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!
Showing posts with label Katie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katie. Show all posts

Monday, January 11, 2016

Projects

Bonjour Mes Amis!
How is your week going so far?
Wow, it sure is hard to believe we are already into the second week of January, isn't it?!
Today I thought I'd share with you a few projects that I recently completed.
All are in my Etsy shop, if you care to take a look!
My sister has been busy cleaning out her attic, and found this cabinet door that she thought I could do something with.  Of course, I forgot to take before shots of everything I'm showing you today, darn!
Anyway, it wasn't vintage or anything, otherwise I would probably have kept its original paint and patina.
It was boring golden oak, and so ready for a fresh look and new lease on life!
Immediately I thought of creating a coat hook out of it.
So, I painted it in my favorite shade of light blue chalk paint.
 I then stenciled this gorgeous large skeleton key to the front.  (I wish it would show up better in the photos!)
I used several different colors for my stencil, to give it a dimensional look.
 One of the best things about this project was I had everything for it, except the hooks!
I found those at the hardware store and had my handy hubby mount them for me.
It was a fun project, and I am happy with the end result!
(so, my sister can pass along more "junk" from her attic to me any day!!)
 Next up is this large vintage wooden cigar box that I found while out thrifting.
I see plenty of cigar boxes on my hunts, but I've never come across one this large before!
It was very well made, and had a neat brass latch and hinges, so I just knew that I could do something with it!
 So, I painted it inside and out with a pretty creamy taupe chalk paint.  I left the inside lid unpainted, to show off the original cigar ad (wow, only 5 cents each, this box must be old!!).
I also knew that I wanted to decoupage something to the lid. After some thought I decided on these beautiful roses, compliments of The Graphics Fairy.
If you ever decoupage, you know how tedious it can be to cut out details by hand, but the results are worth it, I think!

 Just for fun, I added the address of a Parisian flower market to the sides.

 I just love finding boxes that I can transform with paint and a little tlc.
The one below was also a thrifted find.  It was a dark reddish brown when I found it, and I could hardly wait to paint it the same pretty light blue as my coat hook project.
The neat thing about this box is that it also holds a photo.  I placed a scrap of pretty floral paper beneath the glass insert for the time being. The lid has a metal insert, and features a beautiful floral cut out design.  
 Of course, I distress nearly all of my projects, to give them what I like to call
"that aged over time look".


I almost forgot to show you my knife, fork and spoon trays.
A few weeks ago, hubby came home with a set of three vintage wood trays.
I just love it when he comes home with goodies for me from the thrift store!
(he knows just what to look for!)
Anyway, they were a dark wood finish, and on their backsides was imprinted
"Toastmaster Hospitality Tray".
They were made right here in Michigan (Grand Haven), back in the 1950's.
 While I don't always know right away just how I will make something over,
if I look at the object long enough, inspiration will eventually strike!
So, since there were three trays, I thought it would be fun to decoupage them with these gorgeous copies of a giant knife, fork and spoon.  All were found on The Graphics Fairy.
First I painted the trays in the same creamy taupe that I used for the cigar box.

I had so much fun with this project!
 It's amazing how realistic and dimensional the silverware looks!



And I couldn't resist sharing a pic of Katie, perched on the wicker bench at the foot off our bed.
I had to laugh, as it looks like she's yawning from boredom over all my craft projects:)

Have a great week, can'w wait to see what you all have been up to!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Peace on Earth

Wishing you all a peace filled Christmas.  May your day be a special one, a time spent with those you love.
I'll try not to talk alot here, mostly share photos, as I know everyone is busy.

 My petite tree in our sunroom.



 Except for the angels and tree topper, I made all of the ornaments.
 Lots of glitter and silver and sepia tones that I love so much.



 Along with my Frenchy touches.
 Our "chateau" at night.
 This shot is with the flash on.  The lights down at ground level are luminaries that I lit when we had my family over last night.  Just a bunch of jars,
mostly from our recycle bin (!), filled with sand and small votives.  It was just magical!
 And beneath our big tree in the living room, Katie admires the ornaments.
 Ok, all this Christmas business is wearing me out!!
Praying for Peace on Earth and that you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Dinosaurs Recently Spotted Roaming Michigan's Lower Peninsula!

