Altered Artworks Goes Big Time!

I'm so excited to share great news!  I have been hired to teach altered art workshops at my local Michaels store.  [Insert applause]

As some of you know, I most enjoy sharing the actual creative process with others, instead of choosing to sell my own projects.  I love interacting with other creative souls, and tapping into their artistic side, especially those who think they are not creative at all.  I like to prove them wrong.  After teaching "Creative Therapy" workshops in my home for several years, I hope that I can reach a larger audience base with Michaels customers. 

So for those of you who live in Southern California, here are the project details for the first six classes.  If you have any questions and/or want to register for a class, email me at alteredartbydoreen@gmail.com.  Hope to see you soon!

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS – for May and June 2013

Teacher Appreciation: Chalkboard Painted Terracotta Pot

Show your teacher how much you appreciate them with this fun terracotta planter. You will embellish a clay pot with chalkboard paint. That’s right! You can create a chalkboard surface on almost everything. Then paint the rim bright yellow and adhere a measuring tape. Add a cute tag that reads, “Thank You for Helping Me Grow,” and this special gift will be ready for a beautiful flowering plant for Teacher Appreciation Day or for the end of the school year.

Mother’s Day: Double Canvas Photo Frame

Create a special gift for your Mom, grandmother or other special woman in your life with a creative photo frame. Using your own color palette, two canvas panels, acrylic photo frames and faux hinges, you will create a unique photo frame she will treasure forever. Bring two of your favorite photos to class and leave with a very special gift just in time for Mother’s Day—or keep it for yourself!

 

Pomp & Circumstance: Graduation Photo Frame & More

Know someone who is graduating? Whether it’s from college or elementary school, create a unique photo frame to remember their brilliant accomplishment. Using your school colors, you will alter a plain wooden photo frame into a treasured keepsake.  And what’s a celebration without chocolate? You will also embellish a small glass hinged jar, decked out with a graduation “cap” and a label that reads, “Hats off to You.” Create a coordinating graduation card and you have the perfect gift ensemble for the lucky graduate.

  

Spring is for the Birds

   Living in Southern California has its perks, like many sunny days. This means we get to spend a lot of time outside, so here’s the perfect outdoor project for you--an altered birdhouse. You will transform a plain wooden birdhouse into a bird’s vacation villa with coordinating scrapbook papers, paint, Washi tape, baker's twine, a wooden tag, vintage signage, mini clothespins and more. Protect it with outdoor Mod Podge, add birdseed, and put out the “For Rent” sign. You can also embellish a mini birdhouse chime to match.

What's Your Inspiration?

Ever wonder what inspires artists to use certain colors and techniques?  Find out what inspires you as you embellish a large initial letter based on a special picture, design and/or text.  It might be an old record album cover, favorite T-shirt, or a famous painting.  Bring it to class and use it as your inspiration to create a one-of-a-kind collage embellished initial, ready to hang on your wall. 

Summer Shadowbox

Step out of the shadow, or in this instance, the shadowbox, as you embellish a wooden shadowbox frame for your favorite 5” x 7” photo.  Use scrapbook paper, rhinestones, baker’s twine, buttons, and even a rubber stamp banner to create fun photo décor for you or your BFF.  Dress it up for a graduation, birthday or just for fun.  Feeling ambitious?  You can dress up both sides!

Class Schedule:  Email me at AlteredArtbyDoreen@gmail.com for class schedule.  Most classes are offered on Wednesday mornings and evenings and alternating Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Cost:  Register for any May or June class by May 31 and pay introductory promotional fee of only $18.50 per class.  [Regular price $25.]  Supply list provided at time of registration. 

Want to plan a private crafting get-together for a Girls Night Out, Birthday Party or other occasion?  For groups of four or more, we can plan a date and time that works with your schedule.

To register for a class, ask a Michaels associate

 

Thrift Store Table from Drab to Fab with Parisian Flair

Isn't it great when you're walking along, minding your own business, when you hear someone something call out your name?  That's exactly what happened to me last summer.

This little "beauty" stood right outside a tiny thrift shop, waiting to be rescued!  It was in good condition, just a little dreary-looking.  All it needed was a new home and some TLC...

and my
BIG GIRL TOOLS!

First, I sanded the table.

Then painted it with "oops" paint

I found at my local Home Depot for fifty cents. 

It needed three coats.

While the paint dried, I looked for a French transfer printable

to add some flair to the table top.

I knew exactly where to find a great selection:

The Graphics Fairy.

