Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mary's Makeover

"She's seen better days".  That's what the lady at the garage sale said when I picked Mary up.




That was an understatement.



Mary had a multitude of chips, dings, and a broken neck.  I actually walked past her several times, but I felt she needed a little help.  So, I took her home.



I cleaned Mary, added a little filler around her neck, and gave her many layers of white gesso.  I then gave her patina with a wash of dirty water for a garden statue feel.  I let the water seep into the crevices, wiped her off, and  followed with another layer of gesso.

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61 comments:

  1. notmeJune 12, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    She's absolutely a changed woman!

    Beautiful work, and thanks for sharing!

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  2. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJune 12, 2012 at 11:20 PM

    Gorgeous! She looks so much happier.

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  3. UnknownJune 12, 2012 at 11:21 PM

    I love her- perfect amount of aging- looks serene and elegant,
    Karen

    love your work...

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  4. Shabby chic SandyJune 12, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    Great save--she looks lovely now!

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  5. KarenJune 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    She looks beautiful!

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  6. Leena Milligan LanteigneJune 12, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    I'm so glad that you gave Blessed Mary a make-over and a second chance! I love old religious statues like this and the make-over you performed is wonderful - she looks brand new! Way to go! Hugs, Leena

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  7. IreneJune 13, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Heavenly

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  8. Shabby soulJune 13, 2012 at 12:04 AM

    I think she is lucky to be passed into your hands: you made a little magic! Darling Rosemary, I love to see your before-after!!
    Silvia

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  9. Shabby Gr8 DaneJune 13, 2012 at 12:37 AM

    Stunning! She is truly a treasure. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. The Feathered NestJune 13, 2012 at 1:25 AM

    You are amazing girl!!! You have a wonderful eye and know exactly what to do to turn something cast off into something GORGEOUS!! I just love Mary ~ she's just beautiful ~ hugs and love, Dawn

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  11. FRENCH LAUNDRYJune 13, 2012 at 1:31 AM

    She is stunning Rosemary! You did her proud...

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  12. DianeJune 13, 2012 at 5:24 AM

    You are so clever and talented as a makeover artist! She is beautiful.

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  13. Katie @ Wildwood CreekJune 13, 2012 at 5:42 AM

    Beautiful transformation!

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  14. UnknownJune 13, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    Brilliant. That is what I think.:)

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  15. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsJune 13, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    I think she looks angelic, Rosemary! I think you were meant to take her home and make her lovely again.

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  16. Amy ChalmersJune 13, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    Oh you saved Mary~~ she looks all better and so much prettier now!

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  17. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJune 13, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Mary looks fabulous now!

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  18. Jennifer @ Town and Country LivingJune 13, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    Beautiful! I never would've thought to use dirty water. She looks great.

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  19. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage DesignsJune 13, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    You pretty much amaze me!!! It looks great Rosemary!

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  20. UnknownJune 13, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    gorgeous!!! what did you use for a "filler?" I have a statue in need of some TLC as well. LOVE! ;)

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  21. AnonymousJune 13, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    Mary's feeling much better now!

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  22. Swanky Salvage DecorJune 13, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. Swanky Salvage DecorJune 13, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    Wow! She looks great! What a transformation!

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  24. The White Pear TreeJune 13, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Hail Rosemary! She's beautiful.

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  25. shabbyechic.blogspot.itJune 13, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    Mary Make Over, Rosemary ediction!

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  26. Little Miss MaggieJune 13, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    You gave Mary a makeover treatment for sure. Looks like a cement statue now. Beautiful job as always.

