My first painted bra project!!! Loving it...

To think, this rockin' awesome fun project began as this...

I had never heard of The Painted Bra Project until last week and after I read more about it, I had to purchase some bras and paint them. Since my personal collection just didn't "measure" up, I decided to visit my local thrift store for a better quality at a great price so that if I messed up, it wouldn't be such a terrible loss. Well...here we go...

 I used clear gesso since I had a black bra, a red bra and a white bra...I could do things in a single color, could I? Of course not....

 I also used a sponge brush thinking that the gesso and later the paint would go on much smoother and evenly.

 The clear gesso went on well but did leave a light film on the bra so I am glad I had planned to paint the bra all over.

 I dried the bras outdoors for a couple of hours rather than using a heat gun, but then when I used the heat gun on the actual paint, it did well.

 I painted the whole cup of the bra with the Galeria Crimson Acrylic paint and was very pleased with the coverage.

 I was so beyond pleased with this project! I have never painted fabric in the way and was very pleased. I don't think it will be my last.

 I am doing a happy dance with this project! I know you are tired of me saying that, but it is true! Maybe it is the excitement for the reason why I am doing this, I don't know but regardless, it is fun and the creative thought process is wonderful. I look forward to adding some elements that will reflect dear loved ones that have fought breast cancer and won as well as style elements that reflect the happiness and positive outlook on life that I have.

 I used black paint to create the contrast element for the bra's background red color.

 The words are everything I could think of that reflected those that I knew that had fought breast cancer. Words like dream, inspire, encourage, uplift, dream, and so forth. I filled the cups with these words.

 The I painted the bottom edge of the cups with the black paint so that the next accessory I added would have an extra background to make it pop...

 The photograph is dark but I added a thick lace to the under wire area of the bra to just make the whole thing pop. Don't you love it!! =)

 Then I wanted to bring in the bling!! So I brought out the beads...They are light weight and sewn along the edge of each cup. I think it bring elegance and sexiness while reminding every woman she is also feminine.

Then I added the beautiful black butterfly to one edge and the rhinestone to the ribbon on the other, completing the beautiful presentation that I hope reminds you, everyone and me to self check and to give to breast cancer awareness while holding men and women accountable to self check as well. Thus, "Inspiration" is my entry to The Painted Bra Project...Thanks, Anna, for this opportunity...

Hugs and remember to self-check,

Rita

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com