Wooden Train Set Revival

Sorry for the mommy outburst this morning... I've debated pulling that post, but decided that It's my blog and part of my life so I may as well let you all in on the 'behind the scenes' here!

A few hours with a paintbrush can work miracles and I couldn't wait to show you my newest little revived treasure! 

I recently had a chance to get out and do some thrifting at the local GW. I absolutely love to shop. I admit I get a thrill from it, especially when I find some really neat stuff for my home and shop at some wonderful prices! As I meandered the isles of the thrift store... my eyes always gravitate to all things wood and paintable.  {I saw the most adorable old couch with scrolled  claw feet, but unfortunately was not able to purchase it... sob sob}.  I pretty much had all I could afford to grab that day when my eyes spotted a small unfinished wood box, shaped like a briefcase.  At first I thought it was one of those art sets you can find just about anywhere.  I almost just kept on walkin'.

As I started to walk by, I decided to just go ahead and take a little peek... even if it were one of those art sets... the unfinished box alone would make a great surface to paint a lil something onto...

To my surprise, as I opened the latches... it was the cutest little wooden magnetic train set!

The tracks and animals are in an almost new state; the little train has seen some wear... nothing that couldn't be fixed though... I think?  The price was certainly right so I put the little cutie in my cart. 

I thought and thought on that little box for about 2 days and this morning I just grabbed a pencil, sketching out a cute little train right onto both sides of the box.  Grabbing the paint, I set out to create a cute little train case fit for any little conductor!

One side, the text, "My Train" was added with some thinned black paint and a liner brush.  The other side was left with no text, so that it can be personalized.  

 
Here's a close up of the little train... {don't worry, the smiley faced watermark isn't part of the design}

Debating whether I should place him the Shop or hold him back for the craft fairs I will be doing in October.  Kinda wishin' Awesome was a bit smaller to play with it... but somehow I don't think 11 year old boys play with little magnetic train sets, lol. 

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On Board the PB Knock Off Train

Christmas Day may be over now, but remember the spirit of Christmas can carry on!  My goal from now and into the New Year is to enjoy everyday life much more; to be happier and joyful in the midst of it all. I pray the same for all of you as this next week charges down the tracks straight into the 2012 New Year.

Now please pardon my lame train track metaphor as I share with you my knock off attempt of the PB locomotive wall decal.  I spent the most part of December painting this in bits and pieces between many other projects.

[post updated 3/8/12] added photo of painted train back to post!  I still don't know why they disappeared!

My inspiration came from the PB Kids Halloween 2011 issue.  I immediately thought of my parents and their love of all things rustic (trains, deer, browns & blues) and said to myself, "you can do that!".

{image via Pottery Barn Kids 2011 - No longer available product}

So I pulled out my humongo roll of painters canvas and a pencil and got straight to work.  Hand sketching the image as closely as possible to the white canvas.

It is hard to see, but the image was roughly sketched onto the canvas above.

The image was then filled in loosely with watered down blue acrylic paint.

Layers and layers of different shades of blue were added to create depth shading to the locomotive.  White, grey and silver were added in layers for some highlights and more dimension.  Honestly, it was bugging me to end that my little headlight was not 'right'.  I am my own worst critic as my family insisted it was 'fine'... 'fine' was not what I was going for unfortunately!  BUT, that is what is so great about paint... you can adjust and paint over til you get it almost right.

The brown background was added after the locomotive details were complete.  The train number was added along with some detailed bolt work on the face of the train.  The light looks more centered in the next photo from the retouch I made. (you can see the catalog used for reference in above photo)

The white steam and tunnel opening details were added.

To finish the painting, a rustic frame was constructed (thanks to dear hubby) from some wood and painted with the same brown paint as the background.

The perfectionist in me knows full well that some of my angles are a bit off, but all in all I am pleased with the way it turned out.  The best part is that the whole thing cost me under $5 to duplicate as all the supplies were on hand except the wood framing!  Thanks for the inspiration PB but you can keep your $99 price tag!



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