Monograms and Mediums

If you are new to the paint series this is day 24 of 31 days of the Power of Paint. If you'd like to see the entire series click  HERE.

Monogrammed and Crackled

I have been loving all of those monogrammed wreaths I've been seeing in blogland. Being a McLain, I figured we'd have to do the Mc to make our family monogram. I purchased these at Hobby Lobby, the 2 different type styles appealed to me. I used a Crackle Medium that I purchased there too. It is usually found with the craft paint or other Mediums. Crackle Medium stands between the base coat and the top coat and creates a crackled finish that lets the base coat show through. In other words, it makes it look like old weathered paint that has cracked over time. Isn't that what we are all going for lately? Old and weathered paint finishes? This is a quick and easy way to accomplish it.

I painted the base this lovely blue that came from the hardware store oophs paint bin for .50 cents. You don't have to use acrylic craft paint, house paint works just as well. After the blue paint dried, I applied the Crackle Medium, just as you would ordinary paint. The bottle says a thin coat for small cracks, a thick coat for large cracks. I just applied it kind of haphazardly. Thin here, thick there. Then let it dry.

This yellow is also from the oophs paint bin. The cracks show up almost instantly and more appear as it dries. I used the Crackle Medium the thickest on the right side of the M, those large cracks are the result.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Resist the urge to paint it solid and perfect. If you use too much paint the result is not as clear.

Like here where I was too heavy handed with the paint, the cracks are small and there are not as many as I would like. This is definitely a trial and error type of thing. Think thin, quick coats working from top to bottom. Originally, I painted the C blue, then crackle, then yellow top coat but decided it would disappear on top of the M, so I applied a second coat of crackle at this stage, let it dry and applied a blue top coat. You could do this several times with several layers and then sand it, can you imagine what layers would look like? Hmmm. Must try it.

Here it is after I hot glued them together and then to my painted and yarn wrapped wreath.

Have you used Mediums? Which ones do you like? {I tried them all, way back when I was in college and going through my artist stage.} Mediums are magical tools that transform regular acrylic paint into all sorts of specialty paints from fabric paint to a thin glaze to thick dimensional paint. They are worth exploring.

Chair Obsession in the garden

I have a thing for chairs. I admit it. It is more of an obsession. I have an unbelievable chair collection.

More chairs than I know what to do with. These are just a few that I have in the garden.

 I couldn't resist this old worn out chair. I added the few boards for the seat and some metal hardware cloth for the back. It holds a pot full of Lemon Thyme and a solar light. It's a wonderful addition to my container garden.

{Notice the blue sink? Oh, I have plans for that baby and an old dresser.}

These blue chairs sit on my patio next to my front porch. They match my old milk can perfectly. My Mom painted that milk can 20 plus years ago. The paint has aged to perfection now, I think.

This is one of my favorite places to hang out in summer.

 These old metal chairs are my current project. I am working on cushions for them and they all need a good sanding and a coat of paint...

especially this one. I love RUST but this is a bit much for me.

 If I have a good book or magazine to read, this is where you will find me.

This vintage aluminum lounge chair got a new cushion from one of those $19 Fred Meyer "camping" foam pads and a drop cloth. Add a cozy pillow and a drink holder and I am content for hours.

I hope you enjoyed a walk through my garden. Thank you for letting me share a tiny fraction of my chair obsession with you. More to come...



Bed Springs = Spring on the porch

When I think of spring, I think of birds and yellow flowers. I started by removing all traces of my winter  porch. Since Idaho spring weather includes frost, snow, a bit of sunshine and a lot of rain, I have yet to purchase any real flowers.

I found these little birds at the dollar store. They add just a touch of color and whimsy. I have had these bed springs laying in my garden all winter, they've become the perfect shade of rust. {In my mind, Springs = Spring... pun intended.}  I love solar lights, especially rust colored ones!

I wrapped my little bundle of flowers in floral tape and wired them into the basket I was afraid the wind may blow them away. I used the same "ribbon" that I used on my sled in winter.

I added a few of the yellow roses here in my flower pot. This winter if was full of fake

poinsettia and in fall it was full of orange mums. See more porch decor HERE.

I can't wait to fill my pots with flowers. Until then, I am content with my rusty version of spring.

I can't believe it's April all ready. Happy Spring, my friends!

Linking Up With:

Holiday House Tour 1: The porch

BEFORE:

It all started with a conversation with my 18 year old daughter yesterday:

"Go ahead, say it,'" I say. "It's pretty boring," she says.

   

Today it was dress up the porch day at the Nana Moon House.

AFTER: 

I literally risked life and limb pulling this runner sled from the rafters of our ancient {60 year old} garage. I stood on a folding chair, on my tip toes and pulled. It was covered in 30+ years of dust and grime

and so was I by time I got it out.

It says "Paris Floating Steering" so cute!

I filled my empty flower pot with holly branches that grow in my neighbors yard & luckily for me, crossed the fence this year into mine. {Note to self: wear gloves when trimming Holly, those pointy leaves are sharp!}  I found this old beat up bucket in the garage too, so many treasures in the garage, who knew?

More Holiday House Tour Posts to come.

Cheers!

~Danylle

The Pumpkin Patch and The Scarecrow

Every since we visited the Apple Ranch and Pumpkin Patch with Sophie's preschool, she has wanted to make a Scarecrow. So for the last week, little by little we figured out how to make him.

We started with a flannel shirt and straw hat from Goodwill. I sewed the sleeves of the flannel shirt closed and also sewed the legs shut on a pair of my son's old jeans. We found a pair of Joe's work gloves and a bit of muslin fabric. I sewed the muslin in to a bag and used ribbon make the mouth. We stuffed the entire thing with plastic grocery bags (since I refuse to throw them away, we had quite a few in our recycling bin).

Joe (My Hubby)  made a simple wooden cross of sorts to support his back and shoulders and head.

We hot glued buttons for eyes and nose and used a staple gun around his collar to close it all off. (Joe thinks he looks like Jay Leno with is extra large chin.)

The wooden stick is tucked behind the bench which holds him in place. We tucked the pants underneath and added some work boots and pumpkins, of course. He's a funny little guy and I have to admit he has scared me, my teens and husband more than once, cause when you open the door it looks like a man sitting there. Happy Fall Everyone!