Friday, February 28, 2014

Country French Corner

Do you find yourself making little decorating changes
when you clean?
 
I do ~ and I have so much fun in the process.
Cleaning takes longer, but
in the end, I am pleased with a new little vignette here and there.
 
Like this counter corner in my French Country Kitchen.
In it's past look, the coffee pot was here with a paper towel holder.
I tend to get tired of the same look all the time.
So from coffee pot, to this~
just using pieces I already have and collected.
 
 
This plate is one of my favorites from
Royal Stanford in black and white.
There is actually two here in this stand.
Handy to reach for
when setting  the table for two.

 
These two canisters where a great find
at Hobby Lobby for half off.
One holds tea bags
the other sweetener packets.
 
Love the French design behind the roosters.
 

 
I painted this old rooster many years ago.
He is right at home here too.

 
Love this little Paris dish to hold my watch and rings
while doing dishes.

 
And you know I have to have a little faux timer candle light
standing in a tall glass pedestal.


Stays on 6 hours and off for 18
then back on again at the same time each evening.
So cozy!

 
The coffee pot has found a new spot.
 
 
 
 
And before I go today, here's one more thing.
 
**********
 
Below is a  framed plaque that is an old piece of artwork
in need of a redesign.
Most of the piece was great except the floral design in the center.
 
So I covered that part with a great black striped designer paper
then topped over that with a French graphic.
 
I cut the pattern for the area using tracing paper
pressed in place to form the pattern then used this piece
to cut the papers.
You know I've shared this very technical pattern technique before. LOL
 
 
 

 
After all is in place, then I brush over the papers with modpodge.

 
Once dry, I go over the solid white paper
with acrylic antique glaze by sponging it over the surface.
This gives an aged  look.
 
You can apply as much or little as you want to get the look.
Just make sure you have used the modpodge first
because if you sponge right over the paper
 it will be heavy and cover the graphic
or picture by soaking right into  the paper.

 
This hangs in a bathroom that I have been giving a little change to as well.
I'll share more of this room later along with the guestroom that goes with it.
 
So that's all for now friends.
I'll be gone today having some birthday fun for my day lunching and shopping with a dear friend.
 
See you soon.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Celestina Marie


 


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Monday, February 24, 2014

Pitter, Patter,Pretty Platter

Say that ten times fast!!
 
One of my favorite treasures to search for.
Pretty Platters!
 
 
Over the years I have collected quite a few that I use
to display, decorate with and serve food on.
 
Some are cherished gifts and others are great finds.
 
Here are a just a few vintage and new to share with you today~

Love the design on this one from
Homer Laughlin with 22 K on the rim.

 
This one is gorgeous with the creamy border design.
No markings on this one, but I know it is old.

 
Love this cherry blossom design by,
Old English
Johnson Bros.
Made in England.

 
This is a round style with no markings.
I have had this about 25 years and just love the thick
white frosted glass with the raised grapevine design.



This gorgeous floral design
 just inspires me for painting.
By, Atlas China Company with 22 K edge.
Such a pretty rose and forget me not pattern.



My very favorite of all given to me
from my dear grandmother.
Very old from,
The Symphony Salem China Company
marked 39304
and on this one 23K on the edge.
I have not found many in 23K
and marked, made in the USA

Love the soft pretty pattern.

 Another from my mother's collection and also very old.
Marked from the Royal China Co.
The green and white pattern is perfect
to display for St. Patrick's Day.
 
This one is only about 15 years old
and Made in Italy
from the Vietri Collection.

 
This one is a recent treasure from my visit to
The Prairie, by Rachel Ashwell
in Roundtop, Texas.


Another great treasure found at a yard sale.
It is very large with a raised fruit pattern all around.
I have a soup tureen that had the same pattern
found at another sale years before.
They were a perfect match to layer
and display.
This set is perfect to serve sandwiches on the platter
along with soup, for a large group.
The perfect match!
 

 
Do you enjoy platters?
Collect them, use for display
or pretty bases for cloches?
 
 
Thanks for visiting today
Joining,
 
Hugs,
Celestina Marie
 

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Waiting for Spring

At this point, I think we are all ready for
springtime and fresh new flowers
We have warmed up nicely and even enjoyed a day reaching 82 degrees.
My rose garden is still a ways from sharing pretty blooms
but I know they are coming soon.
In the meantime,
I have brought a little spring inside
while we wait.
*********
It is better to be patient then
powerful; it is better to have self-control
then to conquer a city.
Proverbs 16:32



Roses, although silk, are a hope for spring.

