Frenchy Basket

What started out as a plain  brown wicker basket has now taken on a French-y vibe.

The basket was given a coat of off-white paint, then a second lighter gray color  dry-brushed on just to catch the highlights.

Using a graphic from The Graphics Fairy  (do you ever wonder just how many times this graphic has been downloaded?),  I printed directed onto the fabric and then Mod-Podged 

it into place.

Since there are stacks of baskets in the garage, I may just be coming down with  an ailment called french-y  basket fever.

Until next time, Honey

Linking to:

Inspiration Friday  At The Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home at  The Charm of Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at  Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at  French Country Cottage

 Fridays Unfolded  at  Stuff and Nonsense

Treasure Chest Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House at No Minimalist Here 
 WoW at Savvy Southern Style

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Show & Tell at My Romantic Home 
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

My entry into Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party is sponsored by Appliances Online and the Best Range Cooker.

Romance Books

 

Today  I’m doing a rerun of a book bundle project I did last year.    It involves a bit of  “Romancing”.     Romancing the Book Bundles,  that it.    It takes only a few minutes and adds a bit of Valentine’s Spirit.   Pottery Barn probably hasn’t thought of this yet or they would be charging  $39  $79 a bundle.

 All it takes is a bit of ribbon,  a bit of twine,  a piece of sheet music,  some printed script and an old photograph, or whatever inspiration you have on hand  to add…

 …a bit of romance to your books.  They will work well in a number of your vignettes.  The book with  the ribbon and script was in my 

Wedding Anniversary  post and is also in my current header.

Until next time, Honey
Linking to:
Savvy Southern Style
DIY by Design
Faded Charm
Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch
French Country Cottage
At the Picket Fence
My Romantic Home
Funky Junk Interiors

Burlap and Lace

This little wreath made from burlap and lace

was quick and easy to make.

It was made for a rarely used guest room with antique furniture.

A star was hung from the center for the Holidays.

And when the Holidays are over it can be removed.   The burlap and lace combination seemed to be a perfect fit for this room.   A Styrofoam  wreath was used as the base.

Until next time, Honey

 Remember the Bloggers Block Party!
Christmas Tree Party will be hosted here 
at 2805 on Friday.

Linking to:


Coastal Charm
Funky Junk Interiors
Under the Table and Dreaming

Botanical Potpourri

Last year I made some homemade potpourri, but in the form of using larger botanicals instead of the smaller pieces we normally think of potpourri of being.

The components were purchased in bulk quantities and then put together in sacks which I used for gifts.

The starting point was rose hips, which I flavored with orange and spice essential oils. 

After the fragrance melded together, I used

1-1/2  cups of rose hips at the bottom of each sack, and then piled in the dried botanicals.

Botanicals used included dried artichokes, pomegranates, quince, 

 red repen flowers, cedar roses, lotus pods,

 plumosum stars, protea flowers, and a few others.

 

 It’s not only pretty for Fall, but the fragrance is nice too!

Many in Blogland are thinking Fall.  It’s difficult for me with the temps we have had all Summer, but if you plan on creating your own personal  concoction of potpourri, it’s time to get started to give the essential oils time to blend.

I hope you will join me for

Potpourri  Friday

on September 2.

I would be delighted if you would grab my party button, spread the word and join me!

Until next time, Honey

Linking to:
French Country Cottage
At the Picket Fence
The Charm of Home
Common Ground
My Romantic Cottage
Stuff and Nonsense
Chic of a Shoestring
Boogieboard Cottage
Homemaker on a Dime
DIY Showoff
Shabby Creek Cottage

Rooster Comes Out of Hiding

Since it’s too hot to do much of anything,  I dug around today in my canvases and found this one  (there are stacks of them).  After wiping the cobwebs off locating it, I decided that I like it now much better than when it was first painted, or it could  just be the heat playing with my brain.

Maybe I’ll frame him and find a place in the kitchen for him to live a little.

Until next time, Honey

P. S.   Since he has been living in the dark for so long,  we will be Linking to:

  French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home

At the Picket Fence
The Charm of Home

Funky Junk Interiors
Under the Table and Dreaming
Petite Hermine
DIY Showoff
Boogie Board Cottage
Homemaker on a Dime
Between Naps on the Porch
Amaze Me Monday
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style

Glamour Shots

 This angel absolutely refused to sit for a  “before”  picture.  She was having none of that.   First, she  got a bath and  shampoo.   After  her spa treatment, we  got to work.

I took a cue from sweet Rosemary at Villabarnes, who shared  her gesso technique here.  If you haven't met Rosemary, please do.  She has tons of great ideas!   Rosemary used a brush to take off the excess gesso and sanded for highlights.  

 Working  on  a section at  a time, I  slathered on the gesso with a brush and took off the excess with  a cloth,  leaving the gesso thicker in some places.  Originally she was an ugly  greenish-gray and I wanted some of her undercoat to show through.  I did not sand,  but  left  lowlights.    She now had  soft matte, chalky-looking finish and was ready for her glamour shots.

Okay,  her eyes are a bit creepy.   Unfortunately that sometimes happens “as we age”.   Or so I've been told.

She likes it better when photographed from her Good  Side.

And with low saturation.

Unlike  some angels, she does not subscribe to this quote:

The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.  ~ G.K. Chesterton

Until next time,   Honey

P. S.    Eventhough it's 104-degrees, she wants to be taken to a few Summer parties,  so “we” will be linking to:

 Summer Paint Party at Debbiedoos

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Masterpiece Monday and Boogie Board Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Show & Tell at My Romantic Home
Funky Junk Interiors

Mystery Tool Box

Guess what’s in my toolbox.  It’s  so large and  heavy, I can barely lift it.

 

Maybe that’s why it’s rarely opened.

But, occasionally I do.

Then take a blank canvas,

Select some paints,

And it turns into this….

Hum-m… Now I think I like the “cropped” version better.  Maybe I should take it out of the frame, cut down the canvas, re-stretch and reframe it.

Until next time, Honey

Linking to:

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home
At the Picket Fence
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Chic on a Shoestring
How Sweet the Sound
Funky Junk Interiors
Boogie Board Cottage
Between Naps on the Porch

Parson Goes Wild

 Parson Goes Wild

Once upon a time the parson  parson’s bench was ugly,  plain and ordinary with a bit of shine especially in the light.  Why?  Because he and his twin were covered in gold, yes gold, vinyl.  They were sturdy and well made except for the upholstery.

 That all changed when they went wild with animal instincts.  Using upholstery weight cotton velvet, they Metamorphosed into:

 

 Using only one yard of fabric for each bench, stockings (or sleeves) were made for the legs.  After pulling them on, measuring and cutting the fabric, it was a simple matter of wrapping them like a gift, with pleated corners,  and stapling underneath.

Once they had a new Look

 They were ready to go to a few  Parties.

Reminder:  Don’t miss the $30.00 Gift Card Giveaway!  See the details! 

I will be joining the following parties.  Please stop  by and visit these Gracious Hostess and leave some Comment Love for the party guests and Hostesses.  We all so Love Comments,  don’t we?

Between Naps On The Porch on Monday

Dittle Dattle  on Monday

Savvy Southern Style on Wednesday

My Romantic Home on Friday

French Country Cottage on Friday

Southern in my Heart on Friday

Funky Junk Interiors on Saturday

Hugs, Honey