Country French Corner

Do you find yourself making little decorating changes

when you clean?

 

I do ~ and I have so much fun in the process.

Cleaning takes longer, but

in the end, I am pleased with a new little vignette here and there.

 

Like this counter corner in my French Country Kitchen.

In it's past look, the coffee pot was here with a paper towel holder.

I tend to get tired of the same look all the time.

So from coffee pot, to this~

just using pieces I already have and collected.

 

 

This plate is one of my favorites from

Royal Stanford in black and white.

There is actually two here in this stand.

Handy to reach for

when setting  the table for two.

 

These two canisters where a great find

at Hobby Lobby for half off.

One holds tea bags

the other sweetener packets.

 

Love the French design behind the roosters.

 

 

I painted this old rooster many years ago.

He is right at home here too.

 

Love this little Paris dish to hold my watch and rings

while doing dishes.

 

And you know I have to have a little faux timer candle light

standing in a tall glass pedestal.

Stays on 6 hours and off for 18

then back on again at the same time each evening.

So cozy!

 

The coffee pot has found a new spot.

 

 

 

 

And before I go today, here's one more thing.

 

**********

 

Below is a  framed plaque that is an old piece of artwork

in need of a redesign.

Most of the piece was great except the floral design in the center.

 

So I covered that part with a great black striped designer paper

then topped over that with a French graphic.

 

I cut the pattern for the area using tracing paper

pressed in place to form the pattern then used this piece

to cut the papers.

You know I've shared this very technical pattern technique before. LOL

 

 

 

 

After all is in place, then I brush over the papers with modpodge.

 

Once dry, I go over the solid white paper

with acrylic antique glaze by sponging it over the surface.

This gives an aged  look.

 

You can apply as much or little as you want to get the look.

Just make sure you have used the modpodge first

because if you sponge right over the paper

 it will be heavy and cover the graphic

or picture by soaking right into  the paper.

 

This hangs in a bathroom that I have been giving a little change to as well.

I'll share more of this room later along with the guestroom that goes with it.

 

So that's all for now friends.

I'll be gone today having some birthday fun for my day lunching and shopping with a dear friend.

 

See you soon.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs

Celestina Marie

 



Pitter, Patter,Pretty Platter

Say that ten times fast!!

 

One of my favorite treasures to search for.

Pretty Platters!

 

 

Over the years I have collected quite a few that I use

to display, decorate with and serve food on.

 

Some are cherished gifts and others are great finds.

 

Here are a just a few vintage and new to share with you today~

Love the design on this one from
Homer Laughlin with 22 K on the rim.



 

This one is gorgeous with the creamy border design.

No markings on this one, but I know it is old.

 

Love this cherry blossom design by,

Old English

Johnson Bros.

Made in England.

 

This is a round style with no markings.

I have had this about 25 years and just love the thick

white frosted glass with the raised grapevine design.

This gorgeous floral design
 just inspires me for painting.
By, Atlas China Company with 22 K edge.

Such a pretty rose and forget me not pattern.

My very favorite of all given to me
from my dear grandmother.
Very old from,
The Symphony Salem China Company
marked 39304
and on this one 23K on the edge.
I have not found many in 23K
and marked, made in the USA

Love the soft pretty pattern.

 Another from my mother's collection and also very old.
Marked from the Royal China Co.
The green and white pattern is perfect
to display for St. Patrick's Day.

 

This one is only about 15 years old

and Made in Italy

from the Vietri Collection.

 

This one is a recent treasure from my visit to

The Prairie, by Rachel Ashwell

in Roundtop, Texas.

Another great treasure found at a yard sale.
It is very large with a raised fruit pattern all around.
I have a soup tureen that had the same pattern
found at another sale years before.
They were a perfect match to layer
and display.
This set is perfect to serve sandwiches on the platter
along with soup, for a large group.

The perfect match!

 

 

Do you enjoy platters?

Collect them, use for display

or pretty bases for cloches?

 

 

Thanks for visiting today

Joining,

Etsy Cottage Style

for Cottage Style Entertaining.

 

Hugs,

Celestina Marie

 

Waiting for Spring

At this point, I think we are all ready for

springtime and fresh new flowers

We have warmed up nicely and even enjoyed a day reaching 82 degrees.

My rose garden is still a ways from sharing pretty blooms

but I know they are coming soon.

In the meantime,

I have brought a little spring inside

while we wait.

*********

It is better to be patient then

powerful; it is better to have self-control

then to conquer a city.

