COTTAGE CLOSET

Summer is a busy time here in the studio. I am working steadily on stocking the shelves in my cottage closet for my new web shoppe coming soon. Just thought I would give you a sneak preview of the new treasures on the way. New items coming will be a mix of shabby romantic to folk art and holiday. I am having so much fun!!

This sweet little item is a custom design for a dear customer. She brought me this last week. Debbie, it's finished. Busy bees on your old matchbox holder!


Sweet Victorian Nest Tray and Oval keepsake treasure box.


Blue Rose Wood flower cart and Pink Rose and Hydrangea covered server/candy dish!


Large Cottage Spoon, Tuscan Tray,Pink Toile Roof Bird House and Wood Candle Sticks.




And lots more to paint! So back in the studio I go!!

Also, wanted to mention that many blog friends have had trouble visiting around blog land. It seems that a window pops up that reads "site aborted" I have experienced this trying to visit many friends and others have told me the same thing happens to them. Hope it is fixed soon. I'll keep trying to visit and till next time~
Blessings always, Celestina Marie

SOMETHING BLUE ~~ SOMETHING NEW

After the holidays, along with other redos, I decided to add cobalt blue in different forms to my Tuscan style kithen. Blue willow dishes have been in my family forever and I brought them out for use and display. Opened cupboards by taking a few doors off to showcase. Taking doors away really open the space and actually make a room look larger. Here are the results of adding blue to shades of rust and sage with an anchor of black.





















WHAT'S NEW FROM THE STUDIO
Here are a few items I have been working on.
"Tusan Poppy Field Neighbors" I painted this design on the oval wall tray a few years ago and now brought it to the large canvas.


Finished Jelly Jars coming to my Etsy Shoppe along with a request for black with pink roses.


Lastly I have brought back an old favorite hand painted on "International Cafe Coffe cans. I have designed with these for years. They are so fun and can be designed in so many ways. For this one, I painted the can and embellished the snap on lid with fabric and flowers adding trim. So many uses for these little sweeties, from using for gift giving to storage of creating supplies. Perfect for tea bags or sugar packets even displayed on the dressing table or vanity

Hope you have a great week and till next time Blessings be yours!
Celestina Marie

TOPPING WINDOWS~FOUND TREASURES and STUDIO VIEWS

Time sure marches on when you are busy. It seems I am absent here, more then present. Like many of you this season, I have a lot going on and constantly trying to keep the balance, which is a challenge most days. Busy in the studio, painting for the holiday keeps me on the go, but I did take some time to create a window topper that I wanted to share with you now. The idea may come in handy if you are looking to top off a window and can't seem to find just what you need to finish the look.

On the lookout for just the right fabric to top 2 large windows in a guest room and after searching with no luck, I decided to take a queen size sheet that I already had and fashion a header to top the eyelet floor length curtains in a cottage guest room.

To get this look, I cut a queen size sheet lengthwise in half giving me 3 finished edges. At this point you can finish the cut edge, but not necessary, since that side will be over the rod or window treatment holding the curtains. After I placed the sheet over the rod and adjusted the length, I began to gather in the center in loose and relaxed pleats, next I pinned in place to curtain underneath. Did the same for each end and also pinned in place. That is it. New look for just the time to pin in place.
Now, to really finish this decorating on a pinch, I will complete these by adding fabric rosettes at each gathered area. Either in a coordinating fabric or using more of the sheet design from the fitted sheet.


Recently my neighborhood had garage sales days and I found some great treasures. Here are a few, with more to share later.



New designs from the studio. Canvas and graphics with embellished edges. I have Christmas canvas paintings in the same style coming to my ebay shoppe soon.









Lots of new paintings are scattered throughout my studio, and I have to say, I am having a lot of fun this season with new ideas and creations.
Cooler weather has finally arrived and very welcome. As always, thank you for stopping by to visit. I look forward to visiting too as the week continues. Till then, Blessings always, Celestina

WINNING GORGEOUS VINTAGE TRAYS!

Well, summer is a darling and the kind and generous Pat from Summersdarling had a giveaway last week! Hooray!! to my surprise, I won!! The gift was these two gorgeous vintage black and floral trays. I love them! Oh they are stunning and I have many areas to display and enjoy them. I found the perfect spot, for now, in my kitchen in two plate racks making them easy to reach, use and display.
Also Pat so lovingly wrapped the trays in black, green and pink vintage barkcloth. I will for sure do something special with this delicate fabric. The fun is always in the packaging and Pat used pretty paper to wrap the shipping box, plus added a sweet best friends graphic on the front!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH PAT! I will truly treasure these beauties! Make sure and stop by to visit Pat at Summersdarling, Just Between Us Girls! She is highlighting a featured artist and her shop pictures are so inviting.




While I have you in my kitchen, I will share a new decorating addition this week above the stove top area. Shelf's above the stove have become very popular in an old world style look. I had no room for a shelf, but decided if I took off the doors from the hood style cabinet, I could achieve the look I was going for. I painted the stove vent pipe, added the vintage lace made by my grandma, accented with old accessories, and added a small accent light. I do plan to paint the inside of the cabinet in a soft sage.


As you can see, I love to remove cabinet doors to display what is inside or like the small shelf below, I took off the doors and added the two baskets making it more of a drawer area to hold hand towels etc. I have also removed doors on the shelf's where I keep dinner plates and other serving pieces. Doing this really opens up the room and expands the space, giving a larger appearance.

This has been a very busy week and I have been on a roll with the paint brush! I redesigned a garden bathroom, bedroom and master bath by painting vanities and desk area. I will share those pictures soon. But for now, I will leave you with a faux sweet treat of french vanilla ice cream. Thank you for stopping by and till next time, Blessings and Blue Skies be yours. Celestina