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Showing posts with label project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label project. Show all posts

Friday, January 18, 2013

Repurpose and Reuse an Old Cutting Board Project

Turn an old cutting board you no longer use or bought at a garage sale into kitchen decor.

I slapped nutmeg and antique white on for the background then painted simple shapes with antique, tomato red, latte (wings), orange and finally green acrylic paint.

With a liner brush, I loosely outlined the rooster with black.

It takes very little time most of which was consumed by waiting for the paint to dry.

Visit my online gift store, Visages, for more unique gifts, invitations, and decor.

Cute Country Folk Flowers, Mushrooms and Butterfly Greeting Cards
Cute Country Folk Flowers, Mushrooms and Butterfly Greeting Cards
Cute Country Folk Flowers, Mushrooms and Butterfly Greeting Cards by Visages
Create cards on zazzle.

 Primitive Patriotic 4th of July Books Sheep Stars Throw Pillow
Primitive Patriotic 4th of July Books Sheep Stars Throw Pillow
Primitive Patriotic 4th of July Books Sheep Stars Throw Pillow by Visages
View other Patriotic Pillows at Zazzle.com

Cardinal Bird in the Winter Snow 
Cardinal Bird in the Winter Snow
Cardinal Bird in the Winter Snow by Visages
Shop for a different greeting card template online at zazzle

Snowy Woods Poster
Snowy Woods Poster
Snowy Woods Poster by Visages
Check out more Snow Posters at Zazzle

Cute Ferret Picture in a Heart Mousepad 

Cute Ferret in Easter Bunny Costume Shirt 
Funny About Me Tee
Funny About Me Tee by Visages
Design a unique custom t-shirt at Zazzle

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Vintage Ball Perfect Mason Jar Hurricane Oil Lamp

Here's a great way to up-cycle and re-purpose a quart jar whether it's vintage or one you've just emptied of mayonnaise.

What you'll need:

Quart jar

Hurricane lamp chimney. I found mine at the second hand store in town.

Jar lid oil lamp burner. This one was located at a local Amish store. I did a web search for "Jar lid oil lamp burner" and found one listed on Amazon. It was pretty pricey but I didn't look any further than the first listing for the part.

Lamp oil

That's it! Add oil to the jar and put it all together.

I listed this one on eBay.
Ball Quart Jar Hurricane Lamp on eBay

Have fun! 

Please visit Visages, my online gift store for original art gifts.
 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Turn a Vintage Metal Lunch Box into Children's Tool or Art Box

Old Donnie at Glasgow Trading Post, Glasgow, MO, did it again.

He gave me a challenge: Turn a vintage black lunch box into a tool (or art supplies) box for kids.

The project is very easy.

Sand the lunch box inside and out. Get rid as as much rust as you can.

Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Paint the inside with white enamel spray paint.

Paint the outside with a bright red.

As always, it will take three or four coats.

Once dry, paint large white ovals. Let dry between layers of three or four.

With a round brush, dip into black, add eyebrows, the round pupils, outline the white eyes, and paint the nose and mouth.

Let dry then dip the end of a brush into white and dot white highlights in the pupils.

After all has dried, protect the paint with at least - preferably more - two layers of water based varnish.

Below are new designs by Visages Gift

Thanks for visiting!

Wild Daisy Fleabane Flower Blank Cards
Wild Daisy Fleabane Flower Blank Cards
Wild Daisy Fleabane Flower Blank Cards by Visages
More Wild Cards

Autumn Landscape Photograph Card 
Autumn Landscape Photograph Card
Autumn Landscape Photograph Card by Visages
Design your own personalised greeting cards at Zazzle

Red Barn Autumn Trees Thank You Greeting Card
Red Barn Autumn Trees Thank You Greeting Card
Red Barn Autumn Trees Thank You Greeting Card by Visages
Look at more cards from Zazzle.

Albino Ferret Picture Greeting Cards
Albino Ferret Picture Greeting Cards
Albino Ferret Picture Greeting Cards by Visages
More Albino ferret Cards

Sunset and Boats on the Water Picture Wallclocks 
Sunset and Boats on the Water Picture Wallclocks
Sunset and Boats on the Water Picture Wallclocks by Visages
Find other Wall Clocks online at Zazzle

Sunset and Boats on the Water Picture Throw Pillows

Monday, October 1, 2012

Paint Vintage Oil, Gas or Kerosene Can for Makeover


Turn old grey galvanized oil, gas, or kerosene cans into rustic country decor or vases with paint and your imagination.

