Painting

Nearly every morning, Pete and I ask each other what we're doing that day. Being retired has its perks, including setting our own agendas. Between our regular daily tasks, we usually have time to pursue our own interests. And I must admit, Pete is used to getting what most would consider 'odd' answers. Grin.

So when he asked the other morning, he didn't even blink an eye when I replied, "Painting hats."

As you know, there are so many different ways to decorate fabrics. From woven patterns during manufacture to embroidery embellishments to rhinestone applications to painting pictures. Painting has a long history as a way to decorate fabric quicker than embroidery. Something I learned comparatively recently.

A fabric parasol I painted for a friend...

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I ordered a ball cap. As you know I love wearing hats, though I seldom wear ball caps. These were so cute, I decided to order one to wear or just to hang with my collection.

As soon as this pretty white cap arrived, I pondered the wisdom of this order as I wondered how I would keep it clean and not show fingerprints on the bill. After all, I live in a rural setting with lots of dirt and critters.

It didn't take me long before I decided... I've painted and stamped all sorts of fabric... tent floors and banners and parasols and jackets and dresses and...

Why not a hat?

Painting my cotton ball cap...

With no real plan, I had nothing to mess up. I just put some (water added) acrylics on the hat in a pleasing flow and I felt happy with it. A few lines with a permanent marker finished it off. Done in a few hours.

Starting the purple hat...

Then, as long as I had my paints out, I decided I wanted to also paint a purple felt hat my granddaughter sent me. Since I did have a plan for this hat, I used a white pencil and drew on the basic idea, mixed a bit of water with my acrylics, and started.

A challenge for me was waiting for the paint to dry between layers of color.

Nonetheless, layer after layer I applied the paint to get the colors and shading more or less how I wanted them. And I tend to quit before I'm "finished", or I will keep going until I mess up whatever I am working on.

Main flowers about done...

Anyway, I did stop painting, and I am pleased with the results. Then I showed my jokester husband the hats.

Pete ohh'ed and ahh'ed and told me they were beautiful. I felt his forehead and asked if he felt ok.

And when I asked what I needed to fix, he told me nothing, they looked great.

My biggest cheerleader, who often starts off with a smart-aleck remark, got me again.

I stood there chuckling as he walked away laughing.