Saturday, January 18, 2014

A Little Project for a Winter's Afternoon...

Here's a fairly quick project!
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Remember the green shutters (actually an old bi-fold door)

that I used behind my vintage chair and "caged" ornaments?

They've been on the front porch ever since, just kind of a backdrop

for the houseplants' summer home...
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Here's that photo from last year...
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I had been thinking for a while that I'd like to have a backdrop

of some sort behind the cabinet in my entryway...

There's just an open stairway behind it, and I thought it would be nice

to have something I could hang a wreath on, maybe.

So, I finally got the broom and swept all the spider webs off the shutters...

At first I was going to give them a little better base coat ~

(more of that "30s" green I love)

as it was actually warm enough earlier this week to spray-paint outside,

but it was just a bit too windy...more 30s-green was

getting on me than the wood. ;)
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So, I just dragged them indoors and started experimenting.
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I used Liquitex Soft Body Acrylic in Light Blue Violet

and Lumierre Metallic Bronze Acrylic and started

dry-brushing with a 1" brush.

As long as you don't use too much paint, there is really no wrong way to dry-brush.

You can begin with just barely brushing paint on an edge here and there,

then you can get more bold as less paint is left on the brush...

(also remember to brush a few strokes on a paper towel first to remove excess paint).

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You can always just go back over an area if you want to change it...

I like cross-hatching brushstrokes...

and there is very little drying-time...the dry-brush technique itself

helps the acrylic dry very quickly.

I think I like this!
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Here 's my finished "wintery" scene...

I just wasn't ready to put the snowmen away yet!
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The Crossword Anagrams letters are from my childhood ~ I just  recently "re-found"

them and thought they could be fun...for all seasons! :)
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That's all for now...

More soon!

(I'll be away for a few days but hope to catch up with everyone shortly...

thank you for "hanging in there" with me!)

Love,

Photobucket

21 comments:

  1. I have a stack of old shutters waiting to be recycled, only window size, however. The effect you achieved is gorgeous. I think I may try this. Thanks!
    best, nadia

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  2. That looks great! I love shutters and your treatment of them is so nice.

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  3. I Love this rustic look to the shutters, it really pops with your lovely display! Your winking snowman is just ADORABLE!!! I leave some of my snowman and such out as winter continues and can transition into my Valentine decor. <3 ENJOY!!!

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  4. Perfect Anne! I always want old shutters, but when I finally find them I don't remember what I wanted to do with them. Love your ideas!

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  5. I love how you used the shutters to bring some color in your background. Your wintery scene is so beautiful.

    Hugs,
    JB

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  6. Love the shutters Anne..They look like the sun is casting shadows on them..Good look..

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  7. You've achieved a lovely effect with the painted shutter doors and I love your green birdcage.

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  8. Excellent idea ;o) Thank you ;o) Nice to see you ;o)

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  9. I love what you did with the shutters, and the wintery scene is perfect for the season!

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  10. What a fabulous project, it turned out beautifully!! I agree with Kelly, snowmen can hang around until Valentine's Day! :)

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  11. Dear Anne - so glad you are back sharing your wonderful creative ideas. This makes such a lovely backdrop for all your pretties. I don't blame you I would certainly keep those snowmen out until at least it is time for spring. Take care and enjoy your time away. Hugs Pixie

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  12. You have an abundance of creativity. Love it.

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  13. Happy New Year Anne. How pretty your shutters look, they remind me of dappled sunshine and shade, your're very clever. Have a happy few days away. Jane xx

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  14. Love it Anne! What a great idea... and what a beautiful home you have!

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  15. so cute!
    I like the look of dry brushing, I have only done a little of it, but it looks nice. My snowmen are still up too, I keep them up until the end of January. and all the wintery looking stuff. Then until the end of February, it's winter and hearts...THEN I finally take down the tree, which has just been all white lights with snowmen and hearts until now! I am ready for spring in March, but I like to kep winter up awhile.
    hugs,
    Betsy

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  16. An interesting post with some nice photos. I liked your finished result with the shutters.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  17. Stopping by -- Very nice - looks very shadowy - as though trees and sunshine are nearby -love it and it looks great w/everything. Cute snowman! Jenn

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  18. Hi ANne,
    great idea. The shutters look nice as a backdrop. Thank you for sharing this.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  19. Dear friend, I am late, late, late here!!
    I just sent off a response to your e-mail, and I am so happy to be back here at your magical place... :)
    I love what you have done with the shutters, and you have given me a brilliant idea! I have a hutch thingie in my living room that houses tv, etc...I've been experimenting with different paints on it, but I think dry brushing will give me the exact look I want...thank you!! :)
    I love your sweet winter vignettes...the snowman is so cute...
    Be well, dearest Anne....
    I am going to see what I missed on your other posts...
    Love to you!
    - Irina

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  20. That looks great! I love shutters and your treatment of them is so nice. BEST WEBHOSTING |

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  21. Hi, Anne--

    I just wanted to say hello and that I just found your etsy shop. I love your fairy houses. One of your sold ones looks like my dream house. If I had the money, I'd ask you to make another like it. For now, I'll smile over the picture. :)

    'Hope you're doing well. ♥

    ~ Val

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!