E. I. Elsey's Workshop

Vintage Milk Paint on Good Things Utah

Today has been a crazy day! I'd been rehearsing and making samples all weekend for a TV spot that I did today, only to have my plans changed when I got to the studio. I'd been planning to make this card and to talk about the origins of Vintage Milk Paint...

...but when I starting going through things with the producer, suddenly everything changed. Normally, I have a hard time when things are changed at the last minute--I'm sure that some of you do--but I was surprisingly okay with everything. The producer gave me a lot of great advice and I feel that I was able to present Vintage Milk Paint at it's best.
I don't know how many of you have ever done something like this--it's really crazy and moves so fast! The hostesses were awesome to work with, and along with them I was able to get across a great point: Vintage Milk Paint is fun and easy to use,  it's very versatile and can be used in many different projects, and most importantly, it can be used on almost anything to make it look old!
I'm including the link here so that those of you who didn't get the chance to see the show can see it now. Enjoy!

Background Papers - Weathered Door

Because I have a fascination with all things old and especially old doors, I snapped this photo while visiting Mont St Michel in France.  My next thought of course, was how to reproduce the look of that door on paper.  Here it is,  a simple step by step tutorial for you.

Start with a piece of water color paper or ivory card stock.  I always tear my paper into the sizes I want, rather that cut it, because I like the look of a raggedy edge.

Step 1.

Mix a scant 1/2 teaspoon Fossil, Vintage Milk Paint powder, with 1/2 teaspoon water and brush two coats of paint.  Allowing paint to dry between coats.

Step 2.

Mix a scant 1/2 teaspoon Porcelain, Vintage Milk Paint powder, with 1/2 teaspoon  and brush on two coats of paint.  Allowing paint to dry between coats.  Tip:  It may look like the first coat is taking off the second coat, trust me it isn't.  Just brush the paint on lightly, don't scrub.

Step 3.

After the paint has completely dried, with a piece of 100 grit sandpaper, lightly sand off as much or as little of the Porcelain paint as you desire.  You can wipe off the powdery residue with a paper towel.  It's just like distressing wood!  Tip:  It's a good idea to wear a mask while sanding.  Although Vintage Milk Paint is non toxic, you don't want to get dust in your lungs!

This makes a lovely background paper for cards, scrapbooks, altered books, or other altered art projects.  I have sealed this paper with MinWax Polycrylic, available at most hardware stores.

You can try this technique with any Vintage Milk Paint color!

Me-Flextions #3

I was feeling pink today, so I painted a wash of shell, Vintage Milk Paint, over Me-Flextions #3.  One thing I've enjoyed about these self portraits is they don't need to look like me.  Instead they are a representation of what I learn about myself from the journal prompts in the eCourse.  Not only are journal prompts very enlightening, but there are lots of fun technique ideas too.  Check out Artella's, Me-Flextions eCourse by clicking this link.

Our World Quotations

In preparation for Me-Flextions Portrait #3, I've put together a new quotations PDF that I'd like to share.   Download Our world

Me-Flextions #2

My interpretation of portrait number 2 from the Me-Flextions eCourse.  The bird graphic I used came from  The Graphics Fairy, where you can find lots of great bird images and more.  The Quote is from Vintage Paint Works, Nesting.  And I used a thin wash of Vintage Milk Paint, Ochre, to age the project.