Friday, May 13, 2011

A Frog for My Cupboard


Some time ago, I mentioned that I was working on this:
A $25 cupboard that I hoped would prove to be worth that much.

I've had it completed,
waiting to be put on the back porch when the porch is finished,
but right now that has been at a stand still.

Life took over:
my new unfinished kitchen cabinets arrived and are taking up the porch
waiting for their turn to be painted,
and the electrician has been delayed;
not to mention how the flower beds have confiscated my energy.


So I thought,
since my brain has been on fog-setting lately,
that I'd just go ahead and show the results
hoping it will possibly push myself back into creativity,
instead of the recurring problem of falling to sleep suddenly
and without warning;
then waking up several hours later to finish my house chores,
feeling like my contacts have been glued to my eyeballs.


I decided on this color of...
I'm not sure what it is.
I saw a piece of furniture done in a magazine like it
and decided on it.

I mixed some colors I had,
trying to diminish my husband's pet-peeve of my overbearing
"need"
to purchase fun colors of "Oops" Paint.
 My kind husband installed these thin wood pieces
on the doors.



After two coats of the color had thoroughly dried,
I mixed a tiny bit of the off-white I'd used on the door
to some of the paint.

 I then randomly brushed it on...




 and then wiped it off,
spreading it as I went.


 This gave a little dimension to the piece.





I then roughly painted white in the middle of each door,...


 and then mixed in more of the off-white...

 especially around the white edges.





 Then the fun part was come.

 and finally decided on this scene to try.


I penciled it in
while watching episodes of Daniel Boone with the rest of the family.

(Funny how looking at it reminds me of that.)

After it was etched in with pencil,


I used my dipping calligraphy pen
and some water-resistant ink
(making sure it would not run when I painted on it with the color:
I purchase an acrylic or shellac based calligraphy ink).




Next was the color:
I painted the images,
using watered down acrylic paint.



 And here it is.


I found the pulls at the Good Will for $2 each,
although they were gold,
so I painted them black.
 It took a fair piece of time...



 but hopefully it will last.



 It has flowers that I know very well in my life...



 and the frog that my son requested.



After all,
as long as there's a frog and the son is happy,
that's enough of a reason to keep it,
don't you think?


Linked up to:

Visit thecsiproject.comFunky Junk's Saturday Nite SpecialTransformation Thursday Photobucket
vif187



A Marvelous MessUndertheTableandDreaming


 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/Keeping It Simple




BWS tips buttonThe Graphics Fairy

























35 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! Your artwork outshines the piece!

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  2. That is just so beautiful, you are so talented...and blessed to be able to create such lovely pieces for your home...with minimum cost I might add too.........Suzanne.

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  3. What a joy it would be to have the ability to custom appoint your home as you do. I can't even imagine it!

    But I sure like watching it here on your blog...

    =)

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  4. Wow, Wow, Wow!! Can't imagine what it feels like to have your touch on an old piece of furniture that alot of people would get rid of!Looking forward to seeing what you do in your kitchen!

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  5. Absolutely Beautiful ~ I Love the Frog too.... You did a Fabulous Job on this Very Creative Treasure!
    Cheryl

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  6. What a fabulous job!!! It's so beautiful, love seeing your step by step. This will be a treasured heirloom piece. Thanks so much for linking up for VIF! xo Debra

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  7. That is incredible. It's a piece someone in your family will hand down and cherish. Gorgeous!

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  8. I love every single thing about it! It's unique and artistic and completely fabulous.

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  9. OMG - it's heavenly. Beautiful painting. It's perfect. You are really talented.

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  11. Picking my jaw up off the floor in Nova Scotia...this is STUNNING...SPECTACULAR...WOW!! Can you tell I really REALLY like it!?

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  12. That really turned out lovely! I especially like how you applied the simpler effects (texturizing the dark & white colors w/off-white)...to make the more detailed artwork come out even further. Super talent!

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  13. I agree with Deborah - this is STUNNING! Your talent grows just like your children.

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  14. Your cupboard is Wonderful! I love the flowers and the frog! Thank you for including how you did it, you have inspired me! Angela Friesen

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  15. I love this! I'd like to invite you to post it on Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage. The link will be up all week, I hope you can join in. Have a nice week, Mary :O)

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  16. This is gorgeous! What talent you have!

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  17. Beautiful project! I loved viewing the transformation process--amazing!

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  18. That is so beautiful! What a talent you have! The colors look great on it. I wonder if you put a poly on top if that would give you some good protection for the images. You should link this up to The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday link up.

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  19. Gorgeous piece! You are amazing!

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  20. It may have taken you a 'fair piece' to finish - but wow, it's a beauty! Ribbits and all!
    Cathy

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  21. Precious.
    I am charmed with the frogs say that they give good luck

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  22. Wow, that is really beautiful. I found your blog from your link from the Graphics Fairy blog. I can't believe how you re-invented that graphic!! Good job.
    Here's our blog if you are interested:
    www.jubilationstudios.blogspot.com

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  23. WOW this is a work of art, So gorgeous!!

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  24. from ugly duckling to a pretty swan. very much true, indeed. the frog's the icing on the cake. you have such great talent.

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  25. This is seriously amazing! I cannot believe the transformation of this piece! You rock! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party! Can't wait to see what you share next week!

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  26. i really can't get over how artistically talented you are- awesome!

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  27. how do you not have a billion positive comments!?! This is incredible!!!!

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  28. This is so great! Thanks for sharing at Make Something Monday!!

    ~ Sarah

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  29. Your work is simply amazing. The garden scene is gorgeous. I love what you have done with this piece. Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party - I greatly appreciate it. I have featured this Sunday. Have a wonderful week.
    ~ Stephanie Lynn
    www.bystephanielynn.com

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  30. "After all,
    as long as there's a frog and the son is happy,
    that's enough of a reason to keep it,
    don't you think?"

    Another reason is it's a true art and really beautiful. This is actually so creative, eh. Hope I could have a cupboard as beautiful as that.

    Cheers,
    Cathy@medical scrubs uniforms

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