Apartment redo post #1

Recreating is what I love to do. My hubby and I have this little apartment that we bought from family. It is run down, distressed, and very out of date. However, this little jewel has a lot of potential for an awaiting newlywed couple. So, my very creative and inspiring sister and I are taking on the 'cosmetic' work of this 'diamond in the rough'. We have to save this potential masterpiece, because my contractor perfectionist husband would love nothing more than to gut the thing and start from scratch. He builds from the ground up and does not have the grace for restoration.


Above is a picture of one of the walls. Painted paneling.....yuck!! There is nothing worse than old, warpy painted paneling with nail holes. Putty and paint would not be able to smooth out these over used walls. So, below is the first step of the redo....We plastered the walls with joint compound and a 'special tool' from my sister's stash of wonder toys.


Close up is what the plaster looks like. Texture corrects a lot of imperfections and creates a smooth transition to......loveliness!!!

Can't wait until it's painted......More to come on the other parts of this outdated apartment. Gee, I feel like a make-up artist!!

Southdown Craft Show

So much fun!!! Bubbles and I participated in our first craft show in years. Lots of work, but way too much fun

Our booth is the 'Foo Yay Sisters'. Foo Yay means 'to dig through' in cajun french, or at least we think so.......That's what we do, we go to junk stores, flea markets, thrift stores and look for stuff that we can repurpose, redo, repaint and reinvent..... Bubbles is a mural artist and does a great job painting.

Some would think this little guy watched too much 'Swamp People', but down here, he probably goes hunting with his Dad and it's natural to him.....

The front of our booth, just love the Cajun Santa in the pirogue, being pulled by a gator......so cajun..

My stuff inside the booth. Above you can see some of the signs Bubbles made for laughs...a lot of cajun saying. They went really well. We always had people in front of our booth reading the signs and laughing. They remember when their Mom's would say 'get that boo-day off your face!' Means: boo-day is french for frown......

The paperdoll model is 'Tu-Tut'. She's a little daring for a craft show, but she did have clothes painted on her behind that apron.......Got a lot of laughs from that one. That's what the show was about, bringing joy to people. Yes, we did sell a bunch of our stuff and we'll do it again!! In March, 2012....

Just Wondering

You gotta wonder....what goes on in someone's head to think of putting a chandelier in a mimosa tree at a deer camp!


Well, it's like this...during hunting season, everything is dead brown. Really nothing exciting to look at but bare trees and dead bushes. Therefore, just for whimsy, put a little bling in an otherwise boring place. The deer don't mind...they are curious. There are many buck tracks right under the chandelier..........just tell your hubby not to hunt there!!!

A Year?????

Yep, It's been a long time.....didn't realize it's been a year! Too much going on I guess.

Interested in mosaics now....as well as other stuff. Getting ready for my first craft show in years....Southdown. Can't wait, it'll be lots of fun.

Pretty Things

So, when you have an affection to create, re-create and alter, you look at 'things' in a different perspective. You always try to figure out how you can make it better......the unusual, but pretty way you can put your own twist to things.


Sewing is a great outlet for such. You can take a simple square shaped pillow and with just a design on an otherwise boring fabric, it can become artful.


Collecting simple elements over time, then 'bringing' it together for a functional piece is pure joy to me. I mix decorative elements with my everyday stuff. It has to work in my house! My home is my home, not a stage setting for a magazine!, not that I don't like that look, but it just does not work with our lifestyle. My husband is rough and tough, living among vintage elements......it's got to work around him. Therefore, I really don't have the white and pink stuff around. I chose to go with 'gaudy but functional' stuff in colors that blend with camoflage!!
So, vintage glassware in amber, amethyst and green make for a good mix.
No white walls with pink roses and creamy distressed furniture here. It's more like antiqued woods fauxed with fun and love......It's got to work.........

Myra's Wall Plaque

The very much needed 'lighten up' wall plaque!!

My sister let me redo this wall plaque that she had. It was way too dark. The thing was heavy and finished in a dark brown that masked all the gorgeous detail. Sooooo, of course I forgot to get a before shot!! But this is what it looked like after I primed the thing and started to apply a base coat of taupe.
Then, turquoise!!! Yea turquoise!!! (did I spell that right?....lol) But boy was it bright!! That's OK, it's a process.

After toning it down just a notch...
Than, add rich gold metallic paint and age it...then.....

Looks really different! I wish I had one for myself....

A Mini Chest Re-Do

This set of miniature chests is a junque find. Very dark, gloomy, not very inviting for a conversation piece in home decor. Found at a garage sale. Well, while at the camp, I decided to redo this thing. But first, I did remember to take a before picture (after I primed the first two chests....)
Couldn't decide what colors to paint it, so.......Why not three? Or really, four.
Sage green, mustard yellow and a terracotta something or other for the chests; and cream for the shelf unit. Glazed everything for an aging effect. Also, painted the trim with bronze paint. Really had a lot of fun with this...Picture is a little off on the colors, but you get the idea.

Much better, now where to put the thing....

It really doesn't go on this table, it was just a place to take the picture. I'm still a little decorator impaired when placing objects.....I may get better, but for now I enjoy redoing these things....makes me happy!!!!!!!!!