Brush Strokes

I had the desire to get out my brushes a couple of weeks ago.   While out and about last winter, while checking out the holiday bazaars, we saw this cute wood cut out of  the word LOVE that we thought would be so cute for my granddaughters bedroom.  I bought some cute valentines paper while it was in season.

  I finally have the wood letters and decided to get painting.   

I painted the edges with  Decoart American – Dragon Fruit.  I love the brightness of it and it matches the paper perfectly.  The pictures do not do this justice.  I had a hard time getting some good photo’s while this was hanging on my wall.

I traced the wood letter onto the paper, hand cut them out then attached with mod podge. When that was dry, I put a couple of coats over the entire piece.  I like using the matte finish of the mod podge. 

I attached together with some bright pink gingham ribbon and added a wire on top to finish it.

Isn’t it cute? The finished piece is about 24 inches tall.

I also painted this summery flower hang up.

 

And just in time for Flag day, I finished this American sign.  The lettering is white vinyl.

 

What should I paint next?   I’m thinking watermelon!

Saturday is the first day of Summer.  I hope you’re is off to a good start!

Be creative!

 

Jolly Ole Man

I just finished painting the Santa Tree.   I started out with a rusty metal tree.  It is about 2 feet tall.  I base coated it by sponging with sand to give it an eggshell texture.   My paint of choice is Deco Art Americana.  I purchase almost all of my paint supplies at Quality Art.  I don’t spend a lot on my paint brushes because I wear them out so fast.  I use Royal Soft Grips.  They are usually about $3-4 dollars each.

I {heart} wooly sheep. 

I have a mixed theme on this Santa.   He has a slight touch of patriotic to him.

 

 

Be Creative!

Boo to You!

It’s official..  I got out my brushes and paints Friday night.   It has begun.   I have several custom projects to paint for Christmas.   I haven’t painted anything for Fall for a few years so I decided to paint these cute little Halloween pins. I love painting wearable art.

WARNING!!!   I am sharing a lot of pictures!

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the cool crisp air and I love all of the colors.

 

First I base coat all of the colors.  I then add all of the shading and detail.    I found this Glamour Dust while shopping at my favorite art store.  It is a sheer paint with colored very fine glitter in it.   It’s perfect for a little added bling.

After I’ve finished painting and signing each piece they get a coat of clear acrylic spray to seal the paint.

Pins are glued to the back.

Aren't these the cutest little kitties?   I love the candy corn bow ties.

A bowl full of fun!

Products used:  1/8” wood. Paint brushes. Americana acrylic paint. Glamour Dust. Mod Podge acrylic spray sealer.  E600 glue. Pins. Pigma marker.

 

Be Creative!

 

Power Tools

 

I  {Heart}  power tools.   As most of you know, I paint.  Decorative painting, Tole painting, whatever you want to call it, that’s one of my hobbies.  I cut most of my own wood so I have a couple of different kinds of saws, sanders etc…    It shouldn’t  surprise you that I asked for a new DeWalt palm sander  for Christmas and Santa delivered.  I finally pulled it out of the box today to work on a new project.

I bought the items I needed for this project sometime in November.   I needed a little prep done by My Handyman before I could get started.  I told him it was no rush because, well…  I was just too busy creating things for Christmas.    I am Grateful for his help. He finished up for me a couple of weeks ago so now it’s time for me to begin.

The piece of wood is sanded, drilled and ready for paint.   I painted the base with Traditional Burnt Umber.  I use Americana paints by Decoart.  They are my favorite. 

The  base coat is really the undercoat.   It will look much different when finished.   You know me and my distressed look!  I’m trying to decide if I’ll use blues or green’s….  

I guess you’ll find out when it’s done!

 

Be Creative!

Vintage Finds

Ok…  For the last few years when I go to a yard sale or a little vintage shop…  If I find a cute little old tea kettle or coffee shop… I buy one or two..   They are quite collectable and aren’t cheap…..

I love painting them!  

I used to paint quite a few items and have a booth at a bazaar every year but it became a job and no longer fun.   Now I just paint a few custom orders..  In 2012 I resolve to paint a little more and to especially paint a few more things for myself.

I use Americana acrylic paint.  It is my favorite brand and I can buy them for .98 at my local art supply store; Quality Art in Boise.   I buy all of my brushes there, too.

The recipient of this purdy little teapot absolutely loved it!

Sorry about the glare on this one…

Be Creative!

O Say Can You See….

Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



I’ve mentioned before….  Some of the vintage images are quite disturbing…  I can’t help but share them.
Happy July Fourth!