Tip #1 when I am applying my base coats I tend to do a mix of 3 to 1 color and water. This way I get a smooth even coat. It may take 2-3 coats but it saves your piece from getting weighted down and also prevents the lines.

Tip #2 If you do end up with lines or high edges from your brush strokes you can take a paper bag and go over it to smooth it out some in between applications of paint. (Make sure no printing is on the part of the bag you are using.) Sometimes you have to lightly sand it. But if you use my base coat technique it prevents obvious brush strokes.

Tip #3 I keep a washcloth at my paint station I use it to clean my brushes as I am painting. It's washable and I can use it over and over. I also keep a rather large container of water right next to my rag. Makes it easy for floating and washing...

If you have any tips you would like to share please post them here for others to see. I have others I'll just have to think of them. Have a great day!

New Day!

Good Friday MORNING!

Well it's bright and early for me. I have been up sense 3:00 am, and I have to say I am tired. My mind is just running wild and I can't sleep. I have been working on my magazine submission and I have to say I just can't stop thinking about what I am going to do next. I am so looking forward to turning it in. I wish I could share the details but shhh it's a secret. It has given me some wonderful ideas which sparked my creativity. I am looking forward to getting busy and listing some things on etsy. Hope all is well out there in blogging land.

The other things on my plate are I am going to go to school! Holy cow! Just something else to do. I remember my grama saying don't put too many irons in the fire because nothing will get done...It will I'm on a schedule...at least I think I am.

Have a wonderful Friday!

I'm back in the saddle again!!!!

Well hello everyone in the blogging world. I have been away for a little while I have been moving...no fun at all. I have to say that I am so happy where I am living now. I was living on base and well thats just a whole different world I must say. I like it here we have a fenced in back yard and I sit on my back patio and just listen to the birds and relax. On base all you ever heard were crows which was interesting at first then it became creepy. Now I hear other types of birds singing and just chirping along. Its really nice.

I finally got my paint room organized and I have started on my project for Create and Decorate which will be out in Dec. 08 (very excited about that). I would love to tell you what it is but I can't do that...It's a surprise. I am going to start in the next couple of weeks listing some things on Etsy. My etsy name is gramasgourdsandprim. I couldn't fit my whole name, so I just shortened it a little. So when I get some things listed i'll let ya know. I hope all is well for everyone.

I do have to tell you that my daughter sings in choir and they went to Disneyland to Music in the Parks to sing and they took 1st place...which was awesome. This was also our first time going to Disneyland and I have to say I had a really good time. I was surround by a group of adults whom turned into kids because my daughter and I had never been to Disneyland. They were great for example...Oh we have to take you here and oh you have to see this. We had a great time.