Paintings & Artwork: I make my own "oil paintings" by printing pictures on glossy photo paper. Make sure ink has dried completely.  Then I spray it with "Workable Art Fixative".  It's available in art supply and craft stores [I buy it in Ben Franklin]  - it's a clear, fast-drying protection that artists use when working with charcoal, chalk and pencil drawings.  I usually spray a couple of light coats to the whole page of photo paper.

Next, I spray the back with Spray Adhesive and adhere it to a sheet of poster board or thin cardboard.  I always save those thin sheets of brown cardboard that come in packs of paper because they're the perfect thickness.

To give each picture the look and texture of an oil painting, apply a coat of Decoupage Paste [matte] to each picture.  I like to use a soft brush and "stiple" it on.  It's cloudy until it dries, but it dries to a clear coat. Then I can cut out each "painting" and put them in frames.

Some good sources for paintings are on the Internet from: http://www.art.com http://www.nga.gov/collection/collect.htm

Ricki Pitzner

Cake decorating columns: I use the stone paint on mine, it does take 2 or 3 coats to cover.  Or if I want a metal look I use Modern Options Bronzepaint.

Charlean

Antique a Mirror: I learned this tip from Bluette Melony. Make sure your mirror is clean. Take a cellulose sponge cut into a small rectangle or square -(something that fits comfortably in your hand). I pick off all the "hard' edges along the four sides. Lightly pounce that onto a plastic/paper plate with a light coating of Elmers mixed with some water. Gently pounce the mirror - don't get carried away - you want it to look old not shattered. If you have some bronze or light brown pastels - shave a little off (really powdered) and sprinkle it on top of the mirror. Gently raise and turn the mirror so the powder goes on to all the "glued" areas. Let dry. Blow excess off-

Renee

Creating oil stains on garage floors:   Remember to make them look realistic position them properly.  Cars leak oil from their engine or differential usually this makes the stain under the front or back quarter of the car not the middle. Often if you have a car that leaks oil you will find a larger puddle under one end and a smaller puddle under the other - either because both the engine and the differencial leak (and the diff leaks less) or - more likely - you usually park nose first in the garage but occasionally reverse in.

Sandra Monk