These three cans were given to me by Donnie, Glasgow Trading Post, with instructions to "... paint roosters. Roosters are popular.". Well, he got a couple of chickens (one pretty primitive) and primitive rooster.

The trick to creating the chicken and rooster shapes - strictly speaking for myself - is to focus on the negative space surrounding the bird since I most generally don't trace.

Because the birds are mostly white, I chose dark backgrounds which allow the lighter colors to "pop" a bit more than if I were to use lighter backgrounds.

If you're unsure whether the colors you chose will contrast enough, simply paint swatches on scrap paper to compare. Scared of making a mistake? Here's the great thing about paint: You can paint over it as many times as necessary until you achieve the look you want.

And... be sure to take a brush and water to at least the exterior to remove anything that's loose.

The above can was based with nutmeg brown. The bottom border was made with a 1/4 inch brush. Antique white and barn red make up the colors of the primitive chicken. Burnt umber was floated along the interior edges of her body.

I chose a black background for variation since the piece was scheduled to be in a gift shop. I wanted to offer customers a choice. The colorful chicken was based in antique white, head in barn red and multiple colors and layers were added for her feathers. I added a bit of shading around a few feathers of the wing just to add interest and depth.

Again, nutmeg brown for the base color. I painted a simple leaf motif border around the bottom in antique gold. Barn red and antique white make up the body while antique gold was used for the feet. The primitive rooster's body was finished off with a light coat of burnt umber along the inside edges.

Rule of thumb: Keep the shapes basic and painting to a minimum. Think quick and easy to achieve a rustic country or primitive look.

All cans were sprayed with a clear coat - the cheapest I could find.

Why?

Because acrylic paint doesn't stick to metal very well so the slightest brush against it will chip or scratch the paint.

If the can is remaining inside the home, you can always use water based varnish found at a craft store.

Have fun! Don't be scared. Attack the can bearing in mind that you can paint over any mistake.


Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card by Visages
Make an invite on zazzle

Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Card by Visages
Browse other Pumpkins Cards

  Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Poster
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Poster
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture Poster by Visages
View another fine art print at zazzle

 Pumpkins and Scarecrow Picture Cards
Pumpkins and Scarecrow Picture Cards
Pumpkins and Scarecrow Picture Cards by Visages
See more Pumpkins Cards

  Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture iPhone 5 Cases
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture iPhone 5 Cases
Pumpkins and Mum Autumn Picture iPhone 5 Cases by Visages
View other Pumpkins Casemate Cases

  Cute Primitive Art Snowman Christmas Ornaments
Cute Primitive Art Snowman Christmas Ornaments
Cute Primitive Art Snowman Christmas Ornaments by Visages
Browse more Primitive Ornaments

  Cute Christmas Primitive Snowman Beverage Coasters
Pumpkins and Mum Thanksgiving Picture Greeting Cards
Pumpkins and Mum Thanksgiving Picture Greeting Cards by Visages
Browse more Pumpkins Cards

  Primitive Folk Art Snowman Holiday Party Personalized Announcement
Primitive Snowman Christmas Jar Sticker
Primitive Snowman Christmas Jar Sticker by Visages
See more Primitive Stickers

Primitive Acrylic Painted Snowman Christmas Tag Rectangular Sticker 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

This hand painted vintage metal cake carrier (holder or cover) was originally bare silver metal (tin, I wonder) when it was given to me by Donnie, owner of Glasgow Trading Post.

I used acrylic paint then sealed it with a water-base varnish more to protect the paint than anything but in the end the piece appears to be enamel coated.

If you tackle the project be prepared to use at least three layers of acrylic to base-coat it. But once you have it base-coated, depending on what element you're painting you can get away with using only one layer of paint.

The next
project - also given to me by Donnie - is a sponge cake pan also originally bare silver metal. Again, you'll have to base coat at least three layers.

Color was floated below the edge of the "icing" with dry brushed highlights on the "icing" to make it appear three dimensional and no other decorative elements were added. I wanted it to look like a cake setting out in the kitchen but it will also look good on a kitchen wall.

This piece was also finished with water-base varnish.

Note: Acrylic doesn't stick to metal as there is no adhesive in the paint. It's strictly water-base with pigment.

To help the paint to stick, you have the option of sanding to roughen the metal or using spray enamel paint as the base coat.

These items are for sale at Glasgow Trading Post in Glasgow, Missouri. Have fun with the two projects!

