Lil' Painted French Sign - Before & After

Hello!

We recently took down those ugly 80's Hollywood lights that wrapped around our kitchen above the cupboards...You know them - those nasty fluorescent lights.  With a blank slate I decided I'd like something to hang over the bulkhead. 

I had an interesting piece that sat atop an old dresser which I wasn't using.  I loved the details and the scale was just right. So I went to work on it.  Here is the after

This was how it started out....not bad right?

I first gave it a few coats of "Bon Voyage" (a really pretty blue)

I sanded inbetween, roughed it up and placed packing tape randomly along the entire piece and pulled it off while the paint was still tacky which gave a nice weathered, chippy, peeling effect. 

I decided on "Cafe de Provence" for the lettering since I love anything French :)

I spaced it out on my computer and printed it out.  I did the old trick of penciling out the back and tracing over the letters to transfer it to the wood.  Finished it up by painting the letters with.....

Don't laugh...

A SHARPIE MARKER!  The horror (lol).  There is no way my steadiness, let alone my patience would have allowed me to use a fine brush.

xoxo

Linked up to:

www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/

My Favourite Gifts

This year I received some pretty awesome gifts from my family...thought I would share a few with you...

I was so hoping to get a fragrance lamp from "Lampe Berger Paris".  Me and my Mom were on the same page - I gave her one as a gift and she gave me one.  So many scents to choose from I picked up "Green Apple" it really does work - filled the house with the crisp, clean smell of fresh green apples in a matter of a few minutes.
Do you have a favourite scent?

Another wonderful surprise was the iPad I received from my Husband...too funny because it's what I also got for him.

I had seen Diane Keaton on Ellen DeGeneres a little while back and she was talking about her book "Then Again" it's an autobiography and a story about her Mother and the countless journals she wrote throughout her life.  Great gift from my Daughter Gina...can't wait to get into this book.

A little bit of old school...my Son Frankie hit a homerun with this retro rotary phone knowing I have wanted one for some time.



I have to say as amazing as all the gifts were, my greatest moment of the day was going down the street to my Daughters house in our pajamas - no hair - no makeup before my beautiful grandaughter Madison woke up so we could see her excitement Christmas morning.

xoxo

Subway Signs

Wordology Subway Signs

By: Marina Vazzana

New York, Paris, London, Toronto, Ireland, Las Vegas, Italy and Europe

are just a few of the amazing destination subway signs you can have as stunning artwork.

Or

Choose your own destinations Subway Sign - totally custom and personalized.

Visit: http://wordology.etsy.com

   

Paris Apartment

Paris Apartment ooo`la`la

  

Vintage Style Subway Signs Now For Sale on Etsy

I'm so excited to now offer Subway Signs in my Etsy Shop...Wordology.  Here are the first photos of what's being offered.  

New York City Subway Sign 18" x 54"

Paris Cities and Landmarks Subway Roll Sign

                       NY Subway Route                            European Cities Subway Sign

Help spread the word, please become a fan (hit like) of my Facebook Page  - Wordology at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wordology/177435282282821?v=app_169505045786&ref=sgm

Or visit My Etsy Shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/wordology

   

Subway Signs, Bus and Tram Scrolls.....Oh My!

 GRAND OPENING THIS WEEK

So much has been going on since my last post.  My daughter had a healthy, beautiful, baby girl...Gianna.  She is pure sunshine and I have been so caught up in the joy of being a new gramma that I have been completely absent from blogging and catching up on all of your fabulous posts.  Just this week I have started visiting you all again. 

On a creative note, I have finally taken the plunge and opened my Etsy store.  I'm so excited to be back online here and in my new venture.  I will be offering custom subway roll signs on canvas and in print.  Please visit me...Later in the week I will have the first of my new offerings.

WORDOLOGY.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/wordology

  

Paris Dresser Pull

It's Friday!   happy ~ happy ~ joy ~ joy

I've been outside painting a great little chair I picked up at the Courtice Flea Market last weekend. I was hoping to post the pics today, but I've run into a snag. The seat in this chair - while at first glance seemed like it would be as easy as 1 2 3 to pop off and recover, has turned out to be a nightmare. It has a spring underside which is great (nice and sturdy) the not so nice part is I'm not sure something didn't once live in it. (ok, maybe a slight exageration).

So, as much as I wanted to post before and afters today...it's just not happening.

I will however leave you with the cutest little dresser knob I picked up at a great little shop in Port Perry.

Have a beautiful, lovely weekend!

Chalkboard DIY - Perfect for Wordies

A new project came to mind incorporating my love of words. I'm a self proclaimed "wordy". Chalkboards are perfect for die hard wordies because in a moment they can be changed out as inspiration hits.

Armed with a foam brush and a can of chalkboard paint, my kitchen cupboard would become my muse. I can't lie...when the first stroke of black paint slid across my pristine white cabinet I had a moment of uh~oh. Determined to go on, I completed the two coats required. Waiting for it to dry my uncertainty turned into anticipation. What would my first scribbles be...

Since Paris has always been my dream destination, the image portion at the top was a no brainer.  To sketch the Fleur de Lis I had to cheat.  I printed the image on paper - then I traced it over with a heavy hand of chalk.  After placing it where I wanted, I rubbed the back of the paper - easily transfering the image.

  These great little chalk holders purchased from staples were looped onto some ribbon and strung on the end of the cabinet...ready to use.  A little retro looking, they remind me of school days. 

So what do you think?  Are you tempted to try it out on your cabinets or should I have stopped at uh-oh?

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