A Little Studio Time for Myself

Hi Bloggie Friends,

It has been so very long since I've done any creating just for myself, but this weekend was a break in the cycle.  A couple of weeks ago, I picked up this fun little frame at my local thrift store.  It was made in Italy, was VERY gold, and did I mention, it was PLASTIC.  EEEEOOOOWWW!  Anyway, I thought it had potential, and went ahead and purchased it, even though my husband rolled his eyes at me.

I'm terrible at remembering to take "before" pictures because I usually just want to get to work, but I did find this image on Pinterest that is what my little piece looked like except mine was a really garish gold.  I saved the little cherub for use in another project sometime.

A little chalk paint, a little wax, clear, followed by brown, and then adding back a little gold with a wonderful French gilding wax gave the frame the look I wanted.  I covered over the worn red fuzzy backing with a nice damask paper and finished the back (not pictured) with a similarly styled vintage wallpaper.   Then, I added a pretty lady and some gorgeous old French silk ribbon work trim.  After putting her all back together, this was the result.



Beautiful details...

Love me some beautiful old ribbon work any day of the week and twice on Sunday!

And here she is, hung on the wall in her forever home (well, okay, maybe just her "for now" home, but whatever).  I'm so pleased at how it turned out. 

Thanks for coming along for the show and tell.  It's been a long time, hasn't it? 

Until next time,

Where on Earth Have I Been???

My oh my, my bloggie friends,

Where, you ask?  Well, right here, living life, just not blogging.  Are any of you still out there or am I deluding myself?  It's been SOOOOOOO long (nearly 2 years) since I fired up my Blogger account.  WHAT?  How does this happen?  I've missed blogging so much, but the whole full-time job thing and trying to juggle 2 kids and 2 Etsy shops (didn't do so great on that, more later on in the post), blah, blah, blah, you get it.  I have started doing Instagram a small bit, but nothing like the blog-more personal, no real theme, just a real mish-mash of whatever strikes my fancy on any given day.  It's great for short attention span lookey looing, but not like the blogs are. 

The reason I wanted to pop over to say hello was to show you what I spent all of last week doing...reviving my sad, neglected little Etsy shops.  I actually just let them whither on the vine for a while.  Also sad, but apparently, what I needed.  After a few months of nothing new being put on there, I finally decided enough was enough.  I asked for a week off from work and got busy.  I photographed and measured and cataloged.  I got several new pieces up in each shop and I am now postured to be able to add more pieces much easier since I did the hard work up front.  I thought I'd make little photo collages to give you an idea of what's new.  I call this one "Rhapsody in Blue and Gold"-okay, just kidding, I didn't name it that, but it does kind of work, don't you think?  LOL!

These lovelies can be or will be found soon along with many other beautiful treasures at The French Laundry. 

My other shop, Elegant Farmhouse, has also been revamped. If you aren't familiar with Elegant Farmhouse, the aesthetic is different than The French Laundry.  More simple items, cleaner lines, less fancy.  Funny, but this seems to coincide with my split personality when it comes to decorating.  Part of me LOVES all the fancy French antiques, the more gilt the better, while another part still digs the painted primitives that I came to love when I lived in New England.  Hence, 2 shops.  Or, if you are Marion of Miss Mustard Seed fame, you can blend both into a wonderfully cohesive decorating style.  She is so sweet and so very talented...but I digress.  Back to my photo collage.  We'll call this one "Study in White and Tan". I plan on adding more items every week to both shops, so pop by whenever you get the chance and have a look around. You just never know when something is going to strike your fancy. 

I'll try to circle back around and share more photos when I get the chance. 

Until next time,

On a Personal Note...My First Byline!

Hello Bloggie Friends,

I just had to check in to brag  mention that I am so excited to have a 3 page feature article in the beautiful publication, Journal of Antiques and Collectibles.  It is a publication available mostly on the east coast, featuring fun and informative articles on whatever topic is their focus for the month, Q & A's on collectibles, trending items  on eBay,  noteworthy auction house results, antique show schedules, etc.  I was thrilled when their editor reached out to me after seeing some of my ribbon work collections on my blog and asked me if I would be interested in writing a feature talking about my favorite collectible.  I couldn't say "yes" fast enough! Their editorial focus was "A Stitch in Time" and it was about sewing and related collectibles. Right up my alley...

Seeing your very first byline in print is pretty dang exciting.  I know lots of my blogging friends have had this experience many times, but it was a first for me (okay, back in the day, I did do a newsletter update for the officers' wives club at the Air Force base, but it wasn't nearly as exciting as this).

Just let me go on record to say that writing an article, even on something you are passionate about, is not all that easy.  Kudos to those whose words flow like a mountain stream...you are indeed talented.

I also got the joy of taking several photos of my collections for publication which was like choosing which of my children would be featured-SO HARD!  Oh well, I did manage to get a good handful of shots and then turned it over to the editor's capable hands for her to make the final selection.

Well, that's all for now.  I'm busy getting lots of beautiful things photographed and ready for listing  in my Etsy shop.  Stay tuned.

Until next time,

Beautiful Things...