Proverbs 16:32

Roses, although silk, are a hope for spring.

There is beauty in the color pink.





We can make our plans, but the Lord

determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9

There is a time for everything,

a season for every activity

under heaven.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

Teach us to make the most of our time,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Home is where the heart dwells

and makes a nest for comfort.

The birds in my yard are beginning to sing

the songs of springtime.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend

and warm spring days soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings

Celestina Marie



Creating a Designer Pot Holder Mitt

Recently I was looking for a couple new pot holders but

I just couldn't find one with vintage style

and retro charm.

 

So I had the idea to pick up a couple mitts

from the Dollar Tree

and create my own.

 

I found two mitts in a neutral color

 and gathered a retro graphic

from THE GRAPHICS FAIRY

 

Next I transferred the graphic to a

printable fabric sheet

by running it through my printer.

I used Avery sheets for this,

but I really love

Lesley Riley's TAP.

I just happen to be out of it.

 

As you can see above, I copied the graphics

then cut them out close to the design.

 

At this point, I ironed them in place using a hot dry iron

and pinned  vintage lace to the top which I sewed on last by hand.

 

If you try this project, keep in mind the direction

of your design in case you are going to hang it up.

This way it won't be upside down.

Also place your design on the front side

leaving the area that comes in

contact with a hot pot clear.

 

Easy and complete, but needs some color.

 

So I made a water color wash using acrylic paints

and begin lightly coloring in a bit of the design

by hand painting just a few areas.

 

I gave her dress and apron tie a red wash and

her mixing bowl a jade color.

Brown for her hair and the vanilla bottle,

with pink for her glass.

I used a  light grey for her hand mixer.

 

 

It's a retro pattern so this gal has to cook wearing her

diamond ring created with glitter glue.

I also used a gold glitter to match the vintage rickrack

across the bottom of the design and along the book binding.

 

 

The trim still needed a bit more detail so I added

this vintage rickrack from my stash

and a vintage coat button with jute for hanging.

 

 

This is a quick project that has so many possibilities and looks

using French labels and more.

 

 

Square or round pot holders would work too.

 

You can either iron the graphic in place

or sew it on.

I did a little of both so it will be completely washable.

 

Hope you found some inspiration

to try this or create your own idea.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a great Wednesday.

 

Joining,

Ivy and Elephants

 What We Accomplished Wednesday

Cottage Brush Strokes from Etsy Cottage Style 

 

 

 

 

 



ReDesigned Book Boxes

Book Boxes have so many uses

from storage to gifts to

holding keepsakes and collectibles.

 

 

I always find them on my treasure hunts

but not usually with a design that is pretty.

 

Recently I found a great sturdy box

7" X 10" in size and in excellent condition.

 

First I hand painted the entire box inside and out

with my signature

color of Honeysuckle Bloom Flat.

 

I find it works as well as any chalk paint,

covers well

 and  easily takes a waterbase varnish to seal if needed.

 

While drying, I picked out

wonderful decorator papers from my stash

and lots of lace, trims, flowers and buttons

for embellishment.

 

To pattern the papers to fit inside and out,

I just use light tracing paper

press in place to form an outline

in the area to cover and then use that for my pattern.

 

If the paper cuts are off a bit

 it's no problem once you add the trims and embellishments.

 

Next, I glued in place all the basic backgrounds

using ModPodge and seal over the interior papers also

making it more durable to hold treasures.

 

After trimming with the fun stuff and accents.

It looks something like this.

 

Sorry I forgot to take a before pic, but you get the idea

it would be just a solid off white box at this point.

 

I used stamps as you see above.

A Fleur Di Li's and French postage stamp too.

 

Inside the bottom area, I did a collage

style application giving a "filled with keepsakes" look.

 

The interior has a flat paper pocket

filled with tags and note cards trimmed in lace and

charms over card stock trims and more stamps

of springtime flowers and a crown charm.

 

The top is trimmed with lace, charms crocheted flowers,

sheer flowers, feathers, buttons and ribbons.

 

The sides are finished in a pretty braided trim.

 

Perfect accent for the coffee table, desk or fill with

treasures for a special gift.

 

This little goodie was sent over to my etsy shop.

 

Like many others, this was so much fun to create

and I plan to work on another soon.

 

Hope you try it too.

 

Joining,

Cottage Craft Room

from Etsy Cottage Style.

 

See you next time.

Celestina Marie