Rosebud Mercantile Delivery Day!

How many Timbits can a person eat in an hour while driving? The answer is that you DO NOT WANT TO KNOW. Just know that it is probably far, far too many.... ugh.


The hour25 selection was a bit light at Rosebud so it was time to take another trip out east to re-stock. It was a beautiful morning today and nice to drive while it was still cool. I just wanted to share a few of the pieces that I added with you...

This is a great dresser that I painted the popular turquoise. I did the drawers in a patchy style with some pretty scraps which I think turned out quite nicely.

The leaner ladder is new and I did up a few more BookPage Wreaths.

Lemony Snicket BookPage Wallflower

This is a more traditional wreath using sacred choral music and a little leftover (non-pasted) wallpaper.

I used the bookcover for the base of these "Wallflowers" and stacked the "petals" to cover it so it ends up looking a little like a flower. This one is pretty large ~ I used a vintage book called Yearbook of Agriculture 1949. There are a few cool illustrations peeking through that I like.

This is an old window frame which had glass in very nice condition. I added chalkboard paint to the centre so that the background would still show through. It is large and will make an interesting statement in a kitchen or entryway. I love this piece!

I did up a few little side tables and some small wooden bowls and some small chalkboards too. The midcentury style table is painted the same coral colour as the dresser I sold this week. It is really pretty! I am looking for another piece to use it on!


I like the little 6-sided table with the caning on the bottom too. The legs are very pretty and interesting with all the details distressed.

I made up a few more wire frames and added little clothespins with vintage bookpages on them to fancy them up a bit. I will definitely do more of those ~ they are so charming and cute!

Speaking of charming and cute, my daughter came along today and I paid her in Timbits (the ones I didn't eat...). She is very helpful with setting things out and holding doors. 


I am excited to have these pieces installed and ready for purchase! Let me know what you think if you are in the area ~ I love feedback!

March 29, 2012

{Shabby Shutters}

$80

I am just loving how these look in my house. I am hesitant to sell them!

I found them hiding in a thrift store corner ~ they looked absolutely brand new... I painted them Cloud White from Ben Moore and heavily distressed them. They are finished on both sides with slightly different relief detail, so that makes them sort of reversible!

They are tall and beefy without being super heavy. I really LOVE how they look on a mantle ~ they totally pop!

They each measure approximately 


43.25" tall (to top of the curve)
15.75" wide


I think I might be okay if these don't sell... :)


I am working on a big commissioned right now project so that has slowed me down a little bit. I will post it soon ~ it is a table with 4 chairs and a gorgeous hutch! I am pleased with the results so far and I am almost done. I think they will go home this weekend...

Fully Installed!

Yesterday I drove east for about an hour out to the little town of Rosebud, Alberta. It is a very special place in southern Alberta as it is home to a very popular theatre company and people come from all over the world to attend the dinner theatre and browse the galleries and little shop there. I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to put a selection of my pieces in the Mercantile area of the theatre. These will be available for purchase to the public during the Christmas season. I chose to put a few things in that I normally don't sell online as they are small things that I like to try out for my home or as gifts for friends. If you like any of it, let me know and I will do my best to create something similar for you.

Here is a shot of some of the goods as they were installed yesterday. I had a lot of help and support from the incredibly talented Valerie Speer ~ she works in Rosebud and is an amazing artist. Check out her stuff ~ you will love it!

Here are a few individual photos of some of the pieces on display.

Midcentury bookcase

Child's table with chairs and chalkboard

Book Page Wreath

Shabby Architectural Interest Piece

Shabby Ladder

BEFORE

AFTER ~ Distressed Telephone Bench

Old Window Frame with Netting and Knobs
*great for jewelry or photos*

Large Shabby Leaner Mirror

Small Frame with Wire

Distressed groupings of Frames

This has definitely been a new experience for me. I usually do one piece at a time so to see all of it together is very exciting. 

