Painting For Charity - Thomas The Tank

If you've been following my blog, you are familiar with my Painting For Charity projects. 

During the spring, I embarked on one for the Mario Lemieux Foundation, more specifically, Austin's Playroom Project. 

I found my inspiration while perusing the children book shelves at TJ Maxx and stumbled across this great little Thomas & Friends book.

I discovered when I opened up the book was a dozen Thomas & Friends miniature engines.   It dawned on me that they would fit perfectly on the rockers of a rocking chair.  And from there, the Thomas & Friends chair was born.

With the strongest glue known to man (& woman!!!) I placed and glued my 12 little engines along the rails.

They were perfect!!!

Next, I decided to incorporate the engines' names and I used the simplest tracing trick.  After printing the names, I covered the reverse side with pencil and then taped them into their spot on the chair between the rails.  I then traced the names and painted them.  It was that easy...

I applied the same technique to both the back and front of Thomas & Friends chair.

Here he sits with a basket of Thomas & Friends toys waiting for the lucky bidder!!!

Let me know what you think...

 

           

Here Comes The Bride

Last December, I was honored to fashion a garter set for my niece, Laura and I featured it in my post,  Wedding Garter For Laura.

This past June, I designed and hand sewed a garter set for my niece, Natalie.  I chose a vintage pink pearl earring as my inspiration.  I incorporated dupioni silk and recycled vintage pink pearls to create each individual rosette on the garters and then added a touch of tuille.

There are so many tutorials on how to make fabric flowers so I thought I would give you one of my favorite blogs on flowers, bows and more literally, Fabric Bows And More! You will find so many creative ways to make and use flowers in your designs at this instructional and imaginative site.

Below are Natalie's garter and toss garter....

I also had the pleasure of creating a card box for the bride and groom.
My supplies were simple....dupioni silk, pleated ribbon, strands of pearls, silk flowers and love.

I covered the boxes in silk and then wrapped the box tops with pleated ribbon.  It needed a little more style, so I added a band of pearls around the pleats (scored them at Michaels!) and finished off the card slot with more.  The silk flower was glamed up with even more pearls as shown below.

And voila.....

Let me know what you think.....

PS.  Please excuse the photo backdrops....I'm working on projects in every room in my house.

                                     

   

MIA

SO, I've been MIA for some time now.  Life has been exciting and hectic.

Since I last posted, I've celebrated with 100+ friends and family their love and support during my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at Boobapalooza...

 

We attended our daughter's graduation and traveled to Vancouver to help her get settled in her new city and her new job.

  

Graduation Day!

 

Canada Day with 1 Crazy Canuck & Olympic Torch lit for the celebration

We vacationed in Sea Island with dear friends and visited our daughter in NYC, delivered refinished furniture and other goodies and took in The Book Of Mormon.  LOVED IT!!!!

I designed and created wedding accessories for our niece... 

Celebrated my baby brother's 50th in Toronto.... 

I've redecorated our guest bathroom...

I've refinished furniture....

I've sewn outdoor curtains....

I've painted for charity....

I've been obessed with PINTEREST....Larissa Hill Pinterest

SO, I have been busy and I can't wait to share it with you on my newly redesigned blog.  This project is the most challenging and time consuming of all. 

Let me know what you think....

Pull Up An 'Animal Print' Stool

Recently, House Beautiful Makeovers featured an article entitled, "10 Ways Accessories Can Transform a Room" dedicated to perking up your color palette or personality of your home without redecorating completely.  Well, guess what caught my eye????

"Stools are the perfect spot to perch or place a tray with drinks. Designer Nancy Boszhardt chose one upholstered in a zebra print for the fireplace of this New York home because it offers a lot of flexibility." LOVE IT!!!!

Here are just a few animal print ottomans and stools via Larissa Hill Pinterest that have definitely upped the 'personality' factor in these rooms.   

An artful mix of vintage benches with Clarence Houlse fabric via Elle Decor.

Fabulous Zebra bench via Houzz 

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard introduced these spectacular
zebra ottomans into this traditional Beverly Hills living room.

Sophisticated living room via Decorpad



Blue and White and Zebra too!!!

Larissa Hill Designs

[ fur + leopard + brass + a blown-up photo* ]

Small Shop Studio

Google

Head on over to Larissa Hill Pinterest Wild Things Home to see more animal print touches that yield big design results. 

Let me know what you think....

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Susan of Between Naps On The Porch featured her 'faves' in a recent post and Gina of  Renewed Spaces did a  feature on her Favorite Things in May 2011.    It just  happens that one of Gina's is also one of mine, Spray Paint Handle.