Yes, it's true! We have dinosaurs currently living here in Michigan!

 And they have been busy laying and hatching their baby dino eggs!

 Pterodactyl soar overhead.
Ok, maybe I fibbed a little bit!
Actually, all have been spotted at our local botanical gardens that we belong to!
Every fall, the gardens put on an amazing, creative display of scarecrows, made mostly of burlap.
Yep, plain ol' burlap!
The dino you saw in the first shot is huge!
I'll try and get some more photos of him to give you a better idea of just how large he is, as well as some of the other fun characters that are at the gardens.
We are so fortunate to live very close to the gardens.  We walk with Katie there every day, on the many trails. She loves it as much as we do!

 
 Ok, wait, what is this?
A giant furry green and pink spider???
 Oh, that's right!  It is Katie's new fuzzy squeaky toy!
She is feeling a little camera shy...........
 Now she's warming up for the camera:)
 Trying to look her cutest!
Don't let that innocent looking face fool you! 
Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend!

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

It's a Dog's Life!

Hi All, Katie the Cocker Spaniel here.
My mom said she's been neglectful of her blog as of late.
(what is a blog?  is that something I can eat?????)
She has been more than a little stressed with trying to sell our house and trying to find a new place for us all to live,
and said that her blog has sadly fallen by the wayside.
So I thought I'd pop in as her special guest blogger to say
"Woof"!
And to show you what my idea of the perfect day looks like................

Stretched out in my wicker chaise lounge in the sunroom.........................
(ooops, does this pose make my belly look fat???)

 Seriously, I think it's true when they say the camera adds 10 pounds!!!
 Now if only my mom could take a cue from me, and just chill out for awhile, we'd be all set!
 Oh, I forgot to add that a perfect day also includes lots of tummy rubs:)!
Hopefully my mom will be back soon, talking about her usual favorite stuff like glitter, paint, and thrift shopping......................
Woof, y'all!

Friday, April 24, 2015

Cuteness




Hi, hope you all are having a good week.
For some reason whenever I get the camera out, a certain little pup by the name of Katie becomes camera shy.
She spent a few hours at the groomer yesterday, and came home looking oh so cute, complete with a new tie died bandana.  So of course I wanted to take her picture.
 Try as I might to get her to look at the camera, she suddenly becomes hard of hearing!

 Nothing seemed to work during our little photo shoot. She was oh so bored!
 And totally disinterested.....................
 I felt as if I were being snubbed................
 Ok, now we are getting somewhere!
Finally!
Going thru a challenging and stressful time here, with our house on the market, lots of showings, and an open house this weekend.
Thank God for Katie, she always brings a smile to my face no matter what life seems to throw my way.
Thanks for popping by, Katie says to tell you all
"Woof!!!"
Which means: "Have a great weekend!"

Friday, February 20, 2015

More Shopping Fun!


Bonjour, y'all!
The other day I shared with you my little shopping expedition to "Two Women and a Warehouse" here in Savannah.  Today I went to their original downtown location, and thought I'd share a few pics with you!
Isn't the backdrop of this booth fun?  Love the white parasols!
 Each booth is full of plenty of eye candy, including painted furniture, vintage finds, and upcycled treasures.
 Many pieces are painted my favorite shades of blue and aqua, like this pretty vintage headboard and table, below.
 I love, love, love this light blue shelf, below!  I told my handy hubby he needed to make me one just like it!
 Isn't this vintage kitty pitcher and mugs just darling?
 I was more than temped to buy this gorgeous small wooden cabinet, painted my favorite French blue.
 Wouldn't this hall tree be perfect in an entry?
 I was drooling over this gorgeous painted buffet, below!  Look to the left above it, their is a super cool hanging light made from a vintage metal olive bucket.
 Such a pretty shade of aqua blue, I think!
 Of course I couldn't resist sharing a few pics of Katie back at the motor home!
Our dining table is a banquette, which folds down to a bed (the master is in the back of our 'bus").
Anyway, hubby and I sit on one side of the banquette, and Katie often sits on the other while we eat.
 Yes, she is one pampered pooch:)
 Who could say no to that cute little face?!
Just look at those woe begone eyes:)
 "Woof, y'all!"