My Scottish adventure with the travel souvenirs.

I have a lot of things which I love to do in my "artistic" part of my life. It is painting of furniture, decorating with the decoupage method, weaving of the paper wicker, teaching others on the workshops, remodeling a various things, a small upholstering... 

And now, I think that the biggest fight inside me takes between painting and decoupage. But why? Because when I paint something, I can see a big transformation right away - and I really love it. But, from other site, when I do decoupage it calms and mutes me and I also love it. 

Even not long ago I've worked in the beautiful place in a heart of Glasgow - Alamo guesthouse. I've spent really nice moments there with wonderful, charming people. Emma and Steve creates their own, very original, nice, awesome place among Scottish guest houses. A lot of guests from around the world willingly return to Alamo from years. 

There was a day when I've showed my craft things and they've asked me if could I do something special for their guests??? I've started to think what could it be? 

People who come on holidays or are during the travel likes to take something as a keepsake but they've not a lot of space in their luggage. So, it should to be something small and not too heavy. 

And exactly in this way I've created the Scottish travel souvenirs. 

Now my souvenirs has started 3-rd season in the Alamo guest house and I'm really happy of it because the guests from all over the world eagerly buy them even though I'm not working there now. 

So, with a great pleasure I'd like to show you some of them.

At first were made the soaps - here are the examples only. The most of them are sold. Of course I can do the soap with same pattern but it never be exactly the same thing.

This pattern very much likes guests whose roots are from Scotland - 

old sometimes funny Gaelic words.

Don't hesitate let me know that you like it hehe;)

Then I created other, not too heavy Scottish souvenirs:

Glasses cases

Bookmarks 

And finally the most popular last time - coasters :)!

Here you can see my souvenirs in their ordinary place - in a main hallway in The Alamo Guest House. 

In fact, they have even better place now and everything looks more professional but I don't have the newer pictures :/

Maybe now will be easier for you to understand me - I mean, my inner fight between painting of furniture and decoupage... but I think I'm able do it simultaneously without the loss for each of both of my loves ;)

See you next time, Joanna

Pictures of a series of "before and after"

I've promised that I show you yesterday the pictures of my finished work...but I've been too tired to do this. So, I'm doing it right now:)

The blue cabinet/chest of drawers it is piece of furniture in excellent condition - very solid without ugly smell, dry and functional. 3 big, deep drawers and 2 cupboards with shelves. Really beautiful piece of furniture. Beautiful but seems too heavy in its building - because of its colour I think. That's because I've decided to give it some lightness - the Turquoise colour from Autentico palette seemed be a good option. 

What do you think about it? 

I'm personally impressed - I really like how it looks now, really:) 

Before...

...and after

I've used the white, chalk wax to lighting on the middle of doors, drawers and the top then I've used the mix of natural and dark wax to give an accent just a little bit around a borders doors, drawers and the top of course. Just as look of a small marks of dirty fingers during use. All is only a little bit distressed.

All those darker pictures gives a better look of true color:)

 And a special project to my son's room. 

It meant to be the one and only old/vintage accent in his room. I hope to show all design of his room soon.
It was also really old and solid builded chest of drawers. The straight shape does not give a lot of ways especially for a teenager's project. All depended from his own imagination borders - how far we can go with an old look in a modern room of young man.

Before...

The frame is painted in the black with acrylic paint. And the drawers are painted with a special chalkboard paint. I've changed the handles - now there is a really solid rope. It was necessary to drill another holes (they've been there before but someone filled them and attached those ugly, plastic handles on a one screw). There was a lot of work with it ( I show you my fingers after this work hehe). It's not yet finished - I'd like to do a numbered drawers - I show you the pictures of it a little bit later. 

We couldn't wait bring this chest of drawers to our home;) 

...and after...

My son agreed just for a delicate distressing ;) 

But I also personally think that it is actually enough!

Now I'm very interesting what do you think about my ideas. Do you like them? Let me know please in comment. See you soon with other thing which are waiting for their new life. 

 

And finally the biggest transformation of yesterday's day - my poor fingers after the rope handles job... 

As you can see I'm able to make a miracles hehe;) 

I'm waiting for your comments below:)

See you next time, Joanna