Its time for another Easy 1-2-3 project (see previous 1-2-3 projects here , here, and here and one more here...) projects where I take common materials and end up with a simple upcycled design.
One:
Cork rounds from the garden department at Lowe's...meant to be used under a plant pot so that there's no water ring left behind...one side is cork to absorb the water drips and the other side is some sort of composite material...the odd colored square is where the UPC code sticker was...it will be covered up so no matter...because I'll be flipping them over to use as coasters so the cork side protects the tabletop.
Two:
Paper scraps from the top of my work table...often times, I don't want to over think a project...just use what's at hand...for the mini-collages I created for the composite side of the coasters, I used whatever scraps I had immediately available...most likely leftover from art collages I have been working on...
Two & one-half:
After I composed a mini-collage on each coaster, glued all the paper into place, waited until it was dry, sanded the edges and the surface, it was ready for two coats of polyurethane...I wanted to make sure that the surface could stand up to heavy duty happy hour use!
Did you know that you should never shake a can of polyurethane or varnish? Shaking will trap air bubbles in the mixture that will be transferred to the surface and will dry in place, giving a bumpy texture to your work... always stir gently, making sure that you mix in the bottom sediment well.
Three:
In no time, I had a set of six coasters...ready to protect tabletops and add a little interest under one's drink...
I added a strip of adhesive copper tape to the outer edge of one coaster...just for a little extra shine...
Linking up to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special...always plenty of inspiration...as easy as 1 (click) - 2 (browse) - 3 (inspired!)
Its time once again for the Annual Artists' Garage Sale at the Schack Art Center in Downtown Everett...Saturday, June 16 from 9am to 4pm. I'll have a booth inside the center...with plenty of stuff I am cleaning out of my studio...
In addition to supplies, I'll also have some of my original multi-media collages...at rock bottom prices...and then there are 99 other artists...selling all sorts of goodies...hope to see you there...
get all the details HERE...
The Everett Farmer's Market is finally open! Held every Sunday from June to October, its a regular stop for the Southern Man and I. Not only do we live in a micro-clime with an obnoxious wind and little southern exposure in our yard, but I really do have a black thumb...so we've decided to patronize the local food artisans/farmers instead...today was our first visit of the season...
Strawberries picked this morning and asparagus harvested just yesterday came home with us...and we had a great lunch of asian spring rolls along with some Mexican torta...eating local has never been easier...or tastier...
BTW...my photo collage was created with the help of PicMonkey...now that Picnik is no more, PicMonkey has stepped up to fill the need of easy online photo editing...I'm loving the variety of templates and options...makes anyone look like a pro!
Linking up to Your Sunday Best over at A Rural Journal...
I am well acquainted with dust bunnies...its not that I am averse to cleaning...but when you have a 96lb golden retriever, you have dust bunnies...even after you vacuum...they seem to multiply instantly.
Here is the culprit himself...Calvin...with one of his favorite bunnies...
When I heard that Thistlewood Farm and Eclectically Vintage were starting up a new blog titled, A Dust Bunny Life,
I was there...as I soon found out, it is not a sharing of dust and dander tales...but rather a potpourri of easy projects, using the simplest of supplies and taking minimal time...
My clipboard chalkboard project is featured today...do pop over and check it out...believe me, those dust bunnies swirling around on the dining room floor...they can wait...
During my recent trip to the Farm Chicks show, I did more than just salivate over the displays and the vintage goods...I did pick up a few treasures of my own...starting with this recycled art necklace from Lisa Souers...
Mine is the "ART" pendent made from an old pocket watch case...my travelling partner Liz picked up the glitter heart necklace...also made by Lisa Souers...
I was on the lookout for smaller items...vintage pieces that could be incorporated into my multi-media collage artwork...or pieces that would make an interesting photo montage...
these brown bottles and well-loved paint brushes fit the bill...
I couldn't resist doing a little photo-styling in our hotel room...the muslin covered ironing board and the sheer curtains at the window contributed to the perfect set-up...I picked up a couple of rusty bed springs...in case I want to make a few more of my upcycled flower vases...
My friend Liz (shown here at Debi Bock's Garden Party booth) was on the lookout for an old dress form...
and found her gal...who was instantly named Dollie...here is Dollie, ready for the trip home...in the weeks to come, Dollie will be transformed...Liz has special plans for her...
Another look at Liz's treasures...the hand-spun yarn is beautiful...and will be knit into a lovely wrap...
The trip was a great combination of travel, fun, color, ideas, wine, inspiration, texture, vintage finds, friendship, junk and sun...I'm already thinking about next year...
This past weekend I travelled east over the mountains...and through the wheat fields...to Spokane and the annual Farm Chicks Antique Show. Now in its 13th year, it has become one of the premier vintage events in the country. I had never been...so when my friend Liz mentioned it a few months back, we began planning...
As we drove across the state Friday morning, I received the pleasant news that I was the recipient of two early admission tickets...courtesy of a last minute giveaway by Katelyn Foutch via her blog, Foutch Coutch.
Katelyn is a professional photographer who does work for Serena Thompson, brainchild/genius/cheerleader behind The Farm Chicks...Katelyn had two extra tickets and decided to share the love...it was the perfect start to the day (yes, even though it was pouring rain...we were at the start of the entrance line and there were Krispy Kreme donuts) with the extra bonus of Katelyn being the sweetest peach you could ever imagine...that's her in the middle with the red polka dot bandana in her hair...surrounded by friends and family who were all part of this Idaho troupe...
Without further interuption...here's what caught my eye...
A little later in the week...what went home with us...
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