Love that Paris Grey

I was busy today with Annie Sloan's chalk paint again.  Since the only color that I have right now is Paris Gray, I've have a lot of grey sitting in my art room right now.  I just placed an order for some Louis Blue, Old White, and Versailles from Robyn Storey Designs.  I hope that I get it tomorrow.

Here are a couple of my projects.

I started out with an old wooden jewelry box.  I did some taping to protect the felt and mirror.

Then, I put two coats of chalk paint on the exterior and as much of the interior that I could reach.

Using a sanding block, I sanded all of the edges, corners, and drawer pulls.  I used the wax brush to apply Annie Sloan Clear Wax over the entire piece, then wiped it off with a clean, soft cloth.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  I just listed it in my Etsy shop..

Next piece -

This shelf with paper towel holder was originally pink (actually, it was probably stained wood, then some other crafter painted it pink), then I added a couple coats of Paris Grey chalk paint.

I printed out this typography from The Graphics Fairy.  I put a piece of transfer paper under it and traced the letters onto the wood.  Using tiny brushes and black,acrylic paint, I filled in the letters.

I found these chickens on The Graphics Fairy site too.  I printed them, using my inkjet printer, cut them out with a razor knife, then glued them to the shelf with mat medium.  

I distressed the edges with sandpaper.   I still need to add a layer of clear wax.

Let's see, what else did I do today?

I've had a little train case for quite a while.  I painted it with chalk paint a couple months ago, bit wasn't quite sur what to do with it.  Since I was busy printing things from The Graphics Fairy, I found some other cute graphics, so I did a little decorating.

Obviously, I have a ways to with this little case.

I also painted a basket.  I plan to stencil a number on the top.

That about does it for today.  If I get my Annie Sloan paint in the mail tomorrow, I'll start some of the furniture pieces that I got last week.  I can't wait!

Peace,

Cyndi

Graphics Fairy Transfer

Months ago, I picked up a silverware box at Goodwill.  It was black with a black velvet interior.  It was only a dollar or two, so I figured that I couldn't go wrong - certainly, I could turn it into something.

I've been a subscriber to The Graphics Fairy blog for a long time.  I love looking at all the beautiful things that so many creative people have made.  It's also amazing how many nice graphics they have.  They have lots of florals and French topography.

Since, I'm really starting to love anything French, I decided to try a Paris Apartment Sign.  I printed it in reverse so that when I laid the copy on the box, the letters would face the correct direction.

As usual, I forgot to take a picture of the box before I started.  Here is a picture after I had applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.  (the box is actually sitting upside down because I had just added a coat to the bottom)

 

 

Since, this was my first time trying a transfer on chalk paint, I wasn't sure if I should wax it first or not.  I decided to add a coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax.  Then, I did a little distressing with 220 sand paper.

 

Next, I printed out the design in reverse, as I mentioned before.  Using a regular brush, I applied Golden Matte Gel Medium on the area of the box where the design would be.  I brushed gel medium on the paper and, carefully, placed it down on the box.  I don't know why I didn't cut the excess paper away from the design before I attached it to the box.  It was crazy, but I continued on.  I used an old credit card to rub across the design to remove the bubbles and wrinkles.  I feel like I applied a little too much gel medium because so much was coming out on the sides.  I just wiped it away.  I left the access paper "un-glued" because I didn't want to have to rub all of the paper away.  

 

 

I let the box sit overnight to completely dry.  The next morning, I took a deep breath and spritzed the paper with water.  I didn't soak it, but I did get it wet enough to get the paper breaking up when I started rubbing the paper with my fingers.  This is the part that takes the longest.  I just kept rubbing off paper, spritzing more water, rubbing off paper, spritzing more water, etc. etc.

 

I got to a point where I wasn't really getting any more paper off.  There was still sort of a shadow around the design, but I kind of liked it.  I sanded the top of the box to make it look older.  I added another coat of clear wax and that was it.

This isn't the best picture, but I am pretty pleased for my first try.  This box still has the dividers in it for silverware.  It would be great for jewelry.

 

I still want to put a design on the coffee table that I chalk painted.  However, because of the size, I think I might transfer the design onto the table with carbon paper and then paint it.  I'll definitely use a Graphics Fairy design.  I'll just take it to the copy center and have it enlarged.

 

Peace,

Cyndi