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, November 7, 2013

Glittered Acorns, and a Lucky Vintage Mirror Find

Bonjour Mes Amis,
I've been into the glitter again!  For those of you who visit me regularly, you know just how much I love all things that glitter.  For me, there's nothing more stress relieving than drinking a big glass of pinot grigio playing in my craft room with the sparkly stuff!
 I collected a bunch of acorns earlier this fall on our walks, and couldn't wait to cover some of them with my favorite glitter!  Isn't this aqua color just gorgeous?  I thought the nuts looked oh so appropriate in this cute little glass squirrel candleholder that my mom gave me years ago.
 Here he is, among a little Parisian vignette.
 While it was a fun project, I must admit that it was more than a little messy!
 I also covered a bunch in this gorgeous silver.
Before I even begin the glittering process, I first place the acorns in a low oven for at least an hour, on a baking tray.  That way, there won't be any unwanted "hitch hikers", if you get my drift! (believe me, I found this out the hard way, ick!!).
Then I hot glue any loose caps back onto the nuts.
 I've placed the silver ones in my Etsy shop, but since they are pretty labor intensive, I think this will be the only set that I sell!
 I just love how they shimmer in the light!
 Ok, I could hardly wait to share with you my latest find, this huge vintage mirror!
I've been looking for months for just the right mirror to hang over our fireplace.  
They either were too small, out of my price range, the wrong shape, or just not the style I was going for.
Then I lucked out and spotted her in my favorite consignment shop the other day for 20% off.
So for $60, I thought it wasn't bad!!
(ok, I do have to give credit for my wonderful hubby for spotting her first!)
I am going to paint this beauty today, but wanted to show you the "before" first!
I'm not sure how old she is, but she is made of solid wood, and is quite heavy.  I am guessing she is actually more of an antique than vintage.
She's much larger in person than she looks in the picture. Almost 3 feet wide and nearly 2 1/2 feet tall.
I'm going to paint her creamy white, and of course distress her a bit.
 Yes, that is my hand and camera in the reflection above!  Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of a mirror and not appear in it?!
Here is a closeup of some of her amazing carved details!
I'll be sure to share her transformation with you!
 Of course I had to close by showing you a few pictures of our Katie!
I snapped these shots yesterday, after we returned from a very wet and windy walk!
She hopped up on the fireplace hearth on her own, to try and warm up and dry off a bit!
 Nap time!  
That walk made me sooooo sleepy.................

Sharing with Be Inspired Friday.

13 comments:

NanaDiana said...

I LOVE your glittered acorns, Donna. I bet they ARE labor intensive. I do love them both-silver and turquoise.

That mirror is a gorgeous old piece. That is going to look just great painted white and distressed. Can't wait to see it hung up.

Katie looks so cute there warming herself- how cute is that!!! xo Diana

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Oh I just want to grab Katie and snuggle with her, she is sooooo cute!
Love the blinged up acorns, esp the silver.
Can't wait to see your mirror, great frame.

The Bear's Blog said...

Ah....look at that sweet face. Did you know that several years ago Martha Stewart Crafts sold large paper mache acorns that opened at the middle. If you glue them shut they make wonderful ornaments and yes. I even glittered them. I made a set of 12. Check around you may find some.

Hugs

Susie said...

Oh Donna, That cute dog ! I painted some acorn once and worms came out of them after a few days ..ewweee. I love the squirrel candle holder. xoxo,Susie

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Katie can hardly keep her little eyes open - nap time. She sure is a cutie.
The acorns are so pretty - I love to play in glitter. I normally have it all over me when I finish. Even the dogs sparkle LOL.
Mary

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love the acorns, Donna...we have a lot at the lake...I'll have to try making some! The mirror is gorgeous, too...and Katie is too cute!

Musings from Kim K. said...

You know I have a thing for acorns. I had fun making a wreath with them this fall. Glittering them is a lot of work. They look fantastic. Enjoy your mirror transformation. Sweet Katie. She just warms my heart every time I see her!!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, I just love your glittered acorns. What a gorgeous color and the silver is stunning too. Thank you for sharing your process using the oven method.
Love the gorgeous mirror too. The details are beautiful. It will be so pretty in white and distressed.

My goodness Katie is adorable. She is so smart knowing to warm herself by the fire. Love her falling asleep pic. Just so cute!!
What a cute Christmas card that would make. Falling asleep waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. LOL

Happy Creating. XO
p.s. so fun to see you in my inbox this morning.

Unknown said...

I love, love, love the silver acorns! Ahhhh, a fellow glitter lover. I have stories about glitter projects....and trails of glitter through my house...little sparkles landing on EVERYTHING!
Girls just gotta have sparkles, don't we?
Love your header. Very pretty.
Hugs.
Mary

Debbie said...

The acorns look great all full of your signature glitter!!!
That mirror is going to look gorgeous once you are finished with it, Donna. The detailing is amazing!
John has a good eye for finding just the right piece, doesn't he?!
Your little girl looks so sweet warming herself by the fire. She warms my heart.
xo

Tete said...

Seriously, don't you ever run out of that stuff? Now what about the poor squirrels? I think you have gone nuts...
Love the mirror and Katie. It is hard taking photos of things that reflect you. You did very good with that.
Have a fun weekend and enjoy the colors of fall. And don't glitter all the leaves in your backyard!
You know, you could cause a shortage of that stuff. Do you buy it by the gallon or drum?
Ok, I will stop picking on you now...know I love you. ;)

Little Miss Maggie said...

Great glittered acorns. Your mirror is wonderful. I just know you will do something fabulous with it. The paint will just bring out all that beautiful detailing.

Renee said...

That mirror is gorgeous!! And I love the acorns…great idea!