Garage Sale Frame Finds New Life

I picked this frame up at a garage sale for $2. It's very vintage and has a lot of charm, and I like that it's a little French-y.

It is ornate enough that it speaks for itself, but I decided to try my hand at creating a mercury glass effect to continue the vintage feel with this project. The Looking Glass spray paint applied on top of a few spritzes of glass cleaner gave this effect. What I didn't realize is that the paint is still somewhat transparent when applied on glass. So if you don't want to be able to see through the back of it at all, you need to add another layer of something behind it.

I had these letters that spell "home" and the size worked well with the frame. The only thing I thought that needed to be changed was that they were a bit too yellow-gold for the frame. So, as I very often do, I took my trusty craft paint and altered the finish of them a little. Now, I must say that I am fearless and a little too impulsive sometimes with my application of paint to almost anything and everything. But, come on...it's only paint, right?

So I took some metallic gold acrylic paint that was much more "antique gold" and duller. I brushed it on and almost immediately wiped it off, leaving only a thin layer that toned down the finish of the letters. And since it's acrylic paint, it could have been removed easily if it hadn't worked out. But I think it is a success! (The letter on the left is the one that has been altered.)

Then I glued the letters to the glass with the ever-amazing E6000 bonding adhesive, and now it's ready for it's next life.

This piece will be included in a craft fair that I participate in at holiday time to raise money for charity.

Sharing with: A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Cozy Little House, City Farmhouse, Ivy and Elephants, Lamberts Lately, Revisionary Life, Common Ground, Life in Velvet, Shabby Art Boutique, French Country Cottage, Funky Junk Interiors

Spring is Bustin' Out All Over

It was 12 degrees outside this morning, and there's a chance of snow in the forecast here in Nebraska...

But Spring always comes...faithfully every year. So we continue to hope that one of these days it will be warm, and stay warm. Inside my house, the transition to happy colors and new life has begun.

The mantle got a seasonal refresh. I'm loving this buttery golden yellow right now, so I used that as my punch of Spring color. Faux forsythia branches give that fluid movement that I love, and I plucked the rabbit statue from outside.

These chickens came all the way from Rothenburg, Germany when my mom and I traveled to Europe years ago. I still like their wild, fuzzy look, and they make an Easter appearance each year.

I found some fun old gardening tools at my favorite local antique shop. Along with the seed packets and yellow pot, they hint of the promise of flowers and fresh vegetables. I added some ivory berries to my Spring wreaths from last year, which echo the colors of the fireplace brick, cloche base and rabbit.

I unpacked my silver bird statue and set a faux fern next to him for texture and filler.

Of course, the wall vases needed to be dressed for the season too. I started with mossy curly willow branches, and added faux pussy willow and a pop of yellow.

The soft-yellow pillow was actually the inspiration for this color palette. And can you even believe that until now I was a flameless candle virgin? I don't know why I didn't join this club sooner. With a flip of the switch, it burns...how great! :) The butterfly picture is something I bought last year...must have been a premonition about the color yellow.

This room is now ready for warmer weather...bring it on, Mother Nature!!

Sharing with: Finding Silver Pennies, DIY Show Off, Nifty Thrifty Things, Pink When, http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/, http://betweennapsontheporch.net/, http://www.niftythriftythings.com/nifty-thrifty-sunday-148/, http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/, A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Cozy Little House, Our Home Away From Home, Lamberts Lately, The Style Sisters, Ivy and Elephants, Revisionary Life, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, Life in Velvet, Shabby Art Boutique, Simple Details, Pieced Pastimes

A Little Touch of Spring

Winter is the season that I am always SO ready to leave behind. Here in Nebraska, winter is cold, gray and harsh. And I've lived here my entire life...that's 52 Nebraska winters...bleh.

Needless to say, spring is always a huge mood booster for me.

As far as my decor goes, though, I'm not quite ready to bust out the faux forsythia branches or bird-patterned throw pillows just yet. I have this weird quirk that makes me want to change all of my seasonal decor in one fell swoop...and not until it (at least almost) feels like the season.

But it seems like the rest of the world is forging ahead, strongly afflicted with spring fever! And I hate to be left behind...

My home is largely decorated in neutrals and black with splashes of green. So I'm continuing this theme and bringing in some spring elements like the bird, bird's nest and topiary.

I also scavenged the house for little treasures for "filler" in my vignette. The picture of my daughter, which is one of my favorites from a few years back, adds some sparkle and life. And one of my very favorite accessories is this black hand. I display it all year...it holds a special item for each season and holiday.

So here is my offering of just a little touch of spring. I hope you enjoy it.

Sharing with:
StoneGable
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A Stroll Through Life
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From My Front Porch to Yours