Lady Tear Droppers, drop in and say "Hello"!

[madjack]

CONGRATULATIONS on the 10,000 VIEWS...you go girls, y'all and the work y'all have done are an inspiration to each other and the guys as well
madjack

[Lynn Coleman]

Nothing else in my shop, including my teardrop sides, were touched!

So glad you and your sides weren't ruined. I took a look at your photos and I must say, I love your stripe, excellent work. Keep it up.

Lynn

[Lynn Coleman]

Hey Ladies,

If anyone is near Arcadia, FL, the third week in Sept. 20th-22nd, Paul and I will be staying at Rivers RV. Here's the addy.
9770 SW County Road 769
(Kings Highway)
Arcadia, FL 34269

I've been holding off on shelters and awning for the Inkwell. The plan was to get one from the RV junkyard and I still might do that but I've noticed a lot of folks are using the 10'x10' easy up canopies. However, I believe Rebecca (Cajun Lady) said that her's leaked at Fort Clinch.

So, here's my question, what do you find to be the best dining canopies?

Lynn

[cccamper]

lynn! i looked at your adorable TT and saw your countertop. did you decoupage the prints are there?????

we have a boxful of wonderful post cards from robert's aunt. they are 80 years old.. and a little less. some yellowstone, and redwoods, etc.. her friends traveled all over.

anyway i would like to put a countertop on top of our galley countertop (you know double so i can have mine and want to scan and print the postcards and tile them over wood and seal.

thing is.. assuming you did this.. do you have a recommendation on what to use to be a good surface? not sure if polyurethane is hard enough?

in other words i don't know anything about this type of work.

if this is NOT what you did, never mind. and if you wrote about it, i'm embarrassed but often can't "see" things. (yeah sounds stupid but that's what happens when you get holes in your brain!)

thanks!

how cool is this, TT and girl talk all at once
elizabeth

[Lynn Coleman]

thing is.. assuming you did this.. do you have a recommendation on what to use to be a good surface? not sure if polyurethane is hard enough?
elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes, we did the counter top decoupage style. We used poly but I won't use that again, for the reason you stated, it isn't hard enough. I believe a clear shillac or varnish would be better suited.

Here are a few tips I learned. First put a coat on the wood before you glue down the pictures. In fact, I will do this after applying the coat, I would put the picture in the varnish and flatten it out before it dries.

Also learn another thing while working on this. Diffently apply coats to the undersurface as well. Without it the wood warps.

This is a long process, sand between coats and plan at least 15 to 20 coats. I know it sounds like alot but I wanted the counter to be level.

I've been thinking about clear acrylic but I haven't bothered to try it yet. I think the varnish or shillac is probably best but both of those yellow in the sun. So does Poly for that matter. From what I understand acrylic doesn't.

Hope that helps.
Lynn

[cccamper]

hi lynn!
thanks this is really good information. i wouldn't mind the yellowing because i want it to look old and mellow anyway. and i really did think an oil based finish would be harder... as usual. maybe marine varnish? it's made to really take liquid abuse


when you say to differently apply the coats do you mean to brush each in opposing direction? that would make sense.

hmmm.. lots ot think about. a good fall project when it can be done outside!

you're great! thanks for taking the time to give me all this.

elizabeth

[Lynn Coleman]

when you say to differently apply the coats do you mean to brush each in opposing direction? that would make sense.

Ah, forgive me that was a typo. It was suppose to read, "definitely". I belive that by apply the varnish to the wood first. I've sealed the wood, then applying the photo, it would adhere to the wet surface and I wouldn't get that warping in the photo that happened with the glue. It's just a thought but I believe it will be a smoother surface once applied.

Lynn

[cccamper]

ok lynn.. don't mean to be a pest.. (but i am!)

the other thing i've been pondering is what paper to print on. since i want it to look old like the original i'm thinking a heavy but non-photo paper. especially the natural parchment type. have had great luck getting the look i want with that.

so... sorry to be the pest... do you have an preferences in this regard?

hope someone else is interested in this!

elizabeth

[Lynn Coleman]

ok lynn.. don't mean to be a pest.. (but i am!)

the other thing i've been pondering is what paper to print on. since i want it to look old like the original i'm thinking a heavy but non-photo paper. especially the natural parchment type. have had great luck getting the look i want with that.

so... sorry to be the pest... do you have an preferences in this regard?

hope someone else is interested in this!

elizabeth

I would print on photo paper but probably not glossy, maybe a satin type finish. You can print the pictures out at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart or any other store that allows you to print your own pictures. This would give you a better ink, less likely to have the ink react with the varnish.

I'd probably still print with my inkjet at home and I'd use my photo program and change the colors to make them more antique looking. I did that with the statue of The Thinker. It was black and white so I changed the color.

Hope that helps and no problem being a pest. I should be writing tonight but I'm playing on the computer instead.

Lynn

[cccamper]

ok lynn.. don't mean to be a pest.. (but i am!)

......

Hope that helps and no problem being a pest. I should be writing tonight but I'm playing on the computer instead.

Lynn

but you are doing humanitarian work with the handicapped


(actually i am disabled and handicapped.. .i just *LOOK SO GOOD*. thats what they say.. if you aren't crippled and bleeding it can't be real)

thank you for your mercy.

elizabeth

[Miriam C.]

Girls one of the things you might look into if you are looking for a hard surface is "pour table epoxy." It makes a really hard surface. What I wouldn't use is Marine spar varnish. It is slightly flexible an not as hard as an epoxy.

I am thinking of using family photos to make a side table so keep the reports coming in.

[Lynn Coleman]

:thumbsup: Girls one of the things you might look into if you are looking for a hard surface is "pour table epoxy." It makes a really hard surface. What I wouldn't use is Marine spar varnish. It is slightly flexible an not as hard as an epoxy.

I am thinking of using family photos to make a side table so keep the reports coming in.

Miriam, where would you find that stuff? Lowes? Home Depot?

Lynn

[Miriam C.]

Lynn I saw it at both Lowes and Home Depot. I am trying to remember if it is with the varnish or the epoxy. It clearly says "Pour Epoxy" or "Table Epoxy" on the label. When I get done putting hatch locks on I will see if I can find it and take a picture or it.

[cccamper]

Lynn I saw it at both Lowes and Home Depot. I am trying to remember if it is with the varnish or the epoxy. It clearly says "Pour Epoxy" or "Table Epoxy" on the label. When I get done putting hatch locks on I will see if I can find it and take a picture or it.

think that's the stuff i've seen used to preserve all the sacred carved graffitti in bar tables. character, you know.

e

[cccamper]

re fun things for galley

we use disposable (sorry to all who don't want us to flatware. usually. however some meals that just won't work.

so at cabelas i found this wonderful flatware...$35/set 4 and it is so great!
go to cabelas.com.. search "flatware"

cabin, stag, bear, moose, elk, fish and pine cone

nice designs. what a find for me. they are also very heavy, won't bend! i hate that!

e

ps you can also see the camping "cupboards" that come wtih the cabelas camp kitchen. they are $50/ea. you get 2 wtih the kitchen for $120. not bad!