Painting, Stenciling and Glittering!

Bonjour Mes Amis!

To me a perfect day involves just what you see in the title of this post! Add in plenty of cold Diet Coke, a decoupage project, and a glass of Pinot Grigio (or two!) at night, and I am a happy camper!

So with that, I thought I'd share with you a few of my recent projects.

 I just love finding trays to transform, and have made over quite a few in the past few years.

So when I found this one recently, I was super excited!

Well, not so excited at the "before", below!

While I am sure that whoever painted the fruit on it thought it was a masterpiece, I couldn't wait to get home and begin the makeover!

I am quite particular with the trays that I purchase to redo.  Often I will find them made of very flippy, flimsy balsa wood.  I don't even bother with those!  What I do look for are those that are sturdy, have a nice weight to them, and are very well constructed.  If they have neat handles on such as this tray, it is even more of a score!

 So, I ended up painting it a creamy taupe chalk paint, then added one of my favorite French patisserie stencils, from DecoArt.  I must say I am happy with her new look!

I've put this puppy in my Etsy shop if you care to take a peek!

 In these photos, you will notice my little collection 

(three or more of anything constitutes a collection, right?)

of vintage demi John's.  I just love them and have them on display in our kitchen.  I've found them at yard sales, though not nearly as often as I would like!  The one on the left is my recent score, at only $2!!

 Moving on, I wanted to share with you a custom order that I just completed, for an Etsy customer who was decorating her baby girl's nursery.

To me, it is such a thrill to play a little part in someone's lives like that.

Or when I know that my work is being used at someone's wedding or shower.

Anyway, she was looking for open back ornate frames (and you know how I love ornate anything!!).

I lucked out and found these vintage beauties, which were all actually "gaudy gold" when I discovered them at an antique mall.

 I've painted them vibrant aqua, and the largest one white, some of the colors she is using in her nursery.

 Love!

 She also commissioned one of my stenciled crates in the same color.

I love painting and stenciling crates for my shop!

 And another favorite was this sweet large oval framed "S", for her daughter's first name.

Look closely, and you will see that the letter is covered in fine silver glitter 

(you can never have too much glitter!).

Fine creamy lace and silk flowers add a feminine touch.

 I had so much fun creating it!

 Ok, one last thing to share.

This is the "before" of a sweet little petite chest, which I am currently working on for 

DecoArt.  I've got great plans for her, which involves, you guessed it, paint, stenciling, and decoupaging.

 It's not vintage, but I did find her at the same antique/consignment shop that I purchased the frames at.

I'll be sure to share her reveal to you in a future post!

Au revior!

Mirror Makeover

Bonjour Mes Amis!

Last week I shared with you my lucky find, a very large, very ornate mirror.

I could hardly wait to get busy transforming her with some paint and just a bit of distressing.

Now, she has a whole new look!

Are you ready for her big reveal..................?

 Voila!  I know, a huge surprise that I've painted her my favorite creamy white!

And if you forgot what the "before" was like, here she is sans paint:

 While still very pretty and elegant, it just wasn't the look I was going for.

I knew I would love her even more once transformed, but even I am amazed at what a difference

paint makes!

 Aren't the ornate details amazing?  My camera just doesn't do her justice!

And while I would dearly love to keep this beauty, we really don't have the perfect spot to hang it.

So, I will be putting her in my Etsy shop later today.

In the mean time, though, we can still enjoy her for awhile!

 Looks like she came straight out of Versailles, I think!!

Au revoir!

A Few New Things

Bonjour, Mes Amis!

Today I thought I'd share with you a few fun things in my craft room.

The other day, I totally lucked out when I spotted this gorgeous large ornate mirror at my favorite consignment shop.  I first saw it several weeks ago, and fell in love with it.  Then when I saw it was marked down to 1/2 off, well, I just couldn't resist!  It is huge and full of all the ornate detailing that I love.

While I really don't have a spot for it (as much as I would love to keep it!), I am going to put it in my shop once I have her all painted.  I'll be sure to share with you the end result!

 In the mean time, we'll be able to enjoy it til she sells!

Also, my mannequin Natasha wanted to show off her cute little new skirt!

