The Family Table

A few months back, I got it into my head to make a "Family Table".  My kid's are getting older, and some of our best and fondest memories have occurred around the Family Dinner table.  I didn't realize how "sentimental" it would become, until my husband, Eric, took a job requiring him to travel.  Now, when we sit down for our evening meal, he's still with us!  Sort of...!

What I forgot to do was to take a picture of the table and chair. Anyway, I bought a black one at a yard sale for $30!

My husband, who is the "World Finest Spray Painter" (no exaggeration) was who I enlisted to paint the table.  He has painted numerous items and the man NEVER has his paint to run.  I bow to the master.

I knew I wanted to use different "Crowns" that were available from The Graphics Fairy.

We each chose different "Crowns" from her website.  I then typed each name of our family and placed them under our chosen "Crowns".  After, I printed them off on the laser printer and transferred them to the table using the Citrasolv Method.

I liked how the crowns looked, but I felt the names needed to be "crisper".  So, I went over the names with Sharpies, hoping the sealer wouldn't smear!

I then decided the table would look better if I painted the lip of the table in dark black acrylic paint.

IMPORTANT POINT!!!

I forgot to add that I sealed the table using 5 (yes 5) coats of Minwax Polycrylic.  After 5 coats I was still concerned if the water based finish would be strong enough.  So, on went two coats of Polyurethane!  It has already turned yellow.  (I had a caddy in the center and you can see the outline).  I removed the caddy, and it seems to be fading, but I'm afraid we will eventually have a yellow top table!

Rustic Bench with Citrasolv transfer

I've been sitting around with my bench painted for about 2 months.  I decided TODAY was the day for it's makeover!

First, I decided what I wanted written on my bench.  I opened up my new design program, Serif Drawplus, typed out and sized my info, then "mirror imaged" my design.  I knew I wanted my typeface to look vintage/rustic.  Here's what I came up with for my house number.

Here's what I came up with for our city and state.

I used my handy dandy "lightbox" to light up and tape together where I had to print the address in two sections.
Next, I cut everything out, tried to center it without a ruler (not wise), and taped it down.

Now the fun begins!
I got my Citrasolv, Q-tip and a spoon.

When doing furniture, you want to use a small amount of Citrasolv.  Applying with a Q-tip is the easiest way to control the amount of Citrasolv.

Next, you burnish your image down with a spoon.  I'm guessing other things can work, too, but a spoon allows you to apply a lot of pressure and gives you control.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM:  When transferring images onto wood, the toner has a tendency to smear if the painted area is too smooth.  I used spray paint on this smooth bench.  SO, the toner did not adhere...but smeared.

POTENTIAL SOLUTION:  Take Sharpie and go over smeared, transferred image.

But first, get fancy Dollar Tree reading glasses if you're almost blind...like me.

 

ah...better

And finally, we ended up with this:

Purty Plates!

When I ran across these salad plates in the Clearance Section of Kmart,  I knew I had to create something!

"Clearance".  Isn't that the most beautiful word ever created?  In the hearts of bargain hunters like me, "Clearance" is the "Hallelujah!" of all frugal words.  I digress...

Anyway, I wanted to show you how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette Studio to make some fun and easy projects.

First, you decide what you want your project to say.  In this case, I am working on two projects at a time, (more photos to follow), so I selected my type and size in "Silhouette Studio" and sent it to the Silhouette to be cut.

After you cut the images, you "weed" the excess vinyl with an exacto knife, and you end up with something like this.

On top of the "weeded" image, you apply the transfer tape and burnish it down really good with either a burnisher, like the white one above, or you can use any firm scraper such as a Pampered Chef scraper or a credit card.  Then, you peel off the top layer, the tape, which has the vinyl attached.  It is sticky, so be careful when you lay it in place.  It's a mess if you try to move it.  Again you use the burnisher to smooth out any bubbles, and to create good adhesion.

And here is what we ended up with!

Now if I could only cook.

Initials June Shoppertunity!

O.K....June is simply an awesome month to attend or have an Initial's Party!!!

I've seen people use the smaller "Get a Grip", (personalized "His" and "Hers") to hold bathroom supplies to keep that counter top organized.

This is a GREAT opportunity to stock up on them, or purchase them now for Christmas gifts!

I know I want some to organize craft supplies!  One for Vinyl supplies; one for painting supplies; one for jewelry supplies...

The possibilities are endless!  Contact me today to schedule an online party!  And remember, Personalization is always FREE!

King and Queen Pillows

I made these pillows for a very special Queen and her King.  I was so pleased with how they turned out!  Again, I obtained the "crown" graphic from The Graphic's Fairy, and I picked out a typeface that I thought followed along with the Regal look of the crown.

Here is a close up of the "Jean Queen" pillow. 

These pillows can be made as Princess or Prince pillows as well. 

This one is my favorite!

Personalized Pillows

As I have mentioned before, The Graphics Fairy is my favorite place to go for vintage graphics -- from pillows, to furniture, to crafts -- The Graphics Fairy shares the most beautiful and creative designs.  I don't know her, but I think she's wonderful!

I've also just, "Googled" and found designs to transfer onto pillows. 
Hang on...here comes my best try at telling you how to transfer images via Citrasolv.  I am lucky in that I have a Jerry's Artarama nearby which carries this stuff.   It's actually a degreaser (I think), but not available everywhere.  Google to find where you can buy it near you.  It's not that expensive.

1.  Obtain image to transfer.  When you get it the size you want, change it to MIRROR IMAGE or your words will come out backwards.  (You won't be happy if that happens.)  Print out your image on a LASER PRINTER.  (Has to be laser...no inkjet.)

2.  Cut your fabric to size.  One tip I learned (somewhere) is, drop cloths at Big Lots are silly cheap, and create the best looking fabric to transfer vintage images.  I think they run between $6 and $8, depending on the size.  They are durable, soft (when washed) and the perfect "canvas" for your masterpiece, you can make a Gozillion pillows from one drop cloth.  Decide on the size of pillow you want.  A lot of that will depend on the shape of your graphic and how much space you want on all sides, then give yourself an extra inch all around for sewing.

3. Time to transfer!  Take your laser printed image, center on fabric and tape across the top of the paper to the fabric.  You will not want to disturb the "transfer process" by lifting up, but it will secure it and allow you to check your transfer at the end.  Now for the fun!  Get a small amount of the Citrasolv on a cotton ball, and rub lightly over a small area to transfer.  Then, take the back of a metal spoon and press down and rub FIRMLY, in small circles to transfer your image.  Follow this method throughout the whole transfer.  When you think you have FIRMLY pressed every inch, gently lift up the paper.  If there are any areas which you have missed, lay the paper back down; go over again with the cotton ball and press EXTRA hard.  Repeat until you're satisfied.

(Most people screw up a lot when first trying to master this!  Keep trying!)

4. SEW!  Pin together with the other side of the pillow, and sew inside out.  Find a trusted friend or youtube video of how to sew a straight stitch.  Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it!  Then...stuff it, and seam up the hole! 

5.  Enjoy your Masterpiece!!

Pillows, Pillows, Pillows

As soon as I can find where I stored all my photos of my pillow projects, I will upload more.  I was very much "sewing illiterate" until a friend lead me by the hand and showed me that even I could make a straight stitch!  (Thank you, Kay!)  Last year, almost everybody I know received a personalized pillow for Christmas. Using the laser printer and the Citrasolve method, I've really had a blast making these rascals!