Please visit my gift store, Visages. Below are just a few of my original designs. 

Funny Tea Mug Quote Hand Warmer 
Funny Tea Mug Quote Hand Warmer
Funny Tea Mug Quote Hand Warmer by Visages
Get the best in mug printing from Zazzle.

I Heart (Love) Hot Cocoa Mugs
I Heart (Love) Hot Cocoa Mugs
I Heart (Love) Hot Cocoa Mugs by Visages
View more Hot cocoa Mugs

Hot Caliente Jalapeno Peppers Sticker 
Hot Caliente Jalapeno Peppers Sticker
Hot Caliente Jalapeno Peppers Sticker by Visages
See other Caliente Stickers

Orange Plaid Gift Tile Trivet 
Orange Plaid Gift Tile Trivet
Orange Plaid Gift Tile Trivet by Visages
View other tiles

Green Plaid Tile Trivet 
Green Plaid Tile Trivet
Green Plaid Tile Trivet by Visages
View other tiles

Snowman Chef in Apron & Chefs Hat 
Hot Caliente Mug
Hot Caliente Mug by Visages
Personalize coffee mugs at Zazzle

I Heart (Love) Coffee or Candy Jar

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Upcycle Repurpose Vintage Glass Vacuum Coffee Maker

Create a lovely candle holder with a vintage vacuum coffee pot with little effort like I did with this one given to me by some folks who were cleaning out their vacation country home in Missouri.

Remove the metal and ceramic internal parts.

There is no need to remove the glass vacuum tube (tube attached to upper deck of pot).

Fill the bottom with imitation rose buds and leaves, or buttons, or old wooden thread spools, or marbles, or just anything that suits your fancy.

I chose imitation rose buds and leaves 1) because they match the Christmas candle I painted and 2) they are the only thing I found at the second hand (thrift) store I was attracted to and that fit my budget of $1.

Put the upper half of the coffee pot back on, tie a torn strip of scrap fabric matching the color you added to the bottom part of the pot (or your decor) then insert a pillar candle.


This is certainly an eclectic idea and so easy, so fun and just plain so unique.

Get an "I upcycle & repurpose" tee at Visages Gift Store.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Project Idea for an Old Window

Paint a picture of a large flower (or item of your choice) in one corner then nail wood clothes pins on the frame to hold photos or other memorabilia.

Hanging: If you plan on hanging your window picture holder on the wall, use large eyelet screws and wire. You can buy them at most hardware stores, and the packaging will tell you how much of a load the screws and wire can hold.

I don't trust the saw tooth pictures hangers because it seems the nails aren't big enough or go into the wood far enough to be safe. I worry the nails will come out sending the window crashing to the floor.

Loose glass: Also, if the glass is loose in the frame, you can stabilize it by shoving push points (also found at the hardware store) into the wood surrounding the glass.

Place the push point flat side next to the glass. Using a flat head screw driver, gently begin pushing while rocking the push point back and forth until it works its way in to the wood.

Painting technique: The flower painting took several coats of acrylic paint. Be sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next coat.

Start with the back petals. Double load your 1-inch brush with a creamy white and dark yellow. Put in the general shapes of the petals.

Don't over-work the paint. You'll be disappointed when you see that going back over what you painted suddenly comes up leaving a bare spot.

Messed the whole darn thing up? No worries. Wet a paper towel and wipe off what you've done.

You can also use a box cutter blade or razor blade to scrape off the acrylic paint.

You can speed up the drying by using a hair dryer.

Keep adding layers of paint to the first layer of petals until you are satisfied with the appearance then begin with the second set (inner set) of petals.

Make the petals shorter and darker. I double loaded a 1-inch brush with gold and the dark yellow from the previous set of petals. Note the lighter colors are on the left; darker on the right.

The center of the flower was pounced in with a large round brush using a very dark brown like burnt umber.

After the center dries, pounce in tan highlights. Don't get carried away. Only put in a few pounces at a time until you achieve the effect.

Clothes pins: You can get these at Dollar General for - yes, you guessed it - a dollar.

I purchased and used small wire brad nails (#18 x 5/8) to attach the clothes pins to the window frame. Push one side of the pin over. If you push it too far, the clothes pin will come a part.

Voila! You have a unique and creative way to display photos, invitations, cards, awards and ribbons.

Please visit Visages Gift Store where you can find cards and gift items to personalize - or not.

Thanks for looking!

Visages Gift Store examples: