Saturday, February 2, 2013

New Etsy Listings - Variety is the spice...


We had snow a few days ago, and it is almost all melted now. Spring is supposed to arrive early...


According to the groundhog...


We shall see. I am in no hurry for winter to end. I like winter.


I like the crisp air, the clothing, the food...and even the snow. I don't LOVE driving in it, but I love looking at it.


When spring arrives here, it gets very windy. We tolerate the wind, but no one enjoys it. We can't set out flowers until May, since nights get cold and freeze.


But suddenly, after a number of windy days, it gets hot here.



The older I get, the less I enjoy summer and the relentless heat. It sucks the energy right out of me. 


As long as the nights stay cooler, it is tolerable. 


But when the nights don't get cooler than the 80's, it's bad.
For the past two years, we've endured awful droughts and extreme heat.


So for now, I feel blessed to have snow one day, and 60 degree weather with sunshine the next. 


Variety is the spice of life, they say. 

If you see anything you like, please check out my new listings on MY ETSY. 

Word for the Day:
Song of Solomon 4:16
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.




Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Before & After


Sometimes I think a coat of white paint is somewhere on the same order as witnessing the miracle of birth. 



Some things begin as objects that are perfectly fine as they are, but white paint still adds a little umph that makes them even better. 



White paint is like a can of "instant charm." 
Other times, things are almost right, but not quite right.



Like these vintage plaster wall-plaques.



They are painted white, which is good. But the dry brushed gold....hmmm...not so much.



That little crackle thing that's happening is pretty cool...
but not the gold in the crack. Not so much at all.
A nice coat of ASCP French Linen...



with a couple of latex off whites, and some homemade white chalk paint on top of that...much better to my eye.



The crackle texture still peeks through, and the detail on the edge looks much better!



This painted planter was kind of cute...



...but I prefer it de-cuted a bit. Plain works better for me.



Again, a base of French Linen ASCP with faux chalk paint made of plaster of Paris layered on top does the trick.



The inside gets a coat of the palest aqua - also made with plaster of Paris. 

If you happen to spy a vintage cheese dome in your thrift store...be sure to get it.



Likewise, then the next time you see a nice chunky wooden  candlestick, grab it. These are great for SO many things.
They don't attract a lot of attention like this...



...but given "the treatment" of an old-world style layered chalk paint finish, it is almost instantly transformed.


And the two shall become one.



I finally got around to painting this - but I still have to glue it together. The inspiration came from Lauren at West Furniture Revival. Well, maybe not so much inspiration as blatant copying. Thanks, Lauren. :)

Word for the Day:
Mark 10:6-9
6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’

7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 
8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one.
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Potentially Linking With:

Sunday

Sunday’s Best
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Thrifty Treasures
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Just a party with my peeps!
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
All Star Block Party
Tuesday’s Treasures
Be Inspired
Twice Owned Tuesday
Wednesday

Blissfully White Wednesday
Share the Love Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Wow Us Wednesday
Penny Pinching Party
What’s it Wednesday

Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
Transformation Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Share Awesomeness Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things
Suzy's House Party
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Inspiration Friday
Free For All Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Fabulously Creative Friday
Frugalicious Friday
Delicately Constructed Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday