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Happily Ever After

One of my “virtual friends” noted that I have been a little MIA lately…sorry about that! My furniture projects tend to slack off in the winter months; it’s just too cold to paint outside! And then sometimes…life happens. Last weekend I got a nasty bout of strep throat, and then, being the caring, sharing person that I am…I proceeded to pass it along to two of my boys and my husband! Then my daughter tripped going UP the stairs at her school and gave herself a nasty sprained ankle, so she is in a boot and on crutches for the next few weeks. Whew! It’s been quite a week!
But I do have a project to share!

I had a niece who was getting married in December (yes, it already happened), and I made a simple copy of a beautiful wedding sign I had seen on etsy (note: the link to the original sign has been removed at the creator's request).

Using another of my salvaged cupboard doors (you can see other cupboard door projects here, here, and here), I base-coated the door black, then used my Silhouette to cut vinyl out for the words (those are the blue letters you see).
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I brushed plain white glue on the board, and let it dry for a few minutes until it was just tacky.
(Note: you can also use a purchased crackle medium for this step, and to be honest—I think it works better. It’s not that expensive—especially if you “borrow” it from a friend! But use what you have on hand. Or what your friends have on hand.)
Then I painted a creamy white paint over the board, sticky glue, vinyl letters, and all! While the paint was still wet, I removed the vinyl.
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You can see that the edges are a little rough, but that can be cleaned up with paint later if necessary. However, since the board will also get sanded and glazed, it’s not really a big deal!
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The crackle finish takes a while to really show itself, but it’s so cool when it does!
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At my niece’s wedding reception, the sign was displayed on a large floor easel right outside the door. It was super cute!
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Linking up here:
Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Elizabeth & Co.
Domestically Speaking’s Power of Paint Stylish Once Again
Hookin’ Up with House of Hepworths No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic 2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
Primitive & Proper I Heart Naptime
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect {Primp}
Mod Vintage Life My Repurposed Life
Too Much Time on My Hands It’s So Very Cheri
Common Ground Simply Klassic Sundays
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Finished......for now


Phew, going to market, it is complete! 
Shopping, decisions (will this sell?) husband questioning "are you really thinking that will sell?!" (insert the stink eye look), loading, hauling back, unloading, rearranging the shops, pricing......embracing a cocktail.  I know, I know, I really pinch myself and have fun on these antiquing jaunts, but.............love when it is over, till the next one that is!


What do you think of our haul? Hope you have fun looking!


 Recycle, recycle was again the uppermost theme and one I can really embrace.
 Re-purposed shipping crates supported with metal sides and finished with a steel top. Personally love the contrast of rough hewn and clean lined. It's all about contrasts
LOVE this concept. A friend goes to Europe frequently and buys discarded salvage. Not just salvage but that which no one else wants. Then her creativity is launched depending on what she finds.
Take vintage bottles, fuse with a band of copper one unbroken bottom with one unbroken top!

Again.....
1.    take one broken wine jug
2.    salvage the top
3.    cut and add a band of copper
4.    Viola.......a lovely cloche!


Stacking chairs intended for the heap
1.     rescue
2.     clean and paint the union jack on the seats.......they did come from London after all

Same concept, different chair, this time add a sparkling metal cover to the seat

 A tobacco drying rack from Provence; add glass and a coffee table is born.  Something of this stature is large and over scaled, a real statement piece. Blend with some shiny elements in a room for great contrast
 Velvet giraffe fabric updates a 70's classic




 Adoring shutters, the real ones. They can be interesting flanking your interior windows or hung on the wall. I recommend you hang them with the proper exterior hardware so they are not flat on the wall but slightly angled. Take it a step further by adding a sconce to the shutter for old-world influence


 Remember the "aqua duct" cabinet from a previous post?


A recently completed project was painting this side table. 
Adoring high-gloss oil paint, alas oil paint is outlawed, (I could be an outlaw)........I made a discovery. See that finish above, slick, with no brush or roller marks and virtually scratch proof? Well it is a Chicago paint manufacturer, Graham's and their 'Aqua Borne Ceramic' paint. Initially used in medical facilities for a impenetrable and sanitary finish. Personally I like the contrasts (did I use that word again?) between the high gloss top and the satin finish base. 


 The old fashioned Apothecary jars from the deco era mingling with miniature apothecary jars from Portugal
 Remember the sail boat we found? Here it is in the shop with a backdrop of French school maps found in Normandy and appropriately.......a whale!


Have a splendid week and as always, thank you for visiting!

Debra

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Chai Tea Recipe



I was finishing up a big writing project when cabin fever hit me hard. My solution was to grab a stash of Groupon bargains and hit the road to visit some local restaurants for food ideas. There's no denying that I'm a dedicated foodie with a strong desire to take control of the ingredients I use, and coming off of a few too many Christmas indulgences, I was ready for some tasty food that
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NEW E-MAIL GADGET – NEW GOODIES

Finally an easy way to be notified that your favorite bloggers have posted a new post!

