Decorative Wall Paintings

My grandchildren love to paint, and they love it when grandma paints on their walls. This year I was busy painting Rapunzel for Aly's room.

 The finished product just in time for Christmas : )

Max and Ruby for Bianca's and Marisa's room.

Diy Coffee Table Redo

One of the things that I enjoy doing is taking a piece of furniture, and changing it. The most inexpensive way, with more bang for your buck is to repaint.. Since folk art is popular, and easy to reproduce, it's a great place for a beginner to start. There are plenty of books with patterns at stores like Micheal's. The book I got this particular pattern was Better Home and Gardens Painting Furniture and Accessories.

Supplies:
Sand paper
Large paint brush
# 5 round brush
3/8 angle brush
# 0 liner brush
6 inch glazed ceramic tile for paint mixing
Flat edge painting knife
Assortment of 2 oz paints made by Americana, Folk Art, and Delta
Blue Haze, Blue Mist, Napa Red, Buttermilk,Antique Gold, Antique Green, and Black
Tracing paper
Matte finish spray
Stylist tool
Water pail for rinsing brushes

Start by selecting the piece of furniture your redoing. I have chosen a coffee table. First sand the table all over. Using a wet cloth remove all dust from furniture. Also see furniture make over for more information.

Paint the table with the large paint brush in black.

Copy pattern to tracing paper. Tape into place, with white transfer paper under neath. Redraw pattern onto coffee table.

The main colors are based in first, to shade you side load with the darker colors, to high light you use the lighter colors.

• I took the liberty to do some free flowing leaves around the edges of the table, once you get brave try it, it will  give you  painting a free form look.

My First Class

I have always had an interest in the arts, espeacially decorative painting. Today I taught my first class. I had taught before. On a one on one basis, family members which made for a good stepping stone to teaching a group of people.  I was so excited to have a group of 14 women in my first class.

 It was very exciting, and draining all at the same time. I was glad that I was not nervous. My husband Toby had prayed for me before I left, I was waiting to get nervous, but it never came. I know that I serve a good God and that he answers prayers.

Painted Canvas Tote Bags

I received a bunch of canvas material from a friend. Looking to do some painting on canvas, I thought I would make some canvas tote bags, with the whimsical type of  decorating that I enjoy doing.




Supplies:
1 1/2 yard canvas, handles,
sewing machine, thread.
Assorted acrylic paints

 I used the same pattern  that I used on the painted child's rocking chair  April 2010 blog. The angel pattern is by Shara Reiner, Angel Thyme Designs. I like her designs because not only are they perfect for beginners, but the designs are versatile. .
 With being  green  conscience being in it's trendy to carry your cloth reusable canvas tote bags.

To make canvas tote cut a 20 by 35 inch square of canvas. Cut a 3 by 2 notch on each side. Refer to the picture. Cut 2 of these one will line the tote, the other will be the outside of the tote.

Fold canvas in half, fold tops over 1 inch. Attach straps with pins. Sew all the way across the top.

Sew sides of tote first. Then  sew the bottom , it will make a wide bottom tote.

Illustrated here.

Here is another design on this tote bag.The out side of the bag is to the left, the inside of the bag (or the lining )is on the right side of the picture. Place the liner tote inside the outer tote. Pin together and sew.

Finished tote.

This finished tote has the Noah's Arc design.

Tole Painting Baby Rocking Chair

In my previous blog where I spoke of reworking my stools. I would like to give you a quick lesson on how to tole paint. What really appeals to me about this kind of painting is you don't have to know how to draw to come up with a decent product.

I first took an interest in tole painting, when I joined the Tuesday Morning Ladies Fellowship  We were stay at home mom's with small children. Every November we would have a craft sale, to raise money. My goal was to sell enough to be able to buy Christmas presents. There was one mother that did the best in sales, and what she did was paint Christmas ornaments with tole painting. Oh how I admired those ornaments, and wished I knew how to tole paint.

Here lies one wooden baby rocking chair.

I based coated it a dark blue. I traced out my pattern on tracing paper. Sandwich white carbon paper between chair and tracing paper. Using a stylist or pencil follow the drawing.
Caution before you trace the whole drawing lift up, check to make sure your carbon paper is on the correct side. Tape to chair so it doesn't move while you are transferring drawing.
Lift paper off, the tracing will be very light, which will allow you to erase latter.
Base in medium colors.Side load square angle paint brush with darker colors then base color. This will allow painting to look more 3rd dimensional.

This video gives you the action required to side load your paint brush.