Sunday, August 28, 2011

Halloween Gourds And A Super Hometalk /Home Depot Giveaway

Hello friends...welcome back to my nest.
I hope everyone on the east coast survived hurricane Irene this past weekend.
In my part of Virginia we got some wind and a good amount of rain, but nothing dangerous.

 Before Irene, you can see the storm clouds beginning to roll in.
 However, she was gone almost as quickly as she came.
Prayers go out for the lost lives that were reported.
*
*
 On to the 'gourd' part of my post...
My sweet friend Phyliss gave me some gourds a few years back.
 I painted a few as folk art Santas.
This gourd reminded me of a pumpkin....so.......

 Hello Annie!!!

You know how everyone is always saying how the paint in the can top dries super fast, so quick...put that top back on.
I took care of this problem by using the paint from the top on my first brush strokes....no paint to dry and problem avoided!

 I gave my gourd two coats of Old White using an inexpensive chip brush.

She is pretty just like this...but I have more plans for her.

 
I searched my stencil stash and believe me, it's big!
A spider..perfect.

Using a lettering and a curly cue stencil I went to work.

 I did an all over Henna tattoo style design


I added some black spiders and the words
WITCHES 
ABIDE

Isn't she great?
Next time I will place the letters a little closer together, but I think this will do for now.

 For the second gourd, I found a cool font at 1001fonts.com and printed it out.
Using graphite paper, I traced the word Booo ! onto the gourd.
Using ASCP in Graphite and a liner brush, I hand painted the letters in
Believe me, you DO NOT have to be a decorative painter to do this.
Just take your time and have a steady hand.
Sidenote:
Do you have any idea how hard it is to hold a gourd..a paint brush and a camera at the same time????
YIKES!

My gourd has a natural crack and I think it gives her great character.
There will be no wood filler used today ladies.

ASCP Old White and Graphite with clear & dark wax
So here she  is... 
Griselda the Ghost
Pretty Bootiful, huh?

Helpful Hint:
   On a piece of waxed paper, mix a little clear and dark wax.
Apply allover and then using your finger...YES, your finger, apply more around the lettering and face.
I love how it gives a little more depth
*
*                                                    
Ok....On to the best part of this post
A HOMETALK GIVEAWAY!
I just discovered this great website HOMETALK.COM, and it is just that...you can talk about all things to do with your home.
DIY projects, room makeovers, new construction, remodeling or landscaping. You can pick the brains of designers, carpenters, licensed building contractors or professional painters.
You can also chat with DIY bloggers from all over.
The best part of HOMETALK is that it is absolutely, no strings attached, FREE!!
I have only been a member for a few weeks and already I have shared photos of my slipcover projects, my kitchen restyle and of course I have spread the word about Annie Sloan.
You can leave comments on member postings and they on yours.
Got a question for an expert...you will have an answer in most cases within the day or faster!
It is fun..very friendly and very informative.

Although I am a new member, the kind folks at HOMETALK contacted me and asked if I would be interested in hosting a Giveaway.
Twist my arm why don't ya!
This is how it will work...
You have the chance to win a $50.00 gift card to Home Depot.
How cool is that!
IT GETS EVEN COOLER!!
If I get 500 or more entries, HOMETALK will double the gift card to $100.00
Do you know what you can buy with $100.00????
A new power tool...small appliance...new kitchen hardware..paint, paint and more paint...etc...

You will get 1 entry for commenting and following here and liking HOMETALK'S Facebook page or joining in here.

You can rack up additional entries by posting this giveaway on your Facebook or Tweet about it.
Just be sure to come back and post it in my comments each time you share. 
Remember...leave a comment for EACH time you share this Giveaway.
So spread the word because the more bloggers who comment, the better the chance of someone
winning $100.00 instead of $50.00.
I know you ladies are good at networking...I am counting on you to work your magic.
I would love to be able to give $100.00 to one of you handy bloggers, so link...link...link!
I am doing this strickly for you guys, I am not being compensated at all.

