Canvas and Graphic Wall Art Idea

Hello Blog Friends, today I am joining Brag Monday with The Graphics Fairy to share another graphic idea project for wall art and also joining Etsy Cottage Style, From the Cottage Craft Room.
Starting with a box style frame less canvas, I hand painted the surface and sides a cottage cream for the background.



Next I picked out a graphic in my stash saved from The Graphics Fairy and Karen's wonderful assortment of free graphics. This one is copied using a sepia tone for the style and look I wanted. I enlarged the photo to work well with my canvas size which is approx. 12" by 16" and 2" thick. For the sides I plan to add vintage lace.



The graphic was printed off on card stock and then glued in place using modpodge only to the backside. For this one, I left the photo side unglazed and not sealed over the paper. I cut the design out using straight edge scissors.

Normally I like to add shading to my creations to give a distressed or worn look using a burlap shade of light brown. I add the shading along the canvas edge and photo edge keeping it light.

To do the shading. I use a paint technique called floating. Here you dip one corner end of a flat brush in a puddle of your paint color, the other corner in the water. Then on your palette work the water and paint together several times to blend. This will form a soft edge. I know it sounds complicated, but it is very easy and with a bit of practice, you will love the effect it can add to many projects and surfaces like even your tag creations.






Once I completed the surface, I added bead designs around the corner edges for a bit of interest. Then I added vintage lace all around the canvas edge and tied at the base to finish.








Easy, fun and fast for instant wall art. The sky is the limit with this idea. And, you can skip the shading if you are unsure of this step. With a fun graphic, glue, trims and canvas, you can create canvas art in any size. Visit The Graphics Fairy to view many great ideas. Thank you Karen for all the wonderful graphics you share with all of us. And also visit Etsy Cottage Style Blog for the list of bloggers sharing From The Cottage Craft Room.
Happy Creating, Celestina Marie

More Graphic Design Fun~~Sharing Some Ideas~

You all know how I love to add pretty vintage french graphics to some of my designs for my shoppe, home and gifts. Here are a few more ideas I'd like to share.

An old plastic tissue box, Painted and trimmed with lace, adding the graphic.


An old wood basket painted and stenciled.

Love this graphic on an old coffee grinder.

Here is a pretty wood hand mirror with center graphic and my hand painted roses.

And lastly, this vintage chair.


Hope some of these inspired you to have some fun with french labels. Visit The Graphic's Fairy for free designs and have some fun.

Happy Creating!!

Thank you for stopping by. See you soon.
Smiles, Celestina Marie

Great Find For Redesign!

Greetings Everyone~~ Vacation is over and it is back to reality!! We had a great time in the "Land of Enchantment" and I'll share some pics from Santa Fe soon, but today I want to show you a vintage black Samsonite suitcase I found earlier in the summer.
What a find for 5 dollars. The inside was so nice, I decided to leave it as is. Usually I paint and line these types of cases, but this one really needs to shine just the way it is. Well, except for a vintage graphic design on the front. This case even had the key included, which is rare.





So I picked out a few vintage graphics to mix on the front. Courtesy of The Graphic's Fairy and the fun began!


Next, I layout the placement after cutting around the edges with a pretty scissor design and glue down using Modpodge only on one side.
After all dries, I glaze the top of just the graphics, with Triple Thick. This forms a glass like surface that will hold up to everyday use. It leaves a smooth surface that will not rip or tear away.





Now here is a question for you. After I finished this sweet treasure, I decided it was missing something to the center. What do you think it needs?

To the center?

This Victorian Lady graphic?

Or this pretty vintage graphic of the lady in her hat with rose?

How about this simple rose graphic design?

I think I like them all, but leaning towards the rose.

It sure is pretty in my newly updated master bedroom. This time I will keep this one, but others will fill the shelves in my shop soon. They are perfect for holding treasures, scarves, magazines, greeting cards and lots more.

Breaks over~~ Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you soon as I return all the visits while I was away. Thank you for the kind comments and always such encouraging words. You are the best!!

