Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

How To Beat The Winter Blues


Yes, it's true!  I officially have the winter blues!  After being slammed by a major snowstorm this week and finally getting unburied , our furnace decided to quit today, of all things! So a furnace repair guy is coming in 1/2 an hour or so, I sure hope he can fix it!  Luckily we have a fireplace and a space heater!!

Well, nothing makes me happier than the color blueAll shades of blue!  From Light blue, aqua, turquoise, and everything in between!  I know, you may think that I paint everything in site heirloom white!  While it's true that I am in love with creams and whites, there is just something so calming and soothing about blues!  So I thought I would share with you some of the projects that I have been transforming with paint!  All of these lovelies have been added to my Etsy shop, which you can visit here if you would like!
 Remember the vintage floral still lifes that I showed you the other day?  They originally were in dark wood frames. Well, I just knew that they could be brought back to life with this lovely light blue!
 I am loving all of the carved details of the frames, which really shows up after a bit of distressing!
 I can't believe how much prettier these prints look now!  I'll show you the "befores" in a second!
And this is what they looked like before!  The dark frames really did nothing for the prints.  I think the blue really makes them "pop" now!!
Ok, here is another before and after.  Remember the giant vintage wooden spoon and fork that I showed you the other day?
 I bet you thought I was going to paint them cream!  Oh, no!  I knew that they were just begging for some turquoise!!!
 I think they are so fun now!
They are really big, 29" long!  Don't you think they would look neat in a kitchen or eating area?



 Ok, I forgot to take a before shot of this tall candleholder.  It was originally gray.  I love the way it looks now, with the same light blue I used on the picture frames!
 If you visit me on a regular basis, you know that I am always on the hunt for vintage Syroco pieces that I can transform.  Well, I was thrilled when I discovered these gorgeous wall pockets awhile back!  Of course they didn't look like this when I found them!

 I really love they way the turquoise gives them more of a current look, and the distressing and glazing brings out all of the details.
 This is what they used to look like!  Big difference, huh?

 I found this really tall pair of wooden candlesticks while out thrifting a few weeks ago.  They may not look bad in these photos, but trust me, they needed some serious help!  Not only were they really dusty (I don't think they had ever been cleaned!), but the finish was terrible!


  After lots of sanding and cleaning, and more of that great turquoise paint and some glaze, they now look like this:


Much better, don't you think! 
Speaking of much better, the furnace repair guy stopped in while I was typing this, and fixed our furnace, yeah!  I am so relieved, to say the least!  With temps in the low teens outside, this is no time to lose your heat!I was a nervous wreak when I discovered the furnace wasn't working, and was on the phone with hubby trying to do some trouble shooting, but that wasn't working!  So now I can breath a big sigh of relief, and I am starting to thaw out a bit! 
Hope your day is going better than mine has!!
I have linked up with the following terrific parties:
My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
The Speckled Dog Favorite Things Friday 
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

19 comments:

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

That paint made all the difference in the world to those prints. Really updated them and they look so much better now!

Karen said...

Glad your furnace got fixed! What a day for it to go out. It was minus 6 degrees here this AM, so it must have been colder where you are. Brrr!

Tete said...

Oh, Donna, I so glad that your furnace is running again! This is not the time for sure! Should have tried some glitter on it- LOL!
All of the items you painted sure look better than before! Love them all, but really lovin that candlestick in the light blue. Do you like a light teal? That's one my newest favorites right now.
Be careful until your hubby gets home. I don't think Emily could get you back in the house by herself. Stay warm and safe- Tete

Donna said...

Blue cheers me up too! Love your aqua wall pockets!!! Gave me shivers to think of your furnace not working...glad it is again!! Keep warm!!

Musings from Kim K. said...

I just love all your finds. You really do great work. I can't believe you've been tackling this storm and furnace on your own. Eek! I'm so relieved it's up and working again. Our new furnace a few weeks back was $3500. Not fun and that cuts into the thrifting/crafting budget. Stay warm.

Unknown said...

I love, love, love the blue! Love what you did to the gold pieces. I have a few of those sitting on a shelf somewhere. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
Smiles.
Mary

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

everything turned out so good. the fork and spoon are too cool!

NanaDiana said...

Hi Donna- I am so glad that it was nothing major with your furnace...and I bet they were swamped with calls...so you were probably lucky to get them there in the first place.

Love all your blue. I thought for sure you would paint those frames Heirloom White. But you know I really like them in the blue better than I would have in the white!

Bet you will be glad to see your hubby get home. Did you start the snowblower up today? Have a great night. I am working until 9pm and then realized that I have to stop at the store to pick up something for a dish I am supposed to bring for a work "super bowl" party tomorrow. Ugh! I hate shopping that late at night. Hugs- Diana

Lynn said...

The new color of the frame looks great with the paintings-enjoy:@)

Hootin Anni said...

Incredible difference you've made!! I love 'em all.

My show n tell link: My latest art sketch

http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/02/hes-there-inside-your-mind.html

Hope you can find time to stop by. Have a wonderful weekend.

Amy Chalmers said...

Your blue prints came out amazing!! What a pretty result. What color did you use?

Serendipity Chic Design said...

Thanks for the pretty colors and flowers...Can definitely use a pick up from the winter blues.

Take care,
Lisa

SLR said...

love that aqua paint, it has completely transformed all your finds...beautiful!!

Debbie said...

Wow Donna! those prints look awesome now! the paint really made the colors pop!!
I love the single candlestick, too.
I hope having heat will warm your spirits up a bit...having the winter blues isn't fun..especially with all this snow!
Is John flying home tonight?
Hugs,
Debbie@lakehouse

Audrey Pettit said...

So glad you got your heat working again! A winter snowstorm is no time to lose heat. :(
Love all your painted transformations. Everything looks so much better with their new coats of paint. TFS!

Michelle {Daydream Believers} said...

I am lovin' all the aqua, especially the giant fork and spoon! Nice work! :) M*

Cupcake Dessert said...

I also love vintage Syroco!!! I'm looking for some pockets like those to paint hot pink. Yours look so good!! And I love the fork and spoon. Great work!!!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I can't believe the wonderful magic you create! Really, you have brought new life to these pieces. I especially love the light blue frames.

I also really like the snow pictures from your previous post. Beautiful...but I think you've had enough snow and cold temperatures! I'm hoping you have an early spring!!!

Erin said...

Those colors are so uplifting! My favorite is the blue frames though, but that's because I'm very partial to floral prints. :) C'mon spring...get here soon!