Thursday, June 27, 2013

Magnolia Box

Hi, I'm Liz, and I can't throw unique containers away....ahhh, so cathartic! 

It's true; I can't throw boxes, containers, etc. that I think I can reuse.  Case in point, this cute little box that held an expensive candle.  

I went to The Graphics Fairy and found this great magnolia image.  I painted the box with ASCP old white, then used Mod Podge to decoupage the box.  Don't know what I'm going to do with it; maybe use it as a hostess gift with some candies, soaps, etc.










Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Un Franc

I went thrifting last week and picked up a very ugly little stool for $4.  




So, I went to The Graphics Fairy and found this 1 franc image:





I used this great transfer paper (Lesley Riley's TAP Transfer Artist Paper) and after printing it on the paper, I followed the directions and ironed the image onto some burlap.  Amazon had the best price.


Now to take this thing apart:





Off with the first layer of fabric:





And another layer!





And another layer!!





Finally, foam:




Too nasty to keep; so, I removed the foam and used batting and adhesive spray:

               (That's Josie wearing her "Cone of Shame")


The board is underneath all that fluff!


(That's Luke...soaking wet)



Et Finis! 

I used Annie Sloan Old White for the wood; and used clear and dark wax to age the paint.


 Not bad for my first time.  :-)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Strawberry Moon

This month the full moon is called "Strawberry Moon".  This is the closest the moon will be to Earth, 220,000 miles!  I shot this at around 10 p.m.


 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Hydrangeas

The hydrangeas are blooming now, and the creamy pastels pop against the dark green leaves. Love, Love, Love!



Thursday, June 20, 2013

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad...I miss you.


Vintage Clay Pots

A collection of vintage clay pots; love the texture, nuance of color, and shadows.


Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie Louisiana

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Keys

When one has a teenager it is not cool for them to have a parent within 50 feet of them and their friends!  So, I have been banished to house whilst they play in the pool.  2 hours later I created this:





Once again, I went to The Graphics Fairy...I think this is starting into an obsession...

<still trying to get a photo of the girls in the pool>

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Flower Can

Well, we've gone from excessive heat to monsoon season here in Northern Virginia.  Stuck in the house and refusing to acknowledge the precarious state of the linen closet upstairs, I went back to The Graphics Fairy to check out another printable for a project.

 



This flower can was bright yellow.  With some Annie Sloan old white paint, Mod Podge, sand paper, and Annie Sloan clear wax...Et voila!

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Friday, June 7, 2013

Magnolias

It's magnolia time, and no self-respecting Southern home would dare not have at least one magnolia tree.  I have three; 2 very large mature ones flanking each side the front of the house, and a small one that sprouted on it's own in the back yard near the pool. Still trying to figure out how it got there; maybe a bird dropped a seed pod?




Thursday, June 6, 2013

Shells & Pebbles

I love to collect; foreign coins, shells, pebbles, etc.  Add small jars and bowls...well, they're everywhere. Right now, the montage in the family room bookshelves is pebbles and shells I have collected from many beach trips to the Outer Banks.






Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Cicada Symphony

The cicadas are quite loud...this has been going on for 3 weeks; I have had enough!


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Furled Bud

I am so proud of this image; it was published in the February 2013 issue of Popular Photography.



Monday, June 3, 2013

Silverware Decoupage Project

My first blog posting...ack!

We had July weather here in Northern Virginia and Brood 2 cicadas are everywhere; perfect reason to stay indoors and try to get creative.

About a month ago, I was in Wegmans and saw a bunch of these veggie crates that were going to be thrown away. So, I started taking one apart; decided to use one of the sides.


I selected a spoon/fork/knife graphic from The Graphics Fairy. This is a fantastic site that I discovered searching through Pinterest.

I cut out the spoon and tried the "citra-solv" method:


epic fail:





so, maybe a sharpie would help?  Nope.



Mod Podge?




Yes!


 Now all 3:


 After the Mod Podge dried, I painted with watered down silver paint to the "silverware":


I then applied Annie Sloan clear wax to the slats/decoupage. Then darkened with Annie Sloan dark wax; then a final layer of clear wax.

Et voila!



I like it vertical; but it looks great horizontal, too. :-)