I chose this beautiful graphic

from a pastry shop advertisement

dating back to the 1880's!

The transfer method was easy:

Print the graphic onto freezer paper in a reverse image.

Transfer the image onto the table

by rubbing the freezer paper

with the back of a spoon.

I also decided to add a smaller graphic to the bottom of the table,

then finished the table stand with two coats of paste finishing wax.

The table looks right at home in our guest bath,

which is decorated with a vintage Parisian theme.

 

This was such a fun and inexpensive project.

One of my aspirations this year is to transform several pieces of furniture.

I've got a magazine rack just waiting in the wings.

[Well, it's actually waiting in the garage!]

You might also like my

transformation of this pugly step stool.

I'm partying here and

Miss Mustard Seed


The CSI Project Furniture Transformation Challenge

[Note:  This post first appeared in January as part of my Crafty Contributor Series on The Ivy Cottage Blog, which is no longer available.]

Snail Mail Cafe - Postage Required

You gotta love what technology has done for our day-to-day communication.  It's changed our lives so much.  We share new "Polaroids" [hello, Instagram], get immediate status of our BFFs and kids [how fast can you "tweet"?], view virtual bulletin boards of our favorite things [Pinterest], post photos and commentary ([Facebook], and of course, email--you can write me at dozeedo[at]gmail[dot]com.  And I didn't even mention blogging. 

 

However, I digress.  This post is really about my latest altered artwork project, the Mail Cafe. 

 



While recently thrifting at a local Salvation Army, I came across this beauty.  It looks like it was a wall organizer for a pad of paper and outgoing mail.  Yes, as in post mail, the kind that gets delivered right into your mailbox.  [The kind you need postage stamps for.]

 

My home can always use a little more organization, but this piece is a little too worn and dated for my liking.  I decided to spruce it up starting with a light sanding and a fresh coat of paint. 

 

I purchased a Silhouette Cameo last year, which to be honest, is intimidating.  However, I finally decided to give it a test ride.  After a little a lot of practice, I cut out "Mail Cafe," and adhered it to the top of the wooden board.  Then I coated the entire board with Mod Podge in the satin finish.  

With a bit of black & white dotted Washi tape, a few acrylic arrows, a fancy key, pretty glass knobs and red & white twine, I brought the organization board back to life. 

Needing a place to quickly get my hands on stationery and postage items, I gathered kraft and white folded cards and envelopes, my mini address book, address labels, business cards, a roll of postage stamps, stapler, and a pen. 

 

 

I adhered a stick-on pen holder onto the side of the board to hold the pen (embellished with Washi tape and twine) and added a snarky memo pad to the front. 

And now all the items I need to mail you an actual letter are neatly organized and accessible.  Of course, it's not instantaneous like today's communication tools.  However, last time I checked, 45 46 cents can get a letter to you in just a few days.  Sometimes, good things come to those who wait!

 

 

You might also enjoy reading these posts:

Vintage Mailbox

 

Send Sunshine in a Box


Sharing here and a few new parties:
Stone Cottage Adventures

 

Sifting through the Treasures at the Local Vintage Marketplace

Last Sunday, I spent the morning strolling through the local vintage marketplace. It was a glorious day; and, I actually got there before the crowds.  This particular event, the Topanga Vintage Marketplace, is held monthly.   Begun only last spring, it has quickly become a popular venue.  And at just $2 admission with free parking, you can't beat it. 

This marketplace had everything--including the kitchen sink!



Old kitchen sink



Many vintage items caught my eye that day, including these lovely objects:

Vintage sifter & grater
(which I totally scooped up!)

Rusty metal bucket

Antique Ironing Board

Toddler seat planter?!

Vintage office rubber alphabet stamp sets

Antique Student Desk & Chair



Adorable planter box & window

 In addition to the vintage sifter, I brought home these lovely treasures:

I'm hosting Mah Jongg next week, so these rule books, circa 1958, and the vintage Bakelite tiles are going to be a big hit with my group. 

Following my shopping trip, I stopped by the local nursery to check out some new spring flowers.  These African daisies immediately caught my eye, and I knew exactly where I was going to plant them:

With a little potting soil and some Spanish moss, I now have a beautiful new old centerpiece for our patio table.

Now what to do with the fabulous vintage blue Mason jars?

Stay tuned!

Sharing here:

Knick of Time

So excited that this project was a featured favorite on:

 

Come hang out with me at these parties!

and these:

Today's Creative Blog

The Cottage Market Junkin Joe