Once the paint was dry, I used Liquid Gloss Sealant so that I could hang the set outside. I've been upcycling metal artwork since COVID, and I really like it. I have a deck in the back, as well as in front, and I enjoy changing out the look of them with each season.
I finally broke down and made one of those quaint road crossing signs I'm seeing everywhere on Pinterest. It actually turned out cuter than I thought it would. I dug into my bin of wood pieces and puled out a bag of thin wood pieces about 6"x2.5". After painting them with acrylic paints, I used my Posca markers to letter some of the "mysterious destinations" and also sticker letters for others. I made six, but the ones pictured here are my favorites.
I also dabbed on some Tim Holtz alcohol inks to "age" the signs so they look a tiny but weather-beaten. Instead of spending an hour looking for the "perfect stick" to attach them, My eyes spied a very old 12" ruler that had seen much better days. I hot glued my destination signs onto it and it looks pretty cool up against one of the bushes, half in and half out of the sun.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Halloween here at the Martin homestead. Do you decorate for this Autumn holiday? Do you make cards and send them out to neighbors and friends? Or do you just wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to let your creativity soar? In my neck of the woods, Halloween is getting to be as popularly decorated as Christmas.
I love when Spring rolls out its lush carpet to welcome Summer. I get truly inspired by all the blooms and blossoms every time I walk out my door. So after finishing a canvas for an upcoming Arts Festival, I pulled out a couple small stretched canvases and let Mother Nature guide my brush.
I used several shades of green with light sweeps of the paintbrush. Once dry, I tried a new to me technique that's been showing on YouTube for a while. Using a balloon of=r plastic bag, I dipped it into a select variety of paint colors. I then pressed the painted (crinkled) bottom of the bag onto the canvas and these awesomely abstract flowers bloomed in front of my eyes. If you like to paint and haven't tried this technique yet, I highly recommend it! It's fast, easy and fun!!
Challenges I am Entering:
I also have a few frames in the garage that need to be filled and hung on my house walls, which will have to wait until I paint or print what I want to frame. But back to my floral metal work. It was a dull unstained metal structure. Even the flowers had no color to them. At first I was thinking of my front deck and different shades of blues, but that deck is going in a different direction, and my back deck is looking bare. So I used a few bright Spring colors of acrylic paints for my flowers after spray painting the branches white.
My deck opens with French doors from my bedroom, a zoning concession made for my wheelchair-bound husband. It is also much bigger than the limits the city usually has. The VA rehabbed the house, requiring two accessible for motorized wheelchairs. The four front steps and landing were covered by the deck and ramp. I didn't want the contractor to mess with the backdoor as its door also led to the basement, so I suggested a deck with the French doors.
The handicapped access part of the deck was a Lift with a dedicated electrical box. We also had stairs from the deck to the backyard. Sadly, my husband didn't get to enjoy the deck for very long, but when he sat out in the sun, he enjoyed every minute!
The canvas is wrapped in Aida cloth, which is woven and produces tiny holes that needles can easily go through. I didn't cross stitch on it. I first drew my mushrooms with pencil. After using acrylic paint to color my scene, I used a plain stitch to outline the fungi.
After covering up the painted parts, I used glimmer mists to spray the sky blue and the earth green. I hot glued my two gnome buttons to finish off my project. So, sewing project or mixed media? I think I can safely say BOTH!
Challenges I am Entering:
I have another fun thrift store makeover for you today. This trio of mischievous turtles was a thrift shop purchase from last year. I knew I was going to repaint it, but life threw me a curve ball and it sat in my basement until now. I sanded the trio to a rough surface to ensure my white base coat woould not peel off. I painted the turtles' bodies first, using an Apple Green for them all. Knowing that each of the many layers I painted would have to dry completely, I used the ceiling fan as well as a heat gun to speed things along.
I used my favorite colors, which are teal, turquoise and aqua for their shells. I love these colors and paint with them frequently. In fact, the color scheme of my summer trailer uses these colors. Since they are wildlife, and my deck sits above a ravine with a stream running through it, maybe I'll pack these guys up and use them at the trailer. Btw, lots of summer residents give their RV lots creative names. Since I share it with my nephew and family, I thought something that had both our last names in it. How does Martin Manor/Toscano Terrace sound?
Here's what the trio of turtles originally looked like (below). As you can see, they were dented, dirty and dull. Now, with two coats of gloss varnish, they are bright, cheerful and ready for mischief!
After washing and sanding (and sanding and sanding), I had a canvas for my paints. I first sprayed the whole can with orange spray paint. Then I added dark Turquoise chalk paint on top of that. Then I took another square of sandpaper and roughed up the edges, letting the orange color come though. It looked like...hmm, a rusted old watering can?! Well, let's just say my can was "artfully antiqued".
I used a stencil and some copper paint, along with a botanical border, to give it some style. I tried to re-bend the handle but it was stronger than I am! When the can was dry, I used gloss varnish, thereby cancelling the "artistically-antiqued" look. But I wanted the look to last throughout the Chicago weather, so it's okay. Breathe...
There are about six layers of acrylic paint on my project. I can either hang it on a wall, sell it or make a plant stand or patio table out of it.I seem to remember having a couple of these round pieces of wood. Hmm...
What do you think I should do with this? Do you have other ideas I can use for it? Let me know in the comments section please!
