It's that time of the year again.... Christmas Creations

 Although I love Christmas I noticed I was stressing more and enjoying less.  For starters,  the tree needs to go up,  the lights need to be hung and the house needs to be decorated.  For me decorating the house is no small project because I can literally spend an entire month decorating and redecorating my home (love doing it though).  Then of course there is shopping for gifts and of course there's Christmas cards (I would love to know who came up with the whole Christmas photo card deal).  Since I am such a procrastinator with things like this, this has become my  least favorite holiday chore.  I have to literally schedule a day to get my family (four kids) dressed (without T shirts).   What's worse is trying to get them to smile simultaneously especially when their asked too.  I try to at least choose one shot where two of them are looking at the camera.     Oh,  I forgot to mention Christmas Dinner!   With eleven siblings, Christmas Dinner is more like a catering event, especially when you factor in the in-laws and nieces and nephews.  It's now over 40 people.  Of course since my husband is a chef we always host Christmas.  Thankfully we honestly love doing it.  The point is this, other then shopping for gifts and Christmas Dinner it's my sole responsibility.    As much as I enjoy the holidays the list seems to grow every year making it a bit harder to actually enjoy it. 

     Well I found a way to actually stress just a little bit less and enjoy just a little more.  It started almost by accident but ever since it started I can't seem to stop,  nor do I want to.  Every once in a while I get the urge to paint or create something for myself.  I do it all the time for my clients but when you actually get to paint something for yourself its a real treat.  Several years back I was shopping at local home store.  I was looking for the perfect holiday gift for my daughters teacher. As I was browsing through the Christmas isle I came across some really beautiful items.  Little sleds or door hangings and for some reason and idea came to me.  "I can make this".  So I did.  Of course it was much more time consuming then I originally anticipated but it was completed I just  couldn't stop.  I always come up with ways to alter my inspired pieces by adding my own creative twist but it has really made the whole gift giving more enjoyable.  Now, every year I create or paint something during the holidays.   It may become a gift or something I hang onto.  Now I have photo's of thing's  my past creations,  it really makes the holidays so much more enjoyable.   With Pintrest, the ideas are overflowing.

Below are sone example of my creations.  It's a mini sled made out of MDF.  Almost two feet in length.  I painted and creates several of these over the years.  Too much fun and it makes the perfect gift! I would love to know your opinion's? 

Santa Sled

Cardinal sled

Snowman Sled

Furniture redo with stencil reliefs

I absolutely love painting furniture. This time I didn't put much thought into what I was going to do but I ended up with a piece I am pleased with. Different then the typical re-do don't you think? This tutorial was done on a sample board because I finished the furniture before taking any photos.

1.Choose a base color. I chose Anne Sloane Chalk paint because I had it on hand and I didn't have to prime. I mixed Paris Blue and Old Orche (not sure of the amount but very little Paris Blue was added). Before the paint dried I took old white (also chalk paint) and just dipped my brush in the paint and used what was on the brush to create some interest with horizontal strokes. Although there isn't a photo posted of this you can see it in later photo's.

2. Once that was dried you can use a stencil any stencil. Use a good amount of Joint compound to create a raised relief stencil. Place an even coat of spackle over the stencil making sure to cover the entire stencil. Then remove stencil.

3. After the Joint compound dries paint over the relief. I did not seal prior to painting but I'm sure it would help to keep the raised stencil crisp. If you don't seal just make sure you don't over work painting the stenciled areas.






4. Next I loaded a paint brush with Vandyke brown and offloaded most of it onto a paper towel. Then gently brush over the recessed areas. I sanded back the corners on the furniture to give it more of a distressed look.


5. Now all that's left is to seal the piece with a clear coat (your choice). I sprayed my piece using a water based lacquer. FYI, To create the relief you can use a number of different products. I have used Venetian plaster with excellent results in the past. This is not a piece that will with stand abuse and the lacquer will aide in protecting the stencils.

The end result.