So, here are a few of my favorite things....in no particular order because they are all equally important to me as a DIYer.

#1 - My 'go to' wax,  Howard's Citrus Shield Premium Natural Paste Wax is always in my cupboard and it can be found on Amazon for $9.75. Such a deal!!!

#2 - Any and all brands of Un-Sanded Grout for my Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe but I must confess that recently, I have fallen for DAP Plaster of Paris and am now substituting it in my Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe.  It is the perfect addition to flat latex paint and voila....chalk paint.  I will be featuring a few of my furniture makeovers with my 'new' chalk paint in the near future...stay tuned!

Thx to Scribbler and Mah for bringing Plaster of Paris to my attention in your comments.

#3 - Klean Strip Easy Liquid Sandpaper deglosses surfaces much easier than sanding to help new finishes adhere to old finishes. Works on paint, varnish, enamel and stain and is great for kitchen cabinets, wood moldings and all types of furniture.

#4 - Rub 'n Buff is made from imported carnauba waxes, fine metallic powders, and select pigments. This unique blend gives objects decorated with Rub 'n Buff® a finish that no paint can duplicate! Available in 16 colors.

It's so easy to apply. Just rub onto any surface with finger or soft cloth, then buff to a beautiful luster. Rub 'n Buff® is ideal for: restoring cherished antiques, stenciling, frame finishing, antiquing, home decor, restoration and any and all craft projects.



#5 - The original Greased Lightning formula is time-tested for superior cleaning and stain-fighting power. Greased Lightning conquers the toughest stains and can be used throughout the home. It cuts through grime, removes red wine, and helps pre-treat all of your tough laundry stains, including grease, grass and ink and so much more...  Greased Lightning has a new look!!!



#6 - Rustoleum Spray Grip turns every spray can into a spray gun for a smooth, professional finish.  The soft-touch trigger reduces finger fatigue, the locking collar keeps the can tightly attached and the safety lock keeps paint from spraying unexpectedly.

#7 - Simichrome Polish is an all-metal polish that can be used on any non-ferrous metal surface including brass, gold, silver, aluminum and stainless steel and it leaves a thinn protective coating to help prevent tarnishing. 

As promised Simichrome Polish cleans brilliant to a shine....everytime!!! 

#8 - Goo Gone is my 'go to' product for all of my sticky, gummy, greasy, gooey problems! Goo Gone can be used on hard surfaces, carpeting, upholstery, clothing, and more and helps me out all of my 'sticky' situations!!!



#9 - All of my favorite bloggers and there are far too many to name.  Without their inspiration, DIY advice and support, I couldn't do this.

#10 - And finally, a fine glass of Savignon Blanc when I totally exhausted!!!

I'd love hear what your 'favorite things' are....

Friends, Pittsburgh & "Fashion Star"

"NBC's 'Fashion Star' is going where no reality TV show has gone before. The fashion reality show debuts next Tuesday and puts a new twist on how consumers buy clothes."



One of our very own, E.J. Johnston is the co-creator along with fellow Pittsburgher, James Deutch.  E.J. is the son of Eddie (former NHL player, coach and GM) and Diane Johnston of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.   E.J. is featured along with menswear designer John Varvatos in this Yahoo! Finance Daily Ticker interview.  The newest reality show on NBC, Fashion Star will revolutionize not only reality TV but retail as well. 

For more on E.J., go to Fashion Star Press Tour.



And finally, congratulations to E.J., Eddie, Diane, Michele, Gerry, Lacey, Joe and Kiri.  We are so very proud of E.J. and so very happy for all of you.  We will be tuned to NBC on Tuesday, March 13th @ 9:30!!!

Make sure you watch and then let me know what you think...

And The Winner Is....Graphique Giveaway

And the winner of the $25 Graphique Giveaway is.....

Kimberly of blogspot Tiaras And Bowties!!!  Congratulations,  Kimberly.  I can't wait to see what you create with your new Graphique images. 

AND, Larissa Hill Designs was a winner today with a great feature at Power Of Paint on my For Me Or Not For Me - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  Thank you, Mary Ann



Power Of Paint is a great new site dedicated to all things PAINT! So if you're a paint lover and you adore the instant transformation that paint makes, then this is the place for you. 

Finally, I injured my hand and am in a splint for a couple of weeks, typing is difficult and so is everything else.  Bottom line, I'll be MIA for a couple of weeks. 

Have a great day....