My Sparkly Christmas Tree

My Sparkly Christmas Tree

I just didn't want a traditional tree this year.  I love the woods and at this time of year the trees are bare....My family thinks I have lost my mind!!  They are so right.........My husband and I cut down some young Sweet Gum trees which are dormant this time of year.  

They look a little bad, but after spray painting them a little silver and trimmed off some excess branches, they came out pretty good....

A half whiskey barrel made a good 'pot'.  Lots of white landscape rocks to hold the branches in. And then add bling!!

Chandelier prisms and crystals, antique costume jewelry, broaches, earings, necklaces, beaded garland, anything in the craft room that sparkled

This multi-tiered pearl necklace is just too cute between the branches.  Looks like dew on a spider web....

Pearl and antique earrings....

Colored broaches......

Even my daughter had to get a little something to put on the tree.  

Chandelier crystals and strings of pearls....Pictures just does not do it justice

I came home tonight and my husband added a string of lights, but the green corded one, not the white one....oh well, he likes it.  It's all about what makes us happy.......

And lights on the tree makes him happy......lol...Oh Well......
Have a very Merry Christmas......

The Day of Table finds....

The Day of Table Finds......

I have to admit, I am really getting interested in doing table sets...Good thing, my daughter gave me her table set to redo for Southdown.  Then last weekend, I bought my neice's table and two chairs.  But, I have yet to pick it up.  Hope lil sis don't get to irritated with me for hogging her storage space this week.  


Then.....my neighbor called me from a garage sale up the street this morning....Good find!!

 It's really not a full size dining set, but it's a great two seater for a small apartment, or camp!! lol...I love camps that are dressed up and not all 'man cave' style....

 Detail on the side of this table is just too cute...  I didn't call my hubby right away when I brought this home....he would find out eventually....lol...

Then, while I was away on errands today, my hubby brought this sweetie home!!  He found it along side the road waiting either the garbage truck, or dumpster divers like us!!  What a find!  It's laminated on top but I can work with that.  The chairs are in OK shape, repairable. Except for the top, it's solid wood!!  Gee...don't know which one to attack first.......

 Good thing I have lots of storage space in the garage.....When my hubby brings home junquey jewels like this, it assures me that he also loves what I do...it's relaxing...therapy and just so fun!!

 

Am I Cheating?

Am I Cheating? 

I love to do art projects, but I must confess....I do not draw very well.  In fact, I have already had my son, whom I am proud to say is gifted in the art department, sketch out a canvas or two for me in the past.  I enjoy painting, but sketching out intimidates me to no end......lol.

I also have a sister who is a gifted and talented artist who paints murals.  Somehow I didn't get in line for the drawing talent in the family.  But, I do make better pralines than her!!

So, what is a girl to do????

Yep, you see it.  A tracer.  I can't draw worth a hoot, but I can trace......haha!  After purchasing the same, I was told that lots of crafters and artists use this little tool as well. (I just hope they told me that to make me feel good...lol)

More toys for the craft room, and more fun.....

I finally went shopping.....

Yes, I finally went shopping.....

Finally.....I began my Saturday morning just to attend one garage sale.....yea....I didn't get home till 5:00 P.M.  Just me...no one else.  I even had lunch by my self.  Sometimes you just have to be alone.

 Found these great small wall plaques, made by Southern something or other.....They would be great painted.  Just don't know what color yet.

This is a wall scroll.  Lots of deep detail, made of resin.  Will add to my stash of junque waiting to get redone.

 A sweet little teapot that my sister was saving for me.  She picked it up at a garage sale as well.  It's ceramic, but enamel paint will stick to anything......Colors are too dark right now.

A couple of 11x14 frames.  Sorry for the distance of the picture with no detail for you to appreciate, but it's there.  That long piece in front, it's a collage picture frame.  Some chunks are missing, but it will be fun to 'rebuild' the missing chunks.  
 

A mix.  An old wooden box, mantle top decor and a very ornate wall scroll.  Can't wait to dig into these things. 

 Well enough said.  When I start to work on these things I'll get another blog up.  But for now, I need to work.....

Cheese Box

The Cheese Box

Looking at all the cute blogs about repurposing junk inspired me to try my hand at an ordinary authentic cheese box. 

The thing was quite raw and rough......But out came my turquoise paint.  I'm kind of stuck on that color right now.

 

Using a beaded doily I found at a junk store and a crochet collar my sister found at a garage sale, I was able to put together a 'top'.  I painted the collar as well as some lace in bronze.  Also added some bronze to the  box to tone down the turquoise.

 

My photography skills have not improved, but here it is.

 

A close up to show detail........This will be in my craft booth in Southdown this fall...

 

 

 

Leah's chest

Leah and Adam's Chest

Yes, we do a lot for our children.  Yes, they tease our passions as they grow up.  Saying...'Mom, you just love gaudy stuff...'  Our definition of 'gaudy' is anything shiny, girly and pretty....