Have a Creative Day~~
Smiles, Celestina Marie

Make It Simple, Summer Salad

We just love a refreshing summer salad on these hot Texas days and this one is a favorite I have been making a long time even before I found it in a Kraft Recipe Book called, Make It Simple Recipe Collection.


Inside is filled with fast and quick recipes using ingredients found on most pantry shelves. Some are light menus using low fat or sugar free and others you can make substitutes to cut back on calories. Something we all do right??

Anyway here is a delicious summer recipe for
Pear and Walnut Salad

Salad Greens cut up in torn pieces using romaine lettuce or other favorite greens
2 medium pears sliced lengthwise
1 cup seedless grapes, (I don't always add the grapes)
8 ounces Kraft Fat Free Ranch dressing
1/3 cup walnut halves toasted or not. (pecans can also be used, but I like the walnuts better)
Toss all in a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing, top with the walnuts, pecans and serve.
You can also add grilled chicken or salmon which is also very good for a more filling dinner.

For a different twist, I have sliced apples and used the pecans with the salad greens for a change of pace. It is very good too.
Hope you try this recipe. Let me know how you like it.

I'll be by to visit you when I return from Santa Fe.
Stay cool, Celestina Marie

Happy Birthday Dear Son

Where has the time gone? It was only yesterday you were a wonderful little boy full of fun and mischief, adventure and joy. Now you are a wonderful grown man and so accomplished in all that you set your life to do. With God's direction you have made a successful life and we are so proud of you and your talents. Thank you for always being such a great person as we are so thankful for you. We have truly been blessed by your life and so proud to call you our SON.

Wishing you the best of birthdays and a year filled with continued health, happiness and much love. God Bless you always.

Birthday Hugs all around from MOM and Dad XOXO

~ A Room with a New View and Shabby Light ~

Greetings Friends and welcome August. Could it be any hotter? We are still at triple digits here in the Lone Star State with no end in sight. Hard to start thinking and creating for Christmas with the temps soaring, but I have begun the holiday season and hope for a cool down.

Along the way, you have heard me speak about redoing my living room. Well it is complete now and with the help of my guy, together we painted, trimmed, planned and gave our cottage a new update. We love it too. So relaxing and comfortable in the lighter shabby cottage creams. Now I have a few pics to share, just a few~~ of the new redo.
Starting with the walls in a light sand, teamed with chocolate curl against the cream furniture is so fresh. My sofa is cottage cream slip covered and is the most comfy seat! Pillows in cream with hand created candlewicking and french script finish the look. I kept the mantel light and airy with some of my glass collection and shabby french chic clock. Shabbied up a french fireplace screen and added a cozy crocheted throw to the hearth for extra seating. Hydrangeas and roses fill glass vases, with sheet music here and there. Cloches cover vintage treasures and timed faux candlelight. The piano is a fresh cottage cream except for the backside which you can not paint for the sound quality. I may do something with fabric on the back later, just haven't come to a plan yet. Lots of vintage crochet was added created from the talented hands of my grandmother. The windows left open and empty for summer, however I will add lace to them in the Fall for a cozier look through the winter months.

My guy and I painted all the woodwork and trim which was stained dark when the house was built, to a light cottage white like the rest of our home. This was probably the hardest challenge which took so many coats of paint and primer to cover, but after 4 days of painting, it was so worth it.







What do you think? Could you curl up with a good book, sip tea on a summer afternoon, enjoy the morning with soft music in the background or just sit and dream? I have done all the above since this room change and now can't wait to decorate for the holiday seasons with whites, burlap and touches of vintage rustic charms. Till then, here are a few accents for the summer with a beachy sort of style adding shells with candlelight.







Little by little I have added lots of cottage creams among my rooms and so enjoying the added touch. Since the living room was finished, I started on the bedroom which I will share at a later time when the painting is complete. Till then, wishing you a fabulous August as I head out for a little R&R in Santa Fe. Hope it's cooler!!


See you soon and blessings be yours~
Celestina Marie