Inspired

I recently wrote a post on the Folk Art Festival that comes to Atlanta once a year. I left the festival so inspired! I gave a sneak peak of something I was working on and wanted to show you the final product.

I used different papers to do a collage on canvas. Some of the paper is scrapbook paper and some I printed on my computer. The cross is made using paper from my shredder. 

I love the 3D effect.

I formed the cross and attached it to the collage and then gave the cross a light wash of green using acrylic paint.

My very first post back in January, was a tutorial on using shredded paper in art. You can read that post and learn how to make the cross and other things HERE.

I have made bird nests using shredded paper...

And hearts...

The shredded paper gives such a unique look. If you paint it a solid color, no one would even know that it was once destined for the garbage!

The Ugly Table

On a recent trip to Goodwill, I bought an ugly table.

Actually, I first passed it over. I went in looking for a project but didn't see anything that caught my eye. I bought 4 folding chairs for $20 and thought I had scored! I'll use the chairs at Earth Mamas when I teach art classes. I kept looking at that ugly table but left without it. But, all day I kept thinking about that table. Different scenarios of how to paint it kept creeping into my head. 

When my daughter got out of school that day we went up to see my son at college. It's about an hour away and I told her about the table. On the way home, I told her we were going to go by the Goodwill and if they were still open and if the table was still there, then it was meant for me to have it. Well, it was still there! My daughter said it was the ugliest table she had ever seen in her life. She also said that she trusted that I could turn it into something fabulous. I paid $10 for the table and used paint that I already had at home.

Here is the before...

The table is a mid-century modern style and I felt that a masculine feel would suit it best. So, I painted most of the table with Sherwin Williams Light Raffia. I painted the drawer gray using paint that I mixed using the Light Raffia and a little black. I painted the area behind the drawer and the legs black. I gave the wooden drawer pull a metallic silver finish.

I love how it turned out! I'm so glad that is called me back to the store!

It is now at Earth Mamas as part of my display (and for sale).

Maggie Update Part 2

Maggie got to go home from the hospital on Thursday and she received the good news Friday that the tumor was benign. Thanks to everyone for the prayers!!! 

She will be back in school on Tuesday and cheering again in a couple of weeks!

The Kitchen Is Open!

No, it's not what your thinking...my kitchen at home is ALWAYS open!

I'm talking about the kitchen here...

As some of you may already know, I have rented a room at Earth Mamas General Store to sell my wares and to hold classes. And yes, that room is the kitchen.

Yesterday, September 1st was the first day for my room to be open. I will be working at the store 2 days a month and yesterday also happened to be the first day for me to work. It was a great day. I enjoyed it and I had quite a few sales. 

Here's a little peak at what I have for sale...

You will read more about this cute little table later!

I am most excited about teaching classes at Earth Mamas! I have 3 classes scheduled for September.

I have 2 dates scheduled for a Folk Art Painting Class. 

I have also scheduled a class to teach how to make the pendants I recently shared with you....

So, if you're in the area, come see us at Earth Mamas.

And, I'd love to see you in class!

Pinterest Challenge #2

I have completed another Pinterest challenge!!!

I hope I am not the only one, but I always end up with keys that I have no clue what they go to!

Anybody else have this problem?

While feeding my Pinterest addiction, I came across this idea.

Take your old keys and recycle them into pendants...

Here, I took a vintage clip on earring, broke off the back, and glued it to the key with E6000.  I added some rhinestones for a little more sparkle.  Once the "bling" was in place and dry, I glued a bail to the back of the key. I love how it turned out!

For this one, I started by using ModPodge to cover the key with a decorative napkin to give it some color.

I know, I know, I keep using those darn napkins!

I added some turquoise color microbeads to part of the key.

Then I glued on a vintage bee pin and added the bail.

I left the pin in tact so I can wear it as a necklace or a pin.

I call it my Bee Keyper. Get it? Ha Ha

So, don't throw away those old mystery keys.

If you don't want them, send them my way!!!

Coffee Table Redo

I have had the same coffee table for at least 10 years.

It could be more, but my memory stinks!

It was originally an oak table that a friend had. She had had the table for quite some time and was ready to get rid of it. She is also an artist and we had been painting some furniture to take to a flea market to sell.  So, we painted the bottom of her coffee table an off white, distressed it,  painted the top black and took it to the market. Well, it didn't sell, she didn't want it, so I kept it. I was actually kind of glad that it didn't sell. I needed a coffee table and I thought we had done a great job on it.

When my family moved into the house we live in now, the coffee table came too. I decided that the top was too perfect so I got out my mouse sander and went to town! I distressed the heck out of the black!

This is how the table has looked for the last 5 years...

I had been thinking that the table needed a change. I wanted to brighten it up a bit.

So, a few weeks ago, while my husband and kids were all out of town for various reasons, I went for it.

I painted the top an off white to match the bottom. Don't expect to hear the word "match" out of me too often. I don't like things to match and I don't like things centered! 

I sanded the edges a little to distress it and added just a little brown wash to age it a little more.

The result...

Much brighter!

In one corner, I added a bird and scroll design that I found on the Graphics Fairy website.

I kept the design subtle. All you have to do is print out your design, place it face down on your painted surface, and rub the back of the paper with a pencil. It will transfer the design. You can paint over the design, but I like the aged look of just the transfer. I have found that the design will stay if you seal over it.

If you do this technique with words, flip the design before you print it so your letters and words won't be backwards.

Remember, I said I don't like things centered!

Sorry...the picture is a little weird. I need to work on my camera settings!

I'm sure this table will go through many more transformations, but for now, I love it!

Want more coffee table inspiration? Then visit HOMESTHETICS. There you will find awesome DIY coffee tables to fit any stlye.

Update on Maggie

Thank you so much to everyone who has been keeping Maggie in your prayers! Her surgery went well. She actually got on Facebook when she got out of recovery to thank everyone for their prayers and visits to the hospital. Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery.