Altered inspiration!

I ran across this photo today on Facebook ~

You know how it will share your old posts and memories with you?

This was from a year ago today and I love it!

The morning light was streaming in across a door in my studio

where I've hung pretty little treasures that inspire me ~

I love seeing and displaying wonderful things that make me smile!

Surround yourself with what you love

and you truly WILL be inspired!

I finally finished my altered treasure box!

Yes, I used a favorite graphic of mine and I know you've seen it before

but I can't help myself...

I love it!

The box was primed, painted and lightly antiqued.

Then I added the graphic to the top and began embellishing.

Trying to decide what lace or trim to use is always the fun part.

It has to work perfectly with the color, size and scale of my project.

Finally I had to finish up with a pretty seam binding bundle and rhinestone bauble.

It sold quickly right from my Facebook page as I tend to share

my artwork in progress there.

I lined the inside the most beautiful antiqued gold paper

and then added a lace band in the lid

so old photographs or other ephemera could be tucked in and held safely.

By the way, here is a little "before" shot.

It was pretty to begin with but I knew I could elevate it just a bit!

I actually got out the other day and went antiquing too!!!

It was 65 degrees and sunny here in Georgia so it was perfect.

As I pulled into the parking lot of a local antique mall,

look at what I saw!!!!

Isn't it wonderful???

It even has fun little curtains hanging inside.

It's a 1977 Volkswagen Van in gorgeous condition!

This one's a little blurry but I loved this gorgeous piece.

I'm not sure what it is but it was beautiful.

Yes, one of those tails came home with me. I love the weirdest things!

My little pile of treasures! Not much but carefully chosen.

Now to start a new project ~

What to do, what to do...

Thank you always for stopping by to see what I'm up to!

hugs and love,

Dawn

A few things to share ~

I wanted to share a few pretty Christmas images with you ~

I've probably posted them before

but you may need to create a few tags for your gifts

and these could come in handy...

Also I finished my treasure/keepsake box!

I thought it would be neat to show you the before photo of the box too :)

It was a basic wooden box that I found at Hob Lob and it was

really pretty to begin with but I had a vision of what I wanted it to be.

I painted the box with vintage white craft paint, added the beautiful label

(that I just can't seem to stop using on projects),

then I embellished it with fragments of lace and seam binding....

adding a pretty pearl bauble to the bow.

This was the inside before...

it was lined with some kind of strange fabric that I ripped out.

Then I painted the inside with the same

Folk Art "vintage white" craft paint to brighten it up.

Next I made a pattern of the inside bottom and lid

and cut fabric to fit both...

And before gluing the fabric in,

I made a pocket to go in the lid from beautiful wedding lace!

Now the box is ready to store beautiful treasures and keepsakes!!

Thank you so much for buying it Susan...I hope you love it!

I'm working on a few egg soap orders and my last project this week,

an altered bottle that's almost finished.

I've been a little under the weather with some kind of scratchy, sore throat congestion that

has really tried to get me down...isn't it amazing how we take our good health

for granted? I hope you are doing well and staying healthy!!

Wishing you a wonderful Friday precious friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Finishing things up ~

I finished a few of my projects last night!!

The altered spice rack and the journal are all ready to ship

to my sweet friend Mary today ~

I so hope she loves them both!

The treasure box is making progress...it is sold as well and

is looking so pretty to me.

You just can't go wrong with a

gorgeous images and vintage lace!

It's further along than this pic shows and I'll be sure

to share finished photos as soon as it's ready.

The old bottle still needs foofing and some pretty jewelry...

I'm hoping to finish everything up today!

I hope you are staying warm and cozy this cold December day...
Miss Ellie sure is!!!

Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday dear friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

A finished treasure box!

First, I scanned in a few wonderful, old photos for you ~

I love the little lamb in this first one!

I finally finished the treasure box I was working on!!

A few of you asked about my painting technique

and it really isn't anything special.

