Friday, April 29, 2011

She's coming with me..

I will be selling at Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL this weekend. It has been such a crazy week for me, as always. Here is just a hint of the items I will be bringing, including....

Yes, she's coming with me. My shabby chick has received so many compliments. I am currently working on similar redesigns. She will be on display, and so will....









This is just a hint. There is so much more, but I really need to finish getting ready. If you are in the area, stop by and see me.

More finds and redesigns coming soon!

See Ya!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Feminine Flair

I'm one of those quirky artistic types who waits for a piece to speak to me. To tell me what it wants to be. I'll sit and stare until my redesign vision is firmly planted in my brain. The challenge then is to make it happen.

This redesign I just finished today is a good example.



This shabby stand with the feminine flair started out like this.


I found it at a flea market last week.

Now, I've had stands like this before. Although I like the size and the shape, I never really cared for the carving.


The wispy lines and swoops just don't do it for me.

So, what to do. All week long I passed her by, waiting for inspiration to strike...

Then, the vision was planted. I decided to make the part that bothered me the most fade away. I applied filler and left only a hint of the carving.


I sanded the surface and added my rose embellishment. After multiple layers of paint and another sanding, I gave her crystal knobs.









I love the way she turned out.



So, what do you think? Are you a purist? Would you have left her original carvings alone? Or, do you share my love for this shabby chick?

Sharing this redesign with:
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Primitive and Proper: Piece of Work Wednesday





Monday, April 25, 2011

LITTLE GEMS

Take a look at these guys.


Cute, right? Wanna know how they came to me?


Lovely!

After removing the poorly executed cameos and pukey green, velvet-like background...


I began to envision what they could become. I gave them a whitewash and added chandelier images. Now they can hang,


or, because of their deep frames, function as a pedestal.




Here is another little gem that started out like this.


I think it was used as a scratching post.

I added little embellishments and primed.


I then recovered it in vintage fabric, applied paint, crackling and other brews to the frame, and got this.



Back to work!...See ya soon!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

MEMORY LANE

Today, after organizing my weekend finds and waiting for the paint to dry on some of my latest redesigns, I found myself taking a trip down memory lane.

So much has passed through my hands over the years. I often reminisce about redesigns I never took a photo of, or finds that sold so quickly, I barely had a chance to appreciate them fully.

I started pouring over old pics and decided to share. Sorry, some of the pics are a little dark. However, just imagine you are over for a visit and we are flipping through my crude but well loved photo album.





















Whew! I could have gone on for quite a while. We'll have to do this again sometime.

I'll be back the beginning of the week to give you a peek at my load for Kane County Flea Market.

In the mean time, I shall be, as always....

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Romans 12:12

HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER... HE IS RISEN

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

BUSY WEEK

It has been a very busy week for me, but I wanted to take a minute and share a few pics with you. I have more redesigns in the works, and, as always, lots of shopping to do thanks to my loyal customers.

These three frames were painted a very bad gold when I found them. I gave them a whitewash with a dark undertone.



As I stood looking at them, they seemed like a family to me. Papa, Mama, and Baby. A family that needed a purpose.



I've made many bulletin boards and chalkboards, but I think this family is one of my favorites. I hope they stay together. Baby would be great with push pins, holding necklaces.

I also turned an italian plaque (you know the ones with the romantic couple in the garden) into a mini chalkboard. The picture was shot, but I liked frame.


My furniture finds this past week included this guy hubby and I pulled out of a barn.


I actually liked the yellow color. However......


Yes, the sides were a bit rough. So, I gave it a little makeover.



This piece was grounded. I added the bun feet you see here.


Not too bad this way, but I had a request to give it a little zing.



Yes, that little chandie is one of my recent finds.


As well as this pair of beautiful mirrors.



and another garden piece I love.


I also love candles, in case you have not noticed.

Oh yes, I did another bold graphic redesign.


OK, back to work. See ya soon!