Checkered Train - Mackenzie-Child's Like

I've been busy working on wreaths and ornaments and all kinds of holiday decorations the past few weeks.  I want to show you a recent project I finished for a friend of mine that brings me all kinds of things and says...."do whatever you think will look good."  Those are the best kind of projects... :)

I've told you before that you can paint anything you find that doesn't have the colors you want or maybe doesn't have colors at all.  Walk through any home or craft store and use your imagination.  Here is a train she found that she wants to put under one of her trees.  It so happens to be a tree filled with Mackenzie-Child's ornaments.

With a treated metal surface, I think it's always best to either prime the piece, or paint it with chalk paint, which basically acts like a primer.  You have to test out a small area before you paint your entire piece, or you might be sorry if the paint doesn't adhere.

The train got its stripes and checks and the wheels were painted gold.

Then I worked on a cute little cut out and began painting the train with pops of holiday colors.

Such a cute decoration that went from blah and fairly unnoticeable to cute and whimsical.  You really can paint anything you want to.  Find something with good form and paint away!

Happy first week of December!

Paula

Sharing with:
Worthing Court
A Stroll Thu Life
Ivy and Elephants
Katherine's Corner

Christmas Wreaths - Mackenzie-Child's Like

My Mackenzie-Child's Christmas Magazine came in the mail the other day......uh huh...you know where this is going...  I was looking at her Christmas wreaths and they are just beautiful!  But, I can't spend $550 on one of her wreaths and ever expect to come home again.  I can't ever imagine spending that much money on a wreath so I decided to make my own.  Now I've never made a wreath before so I did some studying on wreath making.... :)

Start with a plain wreath.

Then go get some wreath goodies; fruits, ribbons and extra greenery....

I did splurge on Mackenzie-Childs original ribbon.  It's beautiful!  Here's the thing..... The ribbon is expensive.  Making a wreath is kind of like making a cake. The better the ingredients, the better the cake.  I wanted a really nice wreath with nice ingredients.  :)

Start by placing greenery and fruits around the wreath. 

Then start adding your ribbon throughout the wreath.  I hot glued the fruit and used greenery wire for the ribbon.

Then place pine cones and berries where it balances the wreath.  You can keep going with the add ons if you want.  You can add nuts and ornaments, little animals...whatever your wreath fancy.

Didn't she turn out pretty? 

Doesn't she look cozy on her wreath stand?  I'm excited because she turned out so well.

Let me know if you are interested in one.  I'm making a few more.  :)  You can email me at paula.driesell11@gmail.com. 

Have a great day!

Paula

Linking with:

Domestically Speaking

Worthing Court

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

A Stroll Thru Life

Knick Of Time

Nifty Thrifty Things

Cozy Little House

Painted Candlesticks - Mackenzie Child's Like

Look at these fabulous candlesticks.  They are made out of a heavy wood and stand 41" and 35" high.  A friend asked me if I would paint these with a Mackenzie-Child's like parchment check.

These candle sticks were awesome as is, so I was a bit hesitant to paint them. But once I did....I was so happy!

I started with some stripes and then added checks.

My friend wanted to add a little bronze to the color scheme and it really made the sticks pop!

I think they turned out stunning.  It adds just enough whimsy and fun to any room and the parchment pattern goes with just about anything.  I liked these so much, that I ran out to buy a couple more for me!  

What do you think?

Paula

Friday Obsessions......

Beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece...

Silver dresser.....

Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake......(OMG!)

 Red Plaid Scarf....

Dry Brushed Dresser.....

What caught your eye this week?

Paula

Rustic Apple Tart

Come on.......how about we make this tonight?  I'm all over these simple one pie crust galatte's.  Dump it in, bake it and eat!  Yes!  This one, won't disappoint.  This recipe comes from Foodie Crush. Check it out and have some serious YUM tonight.

Happy Thursday!

Paula

Big Dresser - Dry Brushing

Last week, I started working on this dresser.  It has been in the family a long time, but it got pretty dinged up over two moves and lived in the garage for over 5 years.  We needed a dresser so it was time for a makeover.  

