Recycled Cottage Sign

Working with recycled materials has, for me, been a part of my life since I've been a small child...but started to come to life when I was a young teen. I grew up with an extremely talented and artistic family, though I'm sure some of them saw it as a means for survival, and would not think of themselves as "artistic" or "talented"....but I do.

Both my grandfathers and my Dad were builders. I think the smell of wood and the sound of machinery will forever be a part of me. As I type this I wonder if they even realize the impact their wood working talents have had on me.

My Grandmother Moreau and my Mom had us doing every craft imagineable as far back as I can remember. Sewing, macrame, knitting....you name it we did it! And both of these gals were in the antique business. Over my lifetime I've been to thousands of yard sales and flea markets. I sold wares out of my grandmother's barn at an early age, and was setting up at shows with my Mom as a teen.

I guess that's when you can say the love for using found objects really started to come in to play. Mom and I would be out early on a Saturday morning looking for treasures, and we'd find some cute little wood shelf or stand and she'd say, "You could paint and stencil this!" (yes, sorry, I said stencil...hearts, geese, cows...come on, YOU remember!!) Anyhoo, stuff started selling, and well what can I say....I've been hooked ever since.

I have moved on from stenciled geese, but I've used some of the same techniques for aging & distressing pieces from, well as far back as I can remember. I'd like to share this VERY easy technique with you. 

Cottage Sign made from recycled cabinet door

This project requires NO SANDING!

This old cabinet door had a dark stained finish with a worn coat of poly. First I gave it a good scrubbing. I used a latex paint with a satin finish. Simply brush on a good coat of paint, and with a dry rag wipe off. How much paint you leave on is up to you. At this point the paint may look a little chalky, don't let this bother you!

For the lettering I use a font from my computer and print off my message on regular copy paper. This may take some experimenting with the size you want. I line up my lettering to the piece, using a ruler for good measure. Then I tape the message on three sides of the paper to leave a place to slip carbon paper underneath. Then, just trace it out!

All you have to do is to be able to paint in the lines and you'll be fine! And remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!! I used 2 colors for the lettering on this sign. Simply pour the puddles of paint next to eachother, lightly wet your brush and dip into each color. I only ever so slightly blend the 2 colors. Don't overblend....you want the 2 colors to show on your piece and they will naturally blend as you stroke on your paint.

Once the paint has dried I use a product called BRIWAX in light brown. It is a blend of natural waxes, and you can find it at most hardware stores, or better antique shops. Wipe on the wax all over your piece with a clean cloth, once it dries, take another clean cloth buff away! The more you buff, the warmer your piece will look. Also that strange chalky look the paint gives off from being on top of the old varnish will dissapear!

I used hand wrought iron hooks on this piece....but let your imagination go wild! Old door knobs, stainless steel hooks...whatever!

Don't forget to use something on the back for hanging....and voila COTTAGE CHIC!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 28, 2004 18:15 | link | comments (8) |
inspiration for you, artsy fartsy

Fall day

Beth and the kids came yesterday for a festive fall day.....

Beth & her wee ones

 

 

 

 

 

Connor & Madeline

Ummm....we realized that the last time we made scarecrows was when we were little kids. That's O.K......the little ones didn't seem to notice that we had NO IDEA what we were doing!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 25, 2004 13:12 | link | comments (6) |

Inspired by pictures of Gnome's adorable Casey, I decided to show you all pictures of our "babies".

Our adorable Rudy....almost 10 years old. That chewed up softball is one of many toys.

LIKES: chasing balls, chewing up socks, her Dad, the trash, sneaking off to the brook, taking a nap with Mom, and little children

DISLIKES: people who don't throw the ball, the cat touching her, rain

Dakota is a Georgian dog, brought to us by my sister on our wedding day.

LIKES: treats, her dog bed, to talk, loving hands that pet, the snow

DISLIKES: loud noises, sad people, dog chow on her face

Our little Wee Kitty

LIKES: napping, playing with Dad (rubberbands are her favorite), watching the bird feeders, sleeping with us at night, food, attacking the dogs, my niece Madeline

DISLIKES: being woken up from a nap, the snow

And there you have it...our little family! 

posted by: sweetpeas at October 23, 2004 11:48 | link | comments (14) |

In preperation for another Maine Winter

No, I'm not exactly thrilled to have this stack of wood in front of the house next to the livingroom door, RIGHT IN FRONT FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE (this is a round Hubby has won)....BUT, the wood stove and box are right near this door in our cozy little livingroom, and quite frankly I have to agree that at 10 below, looks aint everything.

