New Painting Furniture Projects

I just finished painting a bunch of furniture! I enjoyed doing these because I used grey as the base instead of my normal white. I love how they turned out! I also tried a new technique for the tops. Everything I did and used is explained below each picture.

I found this old tilt top table and sanded her down to remove the shine off the wood.

I added two coats of grey paint (Behr). 

I then did a dry brush of white chalk paint around the edges and on the details on the legs. 

On the top I did a transfer of a graphic from the Graphic Fairy. I used Block Posters to enlarge the graphic and printed it out on my inkjet printer onto parchment paper and then burnished it onto the top. After I got the look I desired with stain and dry brush I sprayed the whole top with a clear matte finish. I love the way it turned out!

My next project was a sofa table and I used the same paints and used another graphic in the same manner. Here are the before and after pics.

This also turned out very well. I was also pleased with the end result.

Onto the next projects. Again using the same two paints but this time I used vinyl to create a stencil (on my silhouette) and painted the dresser. Then I used the vinyl and applied it straight onto the little chest. They really compliment each other. 

Lastly I painted a twin bed frame I had but this time the bed was painted white satin (Behr) and I did the details in the grey paint. Very cute!

All the pieces went to the shop today and they really made the booth come alive!

Hope they all find good homes soon!

Drawing Fantasy

I recently purchased the book How to draw & paint Fairyland by Linda Ravenscroft. I was drawn to all the impish characters and the complete array of drawings to incorporate in a fairyland. Everything from homes, castles, gnomes, imps, fairies, dragson, etc. You name it - it was there!

So I decided to try my hand at a few drawings today since I've been under the weather and trying to take it easy (not easy for me to do).

My first go around was using a picture of a tree that I had captured on a walk not to long ago.

Here is what I drew from this inspiring old tree...

I drew the hobit house in the big hole and made steps that go up into it. 

Next, I wanted to try a fairy. Now mind you, drawing faces is pretty new to me and I have not had any classes on structure (which I need badly). 

I was pretty happy with my first rough draft. I did better than I thought I would but still have a long way to go!

Ok so moving on!  

My kitty decided to curl up on my lap so I quickly drew a sketch of her cuz I love her sooo much!  She staid still long enough for me to capture the top half of her dozing off so I improvised on the bottom half...

I imagined her dreaming of all these fun little creatures!

There was one drawing in the book that I really think is so cute so I tried that next. Never mind the princess, gotta work on those lips ha ha.

I just think that little frog prince is so cute!

Then I decided to draw some more houses. Put the faces to rest for a bit.

I like the little town of mushrooms so I drew that. I want to try to make one more holidayish next but first, learn to draw them.

That was a lot of fun! 

For my last drawing I attempted, yes, another face. This time I did it very loosely and tried very hard not to get hung up in perfection as I usually do. I think she turned out pretty good - at least I am happy with her!

I think the one eye on the right is up too high so I will have to make an adjustment and give it another go!

Well that is all I did for today!  What do you think?

New Paintings

I have been very busy creating items for sale in my shop at State Street Market Shops and for two holiday craft fairs. I started with some watercolors as I am so inspired by all the posts I see on Facebook of these whimsical designs.

Here is one I did of the carriage for Cinderella.

The next thing I worked on was an old truck in acrylics on canvas. 

I really enjoyed painting this one. I just love the old vintage cars.

Then I did an oil painting and this was my first very large painting ever. I absolutely loved painting it!

To take a break from painting, I did some crafting next. I had made a bulletin board for a challenge on Facebook and had so much fun that I made some of these for the craft fare:

I also tried my hand using my new Cameo Silhouette and vinyl. Made some cute little products.

So as you can see, I've been pretty busy painting and crafting!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my creations!

I am so excited to be a part of "Where Bloggers Create 2013"
My crafting/art/bedroom/sewing/you name it room is just what sounds like.
The room that fills many needs of a small family.

My daughter moved out about 4 years ago to attend college. Savannah College of Art and design (wonder where she got that from?) ha ha.
Anyways that left me a whole room to myself. Well sorta.

I had to keep the room functional for her visits so in went a murphy bed in the closet.  It fit perfectly! I could not believe it. But there went the closet!

So this is what I ended up doing with the little room.

This is from the door looking in. Yep it is small.

This is my work area for jewelry making, designing, anything that I need good lighting and the work is not messy like painting and glue. I have another space for that.

This is on the other wall and I can paint and glue to my hearts content. Won't hurt this little folding table!

My oil painting is next to that. I have to pull this out when I'm ready to paint and behind all that is the closet with the murphy bed.

Then next to that is my printing station.  I have 3 printers behind my rolling art case. Two are for photos and the top is for paper, shrinky dinks, etc., color of course!

Now for my wall of crafting supplies.  This took me awhile to decide what was going to make the most sense and would fit on the little wall. Ikea and Target.

Yeppers! I love the ikea storage bins! There are different size drawers, strong and very clean looking. for the little spaces left over I created a tower of plastic totes. I can easily remove the drawers while crafting and put them back.  Then again to Ikea for the black and white HUGE covered collapsible totes!

These drawers hold so much stuff!  I just got around to putting everything where it goes but still have to organize the drawers themselves!

 See how nice it looks!  The TV and the computer as well as my weighing station sits on top of all these. Must have for any crafters!  Love that my computer hooks  up to the TV and I can see everything in BIG screen!

I've been so inspired by the blogs that show all their material so nicely "filed". I had recently purchased this glass cabinet and didn't know what I was going to use it for so now I know!  I've started at the bottom. Now to get out my tote full of fabric. Oh did you notice the green boxes? Yep another use for my little room.

Yoga!  I recently had surgery for a torn rotator cuff (which has taken me away from crafting boo hoo) so I am determined to get that arm working again and get on with it. At least I have space in the middle of the floor to exercise!

 Now don't for one minute think I've got this whole room so organized and have no "junk".  I have to store the stuff like wrapping paper and boxes so they don't get ruined. They were just removed for the photos!

AND, yep, look at my garage full of stuff that can't quite possibly fit and, of course, could never be gotten rid of. ha ha

Well that's about it!  I have fun in my little space. I also take a break now and then in my old rocker... LOVE

OMG I just noticed this in one of my pictures....

OH NO - EMPTY DRAWERS - CAN'T HAVE THAT!

Guess where I'm headed.....Thrift Shopping. My favorite thing to do!

I just love excuses like this to get me motivated.

Thanks for stopping by!  Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!