I am working on a few new things this week that I think will be great! I love to hear from readers and friends about what they see that inspires them.... Enjoy your day!

Finding Inspiration

When repainting a piece of furniture, it can be really hard to choose a colour that will re-make your piece into something special. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to have been asked to paint some furniture for an 8 year old's bedroom. This sweetie is a dear friend to my daughter and so I am familiar with her amazing personality. She is a hilarious and adventurous person and her Mom Chrystal wanted to reflect her sense of fun in her room make-over.

I had an old desk that my neighbour had offered me (free!) in spring that was sitting in my basement waiting for her Cinderella moment. I can't find the "before" picture, in fact, there is a good chance that I forgot to take one... It was a bright, fire engine red that would need a big sanding to be ready to repaint. I was very happy to be able to do this outside as there was red dust everywhere! The desk was just the thing for this project. We also had an old window frame that was the source of colour inspiration.

The front of the frame was just plain weathered wood, but the back!

Since this was the back, we couldn't use the existing paint, but the greeny blue was the perfect jumping off point. I brought home about 600 paint samples and found about 4 that were in the same neighbourhood. We picked one that everyone loved and then I started painting.


I used the new Benjamin Moore Advance paint in Jade Garden. This product is just perfect for a less distressed looking piece. It dries to a smooth, hard finish. It is quite a bit more expensive to buy than a regular latex, but can be worth it when you take the time to use it properly.


Here is the desk before the pulls went on:

The expensive part of these makeovers can be hardware, especially a desk with 7 pulls! Chrystal found a bulk pack of them at a hardware store that finish the desk off and add a pretty touch.

The window frame was painted in the same colour. I added some wire to hang pictures and jewelry and a little bulletin board in the centre.

I found some ceramic pulls to add along the bottom edge to serve as hangers for necklaces or scarves, or just to look nice. I covered the cork with a pretty black and white fabric scrap.

I am excited to see the finished room ~ it will be a creative and exciting place for some awesome girls to hang out pretty soon!


If you have an old piece that needs a little loving ~ please feel free to contact me and we can talk about doing something special...

A New View

{Rustic Window}

*SOLD*

This is another old window that I have just essentially cleaned up. It was in pretty rough condition and had been stored outside for many years. This has added a distinct weathered look to the wood, which I love. I think that this rustic stuff looks so great next to some glam. I may be part magpie as I love anything that sparkles right now, but the juxtaposition between rough and sparkly is very appealing to me.

Once I took out the old glass and putty (a lesson in patience), I replaced it with some poultry netting (also known as chicken wire ~ a hardware store guy once called it poultry netting and it has stuck with me) to add some function.

It looks so great with little clothespins to hang pictures or cards. I also love it with other seasonal embellishments:

I gave it a good sanding so the wood won't give any slivers and the layers of paint show through nicely. The sanding revealed a pale green and a white coat of paint.

This window measures 20"W x 25 1/4"H. If you are interested in it, please go HERE to purchase.

A Rustic Window View

Rustic Window 

*SOLD*

What a relief to have my first piece sold! It was snapped up within a day ~ I am so excited to have it find a new home with Erin. I hope that she will enjoy it. 


I have another item to list. This one is not upcycled so much as just cleaned up. 

This is an old wood window with 8 little panes. The frame is a good size ~ about 24"H x 45"W.  I removed the old glass and the stubborn putty used to hold it in place then sanded the frame and did a few little repairs to the wood. I debated painting it, but I really like the way the layers of paint and wood show through. There is a layer of white and a peachy shade  and a bluish-green layer as well as the wood. It would make a lovely statement on a mantle or hanging on a wall with other pictures hanging within the individual frames. This is the kind of thing that has limitless possibilities when decorating.

Here you can see a few of the layers showing through a little better.


I am also beyond thrilled to have my first commission piece to start on. It is a little end table and I am really looking forward to getting started on it. 


Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback and patience as I am working on getting my little business up and running. I am so encouraged!