A bit patchy

I wanted to have a go at doing a fabric decoupage lampshade after seeing a few in a gorgeous little cafe in Dolgellau recently.

Anyway, I found a lampshade in need of a bit of tlc at a boot fair recently. It cost me 50p so if my little project didn't work I hadn't really lost much money wise. I have plenty of fabric scraps and pva glue so last night I set to. I very slightly watered down my pva and started sticking fabric squares to my shade. Part way through I ran out of glue so a quick rummage in the shed and I found some more. This I watered down more but it wasn't a good idea as when I popped down stairs this morning to check on it, the squares that had been stuck on with the watery pva had bubbled badly. The squares with the thicker pva are nicely stuck and flat. I've gone over it all with Frenchic Finishing coat to try and get the fabric that has bubbled to stick. It is now drying so we'll see how it looks in an hour or so. I could kick myself. Grrr

I will update when it's dry.

Saved from the tip and chalk paint.

I've been doing a bit of upcycling. Mostly of chairs for the cafe at Whittington Castle. We're trying to make it look more homely. Getting there slowly but in my endeavour to upcycle chairs I've been trying different types of chalk paints. Not all chalk paints are created equal by any means.
I first came across chalk paints when I lived in Scotland and the one I liked to use was by Autentico. It's a very smooth paint and goes on easily. Lots of colours to choose from - 150 I believe.
But I found another one by a company called Frenchic and it is to die for. Ok, the colour range is much more limited but it is such a beautiful paint. Their Al Fresco range, which is designed for out doors and totally waterproof, is amazing. It sticks to anything. I have just painted all my kitchen cupboards in it and fire place. This colour is called Duckling.  A bit of a misnomer really. It's a lovely blue grey  and seems to change on the light conditions. It doesn't need waxing or sealing as it already contains a sealant.

This is one of the chairs I did. This is a mix of Autentico paint and Frenchic.  I had a pot of dark blue Autentico paint left from a previous project and the decoupage bit is a napkin I have had in my glove compartment in my car for several years. It was pretty and I acquired it from somewhere and kept it for that perfect project.

I tried Rustoleum paint too and whilst they do some lovely colours, the paint isn't nice. Very gritty. Annie Sloan is ok but again, not my favourite.  I did come across another paint by a company called Sarah Jayne. This isn't bad either. It contains a wax already in the paint so all you have to do is paint, let it dry and buff it. Autentico and Frenchic also do paint like that. 

My first choice of chalk paint would be Frenchic by miles followed by Autentico, then Sarah Jayne with Annie Sloan and rustoleum way down the list. Annie about half way down and rustoleum at the bottom.

Next project is a lampshade.

#frenchicpaint #savedfromthetip #chalkpaint #alfrescopaint #autenticopaint #hastobeFrenchic 

Happy New Year 2018

I would like to wish everybody a happy new year and hope 2018 is kind to us all.
I can't  believe how fast last year went. I swear someone stole 6 months of it.
This year I am on a mission the declutter,  organise and finish things I've  started.
My first accomplishment is this little fella or girl. Tend to think of it as a 'he' even though he's  pink. He's  been crocheted in the anigurumi style, which is a continuous spiral. Very easy, until the stitch marker falls off or breaks. He has been named Rosie, so he is a she.

Rosie

I've  just started a Bina Bear doll, designed by Lydia from Lalylala. It could take a while. So far, I've done the head.