The Artist’s Studio – Retaining wall, part 3

With the horizontal boards in place on the retaining wall, I glued the surrounding base boards from Mike. The next step was adding trim wood to finish the sides and back. I added 1/4″ x 1/16″ strip wood above the horizontal Woodsies planks. I then added various widths of trim around the top edge. For the back, I used some old Dura-Craft trim since it was the only wood I had on hand that fit in the space. It’s slightly different in color than the rest, but it won’t show in the end.

For the right and left sides, I used 1/8″ x 1/8″ trim up to the front drop of the retaining wall.

Over these edges, I added corner trim. I continued down the front of the retaining wall, cutting the angles with my scroll saw. They aren’t the cleanest joins, but they won’t be obvious once stained.

For the two rear corners, I added corner trim to finish the edges. I’ll add something decorative to finish the top corner later.

I cut vertical posts from 1/4″ x 1/16″ strip wood and glued them over the seams between the horizontal boards at 4″ on center intervals.

I stained the retaining wall with Minwax Wood-Sheen rubbing stain and finish in Plantation Walnut. I had purchased this on clearance awhile ago, and it works well. :]

I propped the Studio up on paint cans so I could apply the stain evenly around the base. The front board will be stained separately and added after landscaping.

I taped off the wires in the back to keep from getting stain on them.

The walnut is a great color with the red. (Yes, I’ve started shingling the roof.)

And, it will coordinate well with the walnut trim around the deck.

Categories: The Artist's Studio
April 14, 2013 | 0 comments

The Artist’s Studio – Hummingbird shower part 2

Since my initial sketch worked well for concept and composition, I’ve started filling in the final colors. I started with the leaves since I’m rather out of practice for drawing and they are the simplest part of the design.

Here’s the initial sketch for comparison. I’m coloring right over the previously drawn areas.

I did all of the leaves, including the shadowy branches, at the same time. This gave me a better chance of having them turn out similarly. If I did a portion of the drawing in one sitting and then another later, my technique, pressure or lighting might be different. Once I have the drawing filled in completely, I can go back and make shading adjustments.

I started working on the flowering branches. Since I knew I wouldn’t be able to draw them all in one sitting, I decided to move around the drawing. If the remaining flowers end up looking a little different, at least they won’t be concentrated in one part of the drawing.

My flowers are more orange-pink than pure red pink like the inspiration art. I like that, though. Besides, once this drawing is scanned, printed and manipulated to look like tile, the colors will likely be more subdued than the original drawing. See I left room for tiny bird feet?

I finished the remaining flowers, though this time I went with a lighter touch. This brings the first flowering branches forward and gives some depth to the drawing.

I decided to just wing it (ha) and draw the birds right on the drawing without a practice run. The drawing for the mural is now complete.

I did look at real life hummingbird pictures but continued the soft artistic feeling of the flowers and leaves in drawing the birds. They are colorful and turned out better than I had expected.

I made a quick scan and printout for mockup purposes. The end print will be softer than this one, but I love it!

Next up — turning it into tile.

Categories: The Artist's Studio
April 13, 2013 | 0 comments

From the sea, over the sea…all for me!!!

Look at the adorable sea otter plush Marion sent to me!!! :D He’s so well made and soft, standing at 2 7/8″ tall.

He’s poseable, too!

Here he is admiring his snazzy tie in the mirror. Of course I’ve named him Seymour.

He makes me smile. He was meant for the Heritage attic, but he might have to get his own abode some day. :D

I’m so overjoyed, Marion!!! Thank you so much for your beautiful gift and your wonderful friendship! Be sure to check out Marion’s miniature rooms, though she’s had to put them on hold for awhile.

Categories: Animals and birds
April 13, 2013 | 0 comments

Blue medallion rug – completed

I have finished binding the blue medallion rug, and it is ready to take its place in The Artist’s Studio.

Cross-stitching time was 154.5 hours on 32 count Jobelan.

Final finishing took only a couple of hours.  The final measurements are 7 7/8″ long by 4 5/8″ wide.

It fits well with the furnishings, though I will need to add feet to the daybed and whimsical cabinet to make them level.

It’s such a striking design, which is what drew me in when I first saw it. The chart came from Jorge Cubells’s blog, though if you plan to make one for yourself, please write to Jorge for the half chart since the one listed on his blog is missing a column in the pattern. My final rug has this error, but it’s not noticeable.

Categories: Needlework - French knot rugs, The Artist's Studio
April 12, 2013 | 0 comments

The Artist’s Studio – Clerestory windows

When I lowered the ceiling height of The Artist’s Studio, I had originally thought to fill in the lower portion of the original side windows. After a dry fitting of the roof in place, however, I decided I liked the odd shaped windows. A happy accident. :]

Of course, there are no readymade windows in this particular shape, so I would have to improvise. I had extra Houseworks 8-light windows, and they fit well in the existing hole. These are the same windows I’ll be using for the skylights. I marked where the window should be cut, leaving a little give for proper fitting.

I used my scroll saw to cut along the lines and removed the interior pieces. I was able to cut both clerestory windows from one 8-light window.

I tested the fit. You can see the pieces of strip wood I cut to fill in the groove in the ceiling over the window opening. This groove is what allows the roof board to attach to the walls. They aren’t glued yet, which is good since I need to adjust this one. :D

The removed interior pieces left cutouts in the outer frame. I used strip wood to make patches.

A little spackling added will give a smooth surface under the paint.

The acrylic sheet allows you to cut any shape or size window. These particular windows don’t come with acrylic inserts. I’ll leave the protective film on until I’m ready to install the windows.

I tested the fit again.

All good!  :]

Once the eaves were finished, it was time to complete the windows and install them. I tested the fit with the eaves in place to see if any adjustments needed to be made. A little sanding, and the fit was snug.

I cut 1/4″ strip wood to seal the top of the outer window and glued it in place. I cut another piece of 1/4″ strip wood to seal the top of the inner portion and glued it in place, making sure the acrylic could still slip out easily.

I checked the fit again…good.  The reason for the overhang on the inside is that with the added siding on the exterior, the window is slightly inset when put in place.

I added 1/16″ strip wood around the interior portion to make up the rest of the difference.

I painted the new parts then put the window inserts back in before gluing the windows in place, making sure they were snug against the eaves.

On the inside, I added plain bass wood trim sealed with varnish to finish the edges of the ceiling.

I cut interior trim for the clerestory windows and painted it Warm White.

I also cut the front opening interior trim and painted it Warm White.

Trim takes a long time to finish, but it adds so much.

Categories: The Artist's Studio
April 10, 2013 | 0 comments