Images, Script, and A Little Bling

What would you do with an illustration from the 1700's?

Well, if you think like I do, you decoupage a copy onto a vintage pail.  This was a quickie project.

The pail had great patina, as you can see, but, it needed something.

The copy is on tissue, and I left a few wrinkles.  I love imperfections, remember?

I know quite a few of you already know about printing on tissue, but, I keep getting emails asking me to elaborate.  So, here we go.

When I copy onto wrapping tissue, I use a transparency sheet (8-1/2" x 11").  I've also used peel and stick paper, photo paper, etc.  I spray the sheet with stencil adhesive (so the tissue can be adjusted, and removed easily).  After it dries a bit, I attach the tissue to the sheet.  Getting the tissue really flat takes some practice.  After it's attached, trim the edges of the tissue to fit the sheet.  Place the sheet in the printer, and print.  You have to be very careful when removing the tissue from the sheet.  It can tear very easily.  Decoupaging takes a gentle hand as well.

I was really happy at how flat I got the tissue on this frenchy box.  After antiquing, and sealing, it looked and felt more like a transfer.

I used tissue on this scripted drawer.  I also added a little bling.

Speaking of images, I've decided to start selling digital downloads of some of my vintage ephemera. You can find the downloads I've done so far HERE.

We're having a rainy week here.  My lilacs have left the building, but, my roses are blooming.

See ya soon.

Still My Babies

I've been laying a little low with blogging this past week.  There's a reason for that.  My youngest graduated from High School this past Thursday.  He's still my baby, and so is his brother.

He had a pretty busy senior year.  There were art shows (He won several awards), banquets, a trip to Springfield for a drama competition, prom, etc.  Now, he'll be pursuing his artistic dreams,

and, I'm about to get back in the creative groove.  I have two, possibly three (I haven't decided yet) shows coming up in June. I'm going to be very busy. After some serious purging, I have some hunting and gathering to do.  I also have to get to some of my furniture redesigns.  I'll be sharing.  See ya soon.

Boxes, Drawers, and Clearing Out More Stuff

I'm still painting, and scripting boxes.

This one has hints of script inside,

and script on top.

I also worked on a lighter version of the drawer from my last post.

As you can see, instead of leaving the small knob, I replaced it with one of my numbered tacks.

More inside.

Oh yes, I had another impromptu garage sale these past few days. I'm VERY serious about organizing, and narrowing focus on what I acquire. I got rid of a bunch of "stuff". It's a joy to see someone happily loading up something I NEVER want to see again.  There's a lot to be said for living on a main street, as well.  I didn't advertise at all.

Drawer Transformation, More Lilacs, and My Trusty HTC

Yes, more lilacs. The weather has been decent here lately, so, I've been working outside more.  Natural light, and lilacs make beautiful photos, and, yes, I took these pics with my trusty HTC Desire smartphone camera.

The lilacs also look good in my boxes, and in this little drawer.

This is what the drawer looked like before.

I transformed it with paint, script, and stain.  In that order.  A white basecoat, followed by script, then, the stain.

I added a little script inside as well.

The script is decoupaged on.

More copies from my 175 year old diary.

Maybe it's the crazy long winter we had here,

or, the fact that I'm trying to slow down and recharge a bit,

but, I've been enjoying the outdoors a lot more lately.  See ya soon.


Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stone Gable: Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party

Redesigned Wood Box

I'm still playing with my lilacs,

and, redesigning some of my wood boxes.

Just in case you hadn't noticed, I love playing with boxes.  I dry brushed this one white, before giving it a French touch.

I copied the image (from my ephemera collection) onto very thin tissue paper.  After decoupaging it to the box, and sealing it, it looks (and feels) more like a transfer.

I didn't put a label on the other side.  Instead, I made it look as though a label was there, but, wore off.  I used grey stain for the weathered look.

Although my shows, and garage sale went well, having them so close together really wore me out.  I'll be focusing on appointments, and Etsy this week.  Hmmmmm, maybe one more garage sale............................


Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

Lilacs, Mirror, Box, and, Relaxing

My lilacs are blooming.

They're reflected in something I'd almost forgot about.

Have you ever worked on something, didn't care much for it, put it away, came across it, and decided you kinda liked it now?  Well, that's what happened with me and this mirror.

A while back, I showed you how I used two different methods for transferring images to these bottles.

You can review that post HERE.

I started transferring the same "Paris Chandeliers" design I created on the bottle, to a mirror.  I didn't finish it, and put it away.  Yesterday, while cleaning, I came across it again.  I like it now for some reason. Unfinished and all.  I put it in a vintage distressed frame.  I created the cloudiness with matte spray sealer.

The box my bottle is sitting in is another little project.  It was a plain wood box with a little indentation on one side.  I added beading, painted it white, and lined the inside with vintage wallpaper.

Believe it or not, I was planning to do ANOTHER show this weekend.  However, my van needs work, I'm still recovering  from two very busy weekends in a row, and Sunday is Mother's Day.  I think circumstances, and my body are trying to tell me something.  Time to chill.

I was happy to see the lilacs blooming.  They're one of my favorite flowers, and scents.  Very soothing.

I can use a little soothing right now.  See ya soon.

Sharing With:
Funky Junk Interiors

Not Really Resting

After my show, I was suppose to get some rest.  Although I've taken a little blog break, I'm not exactly resting.  I've been trying to get some things organized around the house.  However, that's relaxing to me.  My recent garage sale, followed by my show, left things in disarray.

Someone actually tried to buy the "Garage Sale" sign I painted at my recent sale.  I didn't want to sell it. I'm contemplating hanging it on my living room wall.  Yes, I would do that.

The weather has been pretty nice here this week, so, in addition to cleaning and organizing, I've been working outside.  You see the two large peat pots in the forefront?  I stained them a charcoal grey.

They're sitting on a wicker settee my husband picked up curbside.  I like the weathered look as soon as I saw it,

but,

the cushion was hiding a secret.

Hmmmmmm. I'm not sure what I want to do with it, if anything.  It looks cute just sitting outside with pots on it.

I've been going through my ephemera these past few days as well.  Amazing how much I forget about, till I start going through it all.

I was lucky enough to come across enough salvage metal to start working on multiple crowns with the same design.

I'll probably be adding a fleur-de-lis to these.

So, I'm sorta resting.  One thing is for sure.  I'm much happier focusing on a little organization.


Sharing With:
Funky Junk Interiors
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired