My First Attempt At Decoupage!

I found this piece of furniture at a garage sale last summer and it's been waiting, ever so patiently, for me to get to it ever since.  I am finally done and I am so incredibly happy with the results.  Here's a reminder of where I started:

The finish needed some refreshing and there are some bad spots on top where the veneer is peeling, other than that is seems to be in great shape.  I love the lines and feel of the piece.

First things first, I painted the frame white.  I love the look of two-tone furniture so I am leaving the drawer fronts wood.  Now, what to do with the bad veneer on top.  I know, decoupage!

 I am slowly creating an incredible collection of wrapping papers to be used for decoupage.  I have found some great stuff.  This is one of my favorites.  The colors are wonderful!  I have never decoupaged before, this is my first attempt.  It seems I have a tendency to "go big or go home" when it comes to projects such as this.  I probably should have practiced a little first to get the hang of it. 

I did some research, so many conflicting thoughts on the best practices so I just jumped in and did it.  It was pretty thick paper, it stuck great, but wanted to wrinkle.  Now, with wallpaper, most all that wrinkling dries out (at least I've come to tell the difference between those that dry out and those that don't).  Not really the case with decoupage.  I used the roller to squish out the air bubbles but no matter what that paper wanted to wrinkle up in an interesting way.  Not all haphazard like you'd expect, but linear, straight lines.  How weird is that?  Maybe it's not weird and I'm just inexperienced.  That could also be true.  Anyhow, I got the top and sides done and left it to dry.

Even with the slight wrinkling I am completely in love with it.  It's bright and extremely bold.  Even better than I imagined.  The way it wrinkled in such a linear fashion really adds to the design (this is a reversible paper, the back is a check type pattern, I'm wondering if that has something to the do with the linear appearance of the wrinkles?)

I plan to sell the piece (maybe, I LOVE it) so I thought I'd tone it down a little bit with a good sanding.  Worked like a charm.

 You can see what I mean about the wrinkling. 

I also "refreshed" the wood.  Simple process where I give them a quick sanding and add some stain.  Amazing how much better they look (the pictures really don't do it justice).  What a simple fix to get a rich, new finish.

Before refreshing



After Refreshing

Here it is all put back together.  I am still selling it but gotta say, it gets a short period of time and if it hasn't sold its coming back home with me.  I LOVE it!

Building The Chirping Frog- Part 3

Our newest adventure:  The Chirping Frog, an antique, collectibles, vintage, home decor, furniture, artisan wares and more shopping mall in a great location right off a major interstate is well underway.  I also plan to host classes in a variety of fun topics; such as mosaic, hypertufa, jewelry making, paper arts, etc.  I am so excited and a little terrified all at the same time.  Here's the links to Part 1 and Part 2 in case you're interested in following our progress.

Tutorial- Square Wire Wrapped Jewelry Components

In this tutorial I would like to show you how to make this square jewelry component.  I used jump
rings as connectors but you could also connect the link however you plan to use it and then do the wrapping to secure it.

I used 18 gauge copper wire for my project cut into 5" pieces.  The handle of a screwdriver with the square shape I wanted was perfect as a mandrel.  Start with the wire at one edge and simply begin pushing the wire around the handle until you end up opposite the edge you started at (you will wrap around the handle 1-3/4 times).

Using round nose pliers grab one end of wire and begin forming a tight spiral....switch to chain-nose or coated pliers to continue forming the spiral.  I stopped the spiral slightly in from the corner.  Repeat on the other side. 

This is what you should have when both spirals are done.

This is where you would link it onto another piece before wrapping if you didn't want to use jump rings for connection.  Now, you need roughly 8" of 24 gauge wire to wrap.  Simply coil the 24 gauge wire between the spirals to secure the link.

Here is a picture of how I used the link:

A Spare Room Finally Comes Together

Sometime last year I participated in a Share-A-Thon for Hometalk and wallpapered an old bed.  Here's a reminder of that project and a link to the original post.

Before

After

Yep, that's where I left the project, until recently.  I've finally gotten a room put together to give you a peek at a true finished product.

I still would like some accessories and artwork in the room but I tend to gather and decorate over time.  Eventually I'll find things that catch my eye, no rush.

These lamps were old faux wood bamboo lamps that I spray painted black.  The shades were a little wanky so I played with them as well by painting the interior a shimmering gold, thought it'd add a little ambience.

They turned out really cute (if I do say so myself).

The drapery behind the bed is a simple painter's dropcloth that I've stenciled (another Hometalk Share-a-Thon Project), a really easy way to personalize and make unique window treatments, bedding, pillows, etc.  Have you done anything unique with wallpaper or stenciled something unexpected?

A Look At My Favorite Flower Combinations to Brighten Your Garden

Do you have any favorite flower combinations?  I most definitely do and just like mixing fabrics I love to play with color, texture and "pattern".  Here's a few examples from around my garden.

This grass I love, believe its called Blue Lymgrass.  I planted two pots of it a couple years ago, it is invasive but easily controlled by pulling (if you keep on top of it).   I have taken starts of it and it is now all over my yard.  It looks good with anything that isn't blue.  Here I have it with a lilac bush.   I love the purple with the blue when the lilac is blooming.  The long stalks of the grass and the small leaves of the bush complement each other nicely (in a similar way that a large stripe looks good with a small floral print when dealing with fabrics).   It looks really good with black-eyed susans or other such flowers with the bold yellows/oranges.

This is a small portion of my island in the driveway.  I love the bold green of the weeping spruce with the light and bright lamb's ear and a backdrop of bold purples.  Purples, blues, bold lime greens, they always add a little punch.

Variegated Liriope is one of my favorite "ground covers".  I use it all over the place in the front of borders.  Here it is planted with a knockout rose, the rose has a slightest reddish/purple leaf which I love against the bold stripe of the liriope, and then it gets that beautiful purple bloom.  Love them!

Are you sensing a pattern yet? I love grasses, they add so much interest and texture, and purples with lime greens, so striking.   This is a plum bush with lime mop-head evergreens in front with a rose bush behind, even farther back is a really thin leaved grass and a huge bed full of purple coneflowers. This is my favorite area of the yard. Right now the coneflowers are just seed heads and the finches are everywhere.

The bush in the background in a ninebark and again, liriopes in front, great contrast.

I love the big leaves and bold, large flowers next to the thin bladed grass.  The orange just pops, this flower would be great with the blue lymgrass from the first picture.

This is probably my favorite grass (Miscanthus Variegatus).  It has a larger blade with striping, I have them all over the place.  They hold up well to the wind/rain and tend to stay upright better than the taller, zebra grass (I also have a ton of it). Again, the bold, bright striping looks great with the darker leaves and bold color of the knockout roses.  I always try to plant them together.  If you don't have knockout roses and your zone allows, they are so easy.  They need no extra care and when they grow too large I simply hack them off near the ground and they just keep coming back for more.   They really are amazing and quite hardy.

A knockout rose, I know, you're shocked!  The other bush is a privet, it is also a lovely bush.   It grows into a nice shape and has beautiful lime green leaves.   Looks great next to anything and really brightens things up.

So, what's your go-to flower combinations?

Use What You Have to Transform Your Living Room

Years ago I did a couple projects where I went in, put together a design with a variety of ideas that would work in the space and then let the homeowners at it.  They saved money by doing all the work and I provided them with space plans and a design guide to help them create a visually pleasing, functional room.  It worked out great.  This is one of my favorite projects from that time.

BEFORE:

I had to "splice" a few pictures together to come up with a completed picture, like I said, this was years ago and I wasn't thinking about good pictures (I have a hard time thinking of that now).  Anyhow, this room is your typical "formal living room" with a few common mistakes. 

First, pictures should be 6-8" above the couch.  Too high and they are floating with no relationship to the furniture piece below them.  Also, how much of your wall should be covered?  The artwork should be in proportion to the size of the furniture its supporting.  A good guide is about 2/3.  When I'm hanging something above a couch I want it to cover close to 2/3 of the width and cover the wall enough that eye-level is in the middle of the grouping.  A couch needs a substantial piece of art behind it.  Pictures are fine, just layer them.  One little row, such as this, is not enough!  For this grouping I'd say the row already there is fine if there was another row below it.  It's too skimpy and too high.

Second, the furniture placement is boring and expected.  Why is it we always stuff all furniture into corners or against walls?

 Same thing here, artwork is too small and I suggested a new storage place for the clutter.

AFTER:

I suggested a paint scheme to add some architectural interest and draw the eye up, expanding the space.  The color selections were pulled directly out of the furniture.  They did a wonderful job.  Their beautiful wood secretary was hidden away in the opposite corner, now its a show stopper.  Its seen immediately upon entering the house.  Your eye is immediately drawn into the room by the photo collage and the furniture arrangement, it draws you in and beckons you to stay a while. 

  Float your furniture!  As long as you have at least 3' for a walkway, go for it.  It looks so much better and makes for a much more personal seating arrangement.  Makes me want to sit down for a cup of coffee.

  Paint and trim work were the only expenses, everything else was simply re-used within the space or pulled from another room.  Amazing what a little rearranging can do! 

Perennials- A Few of My Favorites

I don't know about you but I am a Perennial lover!  I can't get enough of them.  I am not a structured gardener, very informal, and I love when the perennials spread out, intertwine and take over a bed, within reason of course. 

Here's a few of my favorites:

Golden Ragwort, I've only had this one a couple years and it really comes to life in early spring while nothing else is blooming and things are just beginning to fill in with bright yellow flowers lighting up a variety of spots in the garden. 

It spreads out like crazy.  I also love that!  One of my favorite things about perennials is how easily they spread and thrive. 


Russian Sage, every house I've ever had has included this lovely perennial.  It mixes well with a variety of other perennials and with it's wispy, feathery appearance it blends well with other, more structured plants such as purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susan's and Knockout Roses.  Really great combo's. 

After clearing out the debris last fall this is what I've got.  I love how easily it spreads out.  See all those little babies popping up.  All I've got to do is dig them up and plant them somewhere else and I've got a continual supply of new plants. 

Alright, this one's not a perennial but I tend to favor bushes that send out little "babies" as well that I can dig up and plant somewhere else.    This Lilac Bush is the perfect example of just that.  A few others that work for this are Dappled Willow and Little Henry's.  I've got transplants of all of these throughout my yard.

I found little "babies" growing around the outskirts of the bush so I dug them up and planted them.  I lost one but the other is slowly growing in.  It's tiny, but going to bloom beautifully. 

Finally, for today, Purple Coneflowers one of a few natives for my area that I just love.  (Shasta Daisies and Black-Eyed Susan's are wonderful too).  They multiply like crazy, attract birds and bees and they're gorgeous!  What's not to love.

They are a little finicky when it comes to transplanting, they really don't like it, but hang in there.  The parent plant might look dead but just keep watering and be patient.  I can't even tell you how many times I've planted these little buggers only to have the parent plant look dreadful for the rest of the season (and sometimes even die).  Many people want to dig them up and return them but I'm telling you, the next set you plant will probably do the same thing.  Rather than return, keep them watered and give them till the following spring (you usually have a year warranty anyhow so give them time).  I can almost guarantee that you'll have babies that will bloom the next spring.  That's just how they roll!

The largest plant in the following picture is a parent plant, dug up from somewhere else in my yard.  It wilted up and looked horrible after I planted it and for the remainder of that season.  The following year it came back, bloomed beautifully and produced baby plants.  This spring there are babies everywhere and my parent plants have doubled in size.  It's filling in beautifully.  Remember, patience is key, it's not going to happen overnight.

I am so excited for spring and hope I have some time to get out there and get things cleaned up.  I've got a to-do list a mile long but know this is not the year to get any of it accomplished (not with "The Chirping Frog" project").  I do need to carve out some time to do some clean-up.  Do you have any great plans this year for your gardens?