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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Halloween Treats in a Jar

Here's a quick and easy DIY project:
HALLOWEEN TREATS IN A JAR 

You will need:
recycled jar with lid, a glass candlestick, E-6000 glue, 
acrylic paint [I used DecoArt Americana multi-surface satin in 
Cotton Ball (white), Pumpkin Patch & Lemon Zest],
and foam brushes
Use recycled jars that are thoroughly clean and dry.  
Paint the candlestick white.
When the white paint is dry, 
paint the middle section orange and the bottom part yellow.
 Adhere the jar to the top of the candlestick, 
using a strong bonding glue.
I also embellished the jar with a rubber stamp with the phrase, 
"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats" 
that I stamped on white card stock, backed with orange card stock,
 and wrapped around the jar.
Twine and a tag completes the project.

Now just add treats! 

I'm sending this treat jar, and a few other pumpkin treats,
to my daughter and her roommates,
who live on the other side of the country, 
just in time for Halloween.

This project is easily adaptable to any occasion or holiday.
Just change the color palette.
Treats in a Jar
Happy Halloween!


Disclaimer:  This post is in no way sponsored by any retailer.



Monday, October 19, 2015

DIY Candy Corn Treats

What do you get when you mix m&ms with candy corn?  
Well, if you add them to a painted terra cotta pot, 
you get a special Halloween treat!
crafts and gifts for halloween
Pin It
Now I'm not one for much Halloween hoopla.  
However, I am a sucker for embellished terra cotta pots.
So when I read Kim's creative idea at Maiden D'Shade,
I decided to borrow her idea of candy corn painted terra cotta pots. 

Plus, I couldn't help myself while trolling past the candy aisle
without picking up some of these:
 
Like Kim, I painted the lower part of the pots white, 
 orange in the middle, and finally yellow on the rim.
Be sure to allow each color to dry before adding the next.

I sprinkled bright yellow glitter to the top rim of my painted pots, 
adding shimmer to this Halloween terra cotta treat.
After shaking the glitter onto the just painted yellow rims, 
and letting it dry,
I decided to give it a good spritz of top coat acrylic sealer 
to help those little shimmies stay in place.  
Candy Corn DIY
Then I gobbled up poured about 1/2 cup of each candy
 into a cute clear bag,
tying the bag with orange and black ribbons. 
I added a tag, which I had quickly embellished with Halloween paper.
candy corn colors
These would make great DIY projects for a Halloween party.
Pin It
And, as they say in the 'hood:
TRICK OR TREAT!

Check out this Halloween gift idea:

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Game Night with Old Friends


I'm participating in the DecoArt Mystery Box Challenge.  
Please visit the site and vote for your favorite!
Hint:  My project is #9

My MahJongg group had just left when I received a mystery box in the mail from DecoArt.  I quickly opened it, revealing its contents: a paper mache box in the shape of a house, luscious fluid acrylics in four vibrant hues, DecouPage and Liquid Glass.   It was the perfect starting point for my project, “Game Night with Old Friends.” 

Game Night was, and still is, popular among friends and families.  Vintage games are resurfacing including MahJongg, Scrabble and Rummy-Q.  So I used iconic game pieces to turn my paper mache house into a FUN-KY candy holder, perfect for our next Girls Night Out.  

Products Used:  
Paper Mache House Box (by Darice)
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Quinacidone Magenta, Hansa Yellow, Cerulean Blue, Titanium White & Carbon Black
DecoArt DecouPage
DecoArt Media Liquid Glass

Supplies:
Rubber Stamps (from River City Rubberworks)
Staz-On Black Ink Pad
Paint chips
1” foam brushes
Paper Cutter
2-sided adhesive tape & glue dots

Embellishments:  Iconic game pieces

The How To
Paint sides and roof of paper mache house with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics.  I painted each side a different color.
Stamp images on paint chips using Staz-On ink.  Cut paint chips to fit box sides and adhere stamped images to house using DecouPage by brushing medium on back of paint chip and paper mache house.  
Add embellishments using DecouPage (it's also a glue!), adhesive tape or glue dots. 




Paint Scrabble trays with Media Fluid Acrylic.  Spell out “Old Friends” using scrabble tiles, 
and place on trays.
This MahJongg rule book from 1958 was a great flea market find.

Place finished house onto BINGO card and display on game board.  Fill box with old-time
candy and share at your next Game Night. 


 How many games can you find in this project?  Do you spot your favorite game?


Disclosure:  I was provided product from DecoArt but all opinions and ideas are my own.









Wednesday, June 17, 2015

With Enough Coffee, I Could Rule the World


THE PROJECT
This bookcase/shelving unit has held many things over the last 25 years including children's books, dolls and teddy bears, school work, sport trophies, prom photos and finally some craft supplies.  I relocated my craft supplies, and saw this unit's great potential to be more than just a utilitarian bookcase.

 

With that being said, I poured myself a cup of coffee 
and went to work on transforming this boring bookcase/shelving 
unit into a one-stop coffee bar.  


