Friday, June 22, 2007

A project

I've had this old cupboard door for several years. In fact, I had several, with drawers. I never used them so I got rid of all but this one at our last yard sale. My plan was to paint and antique the door and do something with ferns, which I love. The natural crackling was so great that I couldn't see any reason to paint and fake crackle. My ideas for the ferns wouldn't work with a green background so I was figuring out a plan B. I was not happy with any plan B I came up with!
This is what I decided to do. I mixed some extender (keeps paint wet longer) with one of my favorite colors to work with, sandstone.
Using a small roller, I painted the back of a fern frond. I picked a large and small one off each type of fern I have.
I laid the paint side down on the door, covered it with a paper towel and pressed it down gently.
Here's the finished project. It only took a very short time once I figured the process out. I'm quite pleased with it. I just leaned it against the dark green wall on the deck.
Here are a couple close-ups.
I love the lacy look of the ferns with the old look of the door. I did not varnish this project for a couple reasons. The main one being that if I get tired of it this way, a little elbow grease and hot soapy water and it will be a clean slate again. The door is outside but the deck is covered so it will not be in the weather.

6 comments:

Carole Burant said...

You always amaze me with your brilliant ideas! That is so very neat what you did with that door!! I love it!! Have a wonderful weekend my friend. xox

RUTH said...

What a brilliant idea. perfect for someone like me who could never actually paint a fern (I'm totally unartistic).

Anonymous said...

I love your creativity. Beautiful!

Tammy said...

You're a winner...come check it out!
;)

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

How beautiful! I made some garden stones and used a fern to make an impression in the stone, all I can say is your project turned out much better than mine did. :)

LostRoses said...

You not only grow beautiful ferns, but you've found a way to incorporate them into a piece of art. Fantastic!