Vintage Bird Posters Turned into 'School Chart' Art

I had picked up two vintage Bird Posters at a shop that was going out of business awhile ago becauses I loved the graphics and thought someone else would too.

(That's not a water stain, it's a shaded area of light blue)

 

So I put them in my shop last fall and they sat there, and sat there, and sat there. No matter how much I moved them around and displayed them differently.

So home they came while the shop was closed for its winter break. I always thought they looked like school charts-you know the ones...maps, anatamoy, botanical, etc.

That's when it hit me... turn these into 'school house style charts'.

 I was able to pick up lengths on half round trim at the local hardware store (keep it local!),

 brought them home, and cut them to the needed lengths.

I stained them using Minwax Old Chestnut.

After the trim was dry, I glued and clamped the poster between the two halves of wood, adding a length of twine between the top pieces so that it could hang when completed, and let dry.

And there's a bonus...they're double-sided, so it's like getting two charts for one! I know, right?! Tired of one set of birds? Flip it over and enjoy the new ones!

I will defiantely being doing this process to some other posters, it was fairly easy and it makes a huge difference. They are heading back to the shop in time for the Grand Re-Opening this Saturday, and this time, I don't think they'll hang around long, do you?

Enjoy!

~Kris

*photo disclaimer-fuzzy pics are mine, all others by Jack Vogelsang

(PS-Check back to tomorrow to get a sneak peek of The Shop)

 

Lobster Stencil DIY

I am not a good free handed detail painter at all-give me a large wall or a piece of furniture and I'm fine, but I wanted to add a lobster image to a small side table as it's going to be for sale at The Makery By the Sea in Kennebunkport, ME. So I searched the web, and found one of the blogs that I follow, Wood Grain Cottage. Shayna had done plant stakes for her garden. I thought I'd give it a try.

See the little wood side table on top of the ironing board to the right?

 I painted the base of it Antique White and completely sanded the top down to bare wood.

Then I printed an image of a vintage lobster that I had. Flip the paper over and cover the entire paper with a colored chalk.

Center it on the item being painted, chalk side against the furniture, tape it with blue tape so it doesn't move. Then take a pencil and trace the image. Remove the paper and you'll be left with a light chalk outline of your image.

Go over the chalk line with a pencil to darken the lines slightly.

Grab your paints-I used black and white acrylic to make shades of grey, and brushes and get to work.

This is how it looked-better than I could have ever free handed it! I lightly sanded it along with all the edges of the table for a nicely distressed look, a quick coat of wax to seal it and...

It's done! I was so happy with how it turned out that I had to decorate this tool box that I had just painted white.

It was so easy, a little time consuming, but overall it's exactly what I needed. Now I'm off to try this process with words, like Shayna did. Give it a try!

Enjoy!

~Kris