Get Out Your Brushes People!

Now, I am not an advocate of adding stress before the holidays... or really of anything for that matter that detracts from being able to actually rest in the meaning of Christmas....

But painting with CeCe Caldwell's is not stressful... and you know you have that one piece that you have wanted to get to, and the relatives are coming for the holidays... oh, wait, that's me...

Well, using CeCe Caldwell's paint wax to repurpose and redesign your old pieces is so easy that there actually IS time to do a piece before Christmas.

This is the one I am going to do:  My dining room table that has been patiently waiting for it's makeover since I got it on Craigslist almost two years ago! 

These are the before photos.  The second one features the lovely cracks, scratches, gouges etc on the table top.

On your mark, get set, paint!  I'll post when I am done... would love to see yours too:)

French Butter?

That is a bit what this yummy, neutral, yet warm buffet looks like to me.  I did it in CeCe Caldwell's Omaha Ochre and clear wax, with light distressing.

It is in great shape, and is looking for it's new home!  Love those curved front drawers!

Looking for great Christmas Gifts that have More Meaning?

www.asianhope.org/coincharms

Coin Charms for Kids provide life-changing supplies and services, such as Clean Water, Health Care, and Education, to significantly impoverished kids in Cambodia.  Stainless Steel Bracelets and Necklaces are available.  Each Coin Charm is a Cambodian coin (they are no longer in circulation) and comes in muslin pouch with an enclosure card explaining how the charm changes the life of a child.  They look great... and accomplish good things!

Pillow Fest!

I am having a Pillow Fest!  I finished several pillows today, including this scrumptious feather Christmas pillow.  The fabric is a sort of softened canvas.  I stencilled it with CeCe Caldwell's Michigan Pine, and the trim just makes it all a bit decadent. 

Finding Thanksgiving

There are seasons in life where it seems harder to see and feel that deep gratitude of soul for all that I have to be thankful for. I think we all go through those seasons at some point:  loss, serious illness, or even just the blahs.  There is still enough to be thankful for, it is just harder for me to grasp during those times.

During other seasons of life, reasons for gratitude seem to jump out at me in living color.  And when one season follows on the footsteps of the other, it is like the wonder of Spring, the poignant beauty of green buds coming up, the scent of promise in the air. 

The past 30 days have been a mix of both at our house:  surprises both difficult and sweet.  In the midst of it all, I am grateful for so much;  the love of family and friends, the goodness of God, creativity, and the sweet moments in life.

"Rendre Grace" is French and roughly translates, "Give Thanks".  This sweet pillow is available at The Parker Shoppes.  I have one more in the works... and  I think I need to make one for myself.  Not only will it be great the holidays, it will serve as a year-round reminder to find Thanksgiving.

Back to painting....

Painting is such a zen, relaxing process for me.  I literally crave it.  My hubby is recovering from his surgery, and I am back in the groove.  It is like a sigh of relief picking up a brush again.

I picked up this original painting in it's outdated frame.  I am thinking it's final color will be CeCe Caldwell's Cinco Bayou Moss, but we'll see.  I did the first coat in Vermont Slate and it just freshened the painting up so much that I may stick with that...

I had to take a picture half way through the first coat because it was transforming the look so much.  I feel like old pieces also breath a sigh of relief when they get a makeover and a new purpose in life:)

 

Look at the difference already!

 

 

 

So what do you think?  Cinco Bayou Moss to bring out those greens, or stick with Vermont Slate?

Taking the Week Off

Just a heads up that I am taking the week off as my hubby is going to have surgery.  I hope everybody has a fun and creative week.... there is so much inspiration in the Fall!