Doesn't it look like this carefully piled stack will fall?

All I can say is if I have to restack this @@$%**$%@@ pile of wood again, I just may lose it!

On the bright side,

RED SOX RULE!

Now let's see if those boys can pull it off again tonight!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 20, 2004 14:57 | link | comments (5) |

2 Drawer Stand

 Little stand I put in the shop on Friday. I'm happy to report that the "Wild Island Rose" desk sold this weekend!

WELCOME!

Where The Cloud Lingers

Yvestown

Whimsy and Stars Studio

It's always nice to make new friends!

 

posted by: sweetpeas at October 18, 2004 13:54 | link | comments (11) |
artsy fartsy

Birthday Wishes....

Happy Birthday MOM!

Today is Mom's birthday....and what can I say? She's my best friend....and always will be! She was the "cool" Mom growing up, a person my own friends could go to when they needed someone to talk to. She was ever trusting, and let me make my own descisions, and my own mistakes....yet she was always there to pick up the pieces.

She was a young mother, and I know in many ways we grew up together...but that's what made it so fun! I know I've been there for her at difficult times in her life, and I always will be.

There were times when it felt my sister, Mom and myself were just the three of us against The World, there were times when that's the way it was. She tought us to be independent and how to get through....we still carry those valuable lessons with us.

She has supported my artistic nature, and fed it when she could. I know she is proud of what I do.

We both have fought to have the wonderful lives that we have....and I'm glad we can share the good times together.

So Mom....my Shopping Partner, Business Buddy, Sound Board & Gossip Pal.....CHEERS! Here's to the BEST MOM a gal could ever have!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 17, 2004 01:06 | link | comments (3) |
family & friends

Ta Daaaaaaa.....

There will be lots of DIY projects for the inside....and I will be sure to share what we do over the winter. Electricity would be a start...

 

We will put railings on the deck this Spring....and definetly do some landscaping! I'm not going to use that furniture, that was something I slapped on there, because we had company coming. I think a round table and chairs will go there. OH...and I need to paint the door red to match the 2 front doors.

View from the backyard...where the old "pooper" used to be. (I know I'm gross) More landscaping there....and that's where we found the pottery.

About where I'm standing to take this picture is where we have our rock fire pit, under a grove of pine trees. This is where everyone gathers for fish tails and cocktails. We would all go THROUGH THE OLD SHED!! Now, if I can keep it nice....there will be more room for company, and there should be a nice flow to the back! Also I feel better about nieces &  nephews coming as well....will be able to keep an eye on them easier!

Thanks everyone for the nice comments!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 15, 2004 14:25 | link | comments (5) |
decorating it s a passion

Bye-Bye Old Shed! PART 2

Is this scary or what??

Even Dakota was a little freaked out by the whole thing!

at this point I thought..."what have we done?"

 

posted by: sweetpeas at October 14, 2004 20:11 | link | comments |
decorating it s a passion

The Old Shed Blues

I've been meaning to do this for a while...

Here are some photos of "the old shed"

This shed is on the back and one side of the house. It's connected to our kitchen. It housed many things....trash & bottles. Furniture to be painted. Skiis from the 80's. Boxes of mason jars. Antiques to be priced. Old cans of paint. Old rugs. Stereo equipment from like the 70's or something. I could go on and on....trust me it wasn't pretty.

Jon found newspaper fron N.Y. from the 1880's that was used as insulation between the walls to the kitchen and the shed. We knew it was old....but not THAT old!

I will post pictures of the NEW sunroom/studio later....I seriously have got to get some work done!

 

We don't normally have this trash laying around!! Just cleaning it out! (it took 2 days)

 

That  little room on the very back used to be an outhouse! No running into the cold outdoors for those folks!

We found some old cool vintage bottles when the shed came down! We also found a lot of BOOZE bottles. (somebody was hiding something I'd say)!! While Jon was raking the soil, he found a beautiful antique Roseville Pottery planter....still in tact! What a find....will go on display in the new space!

posted by: sweetpeas at October 14, 2004 15:02 | link | comments (7) |
decorating it s a passion

"Wild Island Rose" desk

This desk was inspired by a week long summer vacation on the coast. My friend Judy & I kayaked to a little island to have lunch and was pleasantly surprised to find the island full of overgrown rose bushes. Nothing ever smelled so good!

I just printed off some pictures of those roses and decided I had to paint them on something.

 

posted by: sweetpeas at October 12, 2004 13:37 | link | comments (5) |
artsy fartsy