Tag: painting

Throwback Thursday: Octopus eye

On By CarynIn art, Craft, throwback

In June 2018 I was in the height of my “eyes on rocks” painting period. This octopus eye was one of my favorites.

Photo description: printed photograph of an octopus with a river river rock painted like the eye of the reference photo, paint brush laying next to the rock
Photo description: back side of the rock showing a spiraled tentacle end

This rock was put out in the wild for someone to find.

Throwback Thursday: catio

On By CarynIn Cats

In May of 2018 my eldest and I finished building a catio on the back side of the house. We built it from 2×2 lumber, painted it, and encased it in welded wire fence material, with a screen door. Izzy the cat still loves it.

Photo description: calico cat laying on the dirt in a custom built catio

It attaches to a back window so the cats can come and go as they please. After eight years, though, it is looking rather raggedy.

Things I learned with this catio:

  • Even though I painted it, I should have used all exterior treated lumber
  • Small hammocks made from outdoor fabric are fantastic, the cats love them, put a grommet in the center to let the rain drain
  • Put sand in the bottom, but also have kitty litter boxes
  • A nice long ramp wrapped with outdoor fabric makes a good scratching surface
  • Multiple staggered high shelves are appreciated
  • On the next one, I’ll probably add a roof

Throwback Thursday: painted flags

On By CarynIn art, Craft

In April 2018 I decided to try making my own garden flags. I taped down cotton cloth on cardboard with masking tape, then used acrylic paint to completely cover the cloth.

Photo description: four garden flags freshly painted, drying on the cardboard where they were taped for painting

Once the paint was dry I hemmed the flags and sewed in the top channel so they could hang on my garden flag pole.

Photo description: finished flag hanging vertically in the garden

These flags held up remarkably well. If I were to make them again, I would be sure to iron the fabric before taping it down, and sew the pocket at the top wide enough to accommodate the loops that are on my holder. In summary, iron the fabric, and measure twice, cut once, which is good advice for most projects.

Interchangeable shelf sitter

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is the completed highland-coo-in-a-honey-pot shelf sitter, complete with clear UV coat and chunk of mesquite wood to keep it grounded.

Photo description: interchangeable shelf sitter with the door and honey pot painted shades of teal, and the bird house base painted white and gray to coordinate with my actual house, all sitting on a metal bench near the door entry

This is a cute project offered by the local Hobby Hut. I will be looking for the next painting day!

Throwback Thursday: rocks

On By CarynIn art, Craft, Uncategorized

In April 2017 our rock painting hobby started. I read about “Kindness Rocks” a national movement to leave messages of hope and art for people to find and keep, if they wanted, or hide for someone else to find. The movement has since gone global, and although our painting isn’t as frequent now, we still do paint and hide and I still find other’s painted rocks around town.

Photo description: nine painted rocks with art or inspirational sayings painted in acrylics

Since the start I have learned that sealing the rocks with a clear coat of UV protectant helps them last a little longer outside. The thicker the coat of paint, the more likely it is to crack and peel with the freeze thaw cycles. The rocks that keep their messages the longest have only the message or drawing, not an undercoat.

Photo description: rocks in my garden that have weathered several winters, many have lost their message because the undercoat flaked away