Here's what I thought we would do for those who are finding time on their hands to do their projects now...
I will start a project on each of the projects offered to you and give basic starting information...
Will also make a thread for " 3rd Annual DG Christmas craft workshop - photo's only" where everyone can put their finished piece on so we can ohhh and ahhhh...
Is that ok?
Fine with me! Ooooo I suddenly got all anxious...
Just finishing adding all the threads for the project, then a finished photo thread, lunch and back for the afternoon..
Carol, hoping I can give you the beginning of your project steps...
This is a lot of work for you Betty and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it. You are one remarkable lady!!!!!
No rush Betty I am in recovery mode from last week at Lougheed House , putting up Xmas lights today . Not much on my plate this week though except sewing dog beds so thought I might as well get started on the Smowman - gives me a break to move from project to project.
I printed out a large pic of the project from your thread so I have a good reference.
Then I will start early tomorrow and kind of give some instructions..will do same on all of them..hope that is ok..see your are doing dog beds anyway..lol
Betty can you tell us what paints we need? I have stained the back and sides of my pieces......
Do we need to prime the pieces before painting?
I have mine and will pop in to see what is what as we go am working on some sewing for me before next weekend LOL
Sorry guys, got busy here this morning, started to give info....will try to do it now...
You are all so patient..lol
Well then we'd best be posting some instructions..
REMEMBER: Rough front of each board is what you want to use..the roughness will give it character
Paints colors needed (acrylics) $$$ store brand ok
off white (white is fine if you can't get off white)
black
Burnt orange (not bright orange)
red/maroon
Step 1: Optional
Either stain the back and sides of each piece is you've stain just sitting around, now don't go purchase any, you could pick up a small acrylic paint container in brown, dilute slightly with a bit of water and brush to the back and sides... let dry!
****if you don't want a more rustic looking piece then jump ahead of the class..lol...and do the following...
Remember, if you've done step 1 then you want to basecoat front and edges trying NOT to yuk up the back which has either been stained or painted brown..lol
If you did not do the above step, then paint the front and backside of the snowman...
I know/I know, someone always says, but why, it's on the back and I'm hanging it and no one will see...don't care...finish it properly..lol..I'll be watching!
I would suggest placing the hat brim where you would like to see it, then removed and with pencil make a mark so that you know where the snowman ends and the hat starts...
BASECOAT:
Hat / hat brim
Snowman - off white (more on the cream side for this project)
Nose - burnt orange
Buttons...I'd basecoat the entire little squares in the off white/white which ever you have, then the red area I'd take my white or off white along with a tad of black to make a medium value grey and paint the area where the red would be..once dry, then you can basecoat the red area..will give you a much richer red AND you'll have less coats to give the piece..
Trick of the trade...anything you want red, paint first in medium value grey...then it covers up with a charm without giving 10 coats of red..
Your Greetings plaque ...water down a bit of the mixture you've made in medium value grey and give it a coat, if it's too light, give a second..wording is done with black
The ribbon look ontop of the brim of his hat should be base coated in medium value grey, then simply checkerboard in white/off white and red
I'm not a lover of bright red, that's why I try and purchase the marron/red acrylic color..when done looks much more attractive...think you could add a titch of brown or black to bright red and it might tone it down for you...
Let dry completely and with sandpaper or palm sander sand those rough edges on the side I cut for you on ALL the pieces..you can even sand a bit on each piece for a more primitive look
This message was edited Nov 27, 2009 12:45 PM
oh goodie now when I get bored of sewing my jacket I can work on snow man and probably get 2 things done today LOL
Thank you so much Betty. I really do want to get this ready for my daughter.
Betty please define 'basecoat' for me - are you talking about primer? Or just the color you are going to use such as white on the snowman
Yes, it's the finish color..not doing any decorative painting on it..just giving it a good base color...might take 2 coats...but, then you can sand the edges and maybe a bit on the roughness to add age to the piece...
ohhh it was raining all day, seems to be turning into the white stuff...
Left the house early this morning, brought an old jacket, some boots and headed for one of the concessions that I saw hydro cutting tree lines near the road..lots of greenery..omg, forgot the gloves, just now I can feel my fingers...
I'm off work at 3:00 then off to town to pick up snowmobile pass as one of Greg's Christmas gifts, then off to pick up cel. phones for all grandchildren THEN finally home for weekend, soooo will check in later this aft. should you need help
Thanks
I have a lot of small acrylics paints from when I did lots of stencilling - using them for this project. Already used up 2 of dark brown! Thinking I might get creative with the accent colors here - maybe purple? LOL!
