I wanted this post to be about my newly honed skills in transferring techniques.
I wanted to show you something awesome and cool and unique.
I wanted to have some neat projects that I was proud of and that could inspire you all.
If you can settle for ‘eh’, then read on.
But if not, I’ll understand. Maybe you have a spice rack that needs organizing, or a root canal appointment, or any number of other exciting ways to spend your time…
If you’re still with me, you rock ;).
I’ve wanted to learn transfer techniques for a while now, so when I learned of a class that was teaching just that I jumped at the opportunity. It was 6 classes, held once a week on Mondays from 1:30-4:30, and they took place in this historic building (i.e., no a/c!) on the top floor.
I bought a membership, which entitles me to class discounts for a year. That, along with the class tuition brought the grand total to $290. Pricey? Yes, but I didn’t mind as long as I learned a few techniques that were worth it.
For the first class we spent some time looking at examples of collages, which was just about as exciting as it sounds. We were asked to think about a theme for our project(s) and bring the necessary materials to the next class.
What??!
I had no clue what I wanted to do. Actually, I didn’t really want to do anything. I just wanted to learn some tips for future use, but I’ve had a couple of nested trays that I purchased at a tag sale a couple of years ago I’ve never liked so I figured I’d start with the larger one and see where it took me.
I basically worked with papers I already had and a few that were provided. The problem was all I was really doing was decoupaging the tray, a skill most second graders know.
Can I get a ‘whoop, whoop’?
I had no rhyme or reason to what I was doing, and true collage is anything but random. A couple of the other students were producing what I would consider to be true collages, but I wondered what they would do with them when all was said and done. Being the pragmatist that I am, I wanted something that I could use on a practical level.
I finished the tray after week 4 and then moved on to some chargers I had which have been sitting in a closet for years. Initially they were gold, then somewhere along the way I painted them silver, which doesn’t really work with my decor.
In anticipation of Autumn, I decided to use some cut out fruit placed somewhat randomly. I also put some gold paint on an old vinyl textured placemat and used it to create a random, irregular gold pattern. Not bad, but again, this is NOT collage or transferring!
Finally, during class 5 I asked about transfer techniques (like pulling teeth!) and here’s what I was told: cut out whatever it is you want to transfer to the piece, spread a thick layer of Gel Medium (available at any art supply store) on the image, place it fact down and after making sure it’s flat (I usually used a small roller) let dry completely. Once dry, wet a sponge thoroughly and wipe off the ‘wrong’ side of the image.
This tray was the baby sister of the other one, and they were originally a very dark brown so they needed two good coats of the white (I didn’t prime) before I was able to place the image on top. This method isn’t foolproof by any means. Sometimes part of the image can come off if you’re not careful, and more often than not you can see the outline of the paper if you look closely.
Not exactly earth shattering instructions, right? I really hoped I would have been able to pass along something cool and easy but it is what it is. Now that I have the membership, I really feel I should take at least one other class to make it worth while. There’s a photography class I might be interested in, and get this…there’s a blogging class!! It’s called Blogging For Business, but since I don’t monetize, I’m not sure if that’s something I should do but I it’s just two sessions so we’ll see.
In other news…
The boys are gone after a week of fun and games and we’re playing catch up now. We took them to Jiminy Peak the other day, and I’m not sure who had more fun, me or them :o).
The Alpine Slide is the biggest I’ve ever seen, and I pretty much went down full throttle, not once, but twice. Fun, fun, fun!!
The weather has been weird lately…cool, then hot and humid, then rainy. I’m hoping for some decent weather so we can start the fire pit on Monday and hopefully show you the finished product next time.
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
I have taken some classes like that, which were real disappointments, including a 9-week photography class. About 5 weeks in, I asked, uh, when are we going to learn to take pictures? We never really did…I don’t get it. But, I did just learn something from you – transferring! I had no idea how that was done. Your transfers look like some wallpaper I have! I hope whatever course you take next is better! And good for you on that Alpine slide! I’m such a chicken.
Doreen says
Funny, but I don’t peg you as a chicken Amy, but more a typical, gutsy New Jersey/New Yawker type (like me lol). Now go get your sassy butt over to Six Flags and go for it!
Al says
That sounds like such a disappointment. I’d be so bummed if I’d payed good money and didn’t learn what I’d wanted to learn. Hopefully the next one you sign up for will be better.
Emily says
Although not exactly what you were looking for I’m sue you enjoyed the class and learned a few tips. Love the tray. The photography class would be interesting and I would love to take a blogging class if I could find one! Your summer ended on a great note with fun with the kids.
Have a great Saturday…………..
Cindy says
I love transfering. I use the mod podge method and works every time. So easy. I am getting more and more images on my Pinterest board.
Looks like you had fun at the park. Itβs good for our child side comes out to play
Cindy
Doreen says
Hey Cindy, I’m curious about the mod podge method? If that’s the same as the Gel, I tried it and it didn’t work. Do tell!
xxx
tammy j says
i love those slides too!!! i’d have been right there behind you whooshing down on my own!
just to show you how non-crafty I AM… oh ok. i’ll go ahead and embarrassingly admit it.
i thought it was some kind of photography class and had to do with transferring pictures you’ve taken…
to what tammy? the blog? she already does that in spades! so i couldn’t figure out why they were talking about collages!
LOLOL.
then of course… when I saw the trays… HELLO!
my only real question is…
why would someone paint a gorgeous old building the color of mustard with horseradish?
xoxo
tammy j says
you’re so cute by the way!
Doreen says
LOL You’re so cute too ;).