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  27. AnonymousJune 13, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    Gorgeous! She's beautiful! Amazing what a little TLC can do. I'm sure Mary loves her new makeover! :)♥♥

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  28. Cottage and BroomeJune 13, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    I think you saved her! Beautiful…. Laura

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  29. Curtains in My TreeJune 13, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Blees you Rosemary

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  30. A Shabby Moment in TimeJune 13, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Fabulous!
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  31. ArtsnarkJune 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    simply lovely - well done

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  32. Faded CharmJune 13, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    You would never know she had such damage....wonderful job restoring her to beauty again. I have a similar Mary that need gluing, patching and repainting as well and I think she is my favorite of all:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  33. Susan EvelynAndRoseJune 13, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    You restored her beautifully, Rosemary, and now she looks so at peace. :)

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  34. VictoriaJune 13, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    Oh, she looks beautiful Rosemary!!! I bet she feels better now too in her spiffy new paint job:)

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  35. Ang.June 13, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    I dislike that ugly blue and faded white that the Mary's are all painted in, your's looks SOOOOOO much better!!!! good job, as usual!!!

    Angela from NJ

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  36. Every Little BirdieJune 13, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    Wow, That is an amazing transformation. You turned something tacky and broken into something truly beautiful. You have a great eye for trash to treasure!!!!!!!!!

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  37. Courtney ~ French Country CottageJune 13, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    She looks wonderful Rosemary!! Love her makeover- glad you decided to rescue her :)

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  38. Sandi~A Cottage MuseJune 13, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    She looks heavenly!

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  39. BlissJune 13, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    I like it. I prefer my statuary in no more than two tones, and the Mary's I always see are very colorful. I didn't think to bring the one I saw home and paint her. Next time.

    ~Bliss~

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  40. MicheleJune 13, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    Hi Rosemary ~~ the statue is beautiful. I would love to find a statue like that. There is one here in a local antique store but the price is $99. Not sure if I want to spend that much, would you????

    Have a great day,
    Michele
    Pearl 13.1

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  41. Eclectically VintageJune 13, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Mary looks like she's in heaven living at your house!

    I just went to a yard sale thrown by nuns! Boy did I score big! Mary was definitely looking down on me that day!
    Kelly

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  42. JP June 13, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    She is prettier than ever! You do wonderful work!

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  43. andeeJune 13, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Just lovely Rosemary. I would love to buy her for my father's 90th
    birthday. I will email you.

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  44. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJune 13, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Beautiful, Rosemary! I appreciate you linking to the OHP this week. Thanks!

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  45. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsJune 13, 2012 at 7:06 PM

    You gave her a most heavenly transformation..one that she so rightfully deserves....Beautiful job Rosemary!...

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  46. CandyJune 13, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    GORGEOUS. I am so very glad that you saved her.

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  47. The Bold AbodeJune 13, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Do you think you could slather me in gesso so I can look as good as Mary? She looks *divine*...

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  48. ℳartina @ Northern NestingJune 13, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Rosemary you are AMAZING!! Mary looks beautiful!!

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  49. Ann from On Sutton PlaceJune 13, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    Oh my gosh she's beautiful...amazingly so. Wonderful transformation.

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  50. UnknownJune 13, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    So beautiful -- what a great update :)

    Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson

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  51. RhissannaJune 13, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    She's lovely. What a really nice job, Rosemary.

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  52. Fiona, Lilyfield LifeJune 14, 2012 at 3:59 AM

    Rosemary - you did a beautiful job. you'd never guess what she looked like originally.

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  53. OliveJune 14, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Splendid transformation. I buy Mary's when I can and rosaries. hugs, olive

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  54. diane June 14, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    She's beautiful .... she was lucky you found her! :-D

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  55. Heaven's WalkJune 14, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    She was just waiting for a pair of loving hands to bring her back to life, Rosemary. She's just beautiful! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  56. CindyJune 14, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    She's very pretty now!
    Cindy

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  57. KathyJune 15, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Lovely, You made her beauty shine, Thanks for redoing her.
    Kathy

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  58. Help! Mama Remote...June 16, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Wonderful!!!you redeemed her :)

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  59. Help! Mama Remote...June 16, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Wonderful!!!you redeemed her :)

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  60. AnonymousJune 16, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    She's beautiful again!

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  61. RupaAugust 7, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    You are a genius, period!

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