I've Been Framed!

As in picture framed!

Lately I've been having so much fun creating picture frame collections for my Etsy shop.  I think Pottery Barn must have started the trend (don't they seem to start them all?) of hanging empty picture frames on the wall, or propping them upon a shelf or mantle. At any rate, I love the look, and thought I would show you some of my recent creations.

 To me, half the fun of putting these collections together is the thrill of the hunt!  Yes!  I am sure you all know that feeling!  I've been searching high and low for unique frames to transform with paint and a little tlc.  While they may not start out looking so great, I think with some paint and distressing, they are all happy with their new look!  This set currently resides in my Etsy shop, if you care to take a peek!

 

The two above frames are some of my favorites!  Both are vintage, and ooozing in shabby goodness!  One is made of a very heavy resin, the other is wood and gesso.  Love!

 I also like combing other accents with my frame collections, such as this neat vintage key plaque in the photo below, and the vintage candle sconce in the first photo.

 The next photos (below) show a collection that I put together as a custom order for the sweetest woman!  She is going to be turning them into chalkboards, to hang in her soon to be born baby boy's nursery!  She was so much fun to work with, and I am thrilled to know that my frames will play a part in her baby's room!  It's so rewarding to get to know some of my Etsy customers a bit when I work on custom orders, or hear that they are going to use one of my creations at their wedding or for their babies!!

 I love how while all of the frames are different,  they have been united with my favorite paint color.  You guessed it!  Heirloom White!  A bit of distressing gives them even more character and adds to that "aged over time look".

 Some are vintage, some are newer.  I really love this little frame on the right (above).  Isn't it gorgeous?

 The other day I went out hunting for more frames to transform, and lucked out and found a bunch!  Now I'm in the process of working a little magic on them before I put them in my shop!

I'm super excited, as hubby's nephew and his wife flew in today from California to visit us for the weekend!  They are in route right now, so I won't be on here much this weekend.  Hope you all have a great one!!
I'm linking up with Debra over at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.  Be sure to check it out for tons of great ideas!

Heirloom White Birdcage Makeover

Hello Ladies!

You all know how much I am addicted to in love with Heirloom White spray paint!  At any given time, you will find me covered in splatters of it, from my face down to my toes!  So today I thought I'd share with you one of my latest transformations, this gorgeous decorative birdcage.

 Isn't she pretty?!  I must admit that painting it was no easy fete!  Not to mention the amount of paint that she required!  But, I am oh so happy with the result!  I gave it a bit of distressing for that wonderful "aged over time look", as I like to call it.

 And this is what she used to look like when I discovered her while out thrifting!  Very dusty, and very much in need of a makeover!  After giving her a bath (and removing the very dusty faux greenery, which is going right back to the thrift shop!), I think she is much happier with her new look!

 I love that you can lift the lid right off, and check out that adorable little front door!  She is quite heavy, weighing it at over 7 pounds!

 As much as I love her, I have put her in my Etsy shop, for one lucky person!

 And speaking of birds, I thought you might like to see "our" resident eagle!  I snapped this shot in our back yard, which overlooks the Puget Sound.  Mr. Eagle likes to keep a close eye on the water, and his prey!  We have a pair of them that have a nest in a neighbors tree, and we are thrilled that we hear and see them up close and personal every day!.

 I'm linking up today's post with White Wednesday, over at Faded Charm. Be sure to visit for tons of inspiration!

Glittered French Themed Cards

Bon Jour, Mon Amis!

Today I wanted to share with you one of my latest creations.  I always like to add a little extra surprise in with all of my Etsy orders, and with larger orders I like giving a bit more.  Often I will give a set of note cards that I have created, and send along with larger purchases. That way, the recipient will feel like they are getting a little extra gift to themselves!

 I began with blank cards from Michael's, then added vintage sheet music, which I guess you could say is one of my signature looks, as I use it in so many of my creations!  The gorgeous designs came from The Graphics Fairy (of course!).  These two are my absolute favorite designs from Karen's site!

 You can't tell very well from these photos, but I've added touches of glitter here and there, 'cause you know what my motto always is:  "You can never have too much glitter!"

I finally got around to purchasing some "Stickles" glitter from Michael's that so many of you have mentioned.  I love this stuff!  It is so easy to use, and not at all  messy to work with, like regular glitter can be.  So, for my glitter phobic friends (you know who you are!!) I would definitely give this a try!!

 Another signature look of mine is crinkly seam binding.  I just love it, and go thru quite a bit of it!  For these cards, I added my favorite taupe shade.

I think this set makes a nice gift for my customers, and a fun surprise, too!

Now go out and create something fun!!
I'm linking up this project with Karen at the Graphics Fairy, for Brag Monday!

A Few Fun Halloween Projects, and a Giveaway Reminder!

Hellos Ladies!

It sure is hard to believe that September is nearly over, and Halloween is just around the corner!  I thought I would share a few Halloween projects that I made for my booth.  Of course you already probably know that they involve glitter and Mod Podge, my two favorite crafting supplies!

