Creative Friday #11: Dog Art On A Cart

I've been behind on my Creative Friday posts...been doing a lot but nothing worth blogging about. Today, however, I have a makeover for you I think you'll like!

Once upon a time (last year), I found a metal tiered cart at Canton Trade Days. I paid $12 for it which was a bargain considering most I've found have been $35 and up. It had been painted an ugly mustard yellow color and they painted over the rust plus the chrome legs. (Can you say a bad paint job?)

It's been sitting in the garage waiting to be made over - last year we had a very rainy and cool spring (every time I wanted to work on it, it rained) and summer was too hot. Then other projects took over and it languished.

Finally, I pulled it out this past weekend so I could work on it. I sanded it to get rid of the raised areas caused by rust, flipped it over and sanded the underside, then I took paint stripper and slathered it on. Yuck -  stinky, gloopy mess. But the mustard yellow is gone.

I used aluminum foil and vinegar to tackle the rust on the legs - the rust was pretty bad as you can see.

It took a lot off although I wasn't able to get rid of all the rust stains. 

And amazingly the red factory finish didn't come off. It's a bit faded and distressed with pocking from the rust but I like it so I'm not going to repaint it and make it shiny and new looking. 

That done, it was time to give it some (more) character. I wanted a cute graphic so using a graphic dog advertisement I saw on Pinterest,

source

and my dogs as models I came up with my own take of a dog ad.

"Good boy, Buddy!"

"Look up here, Herbie"

A quick sketch gives me my image for the dog ad:

Using carbon paper, I traced the words and image onto the cart

traced the lines with a black paint pen,

and started painting. Here it's close to being finished- just need to add details:

 After the paint dried, I went back to add details. Where the paint looks more black, it is actually still wet.

After it was dry, I added a clear coat of spray paint on all parts.

I'll be taking it to the farm this week to use out on the porch. I love the faded look of the red paint with the distressed areas - then there's the border collie/hot dog art.

Too cute!

Buddy and Herbie approve!

"Now, where's our hot dog?"

I'm sharing here:
Vintage Charm Party
Coastal Charm Show and Share
Make It Pretty Monday
Talk of the Town