Now that will be interesting..if you had white or off white house paint you could use it as well BUT do leave it dry properly between coats...
First stage.
Used up all my white too! Not unhappy to be using up craft paint as I dont do much with it anymore and they just get thick and are unusable after a few years even if I do store them u pside down.
I also use regular acrylic paints - buy the sample jars from Benjamin Moore to use as background paint on plaques and memory boxes.
That's an idea Carol, never thought of doing that...so you are busy, between all you've schedule I'll be excited to see what the end result is...lol
Not so busy this weekend. No more dogbeds to make because I dont have any batting - waiting for it to go on sale again ( should have bought the whole bolt last month when it was half price)
Weekend company will arrive in an hour or so and then be at dog trial both days so only see her in evening and we will go out for supper - going to try a new Vietnamese restaurant nearby.. Extra dog is not much work. Groomer comes tomorrow to do my dogs - that will take about 3 hours so I might take the boarder for a long walk And my normal shift at LH on Sunday.
Maybe do some more painting on the snowmen! Still debating whether to use a funky color instead of red but they will be gifts so maybe I better stick to traditional!
fancy...what breed of dogs do you have?
jane
Carol, I put the off/white or white whichever you are using on sides as well, that's where I sand mostly to give aged look, in the cuts of the wood....
Enjoy your day..
Extremely busy weekend for me...will post photo's later
I wondered about that Betty but you said brown stain back and sides in the first lot of instructions up top!
So I did brush the grey onto the sides of some of the pieces and I will go get some more white ( which I need anyway) and do the sides of the others
Jane I have Shelties and I work with and foster for a sheltie rescue. We sell dog beds ,tug toys and greeting cards as fundraisers.
Hi Betty,
I think I may have a problem but I'm not sure. Is the hat two pieces or is the top of the hat part of the snowman cutout? I'm a bit confused. It doesn't take much!!!!!!! Please explain if you understand what I'm saying. Thanks, Barb
is this how he should look??? lol
came out nice!
good job
Phyllis, it did come out nice...now you've got to find a h ome for him..lol
Barb, yes, the hat is part of the snowman and then there is a hat band...the red/white check you create by painting...take a look at the photo at the top of this thread to see approx where it goes...
Tired tonight long day, even longer tomorrow soooo will be back later to see if I've answered your question properly..
Can you find Missy?
How about Riley, doesn't she look comfy all snuggled in with a friend..
oh is that a present curled up there by the tree..someone will be very happy to get such a furry gift ...LOL
Hadn't thought of that..might be short a gift or two..lol..
No, she's my sweetie, can't do that...
All the but floors that need washing has to be done, then I'm ready for all the girls coming to enjoy a day of christmas crafts and laughter..
Have a wonderful fun day Betty. I did figure out my hat dilema and it is a dilema no more!!!!
Here is one more in the finished pile !! DH even helped
love him good job
Fantastic job...did you enjoy the project?
Love those sparkles...
HG, you did a great job! He is beautiful!
Mine just got here. I'm so excited. I was trying to put the pieces together and my husband kept telling me that the square ones were buttons and I kept saying no their not and then I found the picture and he was right so had to tell him so. And for the bottom piece I get to try out my dramel that my husband got me. He got me two one easy one to understand and then one that's got all kinds of things with it. May have to wait till this weekend when the boys come in for the horse sale and have them show me how to use them. They are both wood workers. Hubby isn't but give him metal and he can build any thing. He is making metal rose buds for Christmas gifts for the ladies at work and the girls in our family and helping me put to gather a wind chime that I will etch iris on since its for the iris club Christmas party. Everyone have a good night. And Thanks Again. Susan
Susan, sounds as though your house is much like mine..elves busy at work..would love to see the rose buds...
Couldn't sleep, tossed, turned so finally I gave up trying, up early, doing odds/ends and enjoying my morning coffee...I'm sure I'll be having a few of those...
Went into the living room to turn on the tree and enjoy the ambiance and what did I find outside my window...
1st snowfall...looks so pretty, am sure I'll not be excited once we've 5 to 10 feet of snow in the yard, but for this morning, I'll enjoy!
betty ,oh beautiful lake effect snow ?? I think you live north and east of me,we sometimes can get the lake effect snow ,if the weather is just right,as we are about 80 mi from lake Michigan.AND a big yes to enjoying the project,and yes even at 50 I love sparkles !!! SSOOO glad I found this thread ,keeps me thinking,just what the dh likes TEHE.FUN FUN FUN
Betty how beautiful. We still haven't seen any snow but maybe the end of this week???
You need to get some rest my friend. I have most of my base painting done and I'm getting ready to do details. Hard to find time though.
