Comments on: Welcome to the Canvasworks blog! http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hello-world Floorcloths, their history, their making and what inspires Vermont Artist, Lisa Curry Mair, to make them. Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:09:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: marie http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-80 marie Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:24:28 +0000 #comment-80 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? 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?

]]> By: Jeanean Craig http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-73 Jeanean Craig Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:23:57 +0000 #comment-73 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 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

]]> By: Linda B. http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-72 Linda B. Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:00:41 +0000 #comment-72 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! 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!

]]> By: lisa http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-64 lisa Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:16:53 +0000 #comment-64 Each piece is primed prior to cutting and hemming here at Canvasworks. This allows us to get custom measurements exact. Each piece is primed prior to cutting and hemming here at Canvasworks. This allows us to get custom measurements exact.

]]> By: Linda Miller http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-62 Linda Miller Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:22:41 +0000 #comment-62 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. 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.

]]> By: lisa http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-61 lisa Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:50:16 +0000 #comment-61 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? 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?

]]> By: lisa http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-60 lisa Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:44:51 +0000 #comment-60 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. 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.

]]> By: Peggy Price http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-59 Peggy Price Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:37:28 +0000 #comment-59 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! 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!

]]> By: lisa http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-57 lisa Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:38:48 +0000 #comment-57 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. 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.

]]> By: Peggy Price http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/2007/09/10/hello-world/comment-page-1#comment-56 Peggy Price Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:54:48 +0000 #comment-56 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!! 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!!

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