commissioned art pieces

This is not all the pieces, but I thought I would share with you some pieces that an owners of a 'pet spa' asked me to do for the cool business they have.  It was fun to work on these pieces!  And I actually did a few of these in smaller sizes and magnets and sold them at an art fair later. (they ALL sold! yay!)

green dog

yum

fresh catch

detail of fresh catch

kwazy kat

puppy love

this pieces was the largest measuring at 8 feet by 4 feet

more of the detail of the piece titled camp out

got a bit to finish on the dog on the right, right now he is just a floating head...

the finished piece!!

It has been a while since I've done this much art and seeing these fun pieces makes me miss sitting down in my dungeon, basement, makeshift studio to see what flows from my paintbrushes.  Little guy was smaller and slept more, so there was more time to do pieces like this. Now it is really fun to see what HE paints! And sometimes he even helps with furniture painting...so far so good!
It's cool to have a rock 'n roll, artist, pirate, dragon,dentist, astro boy, batman on my hands - wonder what he'll think of next?!

Thanks for being here and looking at some of my whimsical art!  I REALLY APPRECIATE you taking time to stop by and would LOVE to read your comments...

Come clean!

How do you get old knobs, pulls, handles, hinges (that are goopy, funky, gross, sticky, yucky from years of use, abuse, old paint, whatever could possibly be gunked in all the groves) clean? Or do you just replace them? That could get costly, and mess with the integrity of the piece... Do you paint over them? Leave them alone? What? Share with us!

Years ago, I came across an old gentleman at a Flea who sold hardware (huge amounts!).  Almost every piece was gross (all the words mentioned above).  His advice was to throw them in a pot of boiling sudsy water! Yes, you read correctly! He guaranteed all the funk, especially paint, would just come right off, and they would be just like new.  Hmmmm, well being respectful, yet skeptical, I bought a few pieces, all along thinking yeah right!  I never tried it, forgot about it or whatever, until the knobs on a piece I was redoing were perfect for it, but were gross.  So for whatever reason, I suddenly after like 8 years, remembered this gentleman/his advice (I know I'm weird, quirky - get used to it).

I remove the knobs, take them upstairs and yesireeee, I BOIL those babies!  What did I have to loose? Ok, ok the knobs that were perfect for the piece... but you know, sometimes ya just gotta GO FOR IT!  And you know what else?  I remembered to take pics to document whether it actually worked or not.  Usually I am so bad about that.  I was doing this stuff a looong time ago and hardly ever took a pic before or after, and certainly not step by step.  I was just getting the job done for a client or for the store. Never thought about blogging, or having a 'portfolio'.  (you are saying 'stupid head', I know, I know!)  Boy could I do a ton of posts if only I had a record of all those thing!!! (again, 'stupid head)

Take a look at what happened with the "BOILING" of the hardware:

BEFORE see the buildup? it isn't horrible, but not nice either...

almost to a boil..., maybe I didn't put enough dishsoap in...??

after I boiled them for about 1-2 minutes, the funk looked like w wax buildup, oh goodness!

what have I done?

so I grab my handy Bar Keepers Friend - this is what All-Clad recommends for cleaning their pots & pans, so I'm thinking it's gotta be ok for these knobs...

dab a bit on rub it in with my fingers

take my trusty scrub brush and hit 'em a few licks

PROGRESS! see the buildup of gunk coming off on the right side?!

WOW! really nice!

TA DA! they look brand spankin' new!

well, whaddaya know! I am not 'skeered' to boil hardware anymore!

Hope this will help you along the way in your DIY's!  Please share your tips and link back tot his post and we will have a handy little "helpful tips" list started...

Near the end of the page, you can find all the places I par-tay!  Be sure to take a look at these awesome sites!  Thank you for visiting and please come often!  It pickles me tink!

Jeep sandbox

As many have you may have read in an older post, I have been dabbling in DIY, paint, art, furniture, most things related for a loooong time.  I just never documented much of it.  I hate that, because some of my projects or attempts at projects would have made for great comedy!!  Sometimes things went great, and I just snapped a quick pic.

As is the case with this AWESOME sandbox I schemed in the middle of the night a few (maybe one day) days before little guy's 2nd birthday party (he's almost 4 now).  And it HAD to be built in time for the party!! DUH!  Hubs was astounded that I actually thought we could pull this off in the time frame, with everything else going on.  I didn't have a real blueprint, but in my mind I knew the look of it, the color, and the little details I wanted it to have.  I searched on line, & searched & searched for ideas, plans, instructions.  I can't recall what site I found (probably used 2 or 3) but this is a great one if you decide to do a fun project like we did.

With more pages printed out than you can imagine, I held my head high and marched right into Home Depot, a woman on a MISSION!  Oh the laughs those guys had at my big plans and my time line.  HMMMMPH!  I'll show them! and hubs!
Truck loaded down with wood, I made a quick stop at a parts store to get silver tape, 4x4 emblems, a rear view mirror and I was

headed out on the highway!
Get your motor runnin'!
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen!

And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen...

Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild !
Born to be wild!

Did I just break into song?! Blue Oyster Cult at that! Hope you sang along, and didn't spill your coffee while laughing at me. I get these crazy ideas and think I am superwoman and can get a 3 day project done in less than a day or at least a day.  And I basically kill myself trying - but it is all fun.  If there were a camera crew following me sometimes, boy the out-takes there would be, and a lot of wet pants from laughing so hard.  It is all about fun, though, right?

