Two Week Wander....

Been two weeks since I posted.  I must apologize.  One of the main reasons, was I wanted to share what happened about one of my  terra cotta pots. Giddy I was as I shipped a pot to a high school classmate in Iowa. Thought I packed the pot all snug. Secure. And everything. 
I wait for my classmate to let me know said terra cotta had arrived.  Anxious I became, when the pot didn't show up on the day I was told--it went USPS. My class mate said not to fear. They lived in a rural Iowa town---all 800 of the population. I had a surprise for her, and I couldn't wait for her to get the box.  The main pot, was a 6 inch terra cotta--the one in this link--but I also put two 4 inch pots--one bluish and on purplish inside. Honestly, I didn't like the six inch pot, and I thought the smaller ones were much prettier. The package arrived in a couple extra days. I couldn't wait to hear from my classmate. Well, turns out two of the pots were broken.
Yep.
I gave the durability of the terra cotta more than it deserved.  My fault I didn't protect the the treasure enough in the box. Shoulda done a bigger box. Coulda bubble wrapped, padded them more. I am still heartsick this happened--this was my first shipping of pots. 
Bummed. Bummed. And more bummed.
My class mate said the surviving pot is pretty. I plan to send her another pot. Wrapped better. More secure. I admit to feeling like a failure.  What if this had been a paying customer and they received a busted terra cotta pot?  I am grateful my classmate was understanding. 
Learned alot on this lesson.
In the meantime, I will take a cue from the cat posed pretty here. She likes my terra cotta pots any which way--just as long as the pots don't detour her from the food dish....Stay tuned. 

Thursday Terra Cotta

This terra cotta 'drip drop' pot will
Shipped off to its new home tomorrow.
A few weeks ago, a high school mate said she wanted it--
I put off shipping it for a couple reasons--
One, my HS school mate wasn't going to be home for
A week or so to receive it. The other reason, I had such 
Conflicting thoughts to even send it to her. 
Why?
'cause I am really not feelin' the love for this pot.
Yea, yea. I realize I gotta ALL that 'cause 
It ain't really all about me.  :)
So as I type, this 6 inch terra cotta pot is all packed up
And ready to go, but in my usual way I missed 
The last mail pick up for today, hence tomorrow
Said terra cotta pot it will be on its journey to
Its new home in Iowa.
Stay tuned. 

Drip Down Terra Cotta

I gathered up my nerve and tried to do what I have seen online. Paint that drips down a terra cotta pot. What you see here is my first foray into what I call 'drip drop' painting. Wasn't quite sure what look I was going for, yet this is not really quite it, however the more I look at the pot. I kinda like it. 
***This is a 6 inch terra cotta, with Thompson's Water Sealant sprayed on the inside. I painted with all acrylic paints, including the white base. I flipped the pot upside down and then went--well--a little nuts. I did not  know different paints would do different things--like, oh, not drip! Hence so many colors. 
*** The lesson here is, use runnier paints, like Michael's store brand, or some Apple Barrel gloss paints. After seeing what happen, I'm sure you could dilute some of the thicker paints,with water, so they will drip. 
***The pot needs to dry for along time. I would say a good overnight to 24 hours. 
***For me, on my next terra cotta drip drop try, I won't use as many colors. Less could be more in this case.  And I'll spray with a gloss sealer to give it a more finished look. 
Stay tuned. 

I HEART Cats Saturday

Saturday here in Dallas. Hmm. Doesn't the cat kinda say it all?  Cat doesn't worry about makin' terra cotta pots pretty, paying the mortgage or debate whether to buy exercise equipment or order Pizza Hut Pan Pizza. Nope. Cat decides if food dish is filled to her satisfaction. And if her litter box stinky-free so can go and do  her business and make the litter box just as it was before. Then cat will decide if I am worthy enough for her to curl in my lap, scratch up my legs while she makes her one brand of biscuits and possibly purr to signify I've done what a good job--for now. 

And ya know what?  I would not have my Saturday any other way. 

Terra Cotta Three

Three pots needed some sponge paintin'

After I sprayed the insides with

Thompson Water Sealant and

Let that dry-

The 6 inch green and 4 inch blue terra cotta pots 

Are draped in Folk Art metallic acrylic paint while 

The 4 inch red pot is DecoArt acrylic paints.

After the pots dried, the inside and outsides

Sprayed with Mod Podge Gloss Acrylic Sealer. 

Should've painted just enough of the insides tho-

For a hint of color to show

To give a more finished look.

Got Milk?

