and mustard layered paint and will be sure to show you a photo when I finish it.

Another thing I noticed how well their packaging is, lots of bubble wrap to protect the piece and padding in the cubbies for added protection. If you have ever wanted quality wooden pieces for your home, be sure to visit their etsy store, Firecracker Kid Primitives. They will also take custom orders, as well.

At the moment, I am working on some projects that I cannot share just yet, but I will be sure to post when the recipient gets her gifts. I am fighting off another flu, so working a bit slow these days.