Actually, it isn't a skirt at all, but a rag and ribbon garland that I made the other day.

 I had so much fun making this, and just as much fun moving it around for my little photo shoot!

 I created it from hand torn pink and white striped seersucker fabric, pretty pink, cream, and aqua ribbons, and a bit of white tuile, just for fun.

 I created it for my Etsy shop, but for now I am enjoying it in my craft room!

 Isn't this large Paris flea market sign gorgeous?  A thoughtful friend gave it to me for my birthday, back in the spring.  I just love it, it is so me!!!

 Here's one last look.

Wishing you a great week!

Fun Fall Wreath Project

With temps still in the 80's, and the calendar saying it's still summer, it seems a bit strange to think of fall.

While I don't look forward to less day light, I do long for cooler days, crisp nights, and the beginning of nesting season!

So today I thought I'd share with you my latest fall inspired creation, which I completed for DecoArt.

This challenge required creating outdoor fall decor.  With no other stipulations (other than to use DecoArt products, of course), what to do?

So I headed on over to Pinterest for some inspiration, and came up with this fun project...........

 I had so much fun during my little photo shoot today that I got a bit carried away!  So you have been officially warned that there are lots of photos to come!!

Here she is on our front door, below.

 I started out with a large laser cut wooden frame, found at Hobby Lobby.  I have also spotted similar frames at Michael's. They usually come in all shapes and size.

Actually I purchased most of the supplies for this project from HL.

 I began by painting the frame a pretty purple, called "eggplant".  Once dry, I distressed a bit with fine grit sand paper.  Since I wanted a bit more of a muted color, to feel more "fall-ish", I created a glaze by mixing both black and rust colored acrylic paints, which I watered down a bit.

I then brushed it over the entire frame, quickly wiping off any excess.  The aged effect was just what I was going for!

 This was my first attempt at working with a laser cut frame, and I just loved it!  I can't wait to come up with more ideas using these frames!

They are very affordable, even more so when you use your 40% off coupons!

 I also picked up several fall floral picks, and decided just for fun to paint a few of the pumpkins.  I layered and layered many different colors on them, til I achieved an effect that I was happy with.  I didn't have a set plan, I just played around with various colors.  Don't be afraid to experiment!

 For a fun addition, I decided to make this cute wooden tag.

 I started with an oval shaped balsa wood cut out (purchased in a multi pack at Hobby Lobby).

I painted it this pretty green, called "inchworm".

 Again, I wanted to tone it down, so once dry, I went over it with some of the reserved watered down brown glaze.

 Be sure to wipe off the excess quickly with a paper towel or rag, before it dries.

Instant aging!

 Since I'm not good at hand painting letters (I sure wish I was, and envy those who can!!), I bought some rub on letters.

Happy Fall, Y'All!!!

 Ooop, my pictures are a bit out of order here, sorry!

Here I am painting another pumpkin.

 Using wide wire edged burlap ribbon, as well as narrow contrasting ribbon, cut both several inches longer than your frame.

Glue to the back side, using a hot glue gun.

Note that my narrow ribbon is nice and glittery!  You know my obsession with glitter!!

 I used a combination of floral wire and hot glue to attach the floral picks.

 I made a cute little bow with the narrow ribbon, and secured it with wire, then hot glued into place.

Oh, I almost forgot the "W" (our last name begins with a W)!  

I picked it up in the unfinished wood dept. at Hobby Lobby, and painted it black, then distressed a bit around the edges.  Just use some hot glue to attach to your ribbon.

Then hot glue the wooden tag into place.  Add some of the narrow ribbon to the top to hang, and.............

 Viola!!!

Ok, I am not being paid by Hobby Lobby (but it sure would be nice if they took notice!!!),

but thought I would mention this neat suction cup wreath holder that I picked up there this week.  I was a bit apprehensive if it would work or not.  But, since it's not only made in the USA, and a bargain at 40% off the already low price of $2.99, I thought it was worth a try!

So far, it works like a charm!

 My wreath had fun during her modeling shoot on my faux stone patio!

 It was such a fun project, and I love the rich fall colors. Definitely a change from my usual creams, whites, and pastels! 

 Hope this inspires you to create your own wreath!

 Be sure to let me know if you do!