New Favorite

The other day I was flipping around my favorite How-To channels and came across a quick commercial for a new show which features Bronson Pinchot.

Yeah....the comedic actor is now a rehaber....and a good one to boot.

I was surprised when I actually tuned in one Saturday evening and found myself smiling along with my husband as I watched the show.....Nope, I wasn't crazy for liking unusual artifacts...and Bronson proves it.

He Loves OLD Archecturial pieces when rehab is in the picture. I love it!

Take a look and see how creative he can be with his finds and what he buys around salvage yards and Ebay....a perfect combination when redoing his historic home.

Just wish the show was longer than the 30 minutes...it's that interesting.

More pictures as promised

Here is another example of the repurposed furniture I'm doing for our Den. This larger piece was part of dining set. So I decided to redo it in the same style as the end-tables I finished for the den. I have plans for it do hold the TV boxes and dvd's, this will be our version of an entertainment center.

After prepping the piece...sanding, filling in gauges, priming and painting....the aging process will be the last step before sealing it.

Yeah....I think I'm going a bit crazy with the scrools designs, but they can be addictive and fun to do!

Special Lighting

After looking around this store and others, I have found that many items I have come across at yard sales or tag sales could be re-used in similar ways. I have come across tables of old broken sea shell pot/flower hangers that now I can see being reused to make a similar chandelier as posted above.

Using old baskets made of jute or wicker and turning them into some interesting shades.

I have always found taking a stroll into some of these stores to be just the right kick to get me going again when I have lost my creative mo-jo.

Now its just remebering to pick these items up when I see them and getting them done....better get my glue gun ready!

Lighting

It seems that most places I have stopped by for a visit have started to play and highlight some interesting and different Light Fixtures. Or it might just be me....paying little more attention to these delicate beauties.
Now that I'm getting ready to do some redecorating and remodeling, these great pieces I've noticed, are made from found objects, a mix of old and new, Retro and Industrial....even branches.
It has become more of a quest to find Just the Right piece that will fit my personality....and the home I'll be moving into. ..any suggestions for Victorian 1907 home with the attitude of a modern eclectic 2011 updated lady. Nothing stuffy but actually fun.

Free Graphics

I know many Blog surfers like to find "Free" goodies whenever possible. Whether it be Tips, Contests or Graphics they can use for their personal crafting or business use.
One of my recent Garage Sale haunts gave me the opportunity to share some pictures of vintage Christmas wrapping paper....a real colorful example of what our Grandparents might have used. These came from a box Labeled Good Housekeeping....from the late 40's or 50's, but they were so colorful I couldn't resist them and brought them home.
So here you have a couple of pictures of these papers to use with your crafting...maybe use for scrap booking, making tags, mat boards for pictures, cards, or any other creative ideas you might find useful. Just click on the picture and create.
If you like these: let me know....I do have a collection of vintage cards and books I would be happy to post in the future, if you all would like to see them and collect as well.
Enjoy.....

Artsy Thursday

Wa-La! Done.....Perfect for his nursery


Final finishes....small satin ribbon glued around
the inside portion of the frame to add interest.
Some velcro was added inside the center pocket to secure larger objects when stored.



Close-up of ironed glued strip to create clean borders & trim for the large pocket for do-dads. Frog fabric was cut & ironed on each side of pocket with red trim ironed & glued in place for nice piping effect. Lower pocket was then stapled on each side of canvas frame to secure along frame. Fabric buttons were also reused & painted to match fabric and glued in place.


















I have to admit, when it comes to working with fabric, I leave it to the professionals...but with this project, I turned to my ever handy glue gun, iron, no sew strips and staple gun. So if I can do it....I'm sure the rest of you can do it without any problems.
Just be patient & careful with that "Hot" glue gun.

After looking around several favorite Blogging sites, I thought I should join in the fun & share a recent "artsy" project with some Before & After pictures. What was fun about this, was the idea of using an inexpensive framed canvas....knew when I picked it up in a Tag sale, it would be repurposed in some way.
So here it is....using some of my clients fabric left-overs, I primed & painted the frame to match her sons bedroom decor. Left the Sante Fe canvas and covered with 3 layers of quilt batting for the Bulletin board before stretching & stapling Green Check fabric.

Beading Crazy

Changing Artwork

Here is close-up of the Suede finish as well as the repainted Antiqued Glazed frames with a bit of Gold, I chose to do for the smaller prints....they all came together. With GREEN being the prominent color.

This collection of Hand colored prints were found in stages over a long period of time.

Soon, I realized the signed prints were a series of Birds...that now I was going to look for whether framed or not.

These frames didn't match...the matting was in good condition but needed to be refreshed, so here I go with my paint brush again.

I chose some green Suede paint ( I used the Ralph Lauren line) and repainted the matting in the same method I would do walls. The rich look of the finish gave the framed prints a rich and updated look that unified the whole collection. Much cheaper as well. No need to get them reframed, especially when I know I will change my decor soon enough.

Many were found at local favorites, or weekend finds at Garage Sales or Flea Markets.

If they have frames with glass, I know I had a good day....even if they are a bit mistreated, a quick touch-up will always make them look just as good as new. Not every piece of framed art has to be a painting to make them special....as long as you like them....it's your gallery of FINE ART.

Trying something new

A couple of months ago I came across a cute shop that Specializes in Stamping........Stampantonio.
Art stamps galore, with all the extras to do, Mixed Media Altered Art to Re-purposed jewelry.
The store has a great work space which is open to the public on certain days for only $5.00, with the use of all the materials at your disposal.
It was to good to pass up the opportunity to try this form of art...and at least say I tried it once.


The paint materials were just house paints... found at Lowe's & H.D.
Used the Metallic paint in Gold, Bronze & Aged Gold. They have a glaze medium already in the paint, so the application is transparent.
Brushes, sponge and artist types for added detail.
Easy clean-up but good wear factor for the leather.

This is the purse that inspired me to try this "Stamping" art form. A favorite "Coach" that had a major accident...can you see I forgot to put the top back on my pen.

Well, I wasn't going to give it up without a fair fight.

Walking thru stores, it was evident that Metallic finishes were pretty popular on the purses...so why not pull out my paints and give it some Art CPR.

It took a couple of applications to finally hide the spots...but it was ready for some rubber stamping surgery.

After the stamping, I used my smaller brushes to highlight part of the details...for a first time, the purse survived the procedure.

This Apple Green leather purse was to fun not to use anymore, and not give it a second chance by saving it with a quick Metallic paint wash....the green leather actually made the purse more reflective with the combination of the Bronze color I used. I painted the purse on both sides, the front side which was damaged with stains ( you know the look, the dirt stain you get for resting your purse on the floor, yuk ) and that's where I stamped.

I picked the script rubber stamp, fluer de li, postage stamps and Di Vinci stamps too. The overall look , came out different with this color of purse....but I still like the effort.

These little cards turned out to be more fun than I expected.

The studio, had so many stamps for antiquing, that I tried to add a bit more detail with the colors and splatter effects stamps.

They had so much to choose from, that I took longer to make up mind than actually sitting down and getting to work.

Anyway, they were completed and are ready to be added as my jewelry tags for my future ETSY listings. I might opt to use them as backings, so the customer can have fun on their own... by reusing or framing. Overall, I think I might go back to the Studio sooner than expected.