Wednesday 29 July 2015

2015 #14 Garden Slate Panel {by Lauren Hatwell}

 2015 Topic 14: Flowers

Hi everyone, Lauren Hatwell here from Marvelous Mechanical Mouse Organ, joining you this evening with a post about painting on slate.  It's a nice porous surface, which holds onto paint really nicely. As long as you seal your tile correctly you can use it pretty much anywhere you like. 



I've used EDY09 for my project.



As you all know by now, I do take a slightly quirky view on things so I love the way Darcy has worked her magic on these beautiful flowers. There was nothing to be done with them but play. Perfect!

I found a piece of slate behind our shed recently and thought it would make a lovely wall hanging for the seating area on our patio. I cleaned it up with some warm water and washing up liquid, ready to take some paint. As you can see, it had a hole in it so I filled the hole with all purpose filler and sponged over a couple of layers of black gesso to give a nice even surface.


I stamped and embossed the flowers and grasses from EDY09 in white before colouring with Fresco Paints in opaque shades, which I painted straight onto the tile. The colours I used were Tinned Peas, Haystack, Wisteria, Lavender and Snowflake.


I painted some chipboard letters with Lavender Fresco Paint and stamped the sentiment from the stamp set randomly over them in white, before sealing them carefully, front and back, with two coats of Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe glue/sealant. Alternatively you could use Ranger's Glue and Seal, or a gel medium, or a varnish, but do check if it is suitable for outdoor use. As you are probably already aware, the Fresco paint range is suitable for outdoor use.


I decided I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to some of the flowers so I stamped and embossed the star flower image onto some heatproof acetate. I added some glitter glue and left it to dry thoroughly before fussy cutting the individual flowers and using them to overlay some of the painted flowers on the tile. 



I used glossy accents to stick them down. I'm hoping they will twinkle in the sunshine and when the lights come on at night.


A couple of lovely JOFY bees added the finishing touch and I'm ready to hang my slate in the garden. Let's hope it encourages some sunny weather.


So, as you can see, nothing difficult about that and I hope it has given you some ideas for your own projects. I've used Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe Glue/Sealant throughout for this project as a sort of experiment to see how it holds up against their Outdoor product. You could also try a spray on silicone or polyurethane varnish if you prefer. Try your hardware store.

I am happy with the finish I got from the Mod Podge but I think a spray on waterproof sealer might be easier and would reduce the risk of smearing your design. You could back your slate with felt and make table mats, trivets and coasters, or make a number/name plate for your house. If you're not lucky enough to find a lump of slate behind your shed (!?) it's easy enough to get a slate tile from your local DIY store. A nice square tile will cost you about £3. If you're not confident about painting directly onto the slate you could put your design on tissue, before gluing and sealing.


What a simple but very effective idea Lauren! I know one of our PA twits a few years back painted a terracotta pot for her patio with Frescos, and despite the sun, snow and everything in between, it still is looks fantastic now! Thrilled that Frescos have this indoor-outdoor versatility! Thanks for your lovely idea and inspiration today! ~Leandra

We would love you to join in with challenge #14: Flowers.

If you are inspired by any of our guests who blog with us over the fortnight (July 26 - Aug 9th), or perhaps you want to just do your own thing with flowers...then please join in and link up your creativity HERE

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Flowers link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Aug 9th winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

21 comments:

Darcy Marshall said...

Lauren this is stunning, just amazing... love it.

Julie Lee said...

I love this project, Lauren! I am totally inspired now to create something for our garden. I really love the idea of the flower glowing in the sunshine and being a little bit luminous in the evening. Now all we need is the weather for sitting in the garden and enjoying garden parties! xx

Helen said...

Lauren, this is gorgeous - I am impressed with all the fussy cutting!

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow Lauren that's Fabulous. I love the way you have used Darcy's stamps and what fantastic idea. Xx

craftytrog said...

This is absolutely gorgeous Lauren! I've a slate heart somewhere that needs some flowers! ;-) xxx

Lucy Edmondson said...

I absolutely love this, lauren, love the idea and the execution. I love that you have used a found piece of slate and the ideas for coasters etc are great. One of my very favourite stamp sets too!

Lucy x

Words and Pictures said...

Oh it's beautiful, Lauren - I love the white stamping against the slate - magical!
Alison xx

Hazel Agnew said...

This is magical Lauren! I love the sparkly elements! It's beautiful! X

Kirsten said...

That is really lovely!

Kathyk said...

FANTABULOUS project Lauren

Kathyk

rachel said...

soooo beautiful - this is gorgeous xx

Unknown said...

Gorgeous project Lauren! Love how the Frescos work on the slate and Darcy's stamps look great too. Now.....where did I put those slate coasters bought with something like this in mind......

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Etsuko said...

Really gorgeous panel! Lovely stamping and fab idea. xxx

Unknown said...

GORGEOUS...STUNNING...FABULOUS!!!!

Carmen said...

Wouldn't you know it - I just bought a couple of bits of slate that I found reduced in a factory outlet. I just KNEW it would be lovely to paint on.

This is gorgeous.

darcydaydream said...

that it stunning...xx

mamablitger said...

Awesome, pretty and a fantastic idea. It will look decorative in your garden.
Thanks for sharing. Hugs from Monica... Spain

Debs M said...

what a great idea - I love the thought of incorporating art into the garden! I also love the idea that it will twinkle alongside my fairy lights!! x

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Such a beautiful creation! Love the acetate flowers for that shimmer.

Anneke said...

Great idea, beautiful composition!

Liz Maitland said...

Lauren - met you on Saturday at That's Crafty (Harold Wood) & thought I'd check out your stuff.....this is STUNNING! I love it! You really sold yourself short re. your work as this is a beautiful piece of work.

Good chatting to you, see you again,

Liz xx