I don't know what it is about French labels and French typography, but we don't seem to be able to get enough of them, do we? Or maybe I can only speak for myself. Yesterday I shared with you that my project for the day was a complete failure, and it was. This is the salvaged and saved project, and I'm pretty darned pleased with it!
Little did I know when I started this it would be a product comparison between three products, but that's exactly what it turned out to be. I started out with a couple of Ikea pots. I liked the shapes of them because they were not the typical terra cotta pots. I have had wonderful luck with two projects using the Splendid Blender to transfer images so I thought I would try the same method on my pots.
I have no idea what went wrong because these pots are not shiny at all. They were flat paint, then had acrylic craft paint dabbed on and zero, nada, zilch. My image would not transfer with the Splendid Blender and I was using the required laser copy, not inkjet. Soooo I sprayed the pots with Valspar clear flat spray to seal in the acrylic paints. Still zero, nada, zilch. No transfer!
Well, darn it! I wanted this image on my pots. So I had Mod Podge on hand, and what blogger doesn't? I also had purchased some Liquitex Matte Gel medium which I have read works great with transfers as well. So I put the products to the challenge.
In my book Mod Podge won hands down. I put it on my mirror image laser copy and stuck it on the pot and left it overnight. I did the same with the Liquitex on the small pot. The Liquitex left a calcified water appearance behind which would not budge. If you like that look, then that's the product for you. Next to each other, you can see the results of the two products and compare.
Here is the pot as it started out. Kind of gray. Then I added some Delta burnt umber and dabbed it on with a dry paper towel.
After that, I came back with a new paper towel and dabbed on Delta leaf green. Then I dabbed the Delta terra cotta. It was all sealed in with the Valspar clear flat spray, and then I applied my mirror image laser copy to each pot using the two respective products. I let them both sit over night and then I dampened my paper labels and gently backed them off with my fingertips. I had to repeat about five times throughout the day to get most of the paper removed. Then I came back with light steel wool, and knocked off the little remaining particles of paper.
I dabbed the inside too, just because it looks better when it's for sale. The photo below was before I took my steel wool to knock off the excess pieces of paper, but I love the result and will definitely try this method again.
I'm partying at...
Mondays Le Chateau des Fleurs The Graphics Fairy
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays Knick of Time Tutus and Tea Parties Coastal Charm
Boogie Board Cottage A Stroll Thru Life
Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday
Wednesdays Savvy Southern Style Ivy and Elephants
Faded Charm Cottage Fine Craft Guild
Thursdays Embracing Change The Shabby Creek Cottage No Minimalist Here
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday Fishtail Cottage
Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays French Country Cottage My Romantic Home Miss Mustard Seed
At the Picket Fence Potpourri Friday Common Ground
The Charm of Home Decorating Insanity Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays Funky Junk Interiors
Sundays My 1928 Charmer Sunday's Best
I actually did have a project to share with you this evening, but it was a colossal flop failure so I am now trying a new technique and hopefully I will have something to share with you tomorrow. So instead of posting zilch nothing, I will share a few photos I snapped in Paris and share some obvious observations with you.
This first photo is obvious. It's a sign for the famous Metro. I took a few of these around town when I saw them.
This next one is at the Eiffel Tower. Notice what they are selling and the language it's written in? Ice cream and hot dogs. Can't get anymore American than that, and I'm not sure they have a French word for hot dog that sounds quite like it does in English.
This next photo is the marquis at Cafe Le Dome. Apparently a great place for snacking and nonstop service. I love it!
How about the next photo which is Cafe Le Dome's awning, but around the corner. Apparently I can take my evening cocktail away. Yes, I would like my wine to go please.
We did visit Ireland on this trip, but we didn't hit the Parisian Irish pub we found here. Apparently we could watch live Rugby games in this pub. Did you notice the American flag in the window?
Here is one of the chocolate shops I came across. They were all closed in both London and Paris. So disappointing. Look how sad that woman looks as she's walking away. I shared her pain.
If your a designer type gal, you will like the next photo. I have a real Louis Vuitton bag I purchased from a street vendor when I visited Manhattan. Well, that's what the vendor told me. He wouldn't lie, would he? I paid $39 for that bag!
I happen to have been fortunate enough to stay at the Waldorf Astoria when I was in Manhattan so I'm not sure of the history of this hotel in the following photo, but I believe it to be named for John Jacob Astor's second wife Madeleine Talmage Force who was 18 when she married John Jacob Astor who was 47 at the time. John Jacob Astor built the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1897. It was the first hotel to offer room service and changed the hotel industry forever. So there is a little history lesson for you.
We all recognize the next photo. I saw more Starbuck's than McDonald's. They were everywhere we went and we could always count on them for internet access.
Last but not least is this fabulous cafe with a wonderful huge black awning. I love the lettering. As always, thanks for stopping by for a visit.
I'm partying at...
Mondays Le Chateau des Fleurs The Graphics Fairy
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays Knick of Time Tutus and Tea Parties Coastal Charm
Boogie Board Cottage A Stroll Thru Life
Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday
Wednesdays Savvy Southern Style Ivy and Elephants
Faded Charm Cottage Fine Craft Guild
Thursdays Embracing Change The Shabby Creek Cottage No Minimalist Here
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday Fishtail Cottage
Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays French Country Cottage My Romantic Home Miss Mustard Seed
At the Picket Fence Potpourri Friday Common Ground
The Charm of Home Decorating Insanity Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays Funky Junk Interiors
Sundays My 1928 Charmer Sunday's Best
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