Thursday, July 28, 2011

Making a floor cloth

 I’ve always loved the look of colonial floor cloths, but had never made one before. While chatting at work one day I discovered that 2 of my co-workers were also interested in making one (both of them love to paint).

Cathy then purchased for us on-line, 3 ready to paint canvas cloths from :http://www.dickblick.com/products/fredrix-floor-cloth-canvas/#phot

They’re the perfect size to place in front of your kitchen sink, or maybe an entryway.

We then searched online for ideas.

After I found one that I really liked, I then went to a local craft/paint shop and bought some similar stencils.

Cathy had a bounty of craft paint on hand, as well as Dee, so the painting party began. I brought along a floor cloth (which I had purchased several years ago) to inspire us. This one is an Americana design, Cathy’s cat Charlotte looks cute laying next to it.

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The 3 colors I used were black, mustard, and a muted red. After taping off the border I then painted the inside square with the mustard color.

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After the inside dried, I taped it off again to do the outside border black.

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When that was dry I stenciled in my pattern and then let that dry.

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When the stenciling dried I rubbed some Kiwi shoe polish (brown) lightly over the entire floor cloth to age it. The last thing I had to do was apply several coats of a sealer. This process was done over several days.

Note : To ensure that it will last, you might want to apply a coat of clear polyurethane over it as well.

I must say I’m very pleased with the outcome, and even more happy that I did it myself! It now sits underneath a bench in my mud room.

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If you’re a “food fan” and love yummy recipes, check out this delightful blog!

http://foodinnewengland.wordpress.com/

Blessings, Bonnie

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Cape Ann~Rockport

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 Recently I stayed in Rockport MA (located on Cape Ann) for some time, it was the perfect place to be during this heatwave!

It’s so quaint with all of the old homes nestled in together, and the many interesting shops you can poke around in.

These are just a few of my favorite photos from my stay. I’ll start my photo journey off with

Motif number 1

It’s  a fishing shack well-known to students of art and art history as "the most often-painted building in America."

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Every time I look back at these pictures, It’ll bring me back to my wonderful vacation spent on the coast.

Blessings, Bonnie