Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Mosaic in my Garden


I’ve been working in my garden today trimming bushes and pulling weeds. I thought it would be fun over the summer to share some of the things I’ve done in my garden. I will start at my front door.

When I moved in to our home, the threshold was just a cement sheet with cracks and stains. I didn't feel it was very welcoming. I wanted to liven it up.! Hundreds of hours and months later, as well as a good bought of tendonitis, this mosaic was the result. It warms the entrance way and provides the inviting feeling I want for my guests.



This picture was taken by my friend Cheryl Crooks. http://www.southhillstudio.com

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Free Clip Art


I added more free clip art on my Website http://teawithlavera.com/



                                                                Here's one example.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Let's Make some Birds



I just put a new kid's craft (or adult craft?) on my website  http://teawithlavera.com/ . I had lots of fun making these birds. I love to doodle and each one has its own personality. I may make a bunch of them and hang them from my chandelier or maybe a tree. The instructions are on the "Kid's Art" page.

Let me know if you try it?

You can also email me a picture I would love that and I will post it!.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Masterpiece Birthday Cards


Hi Everyone,

I started adding new crafts to my website. I just put up under the Whimsical Art page on my website www.teawithlavera "Masterpiece Birthday Cards"  their fun to do and always get a laugh.  

Check out http://www.teawithlavera.com to learn how to make them. Please stay tuned, I will be adding more pages through out the next few weeks.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

How to cover Dining Room Chair seats


So I went out looking for some cheap but interesting dining room chairs, I was really lucky I found one at the goodwill for $5.99 and one at the Salvation army for 4.99 (because it was 75% off day)


When looking for chairs the most important thing is that they are sturdy. No one likes sitting in a chair that rocks back and forth! You can fix any blemishes with a little paint and the seats are easy to re-cushion.


Both the seats of my chairs were in real need of repair. Here is how I repaired them.



1) Remove the seats by turning the chair over and unscrewing the screws located in the triangle supports on the four corners.

                                                                        
 
On this chair the seat cushion was still in good shape and so was the wood under the cushion. So I'm going to use it. The second chair is a different story; I had to go out and buy some high density foam. (Two inches thick) I bought it at Joanne's Fabric. I had to cut a new wood seat. I used a piece of plywood I already had.

2) To get the shape I just laid the old seat on top of the plywood and traced around it, then I put it on the chair to make sure it lined up and trimmed the places that didn't. ( it doesn't have to be perfect the cushion hides a lot.)
            

3) Next I took the wood I cut out and used it as a pattern to trace on my foam.



4) Then I cut out the foam. I used scissors. I have found if you have an electric carving knife they work better. (I'm still looking for one at garage sales.)



5) Use the old seat covers as patterns for your new seat covers. Cut out your new fabric.



6) Lay your fabric facedown on the ground and then place your foam on top of the fabric and then your plywood on top of your foam. Now staple the fabric to the back then pull it tightly towards the front and staple it there. I sat on the board as I did this so the foam pressed down and I got a tighter fit.

 
7) The corners are a little tricky. You have to pull and shape them at the same time. It takes a lot of staples and check a few times by looking at the front to make sure your making a smooth corner. It won't be perfect so don't obsess  :-o


8) Hammer down any staples that didn't go all the way in.



9) Flip over your chair and replace your screws where you took them out.


Here's the before and after.


I used some acrylic paint (Burnt Umber matched this wood) to touch up some of the dents and dings.

Have a great day!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Christianson's Nursery and Greenhouse

 
It's Spring so it's time to visit the nurseries. Christianson's in Mount Vernon is one of my favorites.












Christianson's
15806 Best Road
Mount Vernon, WA

Sunday, May 13, 2012

The Coyote Art Spring Sale

Saturday I spent the day at the Coyote Art Sale down in Seattle. The sale is to raise money in order to help give low income children a chance to do art. It’s usually a very busy sale, but this year it was very slow possibly due to the economy. The weather was outstanding. It was one of the first beautiful days this spring.
                                                                      My Booth

It was still a wonderful day, so much enjoyable art to look at and fun artists to spend time with.

I took pictures of some of the artists work to share with you. I’m including their websites in case your interested.                                     
                                                                  Ann Poulson
                                                              www.Remarkableart.com


                                                                   Liz Gamberg
                                                                www.lizgamberg.com
 
                                                               Joyce Halldorson
                                                           attachment@msn.com



                                                                  Laurie Conklin
                                                             laurconk@yahoo.com


                                                                        Sue Zell
                                                                szell41534@aol.com

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Happy Birthday Payton!



It is my youngest son's birthday. He is at University and I miss sadly. I made and sent him this cake.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Rooster is Finished!


Hurray!! The rooster is finished!
I finished up by adding the red beads and filling in the lower back. I filled in the places I missed and glazing over the top to secure the beads. Here are all the steps leading up to the finished Rooster.







I hope you had a great day.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Almost done


I'm almost done!

I think it will take one more day to finish the rooster. Today I took a picture of the tail to show you.




Have a great day.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo


My sister and her girls live in North Carolina and they all love pink flamingos. I thought it would be fun to decorate one for each different holiday. Here is the one I sent for Cinco de Mayo

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Next step with the Rooster


I'm moving along "slowly but surely". I've added the brown and white stripes and you can't see it but the inside back of the tail. I'll be sure to take a picture of the tail on the next sunny day and add it to the next stage.

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