With two coats of French Linen, the dresser transformed and looked like this.  Kind of plain at the moment, but once it is dry brushed with a softer color, the piece should really soften and have a little more character.    

I decided to paint the hardware.  My husband isn't a fan of painted hardware...but once it's done maybe he will have a different opinion.

Dry brushing is where you take the smallest amount of paint on the end of a dry brush and gently swipe across your piece.  Less is best, as you can layer more as you go.  The edges will grab whatever paint is on your brush and it creates a soft washed look.  If you use too much paint, you won't be happy.  After I dip the tips of my brush in the paint and brush them against the side of the can, I take a rag and wipe the bristles just to be sure.

See how it softens up?  He's not quite done, but I wanted you to see how he was shaping up.  I'm going to wax him today and then add some finishing touches.

Hope you have a great week!

Paula


Linking with:
Cedar Hill Farm House
Savvy Southern Style

Friday Obsessions.....

Italian Almond Pear Torte....

 Glazed Bed....

Pretty Holiday Display...

 Winter Wrap.....

Pretty Frenchie.....

Have a great weekend!

Paula

Rustic Chicken and Gravy

I am a sucker for home cooked meals.  Especially meals that include chicken, gravy, garlic and then....pasta!  I mean, what is not to love?

I was on Pinterest last night wondering what to do with my chicken thighs (Costco sells them by the barrel.  Well not the barrel but I feel like I have them in my freezer forever after I buy them).

This came from a great website called Seasons and Suppers.  Check out some of her dishes.  YUM!  I didn't put my chicken in the oven like the recipe called for.  I actually browned everything on top of the stove in one pan.  It came out just as yummy.

What are you cooking tonight?  This won't disappoint.

Paula

Finding Furniture - Big Dresser

Just when I think I'm all out of furniture....I look in the back of the garage and find something awesome to paint.  

This has been in our garage for over 5 years.  I forgot about it until recently.  The drawers were a little warped...but that's nothing for a sander.  :)

Hmmm.....what does he want to look like?

I will keep you posted.

What's in your garage?

Paula

French Round Marble End Table

I started working on this piece last week.  If you missed that post you can find it here.

I know this doesn't look like much, especially with the ugly brown wood, but look at the details and the marble.  When I saw this I was thinking french...romantic...  So I painted this with soft creams and taupe, a little green and some pink.  Look at how the details come out with different colors. Here is what she looked like painted with clear wax.

I layered the pinks and greens under the taupes.

I added a little dark wax.....which I don't really love with light colors but it worked here. The dark wax muted the pink so it wasn't so pastel.  Then I added some gold gilding wax.  

And this is how she turned out.  What do you think?  I know she is suppose to be for my bedroom....but I think I'm going to put in in my entryway and enjoy her for a little bit.  

See what a little paint can do?  

Paula

Make It Pretty

Savvy Southern Style

Ivy and Elephants

Stacey Embracing Change

Jannolson

Katherine's Corner

From My Front Porch To Yours

Nifty Thrifty Things

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Knick Of Time

Cozy Little House

Friday Obsessions.....

Have a great weekend!

Paula

Flip This - Mackenzie Child's like Ornament

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.” 

― Albert Einstein

If you can see it, you can do it.

Paula


Domestically Speaking
Worthing Court
A Stroll Thru Life
Cozy Little House
Stone Gable
Nifty Thrifty Things

Deciding How To Paint A Piece

I have been looking for a round end table for a long time. I just happened to find one with a marble top.  Bonus!  The marble top is an insert and comes out. It's filled with pinks, taupes, whites and cream.  I know she doesn't look like much now...but that's the beauty of paint.  It transforms pieces.

I started with a couple of soft neutrals and the details at the bottom really started to come out.  They were almost unnoticeable before.  Sooo, should I leave this neutral or add some color? Well, asking that is kind of silly, because you all know I'm going to add some color.

I added some soft colors and will layer the neutral colors back on.  I should have done that from the beginning, but sometimes I just don't know where a piece will take me until I get into it.  

I know you are thinking...hmmmmm right about now....but just wait.

Let's see how this little beauty turns out.  :)   I'll post pics by the end of the week.

Have a great week.

Paula