Hi everyone 
I haven't posted anything in a while. I thought that I would post a couple of new projects. The first one is a light fixture for  a powder room or a young persons room.
 This is what I started with. A wall light fixture a pair of capris, some Mod-Podge, clothespins, and ribbon for decorations.

 I cut off the base of pants, measuring against the light fixture to see how much fabric I would need. I wanted a sort of pleated look, so I knew I would need some length.

 Using Mod Podge, I spread mod podge over about 1/4 of light fixture and gathering with my fingers, I made the pleats. I worked in small sections about 2". Once I pleated that section, I would coat again with the mod podge on the outside of the fabric. I repeated that all around the light. I used clothespins to hold the fabric on until it dried overnight. The next day I removed the clothespins and trimmed the top and bottom of the fixture then I added ribbon and beads with hot glue for decorations. Hope this inspires you. Have fun!

cece caldwell giveaway

I just wanted to share this link with you. Cece Caldwell has a giveaway. go check it out! yeah, maybe we can win, wouldn't that be nice!

Hi,
Just wanted to update you with a new post. I was wanting a new project, so after searching one my favorite sites (pinterest) I came upon these little square knot bracelets to do. So I purchased the supplies and followed the directions http://yellowblackbird.blogspot.com/2011/06/anthropologie-terra-scintilla-bracelet.html (link here to yellowblackbird)
Here are some pics of the ones I did.

I had a great time doing these. I will be selling them in my etsy store.http://www.etsy.com/people/artistsx2?ref=si_pr

Hope you enjoyed the views. Have a great, blessed day!

Hi everyone,
I wanted to post a few pictures of one of my latest projects that I am doing using up some of my tub of jewels, and as my hubby say's dod-u-als (is that really a word?). I am not giving directions on how to do this, just posting some pics of it.

 Bejeweled Mirror. I hope you enjoy it. Have a blessed day!

 

BLING-BLING BRACELETS! SWEEEET!!

Hello everyone,
Ok, so I am not doing furniture today. Today, I am going to bling out a bracelet, and use some of my old jewelry findings. (which I have a couple of tubs full.....what? don't tell me you don't have one too...right...lol)
Here we go... first of all I had in amongst my jewelry, a bracelet cuff that had seen better days, I had to break a few things off of it, but it made a good start. I understand from a fellow artist that you can get bracelet cuffs at Michaels (one of my favority stores).

 The bracelet is a pewter cuff.

 Here I cut out a strip of fabric, this was actually off a bandana.

 I know not very good pic, but I didn't review pics before I started post, and this is only one I had with beginning the wrapping.

 This was the stack of old jewelry pieces that I started with. You will need pliers, scissors and E6000 glue, and Aleene's tacky glue, needle and thread, and a few pieces of scrap fabric for yo-yo's.
To begin with, you want to make sure that the ends of the bracelet are covered, and secure. I cut the fabric about 2" wide. Fold the fabric in half length wise, and put the end of fabric over the end of the bracelet, then fold back on it self and glue with aleene's. You will start wrapping and gluing until you get to other end of the bracelet, where you will repeat your first step.

Next I added yo-yos. Ok for those of you who don't know what that is. get some fabric and trace a circle on to the fabric, (a small plate or jar works good) then cut it out. In this piece i did six small yo-yos. Each one is about 3" diameter. I kind of use the theory that whatever size I start with, it will be about 1/2 the size when it is done. Now this is hard to do without showing you a pic, but with a needle and thread turn under the edge of circle and do a running stitch all around the circle,leave a tail about 2". I usually tuck under about 1/4". When you get to where you started, clip thread, and lightly begin pulling both the tail and your end thread. It will gather up. When it's all gathered, I run the needle thru both ends and put a knot in there and clip off thread. Wa-la, a yo-yo.
Ok, back to the bracelet.

Now glue the yo-yos on the center section of the bracelet with aleene's glue. Now find some long pieces of jewelry, and start trimming out the edge of the piece. Then start adding bigger pieces to the bracelet. I am using the E6000 glue from here on out. All jewelry is added using that glue.

This is all about layering. That is why you put big pieces down first.

Add charms and beads and use strands of chains or beads to fill in spaces.

You can see that it was wrapped with the fabric. When it is all said in done, you will have alot of layers. I like typically about three or more. Here is the finished piece.

 

I hope you enjoy your fun and fabulous new bracelets. Enjoy, and be blessed.

Artistic Impressions: Hi everyone, Just thought that I would post a pro...

Artistic Impressions: Hi everyone,
 Just thought that I would post a pro...: Hi everyone,  Just thought that I would post a project that I did. Only problem is, like several of my other one's that I didn'...

Artistic Impressions: Hi everyone, Just thought that I would post a pro...

Artistic Impressions: Hi everyone,
 Just thought that I would post a pro...: Hi everyone,  Just thought that I would post a project that I did. Only problem is, like several of my other one's that I didn'...

Hi everyone,
 Just thought that I would post a project that I did. Only problem is,

like several of my other one's that I didn't have before, during and after shots. 
I did a lot of these projects to sell the items, before I started blogging, that is why they don't have all the photos.

