Hand painted furniture tutorial!

I have been having way to much fun re-doing my kitchen and some furniture the last couple weeks!  I thought I would show the results!  First the cabinet-

I found the cabinet at an estate sale a couple weeks ago hiding in that back of someone's garage.  Of course it caught my eye and I convinced my hubby that I HAD to have it!  :) 

I brought it home and got to work!  After sanding, priming with "GRIPPER" primer and painting it, I distressed it with paint using an antiquing technique with paint!  I then rubbed it down with some burn sienna paint tint to give it an aged look.  I love how it turned out!  I will post the pics of the kitchen tomorrow! :)

Chalkboard Vinyl Labels!

How fun are these?!  Introducing the newest design!  These labels can be used just about anywhere and are so versatile.  Pick your favorite chalk color and go to town labeling!  Of course, you can get them in any color vinyl but don't you just love the chalk board vinyl?

Item can be found under Borders, Labels and Embellishments.

Spring Decorating ideas.

Are you itching for spring to come? I know I am! Take a look at these wonderful ways to freshen up your place with these easy decorating ideas!

The more rustic the better!  Grab an old watering can and add some soil and plant your favorite spring flowers!

www.midwestliving.com

I love these shabby design touches! 

frenchlarkspur.blogspot

frenchlarkspur.blogspot

 I have a design similar to this in my own home every spring!  TJ Maxx is a great place to find these rustic baskets.  They have several to choose from.  Of course the antique blue canning jars are a perfect addition!  If you don't have any, simply make your own! 

frenchlarkspur.blogspot

I love the pink against the black door!

Etsy

LOVE THIS!  This is the same idea as the watering can.  Line the umbrella with plastic....(A heavy duty grocery bag will do.)  Fill it with soil and add your favorite spring flowers!

tinywhitedaisies.tumblr

Repurpose your old doors!

Do you often see old antique doors for sale or even for free?  GRAB them if you do!  There are so many neat things you can do with them.  Re-porpose them in your dining room as a table top! How about a chalk board or room divider?  Take a peek at these wonderfully creative ways in which old doors were used to add a unique design element and create an instant focal point! 

Apartment Therapy

kaboodle.com

Myrepurposedlife.net

Silveradostudio.com

Apartment Therapy

Country Living

Martha Stewart

Vintage Christmas~ Christmas Decorating Marathon Part 4

This was fun!  I must say that I have a special place in my heart for everything vintage!  So many wonderful things.  Mix the old with the new.  You can achieve a vintage feel with just a few key items~

Where do I start?  How about the front door~  Take a look at this cute wreath!  It is made up of vintage ornaments, toys and village pieces.  If you want to recreate this wreath but do not have any vintage ornaments, it's easy.  Notice the colors, PASTELS, (with a little bit of red and green!)  That is the key to creating a vintage look.  You can now purchase shatter proof ornaments at most of your local Targets, Wal-marts, etc.  Look for different shapes and sizes.  Paint stripes on them, glitter them and use as many different patterns as you can.  Visit your local antique store and purchase just one toy or staple item to add to the wreath to complete the look.

retrorenovation.com

The tree!  Aluminum is the word but can sometimes be hard to find.  Use a white tree as an alternative.  Once again use pastels with bits of traditional reds and greens.  I love the vintage inspired village that is set up around the base.  Very cute!

thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot

thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot

Of course, if you can't get a white tree, you can still create a vintage look with a traditional green tree.  Just keep the color pallet of the ornaments in check.

moxiegirlflickr

moxiegirlflickr

everydayhoushold.blogspot

I love the tin at the  bottom of this tree!  It is an elegant tree but the little deer add a bit of whimsy to it!

Here are some examples of vintage ornaments.  A great inspiration point when recreating your own!  If you want to go all the way and use vintage ornaments, check you local antique stores, ebay and ask around!  You never know what might be hiding in your Grandmas attic!  

There are many sites that offer tutorials free printables for vintage inspired ornaments!  This is a great one: Printable Vintage Postcards.  Print out vintage images, postcards and photos. Add ribbon, glitter and tinsel to them to create an authentic look.  Here are just a couple examples~

 Janet Coon Christmas

lindaalbrecht.typepad.com

Dress your windows by hanging your vintage ornaments with ribbon~

BHG

I love these Christmas displays!  Add things you have around the house!  The scale is perfect and the tiered platters showcase the ornaments perfectly!  Look at the sleigh...hey, I have that book in my attic!

chippyshabby.blogspot.com

Look for bristle trees and little village houses.  These are actually quite easy to find.  Check out your local craft stores, Target, Wal-Mart and even Dollar Tree.  The trees can be spray painted and glittered to whatever color you desire!  I have seen reproductions of the little houses at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  Your best chance of gettting one is to visit the store the day they receive deliveries!

poetichome.com

pamgarrison.typepad

How cute is this!  A small chest has been turned into an advent calendar using vintage inspired paper.

pamgarrison.typepad.com

These are my favorite!  Vintage reproductions are so fun.  I have mentioned Bethany Lowe Designs before. She has so many cute items.

smphotoson-flickr

Another great line is offered by Johanna Parker Design.  Look at these designs~  They are adorable and I can't get enough of them!

Merry treasure hunting!

Christmas Decorating Ideas Marathon part 2!

Now for part 2 of the Christmas Decor Marathon~  Turquoise, (or teal or aqua, which ever color you prefer) and white!  Use what you have.  Take a look around your house.  Pull out any dishes, fabrics and decor items you might have.  Use them to display ornaments or display them as holiday decorations themselves!

I love the idea of using a white or flocked tree with your Turquoise ornaments!  It is so stunning.  Just a few blue ribbons, glass balls and take a look at the glitter dipped pine cones!  LOVE!

Simply add a turquoise tree skirt to a flocked tree!

Now for the decor~

Add ribbon to your display to add a pop of color!

Use little white jewelry boxes wrapped in blue ribbon and create a darling wreath!

This mantel is so simple.  They have displayed vintage canning jars, an old planting pot that has been painted white and hung a wreath on a vintage window.  Sometimes less is definitely more!

Below are some darling stockings with a touch of turquoise.  I recommend using this idea with white stockings instead of the green, (or turquoise stockings with white trim.)  Just add a little bit of blue and maybe even silver riff raff ribbon to your stockings and you are set!  I love the stockings on the piano.  So cute!

Here are 2 more simple mantel ideas.  Use glass vases and fill them with silver, white and turquoise glass balls!  Notice the second photo where they have wrapped boxed in white paper and displayed them as part of the decor.  I also love the greenery on the second picture.  It adds nice contrast to the display.