Tuesday 18 February 2014

Do things for baby girls have to be pink?

I was so inspired by  http://theyorkshirefox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/shabby-chic-altering.html blog about altering a letter to cerebrate a birth of a baby girl, that when my son's boss/friend had a baby girl a day later I thought I would have a go too.
I bought a large wooden M (The baby's name does begin with the letter M, so that is OK)



I started by sealing the wood with DecoArt Faux finishing Medium (which was just as well as later I ended up putting it under the tap as I didn't like what I had done!) When it was dry, I painted it with gesso, to give it some tooth and extra protection.  Later after it was dry I added molding paste, crackle paste, little beads, letting it dry a bit with aid of a heat gun and stamping the heck out of it with lots of girly stamps. I wasn't trying to get an exact clear stamp on it, but just texture.


I then painted it white to give it a base to start with. When that was dry I painting it, as the Yorkhire Fox a baby pink Decoart Pink chiffron, but then I decided, I just don't do pink! Sorry but I can't, so when it was dry I put a wash of Traditions Aquamarine with a smige of  Traditions Phthalo Blue over the pink, but it was still too pink, so washed over it again with the same mix. Now it was too blue, Worried I may upset people with blue for a girl, when it was dry I dried brushed it with the pink! Still too blue, so dry brushed it again!

I took a little mouse, covered it in sticky silver foil metal tape. (No real mice were hurt in this piece of art work)


 Gessoed her


 Painted her grey (mixing the paint) then when she was dry, I dry brushed her with brown then white and a touch of black. Oh and gave her two eyes and pink ears! (a little pink is OK)

Added some touches of DecoArt Metallic Lustre Silver Spark (lovely stuff) and bob's your Uncle or in this case the baby.








And because I felt bad about the lack of pink for a girl, I painted the back (that no-one will ever see) Pink!



So all that is left to do is to varnish it and to add a couple of hooks on the back.  



So if they don't like blue for a girl, they can put it in the bin, I will never know. But I had fun making it for their baby.

Thanks for passing by.

6 comments:

  1. Cool texture, Love the "babygirlblue" I'm sure they will too, No way they will let such a cool piece of art come anywhere near the bin.

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  2. aww that is adorably cute Kathy. very "baby" appropriate. i love the little mouse...

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  3. I love this Kathy. I'm with you regarding pink, when my daughter was a baby she never wore pink and now she hates the colour even more than me. ;-)

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  4. I really love what you have done here -- so creative -- so wonderful and no all girly thing do not have to be pink!!
    Sandy

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  5. Helloo there, Lovely to see you sharing a wonderful new project! I really like all the texture on your letter M, mousy is great fun! Not a fan of pink either, I'll bet your gift will be totally cherished :D x
    p.s, I love your new hat x

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  6. Love this Kathy, the little mouse is brilliant.
    xxx Hazel.

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