New on Etsy!!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13373422

Antiquing Your Kitchen Cabinets Tutorial

Before

After

As promised, I have before and after pics of my cabinets. I tried the laundry room first, you know, just in case they didn't come out as I envisioned them. However!!! I loved them. Don't be afraid to try new things at home. You can always paint over them. This was such a rewarding process for me. (I didn't feel the labor part of it until the next day.) If you love the distressed look, like I do, this tutorial is for you!!! I'll keep this short and sweet. This tutorial is for cabinets that do not need painting.

Materials

- Antiquing glaze. I used Valspar's Antiquing Glaze in asphaltum.

- Damp rag

- Wet rag (for mess ups)

Remember

You have about 10-15 minutes working time - so work quickly. AND a little glaze goes a long way...there is a such thing as too much.

Let's get started!

1. Clean your cabinets with soap and water and let dry.



2. Pour a little glaze in the top of the container.



3. Dip the damp rag in the glaze.



4. Tap the rag on the cabinets and begin working in a quick circular motion. Work cabinet by cabinet. Don't get ahead of yourself.



5. After the glaze is applied to the cabinet, begin working in the direction of the cabinet, up and down in my case. This gives them a more natural look. I have seen "distressed" cabinets where you could literral see the circles. Not good.



6. After you acheive the look you are going for, you are ready for detail work.



7. Grab a very small paint brush, dip it in the glaze and begin lightly brushing areas where distressing would naturally take place.



8. Let dry.



9. Cover with a clear protectant.



10. Enjoy your work!!!!

Happy antiquing!!! I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.

Happy July 4th week!!!!

It's the week of July 4th! Yeah! Aren't you excited??? July 4th has always been especially fun for me - fireworks and barbecue are the highlights. I plan to lounge on Friday, sketch a bit and antique the bathroom cabinets. I'll let you know how that turns out. I have already antiqued the laundry room cabinets and they look great! I used Valspar's Antiquing Glaze in asphalteum or something like that. I changed our funky contractor grade shiny cheesy gold knobs to gorgeous oil rubbed antique-y knobs. They made a huge impact. I also bought some decorative molding for the kitchen cabinets. We'll see how they turn out. I'll be sure to share those pictures also.

My Etsy shop has been lacking in the customer love department - no sales. I'm working on adding some new paintings, home decor pieces and necklace pendants. I feel really good about them. I've been thinking about getting some business cards and marketing more to the people in my community. I would love some advice about this.

My little girls room is still in shambles! I want to decorate her room like this one...I can't remember where on-line I copied this picture. But I absolutely adore this playful, colorful room!!! Don't you???

Talk to you later....

Been so long....

I've been working quite a bit lately. I haven't posted but have been keeping up with many, many blogs. It's so interested to see what other creative minds are up to. Anyhow...this won't be a long post. Here is a bit of what I have been working on...http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12394439

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - YOU ARE NOT ALONE 16x20 ORIGINAL ACRYLIC PAINTING ON CANVAS PANEL

www.lucyleeart.etsy.com

I painted this with inspiration from a very dear friend who has lost both parents and grandmothers to cancer. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Please see her message below.

As you may know, my family has been dreadfully affected by cancer. Both of my parents and their mothers have died from this disease. These tragedies were not only close to home, they were actually in my home. My father died this March due to complications from prostate cancer and my mother died in October 2005 from complications of colon cancer but had been in remission from ovarian cancer for 10 years prior to her death. My father's mother died of colon cancer and my mother's mother died of ovarian cancer. Due to my heightened familial exposure to cancer, I have revved up my efforts to become more health & environmentally conscious and encourage my family and friends to do the same. All too well, I know how this disease affects people physically,mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and it also takes a massive toll on the people who care for them. It is nothing I want to happen to anyone, but almost everyone I know has been affected by this disease somehow.