OK, fast forward a few years.  My daughter is now  married with her own home.  Her curtains are metallic taffeta, curtain rods are glass mosaic and she treasures her mirror mosaic lamp from Pier One she convinced her grandmother to buy her for her wedding present.  But, she does not decorate in the 'gaudy'  motif...yea......

 

My daughter and son-in-law have also discovered they love to shop and acquire finds that are extremely discounted that needs a little work...Like this chest....

 

 This is a picture of it 'done'....it didn't come that way.....

 

They got it for a steal since it didn't have a top.  The original broke, but they knew Daddy would be able to make another one for it.  

They also had planned for me to cover the top with stained glass.  

Leah decided on a fleur de lis.  I questioned her color choices, but she proved me wrong.....it was really cute in the end. 

She hounded me for weeks to finish.  I got busy and procrastinated a bit...but once done, I couldn't wait for her to get it home and enjoy.   

Came out pretty cute.  I used the center for my motif.....I guess I liked it as well.  Turquoise and purple.....what a combination.

My Husband's latest find.....

My Husband's latest find.........

I've been doing a little 'soul searching' on how I should proceed with this hobby of mine.  I do have a booth at the best craft show in the area....Southdown.  But, my list of things that I want to do and the space that I have to store and stack my stuff is getting a little conflicted. 

Being the ever supportive husband, I told him my crazy dream to maybe expand a bit......get a booth at an antique mall or such........He's told me many times that he believes I will have my own one day....Yea, how do I fit that in with nursing, managing rentals and doing the books for his business..............

Oh well, I guess his latest find was confirmation that his encouragement is genuine.  I just recently showed him some hall trees made from old doors and.......guess what he brought home!!!!!

So, when he called me to say he was bringing me a surprise, I knew how proud he was to haul these doors to me.  They were being abandoned in a dumpster near a job site........Oh, the horror!!  Thank God he had the equipment trailer with him to haul these beauties.  I see a hall tree, coffee tables, end tables, possible benches.......painted in a lighter color and distressed!!  The possibilities......The leaded glass has a hummingbird inlaid on it.  These pictures do no justice to the piece.....

It's great to have the support of the one you love, it just wouldn't be the same if I had to stand my ground and not have someone to giggle with at my creations.  

Another love of mine is old band instruments.  I have an affection with old band instruments as I was a 'band nerd' most of my school life......lol......I loved my high school band days.  So, when I  found this french horn, I could not resist.  I also have an old flute and an old clarinet I have displayed on my mantle.  This french horn may be a little awkward on the mantle.  On day I'll get a better picture of this horn with my other collection of instruments.  I just had to get a quick shot of this one right when I put it in my car.....and text it to my hubby and sisters.........

  If you are ever in Denham Springs, LA, which is East of Baton Rouge, check out 'The Rusty Rooster'.  This is an antique mall done right!!  It's where I found this horn.  Her antique mall is inspiring, relaxing and just plain lovely!!!!  

 

The Little Medicine Cabinet

The Medicine Cabinet

Look close behind that metal headboard......from a garage sale trip.....that handmade medicine cabinet.

Here it is close up.......cute little thing huh?  Old hardware, stained wood, mirror in great shape.......well, get the paint out!!

The cream paint just lets the old hardware pop!  Some things are just better upcycled, altered, refinished, redone, played with.....whatever you call it.

A little gentle distressing to let the old finish peak through.  Didn't have to do anything with the hardware, it was distressed through time.  Didn't even put new screws in the thing.....loved the look.  

 This piece would look great in either a retro bath, or a shabby decor style bath.....up above a pedestal sink.......

It'll be at Southdown this fall......booth #401... See ya!!

Tuquoise Chair

The Turquoise Chair

My husband spotted these chairs on side of the road during a Sunday drive.   We had to stop and rescue them.  

 

Too funny!!  I can haul some stuff now....couldn't do this with the Charger....

 

These chairs are just great. Lots of potential to turn into accent chairs. 
 

All I can think of was....turquoise!! 

With coral accents.  Aged down to give it a worn, warm look. 

Well, that's one accent chair.  Still thinking what to do with the other one.  Either make a pair, or try something new.  Anyway, it'll be in Southdown......

Picnic anyone?

Picnic Basket

I love the color sage, peaceful and calm.  A little spring color that can blend into any season.  

 A little paint, a  little aging and there you have it....ready for some vintage linen, couple of wine glasses, bottle of wine and flowers......
 

 I'm adding this to the Southdown collection.......See you there!

 

Chairs

Finally, back in my 'groove' for redo-ing furniture.  After upcycling many home decor items for the craft booth, I've finally returned to furniture.  Found a lot of great garage sale goodies as well as roadside goodies. 




This is before and after pics.  On the left is how I bought this beauty, crack in the seat and all!!  It's old with layers of old finish.  With a little turquoise and cream, this high-chair can be used as a decorative piece.  I envision a cool back porch.   




 

Here we go again....found this old oak chair at a flea market.  A little cream paint and waxing brought out the beauty of this piece.  

Hopefully they make it to 'Southdown' in November..........Keep junking....