Something Old

This post didn't start out being about weddings but it seems that as I went along taking pictures it became just that. I  visited GW yesterday and found something old that I fell in love with. The something old I found was this beautiful brooch and the inspiration for what follows.

This is the third pretty one I've found there recently. I guess I am starting a little collection.Vintage brooches are really beautiful and there are so many things you can do with them.

This little brooch inspired me today. It's sparkle made me think wedding, so I pulled together some things I thought would make a beautiful setting for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. I took some black grosgrain ribbon and made a napkin ring topped with the brooch.

Black, white and silver is one of my favorite color combinations for table settings. It makes for a timeless, classic look and is beautiful with other colors added to the mix as well. I used a round silver tray as a charger layered with a square embossed plate and topped with black and white transfer ware.

The etched water goblet belonged to my husband's grandmother.

The cut work table square and linen napkin belonged to mine.

I love glass bubble balls, each one is different and they add a beautiful sparkle to the table.

This is one of my favorite pictures from our daughter's wedding two years ago. She looked so incredibly beautiful that day!

 Photography was by Chris Walter.

When I do a table setting I like to incorporate different heights to add interest. Sometimes I use things in unconventional ways. This is one of a pair of vintage candlesticks I found at an antique store.

 As I was moving things around I set a bubble ball on top of a mercury glass votive that had a battery lit candle inside.

This would be a beautiful effect at night with the lights dimmed.

Try wrapping a gift in something unexpected, like burlap or fabric, and add a grosgrain ribbon topped with a brooch for a special gift for a wedding or shower.

                                                         All because of one little brooch.

                                                                  
                                                                              Jodie

I am joining in on Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's My Romantic Home
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
                       

Pottery Barn Look Alike Tutorial

I fell in love with this Pottery Barn horse when I saw it at Nydia's blog, Evolution of Home. You should take a visit to her blog if you haven't been there and see her knock off version and instructions. She does some great projects. Thanks to her inspiration I tried making one of my own.

Pottery Barn's horse wall art

Here is my version and this is how I did it.

I found some inexpensive lightweight plank paneling at Lowe's. It fits together kind of like wood flooring but is very light.

 I  used 9 boards and cut them 25 inches long, so my background ended up being 22.5 inches wide and 25 inches tall. I then fit the boards together.

I cut 2 1x2 boards and used Liquid Nails to glue on the back across the planks about 2 inches from each side securing the boards together. Be safe, use your protective gear!

 I added some weight to make sure the boards had good contact, and waited until the next day to move on to the next step.

Now to the fun part! I used Minwax Pre-Stain wood conditioner first, it helps soft wood absorb stain more uniformly.

Then I applied Minwax stain in English Chestnut. Be sure to allow recommended dry time before beginning the next step.

I had drawn a horse and taken it to Kinko's where they enlarged it for me. I think horses are one of the most difficult animals to draw and get the proportions right. The drawing I took to Kinko's was cut in several places where I decided I needed adjustment, and all taped together. The lady looked at me like I was kind of kooky. I transferred my pattern to contact paper which I then secured to my stained board.

Make sure the contact paper is securely pressed down to avoid paint seeping under. 

Brush from the top of the contact paper out toward the edges to reduce the chances

of seeping.

I used some latex enamel paint I had on hand and lightly brushed over the entire piece. It is better to do several thin coats with dry time in between. You can  leave as much wood grain showing as you like. After it dried I sanded the edges and did some distressing. A coat of paste wax and that's it!

   Here he is, my version.

Have a great weekend

Jodie

I am joining in on these parties

Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's My Romantic Home

Fridays Unfoldedat Stuff and Nonsense

Flaunt it Fridays at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Inspiration Friday At the Picket Fence

Newbie Party at Debbie Doo's Blogging and Blabbing

Gratitude

 Last week turned out to be full of blessings. Sometimes it happens when you least expect it! If you are a follower of my blog you know that I've recently done makeovers on several pieces of furniture, the little vintage chair, the French end table and a couple of mirrors I haven't shown you.  It is something that I'm really enjoying, transforming ugly ducklings into something pretty again.

Well, this weekend I put my things in an Estate Sale my sister in-law was having and the chair, the cute little end table, and a mirror all sold. I was really excited and encouraged. To top it all off, I had a wonderful surprise when Alison at Stuff and Nonsense featured my cow chair at her Fridays Unfolded party. So, I'm feeling really grateful right now.

I was so excited about selling some of the things I painted that I bought a few more pieces this weekend. I will share the before and afters with you later. But for now I just wanted to share a little taste of Spring that just appeared in our yard this week.

                                                                    Happy Monday   
                                                                             Jodie                                                                                    

Little French Finale

If you didn't see my sneak peak before, here is the little end table I found at GW the other day. I was thrilled to find just the right piece to try one of Miss Mustard Seed's classic finishes on. I've been dying to do a piece with a stained top and painted and glazed bottom. This one had such nice curves, I knew it was the perfect candidate.

 I used my little Black and Decker sander for the flat parts and did the rest by hand. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the finish came off.

I used Minwax Dark Walnut stain for the top. The bottom is done in a creamy white followed with a little distressing and the Dark Walnut again for the glaze. I was a little nervous about using the stain as a glaze so it took me a whole day to work up the courage to actually wipe it on. I am such a chicken about things like that sometimes, after all, what is the worst that will happen?  I'm glad I went ahead because I do like the way it looks. For the top coat I used Minwax Paste wax.

Here she is all finished and ready for her close up. I love the staging part of the photo shoot, that is my kind of fun!

I think this finish is a great compromise for those who love wood but want to update a piece. You get the best of both worlds.

I will be putting her up for sale now that her face lift is done and hopefully she will find a new family to love her. I wonder if this is anywhere close to how a plastic surgeon feels after a successful procedure? Wish it were that easy with people, just sand a little, slap on some paint and varnish and you're good to go another 30 years!

I want to say a special thank you to Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for featuring my Holy Cow chair at her Fridays unfolded party. It was really exciting to see my chair chosen to be featured with some other great projects!

Jodie

I am joining in on a few parties

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's My Romantic Home

Inspiration FridayAt the Picket Fence

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