According to the National Cancer Institute's rates from 2003-2005, 40.35% of men and women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of all sites at some time during their lifetime. This number can also be expressed as 1 in 2 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer of all sitesduring their lifetime. With this in mind, I am raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and am asking for each of you to make a donation of ANY amount. The event will be held on May 2nd at the Canton Multipurpose Complex Track from 6:00pm until. Due to the hustle and bustle of all of the events that have occurred in my family over these last two months, I am a late starter so I am rushing to meet my very small personal goal of $250 by Friday.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeMid-SouthDivision?px=5409707&pg=personal&fr_id=8879&s_tafId=209238

Now on Etsy

Acrylic ACEO on Recycled Playing Card

Click here to purchase.

There's Always Hope - New Etsy Listing

Click here for information/purchase.

New Etsy Listing - Glam Afro

Click here for more information/pricing.

Sea of Memories

Now on Etsy. Click here for purchasing information.

8x10, Acrylic on canvas panel

Click here for more information on this or other work by me.

Great Saturday Reading - For all you collage fanatics!!

Common Myths about Collage and Artists Rights

New Etsy Listings

Here are a couple of my new Etsy listings. I've been a bit under the weather, actually the weather sort of had its way with me. LOL I'm feeling a lot better now and I plan to plunge full speed ahead with my art. You can find my work here.

Great Saturday Reading by ABSTRACT ART by Taetzsch

Take a peek....

EDM Challenge #4 Mug

EDM Challenge # 3 Purses, wallets, bags

Purse!!! I'm getting better, I think??? This picture is not great. I need to work on my shading.

Spring is tip-tapping on my door!!!

It seems that in March, spring plays peek-a-boo with us, weaving in and out of our daily lives betwixt winter fronts and cold rain. When she does come out to play, it’s a beautiful thing. The air seems a little more carefree. The birds begin chirping their sweet songs. Warm winds delicately embrace us. Fuchsia, carrot, cerulean, golden and white colors dance across bright sunny skies. Green landscapes invite us to explore new beginnings. And best of all, Easter is just around the corner. I love spring and I most assuredly have spring fever.

With the onset of spring, comes the inevitable “spring cleaning” task. At one point I followed the Fly Lady’s cleaning instructions. I got a bit lazy and reverted to the cozy comforts of winter, soup, blankets, television and Internet. Inside inactivity is what I call it. From January to now I managed to slowly kick my exercise plan and diet off a deep cliff. Now I have to reel it back in.

Artistically, spring offers boundless inspiration. I have so many projects I want to accomplish. I have seen so many great ideas and have been inspired by so many talented artists (see my blog list.) One definite is that I want to complete the EDM Challenge List. I love the idea of challenges. Anyhow, I will be completing my spring series soon. You can find it and other art by me at my cute little Etsy shop.

What are your plans for Spring?

For All You Harry Potter Fans!!!!! New Info on Films

The last of the Harry Potter series....

Wednesday's Tutorial - Make Your Own Bound Journals

I wanted to share this great tutorial by Judy Lee. I had a blast creating this little thing and I will definitely create more of them. Find out how here. I think I used way too much glue.

R.I.P Taco

Taco was the sweetest looking pup. He was my grandparents baby. It was funny how he'd look up at me through the front door, give a little whimper and turn to get into his "house"/ kennel. He's gone now. R.I.P Taco.

My friend over at CutesyGlam knows all to well that I have a minute fear of our four legged friends. I like them. I like how they look, their sweet little eyes and warm dispositions (most of them.) But I fear being bitten again. This is precisely why I want to get one. Maybe I can overcome this fear by raising one. My kids would love one and my hubby would be proud. I have so many questions. Which kind is best? I have a lot of research ahead of me. I'll keep you posted.

I posted a piece of my original fine art photography for sale at my Etsy shop. Stop by, take a look and buy it. It would look great in any room of your home.

EDM Challenge #2 Draw a lamp

Does a street lamp count? This is a street lamp that hangs below a hotel balcony in New Orleans. I used colored pencils and ink for this challenge. This is an ACEO (2.5 x 3.5) for sale in my Etsy Shop.