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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

What 'cha working on THIS Wednesday?

I have been working hard, trying to clear a path in this studio.  I visited my favorite thrift store last Friday and found these little bottles.
 I got a bag of 27 bottles for $2.95.  I had this really cool scrapbook paper that says, "I love you  I love you  I love you" so I cut a strip and glued it to the body of the bottle.  I glued jute around the neck, tied on some little bells and a jute hanger and stuck some green and glittery in the top.  What do you think?

On Saturday, my sister and thrifting partner and I went to a couple of sales at churches.  She found a bunch of deals at the first one and I found some cool things at the second.  One of the buys at the second church was a box of wooden holly leaves and berries, already painted.  And yup.  The whole box was only $2!
 I simply strung two leaves and a berry on some jute, added a bow, and Voila!  A cute little ornament.  Well actually 27 ornaments!
I have some other goodies I will share with you later......

I also picked up a bunch of candle rings.  I was so happy to find these since I had about a dozen rusty candle pans that I purchased from my friend Jean a few months ago.  So I decided to use up some of my homespun and some of the rusty lids I have been sitting on for about two years.  Just place one of my little grungy tea lights inside and you have a great primitive candle!


So I am off to get some laundry done and work on a few other projects.  Still working on getting these medical tests done, and let me just say....I am not a big fan of medical facilities and doctor's offices.  Have a great week, y'all!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

What 'cha working on Wednesday?

Seems like the week has just flown by.  I have been having quite a few medical tests lately and Monday was one of those days.  I got absolutely nothing done at home, but my sis went with me and we did some shopping.....what else?  I have done a few things though, some oldies but goodies....

Another wreath....
Sorry for the drawing behind it.....I am such a bad photographer!

I also did these cute little piggie chalkboards.
These were kits that I found in the clearance section at Walmart for.....get ready for it.....$1.50!  I simply stained the base and added the ribbon/raffia/bell.

The other thing that I finished up were Santa Paintbrush Ornies.  I have been doing these for about ten years, and they sell like crazy.
These little guys are easy to make but they do take a little time.  First get all your supplies together.

I use a two inch chip brush.  These are really inexpensive.  I buy mine at Harbor Freight where I get a huge box for around $15-$16.  In addition, you will need acrylic paints:  flesh tone, light buttermilk, barn red.  Gold paint, powder blush, small wooden noses, woodsies for the mustache, wooden discs for the faces, sharpie, greenery trim, blush, brushes, glue gun, hot glue, and pliers/wire cutters.  Also some rusty wire and bells and some white or off white fleece.

Since I make a bunch of these at a time, I start by painting the wooden part of the paintbrush with barn red.  You can use any red that you like.  I prefer a bit more prim.  You will want to paint one side and let it dry.  Then paint the back.  While the one side is drying, paint the wooden discs, and tiny noses with flesh tone paint.  You don't need to paint the back but you should paint the sides.  Paint the woodsies with light buttermilk.  You can also use any shade of white or off white that you like.  These woodsies come in a package of mixed shapes and sizes.  I use teardrops, stars, triangles, hearts, etc.
Paint the metal part of the paintbrush light buttermilk and pull the paint down into the bristles.  Let it dry.  Flip the brushes over and paint the back with the barn red and light buttermilk like you did on the front.  Don't forget to put some paint in the hole at the top of the brush.  Dot the front side with gold paint by dipping the end of your paintbrush into the paint and dabbing on.

Let this completely dry.  Now comes the fun part!  Assembly.  With your hot glue gun, glue the disc to the center of the metal part of the brush.  Glue on the nose and the "mustache".  With a sharpie, make two dots for eyes.  Using a paintbrush, apply dry powder blush on each "cheek".  I apply it heavily and then blow of the excess.  Cut a piece of fleece (I used a textured fleece that kinda looks like fur) about an inch wide and long enough to wrap around the top of the face and glue in the back. Add your embellishment.  I used a small piece of greenery and a couple of berries.

Cut a piece of wire and stick it through the hole at the top of the brush.  Thread on the bell.  Twist the wire into a circle for hanging.  This is where you will need your wire cutters/pliers.  And you are done!  I display them in an old enamel bowl.
You can have fun with this project.  Change up the paint colors.  Instead of dots, do stripes.  Instead of the wooden mustaches, attach doll hair or yarn.  Instead of the wire (it is hard on the hands) use ribbon.  Make it your own!  I would love to see your pics!


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

A slight break from crafting.....

It seems like I always have really good intentions on getting in the studio and getting things done.....but you know what they say about the best laid plans.  Last Friday, I had some medical tests so my sister took me to Denver but you know how we are....gotta shop.  So we spent the day shopping, having lunch, and visiting.  On Saturday, my Son was here all day so I was distracted and didn't get anything done.  Then hubs took me to dinner to celebrate our anniversary since we didn't get to back on the 27th.  On Sunday, I did some cleaning and went to my sister's for dinner and a game of horseshoes.  Monday, we went out on the UTV with the dogs and just enjoyed the day.  So, here I am on Tuesday, cleaning house and doing laundry and getting ready for the next round of visitors who arrive tomorrow.  But...........I did finish up a couple of things while I was slacking off!

This is a little chair that I purchased at the thrift store.  It was skinned up pretty bad and I didn't like the way it was painted so I brightened it up.  I think it is really cute!
A new spin on an old suitcase.  I painted this one like I always do.  Then I drilled holes and stuck in some mini lights that I got at the dollar store.  If you try this, just be aware that these old Samsonite suitcases have some kind of metal in them and they are difficult to drill into.  I ended up breaking one bit but I really think it was worth it!

Have a great week my peeps!  I probably won't have a chance to get too much done this week, but you never know!