Customer Reviews

Painted Whimsies: Decorative Accents for the Home and Garden

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love, love, love the ideas in this book - all of the projects are very lighthearted and fun. I only wish they had given the measurements of the wood pieces they painted on - there are no specifics for the painted trays, etc. Also, many of the projects need additional purchases such as stencils, which are pretty expensive on the website info they furnish. But, the projects are cheerful and bright - and really cute. They give very detailed directions for painting on metal, wood, clay pots, etc. You'll be motivated..........

It was exactly what I was looking for. I had seen some of it on Carol Duvall Show so I know what I was getting.

I like this book and give the authors high marks for their thorough explanation at the beginning of supplies and their uses/applications. The projects are very lively and fun. Lots of color and dots. Most use the stencils also designed by the authors but one can duplicate them free hand or pick similar themes at a craftstore. Most of the projects I would do but the last few that had to do with modifying terra cotta plant pots into functional art I could do without. Overall its a good book.

I'm very disappointed with this book. It is a lovely book--but NOT a painting book. It's just a nice collection of stenciled projects, using stencils made & marketed by one of the authors. There is a nice section at the front of the book that briefly describes how to prepare various surfaces (wood, metal, terracotta, glass) for painting. There are also 2-3 pages each on tools and supplies, some basic stenciling techniques (like how to make dots), and how to seal your completed project.

The rest of the book consists of stencil projects and one or two variations of each. The projects each have a lovely colored photograph of the project, but almost NO instruction! Each project refers you back to the front to read the prep instructions, then the stenciling instructions, then the making-dots instructions, and then the sealing instructions; then just lists the colors used, the stencils used, and a reminder to sign your work...

One or two projects include brief info on measuring and/or taping off one section while you work on another. Sometimes there are finishing instructions, like how to glue on knobs for feet or handles; or a 'tip' on how to make use of the finished product, as in "To serve food such as dinner rolls in a flowerpot, cover the inside of the pot with paper napkins."
!

For example: "To reproduce the photographed project use the (brand name) paints listed below...Stencil the designs. For correct design and color placement, refer to the photograph.....

Mostly country-themed projects (several use chicken-feeders!). Since they're all stencils, they are very simplistic designs. Also some cute pattern combinations, a bit outdated now.

I Love this Book, Its Full of Ideas to Put Color On So Many Different Items.