How to Create your own Black and White Print

I have a thing for cows.

I didn't grow up on a farm,

 but I spent a lot of time at my cousin's farm and they had Holstein cattle.

There's a lot of memories here.

Haying in the summer.

Swimming in the lake after haying.

Playing hide and seek in the hay mow.

Feeding the calves.

The barn is run down.

It hasn't been used in many years.

Very sad to see.

This is the far side of the barn where the cows would come and go.

The barnyard.

This was the entrance to the upper part of the barn.

There was a thick rope hanging from a beam that we would swing on.

To the far left is where the milk house was.

I would often help clean the milkers and the tank.

So now you know why seeing a Holstein cow always brings me back to another time and place.

I got this print from Educational Technology Clearinghouse.

They have thousands of free clipart.

On the left side of the website click on Clip Media and then click on ClipArt Etc.

The cow print is found under Mammals and then under mammals starting with the letter "C".

Double click on the picture and you can download the size of picture you want.

Once you have your picture saved, double click on the picture and it will take you to the above.

When you click, "print", it will ask you for the size of picture you want.

  I chose this size because the full page photo was too big for what I needed.

I have a PC and use Windows 7.

Make sure you click on the checkmark in the box so that the picture will fit to frame.

I first printed it on white paper, but I found it too white for my frame.

{Plus I messed up the paper a bit trying to fix it here and there}

I printed it on a beige coloured paper called Passport Granite from Staples.

I wouldn't call it cardstock but it is better quality than regular printer paper.

You'll need to cut the print the same size as the opening of the back of your frame,

as well as a piece of thick cardboard. (I cut mine from a box)

Apply the Mod Podge to the bottom lower half of the cardboard first.

(It dries quickly)

I applied it in thirds.

Try to keep the picture as smooth as you can.

Once the picture is pasted to the cardboard, apply another coat to the top of the picture.

I had no issues with the ink running.

This frame was on clearance because there was no glass on it.

I loved the rustic look it had and the colour.

This is the back of  the frame.

I put my messed up white copy on cardboard behind the good copy.

It made it nice and snug.

I liked that the picture could stand on its own.

I didn't need a glass for this frame because there is a sheen from the Mod Podge.

There is a couple of little wrinkles but I think it adds to the look.

A little touch of the farm.

I have plans to paint this table,

but in the meantime it looks OK here.

 Visible, but not overly.

 My son wanted to know why I wanted a picture of a cow.

So I shared with him the memories of spending time at the farm.

 I downloaded some sheep.

I have plans to frame one and add a scripture verse to it.

But that's for another day.

Like I said earlier, this brings back lots of happy childhood memories.

Do you have something in your home that reminds you of something from your childhood?

No childhood is perfect,

but there is always something that when we look back on,

we can find a fond memory.

There is always a ray of light in the darkness.

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world".

Ask God to remind you of a happy childhood memory that you may have forgot about.

I pray that you have a blessed day today.

  

 

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Tissue Box Makeover

I finally got on the chalk paint bandwagon.

I made my own.

Got the recipe on You Tube here.

I had a stockpile of thrifty finds that were patiently waiting for their makeover.

I spent an entire day painting.

Whew!

These will each have their own makeover story eventually. (Smile)

I wanted to start small when using the clear and dark wax.

I figured the tissue box was small enough.

This is a heavy oak box purchased at a thrift shop.

Painted in China White purchased at Lowes.

I applied a coat of clear wax purchased at Lowes and then applied Annie Sloan's dark wax purchased at a local shop, The Dandelion, that just started stocking Annie Sloan products.

I should have gone a bit lighter but this was my first time.

I was thinking of how I could add some pizzazz to this tissue box

 and I thought of the words "Bless You" after someone sneezes.

I used the tutorial here at Confessions of a serial diyer

on how to transfer letters so I thought I'd give it a whirl (on something small!)





I went to PicMonkey and clicked on "Design" and then clicked on "8x10".

I clicked on Text and chose a font that would be easy to trace and colour in.

I used the font called Emily's Candy.

In picture one I used sidewalk chalk that the kids play with and coloured the back of the words.

In picture two I trimmed the paper and taped it to have it centred on the side of the box.

In picture three I used a sharp pencil to trace the letters.

In picture four you can see how the tracing came out.

In picture five I used a fine tip sharpie to trace the outside

 and then in both picture 5 and 6 I used a medium and larger tip to colour in the letters.

I may not have traced completely perfect but the end result looked pretty good!

Not bad for my first time.

I had no problems tracing over the wax.

 

Blends in quite nice.

Well that's one "small" project done.

More to follow.

 

"Blessings"

 

To see where I like to party, click on the page above.

If



 

Kitchen Table Centrepiece

I hope you are staying warm and cozy inside while the snow is blowing outside. We are definitely getting our winter season this year! Being inside gives me opportunity to create. Recently I put together a centrepiece for my kitchen table. Bit by bit it came together. I like that part. I'll start by showing you the centerpiece and then explain how it got put together.

 

 

 I came across a tutorial to paint plastic fruit black and cover with cinnamon. So off to the thrift store I went and there was lots to find. I didn't take any pictures of the plastic fruit but you know what they look like! I just used regular black paint that you find in the craft store. Make sure you have a plastic table cloth to work on because it gets messy! Once you've painted the fruit it helps to rest it on something that will best prevent the paint from peeling off once it's dry.  One suggestion was to rest the painted fruit on an ice cube tray (I had some old ones laying around or you may come up with a more clever idea!)

 

 

When the fruit is dry (don't worry about the couple of spots that have the paint smudged off because the cinnamon will help to cover them), apply a coat of modge podge (you'll get nice and sticky!).

I sprinkled the cinnamon on and used a foam brush to help spread it around. You could use a container that you would put powdered icing sugar in. (Don't know why I think of that when I was doing this!) Again you'll be using the ice cube trays to let the cinnamon covered fruit dry.



They smell oh so good!!

 

 

When the fruit was done, I put a doilie in the wooden crate and put the fruit in. On either side I put a candle stick that I had painted in a linen colour. The tablecloth was a single curtain panel that I was going to make pillows out of but then got the good idea to use it as a table cloth. I also found a burlap type runner and put that on top. You don't have to spend a lot of money to make something for your home. I didn't have this in mind when I painted the candlestcks or the fruit, but that is the fun part of creating. It always has a way of coming together.
Aren't you glad that God knew what His plan for you was when He created you?!! There is such a comfort in knowing that. Be the person that God made you to be and that is how you show the glory of God to others!
Blessings, Diane