There is beauty in the color pink.




We can make our plans, but the Lord
determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9



There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity
under heaven.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4



Teach us to make the most of our time,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 90:12




Home is where the heart dwells
and makes a nest for comfort.




The birds in my yard are beginning to sing
the songs of springtime.




Wishing you a wonderful weekend
and warm spring days soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings
Celestina Marie


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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Creating a Designer Pot Holder Mitt

Recently I was looking for a couple new pot holders but
I just couldn't find one with vintage style
and retro charm.
 
So I had the idea to pick up a couple mitts
from the Dollar Tree
and create my own.
 
I found two mitts in a neutral color
 and gathered a retro graphic
 
Next I transferred the graphic to a
printable fabric sheet
by running it through my printer.
I used Avery sheets for this,
but I really love
Lesley Riley's TAP.
I just happen to be out of it.

 
As you can see above, I copied the graphics
then cut them out close to the design.
 
At this point, I ironed them in place using a hot dry iron
and pinned  vintage lace to the top which I sewed on last by hand.
 
If you try this project, keep in mind the direction
of your design in case you are going to hang it up.
This way it won't be upside down.
Also place your design on the front side
leaving the area that comes in
contact with a hot pot clear.

 
Easy and complete, but needs some color.
 
So I made a water color wash using acrylic paints
and begin lightly coloring in a bit of the design
by hand painting just a few areas.
 
I gave her dress and apron tie a red wash and
her mixing bowl a jade color.
Brown for her hair and the vanilla bottle,
with pink for her glass.
I used a  light grey for her hand mixer.
 

 
It's a retro pattern so this gal has to cook wearing her
diamond ring created with glitter glue.
I also used a gold glitter to match the vintage rickrack
across the bottom of the design and along the book binding.
 
 
The trim still needed a bit more detail so I added
this vintage rickrack from my stash
and a vintage coat button with jute for hanging.
 
 
This is a quick project that has so many possibilities and looks
using French labels and more.
 

 
Square or round pot holders would work too.

 
You can either iron the graphic in place
or sew it on.
I did a little of both so it will be completely washable.
 
Hope you found some inspiration
to try this or create your own idea.
 
 
Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great Wednesday.
 
Joining,
 
 
 
 
 


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Monday, February 17, 2014

ReDesigned Book Boxes

Book Boxes have so many uses
from storage to gifts to
holding keepsakes and collectibles.
 
 
I always find them on my treasure hunts
but not usually with a design that is pretty.
 
Recently I found a great sturdy box
7" X 10" in size and in excellent condition.
 
First I hand painted the entire box inside and out
with my signature
color of Honeysuckle Bloom Flat.
 
I find it works as well as any chalk paint,
covers well
 and  easily takes a waterbase varnish to seal if needed.


 
While drying, I picked out
wonderful decorator papers from my stash
and lots of lace, trims, flowers and buttons
for embellishment.
 
To pattern the papers to fit inside and out,
I just use light tracing paper
press in place to form an outline
in the area to cover and then use that for my pattern.
 
If the paper cuts are off a bit
 it's no problem once you add the trims and embellishments.
 
Next, I glued in place all the basic backgrounds
using ModPodge and seal over the interior papers also
making it more durable to hold treasures.
 
After trimming with the fun stuff and accents.
It looks something like this.
 
Sorry I forgot to take a before pic, but you get the idea
it would be just a solid off white box at this point.
 
I used stamps as you see above.
A Fleur Di Li's and French postage stamp too.
 
Inside the bottom area, I did a collage
style application giving a "filled with keepsakes" look.

 
The interior has a flat paper pocket
filled with tags and note cards trimmed in lace and
charms over card stock trims and more stamps
of springtime flowers and a crown charm.

 
The top is trimmed with lace, charms crocheted flowers,
sheer flowers, feathers, buttons and ribbons.

 
The sides are finished in a pretty braided trim.


 
Perfect accent for the coffee table, desk or fill with
treasures for a special gift.
 
This little goodie was sent over to my etsy shop.
 
Like many others, this was so much fun to create
and I plan to work on another soon.
 
Hope you try it too.
 
Joining,
from Etsy Cottage Style.
 
See you next time.
Celestina Marie
 
 
 
 
 
 


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