It’s funny, but I’ve seen a couple of interesting buildings painted that color and I kinda like it…but I’m weird.
tammy j says
maybe it’s cuz it makes you want a hot dog! just sayin’
β₯
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I would rather read this post than organize my spices or anything for that matter π
Jane says
I think the tray is very pretty. I hope you find a class you can really sink your teeth in. Paying up front can be such a disappointment if it’s not a good fit. I got roped into a gym membership (and you know how exercise and I love each other), so while it may have been an incentive for some to go all year, I just felt ripped off when I decided I really hated the whole gym experience. Now I go to the gym at a university a few blocks away. I pay once a month.
Love that cute picture of you. You are so ALIVE!!
Jane x
Kelly says
I love how your final project turned out from your collage class. I bet it’s fun to learn things like that and be able to practice them with others at the same time. I love the picture of you! So cute!!
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Well that’s a bummer that it was rather disappointing, however I love what you made! I think that big tray looks so nice with your decor and I love the papers you chose. I think you should definitely do the photography one next!
Looks like some great fun with the boys! We have an alpine slide in our area too. My Crew has been on it, but I haven’t been up there yet. One of these days…
Happy weekend to you dear Doreen! xoxo
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
You look like you’re having lots of fun in that photo!
Brenda
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
I’m not sure I really know what “collage” is either! It just seems to be putting a bunch of pieces of paper that have been torn or cut out on a surface with some sort of Mod Podge.. but I always thought that was “decoupage”!! Maybe the craft world has just renamed decoupage to collage. I don’t know. Was hoping your class would come up with some super neaty neat technique that was different! Mostly today, I hear “mixed media” used more than collage, which is the process (I think?) of painting your surface, then using stencils and paint, then painting more, spraying ink on it, then pasting pieces of paper on top, more Mod Podge, more paper, bits of this or that, etc. to me that is “collage” but am really kind of in the dark about it all!
Doreen says
You’re on the right tract (I think) about mixed media Marilyn. The name of the class was ‘collage and print media’, which pretty much covers a lot (but didn’t deliver). A ‘true’ collage is really a work of art and is a bit more than decoupage. There are many ‘Masters’, with work in art galleries, museums, etc. For instance, let’s say you want to have the image of a woman’s face…you would use something for her nose, something else for her neck, maybe something else for her hat, and it all comes to together to form her image. Any form of media could work such as you pointed out…stencils, ink, paper.
I guess I was really thinking about learning techniques for embellishing furniture. Lesson to self *ask instructor what will be covered before plopping down $$).
xxx
Mimi says
Doreen, that’s so frustrating, isn’t it? I did a Papier Mache` course like that once. Like you I realised pretty much class one, that I already knew all this stuff. I wanted to make sculptures, and she was teaching bowls moulded on the base of a balloon. Der…I did that in fourth grade. Sigh. I actually like your transferred tray, but agree that all the other looks more like decoupage. Another fourth grader skill. Love the Alpine slide. We have a favourite one called The Luge in Singapore where we visit frequently. Much fun! Love, Mimi xxx
Doreen says
It definitely was frustrating Mimi! While I was there I enjoyed the class, but didn’t really learn much to justify the cost.
My daughter lives in Singapore. I’ve been twice but didn’t realize there was an alpine slide there. Interesting to note!
Vickie says
I’ve taken a few classes that have been huge disappointments, too, Doreen. I took a photography class that I learned absolutely nothing from. She went through everything so fast, that I didn’t have time to even locate the dial or button she was talking about before she moved on to the next! I hope your next class is a bit more challenging.
Looks like you had a blast on the alpine slide! Sometimes it’s fun to just be a kid again!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
There are some DIY classes given in a store not far from Cottage, but now, I’m not sure it’s worth it to go, as it seems they only tell you things we already know. At least, you did beautiful projects, even if you didn’t learn much!
Jemma says
Doreen,
I like your tray -I cannot see what you are seeing, maybe you are just being too critical of your creativity. I think it’s cool that you signed up for these classes, you do know that in order for us to stay vital we must try new things(which you are always doing, like lifting boulders too)-Part of the that post I wrote a while back:) and actually you do look young and oh so full of energy and cute!
I bet the boys have the best time with you and get a kick out of your adventurous spirit-they are fortunate to a have such a fun Mimi.
Happy Sunday-cutie!
xo
Jemma
Linda says
Hi Doreen,
I have been wanting to take a collage class too. There is a day long class offered that I may take, I think it about $200 but all supplies are provided and so is a garden fresh meal. I like all of your projects and chargers are something I could really use. I like to be able to use my creations too rather than having them all sit around collecting dust! the tray is lovely too! I tried transferring a large black and white photo to a painter’s canvas. I also used mod podge. Most of it came out beautifully but then a good-sized section did not transfer and it ruined the entire project. So back to the drawing board….. Have a great week.
Linda
mysewwhatblog
rue says
I think your projects turned out really well! I’m not that much of a craft gal, so I’m impressed.
Cute picture of you π
Oh and Mikey is alive and doing well: http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/john-gilchrist-who-played-mikey-in-life-cereal-commercial-still-likes-it-after-all-these-years-1.4253447
xo,
rue
Feral Turtle says
That’s too bad about your class. I am sure with your skills you should have been the teacher but hopefully you made a new friend or two. Love all of your projects you did though. Looks like you had a blast with the kids!! Maybe you could incorporate an Alpine ride into your backyard makeover????? LOL Cheers.
Julie says
Hi Doreen, wow I love all of the projects you worked on and they are pretty. I like the tray that you worked on. It looks like you are having a great summer!
Wishing you a wonderful week.
Julie xo
Doreen says
Thanks Julie! Sorry I haven’t been by but I’ll catch up soon. Have a great weekend and enjoy this fabulous weather ;).
Susan Williams says
Your projects turned out really well! So Iβm impressed.
Very cute picture.