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, May 26, 2011

Turquoise Love, and a Special Gift!

Hello Ladies!
Do you love turquoise as much as I do?  Well, today I thought I'd share with you a few of my "turquoise transformations"! 
This pair of once very plasticy looking vintage Syroco candle sconces got a much needed makeover!
 This is what they used to look like!  Not so attractive, huh?!
 I love mixing paint colors, and especially like this vibrant and cheery turquoise that I created!
 Some distressing and an antiquing glaze, and I think now they actually look like carved wood!
 The azaleas and rhododendrons in our yard have been so gorgeous, that I couldn't resist doing a photo shoot of this pair of tall wooden candlesticks outside!
 Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture, but trust me when I say these babies needed help!  Layers and layers of paint and a very bad finish had to come off, before they could really show their true beauty!
 I've got these, and the Syroco sconces in my Etsy shop, if you care to look.
The other day, I received the most wonderful gift in the mail from my sister!  She made me this gorgeous quilted runner for my birthday, and I just love it!  My sister is a quilter extraordinaire, (unfortunately I didn't inherit her sewing gene!) and did a beautiful job on the runner.

She embellished it with yo-yos and buttons.  Love!!!  I also really love the colors, they are perfect!
But the best part is the Paris themed fabric that she chose!  Oooh, la, la!  I am loving the Eiffel Tower!
Notice all of the pretty stitching, too.  I wish that I had the patience to sew!
As a reminder, if you haven't already entered my French Themed giveaway, today is your last chance!  You can do so here:)
Have a great day!  Now, go out and create something, bake something, sew something, or just have fun!!!

I am linking up with the following great parties:  
Finding Fabulous Frugalicious Friday

15 comments:

Leo said...

Yes - I love turquoise as much as you do! And the runner your sister created is awesome. I love it. Especially the colors.

Musings from Kim K. said...

Your sister is very talented. What a beautiful runner. It's so YOU!!! Great work once again on your makeovers. I'm always impressed, Donna.

Hugs from a very cold and wet MI.

Ido said...

Love your turquoise transformations, that shot of the candlesticks in the garden is great!
XXX Ido

Karen said...

Donna, the sconces look much better after you transformed them! Great job!

Thanks for the compliments on the runner I made you. I'm so glad you're happy with it.

Love, Karen

Unknown said...

Donna,
Your turquoise transformations are amazing!! I love them with the flowers in the background. And the runner your sister made? One of the most beautiful I have seen!!! Sister love is so great.
xo
lynn

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

A little bird (named Cindy LOL) told us it was your birthday...Happy Birthday, Donna! Your creations are charming and the runner from your sister is SO lovely! What a sweet gift!

Pamela said...

Gorgeous Donna! I love the turquoise!
The table runner is beautiful too!!

How's the weather there? It's still chilly here!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Hi Donna,
My friend Cindy over at Whimsical Musing mentioned you having a birthday this week...so I wanted to drop by and say Happy Birthday. I also like French things too :) :) Have a great day. love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, I am in awe! I love all of your creations and I'm so excited about your table runner--It is magnifique!!! WOW!! And with the Eiffel Tower--I bet you about fainted when you opened it! Oh, if you get a chance, I hope you can take a quick look at my blog...I think we're headed to Hobby Lobby...lol
XO
Cindy

Anonymous said...

How did I miss that you had a french give a way?
Well, what a great sister, love the quilted runner!!

Ann A Sentimental Life

Simple Daisy said...

Turquoise love...why..yes, yes and more yes!!! They look fabulous!!

Etcetorize said...

Love your new runner!

Nancy said...

Turquoise! It's my fav color of all time! Did you spray the sconces and would you mind sharing the paint color and brand? I really love it. Thanks so much, Nancy

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

The sconces look so pretty, and what a nice gift from your sister!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

What a difference a coat of paint makes! Love the sconces!!! Your sister did a great job on the runner...Lucky you!...Happy Birthday!!!