The procedure for doing this is basically the same as some of my other projects. I found the older piece at an auction for $2. It's wood.I have this bright blue paint that I added white and a little black latex craft paint colors too, then used my homemade chalk paint formula (one part plaster of paris and two parts paint) and you come up with this nice blueish (is that a word) gray color. Now I love CeCe Caldwells products, I just didn't have money this project to buy what I wanted which was some dark wax. As I have done walls and a lot of pieces of furniture with glazes, I decided to mix up some glazing using another paint secret that I am going to share with you. How many of you have bought glazing liquid at $35 or more a gallon. Here's the secret. If you go to any paint department, go to where the cans are on the shelf and look at the label towards the bottom, and it will say clear, medium or deep base. Get a gallon of clear for around $15 and guess what, you have glazing liquid. shhhhhh! don't tell everyone.
So mix in a small jar 2 parts water and 2 parts glaze and one part paint. If you want a darker color than you are getting after it is stirred, just add a touch more paint. Now when you are glazing the piece, especially with a dark glaze, work in small sections. You can apply glaze with a brush (doesn't matter what kind, I like 2" foam brush or chip brush). Then immediately wipe of. Depending on your piece as too whether you use a circular motion or long wiping motion. I suggest you try on the bottom of the piece first to see what you like. If it starts dragging a little, add a touch more water to your mix. Let dry a few hours, and then you can wax (I like CeCe Caldwell clear wax) Again, there is a matter of preference here. I apply it and let it set a few minutes then wipe off. Others I have read, let it set up for several hours or over night. Your choice, try both ways and see if it makes a difference to you. I also have used a polyurethane to seal the work to, but I prefer to wax the piece.
Now, for the shade. This is so easy, your kids can do it. Tear strips of fabric in several colors or patterns that complement your piece,make sure your strips are long enough to go around the shade, and tie a knot. Then simply wrap and knot all the way around the shade. The final step was to glue(I am a E6000 fanatic) pom-poms around base of shade. Wa-la cute night stand or end table.
Have fun!

Artistic Parsons Table

Hi,
Just thought I would show you another project that I think came out cute. This one is for all the artists who just want to have fun!
This project starts with the purchase of what is called a parsons table at a auction for a couple of bucks, can't beat that, and most of my furniture pieces come from yard sales, flea markets, local auctions, etc. My requirement is they be wood. Pretty easy.

This is it's humble beginning

 Then it got a coat of homemade chalk paint. My receipe is one part Plaster of Paris, and two parts latex paint. My personal preference is satin or eggshell.Remember to look at your paint departments returns. Alot of times you can get a great color that may have been to bright or something for a persons room so they return it. Good for us because they sell them at reduced prices. I got a gallon of this great blue for $7. A quart would have been $12 had I had them mix me this color.

After coating with two coats of chalk paint. (was personal choice on this piece. I knew I was going for a painted look rather than a distressed look. Remember you don't have to sand or primer with chalk paint - Yeah!) Then I took blue painters tape and ran down the middle of each side, leaving about 1" open down the sides. Then I took white paint and went down the edges all around the piece, including the edges of the top and bottom sections of the table. I did tape off the top of top ( i know and the top of the bottom piece, so that i would have a clean edge, no paint brush marks going over on to the piece.) When the white was dry, I took black craft paint and a 1" flat brush and started painting black marks, leaving the white to show thru between the marks. They are about a brush width apart. Again nothing perfect just start painting. Do this to all the white painted edges.

 Next I just used the white paint and based in some big floral shapes and paisleys and big leaf shapes. After doing this i used a nice flat brush and painted the little leaves around the edges of the top. I wanted the flowers and leaves to be bright, so that is why I based them in white first. Otherwise you try and paint pink on and the primary paint color will be dulled. look at the paisley lower right, and see how dull it is. I did this to show you. The center of upper left flower and that paisley are the same paint color. Also, while in white, I took a craft paint brush and dipped the end of the brush into the paint and made white dots around the leaves. These flowers are not supposed to be realistic so this is a great project for the beginning artist. It is folk art so no perfection needed (Just like I like it). I then painted different flowers around all four sides. sorry forgot to take pics of that.

 Now is the fun part. Pick out all sorts of wild bright, fun colors and start painting your flowers and leafs. Remember to put a light and dark color on each piece. So look at top above, on leafs. Dark green light green or yellow. Orange and yellow. Just use at least two different contrasting colors on the flower or paisley. Then out comes the craft brush again for putting dots in contrasting colors all over. Do this to your sides also. I also like grouping like 3 dots in a triangle shape together as a filler.

 Notice each side is different. I painted little roses on each side of the feet of the table, then took colors from off the top piece and painted the top edges of the feet. When that dried I put little flowers and dots on them too.

I think it turned out fun and colorful just like I wanted.

A note.. I do paint the bottoms of pieces, it just is more finished to me. If it doesn't need two coats on the bottom, that's ok.
Thanks for viewing my blog. I hope you enjoyed it, and have a Blessed Day!http://pinterest.com/49monthcellserv/boards

Ok next quick little project. CUPCAKE STAND! I know so many ideas out there, I love it. So, here is another one.

