A Reader's Question.......

Marilyn posted the following question:

Concerning your use of tissue paper. I have noticed some very attractive paper napkins at places like Linen N Things, and was wondering if you have tried using them in place of tissue. What do you think?

Marilyn,

I have not tried using paper napkins yet but I do know that they can be used with the Modge Podge medium. I think that you would get a different texture which could be very interesting on the finished piece. Tissue paper is a little more sturdy and easy to work with. Paper napkins would be more delicate. Cutting larger pieces could help but I think the end result would have some wrinkles. In some cases wrinkles may look very nice. It really depends on what you are decoupaging. A frame would look interesting with the wrinkled appearance but a tabletop would probably look better smooth. What I especially like about using tissue is that you get a very translucent appearance and the same would apply to paper napkins. Using a dense, decorative paper would give you a more opaque look.

I really enjoy using the tissue and Modge Podge. I have used it several times to change the look of something to make it better match the decor. A good example would be below: a plain yellow lamp hanging around the house that really wasn't used anymore. I had recently painted my daughter's room a deep red and incorporated animal prints in the accessories. I used animal print tissue and Modge Podge on the base of the lamp so it would better match the room.

Pictured here you can see the animal print tissue on the base. I added the beads that I bought at Walmart (around $3.00). It completely changes a plain yellow lamp into something very different and more suitable for the room it's in.

01 02 12

How To Build A Vanity.....

My friend came to me before Christmas because her daughter had requested a vanity as one of her gifts. Vanities must be a thing of the past because they are very difficult to find. She didn't want to spend a fortune, couldn't find one out there and didn't know how to fill this request. Her daughter didn't want anything fancy, so it seemed feasible to me that we could just build one. I have some carpentry skills and the tools to make it.


Years ago I used to watch The Christopher Lowell show on HGTV. He was "big" on built -ins such as window boxes, book shelves and storage units. He always built everything out of wood called MDF. Something I definately would look into.

The last line in every one of his episodes was "you can do it." I really took that statement to heart. It really has inspired me to create some of my projects.


I went to the home improvement center to check out MDF wood and found that they had plenty of it. It's not like pine or oak, it's more like a compressed board. I have used it in all of my projects over the years including a window box, entertainment unit and a library that I built. The advantages of using MDF are as follows:

• it's less expensive than other woods
  
• it has no grain, so it doesn't split


• consistent in strength and shape


• easily cuts


• needs little or no sanding


• it doesn't come from the store warped like pine does


• you can get it primed

I really love using this stuff! It's so easy to use and by purchasing this wood you essentially eliminate sanding and priming.

Here is what we purchased and how it came together. All supplies included, the vanity cost under$45.00.

Here is the piece of MDF I purchased. It was a half sheet that they sell in Home Depot. I used an oval dinner plate to help make the curves.



Hey, that's all I could come up with.










The photo to the right gives away my secret: the legs I bought at Home Depot were already made. Ok, maybe it's cheating, but it certainly made the job easier.



The Jig Saw:

Here is the tool I used to cut the vanity into the curved shape I penciled out. This is one of the most valuable tools I own. Easy to use, light weight and fairly inexpensive. I just took my time cutting and carefully followed the curve.

Ok...most woman have their husband's do this. Mine is not one of "those" husbands. Believe it or not these are all "my" tools.

The top of the vanity was painted purple. I made my friend paint it-it's for her kid, so I made her work.




Since the decor of the room includes zebra prints, I used some zebra tissue and Modge Podged squares onto the top. Pictured here you can see the squares, the brush and the Modge Podge.












Here is just a photo of how the Mod Podge is applied. I used glossy for this.

Apply Modge Podge to the table to a small area, place the square on and apply Mod Podge over it. When you are finished entirely, add another layer of Modge Podge. After it's all dry I spray with a clear, non-yellowing polyurethane.

Here are the legs ready to mount onto the table. But how............you ask?
















I bought these little plates in Home Depot to help attach the four legs. They really made it easy.

• Just locate where you want to place the leg.
• Make four pencil marks for the screws.
• Pre drill four little holes.
• Gently insert the screws.
  
• 
  
  
  

The four legs came with threaded screws in them, so you just screw them into the plates............ Bingo-couldn't be easier.













Legs all in place.














Below are two photos of the finished product. You can see that I used zebra tissue, black tissue and white tissue (the purple paint underneath shows through, which makes it look pretty cool.) All finished, it really looks like a mosaic.

























Here is the vanity in the room, minus a chair. Simple, functional and it matches nicely. I think she really liked it too.
01 02 12

Effusion Lamp Questions.......

Since I first wrote about effusion lamps a few weeks ago I've received many emails from readers that have questions. I hope to post a few of them here and answer all of them for you.

I just placed an order with brambleberry.com for new scents that I'm going to try out. I'll post the results in a few weeks.

I ordered the following:

Grass stain, Pearberry, Herbal Essence (which I had bought already and loved),Gardenia, Cold water (a men's fragrance), Almond biscotti, buttercream- snickerdoodle and cucumber melon.

Here are some of the questions you had:

• how long can I soak my wick for? If I'm not using my lamp do I have to take the wick out within 24 hours? I have kept my wicks soaking for weeks without use. Keep them in an airtight container.



• Can I use 99% isopropyl alcohol instead of 91%. Yes you can, just don't use less than 91%.



• What are the best wicks to use? I have had the best luck with Lampe Berger wicks. They start around $6.95 and run up. Don't pay over $10.00 or you are getting ripped off. I find them on Ebay and buy a few at a time.



• How large of an area do they scent? I have mine located on the main floor in the kitchen. I can smell that lamp from the upstairs of my house. It does a great job scenting the entire house.



• What if the scent I have mixed up is too strong? Just dilute it with more alcohol.

Again, I would like to advise anyone using the effusion lamps always to use caution while they are lit. Remember, they contain alcohol which is very flammable. I always light my effusion lamp on a stable surface near to the kitchen sink. Once the flame is out the lamp is considered safe enough to leave alone.

I light mine in the morning and leave during the day while it sits unattended. It's never been a problem.

I would also like to mention that many of these beautiful and sometimes expensive lamps come with lousy wicks. My husband bought me a beautiful lamp for Christmas and the wick lasted less than a week. I good wick always has a small hole in the middle. Buy the lamp because you love it, don't worry about the wick, just replace it with a good quality one.

You can spend anywhere between $20.00 to over $100.00 for an effusion lamp. Most are very affordable. http://www.courtneyscandles.com/ has a large selection of affordable lamps. I have ordered from them before and been satisfied with the quality lamp I received.

Please email me if you have any questions or problems at clturner3@aol.com

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