Trendy upcycled drinks trolley

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a trendy upcycled drinks trolley, upcycled for the Children’s Air Ambulance 💙💙 Hope you enjoy!

I started off by lightly sanding by hand. I painted the drinks trolley with a teal frenchic furniture paint (looks more emerald green in person). I painted a few layers. I made a mistake with the stencil at first, so had to repaint and wait to dry again. I then spray painted gold on the stencil in all four corners, and on the bottom level a different stencil in the centre. I had to be careful spray painting, I covered the rest of the trolley with taped down newspaper to avoid unwanted spillages. To finish, I used frenchic top coat to seal.

(The paint is still slightly wet in above pic). I am really pleased with how this one turned out. I love the colour and have had compliments on it, the stencils aren’t perfect but it’s impossible to achieve perfection. I think it looks really shabby chic and cool. The start this year of many more upcycling projects for the Children’s Air Ambulance, it’s been a while! Haha 😄 I’ve got a bit of a tan with working outside, despite wearing factor 50 suncream and a big floppy hat. Ha!

Thank you so much for reading/viewing 🙂 My next project, before more upcycling- I’m going pub painting with my friend on Tuesday, so keep a look out for another amateur acrylic painting!

Lots of love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Gentle Joan’ amateur portrait drawing of family friend

Leave a comment

Hello again everybody! The latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a now unfortunately deceased family friend, Joan 💙💙

I increased the size of a standard photo at the library, to A3 size. I then used my A3 light box to outline Joan on paper. Working from photographs, I carefully sketched and shaded.. I also incorporated some paw prints, with a purple border – Joan absolutely adored dogs, they were her life 💜💜

Joan was my mum’s best friend who unfortunately died suddenly three years ago 😢 She was an incredible kind woman, and helped me so much when I was looking after mum, she was a god send 💕 I’ve kept in touch with Joan’s husband Merv, and visit him regularly, this is who the portrait is for.. He has a bullmastiff Spencer, who mum loved, and I always say to mum I gave Spencer a big kiss from his Auntie Debbie 💕

Merv was very happy with the portrait 😊 I am only an amateur and I know I’m not the best in the world, but I think I am improving with practice..and it’s the sentimental value too isn’t it..

Here is the finished piece, framed:

Thank you as always for taking the time to view/ read.. I might start another diamond art soon🎨 💎

Much love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘African animals’ amateur marker pen original art

Leave a comment

Hi everybody! My latest blog post is progression photos of an amateur ‘African animals’ amateur marker pen original art 💙💙 Hope you enjoy!

I started out sketching the outlines of my African animals; giraffe, elephant, lion, rhino and buffalo.. the style of drawing is like subjects from art therapy books; pretty, brightly coloured, patterned and detailed 😀 As well as colouring the animals vibrantly with marker pens, I bordered the subjects with a black marker pen to make them stand out and ‘pop’ 🥰

I would love to visit Africa and do a safari/ construction and renovation volunteering in Zambia.. I feel like Africa is really special 💙 hence why I decided to do this artwork 😜

My next project is an amateur portrait drawing of a wonderful woman Joan who passed away three years ago.. she was my mum’s best friend and a god send, helping me look after mum (my mum has early onset alzheimers) 😢 I have stayed in contact with Joan’s husband Merv, that’s who the portrait is for..I will maybe draw her dog too Spencer, she adored dogs..I thought that would be a nice thing to do 💕

Thank you again for taking the time to read/view.. lots of love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Seaside and starfish’ amateur pub painting

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur ‘Seaside and starfish’ pub painting…

We started out with orange sand before beginning the water. We used light and darker shades of blue to give a more realistic ocean 💙 Then for great effect, we dabbed white with a sponge to give a softer wave, and created a cute little pink starfish in the right hand bottom corner. Also, we tried to give the beach more texture..

Becca is a self taught great artist who guides us through the entire process, a group in a pub setting which is a fab atmosphere..therapeutic but a lot of fun too! I look forward going every month with my friend Denise 💕

Coming up next, I’m on with an amateur Africa/safari theme original artwork I’ve completed with my colour pens…so keep a look out! 😄

As always, thanks for viewing reading.. much love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Grandson and Grandma’ amateur drawing

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur family portrait drawing for my lovely friend Sue, who has unfortunately just lost her grandson in a tragic road traffic accident 😢

I printed off a photo of Sue and her grandson with my printer, and enlarged a copy to A3 size at the library. I started using my A3 light pad to get an outline of them both, then took my time shading. I included calligraphy ‘Torn apart, but together forever in heart’, as I felt this made a nice sentimental quote.

I realise my drawing is amateur, and not so professional as it once was while I did my art A-level many years ago, I’ve kind of lost it…however, the most important thing for me was for Sue to like it, and she is absolutely over the moon, which makes me very happy 😁 She can cherish it forever, as another friend said

And here is the finished drawing…

Thank you so much for taking the time to read/view my post…

Next, I might use my specialist marker pens to create something colourful, but I’m not quite sure yet, so please just keep a look out 🥰

All the best, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Jacqui and Jesus’ amateur drawing

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur drawing of my priest Jacqui, and Jesus christ..as a gift for helping me through my confirmation preparation 😊

I obtained an outline of Jesus off of the Internet, and printed alongside a recent photo of Jacqui..I used my A3 light pad to trace these outlines onto A3 sketching paper..I sketched and shaded my two subjects..one of Jacqui’s favourite quotes in the bible is from psalm 139: ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ to which I added calligraphy at the bottom of the portrait.. and when Jacqui thinks of God she has told me she visualises the great light of God’s love, hence the sun..I used tea bags to give the background a distressed look.. lastly I framed with a black frame…and here is the end result:

I think I may do a couple more amateur portaits as gifts to family/friends, that would be a nice thing to do 😄

Thank you as ever for taking the time to read/view!

Lots of love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Enchanted forest’ diamond art

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an enchanted forest diamond art 💎🎨 Hope you like!

It was so much fun doing this diamond art! They are so time consuming (took me a few weeks) but so therapeutic and enjoyable 😄

I have another previous diamond art I am trying to sell with this one, to go towards my fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society (I’m doing a paraglide in the Peak District)..my sister bought me another elephant diamond art too to complete next 💕

Here is the finished art piece…

I am quite proud of this, and looking forward to doing the next diamond art!

Next, however, I am planning on drawing a portrait as it’s sooooo long since I’ve done so…I won’t detail who I am drawing as it is a surprise present for a friend who may read this..haha 😆 But yeah, keep a look out 😜

Thank you as always for reading/viewing!

Many thanks, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Penguins in love’ amateur acrylic painting

Leave a comment

Hi everyone, thanks for checking out my personal blog! My latest post is progression photos of an amateur acrylic painting of two love struck penguins, created this month at pub painting..hope you enjoy! 😀

I must be honest, out of the other three pub paintings I’ve done, I found this the most challenging..when it came to silhouetting the two love birds anyway, lol.. but although I am only an amateur artist, I think they’re a little bit cute, hehe…I’m looking forward to the next session in a month’s time with my friend Denise! 😀

And here are the finished ‘Penguins in love’🐧🐧 💙💙

Thank you so much for reading/viewing, and keep an eye out for my next artistic project blog post..

Lots of love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Northern Lights’ amateur acrylic painting

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! So sorry it’s been so long since my last blog post. This one is progression photos of a ‘Northern Lights’ amateur acrylic painting, done at Pub Painting yesterday, hope you enjoy!

Becca, the artist of Pub Painting,guided myself and my friend Denise through the artistic process

The final painting is black and white mountain ranges under a vibrant fluorescent Northern Lights starry sky, with gorgeous lake colourful reflections

Please keep a look out for an ‘Enchanted Forest’ diamond art I am on with (to hopefully sell to go towards my paraglide fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society) and also I am starting to do upcycling again for the Children’s Air Ambulance charity now as the weather improves 👍👍 So watch this space! 😊

Thank you for taking the time to view/ read!

All the best, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

Turkey and tinsel getaway with Gran

Leave a comment

Hello fellow followers, my latest blog post is something a little different- a travel description/ photographs of a turkey and tinsel getaway with my beautiful grandma Ruth 😊

First on our itinerary, on our way to Scarborough, was a half way, few hour break at Ripon! We had refreshments at a local cafe and a wander near the cathedral.

Our first full day on holiday we visited the gorgeous, picturesque town of Whitby! I have never been before, but I was surely not disappointed. We dined at a cute cafe and strolled along the bay and through the cobbled quirky streets.

On our second full day we visited stunning York. This was a ‘mystery tour’. I actually used to live in York at university, so I knew the city well and where to go. We took nice photos at the cathedral, the cobbled shambles, and delighted in walking around the Christmas Market. It certainly is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! 😊

The following day, Thursday, we had a stroll in Scarborough (where our hotel was based). It was a lovely day by the beach, and leisurely walking around the shops. Gran however, being 85 years old, found the hills a bit challenging as Scarborough is very steep..we did use the tram down and back up. I found it a nice little beach resort ☺️

Last on our itinerary, on our way back from Scarborough, we called in at Beverly for a couple of hours, to which I finally started my Christmas shopping! We dined in a couple of cafes for drinks and nibbles, and enjoyed a steady gander in the shops.

And that was our five day (Monday to Friday) turkey and tinsel getaway!

The rooms were actually a bit shabby at the hotel, a bit outdated to be honest, and there was only one lift for four floors, which was a bit of a nightmare! But, the food was absolutely delicious, every night, three course meal and breakfast in the morning… Scrumptious 😋

It was great spending quality time with my gran, even if we do bicker sometimes haha 😄

Thank you do much for taking the time to read/view… Many thanks, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com