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!

Boring Wood Stools Get a Makeover With a French Accent

Hi everyone, how was your Christmas?
I hope it was a wonderful one!
With the new year, most of us seem to have that
"out with the old, in with the new"
yearning.
So with that, I thought I'd share with you my latest transformation, a project that I just completed for DecoArt
Actually, rather than out with the old, I wanted to take it one step further and
keep the old, just make it better!
So, here is a sneak peak at my new-old kitchen stools!

And here is what they used to look like!
Pretty boring, right?
Well, I was about to get rid of them and purchase some new ones.
I am so glad that I had a change of heart!!
Before I share with you more, I'll back up a bit and mention that we're planning to renovate our kitchen.  Yeah!
We'll be getting new counters.  I decided rather than get rid of all our cabinets, as they are still in very good shape, that I'll paint them antique white, and add some new hardware.
We do plan on splurging a bit and replacing the island, which you see below.

Ok, more on that later!

Here is what I did to give my stools a French accent!

After painting them all with DecoArt's "Lace" chalky finish paint (my hand's down favorite color of theirs!),

I used their image transfer medium to add these fun graphics, found over at the Graphics Fairy.

(gosh, I think I'd be lost without the Graphics Fairy!!)

I was pretty nervous about trying the image transfer method.  I'd attempted to a few times several years ago, using the Mod Podge method, with pitiful results.  But, back then I made the mistake of using copies from my ink jet printer.  You really need to use laser printed copies in order for this method to work. 

Trust me, I found this out the hard way!!

So, I took my graphics to Staples and had them make laser copies (since we have an ink jet printer at home), the cost was super cheap.

If you are using graphics with words, just make sure you use a mirror image (flip the print backwards)!

I followed DecoArt's directions, and I must say I am happy with the results!

It was pretty tedious, and not a project that you can rush.

This graphic, an advertising sign for a French candy and pastry shop, is my favorite!

Now that I'm getting the hang of the transfer method, I can't wait to try it on something else!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I used Deco Art's "soft touch varnish sealer" as a protective top coat.

Please ignore the unsightly metal pipe in the photo below!  It will be hidden soon by our new larger island!

Actually it's the gas line to my new gas stove, which I love cooking on!

We'd had an electric stove for years, and I never liked cooking on it.

I still can't believe how different the stools look!  I really do love them now!
So my challenge to you is rather than just going out and buying a bunch of new stuff
(to replace the old), try looking at what you already have and see how you can transform it in some way.
It's amazing what a little paint and tlc can do!!
Disclaimer:  I'm compensated for my projects for DecoArt, but all of the opinions here are my own!
Linking up with Creative Country Mom for Flea Market Fridays

Vintage Jewelry Box Makeover

Hi everyone, happy November!

Wow, it sure is hard to believe that Halloween is already past, and soon the holidays will be upon us!!

Today I thought I'd share with you one of my latest projects that I completed for DecoArt, a vintage jewelry box which I transformed.

Here is a peak at the "after".  Of course, it didn't look like this when I discovered it!

 When I first spotted the piece while thrifting, I just knew it would be fun to give it makeover.

I was drawn to the raised panels on the doors and each side, as well as the pretty embossed design on the top.  Plus, it was made in Japan and very well built, and the music box still worked!  It plays "Lara's Theme" perfectly.  While the ballerina designs on the panels were pretty, they were showing some wear, and one was starting to peel off.  

The two doors opened to reveal three velvet lined drawers.  Only problem was, they were red velvet!

While the material was still in very good shape, the color just did not fit with what I had in mind.

No problem!  I decided to remove the velvet and paint and decoupage the inside of the drawers. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, was I ever wrong!

Can you believe I literally spent hours removing every last trace of that velvet and cardboard backing from the drawers??  It was very frustrating, to say the least!  In the end, I am glad that I decided to redo the insides.  With that said, the next time I make over a jewelry box, I will leave the insides alone!:)

Ok, I am getting a little ahead of myself in all the excitement!

I first removed the hinges on the doors.  Then I painted the entire box in my favorite light blue chalk paint, called "Vintage".  It has just a bit of gray undertones and is oh so pretty!

I also used some creamy white "Lace" chalkpaint to dry brush the piece and give a bit of dimension.

I knew I wanted the drawers to be a bit darker, so I mixed in some black "Carbon" chalk paint with the light blue, resulting in a nice dove gray.

I also gave the entire piece a little glazing treatment for instant aging.

The piece de la resistance is the pretty floral design that I decoupaged onto the raised panels.

It is from DecoArts new decoupage paper line, and I just love it!

