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, April 10, 2015

Spring Green

Has spring sprung in your neck of the woods?
It's been slow to arrive here in the Midwest. Thankfully the grass is slowly starting to green up, and my daffodils are sending up their shoots.  I can hardly wait to pick a big bouquet of them!
When I think of spring, I think green!
Several years ago, I went thru a green stage, where I painted nearly everything in sight light green!
It is still one of my favorite colors, though now you will find me turning to cream, white, and all shades of blue when it comes to painting.
So the other day when I was about to makeover one of my thrifting finds, I was getting a bit bored with the same ol' same ol'  I am sure you know the feeling!
You know how I love finding trays to transform. So last week when I found a folding wooden bed tray, I knew right away that I could turn it from drab to fab!
Of course I forgot to take a before shot, but it was just ho hum boring white and oak toned wood.
I pulled out a bunch of different chalky finish paints from DecoArt, and began mixing til I came up with a pretty light green, that has just a tinge of blue.
 I love how the tray has legs that fold out, perfect for breakfast in bed!
(wouldn't that be a treat?!)
I did a bit of dry brushing, then a hint of distressing to give what I like to call "that aged over time look".
 I then grabbed one of my favorite French patisserie stencils, also by DecoArt, and added the design to the top of the tray in a creamy color.
 I really love all of the swirls and fleurishes in this design!
 I've added it, as well as this neat vintage wooden tool box to my Etsy shop.  I fell in love with the tool box as soon as I saw it!  Believe it or not, I resisted the urge to paint this puppy, as I just loved the original light green paint she's wearing.  I just gave it a really good scrubbing.
 While I would dearly love to keep her, I have to try and downsize, as we have our house back on the market now.
 It's a very stressful time for me, something that I definitely do not find fun!
 For me change does not come easy.
And of course fear of the unknown is getting the best of me.
So I will play with my paints, and glitter (my stress release!), between trying to sort and purge.  
Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a great weekend!

17 comments:

Forever Engaged said...

Lovely post. That tray is beautiful! I like the distressed look. :)

Susie said...

Donna, The tray is wonderful. I like that shade of green...it does seem like a spring color. Hope you are having better weather for this weekend. xoxo,Susie

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, I love your tray and the color you designed is gorgeous. Teamed up with one of my favorite stencils too. I say this in your shop and gave it a heart earlier today. Love it and the sweet tool box is darling. Those totes just speak to me. It is such a nice size too and another hearted treasure for sure.
Love your fresh cut flowers pitcher.

Sending unstressing hugs your way that all goes smooth with the house sale.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs and Blessings, CM

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

I love that shade of blue green.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Oh Donna simply beautiful both the tote and the tray. Spring is indeed toying with us in Philly. One day warm, sunny and promising then a few days of grey skies and rain! But that's the way April is.
xoxo!
Vera

Felecia Cofield said...

Hi Donna! So glad Spring is finally arriving for you! The tray and the tote is gorgeous! I love the colors! I have, along with the help of the hubs, made a couple of totes that I painted pink. I hope to sell them soon. I hope the transition of moving will be smooth for you. Change is never an easy thing for most of us, but will be rewarding in the long run! Have a great weekend! Blessings from Bama!

Ordinary J said...

I had never painted anything, the thought about painting somehow scares me for no reason. Painting is one of the fears that I need to overcome.

BeachGypsy said...

That looks so pretty! Love the color you mixed up!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Donna, that is such a pretty color. Love the stencil too of course. I'm still downsizing and as I get down to stuff I super love it's harder to let go, but I must.
hugs,
Linda

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

What a lovely shade of green. Your table/tray looks so pretty and to have breakfast in bed with that WOW would be great.
I am not good with change either, but hopefully you will sell the house quickly and find a terrific one in WA that you can have fun with. Yes, houses on the West Coast are a bit pricey. My house cost $15,000 brand new and now they are going for 450,000 to 500,000. Crazy isn't it. Guess everyone want to move here where there is no snow, but we have NO WATER. Guess we will be bathing in a wash tub before it's over. LOL\
Have a great weekend and I love the table.
Hugs to Katie, bet she is liking the nicer weather.
Mary

Trisha said...

That color is dreamy Donna! And I love the French graphic you put on it. I will be thinking about you as you wait for someone to buy your house. We are still waiting to see if the offer we put in over 3 months ago will be accepted. Fingers crossed for both of us!!

~Trisha

Cynthia said...

Donna I love the tray and I love that transfer too. I know about the stress of moving and selling a home.

Cindy

Unknown said...

Hi Donna!
Green is one of my favorite colors, and it especially says "Spring!" to me! I love the shade of green you've created!
Laura and da pooches

Musings from Kim K. said...

Best wishes with the house on the market again. I'm sure it will sell this time. The economy is even stronger and your home is just gorgeous.

Debbie said...

Nice color, honeybunch!
LOVE the letters, and detailing on the tray!
The toolbox is adorable, too.
I so understand about the house situation.
It will all be okay. I bet it sells this time.
Good idea....just enjoy your glitter!!
Love you.
Debbie
xoxo

Tete said...

I simply love this new color of yours! It is so pretty. I could surround myself with it. Nice going.
Purging? I need to get to that again here, too. Still mending and gaining strength. Trying to do a little in every area...but its spring and I can do spring!

Bente said...

Hi Donna. I love that color. The tray looks great with the transfer.
Wow, you are going to sell your house. I can see that it`s stressfull, Donna.
Wish you luck.
Hugs from here