8 Favorite Projects of 2013

In no particular order, here are my top 8 projects from 2013.. enjoy!

1. Floral Buffet

2. Blue, Distressed Console

3. Lane Cedar Chest

4. Aqua Island

5. Ikat Arm Chair

6. Mother/Daughter Art

7. Oceans Blues Dresser

8. Client Chairs Re-Do

This is pretty accurate for my 2014 hopes  

(plus the obvious good health to my family, friends and self)

Excited for what 2014 has in store for me.. I have a feeling it will be a good one :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Etsy Finds - Home Decor

Besides being drawn to funny and witty people, I adore the talented and creative. 

Which is one of the many reasons I love ETSY. 

Here are my 5 favorite Home Decor finds currently.

1.Wood Lamp

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2. Reupholstered and Painted Arm Chair

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3. Feather Watercolor Print

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4. Floral Pillow Cover

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5. Vintage Glass Box

 

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Christmas Wrap Up and The world's best slippers

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!

 I wanted to share some pics of the wrapping paper I used this year.

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Polka dots, leopard print, silver, gold and pink.(all purchased from Marshall's) 

When did I get so girly? Maybe when I had my little girl? 

Trust me, I still get my hands dirty, though.

I used tulle instead of ribbon or a combo of wired ribbon and tulle.

I will for sure be using the Leopard Print again for Birthdays. 

Santa likes to leave at least one gift unwrapped.

 Ironically it's always the most complicated shaped gift that doesn't have a box ;)

**Warning. This next picture is defined as a selfie, and just typing that word slightly embarrass' me. But when I noticed my reflection in the previous picture, I realized I had to take a picture of my sweet slippers, and share the story behind them. 

~Feel free to skip down a picture to get to slightly relevant content now~

The Slippers were originally a gift to my childhood neighbor and life long friend, Lindsay. She received them from a family member about 12yrs ago. We laughed at them and wrapped them up for her younger sister. 

An instant re-gift if you will. 

And from that year on they were re-gifted annually between us and my sister as well. 

Until one year I tried those suckers on. 

Game over. 

They are so dang warm I no longer cared what they looked like. 

And guess what, I don't even think they're ugly anymore.

 I actually LOVE them. Especially this time of the year on hardwood floors. 

So there you go Lindsay, Arielle and Barb. I am rockin' those slippers proud..still.

Christmas Day with my girl

My daughter and her uncle Justin (my brother) using the new bow and arrow toy he got her. 

All the "Brave" comments about her hair really play out even better when she's running around with this.

Brown, Blue, White and Stripes.

I've said it before, but it's always a treat to paint something a little out of the ordinary; so when I saw this wooden fireplace screen I knew it would be a fun way to mix up my daily projects.

I painted it with Amy Howards "Bauhaus Buff" and "Kembel".

It is available now at A Classy Flea.

If you do purchase this fireplace screen, your Living Room will immediately take on the personality of a snooty woman fanning herself in the unbearable heat. Just warning you.

 I also have some new small items for the Flea. I was inspired by masculine colors and pattern, like a you see in men's fashion.

via pinterest

Lamps, Trays and Hooks

 

So if you need a last minute gift for a guy in your life, I've got some options for you!

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Headboard Happiness

Well, I thought my next post would be all Christmas related, but I just finished two headboards that I wanted to share.

My brother builds these from reclaimed wood and I add the finish based on each individual client.

 In this case there were two queen headboards for two college-aged sisters. 

The first I painted with two different colors, distressed and waxed it.

 

Looking through my blog you can see I am quite obviously no photographer; in fact my new years resolution is going to be 1.) make a resolution for once and 2.) to take a photography course of some kind.

 My love affair is with a paint brush. That being said, the photo above did manage to capture what gives me butterfly's in my stomach about my work. So much texture, tones and shades of paint, ahhh makes me happy!

 

The second headboard has a dark stain and poly finish. 

I am also painting a dresser and nightstand in gray to go in the same room.

 Again, the picture.

 So good.

I love how these are both uniquely beautiful. 

Opposites but some how the same. And they are for sisters, go figure.

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December Projects

 The title says it all. This is a taste of my work this month..

I'm too impatient to save the best for last so it's going first - this vintage chest, lined with cedar, made by "Lane."

 I painted the blue using Amy Howard's "vintage affliction." The fabric I picked up months ago simply because it was a great price, not because I had a project in mind for it. 

Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; a fortunate mistake. Specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it.

example: my brown and white fabric.

 

I lovveee the wood grain and the lines on this piece. I love it in a way that when it sold hours after bringing it to the shop, I instantly felt like I didn't get enough time to admire the beauty in person. 

Does this make me a crazy person? Possibly. But I know I'm not alone in the craziness, so I'm cool with it.

Moving along.. I picked up a pair of fantastically large wood shutters from my favorite, secret thrift store.

I painted the gray and distressed them. I picture them hanging on a wall of a room with tall ceilings (obviously.) They could work as a headboard too.

This turquoise sofa table (or desk, as it's being used) was purchased by a personal friend of mine so she sent me this pic. I love seeing my pieces in their new homes. 

((If you purchased something from me and are reading this, send me pics please!)

Next: Round side table with leather top. I painted the fabulous ornate legs with Amy Howard's "Kembel" and used a dark wax finish.

This green, 4 drawer chest was also done with Amy Howard products. 

The color is LouLou with both light and dark wax for the finish.

The campaign style cube in the front was a great find. It hung out in my Living Room for a few days before I was ready to part with it. Good thing, since it too sold the day I brought it to the store.

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