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.

Posted by at

61 comments:

  1. notmeJune 12, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    She's absolutely a changed woman!

    Beautiful work, and thanks for sharing!

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

    Gorgeous! She looks so much happier.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brayton Homestead InteriorsJune 12, 2012 at 11:21 PM

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

    love your work...

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

    Great save--she looks lovely now!

    ReplyDelete
  5. KarenJune 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    She looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. pink*cherub*moonJune 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. IreneJune 13, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Heavenly

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

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

    Hugs,
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  12. DianeJune 13, 2012 at 5:24 AM

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

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

    Beautiful transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  14. LesleyJune 13, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    Brilliant. That is what I think.:)

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Amy @MaisonDecorJune 13, 2012 at 6:54 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Flea Market MakeoversJune 13, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Mary looks fabulous now!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. Petite Michelle LouiseJune 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! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousJune 13, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    Mary's feeling much better now!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tammy WrightJune 13, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tammy WrightJune 13, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    Wow! She looks great! What a transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  24. De tout, de rienJune 13, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Hail Rosemary! She's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Marzia_SofiaJune 13, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    Mary Make Over, Rosemary ediction!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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! :)♥♥

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

    I think you saved her! Beautiful…. Laura

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

    Blees you Rosemary

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

    Fabulous!
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  31. Stacey MerrillJune 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    simply lovely - well done

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  33. SusanJune 13, 2012 at 11:47 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  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:)

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  36. MarshaJune 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!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

    She looks heavenly!

    ReplyDelete
  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~

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  42. JP designsJune 13, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    She is prettier than ever! You do wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!...

    ReplyDelete
  46. CandyJune 13, 2012 at 8:29 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  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*...

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

    Rosemary you are AMAZING!! Mary looks beautiful!!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  50. Charlie atMatchMadeOnHudsonJune 13, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    So beautiful -- what a great update :)

    Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson

    ReplyDelete
  51. RhissannaJune 13, 2012 at 10:52 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  52. Fiona, LilyfieldLifeJune 14, 2012 at 3:59 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  53. Olive CooperJune 14, 2012 at 6:48 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  54. augcottJune 14, 2012 at 1:54 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  56. CindyJune 14, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    She's very pretty now!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  57. KathyJune 15, 2012 at 7:52 AM

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

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

    Wonderful!!!you redeemed her :)

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

    Wonderful!!!you redeemed her :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. AnonymousJune 16, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    She's beautiful again!

    ReplyDelete
  61. RupaAugust 7, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    You are a genius, period!

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments, and would love to reply if you have a question. Please make sure you are not a No-Reply comment. I can't respond if you are. If you are not sure, read my post "No-Reply, Noooooo", or send me a regular email. Thanks so much for your readership. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)