The box already had an aged finish with crackling and such.

It just wasn't the color that I wanted SO

I painted on a few coats of antique white craft paint (FolkArt)

then after that was dry,

I painted on a thin coat of watered down dark brown paint

(in sections), then wiped off the excess with a damp cloth.

After that was dry, I used an emery board to sand off a few places

here and there to add to the aged look.

That's it!

Here it is...

I sewed up a little luggage pocket for the lid and added ribbon

on each side to keep the lid from tilting all the way back.

Sheet music lines the inside, then I finished off with beautiful lace,

seam binding and trim...I'm so happy with the finished piece ~

And thankfully, so is my sweet friend who wanted it!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday precious friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

The beginnings of something new ~

I just have to share what I'm working on ~

even though it's totally not finished!!!

I found an amazing box and knew, just KNEW

it would be beautiful altered.

Here are the beginnings, I have to share with you ~

I'm not quite finished but have painted the entire box a soft cream color

including the hardware (which I LOVE painted!)

I've also used an antiquing wash all over...painted on, then

wiped off so the goodness falls into the crevices and cracks.

Next, I've added my most very favorite image onto the top ~

I can't help it, it's just beautiful to me...

I've painted a rough coat inside as I've not quite decide what to do yet...

maybe line with sheet music and add a handmade gathered luggage pocket in the lid???

I just have to share because I know you love what I love!!!

Happy Friday precious friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

C'est fini!

I did it!

I finished my sweet treasure box this weekend!!!

Embellished with gorgeous antique lace, seam binding and baubles....

I'm in love with old rhinestone jewelry...I've added a few pieces to the top ~

And....I thought, since it was a treasure box,

it should have treasures INSIDE!!

So I've gone through my goodies and added some of my favs for you!

Click on the photos...maybe even twice ~

mine get pretty huge so you can check out what's included in the box.

The little scrim pouch holds beautiful vanilla colored buttons...

embellished with seam binding

and millinery flowers.

Gorgeous old thread, a string of vintage pearls, an antique baby spoon....

a few french pages ~

a couple of antique lace bundles...

and a small old box filled with...well I'll show you in just a minute :)

A teeny piece of artwork I made with dried, pressed flowers....
and tulle melted over top ~

a beautiful rhinestone earring, and a MOST PRECIOUS tiny doll shoe!

Antique buttons still on their card....
a teeny watchmaker's vial filled
with the smallest pearls I could find from my collection ~

A strip of a rhinestone necklace ~ more antique lace on an old wooden spool....

and even some of our wonderful lavender soap wrapped in tulle and pearls!

I've saved this amazing luggage buckle and ribbon forever ~

don't you think it works wonderfully in the lid to hold gorgeous old ephemera??

I've included a sweet antique cabinet card of a woman but turned it backwards

just because the graphics on the back are AMAZING!

A wonderful embossed napkin and doily ~

an old handwritten letter and

the most wonderful receipt....

all tucked behind the ribbon ~

OH! and inside the little old box?

Precious dried flowers ~ that speak of times past....

Aren't they wonderful?

I placed a snippet of lace underneath.

SOLD!!!

Thank you so much Marilyn!

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

And I just HAVE to share with you our sweet additions to the family ~

This weekend we bought six chicks!

I can't live in a farmhouse without chickens laying eggs now can I???

Now I have to get a chicken coop built....

Oh well ~

You know I'll have to do it on the cheap!

Stay tuned for more Green Acres....

I don't have a clue what I'm doing!!

(OK now, don't laugh...this pic was taken in the fall of 1980! It was our engagement photo)

One more little, bitty piece of news for you ~

Today is our THIRTIETH anniversary!!!

YIKES!

I'm old as dirt, heck, WE'RE old as dirt!

But I so love my husband ~

the father of my babies,

and my best friend ever...

he always takes such wonderful care of us all ~

Wishing you an amazing Monday my sweet friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn