Saturday, December 5, 2009

Are you Color Blind?

Years ago when buying a new car I knew exactly what I wanted: A WHITE Toyota Camry. However, while negotiating with the car salesman, he couldn't get the car of my dreams. He asked me this very important question. "Could you be color blind?" "I beg your pardon?" I replied. "You see I don't have a white one, but I have exactly what you want, in red. "Could I be color blind?", I thought- "sure" And before I knew it I was driving off the lot in a brand new RED Toyota Camry. Now, red is a nice color, why'd I think I had to have white? Well, that question was answered the very next morning. Not only did my car look like I had gone through a mud bog after just one day, but each time I climbed inside I was blasted by the heat. Evidently, dark colored cars show the dirt and they attract the sun, which is not a good thing when living in Arizona. Needless to say I drove a red Toyota Camry for the next few years, each day longing a little more for the white one. I vowed never to be color blind again and have since driven a car, truck, van, suburban, etc. all in the lovely shade of white. I share this story with you in hopes to make a point that going color blind when purchasing something like a car may not be a good idea because it can't be changed without investing some serious cash. However, when garaging, going color blind is not only a good idea, it's almost a pre-requisite. How many times have I seen the perfect something or other at a garage sale, but in the wrong color? So, so many times. Which brings me to my latest project. I'm participating in the Shanty2Chic rustoleum revamp challenge and here's what I did. A few weeks ago I picked up this amazing picture at a garage sale. The picture wasn't exactly my style, but the frame was to die for. This thing measures over 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide- it was so large in fact, that it wouldn't fit in my car- My white car. So, we drove with the door open, frame sticking out. Every time we turned a corner my 20 year old daughter, who sat next to the open door, would scream. Luckily we were only a mile or two from home and at just $10 it was well worth the trouble.
First I sprayed the frame black using rustoleum's semi-gloss black. This stuff covers with one coat!


Then I used Rustoleum's Espresso to spray over the picture. This is a really high quality paint, it covered up really well.I then applied a crackle finish product, topped with a creamy white paint to get the effect you see below. I printed off a quote I fell in love with and then traced it on the canvas, using transfer paper. I then filled in the letters using a paint pen.
Here's the final product. I placed this on the wall going down the hall that leads to all of our bedrooms. I absolutely love the way it turned out. This was a super easy project thanks to a few great cans of Rustoleum spray paint.
The moral of the story is... Being color blind has it's advantages, but only drive white vehicles. Hope you enjoyed. Love, Kelly



11 comments:

  1. Kelly, this is so beautiful. I might lose sleep over this one.

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  2. Enjoyed the story and love the frame. My first car was a beat up white Toyota Corolla that my older sister bought me and had painted red. I will never own a red car again! It was hit so many times, at least 5 or 6 and I only caught one person. Of all the cars I've own, that was my favorite one. It took me and all my friends to San Francisco so many times and it was a 4 speed manual. On the hills, my friend Tina would work the hand brake and I would shift. We had so much fun.
    Shelley

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  3. What a great idea. I have a picture that I have been trying to sell on Craig's list. I think I will do this to it instead. Thanks.

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  4. What a great idea... It looks amazing... oh the pics like that I have passed up... would you share your secret on what crackle product you used... I have used the Behr brand but I never get a large crackle like that I love it.

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  5. I LOVE it! I too want to know the crackle product you used. I would also like to know where to find transfer paper! ;o)

    Loves fabulous and I love the saying!

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  6. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! I dont think I could have seen this in the picture you bought!

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  7. What an awesome idea! I would never have thought of doing something like this and it came out so great!! Did you come up with this yourself or did you follow a tutorial? Just lovely!!
    Blessings,
    Becky

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  8. Thanks for all the positive comments. The product I used for the crackle effect was Delta Crackle Medium. Now I've had this bottle for approx. 18 years- no joke- but I did see that it's still available online- Kmart is one of the store listed of all places. To achieve a more dramatic crackle effect- apply liberally and only let it dry for a minute or two. Good Luck

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  9. Becky, This is actually an original idea of mine. I should have made a tutorial, I've always wanted to do that. So happy you like it.

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  10. Hi..what kind of transfer paper did you use..please..Thank you!!!! Your idea is great..I have a scripture verse that I would like to do. Cindy

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  11. You can purchase transfer paper at any craft store. I think mine was Dritz brand. But it comes in a package with multiple colors so you can trace on all colored surfaces. Good Luck

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