That’s right…blogger recently added a new gadget…you can now get an e-mail to notify you.

Email gadget

Maybe some of you know of this by now…I just found it yesterday and I love it…I added it to my sidebar so if you want to know immediately when I make a post sign up…hope you all put one on yours too…makes it so much easier than going into the dashboard.

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I got me a nice set of cookware this weekend…couldn’t pass up a 30% Off Coupon from Kohl’s.
My pans were getting horrible inside and out from metal utensils and the dishwasher…I let it be known that these will never see the inside of a dishwasher – ever!

New Pans

New pans 1

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I had a bit of time left over this weekend so I made a couple new items – some Candle Mats…been going to do this forever but it’s a ‘time’ thing…
I wanted something that the design wouldn’t get covered up with what ever was put on the mat and came up with this….I have Candle Huggers to match.
The Pineapple one will be remade…I don’t like the black around the edges of the Pineapple…I’ll make it like the Flower one.

Flower Candle Mat 1


Pineapple Candle Mat

I also made some new Mug Mats…for a wholesale order but have put them on my website as well.

mug mat group

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How’s the week going for you all….kind of quiet here. Snowed this weekend…cold and windy but yesterday it was in the 40’s – no telling when and if Winter will come to stay.  Spring should be very interesting.

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EVENTS WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME

I will be doing the LITITZ, PA craft show this coming August 11th.  I will be located on Broad St. (Rt. 501) right at the beginning in front of the Police station.  So if you are in the area I hope you stop in and see me.

I’m also doing the Lititz Artisan’s Porch Walk October 12 & 13 so maybe I’ll see you then too!
There will be 6 locations you can find the Artists/6 at each location.

Karen

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The “Painted Hive” Coffee Table

Last fall I was contacted by Shelby, who was interested in having me re-do a coffee table for her. She wondered, “Had I ever seen the round table at The Painted Hive?”

Have I ever!

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Kristine’s beautiful furniture makeovers are an integral part of my Pinterest “Great Furniture” folder!

Shelby brought me this lovely coffee table which she had found on KSL.com, and asked me to refinish it ala “Painted Hive,” although slightly less distressed.

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The base was painted in a Behr Ultra paint color-matched to Sherwin-Williams “Creamy” paint. The top is stained with three coats of Minwax Antique Walnut stain, and then I hand-distressed and glazed the base to bring a little “age” to the piece.

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I love the way the white shelf looks on the bottom!

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Shelby also brought me this little pine table to get a similar makeover.

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She planned on replacing the knob herself, so her it sits—knobless…

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…but I think it will be a great complement to the “Painted Hive” coffee table!

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Linking up here:

Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Elizabeth & Co.
Domestically Speaking’s Power of Paint Stylish Once Again
Thrifty Décor Chick No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic 2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
Primitive & Proper I Heart Naptime
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect {Primp}
Simply Klassic Sundays My Repurposed Life
  It’s So Very Cheri
Common Ground  
[ Read More ]

The Winter Garden



 Many are surprised to hear that winter is my favorite season. Yes, I am a garden designer, one that is drawn to the muted colors, textures, whisper silences and the possibilities of the winter garden



When designing for a client winter is uppermost in the back of my mind. It is easy to attain a lovely garden in the summer months, but in climates such as Chicago, winter is nearly six months out of the year. All 5 senses should be equally engaged
The quintessential choice is evergreens. Great start! Do however think of the myriad of varieties, shapes and colors available to you, each play an important role

Boxwood forms after a fresh snow
Ornamental grasses should be allowed to remain upright, catching the wind and rustling

Water can be an integral component; the sound and movement entice birds and create mini ice formations
The Robin of the British Isles, chubby and charming

Shrubs with retentive berries. These are for us to enjoy as these varieties are disliked by birds 

Hardscapes such as gates and fencing

This morning, after a fresh snowfall, Cooper and I went about photographing examples of winter in my garden. Do note his all important color-coordination :-)
Here is my favorite view, off the drive. The centerpiece being our "pass-thru" from this garden to the pool, built by my husband Steve. Nightfall brings on glistening snow as it is lit from within. Additionally there is boxwood, an enormous birdhouse, containers, benches, the form of a weeping cherry and the remnants of summer; spent hydrangea blooms

A great exercise in designing your winter garden is to take a black and white photo, now. Black and white photography diverts your eye to the shadows and shapes which take center stage. Ideally it makes for an interesting photo

Or, is this more of what you see? Hmmmm.......get to work or call your friendly garden designer!

Back to my side garden,  a vintage cast iron horse head that resides in this container year round.


Other sculptures abound, catching snow. Peeking out of the far right of this photo is a wonderful winter plant, a Beech tree. Copper toned leaves remain until spring!

Seating.........so many varieties to choose from

 Here's a great opportunity for color, your containers; urns, hanging baskets, window boxes.......

A favorite home of mine is that of Ron Van Empel of the Netherlands

And the rear garden, all equally enchanting in winter with much to see, even in this diminutive space
Enjoy the season!

Debra


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