Finally Spring!

Hi Everyone! If you're like me, you have been waiting for some nice weather for quite some time. I am sooo glad it has finally arrived, & not just for obvious reasons. To be honest, I am one of those "crazies" that actually likes cold weather. And, I really don't like 75+ degree weather. However, when it comes to making some progress on my artwork, I really need some nice mild temps to get my finishes to cooperate.

I usually paint in my garage, which has a tenous heater. I can get my garage warm enough for my paint finishes in the winter, but that also means the doors are shut - so I tend to gas myself out sometimes. Anyway, now I can paint with reckless abandon - doors open, spray paint gun flying.

Here's a current project - these 2 panels used to be part of one door, which we sliced in half. After beginning to sand them, I discovered multiple layers of paint in varying colors. This does happen a lot, but on rare occasion, the color combination actually looks pretty good. This one is a winner! (lucky for me, & all you fans of interesting chippy paint).

Here's some close ups of the paint. These 2 pieces will now be more French country garden themed. A great sample of how sometimes the pieces I'm working with dictate the final outcome.

Look at all these cool sage-y greens, yellow, pink, & a little bit of aqua! Makes you wonder who painted what color & when......

This is off the subject, but here's a picture of my thermometer hanging outside my kitchen window (never mind that my window needs washing, please!). Yes, it's nice & sunny, but 88 degrees? No way. This thermometer gets crazy with the sun shining on it.

And.... at last... my beloved crud-tastic couch! I realized I never really posted a final picture of it. I've had it finished for a few weeks now. This is the biggest upholstery project I've tried thus far, & I have to say I'm pretty happy. Will I do this again? Hmmmm.. maybe ask me in a year. Or.... if the right piece comes along....

thanks for checking in! :) Amy

Inspiration from a hankerchief

HI Everyone - I've been working on a few vintage mirrors this week. I've used a Paris-themed design on many of my mirrors in the past, but this particular one had cleaner lines & looked a little "art-deco" to me (even though the frame started out a vibrant aqua color). Soooo... I knew I wanted to come up with something more American, 20's or 30's era. I started googling art deco hotels & architecture, & came up with the design you see on this mirror. Of course, I never copy an old sign word for word, but I like to use old signs & photos as inspiration - to create something that could have been realistic to a certain time period or fictional place.

Anyway, I looked over on my side table at a few old hankies I had received from my mom. She had them from her grandma - so I'm guessing they were originally made in the 20's or 30's? I've looked at them before, but never really stopped to think about how much time or artistry actually went into them. I found a beautiful scroll applique on one, & decided it would make a perfect side bracket to my lettering on the mirror. Check out the hankie:

And here's how it ended up painted on my mirror:

And.... the finished product! One note about this picture - no matter how hard I try, I have yet to master the art of photographing mirrors. Any tips? I'll keep trying, eventually I'll find a way to capture what it looks like in person. For now, I seem to get a lot of glare, flash, etc.

Another note about the hankies - do you think ladies from way back had hankie competitions? Some are so intricate & beautiful, you'd think they'd have some sort of "hankie-off" or enter them into the county fair. Hmmmm....

Here's some bonus pictures - my little border collie, who absolutely loves to lick my soap sitting in a dish on my bathroom shelves. What is up with this? I don't understand. Maybe she knows she's been bad & she's attempting to punish herself. I guess there are worse things for her to be licking - if you're a dog owner, you know what I mean.

After she's been caught licking the soap... her she is licking her chops. Mmmmmm.... Soapy!

Other news - I found out this week I've been accepted into the Fall Diddley Craft show in October - Belvidere, IL. I haven't done this show in the past, but I did the companion show last year (Fair Diddley, in May 2007). Fair Diddley went fairly well for me, considering it was only one day & it was 50 degrees & rainy. This year, I decided to go all out & try the 2 day fall show (Fall Diddley) with a double booth. Sooo... we will see how this goes. If you live up in Northern Illinois - come stop by! (see my website: www.secondchanceart.net, and click on "show schedule").

Bye for now - thanks for stopping by! :) Amy

How I love the Kane County Flea Market

Hi Everyone! This past saturday I dragged my Mom to the Kane County Flea Market. She's such a good sport - she says she likes going, but always ends up lugging around my unwieldy finds while I continue to slowly pick through potential buys. Here are some pictures from our outing:

Mom is trying to prevent me from taking her picture here - I was fast enough to get her picture before she could snatch my camera. Heh heh...

Most sane individuals would argue this piece is a waste of time. However, I thought it was a bonus that it came with a piece of the original ceiling stud it was wired through. Yes, this will take a little elbow grease, but should turn out to be a lovely "candelier" when I'm finished.

Behind me here is a lovely old dresser mirror with a great curvy frame. Destined to become a Parisian-themed artpiece for above someone's console table or maybe a dressing area?....... only time will tell...
Here I am next to my "old lady cart" (I apologize to any older women who have a cart like this). I've finally wised up a bit - having a set of wheels makes for fewer trips to the car.
Here's a terrific 9 pane window with some original hardware still attached. I hardly ever pay for windows, as I can usually find them around. This one was worth paying for though.

I couldn't leave the flea market without something completely ridiculous, which will probably become a gift for my sister. 80's music fans rejoice - here's Mr. Mister, Richard Marx, & Wham. You probably won't catch me wearing these at any of my art shows. I asked the vendor how much..... he said "$1 each". I responded "how about a quantity discount?" .... to which he said "okay, $2 for all three"....... now that's negotiating!

thanks for checking in! take care for now - Amy