     *Searched online searching for other ways to spruce up terra cotta pots. I had a begonia terra cotta, treated with Thompson's Water Sealant, that needed some sprucing. he first hint of milk paint came from Martha Stewart's site. I never heard of the stuff. Milk? Paint? However, if Martha talks about it--anything is possible.
    * I found milk paint recipes, which included lime and/or vinegar to curdle the milk. Use of a cheesecloth to separate the curds and whey. Some recipes said make sure you don't forget to wear a mask!  Hmm. All just a little too intense for me. Then I found a recipe that KIDS could make with non fat dry milk: EUREKA!
    * In an 8 ounce mason jar, I stirred 1/2 cup dry milk with 1/2 cup water til dissolved. I used a plastic spoon to add the tempera powder and stirred. After a few spoonfuls, the paint was still thin--not thick and pasty, like the jar of tempera paint said. What to do? I used the mason jar to mix everything, so I grabbed another mason jar. I poured about half of the liquid in it. Then I began to spoon and stir in more tempera paint  powder into the jar--EUREKA part two. My paint became thick and pasty. 
     *I used a sponge brush to apply the paint. Next time I may try a angle brush--we'll see. The paint was kinda thin on the pot, yet wasn't.I liked how the paint went on. Nice and smooth. I did a couple coats. I expected the milk tempera paint to dry quick like acrylic--it does not. I set the terra cotta pot off  by itself, so a cat wouldn't have at it--and let it dry over night. 
     *The dried finish is opaque and blue berry delicious! Gives the pot a rustic kind of look and feel. I haven't used a sealer on it yet. I need to read up on if a acrylic is fine or I need to use something else or if it needs any at all.  
     *Yes, indeed. I got milk! 

March 13, 2006 was Monday

Six years ago tonight I walked my chum Movie Man to the elevator. There I hugged Movie Man and told him I would see him later. As the elevator doors closed, the fear covered his face. I tried to smile. I told Movie Man I would be fine. The doors closed and he was gone. . Movie Man was the last chum I would see that night. Visiting hours were over. I turned and took slow steps back to my room. Maybe if I walked slow enough a tortoise would beat me, I would wake up and this would be a dream. Back in my room, I sat on my bed. I could not believe the time was almost here. In less than 12 hours I would be in surgery. Open heart surgery to be precise-to replace my mitral valve. I still had my tonsils. Yet, I was now on the verge my chest being cracked open.

On this night in 2012, the windows are open to catch an almost Spring breeze. I survey my oh so cluttered, feline filled house and center on this terra cotta pot. I remain amazed I decorated the pot. In 2006, terra cotta pots and a house were not on the docket. Cats were--but not even these cats did I have then. How life changes, even tho some things remain the same.

I look down at my scar. Oh course, my scar did not virtually disappear as I recuperated. Naw--that would be too easy. My scar is keloid--thick, and raised. Itchy at times, hurts at others or sensitive or just forgotten---until it itches, hurts or becomes sensitive against my clothing. No matter. It is my medal.

Six years. Seems so long ago--yet, I remember so clear. I hope I always do.

With these scars I am healed.

Primer Paint Pots...poo!

I painted five terra cotta pots the other night. I planned to do a faux granite finish on them. The pots did NOT turn out well at all. Colors did not go together like I thought they would. Figured I would put primer on the pots and just re-paint.

Wrong.

I need to follow directions better. I did use a primer, Kilz. However the primer was latex and water based. Live and learned it does not really work that well on top of acrylic paints. Took forever to dry. And just checked them now. The pots feel kinda gunky.

So what to do now?

Eat low mien noodles with chicken and watch "American Idol."

I am sure Van Gogh took a break every now and then..... :)

Granite Sunday

A terra cotta pot with a faux granite finish. This is a four inch pot purchased at Michael's. I've read their terra cotta pots are already treated on the inside. Nobody has confirmed that-so if you know for sure, please let me know! Nonetheless, I went ahead and sprayed Thompson's Sealant on the pot's inside. This helps the paint stay put and not absorbed by the pot.

The pot is all metallic acrylics paints: amethyst, plum and gunmetal gray. I painted the entire pot with the amethyst. Then I natural sea sponged the plum around the pot, with some of the amethyst shows thru. The gunmetal gray was sponged on, yet not as much as the plum. Just enough to give the hint of the darkest shade. The finishing touch was the sponging of amethyst over the gunmetal gray.

Once dry, I LOVE this look.

I prefer metallics and shiny/gloss paints to obtain this look. I did use a Martha Stewart yellow satin acrylic for another pot. I did like it--yet not quite loved it. I showed that pot to a chum who did like the finished product.

The beauty of doing faux finish pots is there is not wrong or right way. It's just your imagination running away with you!

47 Minutes

Until it's Friday--which I consider to be the best darn day of the week.
Just a flash back to Thursday while it's still Thursday.

I trekked to the Goodwill to look at glass vases and glass plates. If you take time to look, it is amazing what treasures are among junk. My big catch tonight were three Arcoroc France plates, then fine china bowls, two glass vases and other stuff all for 17 bucks and 81 cents. The Arocroc plates could have been easily been five-eight dollars apiece. In my case they weren't.

Came on home. Did laundry. Picked up leaves in my yard to press them in books. Painted plaques and terra cotta pots. I realized my all-time favorite acrylic paint color is metallic black. Ate pizza bonded with my girlcat who decided she wanted to be held-first time since about September. Watched TV, specifically "True Lies" with Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger when we still loved him. Put laundry in the dryer. Watched more TV, specifically a sappy, romantical Christmas movie on Lifetime--and decided to head to bed.

Now there are 23 minutes left until Friday gets here.

Good.

Terra Cotta Curious

Did I ever show you this creation from August past? I do like what I tried to do. Paint job was not the best--yet it gave me an idea what the 4 inch terra cotta pot would look like. I gave a better painted pot, with a quote from the great American actor Morgan Freeman on the back, to an actress friend of mine. She loved it. Nice surprise for me. Yep, my own worst critic.

As I take another look at pot tonight I smile at the Mod Podge Sparkle used to seal the photo to the terra cotta. See the sparklies? Never ever once thought I would be all about the glue!

Anyway, I use an inkjet to print the photo on regular ol' bought at Wal-mart or the dollar store tissue paper. Nothing fancy. And the subject?

My kitty Noir. When he was a twelve week old kitten, Noir sat (and crawled with me for two hours at a Starbucks. As I tried to talk a co-worker into taking Noir home with her. That was four and a half years ago. Yep, I do think I got the better end of the deal!
Am proud of my little terra cotta pot. Yes, I sincerely am.
Still shock about the 'inner crafty' I did not think I every really had--
In the mean time, gotta find the subject of the photo-
Noir owes me a purr or twelve since I shared him with the world! :)
Stay tuned!

In A Week..

Is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Lotsa food. Being with others to give thanks for what you have and WILL have. Yummy pumpkin pie---I can see and taste it now!

Yet before we get there. A week still has to make its presence known. A chum of mine asked me if I will FINALLY post something on etsy.com by Thanksgiving? What a great goal to have! Do-able. Very possible. Quite possible. Indeed.

Gave myself permission it is OK, to share just one plaque, one terra cotta pot, and one blank greeting card with the world. One is more than none. Sears-Roebuck weren't always in every mall. I think is my hardest challenge: I feel I must have a truckload of inventory--yet
when all I need is just one.

Simple. Easy number. One.

In a week

So stay tuned.

Back!

Wow--been over a week since I've been here. Where does the time go? Seems like some things take over your life. You intend to get back to stuff--you really, really mean it, then you do something else. Get mad at yourself and oh boy...

Work and school and the bank that holds my mortgage all got to me in the last few days. OK, I LET it get to me. My bad. I made it all drama, instead of a sit com. Let it stir me so, I took it out on alot of iced coffee and a good pizza and did not do much with plaques, terra cotta pots, and even my cat, who has his own blog, got hissed at me too.

Fast forward to today. I remembered I must and need to claim what I want--none of this middle of the road maybe stuff. Was a rough week and some days, yet all is good.

It always is. Like these November purple blooms in my backyard. Good stuff.

Just there are times I just kinda sorta forget.

Gotta work on that.

Friday is Game 7

Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals. I even had the day off today. Spent too much time on the PC instead of my homework, however I did clean some of house. Just reconfirmed I want to pull up the carpet and laminate I do have and put down new and beautify the walls--Well, now less than an hour until First Pitch of Game 7. Winner take all. I can't even think about terra cotta pots or plaques--even tho last night I text'd with my ex Bear during the game. Come this far and comes down to Game 7. I am not a regular baseball babe, eventho I always want the home towm to win. Nobody thought there would be a Game 7. The Texax Rangers only were one strike away from World Series champs. And this is why they play the game. I gotta have my popcorn ready---Go Rangers!

Plaque Hangs with Terra Cotta Pot

Something different to share. Tried my hand at a plaque. Just kinda simple for my first try. When I started this whole terra cotta pot thing, my goal was to put my cat photos on the pots. The look of the finished product just did not light my fire. I have learned more of the mechanics of putting photos on pots now--paper, size, vertical vs horizontal, etc. However I was unhappy with the outcomes. The other day, I caught a glimpse of the plaques in Hobby Lobby--and thought "Hmm". On this plaque, I used Mod Podge Sparkle, hence the sparklies all over. I like the start so far.

As for the pot, it's a 4 inch rose bud terra cotta. Metallic paints of green, gold and red. I was going for Christmas colors. Although the folks that looked at it--loved the colors, yet didn't see "Christmas". I do like the the colors tho.

What's cool about these projects, I can honestly say I LIKE what I'm turning out. Tweaks here and there--sure, however I am likin' my product.

Stay tuned.

Sunday Blue Bell Terra Cotta

I tell ya what--today was bee-YOO-tee ful here in Dallas-Ft Worth. Sure, it got a little cloudy then that broke all away. Got my Praise ON at my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Pastor Rickie Rush reminded us how God knew us before we were even in our mother's womb. He chose us. I like that. He has plans for me. Like that alot.

OK--then as I sat and watched the Dallas Cowboys beat the St Louis Rams I natural sea sponged this pot. This is another "bell" terra cotta pot. Only this one is an 8 inch pot sponged with metallic acrylic paints of blues, including topaz, with some amethyst sponged here and there. The base is a gloss black. I'm a believer of Folk Art acrylic paints, however Hobby Lobby carries a brand called "Anita's" which is cheaper and I like the results. I prefer "Anita's" much better than Michael's "Craft" paints. I would be curious on your thoughts...Blue is my fave color, so I am liking this pot....alot.

Terra Cotta Bell Toll

Natural sea sponged 4 inch high terra cotta bell pot with metallics of green and gold, on top of a red base. All colors are acrylic paints. This terra cotta project confirmed to use only metallic colors to sea sponge with. Granted, it's a personal choice. I did not care much for the sponged dried/finished look of the regular acrylic paints on the terra cotta. I even sprayed gloss acrylic sealer on the dried work. Naw. Not having it. Nope. Metallic from now on.

Some folks asked if I used spray paint on my terra cotta. Early on in my posts, I did use Krylon spray paint on top of a Rust-o-Ileum primer (love the stuff). Spray paint is fast, however I think I sprayed the pots so much, I don't think it was that cost effective. Honestly, with acrylics, I am to the to the point I can paint pots pretty fast, while I watch TV. A little goes a long way. Acrylics are cheap, non-toxic, and dry fast! The best part is I use soap and water to wash acrylic paint off your wish they were hands of Monet.

Gold is the bell toll today.

October 18, 2001 was Thursday

....and the day a man who loved me more than life went Home. My sweet Big Daddy Don battled diabetes like the warrior he was, yet the filthy disease wound up with the victory of the war...

I know Dad would get such a kick from this terra cotta pot thing I am doing. I can see him now-With his King Edward cigar secured in his mouth, Dad would inspect the pot. Cigar smoke circling the pot. Then he'd do his nod and "hmm-mm" of approval. He'd ask me about them and say the pots were pretty. Of course, Dad would then sit the pot on the end table by his chair. We'd get to watching some TV, probably Andy Griffith Show and Dad would need to flick off the ashes from this cigar...into guess what? Yep. My pot! I'd yell, "Dad!" He'd get his eyes all big, and shrugged his gentle giant shoulders and go, "Well, ain't it a ashtray?" We would both laugh. I laugh even now just with the thought of it.

Ten years today. A decade. Where has the time gone? I miss my dad. Sometimes I swear I can smell that cigar smoke in this house. I know my sweet daddy's spirit lifts me up ti this day.

...and I wouldn't want it any other way. I am blessed.

Terrific Terra Cotta Pot

I like this one. Yep. I really, really do like it. This is a 4 inch "bell" terra cotta pot. See? It kinda looks like a bell. It's a bit more pricier retail than Wal-mart, Michael's etc. The pot sells for $1.99 at Garden Ridge. Granted I have not scoured every store, thrift store and/or nursery looking for pots, alas Garden Ridge has been the only place -so far--I've found the bell pot.

Three different shades of acrylic metallic blue paint were sea sponged over a base color of metallic amethyst. After all was said and dry (very important the pot is dry), I brushed on blue glitter paint. You may be able to see some of the glitter. The glare is the lamp I had shining on the pot. :)

I posted a photo on my FaceBook Wall and to my surprise one of my classmates asked "Do you ship?" Had to be honest I am in the midst of ship pricing as we type. Her question gave way to a smile. Why? 'cuz I never ever gave consideration tI could change the face of a terra cotta pot

...and I am glad I can. Really, really glad.

At its Finest....

That's what Saturday is. Especially if it includes this wide load kitty aka my Tuxie baby big boy: MaxMaxx. Been together since late 2006. MaxMaxx is bundle of sweet purrin' love too. Snapped the photo this morning as the Saturday sun eased on in thru the window and made its mark on MaxMaxx. Nice.

MaxMaxx sits on the arm of the couch, as I watch TV and try to paint some terra cotta pots. When he gets tired there, MaxMaxx is glued to my side.

He's a pretty cool cat. Yep, MaxMaxx makes a Saturday just that much finer!