Project Drab to Fab: Outdoor Table

  

Sad looking table at my front door.  

.

I needed a new top as the old one was weathered beyond fixing.
 I purchased a 30" round table top from Menard's for around $30. 

Sanded the top a bit and then painted it white with acrylic outdoor paint

The rest of the paint is acrylic craft paint from Hobby Lobby. 

I had a basic sketch of the design, but I found as I painted it evolved.

I was challenged by the large green leaves and how to make them look finished. 

Tried several ideas for veins in the leaves,  but then settled on adding the white centers. 

To which I doodled and painted.

Finished!

I coated the top with a satin spray on polyurethane,
but I think it may need a more durable product.

Reused the legs from the old table...

...and changed out the chairs.

Now to add some for flowers and stitch up some pillows. 

Playing with paint....

Each month, I get together with a small groups of art quilt minded gals and we try out something new. For December we had Terri share how she creates her fabulous paintings on fabric. She whipped up a drawing of her cats for us to use and we were painting away. I used a black out curtain lining fabric, which has a nice smooth surface to paint.

Blue Kitty

6"x 6"

It has been ages since I painting much of anything and getting the brushes and paints out inspired me to paint up a few postcards.

Iris

4" x 6"

Leaves

4" x 6"

Fabrico Markers

I recently purchased a few Fabrico markers ....

And my first experiment with them was on silk ribbon. The orange ribbon I applied directly to a dry ribbon, variegating between light orange and dark orange. The result is a solid even strong color. Next I wet the ribbon and sort of scribbled on to a piece of freezer paper. The result is a much more wash out look to the ribbon sort of a washed out look. I also tried mixing colors on the wet ribbon which worked well to get a variegated application. The marker does not seem to change the drape of the ribbon.

Painting Lace

I am planning on using some painted lace in my Spring Garden Crazy Quilt. On my last visit to see the folks, my mom let me poke through her stash of lace and bring some home.

Here are some of my first results. I used what ever paint I have on hand including Dye-na-flow, fabric paint and Setacolor. In this first photo, I used the paint to highlight different elements in the lace...I just love how the purple flowers turned out, so dainty.

The lace in this next photo was painted all one color and I attempted to get a variegated look. Still need to work on that. All in all I am pleased with the first results.

Dying/Painting Dryer sheets

Tried my hand at dying and painting dryer sheets. I used Dye na flow as well as some Jacquard Fabric Paint. Not sure what I am going to do with them but I am pleased with the results.

Dying Silk Ribbon

I have just recently given silk ribbon embroidery a try. Wow is it ever addictive. I love the texture it adds to a piece. After buying some silk ribbon I decided to give dying my own a try. I purchased some 4mm and 7mm and have had great results. I really like the Dye na flow, very easy to use. I have also tried some of the Jaquared fabric paints and they work ok, I think I need to thin them just a little more so the ribbon does not end up too stiff.

This was my first attempt. I wanted a variegated ribbon so I painted one side with blue and the other with purple. Love the result. I also tried the metallic pink fabric paint, like I said ended up a little stiff when dry. I will have add a bit more water next time.
















This was an experiment with just a solid color and blending two....