Glittery French Christmas

Bonjour Mes Amis!

I guess you could say that my theme for this year's Christmas decorating is

"Glittery French"!

While I originally was planning to decorate simply for Christmas, I somehow found myself knee deep in holiday decor!  I kept spotting so many wonderful ideas and projects on everyone's blogs, as well as Pinterest, that I just couldn't help myself:)

So today I am sharing with your our Christmas tree, that is decorated with all things silvery, creamy, glittery, and Frenchy, 

Many of the ornaments I have made, and many were gifts given to me by special friends.

 I actually laid down on the floor to get this shot!  The triangle of lights you see above the tree is actually the icicle lights that hubby put outside, outlining our roof!

 I made over a dozen of these glittered pincones.  I had nearly forgotten that we'd collected them this past winter, when we were in Georgia.  They are really big!

I coated the tips, both top and undersides, in fine silver glitter by Martha Stewart.  A fun project, but boy was it messy, not to mention a bit labor intensive!

I screwed eye hooks in the base of each pinecone so that I could thread a sheer ribbon thru for hanging.

 Lots of glittery goodness!

 German glass glitter angel

Large tussie mussie that I made several years ago, and a pretty vintage inspired angel tag ornament.

 Oooh, la, la!

 Parisian postcard ornaments that I made several years ago.

 I snapped all of these shots during the day.  I have some night time views coming up.

 Ok, I snapped these shots tonight.

 Faux mercury glass ornament that I just made today.  It is actually a clear plastic ornament, which I spray painted silver on the inside.  First I poured a few drops of water inside the ornament, and sprinkled some fine silver glitter inside.  Then swirled it and the paint all around.  A vintage image of the Madonna and child was decoupaged to the front, and I just had to add a bit more glitter!

 Glitter makes me happy!

 One of my French angel ornaments I showed you last week.

 I am so happy the way the pinecones turned out, they look just magical shimmering in the light!

 Leaded glass Eiffel Tower ornament.

Katie even has her own ornament:) 

And what do we have here???????????

 One last look.  I was really hoping for a nice fat tree, but we ended up with another tall and skinny one,

it's about 11 feet tall!

I added a vintage white crocheted tablecloth as a tree skirt.

Thanks for joining me on the glittery tour!

Petite French Cupboard Makeover

Bonjour Mes Amis!

Today I wanted to share with you my latest drab to fab transformation, 

this pretty Frenchy cabinet.

It didn't start out this lovely though!

Au contraire!

 This is what she started out life as!

I found her a few weeks ago while out treasure hunting, and was immediately drawn to the great lines she had.  Made of solid wood, she is sturdy and substantial.  At just under 2 feet tall, she weighs in at 7 1/2 pounds! (yes, I really did weigh her!!)

 While the paint job was very well done, the colors were definitely not the look I was going for!

I could hardly wait to get this puppy home and begin the transformation process!

After removing the doors, and giving the entire piece a good cleaning,  I was ready to roll.

Let me tell you, it took many, many coats of the creamy white chalk paint that I used to cover up that awful rusty/burgundy color!

I immediately knew that I wanted to give the cabinet a French accent.  I had debate on weather to add stenciling to the doors, but decided to decoupage this gorgeous and ornate frame graphic that I found over at the Graphics Fairy.

(love!)

I added the French wording to the frames, giving it the look of a sign from a Parisian flower market.

As luck would have it, the frames fit perfectly in the insets on the doors!

As a fun little surprise, I decoupaged copies of vintage French book pages to the inside back of the cabinet.

I love that there is a little shelf inside to display treasures or mementos.

The cupboard also has two cute little drawers down below.  So I just had to add a bit more French flair by stenciling a sweet fleur de lis and swirl motif.

Love the cute little wooden ball feet that the cupboard stands on!

 I must say that this piece is one of my all time favorite makeovers!

 While I would love to keep her, I created the piece for my Etsy shop.

You can take a peek here if you want.

 My imaginary flower market is on rue Ecoles, the same street that our favorite little hotel in Paris is on!

But, here is a real flower shop in Paris, below!  It is right across the rue from our hotel!

 And a few more shots I snapped of some flower markets in Paris.

I am missing it there!

 She was a labor of love, but oh so much fun to create!

 I am really loving that ornate frame graphic, I can't wait to come up with more ideas using it.

 So there you have it, my petite wooden cupboard with a French accent!

Au revior!
Joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

French Christmas Peat Pots

It's hard to believe we are already into December and the Christmas season, isn't it?

I've really been on a roll creating with the adorable graphic of the Joyeux Noel Angel that I found a few weeks ago on Pinterest.

So, in keeping with my French Christmas theme, I have been having a blast making these pretty peat pots for my Etsy shop.

 I've filled the pots with all sorts of glittery goodness and tons of details!

The pots have been painted with my favorite creamy shade of chalk paint, then dusted a bit with clear coarse glitter.  Nestled in a bed of shredded brown kraft paper and snippets of shredded vintage sheet music is the cutest petite bottle brush tree.  I bleached it a wonderful creamy white, then flocked and coated in more clear glitter. 

 Pretty creamy cotton lace, as well as a paper rose (which I couldn't help but coat in fine silver glitter!) embellishes the top.

I fashioned a handle of wire, which I wrapped in pretty vintage inspired silver tinsel trim (love!).

I added the sweet little French angel, mounted on chipboard and glittered (are you sensing a theme here with all of the glittery goodness??).

 Also tucked inside is a bit of faux greenery, sparkly silver faux berries, and a cute little jingle bell that I coated in silver glitter.

                  

                          Topping it all off is a pretty silver and white glittery snowflake, 

                                                               and a "Joyeux Noel"

                                               (French for "Merry Christmas") banner.

 So there you have it, my version of a glittery silver French Christmas!

Joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Gobble 'til You Wobble!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

French Lavender Sachets

Bon jour Mes Amis!

The other day I shared with you my glittery creations using the sweet French Christmas angel image that I found on Pinterest.  I fell in love with that adorable little angel, and couldn't wait to come up with more ways to use her!

 I've always loved the scent of lavender. What could be more French than that?  So I just had to create some French Christmas angel sachets!

I pulled out my trusty Kenmore sewing machine, circa 1970.

It belonged to my aunt, and still works like a charm!

I stitched up a bunch of little bags from beautiful oatmeal colored linen, added the angel to the front, then stuffed with the most amazing smelling French lavender!

 I sewed this pretty cotton vintage looking, but new, lace to the tops.

I never put anything put pure dried lavender into my sachets.  The scent is intoxicating, and lasts for years! 

I joked to hubby that I am moving to Provence and buying a lavender farm:)!

 I've put some in my Etsy shop, if you want to take a peek.

 I am so happy with the way they turned out!

Now I will have to think of more ways to create with this darling little angel!

 Wish you could smell them............

 Have a great day!