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!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Trash to Treasure with a French Twist!

Bon Jour, Mon Amis!
Well, I imagine that I'm not the only one who was suffering Blogger withdrawls for the past day or so!  I am so happy that all seems to be working (let's keep our fingers crossed!).
And I also think that it's safe to say that we have alot of catching up with each other, as you all seem to have an overabundance of creative juices flowing!
So, for today I thought I'd share a few makeovers from a couple of things I found at a garage sale last week.
 If you have been following me for even a short period of time, you probably know that I am forever on the prowl for Syroco anything!  So, I was thrilled when I found a pair of vintage Syroco type frames last week!  This is not what they looked like when I found them, however!
They started out looking like this (which I actually really liked), but since the prints has suffered a but of water damage, I knew that I could come up with some other ideas!  I did save the prints though, as I thought they were just too pretty to toss!  So some day I'll have to come up with another idea for them.
I love how the frames really look like intricately carved wood.  Unless you were to pick them up, you never would know the difference!
For the makeover, I brought out my trusty Heirloom White, followed by some distressing and an antiquing glaze.  The glaze really highlights all of the wonderful "carved" details of the frames!  You also probably know that I have a love affair with Paris!  So, I found these two amazing graphics of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame over at The Graphics Fairy.  I printed them out onto vintage sheet music, and oooh, la, la!   I am thrilled with the way they turned out!
 I have put these in my Etsy shop, if you care to take a look!
 Now all I need is a plane ticket to Paris, and I will be all set!:)
At the same sale, I also found the neatest bottle!  I was so excited to alter it, that in my haste I forgot to take a before shot!  I'm not sure if it's vintage or not, or what it's use was.  But I knew that as soon as I saw the unique shape, I just had to have it!
 This was my first attempt at creating an altered bottle, and I had so much fun putting it all together!
 I started with my favorite crinkly taupe seam binding, then added some silk hydrangea blossoms that I'd glittered (you know how much I love my glitter!).   I then added a neat skeleton key that says "memory", and a little tag I created from vintage French book pages, stamped with a crown image (glittered of course.  You can never have too much glitter!).
 I adore the shape of this bottle!  I've never seen one like it before!  If any of you have any ideas as to what this may have been used for, I'd love to hear it!
While I'm having a hard time parting with this, I am going to be putting it in my Etsy shop later today!
I'll be back on later tonight to check out what all of you creative ladies have been up to!  Have a great weekend!
I am linking up to the following great parties:
Funky Junk Interiors SNS
Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece Monday 
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

16 comments:

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Gosh--how do you move and get so much done ALL at the same time!!! I love your frames and bottle--totally beautiful, indeed, dear friend!!!
XO
Cindy

BECKY said...

Love what you did with the frames, and the bottle is absolutely adorable!!

It may just have to find it's way here!! What a unique little joy!

Thanks for sharing your lovelies!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Becky

mizdarlin said...

I see you are back in the saddle in record time! I'm still unpacking, rearranging the furniture, hanging pictures, and still can't find anything..lol..never mind getting creative!
The bottle looks wonderful; with that wide top I imagine it could have been a vino rojo carafe....

Tete said...

Love it all. Could the bottle be for honey? You are going to find all kinds of new old things in your new area.
I am so glad blogger is back on. I missed posting, but I missed being able to leave comments. I felt so cut off!
Hugs- Tete

NanaDiana said...

Can you believe it- Brand new to the area and garage saling already? LOl...love those frames-they look like a million bucks now that you re-did them.

I have two little monkeys just dropped off for the night so I will catch up with you tomorrow! Hugs-Diana

Debbie said...

Hey Sweetie! It didn't take you long to get back into the creative mode! The frames and new pics look great. I LOVE that bottle!!! sooo pretty, Donna!
Have a nice weekend.
Hugs,
Debbie

Christine said...

I love that you printed onto the sheet music--great idea! That bottle is great--must get crinkly seam binding!

Barbara Jean said...

Great bottle, and love the prints on music paper.

blessings
barbara jean

Erin said...

Love your bottle Donna!! And those frames are just so beautiful..but you made them even more so!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Glad to have blogger back so that I can catch up on one of my favorite inspirations. Love your latest projects...especially the bottle. Beautiful, Donna.

Karen said...

OHHH! These are beautiful Donna! I love what you create!

Love, Karen

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Wow Donna, it is so wonderful to see you are back in the creative mode again. New to the area and you are already garage hopping. That is the best news! Once again, you have outdone yourself with these frames. They are fabulous and I love the buckets in your previous post! I am so happy for you and I look forward to you making a trip down this way...or maybe we can figure out a way to meet half way.
So glad the Blogger issue is resolved. I didn't lose posts but I lost comments which are slowly returning now.
Take care. XO

Karie said...

Love the frames. They are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Karie

Beeutiful by Design said...

Love! They are all adorable! Jennifer

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

What fun and clever projects! Just beautiful!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I love the way the frames turned out! Tres chic!!! The bottle, however, is my favorite. I've never seen one like it....love the alteration...that key is really special!!!