 I really love this owl from Karen at the Graphics Fairy.  Doesn't he look spooky?  I had an unfinished wood plaque in a neat shape that I loved, and I thought it would be perfect to create this glittery wall hanging with.  I also found the orange and black patterned paper over at the Background Fairy (Karen's other site).  I began by painting the edges of the plaque black, then decoupaged on the papers, followed by a dusting of glitter.  I really like how it turned out!

 A scrap piece of masonite that just happened to be the right size became a cute little hanging.  I just decoupaged this adorable little girl popping out of a pumpkin, which I found over at Moonlight Magic.  A wire hanger, and some crinkly orange seam binding and black raffia (oh, and I can't forget the giltter!), made for an easy, peasy project!!

 I really love making glittered jar candles, and I used the same images as I did on the hangings.  Orange, black, and gold crinkly seam binding add a fun touch!  Since I am new at having a booth, and not sure what to expect sale wise, I didn't want to get too carried away making tons of Halloween stuff all at once. If these sell out, I'll get busy and make some more!

 They were so much fun to make!  And they look even prettier when lit!

 Just as a reminder, my friend Miranda over at Blooming in Alaska is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100 followers!  She is giving away a brand new copy of Flea Market Style, as well as a $25 gift certificate to anything in my Etsy shop.  I know she would be thrilled for you to pop by and say hi (and become one of her followers, hint, hint!).  But hurry, tomorrow is the last day you can enter!  Good luck!!

All Set for Soggy Seattle Days, and a Giveaway!

Hello ladies!

It's a bit of a cool and dreary day here in the Pacific Northwest, so it looks like I'll be spending the day indoors working on projects.

 Meanwhile, Emily thought she would model her new raincoat for you! Isn't it the cutest?

 It comes complete with a hood, and reflective stripes!  She's not too fond of wearing it (or any coat, for that matter!).  As a matter of fact, whenever she sees me coming towards her with a coat, she does her best to run and hide!

I think she's feeling a bit camera shy in this shot:)

Now I just need to get a pair of new rain boots, and we both will be all set!

My friend Miranda, over at Blooming in Alaska, is having a giveaway to celebrate 100 followers!  She is giving away a new copy of the fall/winter "Flea Market Style" magazine (love, love, love that magazine!!), as well as a $25 to anything in my Etsy shop!  Be sure to visit Miranda, to see how you can enter.  Oh, and she would love it if you became a new follower of hers (wink, wink!!).

Have a great day!

Fresh Fleurs

Hello Ladies!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  We had such a nice time with our friends who visited from back home!  It was great seeing them, and showing them some of our favorite places out here in Washington State.  On Friday, we went to downtown Seattle, first to Pike Place Market (always lots of fun!), then to our favorite waterfront restaurant for dinner.  Thought you might like to see a few shots I snapped of the glorious blooms at the market!

 Aren't these sunflowers and glads amazing?  What a gorgeous fall arrangement, I think.

 I am especially in love with stargazer lilies.  Wish you could have smelled them!

 The dahlias were just stunning!  I didn't realize that they came in so many different colors.

 The pink ones were my absolute favorite!

 This is only a small sampling of the many flower vendors at the market.  You can purchase huge, stunning bouquets for just $10!

After a busy week last week last week cleaning, cooking, and entertaining, and site seeing, I hope to get caught up on all of my visits with you!  Have a great week!

French Farmhouse Inspired Tiered Wire Basket

Bonjour Ladies!

As most of you know, I adore all things French, so when I spotted this gorgeous two tired wire basket recently while out thrifting, it just knew that I had to bring it home!

 The basket immediately said to me "French Farmhouse"!  Ok, the basket itself didn't actually say that, but that is what came to mind when I laid eyes on this beauty!  It may be hard to tell in the photos, but she was a sort of weathered gray color when I spotted her.  I actually liked the color, but I had something just a bit different in mind.

 So, I ended up painting her this soft "French Bleu" color, which is my own custom blended shade.

 A bit of distressing, and oooh, la, la!  Now all I need is the French farmhouse to put her in:)

Ok, a girl can dream, can't she?????  ***sigh***

 Anyway, it would have been easier, much easier, if I had just spray painted her.  But no, I like doing things the hard way, haha!  While it was quite tedious painting her by hand, making sure I got into all of the nooks and crannies, there really wasn't a spray paint out there that came close enough to this look.  Guess that's what I get for wanting something so specific!  But, I am super happy with the way she turned out!  While I would love, love, love to keep her, I have put her in my Etsy shop, if you care to take a peek!

I won't be on here much for the next few days, as friends of ours from back home are flying in tomorrow to visit us for a long weekend.  We are super excited, and can't wait to show them the sights!

 So, I'll be catching up with all of you wonderfully talented women next week!  Hope you all have a terrific weekend!  Au revoir!