Category: Wood painting

Acrylic painting, Mixed Media, Uncategorized, Wood painting

Be Our Guest sign

jillrholland

IMG_07968.5×27 Inch acrylic and stain on wood.

I made this home decor by cutting the wood to fit the lettering I wanted to apply. I used a “8 inch” board, but they are never a true 8 inches. I used a 1.5×1 inch board for the boarder.

I stained all of the wood and all sides of the border but only the top on the largest board. I let the stain dry over night then applied some white acrylic paint. I did paint it thicker in some areas and after it was dry I lightly sanded it, applying more pressure on the edges.

I picked the quote, “be our guest”, only because it is a different way of saying welcome. I did not do it after the Beauty and the Beast movie, however I did have the song, Be Our Guest, in my head. Okay, I am thinking of that song right now. Then I hand painted the letters on with black acrylic paint. Once the top was dry, I glued the border on and used finishing nails for extra support. I also applied a light layer of clear varnish on the top.

Time to find a spot to place it.

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Chalk Paint, Flea Market Flip, Mixed Media, Uncategorized, Wood painting

FOYER TABLE MAKEOVER

jillrholland

foyer-table-before-and-after

I saw this table at a second hand store and I new I could give it new life. Change it so someone would want it again and not just get rid of it. It is a good solid table with great craftsmanship.

I wanted to bring up the pattern that was so carefully put in this table. I started off with the bottom by applying linen chalk paint. I wanted to add a different color in some of the features so I found some interior grey paint that I had on hand. I didn’t use a lot of it, I just highlighted a few areas. Using a small detail brush, I used a dark stain to highlight the grooves to make it pop.

wax-on

I used a special dark Minwax to add a finish that also smoothed out some of that stain. It also gives it a little texture.

after-chalk-paint

I was happy with the bottom and then I had to figure out what to do with the table top.

bubbled-top

It wasn’t as good of shape as the bottom. It looked like it could have had some minor water damage. I sanded the top but I couldn’t get the look I was hoping for. I would have loved to be able to sand it down and stain it. I decided on painting the top black but I still could see a few “bubbles”. I decided to go with the paper bag application.

applying-brown-bag

Normally you would use wallpaper paste but I didn’t have any and I don’t live near an area to get it easily, so I used Mod Podge. I do like to have that on hand. I ripped up a roll of brown paper and applied it on a glued surface. It also has to be applied to the top. After it dried and I cut the edges, I went over it with my black paint again. I still wasn’t satisfied with the look and debating taking it all off again. I went to my acrylic paint and put some gold paint on my pallet and rubbed some paint on with a paper towel. Then I was satisfied. I had to go back and seal the edges again because there was a few spots that were a little “loose”.

A totally new transformation. It became a little more classy as well.

Acrylic painting, Uncategorized, Wood painting, workbench

Making a Stand

jillrholland

Yes, making a stand and not taking a stand.

I am living in a temporary home that has a tiny garage. It was built in 1930’s and it would have been tight, even back then. I have just a little extra room in the front of the car so I have a cabinet and I needed a space for my miter saw. I could have searched for something but it wouldn’t have fit in that space the way I needed it to. I am a designer, not a carpenter, but I thought I would make one.

Usually I would sketch this out on paper but I had a vision when I went into Menards. I found the wheels first. I didn’t think I needed very large ones because I am not going to have a lot of weight on this. Then I went to find the square posts. The smallest they had was a 4×4 and I thought they seems a bit large but it was perfect. I used 1×6 pine boards on the top and 1×3 on the sides. I have some scrap boards sitting on the bottom and I may make a shelf some day.

This was the perfect fit. Is it pretty… no, but it is functional. When I need to use the saw, I back the car out and roll the cart to the open spot. I do have a larger board that can sit on top so I have a wider workspace. I will have to keep things tidy and put everything away, if I want to put my car back in the garage, that is.

Here are some of the things I use my miter saw for.

Hand painted lettering, with acrylic paint, on wood.

Acrylic painting, Uncategorized, Wood painting

Board Paintings

jillrholland

board-paintings

I love to paint for the different seasons. The hard part is to put them away but when you bring them out again, you fall in love all over again. I have been painting on wood for years. I would say just as much as I have painted on canvas or paper. Wood paintings from Christmas has been done the most from wall hangings to ornaments. Of course many things I have painted have become a gift here and there.

For the boards I have recently painted, I started with Let It Snow. I used a 8 inch by 4 ft pine board that I had on hand, painted with acrylic paint and applied a clear varnish for protection. I love snowmen so this was fun for me to paint. I decided to show the owners of Creative Spirits, which is my part time job. After discussion it was going to be added to the line up. I had to re-create my first snowman and came up with the Fall theme and then Christmas. I keep thinking of more ideas and I have found I like to think skinny.

Please notice these have a copyright from Creative Spirits.