Search Our Site
Categories
Please Join Our Mail List; Receive a
Pages
Random Number Generator
Meta
Canvasworks
Please join our mailing list.
I thought it would be pretty cool to have a place to discuss current projects, give advice about floorcloth painting and keep you up to date on life in Vermont.
Please use this blog to do the following:
-ask your questions regarding floorcloth construction
-send photos of completed floorcloth projects
-tell me about your successes, and if you must, not so successful projects.
-let me know what Canvasworks can offer you. Would you like to be able to order brushes? paint? stencils? from the website? Would you be interested in a class conducted on line?
I look forward to this new adventure. Welcome aboard.
-Lisa
June 29th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I’ve wanted to make my own floorcloth for some time now and I’m hesitant to start because I want to make absolutely sure that I start with the supplies that I want. I am specifically interested in historical paint pallettes and stencils. Are there specific websites that you can recommend? Also, being from the midwest…I am just not able to find any workshops in my area. An online workshop would be fantastic!
June 30th, 2007 at 5:33 am
I use Benjamin Moore paints and I like their selection of “Historical Colors”. As far as stencils go, I’m considering offering a selection of historic stencils for floorcloths. I’ll let you know when these are available.
Canvasworks is now in the process of scheduling a series of In-Studio Workshops. There will be one in November, one in January and one in March. I may try to incorporate an online version to coordinate with these. Check the website for details as they become available.
August 9th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I just finished your Christmas Star kit rug, and I used mounting adhesive to stick it to the wood floor. It made little lumps in the rug edge where the adhesive is. Should I make the blobs smaller?
Also, I want to stencil a rug, but I have never done any stenciling. What type of paint should I use – where to buy it? Also brushes. And the actual stencils – where do suggest I look for them? I’d love it if you sold them in the future.
July 28th, 2007 at 6:35 am
I am a very beginner. I really appreciate the encouragement in your book.
I would like to make a stair runner. My mother has expressed reservations about slipperiness. She suggested sand in the poly. Any suggstions? I think it will be ok as is (stair rods are my fastener of choice).
I would like an on-line class, especially if I can watch it when the kids are asleep.
July 30th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I made a floorcloth several years ago. When I moved to a new home I had to roll it up. I attempted to do so using a large tube to roll it on. But, as I rolled it onto the tube it cracked all over. Why would it do that? Do you have any suggestions to repair it?
August 5th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Your floorcloths are beautiful! I have tried making a few–want to focus on doing pets
on floorcloths. My first attempts have cracked and I need some guidance. Could it be that
I didn’t give the paint long enough time to dry before varnishing? It is so frustrating when so
many hours are spent on them. Also, do you recommend always hemming the floorcloths?
There are no workshops in my area (Williamsburg, VA). Please let me know more about your
workshops. Thanks!!
August 6th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Cracking of the painted surface is a difficult one to solve. There are a few reasons it may be happening. First, check the quality of your paint. I recommend Benjamin Moore professional grade paints. Lower quality paints have more fillers which tend to crack. Second, be sure that the paint has dried thoroughly before applying poly (and again, use only top-quality polyurethane). Third, be certain that the floorcloth is secured to the floor. If it slides and bends or gets turned up at the corners, cracking will occur.
About the workshops. I am currently planning on conducting one in November. I may attempt running it online at the same time that I am teaching in-studio. Please check back to the website regularly for updates.
August 9th, 2007 at 5:37 am
I am now using Benjamin Moore paints; should I use a Benjamin Moore water-based polyurethane as well; and should I apply it with a brush or roller? What is the best way to secure the floorcloth to the floor so that the corners won’t bend up and crack? Should I apply more coats of poly if using the floorcloth in a kitchen where it will get a lot of wear; and will too many coats also cause it to crack? Thanks, Lisa!
August 9th, 2007 at 5:44 am
I haven’t tried Benjamin Moore’s polyurethane. I use Minwax Polycrylic and apply 5 coats with a brush (rollers can cause air bubbles to form). Double-sided carpet tape or mounting putty (found in the stationary department of KMart or WalMart) will do a good job securing the floorcloth to the floor to prevent cracking.
If you’re worried about high traffic causing wear and tear, apply additional coats of poly annually.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:50 am
The “blobs” only need to be about the size of a pea. Then squash them flat before applying.
I find that the stencil cream paints (I like “Stencil Decor”) work best. They don’t bleed under the stencil when applied. The only drawback is that you are limited to the colors they sell. It’s very difficult to mix the colors successfully to get a different color.
Which stencils would you like to see offered for sale on the website?
August 9th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Hi Lisa,
I love your site. I want to make my own floor cloth and have been studing up via books and the internet. I have one question…..most people prime or gesso their floor cloths after they preshrink the canvas….
your site does not mention this step. Do you prime or gesso your clothes before laying out the design and painting.
I thank you for all your help! Linda M.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Each piece is primed prior to cutting and hemming here at Canvasworks. This allows us to get custom measurements exact.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 am
I just ordered your book from Amazon.com and then came upon your website. I am so excited to get started. In answer to your question regarding what we would like from your website, I, for one, would love a “one-stop shopping place” myself. No time to run here and there since I work fulltime. Would be so convenient to be able to buy paint, brushes, stencils, etc. from one place. And I would be very interested in an online class.
Your work is stunning and inspiring!
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Hi:
I am looking for a great stencils web sight. I want a sea side theme with various things like crab, shrimp and sea shells. At one time I had a great sight from Great Britain but seem to have lots it. Any ideas?
Thanks;
Jeanean Craig
September 10th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Hi Lisa
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience w us.
I was wondering do you use oil or latex paints?
Also is there a finishing option besides polyurethane?
(I do not like the shiny finishes.)
What about just wax? Have you ever used this as a finish before,
and do you know what they used if anything, on the old floorcloths, prior to poly?