Trugs & Toolboxes, stylish storage

What a great Fall day it is and I have been enjoying working in my little studio cottage while watching the deer munch apples that drop from my neighbors trees.
I need to ask to pick some to make apple pie biscuits with.  I don't want to go buy apples when I have a ton daily falling to the ground all around me. 
They don't go to waste as the deer and bears are sure to snap them up before the night is out but I am sure the local critters won't mind if I use some to bake with.
Lately I have been in the building mode again.  I made myself this sweet little rustic looking box to hold my white dishes.

I love white dishes so I keep these out on my counter but needed to save space (we are always needing more counter space) so the idea for this box came to mind. 
I have built wood toolboxes in the past..and I still use them.  The only difference with this one is no need for handles.
After taking the photo above I decided to have some fun with it and did a fun Fall vignette with it.

I love the subtle colors of the hydrangeas with the little white pumpkins.
I have found many other trugs and toolboxes online for more added inspiration.
I just love this gorgeous color of this one

via http://vibekedesign.blogspot.it/

 And there are plenty of DIY instructions out there as well.

DIY Toolbox
That was just one of many, I did one as well TOOLBOX

For many more trug or wood toolbox ideas and inspiration check out my Pinterest Board dedicated to it.

Pinterest Board TOOLBOXES & TRUGS
If you are needing a bit of storage or just a fun project to do this is it.
There is nothing more satisfying than gazing upon something you have made yourself. 

Until we meet again..

Build Yourself a Farmhouse Bench

Are you ready to build something??
This project is fairly easy and straightforward.
I have had this on my Summer “to do” list and am just now getting around to it.
But this could easily be a Fall project.
How to Build a Victorian Garden Bench.
An easy DIY!
Use it on your front porch, in the garden or even in the house.
Dress her up in pumpkins, potted mums or just leave her plain.
She is a pretty thing all alone.
Now to the nitty gritty of how to get her built.
I used standard pine lumber from the local lumber yard.
Materials List
One 1 x 12 at 8 feet long (for seat and legs)
One 1 x 6 at 10 feet long (for sides)
you could use an 8 foot board but it would be just barely long enough
nails or screws, you choose
Wood glue
Cut your 1 x 12’s
1 Seat @ 48″ long
2 Legs @18″ long
Cut your 1 x 6
2 Sides @ 48″ long

To see the rest of this post CLICK HERE

Happy Building!

Custom Ruler Growth Chart with Wings!

I hope this finds you well.
I have had a rushed week and I am not sure why. One day ran into another and zip…
it is Thursday!
I have been attempting to get several custom orders done and ready to ship.
My favorite this week is this custom growth chart.
I am loving how it turned out.

I started with a 1 x 6 pine board and stained it with MinWax Dark Oak stain then let it dry thoroughly.
I started with adding marks for the lines at the feet increments with a ruler and Sharpie.
I should’ve used my triangle to make sure my lines were straight but I could not find it in my messy cabinet.
I put down the painters tape to make sure the lines were of equal length.
For the numbers I used a stencil I got at Hobby Lobby a year or so ago.
If you don’t have a stencil you can also print them out and use graphite paper then fill in like I shared here
I go back and add in the inch marks.
Then at 6 inches I make a slightly longer than the inch but shorter than the foot mark.
All of that is the tedious part, now comes the fun!
Adding the airplanes.
I based in the general shape with white so the colors would pop.
Notice the little mark under the propeller that is a faux pas.
That is easy to fix, take a q-tip dipped in alcohol and rub it right out, alcohol removes acrylic paint.
Next add in the colors to make your design.
I had copied the design on the babies crib set and decor.
Oh, I nearly forgot!
Print out with your inkjet or laser printer the name you need to paint on!
Here is the video where I show you how to paint lettering.

Here I am about to transfer the lettering to the board then I fill in with black paint.
I typically print the wording in “outline” mode to save on ink but this time I missed that step.
There is room for more names, if needed, in the future.
I am working on more painting videos.
I am thinking a better or more complete one of how to paint the hydrangeas is in order.
I have a new microphone for my camera on order so I hope that will help in better audio on the next videos.
Okay, enough chatter from me.
Happy Painting!

Hand Paint Faux Vintage Seed Packet signs

As promised in my last post I am back to show you how to paint the radishes and carrots to finish off your faux vintage signs.
If you missed the last post on building the faux crate sign just Click Here or on Photo Above
At the end of this post is a link to the pattern for these signs along with a supply list.
Nothing fancy, but it is what I had sketched up and/or printed for these and you might find them useful.
First lay out your pattern or copy the one in the link onto your surface with graphite paper.

I used a #12 flat  to paint the background leaves.
Double load the brush with Black Forest Green and Avocado.
Stroke in the leaves using a elongated scallop stroke.

You can let that dry for a minute or two while you get out your next colors.
For the lighter leaves I used a #10 flat brush and double loaded with Avocado and Celery Green.
Again stroke in a elongated scallop stroke.
If you prefer you can let the first coat dry and do another to get the lighter green more opaque.

I did not get a photo of it but the  radishes needs to be undercoated with white at this point.
On a dark surface craft paints are dulled so if you want a color to show up brighter always undercoat with white.
After the white dries paint in the radishes with Cranberry Wine.
Reds are not opaque so you may want to do a couple coats.
After Cranberry Wine dries, then paint on some Alizarin Crimson on areas you want some brighter red.
Let that dry, then add a touch of Primary red.

