Friday, June 17, 2016

SUMMERTIME LUMINARIES

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Picture this…you are outside on your favorite chaise, eyes closed, soft music playing, warm air, stars twinkling around, sippin your favorite cheer, and you are happy. You are happy. You have waited all fall, winter, spring and it is your moment you have dreamed of. All you need is to add these lovely, almost all weather luminaries and your life is perfect. Simple. You can do this. Add a few stars to your life (you can never have too many stars) and I guarantee life doesn’t get much better than this.


 Etched soft star luminary.


This is what you will need –
Small Glass Canisters, purchased from Target, kitchen department, $5.99 each.
Armour Etch, Amazon, (10 oz. size to etch three canisters and lids) $17.25. Link here...
Contact Paper
Vinyl Gloves
Star Template
Scissors
Pencil
Disposable Sponge Paint Brush
Disposable Container
Paper Towels
Votive/Battery Operated Candle
Epsom Salt


Clean and dry your canisters and lids.


Using your star template (I used a 2” star cookie cutter), trace three stars for each luminary.


Cut out stars, remove paper backing and place onto the canister. Rub the star so it adheres to the glass jar.




Working In a well ventilated area, pour the Armour Etch into a disposable container. Protect all surfaces with paper or plastic, the Armour Etch will damage exposed surfaces. Wear your gloves. With your paint brush, paint a liberal amount of the etching cream onto the glass canister, covering the entire surface. Lay it on thick.



I like to put a nice thick layer of the etching cream on the jar. Make sure the entire surface is well covered. I also covered the lids to the jars.


Let sit undisturbed for about 45 minutes.

Under running water and a wet paper towel, start rinsing off the etching cream. Do not peel off the star contact paper until ALL THE ARMOUR ETCH HAS BEEN WASHED AWAY.






Once the jar is clean, remove the star contact paper from the jar. Let dry.



Fill each luminary with Epsom Salt and a votive.




Light and place outside. Or in. Beautiful.


The soft etched surface is so pretty. And durable. After you are done using the luminaries for the evening, blow out votive and place the lid on top. The lid will keep the luminary from filling with rain or bugs. Or use battery operated candles with a timer and keep the lids on and never worry about a flame.


Sit, back, light a few luminaries and enjoy your beautiful life. Warm air, soft music, white wine, and a twinkle of a star. Pure bliss.



Saturday, June 4, 2016

IT ONLY LOOKS LIKE A RUG...

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Sometimes it is the rug that defines the space. It can be the rug that finishes the space. An area rug can be the single most impactful design element in a room. Or you could just love a good rug. Such is the case of my outdoor living space. The place I find peace. So what could be better than a rug to cozy up the place. Great idea, good look. But. My space is a rustic deck surrounded by trees with little if any direct sunlight. One good rain and it could take weeks for a rug to dry. Not so nice. So why not a painted rug to give that same look and feel as an area rug? Paint is inexpensive, and if later you would like a change all is involved is a little coat of paint to start over. Sounds intriguing? Follow these steps and before you know, your outdoor space will be your favorite spot.


Perfect place to rexlax and enjoy the early evening.


This is what you will need-
·         A Large Metal Ruler
·         Tape Measure
·         Painters Tape
·         Exterior Wood Deck Paint, Two Colors
·         Paint Brushes
·         Pencil
·         A Square
·         A Large Straight Edge (I used a super big level)


To begin, I made a full scale paper pattern so I could decide the exact placement of my painted rug. You can skip this step and outline an area with painters tape to visualize placement if you like.
My deck has been painted white for years. Every few seasons it gets a fresh new coat, so I could skip the primer step. If your space is concrete, this technique can be followed, you just need to use masonary paint. 


Using a tape measure, mark the length and width of all four sides. Use a square to make sure the corners are perfect 90 degree angles. This rug measures approximately 70 1/2" x 42 1/2". With your large metal ruler connect the four corners with a pencil to make an outline of your rug. Prime one coat and let dry. Paint one to two coats of white inside your lines. Let dry a day or two.

View 1
Measure and mark the five points of the diamond on the top length line and the bottom length line. Measure and mark the three diamond points on the right with and left width. Follow the paper sketch for measurements, see photo, view 1


Use the square with the 45 degree angle to mark all of the diamond points, flipping it to get the right and left side of the diamond point.


View 2
Use your large straight edge, draw lightly with a pencil to connect the lines to make a grid as shown on paper pattern, See photo, view 2.

View 3
With you straight edge draw with you pencil all the right angle lines. See photo, view 3. Make your lines a little darker for these will be the lines you need to see to tape.

View 4


Next, use your straight edge to draw all the left angle lines. See photo, view 4.


Randomly measure your diamonds to make sure they are 10” square.



I marked an “X” on all the diamonds that were to be painted light grey.



Now you are ready to use painters tape to tape your diamonds. The diamonds that I will paint grey have the tape on the outside of the line of the diamond (they are the spaces that look larger in the photo). If you look closely in the photo you will see the faint “X” in the larger spaces. The diamonds that have the tape on the inside of the diamond (they are the spaces that look smaller in the photo). They are the spaces that are already painted white.






Here is the million dollar tip to using painters tape. When you first lay the tape on your line, lightly press it in place. Then using your finger tip, press and slide your finger in one direction the entire length of the tape to secure. If you are taping over a rough wood surface, firmly press across the tape to the opening (where your are painting) the direction of the grain. And yes, this might take a little time, but it will save you all kinds of anguish later.To paint, lightly dip your paint brush in paint. Begin you paint stroke on the tape, across the tape and into the space to be painted. The entire length of the tape. DO NOT BRUSH BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE TAPE. This can cause the paint to seep under the tape and cause a big ugly mess. Brush with small strokes, When all sides have been painted, finish painting the inside space with a larger paint brush.







Once all the grey squares have painted, carefully remove the painters tape.

Your lines should be clean and straight. Just in case paint does happen to seep under the tape, use a very small paint brush to touch up.


There was one little spot of paint that was removed when the tape was pulled up. Easy to touch up later. Let dry 1-2 days.




Now, we transform the deck art into a rug by creating a boarder. When your paint is thoroughly dry, measure for the outside band. Measure out from the original pencil line 2” on all four sides. Apply painters tape to the two pencil lines. Make sure all the corners are sharp, you may have to use scissors to do so.




Paint the band with the above described direction for applying paint.



Carefully remove the painters tape. Let dry several days before walking or moving furniture on.


Plan, paint, sip and nap. Heavenly. Mother Nature would approve.