THE PAINT
I chose to work with Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in three of their great selection of colors: "Timeless," which looks like light mocha, "Heritage," a beautiful and bright shade of orange [this project begged for a pop of color!], and Carbon for the graphics.
Pop of Color

After two coats of "Timeless" dried (which was very quick), I marked three sections of stripes, one wide and two narrow ones.  I followed the lines across the top and down both sides of the unit.
I painted the wide center space with "Heritage" and then using the dry-brush method, lightly painted the two outer stripes.  I also used a wet paper towel to remove some more paint until I achieved the look I wanted.


And then came the fun part:  peeling away the tape. I achieve the crispest lines when the paint is still wet as long as the tape is lifted off slowly.

Ahhhhh...perfection.

Coffee Quote: Today’s To Do: 1. Get up 2....

THE STENCIL
After months and months of a love-hate relationship with my Silhouette Cameo, I finally mastered the art of creating a stencil.  I created an original "S.F. Coffee Roasting Company" logo. 

Voila!

I varnished the entire piece with Americana Decor Light Satin Varnish.  It went on smooth as silk and dried to a nice matte sheen.


THE HARDWARE
I scoured at least five stores for just the right hooks for my coffee bar.  I found the perfect ones on a ready-to-hang wood bar.  I unscrewed the hooks and re-attached them onto the top front of my coffee bar.  

I lined the shelves with bright orange paper, and added two long drawer pulls, which I found at Home Depot, to each side of the bar to hold dishtowels.  I got lucky with finding towels that coordinated perfectly with my coffee bar.


WELCOME 
to the
S.F. COFFEE Roasting Company


Disclosure:  I was provided product from DecoArt but all opinions and ideas are my own.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Vintage Magazine Side Table Transformed with Chalky Finish Paint


Painting vintage tables

If you're a regular reader of Altered Artworks, then you know I love a good flea market.  A few months ago, I found this magazine side table at the local Topanga Vintage Market.  

It had good bones but desperately needed a makeover. 

I was finally inspired when DecoArt contacted me to join 
their artist program and try their Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint
They have a good selection of colors and finishes.  

You can find their Chalky Finish paint at many retailers including Home Depot, which is where I buy all my painting supplies.  As much as I want to rush right into the project, it's important to prepare your painting area and gather all your materials including painter's cloths, plastic sheeting, hand sander, brushes, disposable gloves, and any hardware or other supplies you need.

First, I thoroughly wiped down the table with a damp cloth.  That's all the prep you need with this paint.  Its chalky consistency easily adheres and covers most surfaces.

Since I was going for a summery, beach look, I painted the entire surface with a 50/50 mix of "Everlasting" and "Treasure."  It only needed one coat to cover the old wood surface.  Then I lightly brushed a watered-down "Everlasting" to create the worn beachy look I was going for, and painted the edges of the magazine holders with 100% "Everlasting."

When this dried (which was very quick), I lightly sanded the table with 240 grit sandpaper.  I wanted the original wood to show through in some areas and especially along the edges and curves, and was amazed how easily the chalky finish paint distressed the table.

DecoArt makes beautiful vinyl stencils.  The Americana Decor stencil line is one of my favorites, as I love their vintage look.  I chose both the Cafe Paris and Old World Numbers for this project.
Americana Decor stencils

After taping down the stencil so it stays in place, I used a stencil brush, and lightly dabbed the paint in an up and down motion, completely covering the stencil design.  I used the color, "Carbon" for the designs.

S-l-o-w-l-y, carefully lift the stencil to see your image.
Just wash and gently rub the stencils under water to clean them to use over and over again.

I again lightly sanded the images to further distress the table.

Using Americana Decor Creme Wax and a dry lint-free cloth, 
I went over the entire table with the wax.  

After it thoroughly dried (allow about an hour), I buffed the table, creating a soft shine.  
This also protects the surfaces from daily use.


The last detail was to add sliders at the bottom of the four legs to prevent scratches on a wood floor and to easily glide over carpets.  

I found these Adhesive Spike and Stick Sliders at Home Depot that were easily hammered in place.  

The original sticker on the bottom of the table shows that it was manufactured by the 
Los Angeles Woodworking Company and made in the USA, probably in the 1930-40's.  

Here is the completed magazine side table.



As nice as the magazine side table looks beside the pool, it actually found its new home in our daughter's bedroom, which already has a beachy theme.  Magazines are now easily accessible while lounging in bed, and the table is just the right size for a cup of tea and/or fresh flowers.
painting vintage furniture with Americana Decor Paint

Our scottie dog, Coconut, approves!  

I already have big plans for my next furniture transformation using 
Have you tried this amazing paint yet?

Disclosure:  I received product and compensation from DecoArt towards the transformation of this project.   However, all ideas and opinions are completely my own.


You might like these painted projects:


Using burlap and chicken wire
Framed in Chicken Wire & Burlap
ASCP
Nightstand from Blah to Beauty-ful
***

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