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