I will run the Giveaway for one week, until midnight September 4th,2011.
The winner will be chosen on Sept. 5th by Random.Org.
Good luck everyone...now go spread the word!
PS...thank you Jason!
UPDATE:
This Giveaway is now 
CLOSED
Thank you to all who participated.

Until next time...be kind and stay creative.

Sharing here this week:

72 comments:

Kelly Ann said...

okay...stinkin' cute....
xoxo KA

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

So cute and gimmie that $50.00 my house is in need, bad!

Kelly Ann said...

Okay...I retweeted your tweet....

Kelly Ann said...

and then I shared your link on Facebook....

The LadyBugs Garden said...

I always love your painted gourds Janet! Sure I would love to win a Home Depot gift card.....
xo
Stephanie

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

I liked hometalk on fb

Kelly Ann said...

and now I've shared it on my blog...:)

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

Great giveaway! Can't wait to check out the Hometalk site; it sounds like a fun place.

Anna@Directions Not Included said...

I love the ghost with the boo! What a great idea.

Laurie said...

your ghosty gal is bootiful :) thanks for a chance to win - Laurie

llsbaskets@comcast.net

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Great job on the gourds! I love how you painted them. Great giveaway! I'd love to win!

Have a great week.
Pam

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

Love the font you used for the Boo!

Grammasheri said...

Lovely gourds! I'm so glad Kelly Ann posted about your giveaway! I have become a follower. Now off to see what Annie Sloan is all about...

mar said...

Nice gourds....may have to do one myself...Melyssa loved the fabric and is working on some slip covers on her pillows on the couch....may have to steal one myself...glad everyone is safe from the storm... :-))

joanne said...

awww. cute multiplied!!

I need a sander...enter me please!

AubreyLaine said...

I follow you via GFC and like Hometalk on FB
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com

Aprons and More said...

Love the gourds! Mom esp likes the ghost!! Thanks for the opportunity to win...I am going to go check out hometalk!!

Katy :)

Lydia Armstrong said...

I LOOOOOOOOOVE the witches gourd!!!!

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

I'm already a follower and of course I'd love to be entered!

Your ghost gourd is the black cat's meow!!!

Kathleen Grace said...

My gosh Janet, those gourds are adorable! And how cool is this giveaway? Thanks!

Kathleen Grace said...

I liked Hometalks Facebook page:>)

marylnail@bellsouth.net said...

What a great giveaway! Cute gourds!!

Twila Nesvold said...

I just love little Griselda!!! too cute! I really wish I could enter your Hometalk giveaway... but it won't accept my postal code but asks for a zip code... oh well! I do wish I could get the chalk paint here in Canada.... I have enjoyed your blog once again! Keep it comin' I love it!
Thanks,
Twila

Meadowsweet Cottage said...

You almost make me glad that autumn will soon be here. Almost. Clinging to summer's last gasp!

Frances Tyrrell said...

These are so charming and original, being simultaneously elegant,pretty and spooky - must the work of Tim Burton's good twin sister!

Frances Tyrrell said...

Just a thought - would the draw prize work for a Canadian like myself? I would love to be entered.

Thank boo!

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

I follow The Empty Nest and like Home Talk on Facebook.

I adore the AS chalk paint pumpkin, but the stencil makes you a pumpkin "Rock Star"!!! Love it :D

A Pretty Pastime said...

I love the gourds!

Thank you for hosting such an awesome giveaway!

Katy

Jennifer Juniper said...

I love Home Depot but have never heard of Hometown talk, I'll have to get my tail over there!

Love the creepy crack on that "Booo" gourd!

Jennifer Juniper said...

I facebooked you!

Jennifer Juniper said...

I tweeted! Peep peep!

Rose and Heather said...

Love the guards! They both just make me euh and ah! WONDERFUL!
We would love to have you come link up to our Crafty Lassie Tuesday Link Party. http://sewstylishboutique.blogspot.com/
We are also having a giveaway! Hope to see you there.
Thanks!
Rose & Heather

Little Blue Mouse said...