Here a the only pics I have of this awesome project for my little guy...

 I wanted it to sort of look like an old jeep...

 the frame...

 the red barn paint...

 tape for the grill, mirrors for headlights, and the antique plate...

 4x4 emblem, steering wheel and rear view mirror

looks pretty good, huh?

 yes, we got more sand eventually...

 'hood' storage for all the toys

 the back end

and it stays parked near his clubhouse!


I had some of the wood, the paint, the hinges for the 'hood' storage, the steering wheel, and some of the sand.  I don't know exactly what it cost, but I would guess well under $75 (??).  I bought about 3 or 4 pieces of the large pieces (that you see on the sides and front) and the mirrors (like $4), 4x4 emblems (like $3), and tape.  We used a sheet of plywood for the bottom (which we also had).
But again, go HERE to see a good 'how to' if want to build one.  I did most of the work, except the heavy lifting, so I KNOW you can!  If you do it, please post pics!!

Have a great day and THANK YOU for being here! I really love you visiting with me!

Check PLACES I PARTY (near the bottom) to see where I link

gurgle pot!

Ever heard of a" Gurgle Pot"?  Well, they are just, ummm, nifty! A "Gurgle Pot"  literally 'gurgles' when you tilt it to pour!!  Cool, eh?  I think so.  They are also sort of expensive, (I think) unless you just 'looove it' of course, and/or really plan to use it often.  I looked at some in an artsy boutique a year or so ago...I am a pisces, so fish things kind of appeal to me in an astrological sort of way...anyhoo, I picked out a green one and then noticed the price, gasp! I don't really want to pay $60 for a fish shaped pitcher.  Oh, well...
Recently at an estate sale of a well traveled couple, I spotted one with the lovely price of $3!!! yes THREE DOLLARS!  LUCKY ME!  More my speed for a quirky little item that gurgles when you pour water from it!! It was also green, but not a happy green.  Spray paint to the rescue!  I used Valspar (first time with this brand).  What do you think?  Would you pay $60 for a new one? 

Linked to:

http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/
 

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/2011/02/frugalicious-friday_17.html

nothing a little 'fresh love' can't fix

Great table - just had a bad leg, needed a little drawer repair and had a few bad spots here and there.  Nothing that a little hard work, and "fresh love" couldn't fix!

and those plastic tools work great!

I will soon be posting the AFTER pics ...

fun project -- admiration

pic from House of Ficek

thought this was fun and turned out GREAT!  Thanks, Kendra for allowing me to share!

ART

a few pieces of my art...

 

Thank you for visiting!  would {love} your comments!

I am linked here:

http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

invitation

Check out this little party...

January 2, 2011

'Morning! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With a new year comes a new 'fresh' start for my Painted Fresh blog.
I attempted last year, and for whatever reason, just didn't follow through.  It's hard for me! I'll admit, I don't think I write so well - will someone read this? do I say too much, not enough?  will comments be nice? what if I break a rule? uh oh, are there rules?  hmmmm... did I prepare Hudson's lunch for school? Oh crap! it's what time? Mom, did you take your meds? where is my other shoe? and the car keys!!!  arrrghhhhhh! Bummer that laundry in the dryer will be soo wrinkled.

See what I mean? Then there are other domestic things to be done - you know. And all you bloggers have those capes - no one has shared with me how to do it all - how to get that balance.  I don't hate you, I just want to be you! :)
Now, I am just rattlin' on...

Feel free to assist me in this journey, new friends!  For now, it is time to get everyone dressed for Church! Maybe later I'll work on one of a few projects begging for attention...

Customization: painting and furniture (personal shopping and painting classes, too!)

Painting                                                                                                     Do you have a piece of furniture that has seen better days?  Maybe a piece that's been in the family for years, and has memories that you simply can not let go of.  All furniture isn't supposed to be a shade of brown!  The beautiful lines will remain, the memories will perhaps become sweeter once it is 'painted fresh'.   All pieces are unique - length, height, details; let's work together to create something that is just yours.  A customized color and effect that suits your personality, your environment and will make you smile each time you look at it!
Prices will vary (due to sizes and details) and the rates below are a starting point: Furniture                                    Rate (*starts at) dresser                                                 $150 chest                                                    $150 buffet/server                                         $150 desk                                                     $150 dining tables                                         $150 bed                                                      $165 bookcase                                              $245 china cabinets                                       $285 nightstand, coffee/side table                   $ 55 chairs                                                   $ 45 (price includes all materials) personal shopping                                 $ 25 DIY classs                                             $ 75 per person (min 4 people, 2.5-3 hrs, includes all materials, you supply your small piece of furniture and location)   *may decrease or increase depending on the size & style of the individual piece, the number of pieces, and the technique ordered. ~~return policy:  Each piece is hand selected and usually antique or vintage, naturally making it unique and sometimes rare.  custom painting adds another touch to make it specifically one-of-a-kind.  all sales are final. Custom Built Pieces/Salvaged and Reclaimed Wood Are you remodeling and want a new floor of say wide, old heart pine?  Want a wall of antique bead board, barn wood, cypress? Need a solid 50 foot beam, perhaps one that has been hand hewn?  Want a table with specific wood, a specific length, and maybe a pattern?  We are your starting point!  We work with a local company that allows us to bring our customers to their warehouse to actually see the wood and how it will be made into just what you request!  There is history galore behind the properties in which this wood once lived - some dates back to the 1800's! And boy do they have the wood!!! Just email me and I am happy to provide you with information and help you make a dream come true!