Hello friends,

First let me say that I got to spend the day handling beautiful things which is always a pleasure.  But why am I so tired???  I don't know about you, but photographing and editing and measuring and listing just take it out of me.  Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age!  Anyway, after looking at all of the beautiful photos I had just taken for items due to land in my Etsy shop The French Laundry, I decided I'd love to make a beautiful collage since I like making those and haven't done so in a while.  THEN, lucky you, I decided to share with you as I do a drive by post (my nickname for a quickie-definitely NOT done while driving though).  Some of these treasures are already in the shop and some will get there this week, but even if you don't stop by the shop, you can get some eye candy right from your armchair.  YOU'RE WELCOME... LOL!

I've also been busy listing some pieces from one of my favorite artists/designers, Robin Brown who created the Magnolia Pearl line of romantic wear.  These can be found on eBay if you're interested.  If not, do feel free to feel the love right here anyway.

These beautiful pieces can be seen for auction here.

Gotta run...those things won't list themselves!

Until next time,

Happy Birthday to The French Laundry

Hello Blogger Friends,

I can't believe that a year has gone by since I first opened my Etsy shop, The French Laundry, but as of January 6, it will be a full year.  It was a great 2013 and I am looking forward to bringing you more beautiful treasures in 2014.  I'm still trying to find my way around balancing shopkeeping and working full time, but it is getting a bit easier.  I'm challenging myself to get more organized and stop hoarding (well, maybe just cut back on the hoarding :-) I am, after all, a collector myself ).  I also have a few small home projects/purchases to do this year, so the income from the shop becomes even more important.  With all of that in mind, I'd like to offer a little "Happy Birthday" gift to you in honor of my first year in business.  Just stop by The French Laundry from now until midnight tomorrow (1/6/14) and enter HAPPYBIRTHDAY20 at checkout to receive 20% off on all purchases over $20.  Now that Christmas is over, it is a good time for you to pick up that special something you've been wanting for yourself at a special price.

Until next time,

Time in the Studio...

Hi Bloggie Friends,

Christmas time is almost upon us.  Yikes!  I am so incredibly behind.  One reason is I've been spending more time in my studio which is a good thing.  I made these pretty little altered boxes which hold what I am calling prayer ribbons/bookmarks.

Each one is different.  I altered the boxes which were vintage pharmacy boxes with vintage wallpaper and antique paper, lace on some, ribbons on others, a beautiful image of either Mary or Mary and Jesus, and, of course, a little glitter. Finally, a special word was added.

The medals came from France and the beads are all vintage from my stock of treasures.

The crinkle on the ribbon part is intentional.  Hope people "get" that. WINK...

These little pretties are available in my Etsy shop Elegant Farmhouse and would make a great gift for either yourself or someone else.  Hope all is merry and bright wherever you are.

Sharing with Feathered Nest Friday.

Until next time,

Beautiful Prayer Shrines

Just a quick little check in to let you know there are more beautiful prayer shrines up in my Etsy shop Elegant Farmhouse.  These are SO pretty with their French Nordic influence and antique materials. They would make a great gift for yourself or someone special.  My pictures do not do them justice.  These are my original designs and each one is one of a kind, created with love and much attention to every detail.

Until next time,

A Petite French Theater of Dreams

Hi Blogger Friends,

Today I'm sharing a project that  I have wanted to do forever.  I had seen a few little miniature theaters out in cyberspace and always thought it would be fun to make one.  I guess I always figured I'd construct one with found hardware, spindles, etcetera, but when I found this jewelry box at my neighbor's yard sale late this summer, I knew that I had found my theater.  All I had to do was give her a makeover and we'd be good to go. Sorry for the crummy "before" picture.  I apparently was too excited to get started painting to bother making sure my camera settings were right!  It was very pretty, but I had envisioned a white theater, so out came the Annie Sloan's chalk paint in Old White.

I gave her a good coat, leaving a little gold peeking through here and there.  I then lightly sanded some areas, giving a little distressed look.  A coat of clear wax was followed by some VERY judiciously placed dark wax in the areas I wanted to age a bit more.  The detailing was so pretty, it wasn't too difficult to make it sing.  I LOVE the way it turned out.

Some beautiful lace curtains seemed appropriate for a Theater of Dreams...I wanted to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty where the audience would get lost in the magic of the performance.

Mon petit théâtre des reves (theater of dreams)...

In MY dreams, a chandelier illuminating the stage was a must.  I raided my stash of crystals and wire and came up with a design that I found pleasing.  A little twist here, a little bend there and VOILA!  A petite chandelier to go with my petite stage...

The back needed to have a little pizazz, so a vintage page from a French encyclopedia did the trick.

The addition of a couple of beautiful mademoiselles to dance on my stage was the finishing touch. Of course, they had to be dolled up a little more with some layering, artist chalks, and glitter.  Much better...

Fairy wings or butterfly wings...what do you think?  Or should I say, what would you see in YOUR dreams?

I hope you enjoyed seeing my little project.  I look forward to peeking in on you and see what projects you've been up to.   I just went out this evening and clipped all of my roses since we are supposed to have our first hard freeze tonight.  BRRRR!!!

Sharing with Blissful Whites Wednesday
                      Be Inspired Friday
                      Feathered Nest Friday
                      What's It Wednesday

Until next time,