To add some highlights add a touch of white in a slight comma stroke to a curve.
And a line of white at the tip with the edge of your brush.
Add a shadow under the middle radish with cranberry wine mixed with a touch of black.

Now on to the carrot
Again draw on your carrots.

I failed to photograph the foliage on the carrot, but basically you pounce in Evergreen with a scruffy brush, then add a touch of Irish Moss as a highlight.
If you look at the foliage in the photos you can see how I did it and I hope to add the video soon.
I undercoated in Georgia Clay and a #10 flat brush.

Let that dry then go over that with Tangelo Orange.

Add dimension with some shadowing, sideload the brush corner with Burnt Umber and stroke along areas to simulate creases.
With a liner brush add some little roots.

Once the paint dries thoroughly either wax over it all to protect or use a coat of Varathane (only water base, an oil base will lift acrylic paints)
Oh, I almost forgot.
To do the lettering just trace over the Radish or Carrot pattern onto your surface and fill in with black paint.
Click here to view a video on how I do my lettering for most signs.

The bottom is a simple banner I taped off with painters tape and filled in then added the lettering after printing it out in Word.
Scott is my maiden name so that is why I picked Scott Seed Co. to add the finishing touch.
Here they are hanging in my studio over my painting table.

I mentioned before that I am working on the video to accompany this post, when I made it for some reason the microphone did not work so now I have to go back over and add the narration.
I will add the link to it as soon as I am done adding the audio.

Or if you prefer…

Paint away and make yourself some vintage seed packets signs soon.
Download patterns and painting supply list

Happy Painting!

Our Favorite Broccoli Salad

I have made this recipe a thousand times.
In many variations.
But this one is really our favorite.
It is filled with all sorts of yummy goodness.
My photos do not do it justice.
It seems my Lightroom has overexposed everything…anyone else have this issue??
This salad is so easy to make and great all year round, not just in summer.
Now that I have tempted you to give it a whirl here is the recipe.

Please click here to hop over to my other blog where I have the recipe plugin to print the recipe.    I hope that isn’t too inconvenient. 
Enjoy! 

Chicken Art with DecoArt Chalky Finish Paint

Disclosure: I was provided with the Chalky Finish Paint by DecoArt but the usage, opinions and ideas are my own.

As odd as it may seem, this project is one I have wished to tackle for some time.
With such a range of colors available in DecoArts Chalky Finish paint I thought it would be fun to paint art work and not just furniture.
I do love it on furniture, in fact I am working on a table now with a mix of DecoArt Chalky Finish colors that is similar to MMS Eulalie Sky.
But that is for another post.
I started with a 1 x 12 piece of lumber, cut it to size (this one is 20inches) and painted on a base coat of Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in Rustic.
I let that dry and give it a coat of DecoArt Americana Decor Crackle Medium
I either apply this with a brush or a foam roller.  I prefer a foam roller as it makes the crackling a bit more to my liking.
I let the crackle medium dry then I painted on the color Everlasting.
I use painters tape to tape off the border, Frog Tape or Scotch Blue, both work well.
Once I have the edge sealed well with tape I paint in the border.
I started with Cameo color then after that dried I added on a layer of Rouge for a deep red.
Next I draw on the design, typically using a pattern and transfer paper.
I start layering in colors of paint.
I have to mix a few colors from time to time to get a deeper or a specific color tone.
The paint is very opaque and gives good coverage.
I did use a bottled acrylic to do the shadowing and lettering but the majority of this sign was painted with DecoArt Americana Chalky Finish Paint!
Now to wrap it up and ship to the customer.
I have more paintings using this paint in mind so stayed tuned.
Happy Painting!

Happy August!

Every morning I walk the garden with my coffee, chat with the bumblebees, dead head a few flowers to encourage more blooms, and breathe deep of the cool, sweet scent of a summers morning.
I will share some things I saw this morning.
The Oriental Lilies are blooming and perfuming the entire garden.
The Stargazer Lilies are just fabulous.
The Morning Glories are opening up, they like the heat.
These climb the lattice that obscures the untidiness under our back deck.
Cerise Queen Yarrow, this one comes in several shades of pink.
This bright Fuschia is a stunner. My Nearly Wild Rose is reblooming.
With those needle nose beetles gone the petals are not all pitted and holey.
The Pow Wow Wildberry Echinacea nearby is just exploding with vibrant color.
The Peace Rose is giving me full bouquets on a single cane.
Get a load of this luscious gorgeousness…
I took a close up so I could try to paint it one day.
I was tickled pink when I spotted this…
It is a Trumpet Vine getting ready to bloom!
I started this one and several others from seeds I collected at an acquaintance’s home, the parent is just gorgeous and a hummingbird magnet.
I was beginning to think it would not bloom here as I put it in this spot 3 years ago and over the past few summers got not one bloom.
But look at it now.  I couldn’t be happier!
Maybe that is typical of Trumpet Vine started from seed, 3 years to bloom but since this is my first I would not know.
I am especially pleased by the 2 pink roses I planted beside my little Cottage/Studio
I had transplanted them late last Fall and did not know if they would take.
I love the pink against the yellow.
I have tons more photos I could show but I know your eyes are already glazing over so I shall stop.
One more thing to share….
These are one of my latest projects and I hope to share the tutorial on making them very soon
(note the disclaimer “hope”, I had planned on making that tutorial this week and things popped up that got in the way. Ever have that happen??).
Oh well, such is life.
Now that I have built your anticipation I will bid you adieu!
Have a great day!