Aren't those blue roses gorgeous?

I've done quite a bit of decoupaging over the years, and this was my first experience using actual decoupage paper.  It is the perfect weight and texture, and is so easy to work with!

Here's a look at the embossed design in the top.  It's hard to see in my photo, but the glazing settled into the design making it a bit more pronounced, just as I was hoping.

Oh, another thing I forgot to mention!  I painted the border of the raised panels in creamy "Lace" to help set them off.

I also used Lace to paint the inside of the drawers.  Then I lined them with more of DecoArts decoupage paper in a vintage sheet music motif.  Love!

I must say that I am thrilled with the end result!

Aren't the cute little wooden feet darling?

In the end, it was worth all of the work, and it was a very fun makeover!

I can't wait to find another box that I can transform!

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a great week!

Disclaimer:  I am compensated by DecoArt, but all opinions
are my own.

Letter Holder Redo

Bonjour, Mes Amis!

How is your day going?

Today I wanted to share with you my latest creation for my Etsy shop.  Of course in my excitement, I forgot to take a "before" shot!

Just imagine a boring, plain brown mail sorter. 

The kind you wouldn't give a second glance.

Well, once I spotted her, I just knew that she deserved better.............

 I knew right off the bat that I wanted to paint her my favorite shade of creamy white

(big surprise, I know!).

After a bit of distressing, I then decoupaged vintage sheet music to the front of each pocket.

Since I was going for a shabby chic look, what would be more appropriate than roses?

So I headed on over to the Graphics Fairy, and found these lovelies.

Cutting them out by hand was a bit of work, but fun, too!

 I decoupaged a different design to each front, as well as a pretty rose to the very top.

 Again, I sure wish that I hadn't neglected to take a before shot.  She was none too lovely!!

 I think she is so much happier with her makeover.

Just look at those curves:)

 Thanks for stopping by!

Remember, all it takes is a little imagination, and maybe a bit of paint and Mod Podge, to

give something an entirely new look!

Wintery Whites

Cold and wintery outside means it's a good excuse to stay indoors and have fun creating!

With all of the white stuff on the ground here in the Midwest, I thought I would bring some more white indoors! With paint, that is!

So today I thought I'd share with you some of my latest creations that I've made for my Etsy shop, all done in my favorite shades of white to cream.

This large basket was a lucky find!  It's brand new, and came with the canvas liner.  I couldn't scoop it up fast enough!

Of course it didn't start out life this color. It was a natural wicker tone, but I immediately thought it would be so much prettier with a white wash finish.  So I painted it my favorite creamy white, allowing a bit of the natural tones to show thru.

 

And since the basket had a French feel to it, I just had to make a French graphic tag to go along with it.

 Oooh, la, la!

Shelves are always big sellers in my shop, so I am always on the hunt for nice ones that I can transform with a little paint and tlc.  I was super excited to find this ornate vintage Homco shelf, below.

Originally gaudy gold when I spotted it, I could hardly wait to take it home and give it some creamy love!

 The shelf has some beautiful detailing, and would also make a pretty bed crown!

 It can sometimes be challenging to photograph my shelves.  The one below is even cuter in person than I was able to capture in my pics, I think.

It is vintage and has great curves!

 It was an awful dark reddish-brown finish when I found it on one of my weekly treasure hunts.  Many coats of creamy white paint, and it's looking so much happier, I think!

 Also popular in my shop are picture frames.

Actually hubby found the next pieces that I'm about to show you.  I get so excited when he comes home with treasures for me to transform!  I guess I've trained him well, as he knows just what to look for now:)

I really love this sweet oval frame.  It is vintage and has the prettiest floral and ribbon motif at the top, as well as pretty raised details around the border.

 I took it from gaudy gold to glam with my signature antique white!

 It came with this sweetest little bird print, but that could be replaced with a photo or other artwork.

 Oval frames are especially popular in my shop.  This pretty matching pair below are also vintage.

From boring brown to shabby and chic cream, I am really loving them!

 They have a pretty raised floral and leaf design on both sides of the frame.

I like including either vintage sheet music or pretty scrapbooking paper in my frames.  I think they look pretty in the photos, but sometimes I also like to show what the frames look like empty, so the buyer could better visualize them with their own photos or whatever added.

 I was excited when hubby came home with not one, but two of these cute curvy shelves, below.  And I could hardly believe my luck when I found another identical shelf when I was out thrifting last week!

I painted this one pure white, so much better than the awful dark reddish brown finish.

 Love the curvy brackets and the scalloped edge top.

 That's it for now, so glad you stopped by for a visit!

Have a great day, and stay warm and cozy!