1.31.12

Just so you can see it's not all kittens and sunshine around here.  I've had two crafty failures in a row.

I find Pinterest a wonderful source of inspiration.  I mean really – have you ever seen so many different craft projects featured in one place before?  See a pretty picture – click on it to see the source.  It's brilliant.  

My goal this year is to try as many of them as I can.  I'll look at a picture and think "Hmmmm.  Wonder if I could do that  - if it would actually turn out."  

Not always is the answer.   And I fault myself – not the original sources.  

The first was to try to paint something to look like zinc.  Like the ever popular Anthropologie letters.  Here is the inspiration: Zinc Inspired Letters 

I took my Ikea Fira chest and decided it might be kind of cool if it looked like it was made out of zinc.  Since I have an original Anthropologie zinc letter I used it for comparison.  I could not get it to look like zinc to save my life.  I painted it black.  Then I applied a coat of the pearl paint in long, uninterrupted strokes.  The black showed through very streaky like.  So I put on another coat of the pearl paint.  Too light now.  I dabbed on some watered down raw umber (my solution to age anything).  Still not right.

I believe the issue is the wood grain.  I think this project would work much better on smooth cardboard like the tutorial depicts.   I finally gave up.  I painted all five drawers and then abandoned ship.  I think I'll try this next: DIY Lacquer Lookalikes  

I think it is safe to say I won't be going into the felt flower business. However I am not completely giving up on this project.  

Here is the inspiration – go ahead click on it and then come back and laugh at my attempt.  I sure did: Mother's Day Corsage 

Okay – I've pinpointed my issues.  First of all I should have just stuck with one color.  However I didn't have enough of one color in my felt stash so I tried (and failed) an ombre effect.  Secondly my gluing skills suck.  I needed to glue my petals closer together and more evenly.  

I'm not giving up on this – I'll try again with new felt. 

You can't alway be perfect right out of the gate.  Sometimes it takes a little practice.

Speaking of practice tomorrow I am starting an online photography class.  It goes along with my picture a day project.  Instead of just random pictures I'll be sticking with a theme for the month of February.  And I'll get some expert critiquing on my photos.  You'll see my work each Sunday.