All You Need Is Love #78

Ha, really just #9 but a nod to a good friend that asked just how many of these I was going to do.   The answer, if my good friend is reading, or...if you too are wondering...is until my surprise on Valentines Day.  Sometimes hearts can lead to surprises, and part of the fun is the anticipation :o) and allowing it to sneak up on you. This Pique Asiette heart is made with bits of vintage china, stained glass crystals, a pink rhinestone and a whole lotta love.

Hug a friend when they least expect it.

Love Love Love...its easy

The Frog & The Lady Bug

The bottom photo is a canvas that I designed and painted for an antique swivel top game table.  The tables original green felt was way past saving...and the top would no longer turn to open into a game table.  Layers of black paint were the glue holding it together.  I found it in a local antique emporium, and I fell in love with its graceful lines. The two chairs were found in Tennessee...and had seats of burlap with a chalky white paint.  The carvings were so similar on both that I had to introduce them to each other and see what path we might find ourselves upon.  My favorite part of this whimsical set are the frogs and lady bugs in the fabric and on the game top.  It nearly broke my heart when they went their separate ways... the table one way the chairs yet another.   Each found their way to a new home, bringing along a bit of whimsey of their own. The top photo is a faded image is the finished set.

Vintage Buffet

I painted this buffet for a client that I have done quite a bit of work for. The buffet is a vintage piece from the 1920's era, and was in need of some serious help. There it was...the finish was very worn...the chipping veneer ...it was just daring me to approach it with a paintbrush.  The nerve!  You can see here who won that battle.  In this fuzzy photo from the archives, is also a glimpse of the corner of a vintage farm table that I finished to go with the buffet.  The soft finish on the walls in this dining room...also done by me.

Gothic Dining Chair...A Pair!

I found the vintage Gothic chairs together, In a favorite shop.  The finish was all but gone, and they were upholstered in a purple red vinyl {GASP!!!} After allot of sanding, painting and glazing, this is where we landed.  I would love to see them with a big old gateleg table...did I ever mention that I love gateleg tables too?  I do.  I found the fabric in Chicago, and got enough to cover all of the other Gothic chairs I hope to someday find, filling out the rest of a set for dining...unless they find another path on their own. Different Gothic chairs surrounding a big old gateleg table.  I can just see it now, can you?

Ship To Shore Jewelry Designs

                                 

A little bit of a change for today.  I worked on this design in the Spring of last year, along with several other designs befitting a vintage look using new and vintage findings. Pearls, Aquamarine, vintage glass shells, vintage carnival glass, mother of pearl, opalite with new and vintage brass ox charms and findings.  Sailing anyone?

Hand Painted Floor

This is a floor that I painted a while ago.  The floor was sanded first, and I drew the design directly on the raw wood.  I then painted it with a 1/2"dagger brush and 1"sash with glazing compounds, one board at a time.  The floor was then sealed, and it wears quite nicely. I have done several floors using this method, and like the vintage detail it can give to an old hardwood floor.

Hand Painted Gothic Garden Set

Something a little bit different today.  When I found this old Eastlake table and two gothic chairs at a favorite local haunt, they were actually in two different buildings, and in pretty bad shape. The original finish was all but gone, along with the original glue that held them together.  I found the chairs first, then  stumbled upon the table on my way to see about another chair.....I love quaint, elegant chairs for some reason...... someday I will post a photo of my chairs in waiting...  Anyway,  I thought they would make a sweet set for a small space, as the chairs tuck nicely under....so I rescued them.  After repair work I decided upon this aged cream and leafy green finish to tie them together.  A nice little vintage set with a new life to live......