Upcycling

Ok everyone...it was midnight and the creative bug attacked me. I had no defenses and had to succumb. Why, oh why didn't I go to bed earlier??!! The trek to the fabric stash uncovered an old dirndl skirt from the 60's/70's. It was quite a classic to be sure and made of upholstery fabric!! My dear grandmother used to scavange the thrift stores for old fabrics to use in her own projects. I brought this piece home (along with the huge tub full of goodies). She had a good eye for texture and color and I've pulled from that stash many times. Thankfully it was a long version and supplied me with a sufficient amount of fabric.

That is until I got to the back of the chair back. hmmmm, my mind was whirling with ideas..or was I numb from lack of sleep? You can see the hideous office grey peeking out. Did I remember ANY before and after pics? NOPE! Just to keep consistent with the forgetfulness dept.

I found some silk scraps and pieces of ribbon. Keeping with the upcycling mode, none of the ribbons matched, but were in the turquoise blue theme to tie in with the fabrics. I finished by 1:30 and hit the hay. I am loving this new redo of this plain chair and I got to clear out some more of that fabric stash. Yippee!

I also had finished putting my daybed back together in the afternoon. I redid the skirt a while back. The many layers of fabric at the seam was almost impossible for my machine to sew through. Beware when you sew 6 layers of home dec fabrics and 2 layers are gathered!

I have recycled some old doilies, table runners and hankies into all the pillows. Everything I used were leftovers from prior projects and I didn't have to purchase one solitary piece of fabric. I even had several of the pillow forms already on hand then used odd pieces of poly batting to stuff the others. I love these kind of projects for sure.

I know you may have noticed the drawer handle in the other pic. You're jealous of such fab hardware...I know, I know! I had plenty of selections and I stayed in my turquoise theme of course.

It is supposed to be this style, but, alas some of the pieces are missing. I will have to find someone to recast some replicas of this hardware. I can also see it become another of my own projects also. I'd like to learn to make replicas of this gorgeous hardware and some of the mouldings I have on hand. Perhaps later this summer that project may be complete.

Paint is my friend

I have a love affair with spray paint.  Ok, I’ve spoken it out loud…well, at least typed it really hard on my keyboard.  A simple can of paint can do wonders to transform everything around us.  Ahhhh, such a simple pleasure in such a simple form.  We had recently repainted our house and we all know when that happens, everything else looks so dull and lifeless compared to all the fresh color.  Soooooo, I must share my most recent affair.

Our front porch lights had a good shape and were just the right scale for the space.  Problem is they were beyond Yucky or as the Sweet One says…”Duck” with the accompanied scrunched up nose.

It is quite obvious that the seasonal swallows love to roost here.  I dismantled them which quickly became 20 pieces and cleaned them scrumptiously.  Then came the joyous part of painting! 

I love my new fixtures.  It was certainly a lot easier than shopping for the perfect one for a day or two.  I even painted the shiny little reflector plate with a chrome and it looked fantastic although the pic doesn’t do it justice.

At this point, I am just plain high with happiness ( or paint fumes…whatever!!) and I proceed to the next project.

Again, I conquer another light fixture in my dining room.  I have kept my eye out for the right chandi for quite a while and they just don’t quite fit the bill of requirements.  PAINT to the rescue again….

  The old BRASS version.

Quick change lamp shades for a change of seasons.

The presto chango…

Isn’t that just Awesome??!!

 

                                      

                                                              

I updated the shade also with a bit of ribbon wrapped around the shade and tied.  My grandmother’s earrings were then clipped onto the knot.  They are all different and just look FAB dahling.  Super quick and lots of effect.

Thanks for sharing my paint-love today.  I scored some cool old chairs at a sale and will post those pics tomorrow.  See ya then.

Long road home

Well, this pic sums it up!! I saw tons of asphalt and center stripes, but they all led me to my beloved home.

I LOVE the Smokey Mountains. The air, the trees, the flora and fauna, the TREES, mountains and the variety of trees!! I am from a tree and mountain-deprived part of the country and I just soak up all of God's gifts sprounting from the earth. I get recharged when I travel this part of the country.

I get home and feel fall in the air. Love this time of year. Cool breezes and pumpkins and rich colors everywhere. I am getting started on my fall decorating....

My Motto....If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

Get up and get a project finished today and check it off your list!!