Griselda is absolutely fantastic!

sue said...

I love your gourds, very nicely done. I am a follower and am always in need of cash for home improvements; who isn't? Thanks for the giveaway.

Leigh Powell Hines said...

I love what you did here for Halloween especially the "Boo Ghost" How cute.

free indeed said...

I've always liked gourds and things made with them. You are very creative. OUr summers aren't long enough to grow our own :(
I'd like to enter the giveaway, so, I am a follower; I liked hometalk on fb and this is my comment. Every home has a fixup/touchup project that HD can help with.

Debra from Bungalow said...

I want to win! That's it, I want to win!

Kathryn Griffin said...

Thanks Janet for hosting the giveaway. I definitely would love to win a Home Depot gift card. Must check out Hometalk. Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatdhouse.blogspot.com

Kathryn Griffin said...

Hi Janet. I liked Hometalk on Facebook. Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Kathryn Griffin said...

Just sent out a Facebook blast to all my friends about your giveaway! Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Kathryn Griffin said...

Just tweeted about your giveaway. Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

marylnail@bellsouth.net said...

Thanks for the great giveaway. I loved the mirror. I may just have to try some of that Annie Sloan paint

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is so cute!!! LOVE the ghost!! I'm gonna have to do this! I am your newest follower :)

Lou Cinda

Anonymous said...

Numerous granite counter tops stores provide in-home measurements as well as set up. Nevertheless, useful homeowners can help to save cash through calculating as well as setting up the actual granite on their own.

Martha said...

Love the boards! Could really use the Home Depot gift card. Thanks

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Wow! I love both gourds. Darling and clever!

Brittany said...

I love this. The little ghost is just so adorable! I might have to give this a try.

Sue said...

Janet, Your ASCP gourds are gorgeous! I guess I should get to work on some of my own! I am a follower and would love to be entered in the HomeTalk give-away. :-) Sue

Sue said...

For entry #2- I already "like" HT and I am a member, as well. :-) Sue

Anonymous said...

First off, that boo gourd is SO CUTE!
I doubt I could re-create it to look that amazing, though.

As far as the giveaway goes, I'm a follower and a FB friend of HomeTalk. FB name: Shannon Curran

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower and I like HomeTalk on Facebook: Michelle Hudak

shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/auntiethesis/status/109577721843167232

shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

9/3 rt
http://twitter.com/#!/auntiethesis/status/110178472193826818

shel704 at aol dot com

Jackie said...

Janet!
Look at all of your lovely chalk paint creations! The boo gourd is amazing! I will tweet about your giveaway and post on Facebook. Thanks for the chance. xo -- jackie

Anonymous said...

joined homeetalk and liked on fb jtwark@mail.com joseph gersch jr

Ladytink_534 said...

That's too cute!!!

I LIKE you on FB~ Jen Tink
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/Ladytink_534/status/110414327776952320

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a Halloween addict so love this project.
Those gourds are not easy (or cooperative) to work on and photograph.

Anonymous said...

I recently discovered Hometalk. I am their Facebook Fan (like) and have been to the site but have not gotten involved other than reading. so much to see there.

Anonymous said...

Sharing on Face Book

Kelly Ann said...

Liked Hometalk on FB...

Liz said...

I follow you with GFC and I already like HomeTalk on Facebook!

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Liz said...

I shared on Facebook!

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Liz said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/FakeGradSchool/status/110558919566442496

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Janet said...

Oh, oh, I love the henna tattoo gourd. I still have no ascp, but a friend does so I will have to borrow just a tad from her for a couple of my old gourds! Thanks for the suggestion. BTW, do you happen to know of anyplace/anyone who has a couple of pieces of leopard tissue paper? I saw a gourd project last year that involved the paper but can't find any locally and getting it on the web with crazy shipping costs is nuts. Just thought I would ask :)

Anonymous said...

I bought the Witches Abide last week....love, love, love it!!! Donna

Kathryn said...

Love the ghost!! The font is great too!

BrianZUxU said...

and then I shared your link on Facebook....

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