Lake Girl Paints: December 2012

A Delightsome Life

Too Much Time on My Hands

French Country Cottage

Twigg Studios

I Should Be Mopping the Floor

DIY Showoff

Friday, December 28, 2012

2012 Favorite Projects

I didn't know what to expect

when I jumped into the blogworld this year.

It's been quite an adventure...so much fun!

And really, it's just what I would be doing anyway...

one project after another.

It's just that now I keep an art journal

and get to share it with you,

my like-minded creatives!

These have been some busy paintbrushes!

Here are the top 4 Most Viewed Posts.

Whimsical Christmas Chairs

Texture Blast Table

Make A Beach Sign

Sand and Shells Dresser

I thought I would also include a few more of my favorites.

Painted Sideboard wears Family Stamp

Nautical Compass Dresser

Black and White Striped Tray

Some Beach Somewhere Pallet Art

Route 66 - How to Paint a Canvas Sign

I'm looking forward to lots of happy art and furniture projects in 2013.

I hope my notes inspire you to create fun things for your home too.

Thank you friends for joining me on this handmade journey!

Deb

Link Parties:

I should be Mopping the Floor

Bliss Ranch - Cowgirl Up Party

Cozy Little House

I Gotta Create

Embracing Change

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Sisal and Beadboard add New Twist

I always enjoy the cozy Christmas clutter.

But then I look forward to the fresh New Year.

So as I'm starting to plan for that

I thought it would be a good time to share

a project I worked on a few weeks ago

when I did a guest post over

at Debbie's Refresh ReStyle.

So here's my fresh new project:

It was "love at first sight"

when I found this rope in the thrift barn for $5.

I knew I could find some fun use for it.

All of that textural loveliness will give my plant a needed "pick me up".

So after soaking the rope in a bucket of bleach water

and laying out to dry,

I wrapped and glued the rope

around my plastic pot.

That led to another idea.

What about giving this old plant stand

a new look.

This was a freebie.

But it just doesn't have that fresh beach house vibe

that I'm going for.

So I cut some beadboard panels to fit around the sides

and hammered off the metal flourish

at the bottom of the stand.

Now it's shaping up.

After base painting in a gray,

I brushed over in semi-gloss white

leaving random streaks of gray to show through.

Then a little bit of sanding

and a smidge of black glaze in a few places

and there you have it...

a cottagey beachy feel.

That will be such a nice complement to the sisal wrap.

My new plant stand has found a home now

beside The Milk Painted Sideboard.

Today I tucked a bit of sparkle in for the New Year.

Hope you are all enjoying your homes

this Christmas Season!

Deb

Link Parties:

Savvy Southern Style

Stone Gable

Embracing Change

A Delightsome Life

The 36th Avenue

I Should be Mopping the Floor

Craftomaniac

Bliss Ranch - Cowgirl Up Party

Cozy Little House

Redoux Interiors

Monday, December 17, 2012

Make a Red Chalkboard

I've been experimenting

with making chalkboard paint.

I really like what's happening with it.

If I can make my own,

I can get whatever color I want.

Today it's Red.

But I didn't want just any red.

I wanted a bright red with a dark red shading surround.

I mixed 1/4 cup Plaster of Paris with 1-2 Tbsp water making a paste.

Then I added about 1/2 cup or more of Red Paint.

I used this bright apple red for the main base

and the darker colonial red for the shading.

When I shaded the edge I just used paint and glaze.

But all of the interior was the Chalkboard mix.

I applied 2 or 3 coats.

The paint seemed very durable .

I kept chalking and wiping off with a wet cloth

as I was playing with design ideas.

You might recognize the board

like the one I built here.

I had fun sketching different designs.

Now that's some good inspiration...

The same yum that inspired me to Paint a Starbucks Snowman.

Now for a happy snow girl:

Blessings to you friends.

May you find

the

merry and bright moments

in your days,

Deb

Link Parties:

Coastal Charm

Home Stories A to Z

Elizabeth & Co

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Under the Table and Dreaming

Keeping it Simple

Stone Gable

Embracing Change

The Shabby Creek Cottage

The 36th Avenue

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

At the Picket Fence

It's Overflowing

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Starbucks Snowman Serving Tray - Paint DIY

What a fun time of year!

This guy

will definitely add some happy to my home:

I thought since I decorate my car

like this:

I should bring some of that

Starbucks Holiday feel to my home.

I had a treasure in my garage

(a $1 Flea Market Find)

waiting for some personality.

Red oughta do it.

For the Starbucks background red

I used 3 paints.

Just a dot of white and the two reds

mix to make a nice color base.

Plan to sketch or enlarge a sketch on your printer

to transfer the snowman.

Transfer the lettering this same way

by chalking the back and using pen pressing on the front.

Base the snowman in with Kilz Primer.

For the gray shading on the snowman,

I dipped my large flat brush in clear glaze,

then dipped one side in white and one side in gray

and blended on.

I used a denim mixed with navy for the hat

along with the black shading.

Here are some other colors for the face:

These reds are great for the darker tones.

For the even darker one I added a drop of black.

I sprayed the finished tray with Krylon Clear gloss sealer

and just for fun affixed the Starbucks logo

(lending all credit to their copyright).

And now my car decor is in my home.

There's just a little layer of ice on the lake.

Makes it sparkle.

Now this is happy art

with this guy winking at you.

Cheers!

Deb

Link Parties:

A Diamond in the Stuff

Savvy Southern Style

Lil Luna

Debbie Doos Knock Off Party

Cedar Hill Ranch

Domestically Speaking

House of Hepworths

The 36th Avenue

At the Picket Fence