 I wanted to show you something. Since the goblets i used were clear, I wanted you to be able to see in the glass, (truthfully after I had glued these together using E6000 glue, I wished I had filled the goblet with old jewelry findings and beads or whatever you could think of. But it was too late, so make sure if you like this that you consider putting something in the glass. But i did apply the paper with mod podge facing the inside of the glass, so you would see the paper. When it was dry, I painted the back sides of the pape a comlimentary color, and applied polyurethane sealer on to backs.

Have fun!

Next I have some lamps I did. I have more coming, that I will post when I complete them.

I think that i am going to take the one in the front view and turn it into a bird bath. 

Hello,
Just thought I would touch base with everyone and show you pictures of some of the other projects I have been working on .
Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of before during and after. So you just get the after shots. Hope you enjoy them.

http://pinterest.com/49monthcellserv/boards/

This is a bombay table that I did. I used a chalk paint on the table, and the side panels are decoupaged with papers. I am debating about blinging out the panels with some of my excess jewelry i have. Give me your opinion please. I am thinking about doing a chair for it and use it like a vanity for sale, since I have a mirror with it. Let me know what you think. 

Artistic Impressions: This is a cool piece. I am going to get a lot of u...

Artistic Impressions: This is a cool piece. I am going to get a lot of u...: This is a cool piece. I am going to get a lot of use for this outside by table for cookouts. I found this table and stand at a flea market ...

This is a cool piece. I am going to get a lot of use for this outside by table for cookouts.
I found this table and stand at a flea market for a good price. I think it was because of the ducks on it that I got a good deal. (Not that I have anything against ducks mind you, but look at it. It was screaming at me "Take me home and turn me into something Happy Please")

 I am painting with chalk paint. I am using a home made version which is made with one part plaster of paris and two parts latex flat or eggshell. For all of you who want to use CeCe Caldwell or Annie Sloan chalk paint, please do. Turquoise shades seam to be very popular this year and decoupage is very hot.So, I have been doing a lot of both. I love the colors out now, so no problem here. I want to say that the stand and tray were wood, but the duck bottom was a fiberglass piece, so that it could be used outside. 

I always start with the plaster of paris first. Add enough water to make a peak, like a thick milk shake. Make sure all the lumps and clumps are all stirred in good. Then add you latex paint and stir completely. Keep that milk shake in your mind. If it starts to thicken up too much, just add a little water to it and stir real well. (Note-i pour mixture into a old butter dish or equivalent and put lid on it, and put a smidge of the color on the lid. It keeps really well. You may have to add a little water, but it keeps great.) 

 As with all good chalk paint, it covers in one coat. No sanding, priming or preparing the wood. Having been in the painting business with my husband for years, it is hard to train my brain to not think i have to prep these pieces first. Yippee, glad I don't. Now I want to tell you something here. If you want a solid color no distressing showing, I would use two coats. If you are going to only distress in a few spots, you may want a second coat but if not, when your paint is tacky, you can take a wet paper towel and lightly rub on the area's that you want distressed. Not too hard, play with it. The coats you decide to use are really personal preference. I use different ones on different pieces. Now I want to share another little secret or two. I wanted some like gray distressing on mine. Many of you may not know this but after doing murals for almost 30 years I have learned a few things. Glazing liquid that you use in faux finishing is really just paint base. you know how you go to the paint department and they have to go pick up a base to mix your paint tints in. Well clear base is the same as glazing liquid. If you buy glazing liquid in say one of the name home builder stores, it will run you about $35-45. A gallon of base with no tint added off the shelf (clear) runs typically $12-14. I'm just sayin'! Now i take another small butter tub poured about 1/3 cup of base in it, took some craft paint in black, and added a few drops, and a couple drops of white and stirred. When I liked the gray I got i added about 3 tablespoons of water, stirred and i was good to go. Then I simply brushed on with foam  brush and wiped off immediately. This works really well on pieces that have a carved or ridged surface to them, because it goes down in the cracks and darkens it. If you get an area that is a little to dark or concentrated, simply dab a t-shirt for wiping in clean base and rub over what you did and it will fix it. No problems - Happy accidents.

 Now the tedious but fun part. Tear up a bunch of scrap book papers in complimentary colors and start to decoupage them on the tray. I put the scraps on a few paper plates so that I can keep like colors sort of together. Then when I start, I will have everything in front of me. I use Mod Podge decoupage medium and spread a section about 8" square with the mod podge. OOPS first I have to tell you. When you are mosaic decoupaging, make sure the color you want popping thru like a grout color is what your piece is painted. I almost went black, but this worked out good too. Now apply the medium and start laying out your pieces, leaving about 1/8" between each piece. This is a good thing to sit in front of you and work on while your watching tv. I put four coats of mod podge on the mosaic part of tray to seal in the pieces really well, to hold up to wet drinks and such.

 The rest of the piece I used CeCe Caldwell's clear wax, and applied one coat and let dry then wiped with soft t-shirt then repeated the next day. It will be very soft to your touch. I love the wax. If you don't have wax, you could just seal with a polyurethane also.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Thank you, and I appreciate any and all comments. Have a Blessed day!