Our old table is new again!

We wanted to do something with our everyday dining table. At first I thought I would paint a design on it with those new chalk paints I've been hearing about. Then my husband and I got the idea to glue a map that shows all of our travels onto the table and add collage elements around it then pour resin on top to seal it all.

This photo shows the first attempt of trying to glue down the map. I used a whole jar of acrylic gel medium and it had some horrible wrinkles I couldn't even get out. I carefully took it off before it was dry. The photo shows were parts of the map stuck. I poured water on the table and used a credit card to scratch it all off. 

The map sat around for a week while I gained courage to start over and  got some helpful hints from my friend Marianne and the internet. I tore the map apart on its creases and crinkled up each section to make overall wrinkles and coated the front and back of each section. 

It came out perfect this go around.

After I glued down the pieces, I added dots and swirls of paint between the ephemera. 

The next steps were to put masking tape around all the edges and then pour a coat of 2 part resin. Unfortunately the resin soaked through the map making dark mottled areas where the paper was thinner from it sticking to the table the first go around.  Now what to do?

I decided to start painting on the resin.
I painted our tandem bike.
I really liked the way it turned out so I painted some more...

Next I added our teardrop R-Pod trailer complete with
our little pink and blue trailer shoes under the door. 

Next I added our  Dodge Ram Pickup truck we had to buy to pull the trailer, then the second coat of resin was added. We thought it still needed more "stuff" so my husband and I decided to add some current travel photos to the mix...

In total there are 3 layers of resin. I waited until it was dry to the touch to add the second and third layers. After letting it cure for 72 hours, we removed the tape and had to do a light sanding around the edges as the resin had tried to creep up the tape. I didn't have the resin pour off the sides. The table top is 3' x 4'. I have ordered some silicon place mats so we don't scratch it up or cause any damage since it is a table we use every day. 

Reclaimed Shadow Boxes

8" x 12"
Red
an original painting background done by a friend, 2 Russian Spoons from a thrift store in Boise.
A doll found in a  thrift store while traveling. and a little matchbox drawer with buttons and flowers made by me. 

5 1/2" x 7"
Puppy Love
box is lined with vintage hand painted dictionary pages,
original painting by a friend, an encaustic collage by me a glass heart, a 60's dog pin with rhinestones.

5 1/2" x 7"
Penguins Play 
a map of Bogus Basin ski hill lines the back wall, a child's vocabulary card, game pieces, a penguin made of soapstone and an encaustic collage that says play

5 1/2" x 7"
Strength for When the Wolves Come
The complete blog post on this one can be found here.

5 1/2" x 7"
Me and My Bike
The complete blog post for this one can be found here

5 1/2" x 7"
Grown in Idaho
The complete blog post can be seen here

5 1/2" x 7"
Pray for Me
Glass bottle that I bought at a museum gift shop, silk flowers, candle, icon painting, small wooden saint that I have had since I was a little child, (I think it was my grandma's) prayer cards.

12" x 8"
M.O.M (Milk of Magnesia).
This piece started with the broken glass bottle that my daughters boyfriend collected from an old trash pit in the hills of Colorado. The dress is made from a Christmas Ornament that broke and the black bow is a hair clip I used to wear back in the 80's. 

51/2" x 7"
Diana
This box is lined with hand painted vintage dictionary pages.
An original encaustic collage made by me with a postage stamp of Princess Diana.
A box that opens with a tea set on top, porcelain cat on a lace rug, glass jar with pieces of glass from HI. 

51/2" x 7"
Noah's Ark
complete blog post can be seen here

My First Mixed Media Workshop Under My Belt

 Fun was had by all at Twigs and Twist as we collaged and assemblaged our mirrors to our hearts content.

 Ephemera included tissue paper, vintage photos, jewelry....

 Ronna shows off the piece she did in honor of her mother. 

 attaching eye hooks at the bottom to hang some crystals. 

Allison displays her Music and Dolls theme, with some additions to add at home.

Allison had some really old miniature porcelain dolls, I asked her if she bought them on ebay, she said no...she dug them out of her back yard in Silver City years ago! Now that is pretty cool!